12/21/08

Christmas Danish Puff - and Silver $1 Platters

After running errands yesterday, I pulled into our driveway parking the car right in front of the garage. As my eyes went to the “red” recycle bin directly in front of me, I saw a big huge cardboard box sitting on top. It said, “Christmas.”


My husband had been semi-cleaning the garage that morning and he was right. This box should not go back up into the attic with Christmas stuff, as it was so old and falling apart, and the bottom was ripped out. It was time to be recycled.

But the writing on the box was too familiar. Written on all 4 sides, I quickly recognized my mother's writing!

She had stored her Christmas stuff in this very old cardboard box. I wonder for how many years?!

And when she died, I inherited some of her Christmas belongings. Some presently in our house, and now this box was tossed aside.

I also inherited a lot of Christmas memories and traditions, and one that comes to mind is baking.


This is the week that homemade goodies and gifts have started rolling into our home.

Or should I say, we’ve been rolling to the door to greet our guests (too many goodies in our bellies!), to collect these treats?

A favorite tradition is receiving cinnamon rolls. Both my friend Pam, and my cousin Terri, give us our yearly cinnamon roll fix every Christmas. So Friday night two platters of Terri’s - amazing, mouth-watering, moist, very distinct in flavor - rolls showed up and were quickly devoured, even though we’ve been trying to practice some self control this season!


Every year I ask my cousin to teach me – because there is really nothing quite like her recipe.

I believe in the older teaching the younger, right? So next year it is. I will be posting how I learned how to make “Terri’s” cinnamon rolls! (Hold me accountable, ok?)

A few years ago I started the tradition of making Danish Puff the week of Christmas.

My mother used to make this recipe (along with my Aunt Lois) and I love it because all you need is butter, flour and eggs! Oh, and a little bit of powdered sugar (and a few more miscellaneous ingredients). I’ve also made this dessert for luncheons or special brunches, so it is not necessarily just a Christmas recipe.

I used to take a cardboard box, cut several rectangular pieces, and then wrap those pieces with foil. Wah Lah – I’d have a silver-lined plate! But this year I found silver platters at the Dollar Store which worked perfectly, so I stocked up!


I pulled out a favorite cookbook (my mom's church cookbook), looking for the Danish Puff recipe, and I found a personal note to me from my mother when I had my 30th birthday.

I could recognize my mother's handwriting anywhere! And I smiled as her note made me happy last night, as if she were in the kitchen baking alongside me!

Danish Puff
½ c. butter, softened
1 c. all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. water
½ c. butter
1 c. water
1 tsp. almond extract
1 c. all-purpose flour
3 eggs

Glaze
1 ½ c. confectioner’s sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 ½ tsp. vanilla
1 to 2 Tbsp. warm water


Cut ½ c. butter into 1 c. flour, sprinkle 2 Tbsp. water, mix with a pastry blender


Form to ball, divide in ½ and press each half in rectangular form on baking sheet


Boil 1 c. water and ½ c. butter, and then add almond extract and 1 c. flour – forming a ball


Remove from heat – add eggs


Beat until thick, smooth & sticky


Divide and spread onto the rectangular dough strips


Bake at 350 for 45 minutes – Cool


Whip the glaze of powdered sugar, butter and vanilla


Spread glaze onto the cooled (or semi-cooled) Danish Puff


Sprinkle with chopped toasted pecans


Line silver $1 platters with doilies


During the year I try to find unique gifts that I can store and use for Christmas. Earlier this year I found monogrammed napkins that I stocked up on. So along with a “Danish Puff,” to each platter I was able to add a package of napkins!


And My Golden Seal of Approval!


My daughter and I delivered hot plates last night. And tonight we plan to do some more …

The countdown is on. Christmas is in 3 days. Are you ready?

36 comments:

Christian - Modobject@Home said...

I'm getting there... still have dozens of kolaches to bake and your Danish puff is tempting me.

Merry Christmas!

the said...

Those are so pretty ( too pretty to eat!) and I too have bought those $1 platters.
Im so excited for Christmas this year, its just such a great day!

Sarah said...

My grandmother used to make a very similiar danish every christmas day eve, thanks for bringing back lovely memories! Oh, you must shop at tuesday morning also,I have some of the same napkins.

Ms. Tee said...

You have the best recipes - and how sweet that it brought back memories with your mom. :)

I'm not ready yet - but getting there! Enjoy your week!

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

I too make this yummy danish puff...BUT, I've never thought to make it...and give them away.

Love your idea.

Have a blessed Christmas.

Kirstin said...

Hugs to you Sandy. This week I made my moms caramel corn recipe. Not too long ago I was going through some things and I found a little sticky note that my mom had written to me. It was just what I needed to bring a smile to my face. I miss her and wish she were here to enjoy life with us.

I too could recognize my moms handwriting anywhere!

Jen said...

We did breads with Christmas hand towels....this to the neighbors..they loved them, Merry Christmas friend. I look forward to a whole new year with you.

Deidre said...

I love this - what a treasure also to find something with your mother's handwriting. Great memory!

Merry Christmas!

Betts said...

What an impressive looking, yet simple recipe. I'll certainly be trying that (after Christmas). I'm almost ready, just a little more baking to do and a final, quick tidy of the house before the guests arrive.

I, too, can recognize my mother's handwriting instantly. It's amazing that writing on a cardboard box can provoke such nostalgia. It would be the same for me. I'm a real softy.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

I was not hungry, until I saw the danish. :) What a nice gift to receive. I think I have one of those trays in my cabinet. Merry Christmas to you and your family, and enjoy the holidays.
Glenda

Melanie said...

These look beautiful and delicious, too. I think I'll try them.
I wonder if using self-rising flower would be a problem?

Melanie said...

"Flour" not "flower!"
Also, I found those same monogrammed napkins and included them with a gift, too!

Christine said...

My entire Christmas to-do list (including making the homemade coasters for teachers and baking gifts for friends) has come to a screeching halt! We have had a terrible stomach bug going around from person to person since last Tuesday morning and it's killing me! I could use a post on "Christmas Grace- how to forgive yourself for not getting it all done".

:) Love you!

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

No, I AM NOT READY and now I want to make your Danish puffs but have no time to tackle it. They look yummy!!

Anonymous said...

I love seeing my auntie Millies hand writing! I have many recipes of my moms in her writing. Merry Christmas Sandy.
Love, Peggy

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I'm so far behind since I have a cold. Normally I'd be in the kitchen doing lots of baking but this year I'm on the sofa with a box of tissues.

I had to comment about the church cookbook. I have two that mean so much to me.

One is from my husband's home church and contains many recipes from his mom and her friends. The other is from a church we attended in the early 90s. It contains my recipes and those of my friends when we lived in Iowa.

I have many cookbooks but those two are extra special.

Miss G said...

I love things from my mom and grandma! Things that show that family ties.

Did you get the napkins at Tuesday morning? I got some of the long "guest towel" shaped ones before our wedding with the letter R and put them in the bathrooms of the venue. Just a little thing and didn't buy enough for everyone to use those rather than the plain paper towels provided, but they made me happy. :)

Kelly

Elizabeth said...

I'm dropping by to thank you for all of your wonderful inspirational posts and to wish you a very, very, Merry Christmas. I pray that it won't be hectic and that it will be full of all of the wonderful things that go into making the best of memories.

God bless you, sweet friend -
Elizabeth

Envoy-ette said...

If you still have the box, I would cut off one of your mother's written "Christmas" and then frame it. I do that with my mother's handwritten recipes, and it looks nice and brings a smile to those of us who know her.

Unknown said...

Yummm! These look deliciously scrumptious!

Julie said...

Sandy, Thank you for your sweet note on my blog. You blessed me today...

I pray you and your family have a very, Merry Christmas!

Hugs,
Julie

Betsy Brock said...

The Danish puff looks fabulous! I'll be making giant cinnamon rolls for us to devore on Christmas Eve morning! All the goodies for friends are ready to be delivered tomorrow. Then it's just relaxing and remembering all that Christ's birth has given us!
Have a Merry Christmas!

OKGardners said...

Sandy, Your mother's handwriting is beautiful. Looks very similar to my own Mom's. This is the official year that my Mom has been gone for 32 years (I just turned 64) and you NEVER get over the loss of your mother. Just seeing your Mom's writing has brought tears to my eyes. The holidays have never been the same since she passed away. I sure miss her.

I agree with "Envoy-ette" about cutting off the word "CHRISTMAS" - written by your Mom to keep with your current Christmas storage boxes. Every time you see it, you will be blessed and she will be a part of your Christmas for each new year.

Betty in Oklahoma

KATEE said...

oh i love it!!! Keeping an eye throughout the year for a little add-on... smart!
I want to try to make your goodness! i mean the danish goodness...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
i loved your Christmas card!!!
BIG HUG!

willzmom said...

As I was blog surfing last night my husband was looking over my shoulder and now will be making your Danish puff-hopefully soon! I have seen those $1 platters at the Dollar store. What a great idea to use them for the danish!

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

Sandy, this is so sweet, especially because the recipe reminds you so much of your mom. I hope you feel her memory a lot this holiday season! Hopefully it can bring you joy, even as it brings you sadness. Merry Christmas!
Carrie

Live.Love.Eat said...

That is such a beautiful idea to give such a treat on those platters with the napkins. Beautiful!!!!!

Merry Christmas! I am as ready as I will ever be.

Homekeeping Heart said...

Yum, those look so delicious. What a clever gift idea! You always have great ideas!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Your danish puff looks amazing and I love the monogrammed napkins. What a wonderful gift! I would love to learn how to make the cinnamon rolls too -- I will be looking for that next year :-) Thanks for the danish puff recipe and have a wonderful Christmas!

Jen

ellen b. said...

Looking forward to that recipe! I love your silver platter danish puff gifts with the cool monogramed napkins. What a wonderful idea. I'm storing this one away... :0)
Merry Christmas...

Jules from "The Roost" said...

I think I have said this before but I REALLY wish I lived next door ;) Those cinnamon rolls will be in my dreams!!!

SAH in Suburbia said...

I made these tonight and they were FABULOUS! Thank-you so much for a wonderful recipe. Time consuming but WELL WORTH IT. Absolutely delicious.

Linda Lou said...

Looks so delicious - any sweet pastry is happily eaten in our house. Merry Christmas Sandy to you and yours. I will be happily entertaining this Christmas Eve, as I share this special day with family and dear friends. Have a blessed holiday.

Unknown said...

Oh those look so good!!! And the $1 silver trays look really nice! I'm going to make this tomorrow for breakfast!

Barb said...

Our daughter is making your crockpot breakfast for tomorrow and we'll try turkey in a bag for the evening meal. Thanx for your excellent hospitality inspiration all year long!

Lynn said...

Just wanted you to know I made your Danish Puff tonight and it was yummy. Thanks for sharing such a unique recipe :)