There is something that is so comforting about the predictability of tradition and knowing you can count on the same things year after year to use as building blocks for creating memories. Whether your traditions revolve around food, activities, or particular gifts given (or like us a combination of all of those) sharing them with the loved ones in your life is what makes them come alive.
I love looking back on the traditions of my childhood and have have chosen to carry many of them over to the next generation with my own children and nieces and nephews. We give matching pajamas to all of the cousins every year and the kids open them on the night that we make gingerbread houses and go to see a Christmas movie. We also pick out a Christmas ornament for each kid every year. I just love looking at our Christmas tree and seeing my childhood ornaments and I want my children to be able to do the same someday when they’re grown and have their own families. But, as much as I love these simple traditions, my favorites are always the ones that revolve around food.
Growing up my mom made cinnamon rolls (or monkey bread) every year on Christmas morning. Watching the dough rise and waking up to that cinnamony smell in the house was just the best thing. And now that I have my own family I love to make (and of course eat) cinnamon rolls after opening gifts and this year will be no different. However, with the help of Diamond Nuts, this Christmas I plan on putting a twist on the classic cinnamon rolls that I have made for so many years. In the spirit of ease that monkey bread allows, but not willing to sacrifice the sweet aroma of a slowly rising yeast dough, I have decided to make a tender pull apart bread using traditional cinnamon roll dough with a few extra additions to make it extra special.
I used Diamond Nuts’ chopped pecans, because pecans this time of year just make sense and I can’t get enough of them. In true holiday style I made the dough with eggnog instead of milk. How fun, right? I also used eggnog in the glaze and the warm spices perfectly complement the rich flavor and texture of the pecans. This pull apart bread has all the holiday feels and is just the thing to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. I’d love to know if this recipe will grace your festivities this year and for you to leave a comment below sharing some of the ways you and your family celebrate the holidays.
This sponsored post is written by TMP on behalf of Diamond of California. The opinions and text are all ours. Thank you for supporting the brands we love.
