Christmas at the White House

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In all of the time I’ve lived in the DC area, I’ve never stepped foot in the east wing of the White House… so this year when an invitation for a Christmas tour hit my inbox I kind of jumped for joy… the national tree is one thing, but to see each room of the residence in all its Christmas glory… totally another.

I’m a big geek for the china patterns and portraits, and especially all of the history held within those walls. It was fun to walk through and imagine Jackie greeting guests in the Vermeil Room, Teddy Roosevelt’s children sneaking a tiny tree into the Green Room… Sasha and Malia playing in the East Garden Room…

Okay the Teddy one is at least partially true.

Keep going for a few shots from my favorite rooms and a recipe from the White House Pastry Kitchen…

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Our program was seriously cute, and included a DIY project for an upside-down jar snow globe (kind of like this) along with a holiday recipe… and I love a good ginger snap, so I thought I’d share it before it’s too late… just in case you’re still looking for something to feed Santa.

Ginger Crinkles
A recipe from the White House Pastry Kitchen

8oz (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 whole eggs
1/3 cup molasses
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 tsp dried ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat butter and brown sugar in large mixing bowl until creamy.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Add molasses and fresh ginger.
5. Combine flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, and salt in a small mixing bowl.
6. Add the flour mixture to large mixing bowl, and stir until combined.
7. Use a small spoon to scoop cookies into small balls, dip in 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and place on parchment-lined baking sheet sugar side up.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes, or less if you like them chewy.
9. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.

Yields 30-36 cookies.

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