It’s day 12 of our 13 Days of Christmas Cookies. Today, Guest Chef Michael Mech, The Bungalow Chef, shares one of his favorite recipes, Pecan Crescent Cookies, passed down from his great grandmother. – Editor
“This recipe for Pecan Crescent Cookies honors my great-grandmother, Rose Schade. Rose was born during the horse-and-buggy days, yet she lived to see Neil Armstrong walk on the moon. Today, whenever I see a crescent moon, I think of her Pecan Crescent Cookies with great fondness. I have to say this is my all-time favorite cookie and oh so perfect for the holidays.
Rose was a master home baker and taught me much about the principles of baking…and of life. Some of my earliest food memories include working by her side as she showed me how to roll the pecan cookie dough and create its signature crescent shape.
While the cookies baked and their sweet aroma escaped from her vintage Magic Chef range, Rose would tell me stories of her past and share her time-honored philosophies. Warm from the oven, we would roll each crescent in powdered sugar and marvel as it melted and transformed into a glistening icing. And that first bite of buttery pecan goodness? Heaven.
Whether accompanied by a cold glass of milk or one of Rose’s perfect gin martinis, Pecan Crescent Cookies have been a favorite in my family for generations. “Cheers” to Great-Grandma Rose Schade.”