Motivation/Inspiration
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*Today, we offer our favorite Tex-Mex sweet Christmas treats. Our recipes are meant for seasoned cooks.
Therefore, we assume you understand basic cooking techniques, what equipment to use and when (occasionally we make recommendations).
The number of servings you’ll get depends on your desired serving size. We offer the number of servings you can reasonably expect.
The joy of cooking is learning enough through experience. Eventually, you’ll no longer need recipes. The ingredients at hand and your imagination will be enough. It is a delicious journey worth taking. It results in a Master Home Chef who can bring pleasure, joy, and happiness to all.
Jump to Recipes
In the heart of San Antonio, two weeks before Christmas, Mullethead and Hambone find themselves enjoying a lively evening. They are at Hambone’s place.
With their wives Millie and Hillary by their sides, they sip Cabernet by the roaring fire. Their thoughts inevitably drift toward holiday cheer. They also think about traditional Christmas cuisine.
The aroma of mulled spices mingles with the warmth of the fire. This sets the perfect backdrop for festive storytelling and planning.
Sweet Tamales Surprise
Hambone kicks things off with a chuckle. He reminisces about growing up in Boerne, TX. He fondly recalls the best sweet Christmas treats shared by his next-door neighbor, Mrs. Garza.
Hambone (grinning): “You all wouldn’t believe the culinary surprises from my childhood! Mrs. Garza, our neighbor, made the most unforgettable tamales. On a day near Christmas, ravenous as ever, I unknowingly turned them into my own concoction.”
Mullethead: “Tamales that surprise even the unflappable Hambone? Now, that’s a story I need to hear.”
Hambone: “Picture this: Hungry little me heating what I thought were mini savory tamales. They were topped with chili and cheese. Halfway through, I found out they were actually sweet dessert tamales. Imagine my shock when I realized I was savoring a concoction never meant to be!”
Millie (laughing): “And you call yourself a culinary master.”
Hillary: “I bet your mother had a good laugh when you explained the mystery meal!”
Hambone: “Oh, she did, along with the rest of the family. Apparently, she informed us kids, but I missed the memo. They were surprisingly good, but definitely a taste experience I never repeated. Dessert tamales can sweetly stand on their own. They are even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.”
With uproarious laughter and an eagerness to share these quirky memories, the group decides to recreate Mrs. Garza’s sweet Christmas treats to share with their neighbors, rekindling those nostalgic flavors of yesteryear.
They’re now excited about making Bunuelos and Mexican wedding cookies. They’re also preparing those legendary sweet dessert tamales. We then toast our creations with Mexican eggnog Rompope!
Bunuelos: Crispy Christmas Delights
Bunuelos are crispy, cinnamon-sugar delights—perfect for holiday cheer. Be sure to share these sweet Christmas treats with friends and neighbors.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup warm water
- Oil, for frying
- Cinnamon sugar, for dusting
Instructions:
- Prep the Dough: In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Stir in melted butter and warm water until dough forms. Knead until smooth.
- Rest: Cover dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Roll Out: Divide dough into small balls, then roll each one paper-thin.
- Fry Time: Heat oil in a pan. Fry each piece until golden and crispy.
- Sugar Coat: Drain excess oil and dust with abundant cinnamon sugar. Makes approximately 10
Millie: “Need some extra dough rolling power? Try the Geesta Adjustable Wood Rolling Pin with 5 settings to get that perfect thinness!”
Mexican Wedding Cookies: Powdery Perfection
These delightful cookies, with their buttery texture, are a holiday staple.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- More powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions:
- Mix It Up: Cream butter and powdered sugar; add vanilla. Blend in flour and pecans till doughy.
- Chill: Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.
- Shape and Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into balls and bake for 15 minutes.
- Dust a Cloud: Once cool, roll cookies in powdered sugar. Makes approximately 24 cookies
Hillary: “Grab a Nordic Ware Baking Sheet set to ensure these cookies come out perfectly baked!”
Sweet Dessert Tamales: A Surprise Classic
Serve these sweet Christmas tamales, a very shareable treat. and watch everyone’s surprise and delight.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups masa harina
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 12 dried corn husks, soaked in hot water for 1 hour to soften
Instructions:
- Masa Magic: Blend masa harina, baking powder, sugar, and cinnamon. Stir in butter till creamy, fold in raisins.
- Assemble: Spoon equal portions of masa mixture onto the smooth side of corn husks. Fold the husks. Secure the ends with strips of corn husk. (Dessert tamales are half the size of normal tamales. Lay out husks on a table or counter. Keep the smooth side up. Spoon the masa mixture for a consistent size. This should be done before securing the ends.)
- Steam: Steam for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours until cooked. (Test one after 1 hr.) Yields approximately 12-15 tamales.
Mullethead: “Steaming is a breeze with the roomy Hamilton Beach Food Steamer.“
Rompope: Sip of Mexican Festivity
While the sweet Christmas treats cool, Millie suggests they try their hand at Rompope, that silky Mexican eggnog.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups milk
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 egg yolks
- 1 cup rum, or to taste!
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1 Simmering Start: Heat milk, sugar, and cinnamon over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. Egg Yolk Magic: In a separate bowl, whisk egg yolks. Gradually add warm milk mixture, stirring constantly to temper the eggs.
3. Return to Heat: Pour mixture back into the pot, heating gently until thickened. Stir often, avoiding a boil.
4. Spirit and Spice: Remove from heat, then stir in rum and vanilla.
5. Chill Out: Let cool and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Serves approximately 6.
Millie: “For smooth blending, use the Breville Cordless Immersion Blender to make sure the Rompope is just right!”
Mullethead: “Now that everyone has their fair share of kitchen wisdom, let’s sit back and see what happens!”
Hambone: “I’ve got dibs on the role of chief taste-tester for this Rompope!”
As the group gathers around the kitchen table, they enjoy their hand-crafted treats. A merry sip adds to the joy. Nothing says the holidays like laughter and good food shared with loved ones.
Reflecting on the True Meaning of Christmas
The aroma of spices and sweet desserts fills the room. It blends with the warmth of friendship and love that only Christmas brings.
In this joyful cacophony, our friends take a moment to ponder what the holiday truly stands for. It’s a time to give thanks for the birth of Jesus Christ. We celebrate the undying spirit of love, humility, and generosity that Jesus brought to the world.
It’s also a sacred season to appreciate God’s blessings. We cherish the joy of family and the gift of life. We are called to share our prosperity with others.
The smiles and shared moments during simple culinary adventures remind us of the importance of love. Cherished holiday traditions also highlight this significance. They also highlight the significance of community.
Before You Go!
We hope you enjoyed this sweet journey through the heart of a festive Texas Christmas tradition. Mullethead, Hambone, and their wives Millie and Hillary thoroughly enjoyed this journey.
Why not create your own holiday magic by trying out these recipes? Share your own creations with us. Spread the joy by treating your loved ones to these delightful tastes of tradition.
Remember, the kitchen is always open for laughter and memory-making!
Feel free to be inspired by Mullethead and Hambone’s playbook. Make this festive season about joy. Focus on food and the warmth of coming together.
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