Okay, these aren’t quite sugar plums. They are some of my favorite holiday treats that I make and give as gifts. I wish I could share these with you; I’ll have to settle for a virtual cafe. Can you smell the coffee brewing and the fragrance of steeping tea bags?
These are French truffles (the history of the name “truffles” is interesting), which means they’re soft
I use note card boxes with clear lids for packaging them. Six truffles fit perfectly in most note card boxes. Use the highest quality ingredients when you make these — it’s worth it!ganache gently rolled in cocoa powder or nuts instead of the chocolate-coated varieties we find more often in the shops. Let’s just say they melt in your mouth — and they’ll melt in your hands if you don’t eat them quickly. Now that’s incentive!
I usually make speculaas, rosettes, springerle and walnut cookies. This year I returned to childhood favorites: palmiers (I added cinnamon to the sugar to bring a bit of holiday spice); sour-cream spritz; and raspberry, apricot and nut-filled kolaczki (pronounced ko-LAch-key) my grandmother used to make every year.
I’ve recently discovered these tiny gingerbread houses for setting on the rim of a tea cup or coffee mug. They’re on the list for next year’s treat-making day.
Bon appetit! Good friends, good drinks, good treats, let’s eat!
What are some of your favorite holiday treats?
Tagged: chocolate, cinnamon, cookies, French, gifts, holiday, kolaczki, palmiers, pastry, speculaas, springerle, treats, truffles
God, these look amazing. Can you post the recipes please? :)
Thank you! The US is strict about copyright — but if you click the links, they will take you to the site where the recipes are posted :)
Awesome! Thank you.
I think if you can get phyllo or filo dough, the best ones are the swirly palmiers made with sugar and spices — sometimes I use cardamom too — so good with good strong coffee :)
Yes. In fact, my wife made some at home. Let me see if I can coax her into letting me use some. :D
OH my goodness! Fist, I can smell the palmiers from here and each treat is so beautiful constructed. Second, the packaging and presentation is so professional looking. Is this another one of your callings? Truly well done!
You’re so sweet! Thank you. I love making treats like this and get a kick out of finding fun ways to package them. If you were nearer, I’d drop some off for you!
maybe I should move?
If they weren’t so delicate I’d ship some to you :)