Gingerbread Pancakes

We always have these on Christmas morning. They’re a family favorite and the smells and flavor are perfect for the holidays.

1 C. flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cinnamon
2 T. molasses
1 C. buttermilk (or 1/2 C. buttermilk and 1/2 C. egg nog)
1 T. sugar
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. baking soda
Dash of cloves
1 t. vegetable oil
1 egg lightly beaten

In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk molasses, oil, buttermilk and egg. Slowly pour liquid mixture into flour mixture and stir until smooth. Lightly grease a griddle. Over medium heat, drip 1 T. batter onto griddle. Cook until golden brown and flip to cook the other side.

Make a double batch if you have guests. We usually top them with butter and powdered sugar.

From the kitchen of: Laurie Neader

Traditional Pumpkin Pie

1 unbaked pie crust (Use deep dish if buying store bought)
1 (16 oz.) can pumpkin or 2 C. fresh pumpkin
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. ginger
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/2 t. salt

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except pie crust. Mix well. Pour into pie crust. Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake 35-40 minutes longer. Cool. Refrigerate leftovers.

From the kitchen of: Laurie Neader

Sweet Potato Casserole

I’m not sure how old this recipe is. I’ve been making it for so long and I can’t remember where I originally found it but it’s a great recipe with simple ingredients and we always have it every Thanksgiving and Christmas at our house.

5 med. sweet potatoes
1/2 C. sugar
1/2 C. butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 t. vanilla
1/3 C. milk

Topping:

1/3 C. butter, melted
1 C. brown sugar
1/2 C. flour
1 C. pecans, chopped

Boil and mash sweet potatoes. Mix in sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, and milk. Put into a 9×13 baking dish. Melt butter and mix in remaining topping ingredients. Sprinkle on top of sweet potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

*I often omit the 1/2 C. butter that’s mixed in with the sweet potatoes and I can’t tell a difference. I also have switched to a 3 qt. round casserole dish when I make it.

From the kitchen of: Laurie Neader

Grandmother’s Famous Cranberry Bread

This recipe comes from my children’s favorite teacher Ms. Betsinger. It was her mother’s recipe and she always made this bread during their cranberry tasting unit for her second grade class. She’s retired now and we all miss her very much but we always think of her as we make this fantastic recipe.

2 C. sifted flour
1 C. sugar
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. soda
3/4 t. salt

2 t. grated orange rind
1/3 C. orange juice
1/2 C. water
1 egg, well beaten
2 T. salad oil
1 C. fresh cranberries, halved
1 C. chopped nuts

Combine first 5 ingredients. Add remaining ingredients. Stir thoroughly until moistened.

Grease and flour bottom of 9x5x3 loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.

From the kitchen of: Linda Betsinger

Supper Chicken Salad (1968)

Okay, I know today we find this a very odd combination of ingredients but this was so common in the 1950’s and 60’s that I just can’t ignore the importance of Jello salads. This could just about be a meal in itself 🙂

1 pkg. lime gelatin
1 C. boiling water
1/2 t. salt
1 T. grated onion
1/2 C. whipping cream
1/2 C. mayonnaise

Combine gelatin, hot water, salt and onion. Stir until dissolved and let cool. Beat cream; add the mayonnaise and mix well. Add to the gelatin mixture and stir well. Pour mixture over the following salad ingredients and mix well.

3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 pound longhorn cheese, chopped
1 t. green pepper, cut small
3 C. celery, chopped fine
1 C. cooked, chopped chicken
1 C. chopped walnuts

Let this stand in refrigerator overnight and garnish with stuffed olives before serving.

From Your Neighbor Lady WNAX October 1968

Donated by the family of Edna Schmidt