In Spain, there is a good luck tradition, that at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, you eat twelve grapes, one each as the church bells chime. This is actually no small feat, and I’ve managed to nearly choke on a grape or two. This year, I decided to riff slightly on the Doce Uvas de la Suerte tradition, by making this Twelve Grapes Cake so instead of wolfing down the grapes, you can enjoy a piece of cake instead. Happy New Year!
Every wonder why we put coins in “Piggy Banks” for savings? Historically, there was the notion of “Prosperity Pigs”, that the pig symbolized wealth, prosperity and luck, and putting a little something away for savings can never hurt. In Germany, the pig still has a place for luck (“Glücksschwein” — Lucky Pig) and often around New Year’s you see little marzipan pigs adorning sweets. Along that theme, I made some very vanilla-y Piggy “Lucky” Cookies, to help ring in the new year 2024.
Per usual routine, I seem to make a “Cinnamon Roll” type of things for around Christmas. This year, it is a raspberry roll (very little cinnamon involved), in this Bringebærsnurrer med vaniljekrem (Norwegian-style Raspberry Swirls with Vanilla Custard). While my version is sourdough, you could also make this with yeast (2 1/4 teaspoon yeast, up the milk to 1 1/2 cups, rest of the recipe is the same). I did an overnight cool rise and then finished them in the morning in time, in time for a late breakfast.
The other day, over on the Stonewall Kitchen website, I found Gingerbread Butter. Seemed interesting and you know me, a new ingredient to try. So I made one of my staples — shortbread / crumble bars. These are flavorful, taste “Christmasy” and have a nice “goes with a good cup of coffee feeling.