During the twelve days until Christmas break, the King Street Chronicle will again present staff favorites from the holiday season. This final edition will not include 12 drummers drumming, but beloved Christmas songs, recipes, movies, crafts, and festive wear.
Song:
“Blue Christmas” – performed by Elvis Presley.
Recipe:
Swirl Sugar Cookies
Ingredients:
- One cup of unsalted butter, at room temperature
- One cup of granulated sugar
- One-half teaspoon of salt
- One teaspoon of vanilla extract
- One-quarter teaspoon of almond extract
- One large egg
- Two and one-half cups of all-purpose flour
- Red and green colored sugar
- Red, white and green nonpareils
Steps:
- In a large bowl, cream butter, salt, and sugar together with an electric mixer.
- Add the egg and extracts. Mix in flour and beat until dough comes together.
- Divide dough in half. Roll out one of the halves into an eight by eight-inch square and sprinkle sugars like patchwork. Roll up jelly-roll style then roll in nonpareils and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Repeat with the other half of the dough.
- Refrigerate rolls for two or more hours, or until very firm.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment. Remove plastic wrap from rolls and slice into quarter-inch slices, then lay on prepared cookie sheets about two inches apart.
- Bake in the oven for six to eight minutes or until edges just start to brown. Allow to rest on cookie sheet for two minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
Movie: Fred Claus
“Fred Claus, Santa’s bitter older brother, is forced to move to the North Pole to help Santa and the elves prepare for Christmas in exchange for cash,” according to imdb.
DIY: Gingerbread Sugar Scrub
Supplies:
- One-half cup of brown sugar (light or dark)
- One-half cup of granulated sugar
- One-half cup of coconut oil
- One teaspoon of vanilla extract
- One-half teaspoon of cinnamon
- One-half teaspoon of nutmeg
- One-half teaspoon of ground ginger
- One-half teaspoon of all Spice
- A jar
Steps:
-
Combine sugars and coconut oil in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat with a paddle attachment until a fluffy paste starts to form.
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Scrape down sides and add vanilla, spices and fragrance oil. Beat on low until spices work their way into the mix, increase to medium speed and beat for 30 seconds or until light and fluffy.
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Transfer to a jar and seal with a lid. Dress it up if giving as a gift. Use within a month with hot water and gently exfoliate skin.
Fashion:
“Go for a cute classic with this reindeer Christmas sweater featuring a pom pom red nose and attached eyes,” according to macys.com.
– Daisy Steinthal, Photo Editor and Features Editor