Ty’s Christmas Dessert Favorites

We’ve all got a favorite holiday – and mine might be Halloween…but there’s no denying the feel of Christmas! We get to spend time together with loved ones, making delicious treats, and adding on the ‘winter weight!  I’ve definitely got some holiday traditions, but do you know where many of our favorites began? Some are a LOT older than you think...

Christmas Cookies

These tasty little treats have been around since the Middle Ages, when new spices like nutmeg and cinnamon became available. Although it was a rarity for anyone besides royalty to eat them, they were a hit. However, the gingerbread man was invented by Queen Elizabeth I of England, who shaped them after her favorite people in the royal court. 

Puppy Chow

This is my FAVORITE midwestern staple. Although intended for humans, this snack was introduced in 1937 by Purina (yes, the dog food company)! “Chex” didn’t catch on, so they went for “chow” after hearing WWI soldiers using the name to describe their rations. It’s just not the holidays without it! 

Candy Canes

There are always a lot of rumors that fly around about the history of candy canes. According to the Smithsonian, it has nothing to do with Christianity. Hard candy was created around the 17th century, and it wasn’t until 1847 that the candy cane came to America. In fact, they didn’t even gain their red stripes until the 1900s! 

Fruitcake 

Although not known as a “favorite,” fruitcake has been around for a loooong time (like, since the Middle Ages). Every country had their own take on it, and it wasn’t until the 17th century that it was exclusively made for special events (due to the cost of supplies). It lost popularity in the early 1900s when it started to become a mass-produced, mail-ordered product. My advice: pass on it! Save room for cookies.

Peanut Brittle 

Believe it or not, there is a big debate on the history of peanut brittle. Some say around 1890 a woman from the South was attempting to make taffy, mixed up some (crucial!) ingredients, and ended up with brittle. Other accounts date back to the Celtics who mixed sugar with peanut butter and roasted it. Either way, pass it my way – my mom used to make tins of it, each year!

Fudge 

Fudge is the happiest accident of all time! Originally, the creator was likely trying to make “chocolate caramels”, but stirred the mixture one too many times. The result? The delicious, creamy, crumbly fudge that we all love.