Food, Glorious Food!

The theme for Rhonda Parrish’s Giftmas Blog Tour is FOOD! Glorious food!

(All right, Ice Age isn’t a Christmassy movie. I don’t care. I love this clip!)

Normally, I don’t bake much. But when December rolls around, I suddenly become transfixed by all things cookie. And one of my favourite cookie recipes is the Rum Fruitcake recipe from a little book my daughter received as a Christmas gift when she was about eight years old. It came with its own cute little plate to hold the cookies, and she loved it. But when she moved away from home… the recipe book stayed with me. (I didn’t hide it on her. Not really!) I still let her use it, but she has to come here. I love that little book! 

And my favourite recipe in this little book is the one that follows. Enjoy!

Rum Fruitcake Cookies

• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon rum extract
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups (8 ounces) candied fruit
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup nuts, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets; set aside. (I use parchment paper, just so you know!) Beat sugar and shortening in large bowl until fluffy. Add eggs, orange juice and rum extract; beat two minutes longer.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Add fruit, rasins and nuts. Stir into creamed mixture. Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cookies stand on cookie sheets 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack; cool completely. Makes about 6 dozen cookies.

Be prepared to make many more than just one batch. These are delightful, and you’ll want them year round! But don’t forget to make them soon. You and your family will love them!

As you know, this blog tour is gathering funds for the Edmonton Food Bank. According to the Food Bank, every dollar donated supplies 3 meals, so please consider donating. You won’t get a better deal than that! 

 https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/giftmas-blog-tour-supports-the-edmonton-food-bank/

If you like the idea of getting a little something for yourself, consider entering Rhonda’s giveaway. (She will crochet you your own blanket. Any colours you choose. Fantastic!)

And now, as promised, the musical interlude! I LOVE this song, and watch the movie every year, just so I can hear it.

(And no, the movie’s not “Die Hard.” Sorry.)

If you want more recipes (and the stories that goes with them), go to Tiffany hosts Stephanie | Barbara hosts Pamela today. And tomorrow the Giftmas Blog Tour stops are —Diamante hosts Kara | Beth hosts Jennifer Enjoy!

And, please remember to give to those less fortunate than yourselves this year. If you don’t have the money, then give some of your time. If not the Edmonton Food Bank, then another cause that is close to your heart. But don’t forget to give. We are so incredibly lucky, and if there is any season of the year that we should remember that, it is now.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/giftmas-blog-tour-supports-the-edmonton-food-bank/