‘Tis the season….of food that warms the heart! And we're sharing our traditions with you…

Growing up, the month of December meant the smell of cinnamon and sugar wafting through the house and greeting you in a single whiff, like a comforting hug.

-  Kriselle Fonseca 

The entire month was spent churning out plum cakes to hand out to friends and family—a tradition that’s taken the centerstage of our Christmas celebrations at home, even till today. The first day of Christmas vacation was set aside for baking cookies, followed by getting ourselves into a chocolate-y mess with some irresistible fudge. And because the weather demanded it, hot chocolate with marshmallows every now and then were just the icing on the cake. These goodies were straight out of Grandma’s trusted Christmas recipe book, passed down to us through generations. It was not just like an instruction manual, but like a part of her was with us. As I’m wrapping up prep work for a much-awaited time of the year, I’ve decided to share my traditions with you, in the hope that they go on to become part of your celebrations too. With love, from Grandma!

Linzer Cookies

YOU NEED

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour

• ½ cup almond flour

• ½ cup butter at room temperature

• ¾ cup powdered sugar and more for dusting

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract or almond extract

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 cup strawberry jam

YOU MUST

• In a stand mixer or a mixing bowl, add all-purpose flour, almond flour, cinnamon, almond extract, salt, and powdered sugar and mix until it forms like a dough.

• Roll dough into a ball and transfer cover with a plastic wrap. Let it sit in the refrigerator for two hours or in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.