This month, I wanted to do things a little differently. I am going to post some recipes but with Christmas getting closer every single day, I wanted to talk about some of my favorite recipes that just signal that the holidays are here. Like it just can’t be Christmas with out these items on the table.

Once I taste these wonderful treats, its Christmas to me. Do you have food or goodies that you feel this way about? I would like to know. How about in the comment section, you leave a recipe or a link to your favorite holiday treat. What does Christmas taste like to you?

Over the years, I have found and developed a lot of recipes that I like to use during the holiday season but the ones that complete Christmas to me are the ones from my childhood. These two recipes are my mom’s. I make them now because I like doing it but they taste so much better when she does.

Chocolate Balls

3 cups Powered sugar
1 1/2 cups Graham Cracker crumbs
3/4 cup Coconut
3/4 cup Butter
3/4 cup Peanut butter
1 1/2 cups Chocolate chips
3 Tbsp Oil

Combine powered sugar, graham cracker crumbs and coconut in a large bowl.
Melt butter and peanut butter in a small sauce pan.
Once melted, pour over sugar mixture.
Mix until combined.
Shape batter into 1 inch diameter balls, set on cookie sheet.
Melt chocolate chips in oil, stir continually so chocolate doesn’t burn.
Remove from heat once melted.
Dip balls into chocolate a couple at a time and coat.
Once coated, place on cookie sheet and place in a cool place to set.

Jelly Roll

3oz Cream Cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups Bisquick
1/3 cup milk
1/2 jar raspberry preserves
1 cup powered sugar
1 – 2 tbsp milk
Green and Red food coloring if desired.

Cut cream cheese and butter in Bisquick and add milk.
Mix ingredients until just combined. Dough will be crumbly.
Turn out onto prepared, i.e. floured, board or counter top.
Form dough into large balls, flour rolling pin and roll dough into a 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. You are looking for an oval shape about 11 x 14 inches.
Once oval is formed, get a knife and cut one inch strips, horizontally leaving about a 2 inch intact middle section.
Pour jelly down the center.
Fold strips over jelly in the center.
Place roll onto baking sheet and bake at 375 for 30 minutes.
Once roll is cool, mix sugar and milk and red or green to make frosting.
Drizzle over roll.

It is just not Christmas until I make these recipes. I am glad to carry on this family holiday tradition and I hope that someday my daughter will do the same thing, if she can get past the chocolate.

This picture is of Claire from last year when I made chocolate balls.
Because let’s face it, I am not that organized to have my holiday baking already done.
I don’t even have our Christmas tree up yet.

Happy Holidays Everyone.
I wish you and your multiples the best holidays ever!