Delicious...AND Educational

 It's not everyday in our house that a huge tin of Danish butter cookies is opened and enjoyed. No, it's usually at this time of year...December...Christmas, that the deliciousness is unleashed on my family and guests who happen to visit during this special time of year.

It's yet another reason why it's the best time of the year.

If you haven't cracked open one of these tins in some time, you may have forgotten a thin piece of paper that acts as a barrier (and maybe a sneeze guard...) between the lid and the golden brown cookies made in a distant land many miles and an ocean away.

The world-famous Danish Butter Cookies.

As we decorated the house, we felt it appropriate to imbibe with a cookie, or two (or more...). I noticed that thin piece of paper. It gives you some information about the country after which the cookies are named, a land I call my second home, a magical place where on almost every street corner some of the world's best pastries are created and eaten--at least, that's the way it was several decades ago.

I think it's good to get a little education when enjoying delicious treats. We get a map of the country. It's a small country comprised of hundreds of islands and a peninsula attached to Germany. If you're familiar with the state of Utah, Denmark is about 1/5 the size of my home state. It's kind of amazing how many things come from that little country.

Next time you crack open a tin of Danish butter cookies, take a moment and read the information on the thin piece of paper before you excitedly toss it aside on your way to devouring the goodness found inside. Like I said, it's good to have a little education...when enjoying delicious treats.

And So...It Begins

 We picked up the industrial strength butter cookies a few weeks ago. We knew then what we were doing...we always do, but that doesn't stop us from doing it again.

The dreaded Danish Butter Cookies.

They're dangerous.

Oh how we love them. 

It's deceptive, really. The tin is so big that you think--when you begin--that the deliciousness will go on forever. Your logical mind tells you that's impossible, but your tasty mind fights the logic. After all, a few butter cookies here and there isn't much. See--there's still loads left.

Then, you begin throwing away the white paper cups. In our house, the cookies with the sugar sprinkles go first. The top layer goes...no big deal--still have many left. Then instead of a cup missing here or there, the layers begin to go. Soon, the tin is half full.

How in the world can that happen?

With five people in the house, it happens. Each of us take a cookie here, a cookie there. There's really no way to stop it.

I have a connection to the cookies...more to the country after which they're named. Denmark. It's a small country, but world famous for its desserts. I was fortunate enough to live in the country for a couple of years decades ago. I still miss the bakeries and what's found inside. I feel I have an obligation to buy them every Christmas season. I owe it to my memories.

Next fall--having learned nothing--we will once again purchase the big tin and in December we'll open it as we did today. And we'll eat them all. And we'll love them all.