Holiday Love

I love most sweets, but my seasonal favorite has to be the classic iced sugar cookie.  I would always look forward to decorating them, which usually consisted of half of the bottle of sprinkles.  Obviously not much has changed in twenty years.  I found myself baking some cookies, but realized that I didn't let the dough cool long enough, so I ended up with a giant cookie heart.  Patience is not my forte, but it looks like it finally turned out well for me!

Cookie(s):

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp milk

In a bowl, mix the butter and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla.  In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Combine the wet and dry ingredients and add in the milk.  Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.  Roll out on a floured  surface and cut into desired shapes.  Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Icing:

1 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 drops food coloring
3 drops peppermint extract

Mix all together and place on cookie(s) when cooled.

What's your favorite holiday treat?

Spooky Treats.

I am very lucky to have grown up in the Midwest.  We had big backyards to play in, safe neighborhoods to roam until dusk, clear blue skies, and stars that you can actually see.  Best of all, a dessert with whipped cream, cream cheese, butter, and cookies is totally acceptable, if not welcomed.  

I'm now able to laugh at all of our "hillbilly" concoctions with weird names and a complete excess of butter (among other unhealthy ingredients).  I'll be sure to share tons with you over time, I'm sure, but for now I'm just going to focus on a couple.  Let's talk dirt pudding!

1/2 cup butter

1 pkg. cream cheese (8 oz.)

3/4 cup sugar

1 pkg. instant pudding (3.5 oz, chocolate or vanilla)

2 cups milk

1 pkg. whipped cream (12 oz.)

1 pkg. Oreos, crushed

Mix the first three ingredients together.  In a separate bowl, mix the next three.  Combine the two and mix.  Layer the mixture and the crushed Oreos. Chill until ready to serve.

Want to make it spooky for Halloween?  Add some gummy worms and/or gravestones.  

Next up is bacon wrapped dates.  WARNING: These are very addictive.  It's a sweet and salty mix with some crunch from the bacon added to the caramelization of the dates.  I know anything is better with bacon, but this combo is out of this world delicious.

This is very easy.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Wrap 1/2 piece of bacon around one pitted date.  Make sure the pit is actually out so you don't have any unpleasant surprises.  If you like, you can stuff it with various cheeses and/or nuts, but I like it just the way it is.  Bake for 20 minutes or until crispy.  Enjoy!

Want to make it spooky for Halloween?  Good thing you don't need to do much!  Just label them as bacon wrapped cockroaches and you'll be sure to scare the guests!

A Drink & A Beverage

Fall has a million benefits that I've touched on before (comfy sweaters, cooler weather, etc), but I think my most favorite is the food and drink changes.  Comfort foods like chili, casseroles, and lasagna are always high on my list.  The highest? Apple cider and hot cocoa.  They're easy, filling, and no-hassle regardless if you're making a serving for 2 or for 20.

Lindsay's Spiced Apple Cider

Apple Cider
Johnny Walker Whisky
Orange Juice
Cloves
Cinnamon Stick
Tung Hing Cinnamon

I didn't put quantities for a reason, although it is in order of percentage.  Have fun with it and taste while you make it.  It's much better that way!  Add everything at once with the exception of the alcohol, which goes at the very end right before serving.  Regular cinnamon is fine, but tung hing is very spicy, so I like it better that way.

Lindsay's Spicy Hot Chocolate

Milk
Cocoa Powder
Cinnamon
Sugar
Vanilla
Chili powder
Nutmeg
Cloves

Even the mug is sweating, this cocoa is so hot!  I love this.  I'm a huge believer of food being much better when it's spicy.  Again, add the ingredients to your taste.  They can all be added after the milk is warmed.  Enjoy and make sure to memorize the ingredients because you will soon be addicted!

PS: Bf painted this mug for me!

Last note, I got this Penzey's Spice kit for an office gift swap last holiday season and boy am I grateful!  You should check it out here for the upcoming season!

Pumpkin Extravaganza!

Whenever a holiday comes around, I get all Martha Stewart-ish.  I turn traditional and nostalgic, start baking seasonal treats, and think of a billion crafty ideas.  If only I had time for them all....le sigh.  Last night was a different story.  I miraculously got my homework done in time to start on Halloween fun times.  On the agenda: pumpkin double-layer cheesecake and pumpkin carving.

A few quick notes:

1. I like to make my own crust, usually.  Honest, I do!  

2. No, I didn't use fresh pumpkin puree.  We don't have a blender.

3. My baking secret: Always add more sugar.

Fun Facts:
1. Our Jack-O-Lantern breathes fire. Well...kind of.
2. Bf has never carved a pumpkin before.  (He did the right side.)
3. The only thing more fun than carving the pumpkin is roasting (and eating) the seeds.

Are you prepared for Halloween yet?