I saw a stranger yesterday; I put food in the eating place, drink in the drinking place, music in the listening place. In the sacred name of the Holy Trinity, He blessed myself and my house, my cattle and my dear ones; and the lark said in her song: Often, often, often, Goes the Christ in the stranger's guise. Often, often, often, Goes the Christ in the stranger's guise. ~ Celtic Rune
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from our home to yours. We wish for all of you a season of peace and love.
The recipe for December is from Helen McCarty, a dear family friend who passed away many, many years ago. Helen used to work for my parents in the family business. Every year she made the most wonderful gingerbread boys. They were absolutely my favorite holiday treat. When I was eighteen I worked alongside her in the office. That Christmas she shared her recipe with me. When she passed away I kept her tradition alive and I’ve been making her recipe ever since. It is always a special day in our home when we make Helen’s gingerbread boys.
Helen McCarty’s Gingerbread Boys ~ Makes approx. 12 boys
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vinegar
6 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. ground cloves
Chocolate chips
Cream the butter. Gradually add the brown sugar. Cream thoroughly. Blend in molasses.
Sift 2 ½ cups flour with the soda, spices, and salt. Stir into molasses mixture. Add vinegar and remaining flour alternately with the buttermilk.
Chill dough for one hour or overnight. On floured surface roll to ¼ inch thickness. Press out as many boys as you can fit. Roll up remaining scraps and press again.
Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 12 minutes.
Let cool slightly and then decorate with chocolate chips. Enjoy!
