Christmas Coal, Day 7

Coal is not usually something kids look forward to on Christmas, but what kid wouldn't like to find rice crispy treat coal in their stocking on Christmas morning?  Just add a little black coloring to your marshmallow mixture and voila!  And surprise surprise, it's another pinterest recipe! 

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
10.5 ounce bag mini marshmallows
1/8 tsp. black icing
4 cups rice cereal (regular or cocoa)

In a large pot melt butter and add marshmallows. Stir until melted, add black color and mix in well. Add rice cereal and stir until blended. Drop by small spoonfuls onto parchment paper. Be sure they are in odd shapes. Cool.

Note - If you want a true black color like in the picture you need to use either black icing or food coloring paste, the liquid food coloring is not dark enough for this,

Happy Baking and Merry Christmas!

Mexican Ribbon Cookies, Day 6

Ok, I am taking a break from Pinterest recipes for a while.  Today's entry for the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies blog series is a Mexican-inspired twist to a ribbon cookie recipe.  It's not as pretty to look at as the original because both layers are chocolate, but it's very tasty because who doesn't love chocolate?!

So go ahead and check out my recipe for Mexican Ribbon Cookies, and if you're just joining the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies party you need to click that link to see the rest of the yummy recipes!

Happy Baking and Merry Christmas!

Scandinavian Almond Bars, Day 5

Today's recipe is yet another one I got from Pinterest.  The original source is this food.com recipe.  Can you tell I love Pinterest??

This recipe is really awesome not just because I am Scandinavian, but because it makes a TON of really delicious cookies.  If you love almonds and cookies that aren't super sweet than this is a recipe for you!

Candy Cane Blossoms, Day 4

Another delicious Pinterest find, today's Christmas Cookie comes from fellow food blogger Baked Perfection.  These cookies are as yummy as they are cute!  Like yesterday's Reindeer Noses I think these would be easily adaptable to lots of other seasons and holidays.  And I wish my stepson had been around because I really think he would have had fun helping me bake these - my hands were covered in colored sugar by the time I was done and what little boy doesn't love to make a mess?!

Reindeer Noses, Day 3

While not technically cookies, Reindeer Noses are still hand-help Christmas desserts so I decided to sneak them into my 12 Days of Christmas Cookies list.  They are incredibly easy to make and can be adapted to pretty much any holiday just by changing the color M&Ms that you use.  I think Easter Bunny noses with pastel pink M&Ms would be adorable!

I found this idea a few weeks ago here on Pinterest, one of my many current obsessions these days.  BTW, that link goes to my own personal Pinterest account so if you're in the mood for some awesome new recipes or crafts check it out.

Grandma's Honey Cookies, Day 2

Growing up, my grandmother's honey cookies were a big Christmas tradition.  They always seemed extra special because they need to cure for about 2 weeks after baking, so there's a high level of anticipation involved.  It takes two weeks because after baking the cookies are literally as hard as a rock.  If you bit one you'd probably break a tooth.  But through the magic of time and the moisture from a few slices of bread, after two weeks the cookies are softened and ready to frost.  And you will find that the wait was most definitely worth it.

Intrigued?  Here's the link to my grandma's honey cookie recipe.  You've got just enough time left to make these cookies and still be able to leave some out for Santa, so Happy Baking and Merry Christmas!

Sour Cream Cut-out Cookies, Day 1

Ahh cut-out cookies.  The quintessential Christmas cookie.  I had to start my 12 Days of Chrismas Cookies list here.  Most of my friends and family members who bake cookies during the holiday season make these, especially the ones with little kids.  Decorating the cookies is the fun part!  The following recipe is one I got from my step mom a number of years ago, and it's by far my favorite cut-out cookie recipe.  I might be partial here, but I'm pretty sure it's the nutmeg.  ;-)