Monday, December 18, 2017

Christmas Baking 2017

I love to bake. 
It's relaxing and fun for me to make sweet treats for friends and family. 
In fact, I started this blog to post recipes (and there are tons on here). 
I inherited the love of baking from my sweet mama who was an INCREDIBLE cook. 
At Christmas time each year we would spend a weekend making
 tons of treats and it was one of my favorite weekends of the year. 
As I bake now I miss her so but try to remember all the fun times 
with her and now am lucky enough to have my sweet girl join me sometimes. 

This weekend I made a few goodies and thought I would share the recipes in case 
you are looking for some yummy treats to whip up this week. 
Some are super simple and all are super yummy!


Starting and the top of the plate and moving clockwise....

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles: 
These are a HUGE hit every single time I make them. 
Recipe HERE but you can take a short cut and make them using refrigerated cookie dough. 

Golden Oreo Truffles: 
My daughter doesn't like chocolate so these were her request. 
Super easy and super yummy!
Recipe HERE

Peppermint Cookie Dough Truffles: 
I made these using the refrigerated peppermint sugar cookie dough and almond bark. 
YUMMY and super easy! 

Gingerbread Bars with Eggnog Cream Cheese Frosting: 
This was the first time I made these and they are great. 
Your house will smell amazing when you make them! 
Recipe HERE

White Chocolate PB Clusters: 
These are a staple in my house at Christmas time. 
They are super easy and make a ton and they are gluten free! 
  • 1 package (16 ounces) white almond bark (you can use chocolate too but we think the white is better) 
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter 
  • 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal (I usually use the Kroger brand)
  • 1 cup peanuts
  • 1 cup miniature marshmallows
  1. Line cookie sheets with waxed paper
  2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine almond bark & peanut butter, and heat on high power for 1 minute to melt. Stop and stir. As necessary, heat in 30 second increments until mixture can be stirred smooth. Be very careful not to overheat the mixture or it will burn!
  3. Add cereal, peanuts and marshmallows to a large bowl. 
  4. Pour the white chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir to coat. Mixture will be runny. If it seems too runny, add a little more of one of the dry ingredients. 
  5. Using a cookie scoop drop mounds onto prepared baking sheets. Allow them to set at room temperature but if you are in a hurry you can put them in the refrigerator or freezer if you have the space. Once when it was really cold outside I even set the cookie sheets on top of my car so the candy could set quickly.
White Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffle Bars: 
This is another new recipe that I decided to try out because my family loves peanut butter. 
They are so good! 
Recipe HERE
I think the next time I make them I may do a layer of chocolate and a layer of white chocolate. 

Texas Trash (aka Chex Mix): 
This was a Christmas staple in my house and so I make it every year. 
I'm a traditionalist and believe two things: 
It must be made in the oven and you should double (or triple) the seasonings/butter mixture!
Recipe HERE.


BEST Cookie Tool EVER: 
I wouldn't make these without my favorite baking tool- a cookie scoop!
If you don't have one- you totally need one (or two in different sizes!).
Seriously- they make it so easy to make candy and cookies.
HERE is a great one on Amazon but you can find them at Walmart or Target too!