"That's a BIG pile of rolls!" quote by my daughter

I finally set aside a day for ONLY baking (and tending to children...a little). We deliver a little Christmas cheer to our neighbors, 16 of them on our cul de sac, every year. I loved that tradition growing up, and I want to continue it with my own family; arguments, bad attitudes and all :) (my brothers will remember that well, I'm sure). So, all day, my boys and I made dough, let it rise, and rolled each butter-dipped piece into over 100 crescent rolls! The boys love to help me in the kitchen, so it was entertainment for all. When Emily was home from school, she helped wrap and put ribbons and name tags on each gift. I did not want let this family project become a "mom" project.
These recipes are simple and delicious! I highly recommend them. The rolls are a bit time consuming, but worth it, in my opinion.

Crescent Rolls:
(this recipe, compliments of my friend, Mary)
5 c. flour
1 cube butter, softened
1 c. milk, lukewarm
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 Tbs. salt
1 1/2 Tbs. yeast in 1/2 c. warm water

Mix flour and butter with pastry blender or hands, until crumbly. In separate bowl, mix milk, beaten eggs, sugar and salt. Add yeast & water combo. to the egg mixture. blend lightly. Combine wet ingredients with Flour mixture. Mix with hands until doughy.
Cover dough with plastic and a warm towel. Let rise double (about 3 hrs.). divide into 3rds. Roll out 1/3 into a circle and cut like a pizza. Melt another cube of butter. Dip each piece in butter, then roll from wide end. place on a baking sheet, let rise again, 30 min. Bake @ 400 for 10-12 Min. Repeat with each section of dough. Enjoy warm rolls with the delicious butter! YUM!

Cranberry Butter:
2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. raspberry jam with seeds
1 can whole cranberry sauce
3 Tbs. powdered sugar.

add all ingredients in blender and blend 5 min. until butter is whipped and blended well.

So, after getting our hands a little doughy, we washed up, wrapped some up, ate a few, and wished each neighbor a Merry Christmas with our not-so-harmonic singing. It made for a great FHE activity.