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Showing posts with label baking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baking. Show all posts

12.06.2010

McLinky Monday - Favorite Christmas Cookie Recipes

The RHOK

Mrs. Sinclair over at The RHOK wants us to share our favorite Holiday Cookies and the recipes, of course!

I've been in the baking mood, but I've yet to bake.  I've bought ingredients, but I haven't put them to use yet.  I've also bought some adorable boxes to put my goodies in, but they're still empty.  I plan on doing that this week...or maybe over the weekend.  I have to allot a whole day to nothing but baking.  I usually make some chocolate dipped pretzels, and a really yummy candy bar fudge along with some of my favorite cookies recipes.

You know, something like this...

Ala Cher from Clueless.  Plop a whole roll of cookie dough on a baking sheet and toss it in the oven. 

I kid.

My FAV holiday cookies are simple.  I usually gravitate toward the shortbread and butter cookies.  I just love them and they go GREAT with a cup of coffee.

Here are my best cookie recipes:
Pecan Shortbread Recipe:
(Source:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/ )

Ingredients


  • 3/4 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups small diced pecans
Directions

Cook's Note: This recipe can easily be doubled, as what was shown in the episode.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together the butter and sugar until they are just combined. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and salt, then add them to the butter/sugar mixture. Add the pecans and mix on low speed until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a surface dusted with flour and shape into a flat disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.
  • Roll the dough 1/2-inch thick and cut into 2 1/2-inch squares with a plain or fluted cutter (or cut into any shape you like). Place the cookies on an ungreased baking sheet.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges begin to brown. Allow to cool to room temperature and serve.
Almond Butter Cookies
(Source:  http://www.gooseberrypatch.com/ )

Do you buy Gooseberry Patch cookbooks?  If you don't, you should.  They are FANTASTIC!!  I'll be having a giveaway for one later this week, so stay tuned!

OK, back to the recipe...
Ingredients
  • 1 c. butter
  • 3/4 c. sugar
  • 1 t. almond extract
  • 2 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 t. baking powder
  • 1/4 t. salt
Directions
  • Place butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat about 10 seconds, until very soft but not melted. Stir together butter, sugar and extract. Add dry ingredients; mix well. If dough seems too dry, add another tablespoon or so of butter. Form into one-inch balls; place on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten to 1/4-inch thickness with the bottom of a glass jar. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool. Drizzle Chocolate Glaze over cookies; let stand until glaze sets. Makes 5-1/2 to 6 dozen.
Chocolate Glaze:
  • 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 t. shortening
In a small saucepan, stir ingredients over very low heat until melted and smooth.

What are your favorite holiday cookies?

For more great recipes, hop on over to The RHOK!

~jennykate♥

11.02.2008

Distractions..Addictions...and just plain Craziness!

Distraction...major distraction...I love these little letters and I LOVE making these banners...maybe this is more of an addiction than a distraction? That's such a grey area.


Here's a few banners that I made for friends at work...I went out and bought tons more stuff to make some Christmas banners and some more name banners and a few baby gifts!


Addiction...yeah, I'm pretty sure this is crossing the line from being a distraction to an addiction...This book is such a good read...an easy read too.


Here's where the just plain craziness comes in...this is the Apple Crisp that I made the other morning at 3:15 am! What was I thinking? I'm not sure, but I am sure that this was the BEST apple crisp EVER! So, easy and super yummy! Do you want the recipe? Follow THIS link to Lisa's page :)



Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

10.15.2008

Chocolate "Muffins"

These aren't really muffins (hence the ""), but they are delicious and pretty healthy. Only 1 point a piece on Weight Watchers, if you make 24 servings. They're so super easy to make and with only 2 ingredients easy on the pocket book too!


Ingredients:

1 box of devils food cake mix

1 15 oz can of pumpkin


Add pumkin to cake mix and stir...my tip is that you don't use a flimsy spoon...use a wooden spoon because this is going to take some elbow grease and a sturdy utensil...it seems like it's impossible, but it's not.

It'll finally start to look like really THICK cake batter.
At this point, you could either divide into muffin tins or put in a bundt pan or loaf pan. I prefer to make them in muffin tins because then they are already perfectly portioned! Bake at 350 for 22-25 minutes. They will not come out like fluffly little muffins because there is no egg or oil, but they are moist and oh-so-yummy!
Enjoy!