December 9th

Today December 9th you can Celebrate......
*National Pastry Day
*Christmas Card Day

Every December 9th it is "National" Christmas Card Day!  I couldn't find the origin of this Holiday but, it is recognized by Hallmark so I'm going with it!  What an awesome reminder to mail out those Christmas Cards (or in my case go and get them ordered;)) If you actually mail your Christmas Cards on December 9th you know they will arrive to your friends and families in plenty of time for them to enjoy them before Christmas.  Today I will be ORDERING Christmas Cards to Celebrate this fun Holiday!

NATIONAL PASTRY DAY!  Yes, I  think my husband may have died and gone to Heaven!  If there is one thing on this earth my Husband loves (other than me, the kids, football, Andrew Luck, Aaron Rodgers, oh well you get the point) HE LOVES PASTRIES! I can't blame him pastries are so much fun, and come in so many varieties! One of the very first pastries I learned how to cook was my Mom's State Fair Cream Puffs/Eclairs!  They seemed so intimidating and I was scared that I would just mess them up!  But, after following the recipe, perfect yummy cream puffs appeared! This is a family tested and tried recipe and I can't think of a better way of Celebrating Pastry Day then with a plate full of these scrumptious Cream Puff's!!!!

State Fair Cream Puff's
1 Cup Water
1/2 C. Butter (do NOT Substitute)
1 Cup Flour
1/4 tsp Salt
4 Eggs

In a saucepan over medium heat, bring water and butter to boil.  Add flour and salt all at once; stir until a smooth ball forms.  Remove from heat; let stand for 5 minutes.  Add Eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.  Beat until smooth. Form small balls (almost like you were making cookies) onto greased baking sheets.

Combine
2 Tablespoon Milk
1 Egg yolk
Brush this mixture over puffs then Bake at 400 degrees for apx. 35 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove to wire racks.  Cut slit in side immediately for steam to escape.  Let cool.  Cut slit puffs and fill

You can fill puffs with Whip Cream, Ice Cream, Fruit, or my favorite
2 Cups Cold Milk
1 Package (5.1g) instant vanilla pudding
1 Cup Whipping Cream (Prepared and whipped Separately)
Combined these ingredients then add
1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
Mix all together then fill puffs (so good!)

Dust each puff with Powdered Sugar or Chocolate Icing

Chocolate Icing Recipe
2 Squares Semi Sweet Chocolate (Or cocoa equivalent)
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
2-3 Tablespoons Milk

Melt chocolate and butter over low heat, stir in sugar add milk until smooth consistency then drizzle over puffs:)

I LOVE cooking in the kitchen with my kids and today is going to be so much fun making Cream Puff's as a family! I'm glad Pastry Day only comes once a year or my waistline would definitely be in trouble!  Happy Celebrations!!!