December Photo-A-Day Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 - Today's Temperature

Christmas Cookies : Part trois!

Selection #3 I had come across on Pinterest. Before I get too far into this, I must warn you. The recipe for the peanut butter cookie is DRY. So dry in fact, that the cookie tastes kind of like chalk texture wise. I would definitely recommend finding a "wetter" cookie recipe, or buying the refrigerated dough. You will not be sorry. You have been warned.

Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies

From : Bakergirl

1) Gather your supplies.

2) Sort out your "parts"

Red Noses

Chocolate Pretzel antlers and green eyes

I'm going to skip posting the recipe directions, feel free to check out the recipe at Bakergirl if you wish to try with this cookie recipe.

3) Form dough into 1-inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies, pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gently flatten with your hand. Space cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until set or just beginning to brown. 

4)  Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two mini pretzels into the tops of the cookies for the reindeer's antlers. Press two mini brown M&Ms in for the eyes and one red M&M for the nose (or any other color... we love the rainbow)

Sometimes you may run out of the M&M colors of your preference. Or become slap happy from all the work you've just completed. This is when you wind up with :

Zombie reindeer? Bloodthirsty reindeer? DRUNK reindeer? Or if you're a Twilight nerd like me : Bad Vampire reindeer.

As well as a baby, with a contact sugar high.

December Photo-A-Day Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 - Joyous

December Photo A Day Challenge - Day 3 : RED

Day 3 - Red

Christmas Cookies : Part Deux

Continuing on in Bakefest '12! My next selection has been a staple of mine since last year. 

Paula Deen's Monster Cookies

Or as I call them "Where's the butter, y'all?"

The Goods:

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar

1 cup  granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

one 12 oz jar of creamy peanut butter

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 cup multi-colored chocolate candies

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup raisins (optional)

2 teaspoons baking soda

4 1/2 cups quick cooking oatmeal (NOT instant)

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats. 

2)  In a very large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, chocolate chips, raisins, if using, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets. 

Or if you're a bit OCD like I am, Roll them into balls and place them 2 inches apart to make perfectly round cookies.

3)  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not over bake.

4) Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. When cool, store in large resealable plastic bags.

Om nom nom.






 

25 Days of Christmas : Cookies!

Every single year my mother and I bake Christmas cookies (with the exception of last year, where I was on bedrest through the holidays, and would have undoubtedly been angry that I couldn't eat the dough anyway). I decided I wanted to bake today for an upcoming party that I am having, and that I am very excited about. 

Let's start this off with the first recipe I tackled today: 

Hershey's Candy Cane Blossoms 

(or Peppermint Kisses as I like to call them)

Step 1 is obviously to gather your ingredients. 

Ingredients:

48 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Candy Cane Mint Candies

1 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

1 egg

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

red or green sugar crystals, granulated sugar, powdered sugar (whichever you please! I generally stick to granulated)

Directions:

1) Preheat over to 350°. Remove wrappers from candies

2) Beat butter, granulated sugar, egg and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add alternately with milk to butter mixture, beating until well blended.

Feel free to take goofy pictures of yourself in the process.

3) Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in red sugar, granulated sugar, powdered sugar or a combination of any of the sugars. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4)  Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cookie is set. Remove from oven; cool 2 to 3 minutes. Press a candy piece into center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies. 

This recipe came straight from Hershey's, and it's delicious. 

December Photo-A-Day Challenge - Day 2 : Favorite Christmas Movie

Day 2 : Favorite Christmas Movie

Although I don't discriminate. I like almost every holiday movie I have ever seen. :) Including those goofy ABC family ones!

December Photo A Day Challenge! Day 1 : My View

 Day 1 : My View

Piper stalks the Christmas tree!

Wordless Wednesday

December Photo-A-Day Challenge

Taking photographs has always been something I love doing. I'm still thankful for the invention of digital cameras! Work really hinders my creative side though, and I find that I am slacking. That's why this year I've decided to participate in:

Over at A Content Housewife

I'm very much looking forward to documenting each day in pictures, and in my own interpretation of the topics. Feel free to jump in!

XOXO

-V