Cherry Braid

I make this every year for Christmas morning.  It is one of Matt's mom's recipes.  I made it a few days ago for a little breakfast we went too.

I use the the bread recipe that I use for everything else.  It makes enough for two loaves.  Then I let it rise.  When it has risen I take half of the dough and roll it out to about a quarter inch oval.

1 can Cherry Pie Filling
1 (8 oz) Cream Cheese (softened)
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth then all the pie filling until it is all well mixed.  Pour half the mixture down the center of the dough and leave about three or four inches on the sides.  Use a pizza cutter to cut strips up and down both sides then braid the dough.  Seal the ends.  I usually have to cut some dough off the end so there is not to much on the ends.

Pour some icing over the top.

A little butter
A little milk
and Powder sugar

Mix together until the right taste and consistency.

Cherry Chocolates

Last year I went to Aunt Karma's and we made these and I wanted to try to do it this year. I thought it would be fun and not take to long. I found out it is a lot funner to do with someone else. These are very good but they take time. I used one of Grandma's fondant recipes, there is a page in the cook book that has four different ones she used number 4. I had a hard time finding big jars of cherries so if you plan on making these I think it is better to get the cherries not so close to Christmas. I also had a hard time finding chocolate to melt so I ended up using Almond Bark.
Fondant:
3 lbs powdered sugar
1 can Eagle Brand Milk
2 cubes butter (softened)
vanilla
Mix all together until it is a smooth ball. Then form into desired pieces.

Wrap the cherries with a small piece of fondant then dip in melted chocolate then let cool on wax paper. I move the cherries to a gift box lined with paper towel. Keep in a cool place to let age. I don't know how long they need to age for, I guess until the fondant starts to turn liquid.
This makes a whole bunch. When I made them I got about 175. Mom, Aunt Karma, and Robyn made them and got about 150.

Mexican Wedding Cookies

Sorry for the lack of posts lately. It has been so crazy around here.

I love these cookies. I make them every Christmas. I double the recipe and there is plenty to take around to neighbors and friends.
2 cups flour
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (I always put in more a heaping 1/4 teaspoon)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
additional powdered sugar

Combine flour, pecans, cinnamon and salt; mix well and set aside. In a larger bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add vanilla; beat well. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture; beat on low speed just until dry ingredients are incorporated. Using a cookie scoop, drop level scoops of dough, 1 inch apart, onto baking sheet. Bake 12-14 minutes or until cookies are set but not brown. Remove cookies to cooling rack; cool 5 minutes. While cookies are still warm, roll in additional powdered sugar to coat. Then I usually wait another 5 minutes and roll them again in the powdered sugar. Cool Completely.