8 Days of Latke Recipes for Hanukkah, or anytime!

2009 Hanukkah begins sundown Dec. 11th through Dec. 19th.

So for the next 8 days... we will post some great Latke Recipes.

Latkes are traditionally a fried Potato Pancake. Some top with a savory sour cream or a sweet apple sauce. Many countries have their own types of Potato Pancakes & no matter what time of year it is or what religion you practice ... Latkes are just so darn good!!! Main meal, side dish or appitizers ... you can make them for any occasion.

Today we will start with a very traditional recipe & come back each day for more variations. So put on your Cooking Apron & we will get started!

Perfect Potato Latkes
(yields 24 latkes)

Ingredients:
vegetable or olive oil for frying
1 cup flour
4 eggs
1 medium onion, grated in a food processor
salt and pepper to taste
pinch nutmeg
8 large Idaho or russet potatoes, peeled

Heat 1/3 inch oil in a heavy frying pan until very hot. While the oil is heating, place the flour, eggs, onion, salt and pepper, and nutmeg in a bowl, and mix thoroughly.

Quickly grate the potatoes in a food processor, using the thin grating blade for soft latkes or the thick grater blade for crunchier latkes.

Immediately add them to the batter, mixing with a spoon and without pressing on the solids in order not to draw unwanted moisture.

Work very quickly so they do not have time to get discolored. Form small patties with both hands without ever squeezing, and lower them into the hot oil (at this point reduce the heat just slightly: leave it on high but not the highest), or drop the batter by heaping tablespoons.

Fry until golden, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove and drain on paper towels. Serve with applesauce, yogurt or sour cream

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30 Days of Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes! KRINGLA Day 30

Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes!
KRINGLA

My mom makes these every year. I believe they are a Danish cookie & are more "bready" that crispy. I LOVE them cold, topped with butter & a sprinkle of sugar.

Check here everyday for 30 days for a new Holiday Cookie Recipe! Many can be baked NOW, zip-bagged & freeze. One less thing to get done during the hectic Holiday season! Now get on your Apron & start baking.

1/2 c. butter

1 c. sugar

1 egg

1 c. buttermilk with1 tsp. soda, dissolved

3 c. flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream butter, sugar and egg, adding ingredients alternately with buttermilk and soda. Add vanilla. Chill overnight, at least 12 hours. Flour pastry cloth. Drop 1 teaspoon dough in flour. Roll pencil thin. Form figure 8's. Bake on greased cookie sheet at 375 degrees until light brown. Brush excess flour from Kringlas with soft paper towel before storing. Yields 3 1/2 dozen.

30 Days of Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes! Dippity Do Dah Holiday Shapes Day 29

Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes!

Dippity Do Dah Holiday Shapes

SUPER Quick & easy!

Check here everyday for 30 days for a new Holiday Cookie Recipe! Many can be baked NOW, zip-bagged & freeze. One less thing to get done during the hectic Holiday season! Now get on your Apron & start baking.



1 (15 1/2-ounce) package NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Refrigerated Holiday Sugar Cookie Shapes with Decorator Icing


1 cup (6 ounces) * NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels


1 tablespoon vegetable shortening


Various holiday sprinkles, jimmies or crushed nuts (optional)


Bake cookies according to package directions. Cool completely on wire racks.
Line baking sheets with wax paper. Place morsels and shortening in medium, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring until morsels are melted.
Dip half of each cookie into chocolate. Place on prepared baking sheets
. Sprinkle decorations onto dipped half of cookie. Refrigerate for 5 minutes or until set. Decorate cookies with icing packets and more sprinkles, if desired.
Makes 24 cookies.
* May use 1 cup (6 ounces) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Premier White Morsels instead of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

30 Days of Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes! German Gingerbread Cookies Day 28

Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes!

German Gingerbread Cookies

Check here everyday for 30 days for a new Holiday Cookie Recipe! Many can be baked NOW, zip-bagged & freeze. One less thing to get done during the hectic Holiday season! Now get on your Apron & start baking.

1/2 cup dark molasses
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon each cloves, nutmeg and salt
2/3 cup ground California pistachios
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg 1 egg yolk, beaten with 2 teaspoons water

For decoration:1/4 cup each chopped and whole shelled California pistachios

Combine molasses with butter and sugar in saucepan; heat, stirring just until butter melts. (Don’t boil.) Cool.
In a separate bowl, mix flour, spices, salt, ground pistachios and baking powder. Add egg and cooled syrup mixture and blend to a dough.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375*F (190*C).
Roll out dough into two (12-inch) rounds and cut out holiday shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheets, leaving 1/2-inch between them. Brush with egg yolk-water mixture. Decorate with chopped and whole pistachios.
Bake for 10 minutes or until light golden at edges. Cool on wire racks.
Makes 30 (3-inch) cookies.
Tip: Pulse pistachios in a food processor until coarsely ground.

30 Days of Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes! Festive Eggnog Wreath Cookies Day 27

Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes!
Festive Eggnog Wreath Cookies

Check here everyday for 30 days for a new Holiday Cookie Recipe! Many can be baked NOW, zip-bagged & freeze. One less thing to get done during the hectic Holiday season! Now get on your Apron & start baking.

3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, beaten
1/3 cup eggnog
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon rum extract
1/4 teaspoon each red and green paste food coloring
1 egg white, beaten, optional
1/4 cup coarse sugar, optional
1 tube prepared white decorator frosting
24 cinnamon candies, optional

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Combine 3 cups flour, salt, and nutmeg; set aside. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. With mixer on low, add egg, eggnog, vanilla and rum extract, scraping down sides until well blended. Gradually add flour mixture to make dough. Divide mixture in half.
Dust work surface with flour. Place half of dough on surface, make a well in center and add red food coloring paste. Knead color through dough until even, dusting surface with flour as needed. Roll into a 12-inch log, wrap in plastic wrap or waxed paper and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough and green coloring paste.
Cut each log into 24 pieces. On a floured work surface roll each portion into a 6 to 8-inch long rope. Place a red and green rope side-by-side. Twist one rope over the other, gently pressing the ends together into a wreath shape. Repeat with remaining red and green ropes. Place on parchment-lined or ungreased cookie sheets about 2 inches apart. Brush wreaths with egg white and sprinkle with sugar, if desired.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Using a decorator tip, pipe frosting into bows on wreaths and add a cinnamon candy, if desired.
Makes about 3 1/2 to 4 dozen.

30 Days of Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes! Holly Wreath Cookies Day 26

Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes!

Holly Wreath Cookies

We make these EVERY year because they are so easy, pretty & yummy!

Check here everyday for 30 days for a new Holiday Cookie Recipe! Many can be baked NOW, zip-bagged & freeze. One less thing to get done during the hectic Holiday season! Now get on your Apron & start baking.

1/3 cup margarine or butter

1 package (10 ounces about 40) regular marshmallows*

1 teaspoon green food coloring

6 cups Corn Flakes**

Red cinnamon candies

Prepared vanilla frosting

Melt margarine in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in food coloring.
Add CORN FLAKES cereal. Stir until well coated
Portion warm cereal mixture evenly by using a 1/4 cup dry measure coated with cooking spray
. Using sprayed fingers, quickly shape into individual wreaths. Dot with cinnamon candies, using prepared frosting to hold candies in place. Store in single layer in airtight container.
Makes 16 cookies.

* Or 4 cups miniature marshmallows.
** Or 6 cups Frosted Flakes cereal

30 Days of Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes! Holiday Cookies On A Stick Day 25

Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes!

Holiday Cookies On A Stick

Check here everyday for 30 days for a new Holiday Cookie Recipe! Many can be baked NOW, zip-bagged & freeze. One less thing to get done during the hectic Holiday season! Now get on your Apron & start baking.

1 cup (6 ounces) NESTLÉ® SWIRLED Holiday Morsels

3/4 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

2 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

12 wooden craft sticks

1 (16-ounce) container prepared cream cheese frosting

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Combine morsels in small bowl; set aside. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in 1 cup morsel mixture. Drop dough by level 1/4 cup measure 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Shape into mounds with floured fingers; press down slightly. Insert wooden stick into side of each mound.
Bake for 14 to 16 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets on wire racks for 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Spread frosting on tops of cookies. Sprinkle with remaining morsels.
Makes 15 large cookies.

30 Days of Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes! 'Tis the Season Coconut Macaroons Day 24

Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes!
'Tis the Season Coconut Macaroons

Check here everyday for 30 days for a new Holiday Cookie Recipe! Many can be baked NOW, zip-bagged & freeze. One less thing to get done during the hectic Holiday season! Now get on your Apron & start baking.

1 (14-ounce) package flaked coconut, (or 5 1/3 cups)

1 (14-ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup (6 ounces) Nestle Swirled Holiday Morsels (or chocolate chips or white chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Foil-line and grease baking sheets.
Combine coconut, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract in large bowl. Stir in morsels. Drop by level tablespoon on prepared baking sheets; press each cookie lightly with back of spoon.
Bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Store loosely covered at room temperature.
Makes 3 dozen cookies.

30 Days of Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes! Big Holiday Whole Wheat Cookies Day 23

Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes!

Big Holiday Whole Wheat Cookies

Check here everyday for 30 days for a new Holiday Cookie Recipe! Many can be baked NOW, zip-bagged & freeze. One less thing to get done during the hectic Holiday season! Now get on your Apron & start baking.

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

Large pinch salt

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups toasted walnut pieces*

Maple Glaze:

1/2 cup confectioners’ (powdered) sugar2 teaspoon milk

1 teaspoon maple flavoring

Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC) with oven racks in upper and lower thirds.
Combine flours, baking soda, and salt; reserve.
Combine sugars and butter in a bowl. Using an electric mixer or wooden spoon, beat until fluffy. Add vanilla, then add one egg at a time. Mix dry ingredients into butter mixture and thoroughly blend. Fold in walnut pieces.

Using 1/4 cup dough for each cookie, roll into a ball, place 4 inches apart on buttered baking sheets. With fingers, flatten each to about 3 inches in diameter.
Bake until lightly browned around edges, about 12 minutes.

Remove from oven; cool about 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

For Maple Glaze: Thoroughly mix confectioners’ sugar, milk and maple flavoring until smooth. Add a drop or two more milk, if necessary to achieve drizzling consistency.
Using a spoon, drizzle each cookie with glaze. Let glaze set.
Makes 18 cookies.

*To toast walnuts, place nuts in a single layer in an ungreased shallow pan. Bake at 350ºF for 5 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pan to cool.

30 Days of Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes! Norwegian Butter Cookies, Spritz Day 22

Holiday Christmas Cookie Recipes!
Norwegian Butter Cookies, Spritz

Check here everyday for 30 days for a new Holiday Cookie Recipe! Many can be baked NOW, zip-bagged & freeze. One less thing to get done during the hectic Holiday season! Now get on your Apron & start baking.

3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
4 cups all-purpose flour sifted with 1/2 teaspoon double-acting baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl cream the butter, beat in the sugar, a little at a time, the vanilla, and the almond extract, and beat the mixture until it is light and fluffy. Add the egg and combine the mixture well. Add the flour mixture and combine the dough well. Form the dough into walnut-size balls and arrange the balls 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Using a fork flatten the balls 3 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Using a fork flatten the balls to form cookies 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick, making a crosshatch design. Bake the cookies in a preheated moderate oven (350° F.) for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are golden around the edges, and transfer them with a spatula to racks to cool. Store the cookies in airtight containers. Makes about 70 cookies.