Crinkle Cookies for Santa

I saw these cookies a few years ago in a magazine, we tried them and loved them. This year after I made them my husband informed me that these were one of his 2 Favorite cookies, and proceeded to eat as much as I would allow. Since I made these to give out to neighbors I kinda had to hide them from him. But in his defense they are REALLY REALLY GOOD!

So while we already made these a couple of times and ate most of them, we have decided to make them for Santa as well because doesn't he deserve the BEST, and they are the BEST!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season and I will report back after Christmas with all the goodies I have eaten and made, here are a couple that you may find some use for.

Chocolate Crinkles

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 ounces mini semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup powdered sugar

In a large bowl mixt together he melted butter, cocoa powder, and sugar. Wisk in the eggs and vanilla extract. In a medium size bowl, stir together the four, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Use a large spoon to slowly add he dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture. Stir in the chips . Refrigerate dough 2 hours.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Form the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll them in confectioners sugar. Bake the cookies on an un-greased cookie sheet for 10 min. Set the sheet on a wire rack for 5 min. then lightly dust the cookies with powdered sugar. Transfer cookies to rack to cool completely. Makes 4 dozen.

Once again these are so good and taste like little truffle cookies, so moist and rich and oh just perfect. Also here is a cute way to give them to a friend.

Put some cute paper on an empty pringles can.

For Steve's Birthday this year I did a Cereal bar party, I also made a couple of breakfast casseroles. This one from Pioneer Woman was INCREDIBLE. It was totally different and so good everyone loved it and it was the first one gone. The secret is the Pita Chips, if you have ever had these you know they rock, if not you are missing out.

This is what I will be making for Christmas Morning, I am already excited for it!

Here is the recipe I used, next time I make it though I will be adding at least 4-6 more eggs. It did not have enough. Just fyi

Recipe: Mushroom Bacon Breakfast Strata

Prep Time: 20 Minutes | Cook Time: 20 Minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Servings: 12

• 10 slices Bacon, Cut Into 1/2" Pieces
• 12 whole White Mushrooms, Sliced
• 8 whole Eggs Beaten
• ½ cups Half-and-half
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• 4 ounces, weight Cream Cheese
• ½ cups Grated Cheddar Cheese
• 10 ounces, weight Stacy's Simply Naked Pita Chips

Preparation Instructions

Fry bacon pieces in a large skillet until done but not overly crispy. Drain on a paper towel, pour grease from skillet. Add mushrooms to skillet (don’t clean skillet first) and cook until done.

Mix eggs, half-and-half, salt, and pepper.

Arrange pita chips in an 8 x 11-inch baking dish. Slightly press to flatten. Tear pieces of cream cheese and evenly distribute over the top of chips. Distribute mushrooms and bacon over the top of this, followed by the cheddar cheese. Pour egg mixture evenly over all ingredients.

Place into the fridge for several hours of overnight (makes a handy breakfast casserole!), then bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until eggs are set. Cut into squares and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Progressive Dinner

We have been doing Progressive Dinner with the Cummards for awhile now. This was my family's first year to do it. It is such a fun way to see everyones Christmas Decor while enjoying AMAZING food! My family sure knows how to bring it.

The first house was appetizers with Hayley & Brett the newlyweds!

She made spinach and artichoke dip & , jalapeno jelly with cream cheese.

Brett decided to get fancy and made this super Delicious Brie En Croute, I have been seeing this everywhere but didn't really think I liked Brie, well I was wrong this puppy was to die for. The puff pastry was stuffed with brie, pecans and brown sugar - Hello this was almost dessert and dang good. Also could it look any fancier. If you are looking to impress this is the way to go.

Ingredients

(adapted from Martha Stewart0

Serves 12 to 16

• 1/2 cup pecan halves
• 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 2 standard packages (17 1/4 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 wheel (2.2 pounds) Brie
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine pecans and sugar, using your fingertips to thoroughly mix; set aside. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat (French nonstick baking mat) or parchment paper; set aside.
2. Lightly dust work surface with flour. Place two sheets (one box) of puff pastry on the work surface one on top of the other. Using a rolling pin, adhere the two pieces of the puff pastry together. Continue rolling puff pastry until it is very thin, slightly less than 1/8 inch thick. Using a pastry wheel or a sharp knife, cut the puff pastry into a 13-inch round, reserving scraps for decorating.
3. Place the Brie in the center of the puff pastry. Top the Brie with pecan mixture, spreading to within 1/2 inch of the edge of the cheese. Be sure to remove any sugar or nuts from the puff pastry, as they may cause holes to form during baking. Fold puff pastry up and over Brie to enclose. The center of the Brie will not be completely covered with pastry. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.
4. Lightly dust work surface with flour. Repeat rolling and cutting process with remaining two sheets of puff pastry. Drape pastry over the Brie, tucking the edges under to enclose.
5. In a small bowl, combine egg yolk and cream to make an egg wash. Cut reserved scraps of puff pastry into decorative shapes. Using a pastry brush, gently brush the decorative shapes with the egg wash, and adhere to wrapped Brie. Brush the wrapped Brie evenly with the egg wash. Transfer to refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake Brie until golden brown and puffed, about 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake until dark golden brown, 25 to 35 minutes more.

Next was Colin & Heather's

Wow she really went all out.

Look at this drink station, yes those glasses are rimmed with sugar and limes!

What a gorgeous table setting!

I forgot to take a pic of the food but it was superb, she had chicken recipe from Kona grill with some amazing sauces and mashed potatoes. I am definitely going to be getting this recipe so stay tuned.

Last but not least my house for Dessert. I made Hot Chocolate Truffle balls from Mels Kitchen.

As soon as I saw these I knew I would be making them, they are super simple and a cute way to have hot chocolate.

(I think next time I am going to try milk choc. chips instead of semi-sweet. )

Red Velvet Cake from Costco

try this you will not be disappointed.

Hudson made cookies with his cousins and brought them to share at the party

Everyone got a treat to pick from

Holiday Aroma

Peppermint Bark -from Costco

Trail Mix -from Costco

Candied Cinnamon Sugared Almonds

- these were better than the ones at the mall, and Jackson made them all by himself!

Holiday Aroma

Every year my mother-in-law's house smells oh so Good!

She burns this little mix of stuff on the stove that is just divine. I always say I am going to make it to pass out to friends and neighbors, and use for myself. Well this year I finally did it, I love it and it is so easy. You just put all the stuff into a pot on the stove and keep it on low, refresh it with water and when it stops smelling do a new batch.

Holiday Aroma

1 small orange

1 lemon

2 tbsp. of cloves

1-3 cinnamon sticks

1 bay leaf

Slice and mix in one quart water, place on low on stove, renew with fresh water.