Tag: Jesus is the reason for the season

Food, Christmas

Christmas Crack

meghanewhite

If you are looking for a sweet, last minute, homemade gift, this is the one. This addictive toffee candy is fantastic. It hits all my requirements, simple and delicious. Don’t let the toffee intimidate you because it couldn’t be easier since you are not making actual toffee. No candy thermometer required, and you probably already have the ingredients on hand.

Customize the candy to your liking. Add nuts, sprinkles, and salt, or drizzle another type of chocolate on top. Christmas crack makes a nice gift for friends and family. It’s also great to have for your holiday gatherings. I hope you will give this delightful recipe a try.

Merry Christmas!

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Christmas Crack

 

 

Ingredients

1 to 2 sleeves saltine crackers (35 to 50 crackers)

1 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°.
  2. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment. 
  3. Place saltine crackers evenly in a single layer filling the baking sheet.
  4. In a medium sized sauce pan place brown sugar and butter. Over medium low heat, melt the butter. Turn up heat to medium/medium high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, set a timer for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour hot toffee evenly over crackers.
  6. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the hot layer and let sit for a few minutes. Spread melted chocolate evenly across the hot toffee layer.
  8. Add any toppings like nuts, salt, or sprinkles.
  9. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour to set up.
  10. Break into pieces and enjoy!

Notes

  • Add any toppings you prefer like nuts, salt, sprinkles, or drizzle melted chocolate.
  • It’s recommended to store the toffee in the fridge, but I keep it in a sealed container at room temperature.
  • I always use salted butter for all my baked goods. Use whatever you like.
  • For a 18 x 13 baking sheet it takes approximately 50 saltines.
  • For a 10 x 15 baking sheet it takes 35 saltines.
  • Pretzels, graham crackers, or other crackers can be used for the bottom layer.
  • Use your choice of chocolate: dark, milk, white, etc. 

Christmas, Food

Grinch Cookies

meghanewhite

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That mean ol’ Grinch inspired some really fun cookies. I can’t help but think of watching the classic Christmas cartoon special each year. The book is even better. In honor of the grumpy one you can enjoy this delightful cookie. It’s soft, chewy, and easy to make. The red hot is to represent the Grinch’s heart. You can use heart shaped sprinkles, or even M&M’s. I could not find the heart shaped sprinkles so red hots worked great.

Grinch cookies are a nice way to add something new to your holiday baking. They are delicious and a great conversation piece. These would be fun to make with kids. You could make a whole theme with the cookies, book, and cartoon, or movie. Or just make them to share with your friends and family. Have fun with these adorable cookies.

Happy baking!

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

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Grinch Cookies

Yield: 40 cookies

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup (4 oz.) softened butter

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

2 eggs

1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

1/4 tsp almond extract

green food coloring

1/2 cup powdered sugar

cinnamon red hots or heart-shaped sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line baking sheets with parchment.
  2. In a small bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl beat butter and sugar until well combined and creamy. Add eggs one at a time and blend until combined. Add the vanilla and almond extract. Add the green food coloring creating the color you desire. I used 12 drops.
  4. Slowly add the flour mixture to the egg mixture until combined. Don’t over mix.
  5. In a small bowl add the powdered sugar. Roll the cookie dough into 1 inch balls and evenly coat in the powdered sugar. Place on the baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges and bottoms are slightly golden brown, and the cookies are crinkled on top.
  7. While the cookies are still hot place a candy at the center and gently press. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes:

  • These cookies puff up while baking.
  • Make sure to place the candies on the cookies immediately after the cookies are out of the oven.
  • Be generous with the powdered sugar to ensure it sticks while baking.

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Christmas, Food

Hot Chocolate Bombs

meghanewhite

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Hot chocolate bombs are the bomb. Pun intended. These gorgeous spheres of hot cocoa goodness explode with marshmallows and chocolate when hot milk is poured over them. It’s satisfying to watch the chocolate melt and reveal all the deliciousness from inside the bomb. 

I’m late to the game with this fun treat. Hot chocolate bombs are so 2020. I say better late than never. I love trying new things, and I was determined to make these bombs. It was trial and error for me. I made some mistakes with my first batch, and improved my technique with my second go round.

I am not an expert on making hot chocolate bombs. I am a complete novice. If I can make them, you can make them too! The one thing you absolutely need is a silicone mold. I got mine from Amazon. There are ways to make bombs without molds, but I don’t have experience with that. I’m sharing the simple way I made them.

Hot chocolate bombs are delicious. The milk makes the cocoa extra creamy and flavorful. They make lovely homemade gifts. Who wouldn’t enjoy a ball of chocolate filled with hot cocoa and marshmallows that you made for them? Hot chocolate bombs are a fun unique treat to make and share. Make some today!

Happy Eating!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

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Hot Chocolate Bombs

Yield: 3 hot chocolate bombs (2 ½ inch sized)

Equipment

silicone 2 ½ inch semi sphere mold

parchment paper

pastry brush 

latex gloves (optional)

saucepan

heat proof bowl

cupcake liners

rubber spatula 

measuring cups

measuring spoons 

Ingredients

6 ounces chocolate almond bark

3 tablespoons hot cocoa mix

¾ cup mini marshmallows

sprinkles, crushed candy canes, chocolate chips (for filling)

3 cups hot milk for serving

Instructions

  1. Melt the chocolate in the microwave, or use a double boiler. 
  2. Add one tablespoon of the melted chocolate to each silicone sphere. Use the back of a spoon to spread the chocolate evenly in each mold, or use a small brush to paint the chocolate in the mold. Another method is to take the silicone mold with the melted chocolate and rotate it around until each sphere is evenly coated. Then place the mold upside down on parchment to let the excess chocolate run out. 
  3. Place the chocolate filled molds in the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
  4. Repeat the process with one more layer of melted chocolate. Place in the refrigerator for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. 
  5. Carefully remove each sphere from the silicone mold.
  6. Heat a small teflon coated pan over medium heat for a couple minutes. Take the pan off the heat. Place each sphere on the surface of the warmed pan for a few seconds to smooth out the edges. This will help when you seal up your bombs.
  7. Using a measuring cup, place one chocolate sphere on top to hold it in place as you fill it. Add 1 tablespoon of hot chocolate mix in the sphere. Then add about ¼ cup of mini marshmallows. You can also add crushed candy canes, or sprinkles. Just keep the edges clear so you can seal up your bomb.
  8. To seal the hot chocolate bomb heat the small frying pan again, just enough to warm it. Place the chocolate sphere in the pan for a few seconds and then carefully place it on top of the filled sphere. Gently press down to seal the edges. Put the completed bomb on the backside of a muffin pan to let it set up. Muffin pans turned over are great holders for hot chocolate bombs.
  9. Decorate with drizzled chocolate and sprinkles.
  10. Heat 1 cup of milk just until hot, not boiling. Place one bomb in a large mug. Pour hot milk over the top of your hot chocolate bomb and watch it open up with marshmallows. Stir and enjoy!

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Storage of Hot Chocolate Bombs

Keep your bombs in an airtight container at room temperature. They last for several weeks.

Use Gloves

To keep fingerprints off your chocolate use latex gloves when handling your chocolate bombs.

Tips on Chocolate

Baking chocolate bars, and chips can be used. These will need to be tempered.

The easiest chocolate to use is compound chocolate (almond bark, chocolate candy melts). You just melt the compound chocolate in the microwave, or in a double boiler and it’s ready. No tempering. 

How to Temper Chocolate

Microwave the chocolate for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between. Do this several times. It should be mostly melted, but there will still be pieces that are unmelted. Take it out of the microwave and stir until smooth and melted. To test if your chocolate is tempered pour a small amount of chocolate on a piece of parchment and place in the refrigerator for 5 minutes. If it’s shiny and breaks in half easily, it’s tempered. If it’s soft or dull it’s not tempered. To fix this, add a bit more chocolate and stir until it’s melted, or re-heat for a few seconds in the microwave until melted and smooth.

How to Use a Double Boiler

Place a small heatproof bowl filled with chocolate over a simmering pot of water. The bowl should not touch the water, but fit over the opening of the pot. The steam will melt the chocolate beautifully. Stir as the chocolate begins to melt until smooth. 

I hope you make these fun, yummy hot chocolate bombs. 

Merry Christmas!

All photos by Meghan E. White. 

Christmas, Food

Russian Tea Cakes

meghanewhite

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When I was a kid my mom called these delightful little cookies snowballs. It’s a cute name that perfectly describes these bite sized treats. Years later I was given this recipe for Russian tea cakes, and I’ve been making them ever since.

These are a favorite of my family at Christmas time. With a few simple ingredients you’ve got a wonderful buttery, crunchy cookie. They look so festive, like snow. A perfect holiday goody.

Walnuts add a delectable crunch. I highly recommend toasting the walnuts. This will add another depth of flavor to the tea cakes. Savory nuts and sweet powdered sugar come together perfectly in Russian tea cakes. These marvelous cookies will make a lovely addition to your holiday desserts.

Happy Eating!

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 

 

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Russian Tea Cakes

 

Ingredients

1 cup softened butter

½ cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 ¼ cups flour

¼ teaspoon salt

¾ cupped chopped walnuts

2 cups of powdered sugar for rolling the cookies

 

To Toast Nuts

  1. Preheat oven to 350°
  2. Spread nuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes. 
  3. Toast until browned. Keep a close eye on them as nuts can burn easily.

 

Instructions 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°
  2. Line baking sheets with parchment, or leave them ungreased.
  3. In a medium sized mixing bowl use a hand mixer to cream butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla thoroughly.
  4. Add the flour and salt. Mix until combined.
  5. Stir in the chopped walnuts.
  6. Cover and chill the dough for 20 minutes, or up to overnight.
  7. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet.
  8. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.
  9. In a small bowl place the 2 cups of powdered sugar.
  10. While still warm, roll the cookies in powdered sugar.
  11. Cool the cookies, and roll one more time in the powdered sugar.

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Notes

  • Pecans, and almonds can be used. 
  • Russian tea cakes can be kept in the freezer for up to 2 months.
  • Coat with powdered sugar before serving.

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Food

A New Cookbook!

meghanewhite

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I am excited to tell you about this brand-new cookbook! Simply Cooking is written by friend, and fellow author, Sharon Connell. These are tried and true recipes from over fifty years of cooking. It’s got everything from desserts to dinners. 

Simply Cooking has easy to follow directions for favorites like Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake and Swedish Meatballs. Yum! The cookbook is large like a workbook. Sharon even added a section on each recipe to make your own notes about changes you’ve made.

Simply Cooking is for the every day home cook like you and me. It’s user friendly, and filled with some fantastic recipes that you will absolutely want to make for your friends and family. 

As a bonus, a few of my recipes are in here as well as another author. Along with Sharon’s wonderful recipes there are cooking and household tips. There is also an index section where you can easily look up a recipe.

I love the layout of this cookbook. I love cookbooks. I cook a lot, and this one has a great format. All the cooks out there will appreciate this wonderful gem, Simply Cooking. 

You can choose the Kindle version or the paperback. I have both, and they are fantastic. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers Simply Cooking is free!

Simply Cooking would make a great gift, or add it to your collection. I love getting new cookbooks because that means new recipes to try. This is my favorite kind of cookbook since the cooking has been done in a real kitchen, with real results, over many years. These are winning recipes.

Happy Cooking!

Love you all,

Meghan