I’m not sure if my mom made these every year at Christmastime, but this recipe certainly set itself into the nostalgic remembrances of childhood Decembers. This year I’ve craved comfort comfort reads, comfort clothes, comfort blankets, and comfort food. I hadn’t made these for several years, wanted them on my December food calendar.
My copy is lost in some pile of papers so I had my mom text me a picture of her recipe card (which she can always find! There is something to be said for recipe boxes). This recipe was “gifted” to her from her dear friend, Rena, who passed away from cancer when I was four years old. Rena’s handwriting still adorns the recipe card which makes it extra lovely. Recipes that we share are their own legacy and love shared across the years.
Ginger Strips are fast, easy, chewy-soft and just SO good. They make easy gifts for friends and neighbors as well. I find 12-13 minutes is just right and I prefer to use a Pizza Stone for cooking. If you are using cookie sheets and parchment paper, I’ve found that they can overcook faster. If they are still soft when you take them out, they will firm up and this is how I prefer them. Enjoy!
Christmas Novellas to pair with the Ginger Strips (+your favorite tea or a cup of coffee):
- The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury (hardcover & Kindle)
- The Angel of Forest Hill by Cindy Woodsmall (hardcover & Kindle)
- A Wreath of Snow: A Victoria Christmas Novella by Liz Curtis Higgs (hardcover & Kindle)
- Finding Father Christmas by Robin Jones Gunn (hardcover & Kindle)
About these Novellas: I read each of these every year around Christmas. They share the themes of new beginnings, second chances, forgiveness, and hope.
The Bridge is set in Franklin, Tennessee centering around a childless, their bookshop, and the lives they impact through this ministry of books. Hallmark adapted this story (The Bridge: The Complete Story) and although changes were made, (as Hallmark doesn’t much like Jesus to be seen in their stories) it still is one my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies.
The Angel of Forest Hill is an Amish Christmas Novella. Amish fiction is somewhat overdone and not often done well by many, but I love this one. Set in the rolling hills of West Virginia, it delves into what it means to be known and the vulnerability it takes to love well and be loved well.
A Wreath of Snow is the best book I know if you want a story rich in the power of forgiveness — the forgiveness of oneself and of others. The story is set in Scotland, 1894 and is best read on a gray, snowy evening (or at least gray!). Also paired well with this book: shortbread cookies.
Finding Father Christmas is a Christmas fixture and has been for many years. In the Literature Threads Shop you’ll find a themed hosting menu for this lovely. Belonging, community, and friendship are a few of the themes displayed in this story as a young woman searches for her father. And yes, this has its own Hallmark Movie…or three. The books are better, but the movies are the best of the Hallmark variety.
Merry Christmas!
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