Growing up around this time of year, I always looked forward to two things.

One was my momma’s Christmas cookies. It wasn’t Christmas morning without her peanut butter blossoms. She made four or five different kinds, but they were my favorites. She would deliver plates of cookies to our neighbors and made sure she got them out for any holiday company. It sure was special. I think people looked forward to her Christmas cookies each year, and I loved helping deliver them and saying, “Merry Christmas!”

Two was my Gram Liddick’s Christmas bread. This wasn’t just any old bread. It was called Christmas bread for a reason. It was red and green, all twisted into one beautiful loaf. You could always count on Gram’s bread Christmas Day for toast. The whole family each got a loaf, and let’s face it, the Liddick family isn’t small. Gram made dozens of loaves for her church family, friends, and all of our family. I mean come on, that’s the breakfast of champions right there! Buttered Christmas toast and Christmas cookies!

After I got married, I started making a Christmas morning breakfast casserole years later. That was our family breakfast tradition until last year. My son, Tyler, asked if I could start making my breakfast sandwiches. I was surprised, but I obliged. I kid you not, it was December 1st this year, and Tyler asks me, “Mom, you know how you made your breakfast sandwiches last year for Christmas? Can you please make them again? That’s one of my favorite parts about Christmas morning is our breakfast together and those yummy sandwiches.” How can I say no to that?

I still have my old traditions with my new, and I want my kids to look back someday and say they loved their Christmas morning breakfast, too! I have to admit; they are so nice to just pull out of the fridge Christmas morning and pop right into the oven before our kids dig into their stockings from Santa. I have shared this recipe in my column before, but if you need it again, you can find it on my website at www.andreascountryhomecookin.com and search for Sausage, Egg N Cheese Maple Risers.

As for all the others, they are in my cookbook! And GUESS WHAT? I am happy to say my cookbooks are here! I ordered more because so many of you have been asking me where you can get one. I have them for sale at the Rust and Shine located on 600 Cemetery Street in Williamsport. I thank them for allowing me to reach all of my local fans! Just in time for the holidays, too!

Here is a sneak peek into my cookbook:

Recipes included: are Main Dishes, Appetizers & Beverage, Soups, and Salads. I also have Desserts, Vegetables, and Miscellaneous in my book, as well. Over 80 pages, some color pictures, and 160+ recipes. Also included are Cooking Hints and Tips and some extra goodies. There are so many recipes in my cookbook that are so special in our family. I thank you all for the love and support for Andrea’s Country Home Cookin!

Gram’s Christmas Bread

• 6 cups of warm water
• 4 Tbsp. of yeast
• 2 Tbsp. salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup oleo or margarine (room temp)

Mix and let is set awhile.

Start mixing up to 5lbs of flour with a mixer and knead well. Let rise. Punch it down, let it raise more. Divide into 6 pieces and roll each piece out with rolling pin. Roll it up and put in greased bread pan. Let raise. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Makes 3 loaves of bread.

**For Christmas bread, die half of the dough red and half green. And twist together and put in pan!**