Christmas – Ms Chef in Seattle

Chocolate Sourdough Cherry Cake with Betty Christensen’s Fudge Frosting, and a joyous family surprise

December 23, 2018

The 22nd of December is the birthday of a friend who didn’t get a cake on her birthday last year (or even a dedicated post-birthday cake) not due to oversight but because my daughter took me to Las Vegas to satisfy my curiosity about the city at the same time as removing me from the … More Chocolate Sourdough Cherry Cake with Betty Christensen’s Fudge Frosting, and a joyous family surprise

It’s a wrap. Merry Christmas on the way.

December 22, 2018

Two mailed and here’s the rest, ready for delivery Saturday, the day after the full moon and solstice. Gonna deck the halls of my grand-niece’s birthday party with a big platter of the cookie balls not in these tins. She’s now 11 and we will be meeting for the first time in the morning. We’re … More It’s a wrap. Merry Christmas on the way.

“Boy Version” Coconut Dream Bars

December 19, 2018

First thing this morning, while the coffee was brewing, I was cutting the parchment for these cookies. They’re also known as Hawaiian Dream Bars* in my family, another of my mother’s favorites. I didn’t put butterscotch chips in these, so the coconut is the star. If you’re wondering why I’ve provided them a gender-defining name, … More “Boy Version” Coconut Dream Bars

Next: Peanut Butter & Honey Cookies

December 18, 2018

What? Peanut butter cookie for the Christmas mix? Nope. These are peanut butter and honey, a different cookie almost entirely. Again, one of my mother’s favorite hide-a-ways. Christmas cookies and candies, when I’m the decider, are about different flavors and textures but now I consider the shortened length of my kitchen time, both in number … More Next: Peanut Butter & Honey Cookies

Chocolate Cream Fudge, No Nuts

December 17, 2018

That’s right. A second batch of chocolate fudge, this time without the walnuts, because more people prefer not to have their chocolate interrupted by a nut.

Today it’s Cinnamon Butter Cookies & Kashmiri Fennel Mini Tea Cakes

December 17, 2018

Those crunchy buttery cookies of cinnamon goodness, special for my mother. There’s gotta be a couple types that she can stash away in her dresser drawer, and today I made them both. She loves butter cookies and this year I chose spice to go with the sugar. The other is these bite-size nuggets, mini teacakes … More Today it’s Cinnamon Butter Cookies & Kashmiri Fennel Mini Tea Cakes

And today … Royal Velvet Lavender Caramels in the pan

December 15, 2018

Yep, it was the lavender sugar in the jar, infused since St. Patrick’s day and ready for cookies or caramels for the Christmas goody tins, made the answer to the question — what kind of caramels this year? — easy. Lavender is most definitely one of those yes-please or no-thank-you flavors, and for several people … More And today … Royal Velvet Lavender Caramels in the pan

Christmas goody making begins with Fudge 1 and Fudge 2

December 14, 2018

I thought that there’d only be peanut butter fudge made today, but an early start followed by a cleaned and warmed 4-quart pot felt very much like a do-it-now while the pot, spoon and scraper are out. Next, a whole lot of cutting wax paper and wrapping before the fudges join some cookies next week … More Christmas goody making begins with Fudge 1 and Fudge 2

“Christmas with You” my song

December 21, 2017

I wrote it a number of years ago, and like to put it up every year. It’s sung by Scottish tenor Andrew McDiarmid, played by me and with an occasional harmony audible. Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 1st Tin Out

December 21, 2017

The numbering of the last few posts is directly related to the number of Christmas goodies this year. I’ve sent Mother’s off in the post today. She’ll be delighted, as usual, but also because she’s declared that she will not be baking this year because she doesn’t feel like it. My hunch is that she’ll … More Merry Christmas 1st Tin Out