Holiday Baking
The kids made their sugar cookie batch last night, so I had free reign in the kitchen today, making Toffee Butter Cookies, Pretzel/Rolo/Pecan melts, and my own sugar cookie trees and stars (I know, they didn’t turn out nearly as nice as the cookies the kids made!).
The Toffee Butter Cookie recipe was from a back-issue of Victoria Magazine (2001), and since I couldn’t find it on the new recipe site, here it is:
1 1/2 sticks softened butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup English or almond toffee bits
Decorative sugar for rolling
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine sugar, butter, egg and vanilla in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (1-2 minutes). Add flour, baking powder, soda, reduce speed to low. Beat until well mixed (1-2 minutes). Stir in toffee bits.
Shape dough into 1-inch balls (I use a small cookie scoop then roll the balls smooth in my hand) and roll in decorative sugar (I used white/clear). Place two inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet, flatten slightly.
Bake 9-11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned (do NOT overbake). Roll again in decorative sugar if desired while warm.
Cool completely.
I discovered the Pretzel/Rolo/Pecan melts referenced on Angry Chicken’s site, but I changed the recipe a bit to accomodate my gas stove (lowered the temp to 350 degrees, used square pretzels only), so if you decide to try them, make sure to do a test batch before unwrapping too many Rolos from their gold wrappers! Oh, and * use parchment paper * on a baking sheet with an edge around it so the pretzels don’t go sliding onto the floor when you take them out of the oven!
Finally, I “cheat” when it comes to sugar cookies, because Betty Crocker makes the BEST mix out there! It’s usually sold in pouches, but can be purchased in a huge box at one of the bulk food stores. You can add flavoring (I added 1/4 tsp mint extract and crushed candy canes to one batch), make drop cookies (and add candies or Hershey’s Kisses while they’re warm), or make cutout cookies.
Of course with these done, I’ll be making Mexican Wedding Cakes (also known as “Russian Tea Cakes”) and possibly some gingerbread cake to round out the bake-fest.
Thank goodness most of these are being given away and mailed out in care packages…’tis the season to wear stretchy jeans, fa la la la laaaa, la la la laaaaaa…
Holiday Vignette Countdown, Day Two
Though this year’s holiday decor was inspired by 1) missing Alaska and 2) Target’s faux birch winter decor, I’ve kept a traditional red vignette in one corner of the dining room, and it’s a favorite of my children! With textural pip berries, Shannon’s Mr. and Mrs. Claus shelf-sitters, and various candle votive holders/sticks tucked away into an old tool box, not to mention two more Santas keeping the whole scene company, all I need to do now is bake some gingerbread cookies or cake to get that *smell* of Christmas in the air to complete the effect.
The stand-up felt Santa was purchased by me in Alaska at a holiday bazaar (do they still have the UAF Women’s Bazaar each winter?), the Santa in the basket was a figurine given to me by a former student, the shelf sitters are from Shannon’s Angel Kisses, the faux birch snowflake is from Target, and two of the candle votives were gifts from students, the crystal candlestick from my mother-in-law, and the Russian lacquer cup from my own collection. The white flowing “snow?” An extra curtain sheer we’re not using this year.
See you tomorrow for the next vignette, it’s time for my family to sign Christmas cards! Happy holidays!
Holiday Vignette Countdown (and kudos!)
The harvest decor has been taken down, dusted, and safely packed away until next year (and our next home), which means it’s time to decorate the house for the holiday and winter season. Each day this week I’ll post photos of one new vignette (here’s where you can find helpful tips and ideas for areas of focus and interest for your home, office, or even classroom)- let me know what you think!
Also, *kudos* to In Practice, nominated for Best Group Blog for the 2007 Edublog Awards. It’s been a terrific blog to contribute to (thank you again Alice, for the invite!), and a wonderful resource to ask you to consider voting for online.
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