Happy Saint Nicolas Day

The eastern European tradition is that on the evening of December 5th you put your shoes out for Saint Nicolas. In the morning on December 6th when you wake up your shoes will be filled with cookies.

Every year I make these delicious spice cookies for St Nicolas Day, this year my kids found themselves filled with the spirit of St. Nic and joined in. To make St. Nic I use a modified gingerbread man cookie cutter, I just bent the top of his head to make the pointed bishop hat and changed the shape of the legs to make his robe. I have several bent up paper clips to stamp the hat line and beard shape. We always make some hands with spirals and hearts on them too. These are great cookies for tea and if kept in a tin will take you through the holidays.

Speculatius
Saint Nicolas Cookies


Mix in order


1 C shortening
2 C white sugar
4 eggs
3/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
4 C flour
4 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. allspice
2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. ginger
2 tsp. cloves


turn out on floured board kneed in about 1 cup more flour or as much as you need until dough is no longer sticky and is easy to handle.


Put into plastic bag and refridgerate until chilled and stiff. When rolling out dough keep unused dough refridgerated. Roll dough thinly for small cutout cookies. 1/4 inch thickness for larger.


Bake on parchment paper at 350° until golden-brown.

May birthday party in August

Yesterday Melody Johnson hosted a birthday party for all the girlfriends with May birthdays: Laura, Emily, Anne, Frieda and Tommy. For the party to be in August shows you how busy all these talented gals are.

Here's the group shot. Back row: Emily Parson, Jane Sassaman, Me, Frieda Anderson, Laura Wasilowski and Anne Lullie. Front row Tommy Fitzsimmons and Melody Johnson. You will have to see Melody and Frieda's blogs for the play by play party photos. The food was fabulous, Melodys a great cook wowing us with coconut shrimp with pina colada dipping sauce and Bobbie Flay corn soup followed by juicy grilled pork chops and lots of fresh summer fruit. I made my Zucchini Chocolate cake, frosting design inspired by henna tattoos.

There have been several requests for the recipe so here it is:

Zucchini Chocolate Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3 cups shredded zucchini
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate baking chips
1 cup salad oil
4 large eggs

In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in zucchini, and chocolate chips. In a small bowl, beat oil and eggs; add to dry mixture and mix well.

Spread batter in an oiled 9 by13 inch baking dish or pan. Bake in a 325° oven until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 50 to 55 minutes.