Old Fashion Holiday Baking

Today is one of those recipes that when you are making it, it instantly feels like Christmas. Even if you aren't quite in the holiday spirit, it forces you to be!

For me, it brought back memories of the way my grandmas' houses smelled all those Christmases from my childhood spent in Pennsylvania, surrounded by snow covered mountains. The day I made this for my family was bitterly cold, there were snowflakes falling, we had all the Christmas lights lit in the house, and the house filled with all the aromas we love this time of year. I was immediately in a better mood and truly felt "Christmasy" in my heart.

Are you looking for a special dessert for Christmas Eve (that's tomorrow, in case you aren't paying attention) or maybe Christmas Day? Your family will love this, and you will love how easy it is. But honestly, you could also serve this as a breakfast treat early Christmas morning! This, a cup of coffee or cocoa, and your day will start off deliciously.

We are all so busy this time of year. Dashing from here to there, shopping til we drop, attending party after party, trying to fit all the fun of the holiday season into just a few weeks. But I promise if you take about an hour out of the hustle and bustle, to make this, your holiday will instantly be transported back to the days of old. When the holidays were simpler, and families were more interested in spending the day in the kitchen baking and making memories than fighting the crowds at the mall. I think we can all use some old fashion holiday brought into homes this year, and this is the perfect way to start!

And a special note from me to you: This will be the last post of mine before Christmas. Bekki will be here tomorrow with a special recipe for Christmas Eve, so I didn't want to sign off without wishing each and every single one of you a very Merry Christmas from my family to yours~ May it be filled with those whom you love most in the world, and the spirit of the Lord, goodwill and peace to men that the oh so tiny baby brought to the world in a stable all those years ago!

 "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "

Snowy-Day Gingerbread From Hometown Christmas

2 1/3 c. flour

1/3 c. sugar

1 c. molasses

3/4 c. hot water

1/2 c. shortening

1 egg

1 tsp. baking soda

3/4 tsp. salt

1 TBS ground ginger

1 TBS cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325. Spray a 9" deep dish pie plate with vegetable spray. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer, on LOW, scraping bowl occasionally, for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed, scraping, for 3 minutes. Pour batter into pie plate. Bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Serve with whipped topping if desired.

*NOTE* To easily remove molasses from measuring cup, rinse it out with HOT water first. The molasses will slide right out!