More Holiday Traditions

Hey Folks, it's me again! The soap lady from the Saranac Lake Market, you know the one, from the Tent of Good Smells.

Christmas is my favorite time of year, all the hustle and bustle heading into the holidays. Something about it just makes my heart sing, while at the same time, certain Christmas songs will bring unexplained tears to my eyes. I'm just a sap like that I suppose.

I've been jonesin' to share one of our family traditions with you and finally found my recipe box so without further delay..

A little backstory..

My dad brought home a cookie recipe to his mother when he was in the 4th grade ( we still have the oil skin book of recipes it came home in). Keep in mind, my dad is going on 79 years old so this recipe is like him, older than dirt (I jest, I jest!!) but for as long as I can remember, it was always part of our Christmas Cookie baking marathons. The recipe is titled Romance Cookies and they have a special place in my heart.

These delightful bar morsels are baked on a bed of shortbread and then topped with a gooey combination of all the usual suspects: eggs, brown sugar, flour, vanilla, shredded coconut, and toasted walnuts.

I think this year I may have to quadruple the recipe... they disappear like Santa and his reindeer on Christmas morning.

Romance Cookies

Preheat oven to 350F

Part 1:

1 Cup creamed butter

2 Cup Flour

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

Mix all together and spread onto jelly roll pan and bake @ 350F for 10 minutes.

Part 2:

2 eggs, beaten til light

1.5 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp flour

3/4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup shredded sweetened coconut

1 cup nuts (I use walnuts)

Add the vanilla, coconut and nuts to the egg mixture and then add the rest of the ingredients, mix until combinded.
Spread mixture over shortbread layer and bake for 20 minutes at 350F or until brown.

Cool, and cut into bars, and liberally sprinkle with powdered sugar.