The holidays mean it’s time for holiday cookies! While your house and decor are MCM, why not your cookies too? Homeowners George Geary and Neil Bonner’s Palm Springs mid century bungalow gets appointed with period appropriate holiday accouterments, right down to the holiday cookies adapted from vintage recipes! Here are some of their favorite holiday cookies fit for an MCM home.
Cookie Jam Pockets
1959 New Yorker Magazine
Using a preserve makes these buttery folded cookies are a delight for any holiday table.
325°F
Baking sheet fitted with parchment
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
8 oz cold butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg, beaten
3 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Raspberry preserves
Pineapple preserves
1. In a large bowl, sift together flours, sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a
pastry fork, blend in butter until blended like a pie dough.
2. Add eggs, cream and vanilla.
3. Place into two balls.
4. Place one ball onto a floured surface and roll 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 2-inch squares.
5. Place about 2 tbsp of preserves in center of the dough square. Take two opposite corners and press into center.
6. Place into preheated oven and bake until golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes.
Cream Cheese Spritz Cookies
Makes about 10 dozen cookies
Preheat oven to 350°F
6 new baking sheets, unlined
2 cups unsalted butter, softened
6 oz cream cheese, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large egg yolks
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1. In a mixing bowl fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter, and cream cheese until softened. Add sugar and egg yolk, beating until light and fluffy. Blend in vanilla. Turn mixer off.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, (cocoa powder), cinnamon and salt. Add to butter mixture on low speed.
3. Use as vanilla or color as mentioned below.
4. Place a cup of dough into spritz cookie press. Press onto unlined baking sheets.
5. Bake 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are light brown around the edges.
6. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Remove and let cool completely. Reuse cookie sheet after it has cooled completely.
Variations:
Chocolate: Substitute 1/2 cup of flour for cocoa powder
Red: Add 4 drops of food grade paste food coloring
Green: Add 4 drops of food grade paste food coloring
Mamie Eisenhower Chocolate Fudge
Mamie was the First Lady of the 34th President of the United States. She became famous for this simple fudge recipe. New convenience foods were coming onto the market, this fudge uses some of those items to make a tasty yet simple confection.
Makes 5 pounds
9×13-inch baking pan, lined with foil and sprayed with non-stick spray
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 ounces GermansÒ sweet chocolate, cut into small pieces
2-7oz jars marshmallow cream
4-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 tsp sea salt
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, softened
12 ounces evaporated milk
2 cups pecans, chopped (optional)
1. In a large bowl, place the chocolates and marshmallow cream. Set aside.
2. In a large heavy saucepan, mix sugar, salt, and milk. On medium high heat, bring to a boil. Set a timer for one minute. Lower heat so the mixture is a low boil. Stir constantly, set timer for 7 minutes.
3. Pour sugar syrup over chocolate/marshmallow cream mixture. Let sit for a few minutes. Blend together to make sure all is incorporated. Add pecans if desired.
4. Pour into prepared pan, smoothing to the sides. Let cool overnight before cutting.
Pecan Nut Snowballs
1968 Rochester, NY
Mrs. Henry Norman
Makes 3 dozen
Preheat oven to 350°F
Prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper, set aside.
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 cups ground pecans
Powdered sugar
1. In mixing bowl with paddle attachment cream butter, gradually add sugar. Stir in egg and vanilla beating until light and fluffy.
2. Add flour and salt, add to creamed mixture with pecans, mixing thoroughly.
3. Shape into balls about 2/3-inch in diameter. Place on prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes.
4. Cool slightly on baking sheet. Roll in powdered sugar.
If you want to see more of George and Neil’s fantastic Palm Springs home and get their tips for holiday tree trimming, don’t miss our latest Winter issue! Get your copy here.
For more delicious and mid century holiday recipes, read on for Retro Jell-O Recipes that Actually Taste Good and 5 Mid Century Modern Cocktail Recipes for the Holidays. And of course, don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more Atomic Ranch articles and ideas!
