Fattiman Bakkles, Berlinder Kranner, Sandbakkelse, Bullets, Krumkaka. Christmas recipes in Mom's collection speak another language. Dad was 100% Norwegian, and our Christmas treats reflected this tradition.
My favorite has always been Bullets. The delicate, pecan filled crescents are are gently laid in powdered sugar while hot from the oven, then stored in mounds of powdered sugar. Just removing the container lid is a treat as clouds of powdered sugar billow and puff from the cookie box. As children, we loved to fish around the sugar with our fingers to find the last hidden cookies.
I remember one Saturday morning when I was 4 or 5. I got up early, pulled a chair up to the counter, and raided the coffee can filled with bullets. Dad found me sitting in the middle of the living room floor covered in powdered sugar, the empty can by my side. Dad scooped me up and had the living room and me cleaned up before Mom awoke. He was always so sweet to me. No one ever said word about the mess (or the bullet shortage). I think eating a whole coffee can of cookies was punishment enough.
I feel very sentimental about the recipe card pictured. All three of us wrote on the card. I can still see the card balance on the cupboard knobs while Mom's old Mixmaster whirred underneath. Cookie baking was a family project. Mom ruled from the kitchen table, I mixed and rolled, Dad had oven duty, CeCe popped in and out to nibble. Memories of those days are precious.
Last Sunday Jim, Amelia and I made Grandma T's cut-out cookies. Filled with sour cream and nutmeg, it's our favorite sugar cookie recipe. A blizzard raged outside while my Kitchen Aid whirred. I mixed and rolled. Jim cut out cookies and had oven duty. Amelia popped in to decorate and nibble. These days are precious also.
I was going to skip making bullets this year. I'm the only one who LOVES them. Really, I love them too much! Jim stores them outside so I don't have a repeat of my childhood cookie feast. Amelia asked that I make a batch. After all, Santa needs some variety on Christmas Eve.
Tonight I bake.
Love to you all,
Patti
Oh Patti, such sweet memories. I can hardly type this for the tears flowing. I miss Patsy, Allen, CeCe and You so much. I love the story about Allen and You. Sounds just like him. He loved You so much. Love You, Aunt Grace
ReplyDeletePatti, I forgot to tell you that Bobby and I made these during our big snow in January. I told him all about Patsy and Allen and how you all would bring these home at Christmas and how Patsy would fuss at us if we used our fingers to dig for the bullets. Love You, Aunt Grace
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