Christmas Past

Baking makes me happy. Saturday was spent listening to Christmas tunes and baking thirty Christmas plates for neighbors, clients, and church friends. It was a BLAST!! Most dread such things, not me. Guess I am in the right bizness. I have a few new Christmassy recipes I am dying to try, but there is nothing like the good old classics you make and look forward to year after year. I thought I would share some of them with you. Try some yourself or order some today...I am still taking orders! Here are some ideas starting with my five favorites and then listed randomly after that





1. Sugar Cookies


2. Hot Chocolate Chip Cookies


3. Eggnog Bundt Cake


4. Licorice Caramels


5. Oreo Truffles





Gingerbread Waffles


Gingersnaps


Lion House Rolls


Chocolate Dipped Orange Slices


English Toffee


Marshmellow Fudge


Sugar Cookie Truffles

Peanut Butter Truffle Brownies

Well...the holidays are among us! Are you ready? I am going to get my Christmas cards printed this week. Last year I had my card sent out by the end of November. Let me tell you....this ROCKED in December when I was soooo busy with bakery orders. It felt great to have 90% of the shopping done and the cards sent before December even rang in. Especially since we are always in Utah the week before Christmas, December is a short month! But...bring it on...order away...I am ready for ya Christmas!I have, as always, been baking lately. We had company in town...twice. I introduced my parents to the wonders of pistachio cake. And got my brother in law Jared addicted to these sugar cookies. And my sister in law taught me her tips and recipes for homemade chocolates...YUM! I will share with you soon. In the meantime, here is one of our favorites!

Just looking at this picture makes me want to go bake a batch of these bad boys. These are probably my favorite peanut butter/chocolate recipe (with these cupcakes in a close second). My brother in law Ross LOVES chocolate and peanut butter. Val, you better make these for him...SOON! I got this recipe from my all time favorite blog, The Girl Who Ate Everything. Not only does she have the BEST recipes, but she is a really humorous writer and I actually read her posts...every one.

Peanut Butter Truffles

Source: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Brownie Base:
1 box (1 lb 6.5 oz) Betty Crocker® Original Supreme brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on brownie mix box

Filling
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons milk

Topping
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13×9-inch pan. For easier cutting and prettier looking bars, line pan with foil, then grease foil on bottom only of pan.

In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, pouch of chocolate syrup, water, oil and eggs until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 28 to 30 minutes until it passes the toothpick/fork test. Cool completely, about 1 hour. I always speed this up by sticking the pan in the fridge or the freezer.

In medium bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over brownie base.

In small microwavable bowl, microwave topping ingredients uncovered on High 30 to 60 seconds; stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes; spread over filling. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. Store covered in refrigerator. (I take it out or the fridge about 15 minutes before serving. This allows the chocolate on top to soften a little)

Halloween...Revisited

I have never been a Halloween person. I never didn't like it, I just never thought much of it. It was kind of just something that happened before Christmas. Now, having kids, I look forward to each holiday...and try to make them special, even strange ones like St. Patricks's Day or Memorial Day. My oldest boy, Ben, is OBSESSED with Halloween. He loves to help "decorate" the house, read Halloween picture books, talk about different costumes...to the point of driving his dad and I a little bonkers! But...wow...Halloween is soo fun now!

Here are a few of the treats I made last year to check out, order, or bake yourself. I also have a few new fun ideas to try in the next few weeks...can't wait to share with you!

Ohhh...here are the Halloween sugar cookies I decorated last year...

ohh...and then there are pumpkin whoopie pies...yum, yum!

Ad who doesn't like a cupcake... how 'bout these chocolate bat-topped cupcakes?

Or Monster cupcakes?

4th of July Ideas/Things you can order!!!

Dear Martha (Stewart),

Please forgive me / all of us foodies for using your ideas ALL the time. It just means you are great! I googled 4th of July treats. And...I am sorry ....Martha! Yours are just the best. Thanks for letting me use your photos this time...I didn't have the energy to make each treat myself...but wanted to show my customers and fellow foodies some good ideas. I promise to never use your photos again. Martha, YOU ROCK!!!

(Martha Stewart photo)
(Martha Stewart photo)

great sugar cookie ideas on the cover of Martha Stewart Living this month

another great Martha idea

(Martha)




What are you going to order? What will you be making? Let me know asap!

Easter Ideas...Order Now...Or Bake Now!!!

Ahhh!!! It is here...Easter week...and I am just now taking orders for Easter treats...keep 'em coming...I love to bake all night long...

Would you like some of these....

These royal icing sugar cookies were displayed in an antique store in Littleton last weekend. These are yummy, light, cute and perfect for an Easter table...or bagged for take home treats.

Don't forget the rolls...the picture says it all...can't you just smell them...

And more dessert ideas...spring time means fresh, light citrus flavors to me! Lemon Cupcakes. Bake some for Sunday...or order some from me...

And don't forget the carrot cake...recipe to come...

Tomorrow I am posting Easter Cake Pops and Easter Candy Cupcake Toppers! Check back!!

Place your Valentine's Orders!!!

Strawberry flavored Rice Krispy Treats with Heart Marshmallows and White Chocolate Drizzling

Fancy Traditional Valentine's Day Sugar Cookies

Conversation Heart Sugar Cookies

Chocolate Sugar Cookie Heart Sandwiches

Do these make you want to host a Valentine's Day party!!?? I have some orders for the sugar cookies already for school valentines. Won't that be cute? A sugar cookie in a bag tied with a ribbon and a Sponge Bob/Star Wars/ Princess valentine attached??!! The talk of the classroom!! I think for Ben's class I will do the rice krispies or the sandwich cookies. Later this week I will be posting some cake pops that would be awesome for your little ones/boss/ secret admirer?!