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Holiday traditions
Traditions are a huge part of family celebrations. People from many cultures and nationalities hold fast to their unique foods and activities with fondness. Some families have a huge spread of dishes from recipes that are passed from generation to generation.
Growing up, I remember Christmas Eve as a time of last-minute business and work, completing chores for the morning and coming days.
Christmas Eve
When our children came along we decided that all work would end by noon on Christmas eve and we would keep it low-key and easy. That tradition has continued to this day. Though not free from noise and chaos since our immediate family has grown considerable with the addition of spouses and grandchildren, we still keep the evening low-key.
After church, everyone comes to our home. Children change into cozy jammies and then gather in the family room. A fire burns in the wood burning stove and a large coffee table is filled with an array of food and desserts.
The Menu
The list of food served has pretty much stayed the same through the years. It is what everyone has come to expect and to leave just one item out would surely disappoint someone. Cocktail meatballs on soft dinner rolls, sausage stars, shrimp plate, assorted cheese and crackers, jalapeno cranberry spread, Pecan tassies, homemade cookies and black bottom cups make their annual appearance.
Black bottom cups
Black bottom cups are rich and chocolatly cupcakes with a filling of cream cheese and chocolate chips then sprinkled with sugar and pecan nuts. They are moist and delicious.
Black Bottom Cups Recipe
- 6-oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup oil
- 1 Tbs. vinegar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 2 Tbs. sugar
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds or pecans are nice)
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- Line 18 muffins cups with papers.
- In small bowl, combine cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and egg; mix well. Stir in chocolate chips; set aside.
- In large bowl, combine flour, 1 cup sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla; beat 2 minutes at medium speed.
- Fill muffin cups half full.
- Top each with a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture.
- Combine 2 Tbs. sugar and chopped nuts; sprinkle evenly over cupcakes.
- Bake for 20-30 mins. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pans. Cool completely. Refrigerate leftovers.
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Oh, these cups look sooooo delicious!
Oh yea, these look great! Wishing you a Merry Christmas:@)
This looks like something everyone in my family will enjoy! I've been trying so had in the past few years to find something we all can enjoy when we come home from church and open gifts on Christmas Eve. I'm going to make these!!! Thank you!
ooh, these look delish! thanks for sharing!
OK I am going to try this.
Thank you so much for stopping by and wishing me well on my b day.
These look fabulous and I will try them. Thank you so much for the new tradition!
Wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas week.
Rebecca
The most yummy ever…maybe it's time to think about a New York area blogger tea in the new year. Wouldn't it be fun?
I can see why you have these every year when they look delicious! Your pictures are making me drool! Definitely a keeper recipe : )
How in the world do you make all this luscious food – and not eat it and get overweight!
Maybe that is my problem – I make it all so infrequently that when i do- I feel as though i have to eat it all because it will be a long time before i get it again!
What a vicious circle!
Those look yummy-licious.
How nice to take a snap shot of each step.
Lorraine, those look so good.
Funny how we remember things we ALWAYS had at Christmas. My mom always had Stollen. I only came to like that as an adult. Now dh make it every year, and we aren't German, but we like it!
Thanks for sharing your recipe and fabulous pis!
Mmmmmmmm…those look scrumptious!! I love your traditions!! I am sure it invokes such a warm feeling with your family! Have a Merry Christmas!!
These look wonderful! Cream cheese and chocolate, what a luscious combination! I printed out the recipe and plan to try it over the holidays. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the recipe!
Sherry @ A Happy Valentine
Oh my! These are absolutely delicious! Will be making them. Thanks for sharing!!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Oh my, they look just scrumptious!!!
Merry Christmas friend!!
Nancy
They look delicious!! Wishing you and yours a wonderful Christmas together :o)
I love anything with cream cheese in it – these looks soooooo good!
I've never heard of those but they sure look delicious. You have a wonderful Christmas eve tradition going there.
Looks good. Blessed Christmas, my blogging friend!
Good Evening LDH Sweetie…
Oh my gosh do these ever look and smell wonderful. I could smell them baking when I opened your blog. The chocolate drew me in sweet friend. I do believe the kids and grands would love these, and I am going to start a tradition in our house and give it a try. I am always looking for a new recipe to give a try.
Thank you sweet friend for the beautiful share. May God richly bless you and your family this beautiful CHRISTmas season.
Many hugs sweetie and so much love, Sherry