This is an easy snack to assemble and bake.  They are also very yummy!

They are also like Lay's Chips.  Once you eat one, you can't stop.

Dilly Oyster Crackers

Adapted from Cooks.com

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 package of Ranch dressing mix
• 1/2 tsp. dill
• 3/4 c. vegetable or olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 package oyster crackers

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
2. Mix the first 5 ingredients thoroughly in a big mixing bowl.
3. Add the oyster crackers and toss gently.  (Get the topping on all of the oyster crackers.)
4. Spread on a cookie sheet and then bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Stirring 2 to 3 times during baking.
5. Cool and then store in an air tight container.
6. Enjoy!

Pork and Sauerkraut (A Slow Cooker Recipe)

It's a family tradition to have pork and sauerkraut for our New Year's dinner.  My father-in-law would make a big pot of it and family members would eat the sauerkraut so that they would have good luck for the new year.  Since he died two weeks ago, I offered to make it this year.

I made some changes to how it was cooked.  First of all I made it in my slow cooker instead of in a big stock pot.  I also roasted potatoes instead of cooking the potatoes in the slow cooker with the meat and sauerkraut.  Hubby loved it and was impressed because it didn't have the bitter/sour taste you usually associate with sauerkraut.  He even took some to work with him to share with his co-workers.

The boys did taste the sauerkraut so they would have good luck but being kids didn't really like it.  At least they tried it which is better than on New Year's Eve.  I made fish for supper.  The fish was cooked with olive oil and a seasoning mix from one of my Foodie Pen Pals.  Hubby loved it but the boys wanted to give me excuses on why they could not eat it.  They still had to eat it but it was interesting on what excuses they came up with.  The best one is their brain was going to explode since I told them fish is brain food.

Now onto the recipe:

Pork and Sauerkraut in the Slow Cooker

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 -2 lbs. pork roast


• 16 - 32 oz. of sauerkraut (depending on how much pork you have)


• 1 big carrot or 2 small carrots, peeled and cut into small pieces


• 1 apple, peeled and cut into small pieces


• 1 - 2 Tbsp. brown sugar


• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Drain and rinse the sauerkraut several times to remove the brine.


2. Place the pork roast in the bottom of the slow cooker.  (Mine is 5 qt.)  Sprinkle salt and pepper on the pork roast.


3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the rinsed sauerkraut, apple pieces, carrot pieces, and brown sugar.


4. Place the sauerkraut mixture on the pork roast.


5. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours.


6. Shred the pork and combine with the sauerkraut.


7. Enjoy with boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, or roasted potatoes (just serving suggestions)!

I had some leftover candy canes and Chex cereal left over from making Chex Mix so when I found this recipe I knew I needed to make it.  It may be difficult finding peppermint baking chips.  Look for them anyway because this recipe is delicious.

I decided to post it so I can put it on my Christmas baking and making page for next year.

Candy Cane Peppermint Puppy Chow

Daily Dish Recipes

Stars of the recipe:

• 5 c. Chex cereal (rice or corn)


• 10 oz. Andes  peppermint baking chips (red bag) or any other peppermint chips


• 1 c. powdered sugar


• 6 candy canes, crushed

Steps:

1. Place peppermint baking chips in a microwaveable bowl.  Melt at 50% power in 30 second interval periods, stirring each time, until the chips are melted.


2. While the peppermint chips are in the microwave, place the Chex cereal in a big bowl.  Pour the melted peppermint chips over the cereal.


3. Stir until the cereal is coated with the melted peppermint chips.


4. Put the powdered sugar and crushed candy canes in a gallon sized bag.  Add the cereal to the bag.


5. Shake until all of the cereal is coated with powdered sugar.


6. Store in an airtight container for 2 weeks.


7. Enjoy!

Ginger Snaps

This year I've been loving the flavors of gingerbread.  I love the taste of the mixture of molasses, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon.  So when I was going to bake some cookies for my husband for a cookie exchange, I decided to make some ginger snaps which have those flavors.  These ended up being delicious!!!!  :)  (Think I used enough exclamation points.)

Ginger Snaps

Jamie Cooks It Up

 

Stars of the recipe:

• 3/4 c. butter (room temperature)  - 1 and 1/2 sticks


• 1 c. sugar


• 1 egg


• 1/4 c. molasses (Spray measuring cup with cooking spray before adding the molasses.)


• pinch of cloves


• 2 1/2 tsp. ground ginger


• 1/2 tsp. salt


• 2 tsp. baking soda


• 1 tsp. cinnamon


• 2 - 1/2 c. flour (I used white whole wheat.)

Steps:

1. Preheat at 350 degrees.


2. Beat butter, sugar, and egg until nice and fluffy.


3. Add the molasses until incorporated.  (You might need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to assure you've gotten all of the molasses.)


4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and spices.


5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter, sugar, egg, and molasses mixture.  Mix until completely combined.


6. Place 1 inch balls on a cookie sheet that has been sprayed down with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper.  Sprinkle the balls of cookie dough with granulated sugar.


7. Bake for 8 minutes or until you see the cracks on the top of the cookies.


8. Let cool for 2 minutes on cookie sheet and then move to wire rack.


9. Store in an airtight container.


10. Enjoy!!!

Boo Mix (Halloween Snack Mix)

The boys are in Cub Scouts.  We had their annual Halloween party last Thursday.  Someone made this boo mix for some of the snacks being served.  Oh, my goodness, I could not stop eating it.  I even took one of the last two cups of it and ate some on the way home and the remainder the next day.   I did not let any be wasted.  

Today I found the recipe so I decided to make some of the snack mix for the boys and my lunches.  Both boys tried some after I made it.  They both loved it so each of them has 5 snack size bags of the ix for their lunches.  Then our friend stopped by the house and tried it.  He also gave it a thumbs up!

Boo Mix

adapted from Plain Chicken

Stars of the recipe:

• 5 c. Golden Grahams


• 3 c. Cocoa Puffs


• 2 c. Reese's Pieces


• 2 c. peanuts or 1 c. peanuts and 1 c. cashews


• 3 c. pretzel sticks


• 11 oz. bag of white chocolate

Steps:

1. Place the first five ingredients in a large bowl.


2. Place the white chocolate in a glass microwaveable bowl.  Melt following the directions on the bag.


3. Pour the cereal mixture.  (I did a little bit of it at a time.)  Stir until everything is coated.


4. Spread out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil.


5. Let sit until completely dry and break into clumps.


6. Store in an airtight container.


7. Enjoy!

My Aunt Janet's Pecan cookies

The other night, the Wee One handed me a box and asked me what was in it. As I looked through it, I found blank cards and recipe cards. The treasure was two recipe cards written by my grandma. She died Christmas Eve of '08 so it was nice to see her handwriting one more time.

My aunt Janet was actually my grandpa's sister so technically she was my great aunt. I still called her aunt without the great. We spent a lot of time with her. She and my Uncle Mitch had a farm that had willow trees and a pond. I remember going up to the farm for family gatherings 

and walking around the pond.

She was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2004 and within less than a week had passed away. My whole family misses her.

Pecan Cookies

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 C. shortening, margarine, or butter


• 2 1/2 c. brown sugar


• 1/2 tsp. baking soda


• 2 eggs, beaten


• 2 1/2 C. flour


• 1/4 tsp. salt


• 1 C. pecans

Steps:

1. Cream shortening, margarine, or butter with the sugar.


2. Add eggs and beat well.


3. Add flour, salt, and soda. Mix well.


4. Fold in nuts.


5. Drop from spoon onto greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.


6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.


7. Cool for about 1 minute and then remove to wire racks to completely cool.


8. Enjoy!

Store in an airtight container.

Vegan Brownies

My husband has a cousin, J., who is a vegan.  We went to his hand fasting (another new experience for us) a year and a half ago.  The reception afterwards featured Indian food (another new experience for us) and vegan cupcakes.  We were pleasantly surprised on how yummy they were.

J. and wife had their first baby in September.  Since they live in Canada and we live in Ohio, we had not met baby S until last night.  He is totally cute and very long for his age.  J. is a tall man so it's not too surprising. 

Since we were going to meet up with J., wife, and baby S., I knew there was going to be Christmas goodies there.  J. wouldn't be able to enjoy the goodies so I decided to make him a batch of vegan brownies so he could enjoy some Christmas goodies. 

These are very rich so a tall glass of water, milk, tea, or coffee is in order when you eat a piece!

Vegan Brownies

Hevil's Special Delights

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 1/3 c. whole wheat flour


• 1 c. cocoa powder


• 1 3/4 c. sugar (This may be reduced to 1 1/2 c. sugar or if you use Truvia baking mix, use 3/4 c.)


• 1 c. applesauce


• 1 banana mashed (I used my mashed potato masher.)


• 1 tsp. vanilla extract


• 2 tsp. baking powder

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.


2. In a large size bowl, mix together the apple sauce, banana, and vanilla extract.


3. In a medium size bowl, mix together the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.  Warning:  the batter is going to be thick.


4. Pour into a greased 8 by 8 pan or 9 by 9 pan.


5. Bake for 35 minutes and then check to see if the brownies are done baking.  (Mine took longer when I checked.)


6. Cool and then cut into pieces.


7. Enjoy with milk, water, coffee, or hot tea.

Swedish Oatmeal Cookies

I've previously mentioned how I like Joanna Fluke's Hannah Swenson books.  I'm rereading some of the books in the series.  As I was reading Key Lime Murder, she included this recipe.  I was instantly intrigued.  I've made other oatmeal cookies that included chocolate chips and M&M's.  This year I wanted something simple.  This cookie fit the bill!!!



Stars of the recipe:

• 1 c. butter (2 sticks)


• 3/4 c. white sugar (granulated)


• 1 tsp. baking soda


• 1 c. unsifted flour (all-purpose or white whole wheat)


• 2 c. oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oatmeal.  I love that texture.)


• 1 egg yolk

Steps:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.


2. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl on high for 1 1/2 minutes.


3. Let  the butter cool to room temperature.


4. Mix in the white sugar.


5. Add the baking soda, flour, and oatmeal.  Stir thoroughly.


6. In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with a fork until it's thoroughly mixed.


7. Add the yolk to the bowl and stir until it's incorporated.


8. Grease or spray with cooking spray cookie sheet.


9. Make small balls of dough and place them on the cookie sheet, 12 to a sheet.


10. Press them down with a fork in a crisscross pattern.


11. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.


12. Let cool for 1 or 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.


13. Enjoy!!!

Christmas Baking

Every year I bake and create Christmas goodies.  My grandma used to do the same thing and then share with family and friends.  I have her bench she used to pile the containers onto and the Kitchen aid mixer she used to whip up the batches of delicious cookies.  Once I was an adult living in a place where I could bake, I started the tradition.  I have my tied and true cookies I bake every year and then I try new recipes.

Four years ago, I lost my grandma on Christmas Eve.  For five days before her death, my family sat by her bedside.  When I couldn't be there, I baked and created in my kitchen as a way to keep my mind off of losing her.  I then brought the goodies with me when I was at the nursing home.  The family shared the treats.  It was a wonderful way to honor her.

On Christmas Eve of 2008, after everyone had left the nursing home when God welcomed her home.  I was at the Christmas Eve service when I got the call that she had died.  I remember breaking down into tears.  Grandma so loved Christmas that she took her last breath the night before Jesus' birth.

Another tradition we hold dear is baking a cake, cupcakes, or brownies to celebrate Jesus' birth.  We sing "Happy Birthday" to him as a way to remember him.  The tradition started when the Imaginative One was a baby and has continued ever since.  However I was introduced to the concept almost 20 years ago.  I had worked at McDonald's as a college student and was trained to host birthday parties.  One party I hosted was a birthday party for Jesus.  It was held during the holiday season and stuck with me.

The Wee One and I were baking snickerdoodles right before Thanksgiving.  His words were that it smelled like Christmas.  His memories of Christmas are going to include the smell of cinnamon.

My children are going to remember peanut butter blossoms, snickerdoodles, and Rolo turtles as being part of their holiday season. 

For more Christmas or holiday baking ideas, please visit my Christmas/holiday page or click on the link. 

Have a great holiday season from my house to yours!

Molasses Spice Cookies

Every year I try to find new cookie, candy, or treat recipe to add to my Christmas baking.  This year I made molasses spice cookies which has a similiar taste to gingerbread. 

Chewy Molasses Spice Cookies

Once a Month Mom

Stars of the recipe:

• 
  
  3/4 c. butter, softened (1.5 sticks)


• 1 c. granulated sugar


• 1 egg


• 1/4 c.molasses (original)


• 2 c. flour (all purpose or white whole wheat)


• 2 tsp. baking soda


• 1/2 tsp. salt


• 2 tsp. Chinese five spice or 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ground ginger, 1/2 tsp. ground cloves


• granulated sugar for rolling cookies - I also used colored sugar.

Steps:

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar.


2. Add egg and beat well.


3. Add molasses, mix well.


4. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.  Add to creamed mixture and mix well.


5. Chill dough overnight.


6. Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in sugar.


7. Place two inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.


8. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until edges begin to brown.


9. Allow cookies to cool for 2 minuts before removing to a wire rack.

Ranch dressing is always delicious with salad or for dipping raw veggies.  I had written this recipe down a few years ago and decided to make some to dip my celery in.

This would be a great Christmas gift. 

Homemade Ranch Dressing

Stars of the Recipe:

Mix:

• 
  
  2 Tbsp. dried parsley


• 1 tsp. dried dill


• 1 tsp. garlic powder


• 1/2 tsp. dried basil


• 1/2 tsp. pepper

Dressing:

• 1/3 c. mayo


• 1/4 c. milk

Directions:

1. Mix up all the mix ingredients.


2. For the dressing:  mix the mayo and milk with 1 Tbsp. of the mix ingredients.


3. Keeps in the fridge for 3 days.

 

This is an easy alternate to traditional puppy chow. It calls for Biscoff which is the same as Trader Joe's Cookie Butter. Biscoff and Cookie Butter tastes like cinnamon graham crackers. And is delicious with honey wheat pretzel sticks.

So this snack mix tastes sort of like S'Mores especially if you add in marshmallows. Yum!

(I can buy Biscoff at my local Meijers.)

Brownie Biscoff Puppy Chow

Eat at Home

Stars of the recipe:

• 4 1/2 c. Chex (or store brand) cereal


• 1/4 c. Biscoff or Cookie Butter


• 1/2 c. chocolate chips


• 3/4 c. Brownie mix


• Add ins: - I used mini marshmallows and mini M&M's. You can use whatever you want!

Steps:

1. Put cereal in a large bowl and put to the side.


2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and Biscoff. Start with 30 seconds, stir, then heat in 15 second increments until melted.


3. Pour melted chocolate mixture over the cereal. Stir gently to coat all the pieces of cereal.


4. Add 3/4 c. brownie mix to a large ziploc bag, dump the chocolate covered cereal into the bag, and shake to coat all the pieces of cereal.


5. Spread onto a large baking sheet until dry.


6. Once it is dry, add in the mix-ins.


7. Put in a container to store.


8. Enjoy!!!

Peanut Butter Cups Chocolate Cookies

I love cookies.  They are one of my favorite desserts.  Like a Lay's Chip, you can't eat just one.

So last week, when Cookies and Cups posted a recipe for Peanut Butter Cups Chocolate Cookies, I knew I needed to try it so I can put it in my growing cookie recipe "file."  These cookies were so easy to make with only four ingredients.

Everyone who has tried the cookies has given it a thumbs up.  They are extremely moist which is a plus.

Peanut Butter Cups Chocolate Cookies

Cookies and Cups

Stars of the recipe:

• 1 Chocolate cake mix (I used Devil's Food cake because that's what I had at the house.)


• 2 Lrg. Eggs


• 1/3 cup of Canola Oil


• 1 8 oz. bag of Reese's Minis

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350°


2. With your mixer, beat together cake mix, oil and eggs until combined.


3. Pour in entire bag of Reese's Minis.


4. Mix on low until Reese's are evenly incorporated.


5. Roll the dough into tablespoon sized balls and place n a parchment lined baking sheet about 2" apart. Cookies will spread. (I used pan release from my local candy /cake supply store instead.)


6. Bake for 8-9 minutes.

 

Every New Years Eve, the Imaginative One, the Wee One, and I head over to my mother-in-law's house to ring in the new year.  A new tradition was created a couple of years ago.  The grandkids (4 of them in total) spend the night at grandma and grandpa's house after staying up until after midnight.  Mommy and daddy (if he is off of work) go home to an empty house which is nice.

During the hours that lead up to midnight, we watch tv or movies, eat snacks, or play games.  The kids also do a craft.  Last year, it was painting Christmas ornaments that my mother-in-law stored until Christmas time this year.  I decided we could decorate sugar cookies.  I already knew which cookies I was going to bake.  The problem was what kind of frosting was I going to make for the cookies.  I didn't want a glaze that would be super messy and I didn't want anything that would be too difficult to frost a cookie with.

I finally found the recipe at Allrecipes.com.  It was super easy to put together using my Kitchen aid mixer.

After I whipped up the frosting, I put it into 4 seperate containers and then added different food dye to the frosting so they could have different colors.  When I handed each of them a container of frosting, they stayed with that one color with the exception of the Imaginative One.

[caption id="attachment_1753" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Sugar Cookie Frosting"][/caption]

(I made the some of the cookies into the shape of vampire teeth because I thought the boys would enjoy decorating those.  They also decorated the cookies on placemats so there would be less mess to clean up.  The sprinkles I had were Valentine themed ones so my nephew used those on his sugar cookies.)

Here is the recipe:

Sugar Cookie Frosting

Stars of the recipe:

• 
  
  2 cups of powdered sugar


• 
  
  1/4 cup of shortening or butter


• 
  
  2 Tbsp and 1.5 tsps of milk


• 
  
  1/2 tsp. vanilla extract


• 
  
  food coloring

Steps:

1. 
   
   In a large bowl, cream together powdered sugar and shortening (or softened butter)


2. 
   
   Gradually mix in the milk and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff (about 5 minutes).


3. 
   
   Color with food colored if desired.

Happy New Year!  I haven't blogged as much as I like during the past year.  This needs to be corrected.

Right before Christmas, I was browsing through Not Rachael Ray's blog and found this recipe for sugar cookies.  I had all of the ingredients so I got to work baking those cookies.  Oh my goodness, these are easy cookies to make.  I usually have lots of problems when using cookie cutters.  Only a few times did I have a problem.

Last night being New Years Eve, I decided to make a batch of the sugar cookies and homemade icing so the Imaginative One, the Wee One, and their cousins could decorate sugar cookies while waiting for midnight to come.  With the excitement in the air and the anticipation of the new year, they quickly decorated the cookies (5 to 10 minutes tops) before they were back to playing and their movie marathon.  The cookies were soon forgotten.  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Rachel offers three different variations for these cookies.  I'm only going to only list one of the variations which is the simple cut out cookie.

[caption id="attachment_1746" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Sugar Cookies"][/caption]

(We had decorated them on place mats so we did not get my mother-in-law's table super messy.  Both the Imaginative One and the Wee One managed to get sprinkles and icing all over their mats.  So I removed them from the mats to clean them and put their cookies on their plastic bags to dry.)

Sugar Cookies

Not Rachael Ray

Stars of the recipe:

• 4 cups flour


• 2 teaspoons baking powder


• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg


• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened


• 2 cups sugar


• 2 large eggs


• 1/4 cup milk


• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


• 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

Steps:

1. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg in a bowl.


2. In a separate bowl, combine butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract and lemon extract.


3. Add milk and flour alternately until combined.


4. Chill dough until easy to handle. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.


5. Roll dough out on a well floured board or counter (for crisp cookies, roll to about 1/8” and for softer cookies roll to about 1/4”).


6. Cut with floured cutter.


7. Bake at 350*F for 6-7 minutes.

Here is the link to the frosting recipe.

 

Cranberry Relish - Crockpot Style

Today is Thanksgiving and I have a lot to be thankful for this year.

1. My family and friends


2. God showing me a talent. This talent has allowed me to see the beauty of his world in a way I've never seen it before.


3. Laughter - Hearing the boys laugh brings joy to my soul.


4. My students both current and former


5. My health - During June I suffered terrible headaches. For three almost four weeks I had headaches that were persistent. Luckily a trip to the chiropractor helped relieve them. Then in September and most of October I had a persistent cough. Fortunately for me both are better.


6. God giving me 2 boys who are bright and surprise me with their knowledge and insight about the world around them.

Now onto the recipe. On Sunday, my father-in-law informed us he was cooking a chicken for Thanksgiving. There was going to be only 6 of us for dinner and he didn't want to deal with all the left-overs. The family convinced him that he needed to make a turkey. I wanted to help make the dinner so I decided what I was going to bring. One of them items was going to be homemade cranberry relish. Yesterday I stumbled on this recipe.

Earlier in the week I had created a list of things I needed from the store. One of the items was an orange for the relish. My husband went shopping but didn't buy an orange. His reasoning was I had oranges at the house. I have grapefruit and clementines but no navel oranges. So I made a trip to Save-A-Lot to go get the oranges. Boy I'm glad I did. This recipe is easy and the end result was delicious.

Cranberry Relish

Stars of the recipe:

• 2 oranges


• 1 bag (12 ounces) cranberries, rinsed and picked over


• 1 cup sugar


• pinch cinnamon or Chinese five spice


• 3 tablespoons water

Steps:

1. 
   
   Zest the oranges.


2. 
   
   Cut off the remaining outer peel and pith and discard.


3. 
   
   Cut the peeled orange sections into small chunks and add to the slow cooker along with cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, and zest.


4. 
   
   Add water.


5. 
   
   Cover and cook on HIGH for about 2 hours. (I had to put it on low for about 1/2 hour after cooking it on high.)

I hope you had a great holiday! What are you thankful for?

This post is linked up to Eat at home's Ingredient Spotlight.

Christmas Baking part 2

In my previous post, I listed some of my favorite cookies to bake that are on my blog.  Here are some other favorite cookie recipes that are on other blogs.  My goal this Christmas season is post them on this blog so that I have them readily available during next year's baking season.

Santa's Whiskers Cookies - If you like coconut and maraschino cherries, this is the recipe for you!

Brown Sugar Jumbles - What's not to love about these cookies, they are oatmeal and m&m's cookies rolled into one!  Yum!

Orange Infused Snowballs - Different flavor then what you normally have during the holiday season

Candy Cane Snowballs - Crushing candy canes is a good way to get your frustrations out.  Or you could put the candy canes in a baggie and let the kids crush them.

Candied Pecans - Delicious!

Andes Creme de Menthe Cookies - I already have the Andes Creme de Menthe pieces with my cookie baking supplies.  The Imaginative One loves Andes mints so this is one of his favs.

Christmas Baking

When I was a teen, I lived with both my mother and my grandparents.  There are several Christmas memories that I treasure.  One is my grandma and her trees.  She loved teddy bears and would put up several trees with just her teddy bear ornaments on it.  Then there we would put up the traditional tree.  I really wish I was into photography then because I would love to have pictures of her and her trees.

The other memory is her baking and making candy.  She had a bench in the kitchen that I inherited from her.  After she would bake a batch or two cookies or make the candy she would put it on the bench.  I was not suppose to touch any of the goodies because they were to be given out as Christmas gifts.  My mom helped her with the baking and making candy but I didn't.  I don't remember if it was because I was a teen and didn't want to or if she didn't allow me to.  Now I wish I did help her make those goodies and again I wish I had photographs of all the goodies.

I got married in 1999 and moved out of the college dorms.  During Christmas I picked up the tradition of making goodies for Christmas.  And I've done it ever since.  While my grandma was dying in 2008, we spent the days leading up to Christmas in the nursing home keeping watch over her and praying.  When I was unable to be at the nursing home, I was at the house baking up goodies and then bringing them to the nursing home to share with family members.  Grandma ended up passing away on Christmas Eve right about the time the Christmas Eve service started at my church.  It was only fitting she died during the holiday season because she loved it so much.

Most of the Christmas baking I do myself but the boys are allowed in the kitchen for some of it.  They do help for the most part.  But their attention span is of a flea sometimes when it comes to this kind of stuff.  Will's favorite part of helping is cracking the eggs and beating the yolks with a fork.  If I'm making peanut butter blossoms which is their favorite kind of cookie, they are all about putting the Hershey Kiss on the cookie when it comes out of the oven.  Those are memories I want them to have so hopefully they can pass them onto their kids.

So as the Christmas baking season begins for me, I want to list some of my favorite cookies I've made and will make once again.

Rolo Turtles



 

 

 

 

Pecan Nouget Cookies

 

 

 

 

Spritz Cookies



 

 

 

Peanut butter blossoms



 

 

 

 

Snickerdoodles

Mock Thin Mints

Sugar Cookies

Watermelon Cookies (A.K.A. Kool Aid Cookies) - Make them in Christmas colors

Pretzel Chocolate Chip cookies (not really Christmasy but delicious anyway)

Easy Fudge

Saltine Chocolate Pieces

Aunt Janet's Pecan Tarts

Grandma's White Salad (Not baking but a memory from the holidays)

I use my grandma's Kitchen Aid stand mixer to make the dough for all the cookies and have used it since 2008.

What are some Christmas memories you treasure?

2 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies

I'm about simplicity especially when it comes to baking or recipes.  So when I saw this recipein my inbox, I knew I needed to make these cookies.  Fortunately I had both ingredients at my house. 

These cookies did not disappoint me.  They were delicious, moist, and easy to prepare.

2 Ingredient Pumpkin Cookies
via cookiesandcups

Stars of the recipe:

• 
  
  1 box of spice cake mix


• 
  
  1 - 15 oz. can of pumpkin  puree (make sure it's not pumpkin pie mix

Steps:

1. 
   
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.


2. 
   
   Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.


3. 
   
   Dump the cake mix in a bowl.


4. 
   
   Dump the pumpkin on top of the cake mix.


5. 
   
   Mix them together until blended.  (Might want to use a hand mixer for this step.)


6. 
   
   Drop by heaping tablespoons about 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheet.


7. 
   
   Bake at 350 for 13 to 15 minutes.
   
   
   
   
   The dough does not freeze well.
   
   
   
   
   

Rolo turtles

When I saw the "recipe" for these, I decided I needed to try to make them because they looked so easy and delicious.  Boy am I glad I did.  They turned out super yummy and they are an easy enough recipe that even the boys are able to help me with making them.  The other positive thing is that you only need three ingredients.

The boys really like the M&M version.  In fact, I needed to lock the deep freezer so that the Wee One wouldn't get into them.  I think these are his favorite of  all the candies I've made.

Stars of the recipe:

• either pretzel twists or waffle pretzels


• Rolo candies


• M&M's or pecan halves

Steps:

1. Line a cookie sheet with foil.  Place whole pretzels on the foil in a straight line.


2. Place a Rolo flat side down on the pretzel.


3. Put in the oven at 350 degrees for about 4 minutes.


4. Carefully pull out of the oven and then place either a M&M or pecan half on the top of the melted Rolo.


5. Allow the turtle to cool and then place in a plastic bag and store.  I froze mine and they did fine.