pleasure in simple things

Every family has traditions surrounding the holiday season.  Our family certainly has plenty…making our annual ornament from a slice of the Christmas tree trunk…getting woken up on Christmas morning by sleigh bells…to name a couple.  And, as in most families, baking is a part of our holiday tradition.  In recent years, I have cut back on the huge variety of cookies I always baked.  Instead, each family member can pick their favorite variety to be included in the baking selection.

In addition to the family cookie selection, it is a tradition to create some treats to wrap for giving.  It is nice to be able to hand out a homemade treat to an unexpected visitor, or to bring a pretty wrapped treat to a neighbor while on a holiday visit.  This year, my wrapped treats will be holiday lollipops and rosemary shortbreads.

I made the lollipops out of white chocolate and added dried cranberries and pistachios.  They are very easy to make and can be personalized to your own taste.  Crushed candy canes, or any combination of your favorite candy and/or nuts can be added to the basic lollipop.

Be sure to use a good white chocolate (like Lindt or Ghirardelli).  10 oz. of chocolate will make about 8 lollipops that will measure approximately 2 1/2″ in diameter.  The perfect size for each lollipop is 2″ – 2 1/2″…anything larger may break off the stick.

You will need:

• lollipop sticks
• 10 oz. of white chocolate
• dried cranberries, fresh pistachios, or chosen addition
• large cookie sheet covered in wax paper
• double boiler

TO MAKE:  gently melt the chocolate in a double boiler, just until melted.  Using a large spoon, or pouring carefully from the pan onto the wax paper covered cookie sheet, make a circle of chocolate approximately 2″ to 2 1/2″ in diameter.  Take a lollipop stick and insert into the chocolate by laying it onto the circle of chocolate while slowly twirling the stick until it is embedded into the chocolate.  Position it so that the end of the stick is about half way on the circle of chocolate.  Gently press the cranberries and pistachios into the lollipop.  Continue with the rest of the chocolate…if you have a large sheet, you should be able to accommodate them all – approximately 8.  If you have a smaller sheet, you may need two sheets to fit all the lollipops.

After they are firm, package them in cellophane bags tied with ribbons or raffia.  I added a book print gift tag (purchased from the West Elm clearance section last year after Christmas).

In addition to the lollipops, I made shortbreads made from a recipe modified from Family Circle magazine.  I simply added 2 tablespoons of fresh, chopped rosemary to a favorite shortbread recipe.  (If you want a recipe and don’t have one, send me an email and I will send you out one.)  I made these in a traditional cookie size from Christmas tree cookie cutters for wrapping.  I also made some with mini cookie cutters to put into bowls for tasting.  They are wonderful…such a great rosemary fragrance and great flavor.

A photo of rosemary shortbreads….some wrapped to give and others in a bowl for tasting.

I am focusing on family and family traditions this Christmas and leaving many of the seasonal trivialities behind… in light of this past week.  The aspects of what is important about the holiday have come so sharply into focus…

Thanks for visiting.  Wishing your family peace… and, pleasure in simple things, Jackie