December is the 12^th month and rounds out the year by being an extremely busy month.  Its 31 days are filled with meaningful days and pageantry. It is a month filled with hopes, wishes, celebrations, and remembering. To begin, December 1^st welcomes the Advent season, December 6^th marks the Feast of St. Nicholas, December 7^thcommemorates Pearl Harbor Day, December 13th celebrates the Feast day of Santa Lucia, December 21^st is the Winter Solstice and the shortest day of the year, December 24^th is Christmas Eve which for youngsters could be the longest day of the year, followed by December 25^th, Christmas Day, December 26^th Boxing Day and then the year ends with world-wide varied celebrations on December 31^st. So much to do and only 31 days to do it in. Is it any wonder many of us stop and rest on January 1^st!

TIME TO START BAKING

“S” COOKIES

Italians love something mildly sweet especially a simple cookie not just for Breakfast, but also in the afternoon with tea or an espresso, or even better as a dessert with a glass of wine. These cookies are a delicate, slightly crunchy cookie. Made with butter and of course a touch of honey and your favorite flavoring.

1 C. + 2 Tbsp Sugar
8 Oz (2 Sticks) Sweet Butter
1/4 C. Milk – not low fat
2 Eggs – Large
1 1/2 Tbsp. Honey
1 tsp. Extract – your favorite
4 1/2 C. Flour
1 Egg – for egg wash
Colored Sprinkles or Decorative Sugar Crystals

PREHEAT OVEN TO 375º

Cream together the sugar and butter.  Add the milk, eggs, honey and flavoring of yor choice.  Gradually add in the flour.  Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic and chill for 1 hour.  Take a small piece of cough (a few tablespoons) and roll into a small log, about 3 ½. Inches long and ½-inch wide.  Gently push the dough into an “S” shape. Repeat until all of the dough has been used.

Place the cookies on a sheet pan lined with parchment, about 1 ½-inches apart.  Brush lightly with the egg wash and sprinkle lightly with colored sprinkles of decorative sugar crystal.  Bake for app 15-18 minutes until light brown.  Remove and let cool.

Buon Mangiata!