Foodie Christmas Gifts 2018 {Week 1}

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we can officially begin the MOST wonderful time of year! I can't help it. Christmas is my absolute favorite holiday and I treasure each and every second.

When my good friend Bekki asked me if I could spare some blog time for her to share some fantastic homemade foodie gifts, I said "Absolutely!" 

Homemade gifts are so special, and such a great way your loved ones you really put some effort into their gift, and stay on budget too! So, for the next few weeks Bekki is going to be sharing some of her favorites with us! 

Can you believe we just had Thanksgiving? I can still smell Turkey and all the glorious sides wafting around me. If you’re anything like me, sharing food is a favorite thing to do during the holidays. Whether it’s your neighbors, your child’s teacher, your postal carrier, or even your doctor’s food gifts give a sense of warmth. Like giving someone a basket of muffins, isn’t just the sweet treat but love from your kitchen to them. In this recipe we’re dressing up chocolate muffins. How can you dress up chocolate muffins you ask? Well add more chocolate and peppermint of course. Come with me, as we create this dolled up recipe for the upcoming holiday and turn it into a fun gift as well. 

 

 Triple Chocolate Peppermint Muffins

 

Ingredients:

 

1 Fleishmann’s Simply Homemade Double chocolate muffin mix

2/3 c. water

¾ c. vegetable oil

2 eggs

½ c. mini chocolate chips

½ c. peppermint chips

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 6 large muffin cups with paper liners OR spray with cooking spray, set aside.

 

Combine mix, water, eggs, and oil in a large mixing bowl with a spoon, stir until blended. Add chips and stir to combine.

 

Fill prepared cups with batter, to ¾ full.

 

Bake muffins for 35 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes then remove from pan.

 

Fill your favorite basket with the cooled muffins and share with someone today! Enjoy! 

 

From Our Family to Yours...

I can't believe we only have one week left. That's right, only 7 more days until the most magical day of the year is upon us. Are you caught up in the holiday hustle and bustle? Are you done and able to take a minute and enjoy the sights and the sounds of the season? Either way, this next week will no doubt go by in the blink of an eye. 

Since we begin Christmas vacation from school today, I will be taking next week off to spend with little man and get every last drop out of our holiday as I can. I will be back the week of New Year's to share a great appetizer for your New Year's Eve bash; but until then, I thought it would be best to leave you with a simple, yet totally inspired Christmas dessert. 

Candy canes at Christmas are like jellybeans at Easter. They are truly this season's mascot candy. And now you can have the same flavor, in a super simple, yummy sweet treat you can easily add to your holiday menu! It could easily be made for a few or a lot, and your guests will love it! 

I hope this is your most magical holiday season to date, and you get to spend it with those whom you love most in the world. From our family to yours...

Merry Christmas!!!

Candy Cane Fluff

24 large marshmallows

1/2 c. half and half

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. peppermint extract

1 (8 oz.) tub Cool Whip

Red Food Coloring

Crushed Candy Canes

Combine half and half and marshmallows in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stir constantly, until marshmallows melted and mixture is combined and smooth. Remove from heat. Add vanilla, peppermint and food coloring. Chill for 10 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip. Top with crushed candy. Chill until serving.

Shared at Weekend Potluck

 

Merry Christmas Eve!!

Today, since it's Tuesday, normally I would not have a new recipe for you. However, being a special day, I wanted to have something yummy to share. So, I asked my dear sweet friend Bekki (whom you usually see on Saturday with Soul Food Saturday) to come into the EMM kitchen and whip something up. But, what she has to share is actually something I made years ago that I shared with her and she decided to try too.

About 7 years ago I hosted Adam's family for the first time on Christmas Eve. It was actually a last minute type of thing due to illness, and while I wasn't responsible for all the food, I wanted to make dessert something truly yummy and festive for my first holiday party in our home! This recipe was so incredibly easy and was a huge hit with everyone. Bekki took the original and has made it her own. If you're looking for something for tonight or tomorrow, there is still time to make this!

Happy Christmas Eve to all of you, thank you for sharing some of your day with me.

Today I am sharing a recipe that is now part of our family table, and has graced the Everyday family table as well. During my childhood every Christmas Eve was spent at my Mama Lupe’s house. Her home was always warm, and smelled of spices, and delicious food. It always started with dinner and continued through the night. There was always a big pot of home made hot chocolate on the stove, and big pots waiting for the mountain of tamales being made by all aunts, uncles, and cousins. The younger of us were shuffled out of the small kitchen with mugs full of chocolate that warmed our hands and our bellies. But no matter the amount of times we were asked to please step out we were back nosing in discussion or stealing “tastes” of the delectable meat fillings lining the counter top. The house was filled with music and Christmas movies always had a place in part of our evening. The fireplace reminded us children that Santa would be coming, but it never seemed soon enough. We often thought if we laid close enough to it that maybe, just maybe we’d catch a glimpse of that snow white beard and hear the reindeer bells. Now that we have all grown up, many of us with families of our own are making new memories. 2 of my husband’s absolute favorite treats are ice cream and cookies. I haven’t found any that didn’t make him happy. So this recipe had to be tested in our house, and shared with ones we love. Peppermint ice cream with an Oreo crust, how could that be bad? With whipped topping and white chocolate peppermint bark pieces on top. Yes it really is that good! Grab a spoon and a friend this one is best shared!

Peppermint Oreo Pie Adapted from Taste of Home

2 Oreo cookie crusts

1 half gallon peppermint Ice Cream, softened

2-8oz Cool Whip, thawed

1 package White chocolate peppermint bark pieces

1 jar hot fudge sauce for drizzle on top

Plastic wrap for wrapping before freezing

Thaw cool whip in the fridge completely before using. Place ice cream on a plate on your counter to soften, enough to scoop easily with a large spoon. Remove wrapping from pre-made Oreo pie shells and set aside. Take cool whip out and mix containers to ensure they are completely thawed and free of lumps, then set aside. When ice cream has softened just enough, scoop half of container into first pie shell. And repeat with the second half into the second shell. Top each with cool whip and sprinkle peppermint bark pieces to finish. Wrap in each in plastic wrap and place in the freezer.

Remove just before serving and allow at least 10 minutes before slicing.

 *Being frozen it could be difficult to slice through, so care and patience is necessary here* 

Drizzle hot fudge over each slice as desired. Enjoy! Merry Christmas, and let them eat Peppermint Oreo Pie!

Weekend Company {Guest Blogger Bekki}

Whew...3 days people! We are down to the wire! Are you ready for Christmas? Are the cookies baked, presents wrapped? Are the kids bouncing off the walls yet? Monkey is so excited for the 2 week vacation from school and the holidays, he can barely contain himself. I can't say I blame him though! Today I'm happy to have a returning guest, and loyal friend to EMM, Bekki back in the kitchen with me. She is such a sweet gal, because she stepped up when I needed this holiday guest blogger, and then she agreed to do next week's too! So, be sure to come back then to see what other yummy thing she is sharing, but for now, here she is with not one, but two holiday treats!

I am married to my wonderful husband Josh, have a beautiful 12 year old step daughter Amy and 2 furbaby sweethearts Minnie and Shadow. I am a self taught baker/cook. I taught Wilton cake decorating for a while, worked in a grocery store bakery and have even spent time baking wedding/birthday cakes as a hobby on the side. My love for cooking has been since childhood. Spending time with my mother, aunts, and grandmothers. Aiding in their recipes or just being there for the conversation. Its always been a source of calm, peace, and ultimate fulfillment. The idea that you add your love to each recipe and share it with the people you care about is such an amazing blessing to me in more ways then I can ever put on paper. I have decided writing a cookbook was something I could do to share my love of food with family, friends, and whomever else comes my way. I hope your day is blessed with all your favorite things.

Here we are, ready and waiting for parties with our families, long time traditions and warm evenings by the fire with a Christmas Story. Here’s a spin on milk and cookies for Santa. How about something warm with a little kick to keep him going. These candy cane cookies mix the idea of a powdered donut, a candy cane and a cookie all in one! Who wouldn't love to share that? These cookies along with a little grown up hot chocolate, add the flavor of coffee but nothing that will have you or your little ones flying through the house all through the night. I hope you all have a joyous Christmas, blessed to God’s fullest. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Candy Cane Crispers  Adapted by A Family Christmas

1c. butter, room temperature

1 1/4c. confectioners' sugar plus additional for coating

1 1/2tsp. vanilla

1 1/3c. flour

1c. rolled oats

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 coarsley crushed candy canes

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and lightly flour a baking sheet.

In a large bowl beat together butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla.

In another another bowl, stir together flour, rolled oats and salt; blend with butter mixture. Roll dough into 3/4 inch balls; roll in confectioners' sugar to coat. Place about 2 inches apart on prepare baking sheet. Flatten cookies with a fork, making a crisscross pattern with the fork tines. Sprinkle each with about 1/2tsp. crushed candy canes. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until edges are lighty browned. Cool on baking sheet for 2-3 minutes; transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 4 dozen.

Photo from A Family Christmas Cookbook

Fiesta Mexican Hot Chocolate Adapted from A family Christmas

2 c. hot milk

1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tbs. instant coffee granules

1/2 tsp Vanilla

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

 Place hot milk, chocolate chips, coffee granules, vanilla and cinnamon

in a blender. Cover; mix thoroughly until chocolate chips are incorporated.

Beat with mixer until light and frothy. Makes 2 cups. 

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After School During The Holidays

It wasn't so long ago I was so blessed to be at home every day, all day with my little man. Okay, I guess it has been almost 4 years ago, but that time has gone by in the blink of an eye. See, until he started preschool 3 days a week, it was just me and him. And I am so thankful for that time I had, and especially during the holiday season. During a typical day, I was always trying to find fun activities for us to do, and things to keep him busy, stimulated, learning, and entertained, and at Christmas time, that usually put us in the kitchen. Either at the counter and oven making something yummy to surprise Daddy with after work, or at the dining room table making a fun, festive craft. I can still hear him asking "Mommy, what are we making today" morning after morning. Well, these days, his teacher (lucky guy) gets to spend the majority of his week with him, and with homework, Taekwondo and other obligations, I have to fit in our special time together in other ways. And I don't want to wait for Christmas Break, because this year, that doesn't happen until 3 days before Christmas, and between the holiday gatherings and a family wedding, we're going to be a little too busy to be in the kitchen, at least together. So I have to split the fun holiday treat making into 2 categories. Those that I know he wants to help with, and would be crushed if I did on my own, and those that while fun, he's really going to be more interested in eating than anything else. And that's why these first appeared at our house last Friday as an after school treat for my Monkey. Even thought I did them on my own, kids would be terrific at helping and would love getting their hands into that melted chocolate! It's always a fun time getting your kids into the kitchen with you, but that fun is only multiplied during the holiday season. Make the memories while you can, because take it from me, they grow up way too fast!

 Double Candy Cane Oreos
1 package Winter Oreos (the ones with the red center)
1/4 tsp peppermint extract
2 c. white chocolate chips
2 TBS vegetable shortening
Candy Canes, crushed

In a glass bowl combine chips and shortening. Microwave 1 minute. Stir. Microwave 30 seconds more. Stir until completely melted. Add peppermint extract. Stir well.  Dip cookies into chocolate. Place on cooling racks on a cookie sheet and place in fridge for about 10 minutes to set. To remove lift racks from sheet, and using your fingers on the underside of them, gently pop cookies off. They will stick a bit, so just be patient. Keep refrigerated.

Shared on The Country Cook Dec. 14, 2012
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box Dec. 18, 2012

Cookies at Very Good Recipes
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Pick Me Up In The Heat

Many days, I am so busy during the morning and early afternoon I don't even realize if I'm getting tired or not. I guess it's just what I like to call "mommy mode". You know what I'm talking about. We are so busy running here and there with the kids, or cleaning the house, or working, or keeping them entertained we just don't have time to dwell on the fact that maybe we didn't sleep well the night before, or like me sometimes hardly at all. Yes, I'm an occasional insomniac, from way back! I've never been one to go to bed early, and to this day, I'm quite the night owl. I think that is one of the reasons why Adam and I fell in love because he was up all night as a radio deejay and I was awake to listen. (Awwwww....) And then of course, once you have kids, you don't sleep through the night again! Not necessarily b/c they aren't sleeping (Yes, we're the parents others want to smack b/c our baby slept through the night at 4 weeks and never looked back!), but b/c as a mom, you just have so many things running through your head, you can't shut it off to sleep. So anyway, a lot of days, around 3pm I start to hit a wall, and my eyes start to droop. Well, that just isn't allowed! I've got too much to do! My cure? In the winter time I brew a pot of coffee and treat myself to a hot cup and sit down for a few minutes. And usually it works like a charm, I get my 2nd wind and I'm ready to go again. But when the thermometer reads 100+, I'm sorry, coffee is the last thing on my mind. It's just too darn hot. I know some can drink it no matter what the temp, but I just can't. But iced coffee....that's a different story! Why not. Same concept, just cold and refreshing. Plus, making it at home instead of paying $4 in a drive thru somewhere, I save money, and can make as much as I need/want! If you're like me and need a little pick me up, rather in the morning, or in the middle of the afternoon, try this creamy tasty energy boost!

Peppermint Vanilla Iced Coffee Adapted from Folgers
1/2 c. your favorite ground coffee (I like Dunkin Donuts)
3 c. cold water, divided
1/2 c. sugar.
1/2 c. half and half, chilled
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
Ice Cubes

Brew coffee in coffee maker using 1 1/2 cups water. Combine hot brewed coffee and sugar in glass bowl or pitcher. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Stir in remaining cold water and half and half. Add vanilla and peppermint and mix well. Chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice.

Shared on The Country Cook July 13, 2012
Shared on Make Ahead Meals July 16, 2012 
Shared on Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen July 16, 2012 
Shared on Mandy's Recipe Box July 17, 2012

Coffee at Very Good Recipes
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