Christmas Eve Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls bake up nice and full.  They are filled with raisins and brown sugar  and are oh so good!

                                              1 Tbsp. yeast

                                                 1 1/2 c. warm water

                                                1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar

                                                   1 Tsp. salt

                                                   4-5  cups flour

                                                    3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

                                                 1 egg, 

separated

                                                                    Filling 

                                                                3/4 c. Sugar

                                                             2 Tbsp. Ground Cinnamon

                                                                2 tablespoons butter, melted

                                                                      1 Cup of Raisins

                                                                                     Icing 

                                                                         1 cup powdered sugar

                                                                              1 tsp vanilla

                                                                                  1 tbs milk

 Combine yeast, water, and sugar in large mixing bowl and allow to stand 10 minutes or until bubbly. Add salt, vegetable oil, and egg yolk (set white aside for later) and combine. Add 3 c. flour and mix well until combined. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough that barely sticks to your finger. Knead for another 2-3 minutes. Cover and allow to rise 1 hour 45 minutes. When the dough has risen,  roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Brush the dough with the reserved egg white to moisten it. Then combine the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle it over the dough, drizzle the melted butter over that, and then top with the raisins

Roll the dough up and cut into 1 inch thick pieces putting into muffin pan as you go.  Allow to rise for 20 minutes more.

Preheat oven to 350 and bake for about 12 minutes.  Top with icing rite after you remove from pan.

Beautiful Christmas Cookies

  I went to a cookie swap recently and I made these jelly flower cookies.  They not only look great, they taste great too!

Ingredients

Strawberry jelly

1 1/2 cups softened butter

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 Tsp. vanilla 

5 cups flour

2 Tsp baking powder

1 Tsp salt

Royal icing

2 egg yolks

1 Tsp lemon juice

2 cups powdered sugar + enough to thicken to desired consistency 

( whip until stiff)

Cream together butter and sugar until smooth.  Add eggs and remaining ingredients.  Chill for at least an hour, overnight is best.

Preheat oven to 375 and roll cookies into 1/2 inch thick.  Cut using flower shaped cookie cutter.  

Using a large round marble ( or any round object small enough) press into center of cookie.  Place dallop of jelly into the center of the cookie.  Bake for 6-8 minutes.  Let cool completely.

Put royal icing into piping bag and outline each cookie!  

Everyone really enjoyed these.  They stay soft , chewy and really stand out!

Super Soup

This is my favorite soup to make in the winter months, especially if I am feeling a little under the weather.  It is packed with vitamins and makes you feel oh so good!

1 Can garbanzo beans

1 whole bunch of spinach

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 Tbs red curry paste

2 Cloves garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

Shredded cheese ( I usually put Feta on it but I was out)

Mix ingredients and simmer, when hot pour into bowls and top with cheese.  This recipe is really easy and really good!