Just a little more sugar won't hurt . . . .

We really have been trying to make healthier choices in all areas of our lives this past year . . . . trying to eat right, get more exercise, minimize stress and anxiety, get enough sleep . . . . and most of the time we do quite well, actually!  Occasionally, however, we all get a bit off track, and with the holidays and all of the yummy stuff to eat that seems to magically appear this time of year, we are all hitting the bottom of the sugar crash. 

Monday things will be back on schedule.  Daddy will be back to work, the girls will be back in school, and I will be back to . . . . . . sanity!!!   ;o)   But for this weekend, our next youngest daughter and her family will be here this afternoon until Monday morning, with three children under the age of 5!  So I have a few more hours of wild and crazy, chaotic fun before things settle down. 

In the meantime, I finished up the Danish Puff that we always make on New Year's weekend - sometimes we have it for a special brunch on New Year's Day, but this year we are saving it for a special brunch tomorrow with all of kids and grandbabies.  Just another one of those family traditions that seem to mean so much to us, and perhaps the kind of thing that you love, too.  If you are still looking for one more special recipe to add to your holiday traditions, this one is so easy!  You will be surprised, however, how yummy it is.  Actually the only sugar is in the almond glaze that is swirled over the top.  This recipe originally came from Great Grandma Steed who loved to bake.  Another one of her specialties was Peanut Brittle.  We didn't get that made this year, but I'm definitely going to make some next year! 

I also found the recipe in my trusty old Betty Crocker Cookbook, so that's a double confirmation that this is a very special recipe!  It would really be a great treat for any special brunch or breakfast, not just at New Year's celebrations.  This would make a wonderful addition to an Easter breakfast, or Mother's Day treat, or any other special occasion that your family celebrates.  

Great-Grandma's Danish Puff

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup flour

2 T. water

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1 cup water

1 t. almond extract

1 cup flour

3 eggs

*  Almond Glaze

*  Chopped nuts

Step 1:  Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Cut 1/2 cup butter into 1 cup flour.  Sprinkle 2 T. water over mixture; mix.  

 

Step 2:  Round into ball; divide in half.  On ungreased baking sheet, lay out two sheets of tinfoil to make individual baking "pans." 

Pat each half into oval shape, approximately 4" wide X 8" or 9" long.  Fold tinfoil up around each dough oval to make a small edge.

 

Step 3:  Heat 1/2 cup butter and 1 cup water to rolling boil in medium saucepan.  Remove from heat and quickly stir in almond extract and 1 cup flour.

Step 4:  Stir vigorously over low heat until mixture forms a ball, about 1 minute. 

Remove from heat and beat in eggs, all at once, until smooth and glossy. 

Step 5:  Divide  mixture in half; spread each half evenly over strips. 

 

Step 6:

  Bake about 60 minutes or until topping is crisp and brown.  Cool.  (Topping will shrink and fall, forming the custardy top of this puff.)

Step 7:

  Frost with Almond Glaze and sprinkle generously with nuts.

* Almond Glaze:

  Mix 1 cup confectioners' sugar, 2 T. butter or margarine, softened, 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract and 1 - 2 T. milk or water until smooth and of spreading consistency. 

 

*  If you want to wrap them up for gift-giving, the little tinfoil "pans" make it very easy to pick them up, put them in individual plastic bags, and tie up with a festive ribbon.

And there you have a beautiful Danish Puff with very little effort!  Have fun on this last few hours of celebration before life returns to normal . . . . . but perhaps we should all make a commitment to celebrate EVERY day in 2010 for all of our blessings and even for the difficulties, because they always bring us opportunities for new open doors.  We'll chat about that more next week!  Until then, hugs and happiness for this day    ;o) 

Comments

[janelle ethridge]

Oh my goodness! This recipe sounds so very yummy!

[Nina Newton]

Hi Janelle! Thanks for stopping by . . . . now I'll be working of posting some "healthy" recipes to get us all on the right track for the new year ;o) ~~ Nina