Ukranian donuts

On Christmas Eve, we traditionally prepare 12 Lenten dishes, and one of them is pampushky (Ukrainian stuffed yeast donuts).

“In our family, I remember my grandmother used to make pampushky with plum jam and sweet poppy seed filling. Long ago, when my mother used to go caroling, people would give children pampushky as a thank-you, and they were the most delicious treat. The fragrant, fluffy pampushky always brings back warm, beautiful memories of Christmas holidays from my childhood.” said Lyubov Andrusyk.

 Ingredients

• 500 g water
• 50 g oil
• 50 g sugar

Instructions

1. Bring the water, oil, and sugar to a boil, then let it cool until warm.
2. Add a pinch of salt.
3. Add 50 g of yeast and mix well.
4. You may add vanilla sugar.
5. Then add flour. The amount is “by eye,” as we say—just enough for the dough to become light and fluffy.
6. Knead the dough well, cover it with a cloth, and place it in a warm spot to rise. It should double in size.
7. Once it has risen, shape the pampushky and add your chosen filling inside.
8. By the time you finish forming the last ones, the first ones will be ready to fry.
9. Fry them in hot, fragrant oil until golden and top with powdered sugar.

“Over half of my life I have lived in the United States, however Ukraine is my home and Christmas tends to make me reminisce, Andrusyk said. “I would sneak the pampuchky my grandmother would make for dessert because I couldn’t wait till after dinner, and I remember the loved ones I won’t see again back home.” Pampushky may be a simple dessert, but they carry a big message. As we gather around the table to enjoy them, may we also remember that our love for God and love for each other is most important during the Christmas season.

— By Leeana Andrusyk

Easy, delicious — and festive

There is so much joy that the holiday season creates. Yummy treats are a pleasure for all. Here are easy and delicious holiday recipes to bring some holiday cheer to you and your loved ones.

Reese’s Rudolph Bites

This is a very fun and easy treat. Make with children and share laughter with the sweet and savory chocolate treat. Take a look at this Delish recipe link: Reese’s Rudolph Bites

Eggnog Blossoms

This recipe is a quick and simple cookie goodie to give and enjoy. Visit this Food Network link for a quick yummy treat: Eggnog Blossoms

Cake Mix Peppermint Bark Cookies

This recipe is slightly more advanced but the outcome is worth it. Here is the link for the rich chocolatey deliciousness from Delish: Cake Mix Peppermint Bark Cookies

Bagel Bread Pudding

Something slightly different from the cookies and reindeer goodies, this bagel bread pudding is a warm gooey cinnamon pudding for everyone to find joy in. Taste of home brings the cheer in this recipe: Bagel Bread Pudding

— By Olivia Cruz

Try a new recipe

During the holiday season, I find myself in a baking situation. Every year, my girlfriend and her mother do a Christmas baking extravaganza with different recipes, the majority being various cookies.

Alas, we wanted to find some new recipes to add to the already long list of baked goods that have made their mark during the past holidays.

After doing a healthy scroll through Pinterest, we found a snickerdoodle bar recipe, and we hopped on that bandwagon instantly.

Snickerdoodle Bar

Ingredients:

❑ 2 3⁄4 cups all-purpose flour

❑ 1 teaspoon baking soda

❑ 1 teaspoon cream of tartar

❑ 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

❑ 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
❑ 1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar
❑ 1 large egg
❑ 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
❑ 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
❑ 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon (also for topping)

Preheat oven to 350

Line and grease a 9×13 pan with parchment paper and coat with butter.

Mix the dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt)  in a medium-sized bowl.

Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl, beating until the mixture is  light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mix until we’ll incorporated.

Slowly add the dry mixed ingredients to the wet mixture, blending until they’re all just combined. Do not to over-mix. Evenly spread the mixture onto the pan.

Prepare the topping in a small bowl. The topping is 1⁄2 cup of granulated sugar and the 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Sprinkle over the bar.

Bake for 20-25 minutes (ours took 28 minutes). Here’s a link to recipe: https://cookingheavenly.com/chewy-snickerdoodle-cookie-bars/

— By Allie Skuza