Shannon here: Louise M. Gouge shares her grandmother’s Christmas cookie recipe, plus a chance to win a print copy of her Contemporary Romance, A Faithful Guardian to a U. S. resident. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: Dec 21st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Louise:
Today, I’m talking a little bit about my upcoming release, A Faithful Guardian. This story is special to me for many reasons, most of which involve my extended family because of the struggles my characters endured.
With this being the Christmas season, I wanted to tell you about one of my happiest memories both as a child growing up and as a mother with children of my own: making my grandmother’s very special Christmas cookies. This recipe makes about twelve dozen cakelike cookies that are beyond delicious!
Grandmother Lebkuchen (Christmas Cookies)
2 quarts of molasses
1/2 to 3/4 lb. of citron or mixed candied fruits
1 1/2 lb. shortening
1 quart to 3 pints chopped nuts (mixed, pine or walnut)
1 ounce nutmeg
1/2 cup cinnamon
3 tablespoons ground cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup soda
2 cups sour milk (or cultured buttermilk)
2 cups hot water
1 1/2 oz. Lemon extract
1 box raisins
10 lbs. of flour (pre-sifted is good)
Make dough up stiff at night.
Next morning, divide into batches.
Roll as thin as possible.
Cut into squares.
Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 12 minutes.
Long ripening improves the flavor of these cookies.
If desired, an icing of confectioner’s sugar and water may be spread thinly over cookies.
Question for Readers: What is your favorite Christmas cookie recipe? Did you make it this year, or will you wait until Christmas Day is closer?
I pray you will have a wonderful and blessed Christmas season.
About Louise: South Carolina author Louise M. Gouge writes contemporary and historical romance fiction for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Contemporary imprint. Louise has won the prestigious IRCA in 2006 and placing as a finalist in 2011, 2015, 2016, and 2017. She was also a finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Awards in 2005, 2007, and 2008, and placed in the Laurel Wreath contest in 2012. Most recently, she was a finalist in the 2023 Selah Awards and is a current finalist for the 2024 Selah Awards. A former college English and humanities professor, Louise is a member of the Christian PEN and has been copyediting for well-known authors for fifteen years. Married for fifty-four happy years to her husband, David, Louise is now widowed and spends her days researching and writing her next novel. Learn more & connect:
Louise’s Website Louise’s Facebook Louise’s Bookbub Louise’s Goodreads
About the book – A Faithful Guardian:
An unexpected canine friendship could bring their families together. After her teen daughter, Zoey, bonds with a stray dog, the last thing Lauren Parker anticipates is the owner accusing her of stealing it. The prominent rancher and widowed father, Robert Mattson, doesn’t believe Lauren’s innocence, but even he can see the special understanding his dog, Lady, has for Zoey’s medical needs. When Robert’s twins become fast friends with Zoey, his prickly interactions with Lauren soon give way to something more. As Lady brings them all closer together, Robert can’t harden his heart any longer…but is he too late to win Lauren’s love?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Need extra copies for Christmas gifts?
Interested in Louise’s other titles? Get your copy/copies now!
A Faithful Guardian Louise’s Books
Come back Dec 16th for Shannon’s Book Bargains Roundup!
Come back Dec 17th for Sherri Stewart!
My favorite Christmas cookies are decorated sugar cookies. Our tradition is that my son bakes them and we decorate them together.
What a great tradition, Maryann! When my children were home, we always decorated our cookies together, too. Such precious memories!
My favorite Chrismas cookie to bake and give are peanut butter blossoms (with the candy kiss on top) Everyone smiles when they see them!
Joan, I love almost all things peanut butter. Put a chocolate on top, and I’m there!
My favorite Christmas cookies are from an old German recipe from my dad.
Diana, sounds like yours is similar to mine. What a great way to carry on the legacy!
Glad to have you back, Louise. Are the cookies similar to fruitcake? I love fruitcake. My grandmother used to make it. So good. I never did understand why people make fun of such a yummy, goey dessert.
My favorite cookie recipe is Macadamia Nut. Maybe I should just say it’s my favorite cookie since I don’t have a recipe and don’t like to bake. I’m the one hoping other people bake and give me their goodies.
Shannon, Lebkucken are something like fruitcake but a little flatter. I’m with you about fruitcake. I’ve always thought it was delicious, especiially if it has lots of nuts in it. Those Macadamia Nut cookies sound delicious!
My favorite Christmas cookie is my cookies and cream flavored cookie I make to share with family and friends. I am making them later this week.
Cherie, those sound delicious! Have fun making your cookies!
As a child, I enjoyed my mom’s sugar cookie recipe because we used the Christmas cookie cutters and sprinkled the cutouts with colored sugar.
Roxanne, sugar cookies were a favorite of my husband and grandkids. Such fun to make and even more fun to eat!
I have a winner! Patrice Whynott won the drawing. I appreciate Louise for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
Congratulations, Patrice! Please email me your snail mail address so I can send you a copy of A Faithful Guardian. My email is Louisemgouge@aol.com.