It’s the most wonderful time of the year to be thankful!
As another year comes to a close, we would like to wish you Happy Holidays, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
We cannot wait to see what the 2024 brings Lehner Designs, as well as our families and friends.
We truly appreciate your support of Lehner Designs over the last 20 years and wish you peace, joy, health & prosperity as we welcome in the new year!
~Gerard, Andi and Isabel
Creating Sweet Treats This Holiday
Are you looking for some new sweet treat recipes to make this holiday season? These are just a few of our favorites to make each holiday season. Some of these are old family recipes while others are new finds, but they all come with 2 thumbs up and 5 star reviews!
Enjoy!
Pignoli Nut Cookies
Ingredients:
- 4 egg whites
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 lb almond paste
- 16 oz pine nuts
Preparation:
In a large bowl with electric mixer beat egg whites until frothy. Add sugar and beat for 30 seconds. Ground almond paste with food processor and then add to mixture. Beat for approximately 2 minutes until smooth and well combined. Put mixture in freezer to help to solidify before rolling.
Wet hands and pinch off approximately 1 tablespoon of the mixture. Roll between moistened palms until smooth. Roll into pine nuts and place on lightly greased backing sheet. Flatten slightly. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees or until brown around the edges. Remove from oven and let set for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Remove carefully with spatula.
Makes approximately 3 dozen cookies.
Red Velvet Bonbons
Ingredients:
- (1) Box Red Velvet Cake Mix
- (1) Tub Whipped Cream Cheese Icing
- Chocolate Almond Bark
- White Chocolate Almond Bark
Instructions:
Soft Gingerbread Latte Cookies with Brown Butter Icing
- 1 1/2 sticks salted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 2-4 tablespoons espresso powder or instant coffee powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses
- 2 1/4 cups, plus 1-2 tablespoons, as needed all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- granulated sugar, for rolling
BROWN BUTTER ICING
- 1 stick salted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/2 -2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean powder
- 1 pinch cinnamon
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, espresso, and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the egg, mixing to combine. Then, add the molasses and mix to combine. Add the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and salt, beating until combined.
3. Place the sugar in a small bowl.
4. For drop cookies: Roll the dough into tablespoon-size balls (if the dough is too sticky, add 2-4 additional tablespoons flour), then roll through the sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing the cookies 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are just starting to set around the edges, the centers should be a little doughy. Let cool on the pan.
4. For cutouts: Divide the dough in half. Roll out the dough on a floured piece of parchment paper to 1/4 inch thickness. Make sure you’re using enough flour or your dough will stick. Cut out the cookies into desired shapes. Transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet. I recommend using a floured spatula to lift the cookies. Cover the baking sheet and place in the freezer until firm, 15 minutes. Roll out the leftover scraps, and repeat with the remaining dough. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until just set.
5. Meanwhile, make the icing. Add the butter to a pot set over medium heat. Allow the butter to brown lightly until it smells toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat. Let cool 5 minutes. Whisk in the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, a pinch of cinnamon, and salt. Immediately spread the icing over the cookies, it will set quickly. Makes approximately 22 cookies. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Visit Indy's Holiday Attractions
Ready to venture out and have some fun? Check out all the holiday happenings around the Circle City.
The Historic Artcraft Theater located in Downtown Franklin is showing Holiday Classics throughout December.
From Polar Express to Die Hard, their scheduled movies will delight the entire family.
Check out the times and movies offered here.
We’ve also found a few free events for families to enjoy the big screen on December 20th.
Visit Festival Country Indiana for a complete listing.
The Indiana State Museum’s Celebration Crossing runs from November 24th-Decemeber 31st.
Hop on the Snowfall Express to journey through the forest populated by animals celebrating the coming winter and first snowfall.
After your snowy train ride, you’ll enjoy annual favorites including visits with Santa, activities in Santa’s Front Yard, the 92 County Tree, Santa’s Holiday Breakfast, lunch in the L.S. Ayres Tea Room™ and much more.
Experience the old-world charm of Christmas in Germany right here in Indiana at the Carmel Christkindlmarkt.
This open-air holiday market was founded as a nonprofit organization in 2017.
With the festive ambiance of an authentic German market, guests can peruse a vast variety of products sourced from Germany and other German-speaking European countries.
A blend of traditional German foods, drinks and gifts are sold from small wooden huts, and a beautiful outdoor ice skating rink forms the center of the market.
Not ready for your long winter’s nap just yet.
Check out even more the local holiday favorites from around Indianapolis.
