Christmas

Where would Christmas be without my cookie baking? This recipe became one of my Christmas cookies a few years ago. My preference is to use plastic cookie cutters, so if you are looking for some #BedBath&Beyond sells a box of 100 cookie cutters for every occasion. I used sprinkles and will frost with a Betty Crocker frosting tube. I have yet to make the icing within the recipe. If you try let me know.

The recipe is from the Land O Lakes website:

Cookie
1 cup Land O Lakes® Butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 Land O Lakes® All-Natural Egg
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup Land O Lakes® Butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Food color, if desired

Combine 1 cup softened butter, sugar and egg in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add orange juice and 1 tablespoon vanilla. Continue beating, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Add flour and baking powder; beat at low speed until well mixed.

Divide dough into thirds. Shape each third into a ball; flatten slightly. Wrap each in plastic food wrap; refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or until firm.

Heat oven to 400°F. Roll out dough, one-third at a time, on lightly floured surface (keeping remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8- to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut with 3-inch cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 6-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand 1 minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely.

Combine powdered sugar, 1/3 cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla in small bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often and gradually adding enough milk for desired spreading consistency. Tint with food color, if desired. Frost and decorate cooled cookies as desired.

Variation: Best Ever Butter Cookies with Glaze: Prepare cookies as directed above omitting frosting. To prepare glaze, stir together 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon Land O Lakes® Butter, softened, 1 tablespoon light corn syrup and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract in medium bowl until smooth, adding additional water, if necessary, to reach desired glazing consistency. Tint with food color, if desired. Glaze cooled cookies. Decorate as desired. Let stand 6 hours or overnight until glaze is hardened.

recipe courtesy of landolakes.com

Single Mom Chronicles: Alex and Ani-My New Gift to Me

Nov 4, 2014

For the past year I have noticed women with these silver and gold bracelets with dangles. I wondered what are these bracelets?, was it yet another new direct selling jewelry line? blah, blah, blah!!! My Facebook page kept popping up an Alex and Ani ads. I found my new must have jewelry accessory. Alex and Ani bracelets so of course I went to AlexandAni website. I loved the fact the bracelets are made in the USA. After celebrating my 45th birthday, I received a gift card for my bracelets. Woot Woot!!!!!!! Nordstrom here I come. I had to get my two initials and LOVE bracelets!!!!!! In addition to the initial tag, there is a tree of life stamp on one side and the recycle symbol stamped on the other side, made american flag and heart stamped on one side of tag, and an alex and ani tag.

I must admit this is an addiction because now I need to add a few gold ones. These are great gift ideas, the price range from $24 to $28. Check out the website for additional styles. Christmas is just around the corner so here’s an idea for you!!!!!

Recap: Christmas Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies

Dec 12, 2013

photocredit: cocoamommy

2 years ago I made my first attempt at Gingerbread cookies and of course my little Princess wanted to make Gingerbread people. I found plastic cookie cutters at Wegmans , Wilton Ready to Use Icing Tubes for decorating the cookies and reusable tips.

Here’s the recipe:

Gingerbread Men

3 cups flour
2 teaspoons McCormick® Ginger, Ground
1 teaspoon McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon McCormick® Nutmeg, Ground
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract

1. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses, egg and vanilla; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies as desired. Store cookies in airtight container up to 5 days.

recipe credit: mccormick.com

Fave Christmas Cookie Recipe

Dec 10, 2013

photocredit: cocoamommy

When I think of Christmas it reminds me of childhood traditions such as listening to Nat King Cole’s Christmas album, nuts, holiday candy, the smell of cinnamon and fresh fruit. I started baking at the age of 10 and Christmas was always a big deal. While my mother worked on the meal, I handled the baking. Christmas baking for me is all about cookies, cookies and more cookies. I have expanded into red velvet cupcakes to give a festive alternative. As a mom, my kids now have their Christmas cookie request. Last year, my then 4yo wanted gingerbread cookies and my then 11yo wanted his favorite, peanut butter. I can actually get away with not using the Hershey’s kisses. This oatmeal raisin cookie recipe has been my favorite for over 10 plus years. If time permits I will bake and take into work before the holiday break. Enjoy!

Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1/2 pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 cup raisins

Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F.
In large bowl, beat together margarine and sugars with electric mixer until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add to margarine mixture; mix well. Stir in oats and raisins; mix well.
Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely. Store tightly covered.

Bar Cookies: Press dough onto bottom of ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Cut into bars. Store tightly covered. 24 BARS. VARIATIONS: Stir in 1 cup chopped nuts. Substitute 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or candy-coated chocolate pieces for raisins; omit cinnamon. Substitute 1 cup diced dried mixed fruit. HIGH ALTITUDE ADJUSTMENT: Increase flour to 1-3/4 cups and bake as directed.

I hope you enjoy as much as we have through the years, Happy Holiday Baking!

Tween Chronicles: Gift Guilt

Jan 2, 2013

A month ago I explained to my tween how I was not feeling spending money on him for Christmas. After I evaluated the entire year and a recent incident that occurred a month before Christmas it was a given there would be no Christmas. My only purchase would consist of necessities and not things off of his “I want” list. Initially I guess as any parent there is a little inkling of guilt when you remove traditions from your children however I was over it really quickly. In my opinion, my child needs to understand that Christmas is not an obligation and it is a privilege to be fortunate enough to have Christmas. A

Another issue I had with him was the lack of remorse he had for why it was being taken away. I struggle with this kid’s nonchalant attitude on issues I think should be important. One conclusion I have reached is his sense of entitlement! He never has to work hard to gain so therefore a punishment of any kind is taken lightly.

When Christmas arrived and the tween spent the later part of the day with the “other parent” he was elated to have received an Ipod Mini. Personally, I felt the gift was overpriced and unnecessary! Although, this was not my money, I wrestled with understanding how my tween had come close to earning an Ipod Mini, that retails at $329. Unfortunately, I still do not see the lesson taught here. Yes, he wore me out with the constant instant messaging and FACETIME!

The tween returned home a day and a half after Christmas with his brand new shiny gadget. While he had delighted in showing off his new gadget, later on that evening he asked me “whether he deserved the gift” I had not response. He went on to say “he felt guilty about getting it”, my response was nothing more than a blank stare! It’s interesting how he felt guilt yet it was never returned to the buyer.

I will not waiver from sticking to my convictions even if that means removing traditions. My tween needs to at some point realize that gifts are earned in my universe and not freely given just because I the parent needs to prove a point. There is no lesson of value if I do not continue to put my foot down when it comes to my rules.

There’s always next year for earning back those privileges.

Rewind-Holidays: Christmas Dinner Recipes

Dec 26, 2012

I am so non-traditional when it comes to Christmas dinner. Last year, we had lobster tails, crabcakes, twice baked potatoes, and steamed asparagus. For some odd reason, I am in the mood for seafood again.

Last night I found a delectable recipe one of my favorite social network sites, Pinterest!

Source: puffpastry.com via Cocoa on Pinterest

Last year I used this recipe for twice baked potatoes:

Source: foodnetwork.com via Cocoa on Pinterest

I think I will do crabcakes and steamed asparagus again……..These look yummy too!

Source: foodnetwork.com via Cocoa on Pinterest

Sounds yummy hopefully I can pull it off and the kids are another story…..They are not foodies yet; so a PB & J may work who knows…..

Dessert last year was banana pudding, I used Paula Deen’s Not Yo’ Mama’s Banana Pudding without the Chessmen Cookies

photocredit: cocoamommy.com

Christmas Cookie Exchange

Dec 14, 2012

photo credit: cocoamommy

Since one of my Christmas rituals is to bake cookies, and cookies and more cookies. I thought it would be fun this year to host a bake off with the cousins. It will include some of my favorite recipes vanishing oatmeal raisin cookies, peanut butter blossoms, and magic cookie bars.

photo credit: cocoamommy

Vanishing Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

1/2 pound (2 sticks) margarine or butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
3 cups Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)
1 cup raisins

recipe credit: quaker.com(recipe on lid of quaker oats)

photo credit: cocoamommy

Magic Cookie Bars

Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 cups (12 oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts

Instructions

HEAT oven to 350°F. Coat 13 x 9-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray.
COMBINE graham cracker crumbs and butter in small bowl. Press into bottom of prepared pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts. Press down firmly with fork.
BAKE 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Loosen from sides of pan while still warm; cool on wire rack. Cut into bars or diamonds.
For perfectly cut cookie bars, line entire pan with foil, extending foil over edge of pan. Coat lightly with no-stick cooking spray. After bars have baked and cooled, lift up with edges of foil to remove from pan. Cut into bars.
VARIATIONS
SUBSTITUTE chocolate chips or nuts with candy coated pieces, dried cranberries, raisins, mini-marshmallows or butterscotch chips.

recipe credit: eaglebrands

Peanut Butter Blossoms

48 HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup REESE’S Creamy Peanut Butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional granulated sugar

Directions

1 Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.
2 Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
3 Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
4 Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each
cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
About 4 dozen cookies.

My Tip: unwrap kisses once put in first batch and store somewhere cool; they need to be firm before touching the warm cookies (refrigerate)

recipe credit: hersheys.com

Since the cousin’s only see one another once or twice a month, I thought we would plan a fun night of salad, pizza, fruity beverages, snacks. The activity of the day will be baking our cookies. Now since I’ m hooked on Pinterest, I found the most crafty cookie container ideas on Pottery Barn Kids, so of course I pinned them below.

Source: potterybarnkids.com via Cocoa on Pinterest

Parenting: The Real Meaning of Christmas for Kids

Dec 12, 2012

photocredit: cocoamommy

As a child Christmas was the one holiday I absolutely looked forward to each year. I was never a kid who believed in Santa Claus but it was still special. It is amazing how each year certain smells are reminiscent of Christmas pasts. Our house was always decked out with decorations and for some reason there was an artificial tree that lasted for years. I can remember the smell of fresh fruit and nuts in the dining room. The sounds of Nat King Cole’s Christmas album playing in the background. It was a few days of yummy treats and a buffet of delicious foods.

I am now the mom of two kids, 12yo son and 6yo daughter and Christmas has taken on a different perspective for me this year. After reflecting on the entire year, I am not overally anxious to spend money on the usual material wares. I find that the novelty wears off very quickly as the kids today are more hooked on gadgets. Between the two of them there is a laptop, Ipod Touch, Ninentendo 3DS and my Ipad which is borrowed. I ask what more could they possibly want? right?

Am I being the Scrooge who stole Christmas? I would rather we donate our time and energy serving meals at a shelter or donating toys to those who are less fortunate. Then spend two days of the week away to enjoy bonding time together and being thankful for a new season and upcoming year. I had planned to for us to re-visit DC after we were there in February for our White House tour. A day at the National Museum of Natural Science is not only educational but a whole lot of fun. For me any time away from our normal hustle and bustle is a treat.

What are your thoughts on the real meaning of Christmas? HeadStrong Parent….