Weekly Address: Merry Christmas from the President & First Lady
RELATED VIDEOS
White House Holiday Videos: Enjoying the Spirit of the Season
The White House Military Appreciation Tree
This year, the East Entrance landing of the White House features a "military appreciation tree" to honor the contributions of America's military personnel -- an idea that came from the First Lady. White House visitors and WH.gov users joined in by sending season's greetings for our service men and women.
Find out how you can continue to support our troops by visiting the USO's website.
Holiday How-To's from the White House to Your House
Make Your Own Gingerbread Ornament
Ingredients:
- 1 cup ground cinammon
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup school or craft glue
Tools:
- Wax paper or plastic wrap
- Rolling pin or round glass bottle
- Gingerbread man cookie cutter 3-5" in height
- Plastic drinking straw
Directions:
Combine 1 cup cinnamon, 1 cup applesauce, and ¼ cup glue. Mix thoroughly. Dough should be stiff; add more cinnamon if it is too soft. Roll between sheets of wax paper or plastic wrap to ¼ inch thickness. Cut out gingerbread shapes with cutter and make a hanging hole with straw. Move to drying rack, paper towel, or newspaper.
Allow to dry for 2-3 days, carefully flipping occasionally. Ornaments will lighten in color as they dry.
Apple Cake with Maple Glaze
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup grated apples (Granny Smith or Golden)
- 3/4 cup canola or safflower oil
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (tightly packed)
- 1/2 cup honey (local if possible)
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease one 10 inch cake pan and place parchment paper on the bottom.
Combine oil, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and eggs in the bowl of an electric mixer – a handheld mixer can be used as well. In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add half of sifted dry ingredients into the liquid mixture, and mix on a low speed. Once everything is combined, add the grated apples and the remainder of the dry ingredients. Finish mixing by hand, and pour into greased cake mold.
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Take out of the oven and let cool before unmolding.
Maple Glaze
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup confectioner's sugar
Directions:
Once cake is in the oven, mix together maple syrup and confectioner’s sugar over low heat until combined. Then increase heat and boil for 30 seconds. Set aside on the stovetop, but off the heat. Pour over cake once it is finished baking and on the serving dish.
Each year a theme is selected for Christmas at the White House, a tradition started by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961. The theme for the White House Christmas 2010 is Simple Gifts -- a celebration of friends and family, hearth and home, and the simple things that bring joy at Christmas. You’re invited to get into the holiday spirit on WhiteHouse.gov -- tour the decorations, send “Seasons Greetings” to our troops, watch behind-the-scenes videos and more.
