1 8-oz package of pitted dates
4 oz goat cheese
1 16-oz package bacon

Slice along one side of each date, from the top to the bottom, so you can open it like a tiny book. Scoop a small amount of goat cheese into the center of each one, and then close it back up.
Cut the whole package of bacon in half, so that each long strip is now half as long. Wrap a half-slice of bacon around the outside of each date.
Arrange seam side down on a baking sheet with sides, covered in one sheet of foil, to catch grease.
Bake at 400* for 20-25 minutes, or until well browned and crispy. Drain on paper towel, and serve warm or at room temperature. SO tasty. Seriously. You will NOT be able to just eat one.

5 (15 oz) cans green beans, drained
7-12 slices bacon (or a whole pound)
2/3 C brown sugar
1/4 C butter, melted or bacon grease
7 tsp soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Place the drained green beans in a 9 x 13 pan.
Cook bacon in oven, putting it in cold and setting it for 20 minutes at 400*. Bacon should be done, but not real crispy. Sprinkle the bacon pieces on top of the green beans.
Combine the brown sugar, melted butter or bacon grease, soy sauce, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Pour this mixture over the green beans and bacon. Bake uncovered at 350* for 40 minutes.
Even people who don’t like green beans will like THESE green beans.

This is a Christmas brunch tradition in our family along with gooey cinnamon rolls, egg and cheese casserole, and fresh fruit.

2 pounds sausage
1 1/2 C cracker or corn/rice Chex crumbs
1 C chopped apple
1/2 C milk
1/4 C minced onions
1 slightly beaten eggs

Mix well. Pack in ring mold overnight. Take out of mold and bake in deep pan 350* for an hour.

I don’t typically care for sausage but I don’t miss out on this one!

Another Christmas brunch family tradition!

1/2 lb Colby Jack cheese, shredded
1/2 lb Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 4-oz can chopped green chiles, optional
6 eggs, beaten
8 oz sour cream

Put grated cheese in bottom of buttered 9 x 13 pan, chiles on top. Mix eggs and sour cream until creamy and smooth. Pour over top. Bake for 40 minutes.

This is utterly delicious.

*This is a FAVORITE and probably the longest-lasting family tradition our family has. Since at least the early 90s, our family has made these special cookies in the weeks preceding Christmas and then gifted them to friends, family, and neighbors. The time spent with family assembling and decorating these is always fun and the joy on the faces of those receiving the trees is wonderful to see.

Cookie Ingredients

3 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 C sugar
1/2 C butter, softened
2 eggs
2 T milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp green food coloring of your choice
1 box (25 ft) foil
Christmas Tree Cookie Cutters for 3D Tree – (This is an affiliate link which means I might receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you purchase this through my link.)

*The above recipe will make enough dough for two Christmas trees using the 6 smallest star cookie cutters.

In a small bowl, stir flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large mixer bowl at medium speed, beat sugar and butter until fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk, vanilla, almond extract and food coloring until well blended. At low speed, beat in flour mixture until well blended, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide dough into four portions. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill at least two hours or overnight until firm enough to handle.
Preheat oven to 350*. Cut several sheets of foil the same size as the baking sheets and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Place one portion of dough on a piece of foil, keeping remaining portions in fridge. Roll dough to 1/4 inch using plastic wrap over dough if it’s sticking to the rolling pin. Using the 6 smallest smallest star cookie cutters, cut cookies about 1 inch apart and remove scraps of dough around cookies. Repeat until all starts are cut out. Each tree needs two of each star size. Cut out cookies will hold shape better if refrigerated for a few minutes before baking. Re-roll scraps of dough as needed. Do not move cookies on foil or foil will tear. Carefully slide entire sheet of foil onto baking sheet.
Bake cookies for 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned and cookies are set in center when touched. Remove cookies and foil to cooling rack. When cool enough to handle, carefully peel off foil. Cool cookies completely on wire racks.


Royal Icing: the cookie “glue” ingredients

1 pound powdered sugar, sifted (about 4 C)
3 egg whites, at room temp
1/2 tsp cream of tartar

In a large mixer bowl at low speed, beat powdered sugar, egg whites and cream of tartar until well blended. At high speed, beat for 7-10 minutes or until a knife drawn through the mixture leaves a path. ‘Glue’ together as is, then thin with water until spreading/drizzling consistency for ‘snow’. Add sprinkles, red hot candies, M&Ms, and/or other candies to decorate beautiful trees to share and eat!

These are VERY tasty, but the best part is sharing them with others!