Today’s guest blogger is actually from the home design & garden niche of blogging. Today we welcome Kristen, from High Heels and a Hammer to our table! We happen to personally know Kristen! She was in Chris Ann’s wedding 20 years ago, as Maid-of-Honor! We also know that besides swinging a hammer in cute shoes, her home is filled with memories and recipes to share! ~Chris Ann & Kristin
******
Happy Holidays! I’m Kristen from High Heels and a Hammer and I am both thrilled and honored to have been asked by Chris Ann and Kristin to join them at their table.
It’s a true pleasure to have counted these delightful ladies as dear friends for years. They are warm and welcoming and over the years we’ve had our share of adventures. My favorite times are those spent gathered around the table, sharing our stories, and enriching our lives. Thanks for inviting me to the table today.
Growing up, my parents made sure our home was always filled with fun, laughter and a healthy dose of hospitality. My mom was a fabulous cook and a great teacher. The holidays were no exception. I remember many days spent in the kitchen learning my mom’s most treasured holiday recipes. Part of her legacy was making sure that all of her kids knew how to cook. This legacy was passed down to her grandkids as well.
When it comes to cookies, my fondest memories include platters of a dozen or more kinds of cookies, all temptingly delicious.
Dozens of these cookies never made it to our platters. Every year, we would package up several containers and deliver holiday goodness to friends and neighbors. It was fun to see the delight on faces as they received our packaged plates. I think that was part of the experience my mom was trying to teach us. Reach out and share a part of who you are and people will respond. And they did. For weeks, it felt like as many treats were coming into our house as were going out. And that wasn’t even counting the annual cookie exchange.
Every year my mom took part in a neighborhood cookie exchange. And every year the same cookie was requested by all the neighbors. Everyone loved my mom’s Nutmeg Sticks.
This wonderful cookie, humble in appearance, is a delight to the senses, rich with flavors of nutmeg and rum enveloping your taste buds in every bite. Once formed, these cookies are rolled in sugar and baked just until a slightest hint of golden brown appears at the edges. When cooled, they are frosted with a rich, rum flavored, powdered sugar frosting. A dusting of nutmeg is the only adornment needed to make them complete.
These cookies make a delightful addition to any holiday cookie platter.
Nutmeg Sticks
Ingredients
1 cup unsweetened butter
2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoon rum extract
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
Frosting
1/3 cup unsweetened butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons rum extract
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Cream together butter, vanilla, and rum extract
- Add sugar and egg. Mix.
- Add flour, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Roll dough into sticks approx. 3” long and ½” diameter.
- Roll in granulated sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 min. Watch carefully; bake only until a touch of brown appears on edges.
- Cool and then frost.
- Sprinkle tops with ground nutmeg.
Makes about 4 ½ dozen cookies
Enjoy!
Thanks Chris Ann and Kristin for inviting me to the table today. Warm and Happy Holiday wishes to all!!
******
Thank you to Kristen, from High Heels and a Hammer for sharing your Holiday Nutmeg Stick Cookie recipe with us at our table!
