In New England, Christmas didn’t become an important holiday until about the middle of the nineteenth century. The Puritans didn’t like it. In time, they became less strict about some of their beliefs, but not their hostility to Christmas. But the Puritans and their descendants weren’t nearly as consistent as they liked to think they were. In the eighteenth century, when Thanksgiving began to develop as the most important regional holiday, New Englanders began sneaking Christmas in by the back door by featuring traditional English Christmas foods in their Thanksgiving feasts. That’s how turkey became the centerpiece of the American Thanksgiving dinner. It’s also how several traditional English Christmas desserts like mince pie and plum pudding found their way onto the festive New England board. The recipe we’re going to tell you about in this column, for “Plumb Cake,” is an example of an English treat that became popular in New England for Thanksgiving and, later on, for Christmas.

If you’re looking for the best-kept secret in the world of bakeries, we suggest coming to visit us at Just Like Mom’s Pastries, located  in Weare, NH. This quaint bakery has a large selection of more than just pastries. From cakes,  “U-Bake” pies, and hot paninis to frozen homemade meals to go, and a large variety of cookies, brownies, and bars, we’re sure not to disappoint.

Owner Karen Car started in the baking world as a graduate of Johnson and Wales University. She worked as a pastry chef in some of the region’s  finest establishments, the Bedford Village Inn, and Center of New Hampshire. In 1987, Karen opened Just Like Mom’s Pastries in her home, serving the community of finer restaurants with pastries and desserts, as well as wedding cakes for New Hampshire brides and venues. In July of 2004, Karen and Rich Car opened a retail bakery and deli with homemade soups and sandwiches, serving Southern New Hampshire.

Just Like Mom’s Pastries has a full case of freshly made pastries, such as napoleons, eclairs, cream horns, and mini cannolis. There is always an assortment of cakes in the case for an easy dessert or last-minute birthday cake (we also take custom orders as well). Cookies, brownies, and filled croissants are available, as are many sugar and shortbread cookies shaped for the season. If you’re looking for a treat, we always have bars and brownies like lemon squares and turtle cheesecakes.