Traditional Holiday Recipes

During the holidays we hear the word Tradition a lot. We have Traditions in our family,Traditions with friends, Traditions in our decorating, Traditions with food, and the list goes on.....

In our family at Christmas we have two Traditional recipes that never fail to please.

Brown Sugar Pound Cake and Muddy Buddies.

The Brown Sugar Pound Cake is  a recipe from my sister Marinita. Who I affectionately call "Sissy"
This cake is soooo good. It goes great with a cup of hot tea, hot chocolate, a cup of coffee or my favorite...a cold glass of milk. Every time I make it and take it someplace I am invited back for sure...well...me AND the cake are invited back again...LOL
This cake needs no frosting. After cooling it has a crunchy crust that forms on the top that is to die for.
It is a Southern Classic and a Family Favorite!

Look at how moist this pound cake is!

Sissy's Brown Sugar Pound Cake
1 Box light brown sugar (1.lb)
1 Cup granulated sugar
1 Cup solid shortening (I use Crisco)
1 Stick butter
5 eggs (at room temp.)
1 Cup milk
3 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. maple flavoring
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup broken up (not chopped) walnuts
*Walnuts are optional but they really make a difference if you like them*


Preheat oven to 300
Grease and flour bunt pan or loaf pans. If using loaf pans you will want to check them more often as the cooking time is shorter.

Cream butter and shortening.
Add the 2 sugars and mix well.
Add eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition.
Mix flour and baking powder in a separate bowl.
Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to the creamed mixture.
Add vanilla and maple flavoring, mix well
Add nuts.
Bake 1 1/2 -2 hours.
Cake is done when knife inserted comes out clean.
I know it may seem a bit overwhelming at first but this cake is not hard and it is sooooo worth it!!

Muddy Buddies have been around for a long time, in fact the recipe was originally called "Puppy Chow" and I think we each have our own favorite cereal or combination of ingredients we like to use. I first tasted these about 25 years ago when my sister-in-law Patti made some. And I still love them. At that time we made them with "Chex Cereal" But over the years I have changed to "Crispix" cereal. I think the shape, texture and taste is a lot better. They kind of look like snowflakes.

Muddy Buddies

1 box Crispix cereal (12 oz)
1 bag semi sweet cchocolate chips (12 oz)
1 stick of butter at room temperature
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 paper grocery sack.

Empty cereal into a large bowl and set aside
Put the powered sugar in paper grocery sack and set aside
Combine butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips in a medium sauce pan and melt over medium heat, stirring the whole time so it doesn't stick or burn.

When all is melted and combined and smooth, slowly pour it over cereal and gently stir until all cereal is well coated with chocolate mixture.

Then pour into the paper sack with the powered sugar.
Close top of bag tight, and shake until all cereal is coated and a beautiful white. Let cool

Now you are ready to put your wonderful muddie buddies into a pretty, cello bag, or container of your choice to share with your family and friends.

I added a pretty ornament to dress it up a little!

Do you have recipes you make every year during the holidays  recipes that you always make every year during he holidays because it is "Tradition"