Holiday Recipe Recap...

As you all know, I've been baking quite a bit recently. Due to this I haven't been able to post anything new. So, I thought I'd re-post a few great recipes from the blog that would be perfect for your upcoming holiday shindig!

This Brie Cheese Bread Bowl is a family favorite.

Crab Bruschetta is fabulous!

Love this Potato Cheese Soup!

This Chicken and Cannellini Bean Stew is a hearty and healthy choice for your celebration.

Turkey and Sun Dried Tomato Meatballs look festive and are full of flavor.

Spicy Tomato and Thyme Linguine is a wonderful dish.

Roasted Gemstone Potatoes look lovely and taste great, too!

Roasted Asparagus  has to be my favorite vegetable side dish!

Monkey Bread Muffins with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting... perfect for Christmas morning!

White Chocolate Cranberry Scones can be made a few days ahead for a simple, easy breakfast.

Sour Cream Pie with Orange Cranberry Sauce is delicious!

Broiled Plums with Mascarpone Whipped Cream are light and elegant.

Make these Candy Cane Sleds for a cute treat!

Or share some Hawaiian Snowballs with your guests.

Hope you decide to try a few of these recipes...... I've certainly enjoyed making them!

Day of Silence...

 

Peace and Love, my friends...

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars...

I know I've been posting a lot of sweets, but really, I positively cannot help it.

It's Christmastime, people.

I'm a baking fool this time of year.

I love baking anyway, but Christmas baking is so much fun! It wouldn't be Christmas without all the goodies we have in the house or without delivering some to those we know.

The down side of this...... having sweets in the house pretty much THE ENTIRE MONTH OF DECEMBER!!!

Why?

There goes my diet. Yep, the one I've been on, oh... since after I gave birth to my 13 year old.

Although, I am doing pretty well as of this week. I've learned not to deprive myself. That's the key, because if I do, I'll end up scarfing my face full of more than just Christmas cheer.

Capeesh?

 A sugar overload. Not good.

So, I've decided a small sweet a day will be perfect. I get my fix, without over indulging. A win/win in my book.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

• 1 Stick of Butter
• 1 Sleeve Graham Crackers (About 2 Cups), Finely Crushed
• 1 Cup Milk Chocolate Morsels
• 1 Cup Peanut Butter Morsels
• 1/4 Cup Peanuts, Finely Chopped*
• 1/4 Cup Pecans, Finely Chopped (Optional)*
• 1 Can (14 oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk

* Add the peanuts and/or the pecans to your taste.

Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees (F).

Place the butter in a glass 13x9 baking dish and set in the oven to melt, watching carefully. Once the butter is melted, carefully remove it from the oven and layer the crushed graham crackers, morsels, and nuts in that order. Drizzle the milk over the layers, making sure to saturate the ingredients well. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until very bubbly and somewhat browned on top. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool and set completely (3-4 hours). It will look a little gooey, until the bars set. Cut into squares or triangles. Makes about 15 squares or 30 triangles, depending on how large the bars are cut.

Enjoy! 

White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge...

I can't believe that we are into the month of December!

I always try to get my Christmas shopping done early, but that never seems to be the case... although I am done before Christmas Eve.

If only I could be done by December, so I can dedicate the entire month to Christmas baking. I love baking up goodies to hand out to family, friends, neighbors, teachers... you name it. 

I know you and you live in good proximity to me... you're getting baked goods!

This year, I'll also be baking yummies for my husbands co-workers. I'm dedicating this weekend to nothing but baking. I'll be on baking overload...

... wish me luck!

Do you bake till you drop around the holidays? Do tell.

P.S. Make these while your at it!

White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Slightly Adapted from Eagle Brand Chocolate Fudge

• 3 Cups White Chocolate Morsels 
• 1 (14 oz) Can, Sweetened Condensed Milk
• Pinch of Salt
• 1 Teaspoon, Mint or Peppermint Extract
• 3 Large Peppermint Candy Canes, Crushed

Begin by lining an 8 inch square pan with wax or parchment paper, overlapping the paper on the sides for easier removal of the fudge once set.

Combine the morsels, milk, and salt in a medium sized heavy duty saucepan. Melt on low heat, stirring constantly. Once smooth, remove from the heat and stir in the extract. Pour the mixture into the lined 8 inch pan. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy canes over the top of the fudge and gently press in place. 

Chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours, or until set. Cut into squares, and store in parchment lined tins or Tupperware in the refrigerator. Set out a few minutes before serving, so the fudge softens a bit. Makes around 16 squares. More or less depending on how big the squares are cut.

Enjoy!

I'm linking this post up to I'm Lovin' It.