Thursday, December 16, 2010
Alterations are almost done!!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Cookies
So today I spent four hours making cookies. I made 4 dozen double chocolate chip macadamia nut, 3 dozen cornflake wreaths and almost 8 dozen spritz cookies!! I love days where I get to bake like this. I have listed my recipes as separate posts so they are easier to find. I have to say that these were some of the best Christmas cookies I have made to date. I have to give credit to my new Cookie Pro Ultra spritzer. I received it for a shower gift and this is the first spritzer I haven't had problems with. It worked perfectly from the start. It is Wilton brand and I got mine from Bed Bath and Beyond but I have seen them at Micheal's as well. This is a MUST HAVE for cookie bakers. Plus there is not batteries or cords, it is all some sort of weird fantastic pump system. Very easy to use and works amazing!!
Spritz Cookies
I was so pleased with these spritz cookies. Normally I have a lot of trouble getting the dough the right consistency, but these were perfect first and second time through.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
Directions:
1.Cream butter and sugar until smooth and slightly fluffy
2. Add egg, milk, vanilla and almond extract. Beat well
3. Gradually add flour and baking soda until smooth
4. Place dough in press and press on ungreased cookie sheet
5. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes
1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
Directions:
1.Cream butter and sugar until smooth and slightly fluffy
2. Add egg, milk, vanilla and almond extract. Beat well
3. Gradually add flour and baking soda until smooth
4. Place dough in press and press on ungreased cookie sheet
5. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes
Double Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
These are the best cookies I have ever made!! I had gone through many recipes for these cookies and I was having a hard time finding one that stuck together well with out drying out. These are an absolute must try at least once, but I know they will become a favorite!
Ingredients:
12 oz chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
8-10 oz white chocolate chips/chunks
1/2 cups coarsely chopped macadamia nuts (I use roasted for added flavor)
Directions:
Ingredients:
12 oz chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
8-10 oz white chocolate chips/chunks
1/2 cups coarsely chopped macadamia nuts (I use roasted for added flavor)
Directions:
1. In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water (but make sure it doesn't touch the bottom of pan), stir bittersweet chocolate and butter until smooth, 5 minutes. Remove bowl from over water; whisk in sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
2. In another bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to chocolate mixture and stir until well blended. Stir in white chocolate chunks and nuts. Cover and chill dough until firm, at least 1 hour.
3. Shape dough into 2-inch balls and place about 3 inches apart on a buttered 12- by 15-inch baking sheets.
4. Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven until the edges cooked but still soft in the center, 12 to 15 minutes. If baking more than one pan at a time, switch pan positions halfway through baking.
5. Let cool for 5 minutes on sheets; transfer to racks to cool completely.
Makes about 30 cookies
Makes about 30 cookies
Cornflake Christmas Wreaths
I love these Christmas "cookies." They are sweet with that little spice from the red hots. They never last very long in my house.
Ingredients:
1 package large marshmallows
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp green food coloring
4 1/2 cups cornflakes
red hot cinnamon candies
Directions:
1. Melt marshmallows, butter, vanilla and green food coloring over low heat.
2. Mix in cereal
3. drop by spoonful (or by hand) on wax paper, decorate with red hots
4. Allow to cool completely
*I found it was easier to store them between layers of sran-wrap after they were allowed to cool completely
**I generally have to add about 1/4-1/2 cups more cereal depending on how the consistency is looking. they should not be as dry as rice crispies.
1 package large marshmallows
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp green food coloring
4 1/2 cups cornflakes
red hot cinnamon candies
Directions:
1. Melt marshmallows, butter, vanilla and green food coloring over low heat.
2. Mix in cereal
3. drop by spoonful (or by hand) on wax paper, decorate with red hots
4. Allow to cool completely
*I found it was easier to store them between layers of sran-wrap after they were allowed to cool completely
**I generally have to add about 1/4-1/2 cups more cereal depending on how the consistency is looking. they should not be as dry as rice crispies.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
December has arrived...
Time...
I have always hated December, well I guess just since I started college. There is always so much to do and I feel like days actually are actually shorter. I have finals which is two weeks of steady projects and test prep, Christmas which is shopping, decorating, cooking and traveling to a million places ( I hate separated families and I am sorry to say, but I am glad that the fiance's family lives out of state, one less place to try and make it to) and on top of that this is the busiest time of year at work. And for some reason I decided that this year I would mover over Thanksgiving week with only one week of prep time before hand and get married on Jan. 15th. I have no idea how how I am going to fit finalizing wedding details amongst the rest of the regular duties and unpacking.
Keeper of time, I could really use an extension on the month of December.
Sincerely,
Sam
I have always hated December, well I guess just since I started college. There is always so much to do and I feel like days actually are actually shorter. I have finals which is two weeks of steady projects and test prep, Christmas which is shopping, decorating, cooking and traveling to a million places ( I hate separated families and I am sorry to say, but I am glad that the fiance's family lives out of state, one less place to try and make it to) and on top of that this is the busiest time of year at work. And for some reason I decided that this year I would mover over Thanksgiving week with only one week of prep time before hand and get married on Jan. 15th. I have no idea how how I am going to fit finalizing wedding details amongst the rest of the regular duties and unpacking.
Keeper of time, I could really use an extension on the month of December.
Sincerely,
Sam
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thanksgiving Time
This past week was Thanksgiving which brings good food, drinks, family time and SHOPPING! I must say that I felt a little bit useless this year since I was so busy before hand. I think this is just because last year I hosted and this year I didn't but I still felt like I did nothing. I did make cupcakes and a delicious no-bake pumpkin pie. I also slept until noon on Thanksgiving and didn't even leave the apartment for the drive until almost 1pm!! I did love seeing my nephew this week though, I even got to babysit him for the first official time on Friday while my sister went to work. This was a little interesting since I had gotten up at 3:30am for shopping. I guess I am lucky that he is still a little under the weather so he was pretty chillaxed all day.
I was very disappointed with shopping this year though. I started at Target and only hit JCPenny's after. At target I was very surprised at how few people were there. I didn't wait in line outside I went in at the end of the crowd. I spent about 15 minutes walking around and really didn't find much. The DVD selection was the exact same as last year with maybe 5 new selections and I was highly disappointed with the amount of sweaters that were NOT on sale!! This explains my trip to JCP. I was primarily going there for a pair of boots in the add, but the location I went to had a very limited shoe department and did not have the style I wanted. I did get three sweaters at 60% off, a pink leather wallet and a black and white diamond accent penguin necklace at 70% off. Overall I was pleased that I didn't spend too much money however I got no Christmas shopping done!! What my family wants is too practical and day-to-day stuff to be on Blackfriday add. Oh well, I think next year I will do the four day add before Thanksgiving instead since they seemed to be better deals.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cupcakes:
1 box spice cake mix
1 cup pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 cups (1 regular size bag) semisweet chocolate chips
1. Mix all ingredients until smooth
2. Fill 3/4 full and bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes
3. Cool and frost
* I used a store bought cream cheese frosting but a chocolate ganache or buttercream would be good as well.
No Bake Pumpkin Pie:
1 can pumpkin puree
1 large tub coolwhip
1 large box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp cinnamon
1. Combine all ingredients
2. Fill two graham cracker pie crusts
3. Refrigerate 1-2 hours to set
*I also did this in the classroom and instead of using pie crust I just put a scoop of graham cracker crumbs in a paper cup with a scoop of filling on top. The kids loved it and it doesn't have to set up then!
I was very disappointed with shopping this year though. I started at Target and only hit JCPenny's after. At target I was very surprised at how few people were there. I didn't wait in line outside I went in at the end of the crowd. I spent about 15 minutes walking around and really didn't find much. The DVD selection was the exact same as last year with maybe 5 new selections and I was highly disappointed with the amount of sweaters that were NOT on sale!! This explains my trip to JCP. I was primarily going there for a pair of boots in the add, but the location I went to had a very limited shoe department and did not have the style I wanted. I did get three sweaters at 60% off, a pink leather wallet and a black and white diamond accent penguin necklace at 70% off. Overall I was pleased that I didn't spend too much money however I got no Christmas shopping done!! What my family wants is too practical and day-to-day stuff to be on Blackfriday add. Oh well, I think next year I will do the four day add before Thanksgiving instead since they seemed to be better deals.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cupcakes:
1 box spice cake mix
1 cup pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
2 cups (1 regular size bag) semisweet chocolate chips
1. Mix all ingredients until smooth
2. Fill 3/4 full and bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes
3. Cool and frost
* I used a store bought cream cheese frosting but a chocolate ganache or buttercream would be good as well.
No Bake Pumpkin Pie:
1 can pumpkin puree
1 large tub coolwhip
1 large box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 tsp cinnamon
1. Combine all ingredients
2. Fill two graham cracker pie crusts
3. Refrigerate 1-2 hours to set
*I also did this in the classroom and instead of using pie crust I just put a scoop of graham cracker crumbs in a paper cup with a scoop of filling on top. The kids loved it and it doesn't have to set up then!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)