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Carol's Chapter

Christmas Records, Boxes of Goodies, and Mom's Fruitcake

told by Carol Mae Guild Sutton

Carol recalls her mother playing favorite Christmas records and baking from just after Thanksgiving until Christmas. The cold back porch served as a freezer for the treats. After the children left home, their mother mailed them large boxes of cookies, candy, and breads. Her annual Depression Fruitcake was made early, repeatedly soaked in brandy, baked in assorted containers, and finished with glaze and candied fruit. Carol and her father dearly loved it.

In the family's own words

Mom would put on the Christmas records—she loved Bing Crosby’s White Christmas and anything by Kate Smith--and start the Christmas baking right after Thanksgiving. She would continue baking right up to Christmas. The back porch was very cold in the winter and became a perfect freezer for all her goodies. As we kids moved out of the house to start a life of our own, she would mail us large boxes full of her cookies, candy, and breads. Her famous Depression Fruitcake was a family tradition each year. She made it early and continuously soaked it in brandy until Christmas. She would bake it in various sized containers, small coffee cans, loaf pans, and round pans. Then she would glaze the top and decorate it with candied fruit. Daddy dearly loved it and so did I. Still do.

SOME OF MOM’S BEST CHRISTMAS DELICACIES

Referenced in

Carol's Chapter, told by Carol Mae Guild Sutton

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