New Years is just around the corner, and I’m planning on having a small get-together with some friends and family. Of course, dessert is my favorite part of the meal and is usually the “show-stopper” of my dinners. I’ve made a lot of cakes, cookies and bars lately, and want to serve something a little more…exciting. Something that would impress and entertain my guests.

This year, we’re celebrating New Year’s Eve at home with family. No noisy crowds, expensive drinks and glittery outfits. Instead, we’ll play cards and games to win “white elephant” gifts, listen to holiday music, and maybe watch a classic movie like It’s a Wonderful Life or a Hitchcock thriller. We also love good food and everyone brings something festive and delicious to share. This year, I plan to make a Blue Cheese Appetizer Tart. Colorful, elegant, and distinctive – seems like a great way to start the new year!

There are a number of traditions in my family, but one is close to sacred. That tradition involves a special yeast bread or coffee cake made originally by my grandmother and now made by my mother. This coffee cake is served at our casual family Christmas Eve supper. Then, the leftovers are served the next morning for Christmas breakfast. The only name we have ever used for this special pull-apart type bread is Pawmaw’s Coffee Cake.

So…do you have all of your Christmas shopping done yet? This is the question that keeps haunting me. Everyone has been asking me this with the holiday drawing near and quite frankly, no I don’t! I mean, I have the main gifts purchased- for my mom, dad, sister and the fiancé…but there are a lot of people that I want to give a little something to, but I have no idea what to get them.

Chocolate and peppermint are two of my favorite flavors and when combined – well, it just doesn’t get any better. When I saw Fudgy Peppermint Cake being developed in the Test Kitchens, I was the first in line to volunteer to participate in the tasting sessions. Well, somebody has to do it :)

I enjoy giving food gifts during the holidays. Every year I deliver at least four, and sometimes more, platters of homemade cookies and sweet breads to friends and neighbors. I also like to make goodie bags of sweet treats to put in the stockings of the male members of my family. Sometimes I make caramelized nuts, a sweet snack mix, or candy. Yes, we still hang stockings for everyone at my parents’ home – even the adults.

It’s the time of year when the traditional cookie recipes come out of the recipe box, and I start baking up a storm. Many of these recipes I have made since my childhood and my mom and grandmother made before me. But, I always like to try something new too.

Bread pudding is totally new territory for me. I’m told that many people enjoy this dessert during the holidays or as a special treat, but I was skeptical and never felt inclined to try it out. Honestly, “bread pudding”? Who named this stuff? I’m not much of a pudding fan to begin with, so I definitely don’t want bread thrown in there.

Traditions are held closely in the Wahlund household. For my older son, Ryan, traditions are especially important. So when my boys were young I started the tradition of celebrating the 12 Days of Christmas. Now I know the 12 days are supposed to be from Christmas day through January 5, but we celebrated the 12 days leading up to the 25th of December. This tradition became a fun way to count down the days to that special holiday they seem to be waiting for all year. Using the song, The 12 Days of Christmas, I would do something special for the boys each day that somehow aligned with the lyrics. Sometimes it was a small toy, gift or tree ornament waiting for them at the dinner table, but most often the something special was tied to food.