Happy 2011 to you all. May this new year bring you much love, happiness and loads of success.
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas to one and All
Have a very Merry Christmas to all my friends and followers. May you get all you wish for this holiday season.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
My Review for His For The Holidays Anthology
His For The Holidays
Josh Lanyon, LB Gregg, ZA Maxfield & Harper Fox
Carina Press
Contemporary M/M Holidays
4 out of 5
Four stories of families, Christmas antics and the magic of the season as these talented authors transport the reader when reading HIS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
First up is author L. B. Gregg’s Mistletoe At Midnight, a charming tale of first love revisited, forgiveness and magic all within the confines of a family who enjoy meddling. Can a man find a way to have his first love in his life again this Christmas?
I have to admit, this author’s contribution had me in stitches. I loved the dynamics between Owen and his family, who all seemed to want to meddle in the poor man’s love life. The characters fairly stepped of the page and within a matter of minutes I was drawn into a story that had me flipping the pages with eager abandon, looking to see what would happen next for Owen and Caleb. If you haven’t read on of this author’s books, try the latest novella from LB Gregg and get ready to grin your way to a wonderful Christmas.
Next up was Harper Fox’s Nine Lights Over Edinburgh and one that I found a little too heavy for this anthology. Don’t get me wrong, it was a well written story but it felt out of place with the other books and light-heartedness of the stories in HIS FOR THE HOLIDAYS. The characters were well written and the story flowed nicely. I haven’t read one of this author’s books before and plan to check out the backlist to see if there are any more to read over the holidays.
Third up is I Heard Him Exclaim by Z. A. Maxfield and found it utterly charming. The story was well told, the characters well written and the romance between Steve and Chandler was sweet and at times, so very hot I thought the computer screen was going to melt. I haven’t read one of this author’s books before but found the novella in this anthology to be a perfect introduction to this author’s writing. I am eager to see what else I can find to enjoy in the backlist of titles by this author.
Finally, author Josh Lanyon delivers Icecapade, a story of a jewel thief turned novelist and his nemesis, FBI detective finding love after a decade of being apart. Just one teeny problem…the detective thinks he is the one who is robbing houses and is determined to put Noel behind bars…for good. Can Noel show Robert that he is a reformed thief?
Josh Lanyon is a master at creating complex characters and making them completely lovable. Noel and Robert is a perfect pair together and though Robert comes after Noel, convinced he is a thief still, Noel finds a way to melt his icy heart. Vulnerable and sexy, the way this author creates his books leaves the reader with magic from beginning to end. I am hoping the author comes back to Noel and Robert again in the future. I would love to read more about them.
HIS FOR THE HOLIDAYS is a perfect mix of fun and lightheartedness within the magic of Christmas. Each author delivers a wonderful novella that will keep you highly entertained from beginning to end. If you are looking for a sweet anthology to explore, then grab HIS FOR THE HOLIDAYS and settle in for an afternoon of reading fun. I look forward to finding out what these authors have in store for their readers in the future.
Monday, December 13, 2010
12 Days of Cookies-Day 12: Merry Cranberry Cookies
I made these last year and fell in love with how easy it was to make. I got the recipe from Verybestbaking.com
Merry Cranberry Cookies
PREHEAT oven to 325º F.
STIR morsels and cranberries into cookie dough. Refrigerate for 15 minutes for easier handling. Roll dough into 18, 1 1/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 14 to 16 minutes or until edges are set but centers are still soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
TIPS:
• Drizzle Merry Cranberry Cookies with melted NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels.
• Create three types of Christmas cookies from just one tub of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Tub Dough. Make this recipe along with two other 12 Days of Christmas Cookies recipes.
• Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger batch.
Merry Cranberry Cookies
- 1 1/4 cups (about 1/3 tub) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Tub Dough, slightly softened
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
STIR morsels and cranberries into cookie dough. Refrigerate for 15 minutes for easier handling. Roll dough into 18, 1 1/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 14 to 16 minutes or until edges are set but centers are still soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
TIPS:
• Drizzle Merry Cranberry Cookies with melted NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels.
• Create three types of Christmas cookies from just one tub of NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Tub Dough. Make this recipe along with two other 12 Days of Christmas Cookies recipes.
• Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger batch.
12 Days of Cookies-Day 11: Wreath Cookies
Got this from Taste of Home newsletter
Find recipe HERE
Wreath Cookies
Find recipe HERE
Wreath Cookies
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 6 ounces white baking chocolate, melted
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons water, divided
- 3 cups flaked coconut
- 6 to 8 drops green food coloring
- 1/4 cup red-hot candies
Directions
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the chocolate, eggs and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-in. scalloped cookie cutter. Place 1 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; cut out centers using a floured 1-in. scalloped cookie cutter.
- Bake at 350° for 10-14 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- For glaze, in a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and 1/4 cup water. Place coconut in a resealable plastic bag; add food coloring and remaining water. Seal bag and toss until coconut is tinted.
- Spread cookies with glaze; sprinkle with coconut. Decorate with red-hots. Yield: 4 dozen.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Guest Author Day with GG Royale
Writing for the Holidays
by G.G. Royale
Every year I try to write one holiday-themed release. Last year, it was a short, romantic fairy tale based on Norse mythology, “The Longest Night.” I ended up self-publishing that for Kindle, because I didn’t get it ready in time for the publishers.
From a writer’s perspective, making the choice to write a story set around the holiday season can be difficult. It has it pros and cons. Cons? Well, you definitely have to stick to a stricter publishing schedule. You can’t miss deadlines or procrastinate in the least. Another con is that you may only sell the book for the length of the holiday season. Just think of how the Christmas movies are on TV. We all gather round to watch Elf and A Christmas Story over and over again leading up to Christmas, but as soon as the holiday is gone, we forget those movies for the next eleven months. I think people feel the same way about romances set around the holiday season.
The major plus for writing a holiday story is the a potential for a new audience. Some readers will buy into the promotions publishers have during the holidays and purchase holiday-themed books from writers with whom they are unfamiliar. This could win the author a new reader who will come back for book after book. Not to mention it’s fun to write holiday stories, getting to play with all those traditions and trappings of the season.
This year, I wrote The Adoration of Addana, which releases 14 December with Loose Id. This story is special to me. Most of my readers know I live in New Orleans, and I have for nearly a decade now. I am fiercely proud of my city and its citizens. I love setting my stories here, not just because my familiarity with the area makes it easy to write and gives a sense of realism to the details, but also because it possesses such vibrance and diversity. It’s a setting rich with possibility and promise. Much of that grows from the suffering that comes from living here: the hot-as-hell summers, the mosquitoes, the floods... But the town and its people are resilient, resourceful, and joyful. We have to be.
What better time of year to feature those qualities than the holiday season? This story really came about because of my own experiences during those first few months after Hurricane Katrina, just about five years ago now. After the evacuation, we weren’t allowed back into the city until October. Luckily, since I live in “the sliver by the river,” my house didn’t flood, but going into the holiday season of 2005, my coworkers, students, and friends were dealing with rebuilding, Thanksgiving dinner cooked on FEMA trailer stoves, and all the mess that came with the clean-up after the hurricane.
I wanted to write a story about those hard times and fill it with hope. The National Guard troops stationed here did bring hope, and safety, to a lot of people, so it seemed fitting to have a sergeant serve as my hero. Even though I don’t live in Holy Cross -- a neighborhood just to the east of the Industrial Canal -- I’ve always loved its unique qualities, so I decided to set the story there. My heroine, well... She had to be a strong black woman who was fighting the battle of her life to keep her family together through very hard times. The people in this story are true, though they may not actually exist outside the virtual pages of the ebook. All the bits and pieces that make up The Adoration of Addana come from reality. I know people who felt these feelings, who did this work.
I hope you, readers, will take the time out this holiday season to read The Adoration of Addana. It’s probably a little more emotional than my other books, but I think it’s well worth it. In addition, I’ve pledged to donate 20 percent of my own royalties to two local charities who are still helping to rebuild Holy Cross, the Ninth Ward, and other neighborhoods throughout the city: Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together. Many people are still trying to come home, and there are many historical homes in need of renovation and loving families. If you have a little extra left this season, I hope you will donate too.
Happy Holidays!
Blurb about The Adoration of Addana:
It just doesn’t feel like the holiday season with her young boys still evacuated in Houston, but Addana Carmouche will make the best of it as she works to rebuild the home Hurricane Katrina destroyed only a few months earlier. When Sergeant Aleister Colmes sees her on the street one day, he’s intrigued by the small, determined woman clearly living by herself in a place little better than a war zone. He takes it upon himself to look after her, and from that, something more develops. Love grows as Christmas approaches and the neighborhood shows signs of a slow, painful rebirth. But will their relationship survive Colmes’s retirement? His old farm house in Nebraska beckons, but so does the fiery woman who’s spirit and heart he’s come to adore. Addana will never leave Holy Cross. Can Colmes learn to love the neighborhood as much as he does her so they can stay together?
12 Days of Cookies-Day 10: White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprints
Day 10 of my 12 days of cookies has white chocolate, walnuts and jam. An irresistible combination!
White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprints
3/4 cup butter-softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs-seperated
1 1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 1/4 cup walnuts finely chopped
Filling:
4 squares (1 ounce each) White Baking Chocolate, coarsley chopped
2 TBSP butter
1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
Directions:
1) In a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat egg yolks slowly. Combine in another small bowl, cocoa and flour and gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Cover and refriderate 1-2 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
2) In a shallow bowl, whisk egg whites until foamy. Place nuts in another small bowl. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls. Dip in egg whites then roll in nuts.
3) Using a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in center of each cookie. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4) In a microwave, melt white chocolate and butter at 70% power for 1 minute then stir. Microwave additional 10 to 20 second intervals, stirring until smooth. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon into each cookie. Top with 1/4 teaspoon of jam. Store in airtight container.
White Chocolate Raspberry Thumbprints
3/4 cup butter-softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs-seperated
1 1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1 1/4 cup walnuts finely chopped
Filling:
4 squares (1 ounce each) White Baking Chocolate, coarsley chopped
2 TBSP butter
1/4 cup seedless raspberry jam
Directions:
1) In a small bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat egg yolks slowly. Combine in another small bowl, cocoa and flour and gradually add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Cover and refriderate 1-2 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
2) In a shallow bowl, whisk egg whites until foamy. Place nuts in another small bowl. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls. Dip in egg whites then roll in nuts.
3) Using a wooden spoon handle, make an indentation in center of each cookie. Place 1 inch apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4) In a microwave, melt white chocolate and butter at 70% power for 1 minute then stir. Microwave additional 10 to 20 second intervals, stirring until smooth. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon into each cookie. Top with 1/4 teaspoon of jam. Store in airtight container.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
12 Days of Cookies-Day 9: Hint o' Mint Cookies
These are divine. My family loves them. :)
Hint O'Mint Cookies
1/2 cup butter-softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup buttermilk
Frosting:
3 Tablespoons butter-softened
2 cups confectioners sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1) In large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light & fluffy. Then beat in egg and extracts (vanilla and peppermint). In a small bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar and then add slowly to creamed mixture, alternatly with buttermilk and beating well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until easy to handle.
2) Drop by heaping spoonfuls 2 inches apart on ungeased cookie sheet. Flatten with glass bottom dipped in sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool.
3)In small bowl, beat sugar, butter, cocoa, salt, vanilla and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Frost cookies.
Hint O'Mint Cookies
1/2 cup butter-softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 cup buttermilk
Frosting:
3 Tablespoons butter-softened
2 cups confectioners sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-4 Tablespoons milk
1) In large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light & fluffy. Then beat in egg and extracts (vanilla and peppermint). In a small bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar and then add slowly to creamed mixture, alternatly with buttermilk and beating well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or until easy to handle.
2) Drop by heaping spoonfuls 2 inches apart on ungeased cookie sheet. Flatten with glass bottom dipped in sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool.
3)In small bowl, beat sugar, butter, cocoa, salt, vanilla and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Frost cookies.
Friday, December 10, 2010
12 Days of Cookies-Day 8: Buttery Bow Cookies
Found this at Taste of Home website and they look delectable.
Link to recipe and picture:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Buttery-Bow-Cookies?pmcode=IKLDP02T&_mid=828432&_rid=828432.618800.45867
Buttery Bow Cookies
Link to recipe and picture:
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Buttery-Bow-Cookies?pmcode=IKLDP02T&_mid=828432&_rid=828432.618800.45867
Buttery Bow Cookies
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cold butter, cubed
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- Red and green colored sugar
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Combine egg and cream; gradually beat into crumb mixture until a ball forms. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until easy to handle.
- Divide dough into three portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into an 8-in. x 6-in. rectangle. Brush with melted butter; sprinkle with colored sugar. Cut into 8-in.-long x 1/4-in.-wide strips. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets; form into bows.
- Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks. Yield: 6 dozen.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
12 Days of Cookies-Day 7: Cherry Bonbon Cookies
Another treat for the holidays. Enjoy!
Cherry Bonbon Cookies
Christmas Glaze
Cherry Bonbon Cookies
- 36 maraschino cherries
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- 3 teaspoons Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
- 2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Christmas Glaze
- 1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water
- Red and green liquid food coloring
- Colored sprinkles
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 to 2 tablespoons water
- 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate, melted
- 1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- Pat cherries dry with paper towels; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioner's sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in milk and vanilla. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.
- Shape a tablespoonful of dough around each cherry, forming a ball. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 14-16 minutes or until bottoms are browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
- For Christmas glaze, in a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and enough water to achieve a dipping consistency. Transfer half of the glaze to another bowl; tint one bowl green and the other red. Dip the tops of nine cookies in green glaze and nine cookies in red glaze, then decorate with sprinkles. Let stand until set.
- For chocolate glaze, in a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar and enough water to achieve dipping consistency. Stir in chocolate and vanilla. Dip the tops of remaining cookies in glaze, then sprinkle with nuts. Let stand until set. Yield: 3 dozen.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
12 Days of Cookies-Day 6: Holly Jolly Peanut Butter Cookies
Day 6 of my 12 days of cookies......enjoy this twiston traditional peanut butter cookies.
Holly Jolly Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup flour
2/3 cup old fashiopned rolled oats
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup (1 stick) Parkay Original
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 pkg. M&M candies (any flavor)
1) preheat oven 350 degrees. In one small bowl combine flour, oatmeal, baking powder and salt; set aside.
2) In large mixing bowl, cream peanut butter, parkay, brown sugar and white sugar with mixer on medium-high until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. On low speed, add flour m ixture gradually until well mixed. Slowly mix in M&M candies with a spoon.
3) Form cookie dough into balls and place 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet and flatten with tines of a fork in cris-cross pattern.
4) Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly brown and centers are still soft. Cool 1 minute on pan then remove to wire racks.
Enjoy!
Holly Jolly Peanut Butter Cookies
1 cup flour
2/3 cup old fashiopned rolled oats
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup (1 stick) Parkay Original
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 pkg. M&M candies (any flavor)
1) preheat oven 350 degrees. In one small bowl combine flour, oatmeal, baking powder and salt; set aside.
2) In large mixing bowl, cream peanut butter, parkay, brown sugar and white sugar with mixer on medium-high until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. On low speed, add flour m ixture gradually until well mixed. Slowly mix in M&M candies with a spoon.
3) Form cookie dough into balls and place 3 inches apart on greased cookie sheet and flatten with tines of a fork in cris-cross pattern.
4) Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly brown and centers are still soft. Cool 1 minute on pan then remove to wire racks.
Enjoy!
12 Days of Cookies-Day 5: Soft & Chewy Chocolate Drops
Soft & Chewy Chocolate Drops
Prep time-20 minutes
Cookie:
4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1 1/2 sticks butter softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
Glaze:
1 8-ounce frozen cool whip whipped topping
6 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
For cookies:
1) Preheat oven 350 degrees. Microwave unsweetened chocolate squares and butter together on high for 2 m inutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add in sugar and mix well. Blend eggs and vanilla. Slowly add in flour mixing well. Cover and refridgerate 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.
2) Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet.
3) Bake 8 min. or until st. IMPORTANT-DO NOT OVERBAKE! Let satnd on baking sheet then transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
Glaze:
1) Place frozen whipped topping and chocolate in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes or until chocolate is melted and mixture is shiny and smooth. Stirring after 1 minute. Let stand 15 minutes to thicken. Spread over cookies and let stand until glaze is set.
Prep time-20 minutes
Cookie:
4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate
1 1/2 sticks butter softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
Glaze:
1 8-ounce frozen cool whip whipped topping
6 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
For cookies:
1) Preheat oven 350 degrees. Microwave unsweetened chocolate squares and butter together on high for 2 m inutes or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add in sugar and mix well. Blend eggs and vanilla. Slowly add in flour mixing well. Cover and refridgerate 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.
2) Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet.
3) Bake 8 min. or until st. IMPORTANT-DO NOT OVERBAKE! Let satnd on baking sheet then transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
Glaze:
1) Place frozen whipped topping and chocolate in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes or until chocolate is melted and mixture is shiny and smooth. Stirring after 1 minute. Let stand 15 minutes to thicken. Spread over cookies and let stand until glaze is set.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
12 Days of Cookies-Day 3: Pepermint Meltaways
Another family favorite....enjoy!
Peppermint Meltaways
1 cup Butter softened ( I use non-salted butter like Land o'lakes)
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
Frosting:
2 TBSP. Butter softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2 TBSP milk
1/4 tsp Peppermint extract
2-3 drops of red food coloring
1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
1) In small bowl, cream butter and confectioners sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract.
2) Combine flour and cornstarch in a small bowl then gradually add to butter micture and mix well.
3) Shape into 1-in. balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (oven temps vary) or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4) In small bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Add in confectioners sugar, milk, peppermint extract and food coloring; beat until smooth. Spread over cookies and sprinkle with crushed candies. Store in airtight container.
Peppermint Meltaways
1 cup Butter softened ( I use non-salted butter like Land o'lakes)
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
Frosting:
2 TBSP. Butter softened
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
2 TBSP milk
1/4 tsp Peppermint extract
2-3 drops of red food coloring
1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
1) In small bowl, cream butter and confectioners sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract.
2) Combine flour and cornstarch in a small bowl then gradually add to butter micture and mix well.
3) Shape into 1-in. balls. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (oven temps vary) or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
4) In small bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Add in confectioners sugar, milk, peppermint extract and food coloring; beat until smooth. Spread over cookies and sprinkle with crushed candies. Store in airtight container.
12 Days of Cookies-Day 2: Holiday Truffles
I made these last year and was told they are da'bomb! Already have requests for them this year. :) Enjoy!
Holiday Truffles
3 Cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips (Nestle works reaslly well)
1 can (14 ounces) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 TBSP. Vanilla Extract
Holiday sprinkles, powder sugar, baking cocoa, coconut, etc.
1) In microwave, combine chips and milk. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Stir until smooth at 1 1/2 minutes then add vanilla when all melted through. Chill for three hours or overnight.
2) Shape into 1-in. balls, roll in nuts, sprinkles, etc. Chill for 1 hour or until firm. Store covered at room temp. or in fridge.
Holiday Truffles
3 Cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips (Nestle works reaslly well)
1 can (14 ounces) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 TBSP. Vanilla Extract
Holiday sprinkles, powder sugar, baking cocoa, coconut, etc.
1) In microwave, combine chips and milk. Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Stir until smooth at 1 1/2 minutes then add vanilla when all melted through. Chill for three hours or overnight.
2) Shape into 1-in. balls, roll in nuts, sprinkles, etc. Chill for 1 hour or until firm. Store covered at room temp. or in fridge.
Friday, December 3, 2010
The Twelve Days of Cookies-Day 1
Found this easy, yummy recipe the other day and can't wait to try them out.
Red Velvet Cookies
Found at BettyCrocker.com
Red Velvet Cookies
1 | pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix |
1/3 | cup unsweetened cocoa |
1/4 | cup butter or margarine, softened |
1/4 | cup sour cream |
1 | tablespoon red food color |
1 | egg |
3/4 | to 1 cup Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting |
1/4 | cup chopped nuts |
Print these coupons... | ||||||
About Concordance™ | ||||||
- Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, cocoa, butter, sour cream, food color and egg until soft dough forms.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls; place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
- Bake 8 to 9 minutes or until set. Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
- Frost cooled cookies with frosting. Sprinkle with nuts. Store tightly covered at room temperature.
Found at BettyCrocker.com
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving to you all
Well to those who celebrate it anyways. May you have lots of turkey, stuffing, potatoes and pumpkin pie.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there
May your mother's day be full of flowers, breakfast in bed and love from your family. Mom's- You are the greatest. :)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Talking with author Ed Williams
“When I Have A Godzillian Level Urge For Candy I Eat…”
1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups - Man, talk about heroin converted into candy form, I’ve craved Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for years! Their texture is great, their chocolate is both kinda chunky and kinda creamy, and their peanut butter - if I could, I’d sneak into a Reese’s production facility, get buck naked, and then jump into a vat full of their peanut butter. I might end up getting covered up in it or even drown, but I’d be gobblin’ it down like a Linda Lovelace inspired turkey before my final chapter was written - Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups rock!
2. Atomic Fireballs - I love hot candies and I love cinnamon, so my addiction to Atomic Fireballs can only be deemed a natural. I first encountered them years ago in Juliette at my granddad’s general store (y’all have actually seen his store in the movies, it was used as the Whistle Stop Café in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes). Back then, you could get one for a couple of pennies and they were a lot bigger than they are now. So big, in fact, that you could barely get one in your mouth, and God when you did it would be hotter than a Times Square Rolex! Thing was, if you could get past that initial burst of hotness then it was all sugar the rest of the way. Today, their hotness technology has improved, so even though Atomic Fireballs are smaller they now have multiple layers of hot cinnamon built right into them so you get more of an “Atomic” experience as you’re happily consuming a fireball.
3. Sweet Tarts - I love sour candies too, and accordingly I’ve loved Sweet Tarts since day one. You can buy them in small or huge sizes, but one thing about Sweet Tarts really frustrates me. A few years ago I actually had some Sweet Tart Jelly Beans. They were the best jelly beans I’ve ever had in my life, y’all would not believe how good their flavor is! Unfortunately, I’ve discovered they’re pretty hard to find, so if anyone out there ever wants to suck up to me in a major way, then just get me some Sweet Tart Jelly Beans. The only thing that would make me happier than Sweet Tart Jelly Beans would be an Elvis concert, and we all know that can’t happen again. Sweet Tart Jelly Beans, however, can!
4. Sour Jelly Bellies - In line with my just professed love of sour candies is another fav, Sour Jelly Bellies! They are usually just a bit expensive, but believe me they’re worth every extra cent you’ll pay for ‘em. Whatever you do, don’t ever buy the store brand equivalents of these, because you’ll be even more disappointed than you’d be if you purchased store brand Captain Crunch. Sour Jelly Bellies taste good, and there are maybe six or seven flavors offered, so a hand full of them is a bit more focused than just regular Jelly Bellies. With regular Jelly Bellies there are just too many flavors, and some of them are grotesque. Cream soda? Chili mango? Dr. Pepper? Pomegranate? God, it makes my stomach spasm to even think about them, and even worse is the fact that you never quite know when you’re going to be biting into one of these pellets from hell. Stick to the sours and your glower will turn from dour to super powered!
5. Peppermint Life Savers - I love their taste, their consistency, and the fact that after you eat five or six of ‘em your mouth will be so cool that you’ll feel like you could use it for refrigeration purposes. They price ‘em reasonably and now they offer even bigger sizes, which is just all too cool (pun intended) with me. Eating a Peppermint Life Saver is kinda like having a Bachman-Turner Overdrive concert take place on your palate, and just how cool would that be if it were possible? Hmmmmm? (Don’t y’all like it when I get into abstract analogies that don’t make sense at all)?
So there y’all have it, my personal candy favs of all-time. But hey, this isn’t all about what my favorite commercial candy products are, I wanna know what y’all like, tell me about your own personal favs and why. That should start a really interesting conversational thread going here today. And, if anyone out there has any leads on where to get some Sweet Tart Jelly Beans, then please let me know if you’d like to have a new best friend for life! Now, with everything having been said, let’s talk candy, candy, and more candy below…..
"ChristmaSin'", my new Christmas novel, is now available for sale! Click this link below to order!
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Happy Easter to you
I wanted to wish all of my friends online a wonderful Easter holiday. May you have lots of chocolate, food and more with your family and friends.
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