A Crabby Christmas, Hon!

"Oh, I want crabs for Christmas.  Oh, only crabs will do.  Oh, I want crabs for Christmas.  My Christmas wish'll come true!".  If you are from Maryland, you can thank me for getting this little Christmas diddy stuck in your head for the rest of the day.  For those of you who are thinking "what on Earth?", here's the inside scoop:  "Crabs for Christmas" is the holiday song written over 30 years ago by David DeBoy.  In the song, a Maryland man is stuck in the Houston airport on Christmas Eve where he stumbles upon Santa.  Desperately missing his Maryland home, he sits upon Santa's lap and wishes for something near and dear to many Marylanders' hearts- steamed Maryland Blue Crabs.
 

Since I had some leftover dough, and I had that song stuck in my head from hearing it on the radio, I thought it was the perfect time to make some special Maryland Christmassy cookies.  Time to break out my crab cutters!

As I attempted to decide which cutter I would use for my Crabby Christmas cookies, I started to feel a little like Goldilocks.

Whoowee!  That's a BIG crab.  Too Big.  

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An itsy bitsy crab.  Cute, but too small.

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Just the right size!  Score!  Although the number of legs isn't anatomically accurate (the biologist in me was REALLY bothered by this), I made do with it.  Mark my words:  I WILL be ordering a specially made crab cutter by Plastics In Print- they make special order cookie cutters!  Maybe I'll get a Maryland lighthouse too! 

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May these crabs bring memories of lazy summer days. . . 

and bring sweetness to your holiday season.

And may you find something you love beneath your tree!

My crabby gift to you- My recipe for Maryland Crab Dip.  Hope you like it!

Maryland Crab Dip
1 lb backfin crabmeat
2- 8oz cream cheese, softened
4 oz sour cream
1 tsp mayo
2 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBL+ Old Bay Seasoning (it isn't Maryland crab dip without it!)
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
shredded cheddar cheese

Blend all ingredients EXCEPT the crab.  I use a hand mixer- it's faster for me.  Gently fold in the crab meat.  Top with cheese.  Bake in a 350F oven until warm throughout.  Or be like me- I put my crab dip in one of those mini crock pots at the warm setting so that it can be enjoyed longer.  Like nibbled on all day :)  Just stir it often.  Serve with baguette slices, or club crackers, or just eat it plain!  Or even spoon it over grilled chicken for Chesapeake Chicken.  Yummy!

Is there a holiday song that is applicable to your neck of the woods?  Maybe there's a 'Have a Cheesy Christmas' song played in Wisconsin?  Or maybe 'Rudolph the Rodeo Reindeer' in Texas?  Tell me about it!