I love Christmas baking.  I bake cookies every year and can honestly say it makes me happy and not stressed out. I do it because I know how much my friends and family enjoy eating the cookies and because it just wouldn’t feel like Christmas without a big plate of shortbread…and orange almond bars and..and..and…

Here are some of the regulars at my home this holiday season. I must also mention I usually spend hours upon hours looking for fun new treats to add to my Christmas assortment but this year I just didn’t have the time. These are tried and true. I grew up eating these. My mom brought over her old trusty cookbook and the baking began.

Sorry for the lack of pictures but I assure you the recipes are easy to follow and you will not be disappointed.

In an electric mixer add the flour, brown sugar and icing sugar. Using the paddle attachment, slowly add the butter ( add it at room temp small cubes ). Now mix on med for about 4 min or until the mixture clumps together into a big mound..usually stuck to the paddle. Remove from mixer and knead the dough into a big ball. When you are ready to roll the dough I suggest cutting the dough into two discs and then rolling.

*note: Chow mein noodles are sold in a big bag not in a can. I found them easily at Loblaws.

Enjoy.

p.s , My mother took off with the Orange almond bar recipe so I will have to post it later. If you need to make them today I suggest searching Orange almond bars on foodgawker and you will find recipes similar to these..if not the exact same.