Archive | December, 2011

Peppermint Bark

25 Dec

It’s Christmas.

I’m not really sure how I feel about that fact.

First off it just hasn’t FELT like Christmas this year.

It’s usually cold here at Christmas.

Last year we even had a dusting of snow Christmas Eve.

This year it’s just been a battle to keep the temperature under 70 degrees.

It’s kind of hard to enjoy snuggling up in your cozy PJ’s, with a warm blanket, and hot chocolate when you’re still rocking your flip flops and t-shirts.

Baking super sweet Christmas treats sort of looses it’s appeal when the heat threatens to chase you from your kitchen.

This treat is nice because you can totally melt your chocolates in the microwave (no stove required).

I also like it because you can change things up to suit your tastes.

Maybe you only like vanilla, or only chocolate, or a combination of both.

Maybe you have a box of candy canes laying around you can crush for the top.

Or maybe you have a bag of peppermint candies.

You really can’t mess this up.

Peppermint Bark

1 Block Vanilla Almond Bark (or high quality chocolate)
1 Bag Semi-Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips, optional
Crushed peppermint

Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Set aside. If layering 2 different chocolates melt the chocolate in 30 second increments until smooth. Spread chocolate onto wax paper. Place cookie sheet in the refrigerator with completing the next step. Melt white chocolate in 30 second increments. Stir in a portion of the crushed peppermint. Remove cookie sheet from refrigerator and quickly spread the white chocolate/peppermint mixture over the dark chocolate layer. Work quickly and be careful not to disturb the dark chocolate layer. Sprinkle the top with remaining crushed peppermint. Gently tap (OK, pick up your cookie sheet and drop it from a short distance onto your counter) your cookie sheet onto the counter. This helps even out the top surfaces as well as make sure your crushed peppermint adheres to the top chocolate layer. Place back into the refrigerator and allow the chocolate to set up. Once set peel off the waxed paper and break into pieces.

*If using white chocolate chips for this recipe I recommend a brand such as Ghirardelli. You want a high quality chocolate or you will end up with a waxy taste.

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Reindeer Food

23 Dec

This reindeer food has been a sweet tradition in our family since my little one was around 2.

I have some of the sweetest pictures of him in his PJ’s and boots sprinkling this on our lawn.

In our house we don’t make it together though.

Since the beginning one of Santa’s elves delivers a special bag sometime on Christmas Eve.

It’s an adventure because it usually just shows up somewhere in out house and my son is always so surprised when he stumbles across it.

If you’ve never heard of reindeer food before let me fill you in.

The story goes that it is sent from Santa’s barn.

On Christmas Eve you sprinkle it onto your lawn.

Since it’s the special food the Reindeer eat they will see it and smell it, which will lead them straight to your house.

I love things that add just a little more magic and wonder to the Christmas season for our children.

This year I have a couple of friends who’s sweet littles stay with me several days a week.

I thought it would be nice if they had some reindeer food for Christmas Eve as well.

I don’t have a real recipe for this.

That’s the beauty of it.

It’s sort of a use whatcha’ got kind of thing.

This year I used quick cooking oats.

In the past I’ve used scratch feed for chickens, grape nuts, deer corn…..you get the point.

Don’t stress, just be creative.

Directions

To make just pour your oats (or whatever you are using into a bowl).  Use your own judgement here depending on how many children you will be making this for.  Next mix in some cute Christmas sprinkles or  red/green/silver/gold colored sanding sugars.  I added in some glitter for extra sparkle.  You can skip this step if you are worried about the wildlife in your area ingesting the glitter.

I always package in small brown paper bags.  It’s coming from Santas barn and I guess I just picture that as a pretty rustic place, so the packaging should match.

I found these super cute little tags over at The TomKat Studio.  It’s a free printable download.  Be sure to browse around while you are there.  Her stuff is a-maz-ing!!

This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions.  What traditions does your family have?

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Edible Elf Treats an Antics

6 Dec

Does your family have an Elf on the Shelf?

Unfortunately my not so little one is a bit to old for all the Elf antics.

It makes me just a little sad.

All my friends on Facebook have been posting the antics of their little Elf friends.

And gosh darn it I want in on the action too!!

My guy sweet talked his Nana out of this Elf when he was super small.

He usually just sits in our tree

But this year he has some ideas for my friends with elves….

I saw this book at a friends awhile back and some of the ideas seemed perfect for the Elves.

I’m sure the trip to the North pole every night makes an Elf hungry….

Waffles anyone??

This is just the end of a sugar wafer that’s been separated and topped with a tiny drop of syrup.

Maybe your Elf would rather have french fries for lunch…

mmmmm ketchup!

All you need is a few shoe string potatoes.

Snip a tiny corner from a ketchup packet so the ketchup comes out in a very small stream.

Maybe you have more of a dessert loving Elf!!

Chocolate Cake! My favorite!!!

If your Elf decided to make a chocolate cake all he’ll need is a couple of Oreos and some frosting.

Maybe few holly berry sprinkles.

Just stick the cookies together with a bit of frosting.

Pop ’em in the fridge to let the frosting set up between the “layers” and then frost.

Not into smooth frosting, maybe a more rustic cake is in order.

To achieve the more rustic look just pat the cake with the end of a knife or spatula to make the frosting spike.

Maybe your Elf’s trip to and from the North pole took a little longer than expected.

A late night snack of donuts might be in order.

Will he get caught making them?

Or just enjoying them…

*Donuts are just cheerios dipped in chocolate with sprinkles or tossed in powdered sugar or cinnamon.

Maybe you’re family has more than one child so you’re lucky enough to have more than one Elf.

If you have more than one Elf…

I think you’re Elves need to have a party! (or play tug of war)

Then they could enjoy just a little bit of everything!

Do you know of any other mini foods an Elf might enjoy?

If so leave me a comment letting me know.

Also, I’d love to know what you’re elves have been doing.

Feel free to share the antics!

 

UPDATE**

So after posting this yesterday a friend shared 5 Highly Inappropriate & Traumatizing  Elf on a Shelf Ideas!  It completely cracked me up!  Nothing like finding the humor in the joys of parenting.

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Candy Cane Meringues

4 Dec

So.  Last week I promised you another use for that candy cane sugar we made.

You remember, that sugar.

It’s beautiful in the jar all by its self, don’t you think?

But I thought you might want another alternative than adding it to your cookies or coffee.

So I made you some meringues!

I’m not gonna lie.

I could eat this with a spoon directly from the bowl.

No more cooking required.

I realize not everyone could.

You’ll probably want to pipe them onto a baking sheet.

Send them on a trip through the oven….

Eat them with hot coffee or tea.

You’ll mouth will thank you!

Candy Cane Meringues

4 large egg whites
1/2 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
3/4 C granulated sugar
3/4 C candy cane sugar

Preheat oven to 250. Line 3 cookie sheets with nonstick foil or parchment paper.

Before beginning wipe down the bowl, whisk attachment, and spatula you are using with white vinegar. This removes any residual grease that could affect your meringues.

In a stand mixer use the whisk attachment to whip the egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tarter, vanilla, and salt. With mixer turned to high gradually add sugars. Whisk until all of the sugar is mixed in and shiny stiff peaks have formed.

If you want your meringues to be a deeper red fill fee to tint with food coloring.

Pipe in dollops onto lined baking sheets. Bake for 1 hour or until meringues are dry to the touch. Cool completely on a wire rack.

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