Goodies to Take to My Mom's House
I told my sister to order up some sunny days for a change! Well, I have to say that Wichita in the snow is a pretty sight; and I have many lovely photographs of Canadian geese on the frozen Arkansas river, winter wonderland park scenes, and elegant snowscapes -- but it is no fun to drive in.
Anyway, I've been wanting to add some Holiday Recipes to the blog, and thought I might as well share some of the treats that I'm going to take this year. A couple of them are old tried-and-true favorites, but one is new so we'll see how that goes -- but here you are:
#1. Cookie Pizza. Lucky me! My husband, Steve, is a "spice merchant" and brings home tons of scrumptious stuff for me to experiement with. Lucky you -- this recipe is made of ingredients you can get easily, and I guarantee everybody will love it (and it's very showy to take to a party):
Take a basic butter cookie recipe (such as the one for Buttermilk Cookies that follows) and spread the dough onto a lightly greased pizza pan (I use one of those 13" aluminum pans that come in a set of 3 at the grocery store). Sprinke generously with Magic Seasonings "Sweetie Blend." It's an all-purpose, all-natural sugar-and-spice blend with citrus flavors (you'll become addicted to it and start sprinkling it on everything). Dot the "pizza" with cherry-flavored "Craisins," then shave your favorite kind of chocolate all over. One of those big (4.25 oz.) "Special Dark" Hershey bars would be great! If you chill the chocolate first and use a cheese grater that makes big shavings it's easy and not messy.
Buttermilk Cookies:
1/2 cup soft butter (let sit out, don't microwave)
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon bakiing soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk (or use regular milk and add a teaspoon of lemon juice to it)
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in egg and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients, then add alternately with the milk. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 375 dgrees (just until the edge shows the slightest hint of brown). Let cool a bit, then cut in thin wedges, then cool completely before serving.
Your shopping list: butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, salt, milk, Sweetie Blend, Craisins, pizza pans, and a big chocolate bar (hey, they're a dollar at Kroger -- get one to eat, too!).
#2. I have no idea what is the actual "recipe" for this easy fudge. What you do is put a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl (glass is best), pour a can of sweetened condensed milk over them, splash a dash of salt over it, and nuke it! Start on high for 1 minute, stir, then nuke 15 seconds and stir again. If it's not creamy enough, nuke just 15 seconds more (don't over-do it). Stir in 1-1/2 teaspoons of real vanilla. Stir in nuts if you want.
Delicious variations:
Stir in chopped candied pineapple and macadamia nuts!
Stir in chopped candied cherries and pecans!
You can line a baking pan with foil (so it's easy to lift out) and make fudge squares, or spread the fudge out thinly on a foil-lined cooke sheet and cut into shapes. Everybody loves this and thinks you spent an hour slaving over a double-boiler with a thermometer.
Shopping list: chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, real vanilla, salt, and whatever nuts and other goodies you want to put in your fudge. Candied fruits are best because they don't add liquid that could break down your fudge or keep it from firming. I haven't tried Craisins, though -- they might work, too.
#3, This is a new one for me! Can't wait to try it though:
Peanut Butter Fudge!
1 stick butter
2 cups brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter, chunky or smooth
1 teaspoon real vanilla
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted after measuring
Line an 8 x 8 pan with foil and set aside. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil, still over medium heat, and allow to boil, stirring frequently , for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Place powdered sugar in a large bowl and pour the peanut mixture over it. Beat until smooth. Pour into the prepared pan and chill until firm. Lift out the fudge using the foil and cut into 1-inch squares.
Shopping: butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla.
Happy Holidays! However you celebrate -- enjoy, and may you have many, many blessings in the New Year!