A new Christmas tradition Rock Buns

A few years ago I purchased The Gentle Art of Domesticity *by Jane Brocket (at the recommendation of my friend Jill on a post I cannot now find on her blog) as a gift for  Mary, my husband's mother and a good friend of mine (I dislike the term Mother-in-law).  Mary and I love this book , because it is all about crafting and creature comforts.

One of these such things is Rock Buns, which have now become a seasonal treat in our house that are much enjoyed warm out of the oven with a glass of scotch.

They are sort of like scones or a giant cookie made with candied fruit and peel, and lots of spices. They are nothing like fruit cake, but are very rich and sweet (made with brown sugar), our whole family loves them.

All that being said I am not going to post the recipe, because I feel they are a unique recipe (maybe only in Canada) and needs to go along with the story in her book of the place they have in their (the authors) family.

My own mother visited Mary and discovered the book as well and so I sent her a copy last Christmas.
Recently I purchase Jane's newest book Turkish Delight And Treasure Hunts  for Mary's birthday, which features recipes from children's books. I have not read it yet, but Mary says it is quite cute. I did take a peak and the first recipe was Pickled Limes from Little Woman, which I have always been curious about and am dying to try.

*Note: If you do purchase this book, beware that when converting the recipes from English to American measurements there were some errors made and you should print a copy of the corrections .

Oreo Cookie Fudge

This is an amazingly tasty recipe from my friend Carrie who makes it every Chritmas and gives to her (lucky) friends, she has moved to Ontario so this year I will have to make it myself.....and possibly share. Carrie made it in the microwave (you could to), but I choose to make it on the stove. I am just waiting to buy a really square pan as my 8x8 has really rounded edges that make weird bars.

Anyways, an easy recipe, great for sharing and even better for eating.

8 squares of semi-sweet  or unsweetened chocolate or the equivalent in chocolate chips


1 can of sweetened condensed milk (evaporated)
2 tbsp vanilla extract

10 Oreo cookies cut into chunks

parchment paper


Put condensed milk and chocolate in sauce pan and heat for until choclate is melted. Stir. Add vanilla. Stir. add cookie pieces. Stir


Pour into a parchment lined 8x8 or 9x9 square pan. Cool in fridge. Cut into squares.

Tiger Butter Memories

This is a recipe that has been around however I didn't peg it down until visiting my brother and sister-in-law in Vernon. Brent and I had a beautiful evening with his brother Steve and Steve's wife Deb. We ate Christmas goodies chatted, laughed, and soaked in their outdoor hot-tub under the stars with snowflakes frosting our hair and our eyelashes. Before we went home that night Deb wrote out two Christmas goody recipes for me, this being one of them.

This summer Debbie passed away of cancer, as I made this recipe this week I've been thinking of her. Food is a wonderful memory-instigator and I think using and sharing recipes is a beautiful way of remembering those we love (near and far). When you use this recipe I invite you to think of those who have shared something sweet with you...

"1 lb (2 C.) white chocolate
3/4 C. peanut butter
2 oz dark chocolate

Mix white choc. w/ p.b. melt in double broiler or microwave. Cover cookie sheet w/ wax paper. Pour melted mixture onto cookie sheet. Melt dark choc. Pour & swirl thru."

Note: I usually add my own revisions to a recipe but this is the exact wording from the index card Debbie copied for me.

Sugar Cookies

These are Andrew's favorite

Ingredients:
3 1/4 C Flour
1 1/2 C Sugar
2 1/2 t Baking Powder
1 1/3 C Butter
2 Eggs
2 T Milk
1 t Vanilla

Method:
Combine flour, sugar, b.p. in a large bowl and cut in butter until fine and crumbly with a pastry cutter or mixer.
in a smaller bowl combine wet ingredients and mix well, add to dry until thoughroughly mixed.

Wrap in plastic wrap and chill dough for 2-3 hours.

Roll out 1/8"-1/4", but only 1/3 of the dough at a time, keep rest in fridge. Cut into shapes. Bake on a lightly greased sheet at 400 for 7-8 minutes.

Variation: Butterscotch Pecan,
Substitute 2 C brown sugar for 1 1/2 C white Sugar. Add 1 C finel chopped pecans.

Note: Doubles well.
To get even coloured cookies, I bake a whole sheet of one shape at a time (all hearts, or all stars)