Farmhouse Christmas: A Pretty Book That Left Me Wanting More

 

I have been waiting for Farmhouse Christmas: Recipes and Crafts for a Cozy Homemade Holiday by Melissa Bahen for months, so when it finally arrived, I as genuinely excited to see it. Christmas cookbooks are one of my weaknesses, and a book promising both recipes and crafts sounded right up my alley...And then I opened it.

Farmhouse Christmas is certainly a beautiful book. It is festive from endpaper to endpaper, filled with the cozy, homespun aesthetic you would expect from its title. The photography is lovely, and there are plenty of recipes that made me want to head straight into the kitchen. But I have to admit that the book wasn’t quite what I was expecting, and that left me a little disappointed. 

 The publisher describes the book as containing more than 70 recipes along with 12 holiday crafts and gifts, and that balance is important to know going in. I had expected something closer to an equal partnership between recipes and crafts. Instead, this is overwhelmingly a cookbook, with the crafts functioning more as a small bonus. If you’re picking this up primarily for Christmas crafting and decorating inspiration, you may find yourself wishing there were considerably more of it.

 My other disappointment was the crafts themselves. I didn’t find much that felt particularly fresh or inventive. There are some perfectly pleasant ideas here, but after looking at Christmas crafts for as many years as I have, I was hoping for a few of those Why didn't I think of that? moments. I never quite got them. Fortunately, the recipes go a long way toward redeeming that part of the book. 

 There are recipes here to take you from breakfast through dinner, cocktail hour and dessert, and the photographs make everything look especially inviting. Some of the recipes are familiar territory, but I was pleasantly surprised by how many were new to me. And considering how many cookbooks I review and how many recipes I encounter, coming across something I haven’t seen before is no small accomplishment. Kudos for that. 

 Best of all, most of the recipes look wonderfully approachable. You don’t need to be an accomplished cook to tackle them, which makes this a particularly accessible holiday cookbook.

 Several recipes have already made their way onto my must-try list. I’m especially intrigued by the Chewy Chocolate Meringues, Sugared Gingerbread Muffins, and Kale Salad with Honey-Mustard Vinaigrette. Yes, I have apparently reached the stage of life where I voluntarily put kale on my Christmas menu. Stranger things have happened.

The section devoted to appetizers and party food for New Year’s Eve is another highlight for me. I like being able to open a cookbook to a particular holiday and find a collection of recipes that works for that occasion rather than having to hunt through the entire book. The Baked Cheese and Sweet Onion Dip and Cranberry Salsa with Cream Cheese are both calling my name.

I’ve also recently become a convert to sun-dried tomatoes, so the Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Cheese Spread caught my attention. And then there’s the Spanish Meatballs with Tomato Sauce. I thought I had encountered pretty much every meatball variation known to mankind, but this one was new to me, and I’m eager to give it a try.

 And the drinks! 

The Caramel Apple Cider sounds like exactly what I want on a cold winter afternoon. I can already see myself making a batch, and perhaps adding a shot of applejack to my glass. For medicinal purposes, naturally.

So, where does that leave me?

I like Farmhouse Christmas. I just don’t love it as much as I expected to.

Perhaps that is partly because I had built the book up in my mind during those months of waiting. I was expecting a generous dose of Christmas crafting, along with recipes, decorating ideas and the sort of fresh inspiration that makes you want to drag out the glue gun and immediately start making something. Instead, I found a very pretty, very approachable holiday cookbook with a small collection of crafts tucked inside.

There is another consideration for longtime followers of Melissa Bahen, who is the creator of the Lulu the Baker website. Many of the recipes and projects in Farmhouse Christmas have appeared on her website, so readers already familiar with her work may find less that feels entirely new.  That doesn’t make this a bad book. It simply makes it a different book from the one I thought I was getting.

 If you’re looking for an attractive, approachable Christmas cookbook filled with festive recipes, Farmhouse Christmas has plenty to offer. If you’re buying it primarily because you’re hoping for a craft-filled Christmas extravaganza, I’d temper those expectations. For me, it’s a good book that I expected to be a great one. And perhaps that’s the most disappointing part of all.

My Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3 out of 5 stars) 

 Those interested can order a copy here.

 As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

 Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Christmas in July: Why The Gingerbread Party Is My New Favorite Holiday Book

 

It’s Christmas in July, and I’m already dreaming of festive traditions thanks to one of the most delightful books I’ve discovered in years: The Gingerbread Party by Courtney Dial Whjtmore.his isn’t your ordinary holiday book. While gingerbread houses appear every December, Whitmore transforms the beloved holiday tradition into a full-blown celebration. Filled with inspiration, this charming book shows you how to create your own gingerbread party tradition, whether it’s an elegant Gingerbread Tea Party, a festive Gingerbread Train Party, or a magical gingerbread-themed gathering for family and friends.From the moment I opened it, I was captivated. Every page is filled with gorgeous photography, imaginative decorating ideas, and creative ways to bring the warmth and charm of gingerbread into every corner of your home. You’ll discover the fascinating history of gingerbread (did you know its origins date back to 2400 BC, long before sugar became a common ingredient?), learn the secrets to building beautiful gingerbread creations, and follow step-by-step tutorials complete with full-size templates for houses of every shape and size—including an adorable gingerbread train.

The recipes are just as tempting as the projects. Alongside classic gingerbread favorites, you’ll find irresistible treats such as Ivy’s Gingerbread Layer Cake, gingerbread cupcakes topped with tiny gingerbread houses, individual Gingerbread Cheesecake Trifles, and even a festive Gingerbread Martini. If you’re looking for savory bites, there are delicious options like Crispy Pimento Cheese Cups, along with decadent sweets such as rich Chocolate Fudge.Whether you want to host an unforgettable gingerbread party, create beautiful holiday decorations, assemble Christmas Simmer Pot Bags that fill your home with the comforting scents of the season, or design breathtaking tablescapes and outdoor displays, The Gingerbread Party offers endless inspiration. Every idea is creative, approachable, and absolutely enchanting.If you’re someone who starts planning Christmas before Halloween (you know who you are!), do yourself a favor and add this book to your collection. It also makes a wonderful hostess gift, Christmas present, or surprise for anyone who loves holiday entertaining.I have a feeling you’ll want more than one copy. Don’t miss The Gingerbread Party. You can order a copy here.

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Easy Pearl Onion Peeling Hack: 15 Minutes to Perfection

Pearl onions are the darlings of holiday buffets. Creamed onions are as traditional at Thanksgiving as are cranberries, and as traditional at Christmas as is eggnog. Braised, glazed, creamed, roasted, grilled, added to soups and stews, any way you enjoy them, they are delicious, but many people forego dealing with them because the peeling seems so daunting. If you're a pearl onion rookie, here is the best and easiest way to peel them. Start to finish it only consumes about fifteen minutes of your time, and is well worth it for the fresh taste.

This mixed assortment from Melissa's Produce is by far my favorite. Not only is the variety of sizes and colors visually appealing, but the combination of tastes is unsurpassed.

Now, let's get started. First of all, bring a large pot of water to a boil. While you're waiting, cut the stem end (the end OPPOSITE of the root end) off of each onion. It may seem tedious, but you can develop a rhythm and knock them out in no time.

Discard the tips and put the onions in a small bowl. When the water reaches a full, rolling boil, dump the onions in all at once. Allow the water to return to a boil and boil them for three minutes. While they are boiling, fill the empty onion bowl with ice water and set a strainer over the sink.

When the three minutes of boiling time are up, strain the onions and immediately dump them into the bowl of ice water.

Allow them a couple of minutes to cool and then, one by one, squeeze the root end, and out will pop your peeled onion! Yes, there will be a tiny bit of waste, but nothing beats this method for speed, and aren't we all busy cooks? In some cases the root end may remain attached so either pinch it off or cut it off. That's it!

Minimal waste, maximum speed. Perfect for busy cooks!

 

The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook, Reviewed

 

The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook by Becky Libourel Diamond is a delightful fusion of culinary arts and historical storytelling that brings the opulent holiday traditions of the 19th century into modern kitchens. This enchanting book revives forgotten confections like sugar plums (no they are not sugar-dusted plums), alongside beloved classics, all adapted for today’s ingredients and appliances. Each recipe is paired with a vivid glimpse into the Gilded Age, offering fascinating histories of the treats, their ingredients, and baking methods. Sidebars sprinkled throughout share captivating Christmas lore, making this cookbook a treasure trove for anyone who loves food, history, and the festive season.

 

The book’s strength lies in its approachable recipes and rich historical context, making it accessible to bakers of all skill levels. From spiced nuts to molasses cookies and mince pies, the recipes are simple yet evocative, perfect for holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges. Standout anecdotes, like the history of Santa Claus as we know him today or Mark Twain’s family holiday traditions, add depth and charm. The inclusion of practical tips, such as mastering egg whites, ensures that even novice bakers can confidently recreate these nostalgic treats, blending the past with the present in every bite. 

 

Visually, the cookbook is a feast for the eyes, with stunning photographs that capture the festive spirit of the Gilded Age. However, one drawback is the lack of images for every recipe, which can be frustrating for visual learners or those unfamiliar with historical baked goods. For a book celebrating such unique confections, pictures of the finished dishes would have enhanced the experience, providing a clearer sense of what to aim for, especially for less familiar recipes like sugar plums or mince pies. 

 

Overall, The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook is a beautifully crafted love letter to Christmas traditions, blending culinary inspiration with historical charm. It’s an ideal gift for bakers, history buffs, or anyone eager to infuse their holiday season with a touch of Gilded Age magic. Whether you’re a Pennsylvanian reminiscing over molasses cookies or a curious cook in Scotland trying mince pies for the first time, this book will inspire new family favorites and become a cherished holiday companion, revisited year after year.

You can order a copy here.

 I received a complimentary copy from the author and Globe Pequot Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.