Elena of Avalor Feliz Navidad: A Royal Christmas & Giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Disney-Hyperion.

The holidays always bring such fond memories of time spent with my family. We’re a tight knit family and love spending time together. There is always tons of cooking and baking when we celebrate las navidads. It is my favorite time of the year. We always gather at one of my aunts house on Christmas Eve to eat and share stories of the past. With my own family, reading Christmas books during the holidays has become our tradition. My little princess loves the new Elena of Avalor Feliz Navidad: A Royal Christmas book. It has been a routine around here to eat some shortbread cookies with milk while reading her new book from one of her favorite characters.

FELIZ NAVIDAD: A ROYAL CHRISTMAS

In stores now!
Recommended for ages 6-8

Elena decides to host one big Navidad celebration in the park so that everyone can celebrate together. But each community is more interested in proving that their traditions are the best. Can Elena help her subjects see what the holidays are really about?

I love the message in the book. Elena reminds the townspeople what the true meaning Christmas is. Its not always about the big flashy stuff. Being around family and friends is what is important. Kids will really learn some great lessons every time they read the book.

The holidays always remind me of the cookies my abuela used to make for me and my sister when we were little. They are called, “mantecaditos” or “polvorones” which is sugar cookie. There are many different ways to make them – some people put slices of Maraschino cherries on them or different things. My grandma always put colorful sprinkles! The recipe below is the way my grandma taught me how to make them. They are soft with just the right amount of sweetness! The coconut extract gives it a little twist.

Mantecaditos (Puerto Rican sugar cookie)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1/4 pound butter
• 1/2 Crisco shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp coconut extract
• Your choice sprinkles

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. In your mixer, place butter and Crisco shortening and mix until creamed. Add sugar and mix until well blended.
3. Add all 3 of the extracts and mix well.

4. Slowly add the flour, mix well. The mixture well be a little sticky.
5. Grabbing some of the mixture (about teaspoon or bigger), place them on a cookie sheet. Using your thumb to press them down. Sprinkle your sprinkles on your cookies.

6. Pop them in the oven for about 20 mins. or until the bottom of the cookies are golden brown. The top may stay a little lighter but that’s ok! Let them cool and enjoy!

I make a batch of these a few times during the holidays to give to co-workers and friends.

Enjoy a batch of these cookies while reading or watching some Holiday movies this season. If you have a little girl, they’ll love reading the Elena of Avalor Feliz Navidad Royal Christmas.

Giveaway time!

Enter to win an Elena of Avalor: Feliz Navidad book and Elena of Avalor branded ornament.

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About Elena of Avalor

The fable, set in an unspecified time period, incorporates influences from diverse Latin and Hispanic cultures. It introduces Elena as a brave and adventurous teenager who saves her kingdom from an evil sorceress and must now learn to rule as crown princess until she is old enough to be queen. Elena’s journey will lead her to understand that her new role requires thoughtfulness, resilience and compassion, the traits of all truly great leaders.

What are some of your Holiday traditions?