When I was growing up throughout my junior high and high school years the week after Christmas I would go over to my best friend’s house to see her beautifully decorated tree, and get a first hand look at her many Christmas gifts.
I will admit now that as a Jewish girl who looked forward to lighting a menorah, eating latkes, getting a new pair of pj’s and some chocolate “gelt” (awful tasting chocolate wrapped in gold foil to look like coins) for Hanukkah, I found our festivities more than paled by comparison.
At some point during my visit my girlfriend’s mother would enter the living room from the kitchen carrying a plate of freshly baked cookies…these were Mrs. Snyder’s Sand Tarts, and so delicious!
Whatever feelings of envy I was battling inside, one crispy cinnamon sugary sand tart after another after another and yet another always seemed to make me feel much better.
My girlfriend and I have remained in touch over the years, even if only by annual holiday cards updating each other on our family’s news. We both moved away from the town we grew up in, married our high school sweethearts (in fact, out husbands played on the same recreational basketball team in high school), and raised families.
Recently we connected through facebook and last January my friend sent me her mom’s recipe for those treasured Sand Tarts.
I made them this morning, and it’s true what they say…foods from your past can transport you back with just one bite.
I don’t know that these are as good as Mrs. Snyder’s, but I do know this is a Christmas tradition that even a Jewish girl like me can look forward to each year.
Mrs. Snyder’s Sand Tarts
1 and ¾ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup butter (room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1 egg, well-beaten
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
egg white
sugar
cinnamon
nuts
Sift flour; measure, add baking powder and salt; sift again
Cream butter, add sugar gradually and beat until light.
Add egg and orange rind.
Combine dry ingredients and creamed mixture. Chill.
Roll thin on lightly floured board and cut in fancy shapes.
Place on greased baking sheet. Brush with egg white diluted with water. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar or colored sugars. Add nut pieces for eyes if you like, etc.
Bake in moderate oven (325 degrees) for 8-10 minutes.
