reblog from 2016
This is a cookie from my childhood. I remember going to my grandmother’s house every Christmas Eve when we were young children. It was always the highlight of the year for me. I knew that the house would be filled with all the wonderful smells and foods that I loved. This was one of the few days a year that our entire family got together and I always knew we would laugh, play and laugh some more together.
Pigs in the Blanket (cabbage rolls made with homemade sauerkraut), German sausages, my mother’s Apple Kuchen, and cookies covered the dining room table and sideboards. All kinds of cookies. Friends would give Grandma trays of Italian cookies but then there were all the homemade cookies and sweets.
My brother and a cousin would usually end up in the Emergency Room every Christmas Eve due to their asthma. My grandmother had a real tree, which my brother was allergic to, and then all the excitement and running around would bring about an asthma attack. We used to think it was just part of the holidays. Sometimes I would get to stay behind at Grandma’s while they went to the Emergency Room or my dad would go home with me depending on the severity of the attack and time of night.
I would usually end the Christmas Eve throwing up from all the rich food we would eat at Grandma’s. I loved the sausages and Pigs in the Blanket. But, year after year I would eat it all up anyways because it was so delicious!
Now, we make the cookies, the Apple Kuchen and Pigs in the Blanket. No, I don’t make the homemade sauerkraut but to me they are still delicious and remind me of family. I hope one day my children will make these dishes and tell their children about Christmas with us and the stories from my childhood.
We call these Chocolate Meatballs in our house because they look like a meatball when cooked and unfrosted. It goes by many other names but to us they will always be Chocolate Meatballs.
Verdict:
These are savory cookie. The clove and cinnamon balance out the sweetness perfectly. These are by far my most favorite
You can use canned frosting to frost and decorate the cookies but as always homemade is much better. Your favorite butter cream frosting is best with these cookies.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa
- 1 cup shortening
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cups milk
- 5 1/2 to 6 cups flour
- canola oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix sugar, cocoa and shortening together in a large bowl until well combined.
- Add baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and ground cloves into chocolate mixture.
- Add milk and flour. Mix thoroughly. The dough will be stiff and hard to work. Use your hands if necessary.
- Using tablespoon sized pieces of dough roll between your hands into a ball. Use canola oil on your hands to keep it from sticking.
- Place balls 1″ apart on cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookies are set. (If cookies spread too much while cooking add more flour to the dough)
- Remove from oven and cool before frosting and decorating.
- Store covered for 3-5 days or freeze before frosting for up to 3 months.
What's for Dinner Moms? 
I loved hearing about your Christmas at Grandma’s. We always went to Grandma’s too. The good and the not so good things mingled together but it was family tradition at its finest! What I wouldn’t give to be transported back to enjoy it one more time.
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Thank you. Yes, just one more time….
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