Search Results for: blog edible christmas masterpieces

Fun Christmas Bling

Who can resist a bit of bling around the holidays? I am not a flashy person, but when I saw Martha Stewart’s latest Christmas creation I stopped dead in my tracks. I actually turned off my vacuum and turned all of my attention to the TV where a tree bedazzled with dozens of shiny beaded ornaments and garland stood like a beacon of beaded glory. There’s no way I have the time, talent or budget to recreate Martha’s beaded masterpieces; however, I did some research online and found a few cheaper and affordable alternatives that can be made by people … Continue reading →

Christmas Backgrounds

Minted.com did an amazing job with my family’s Christmas photo cards. I had been searching for a card format that would allow for multiple images to be featured around some seasonal text, similar to a scrapbook layout, and the website delivered. Holiday photo cards have come a long way since double sided tape was used to adhere a standard snapshot to the inside of a traditional greeting card. These days you can create elaborate multi-page cards, which feature two to three images on each page. I can’t wait until someone comes up with a way to convert digital scrapbook layouts … Continue reading →

Have a Merry Minted Christmas

I don’t drink, but walking into Target or Wal-Mart right now makes me want to run home and pour myself a boot of something stronger than beer. Tis the season for breakouts and breakdowns. Seriously. Have you been to the mall recently? Retailers have dumped their Halloween costumes and candy; bypassed Thanksgiving paraphernalia; and are shoving Santa down customers’ collective throats. Fa-la-la-la. We’re not even 85 hours into November and I already feel my inner Christmas Grinch bubbling up from the bowels of my being. How can I feel so behind on Christmas preparations when I still have buckets of … Continue reading →

To Die For Christmas Treats

Have you ever had a dessert that you absolutely fell in love with? One that you dream of at night and placed on your list of foods to be included in your last meal on earth? That’s how I feel about the Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake I was served at a friend’s house last Christmas. The decadent dessert is to die for. Honestly, I would contemplate swimming in shark-invested waters if it meant that I would be rewarded with a slice of this incredibly rich cheesecake. I included the recipe below in case you want to impress your friends at your … Continue reading →

Quick and Easy Christmas Treats

My daughter’s school Christmas party is two days away and I haven’t bought a single ingredient for the dish I’m required to donate. Time has flown by this month and I’m behind of nearly all of my holiday baking. Fortunately, I have a stock of quick and easy Christmas treat recipes that can be whipped up at the last minute. If you need to donate holiday goodies to a class party or office get-together this week, consider the following super simple recipes: FRUIT CAKE BARS Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 cup butter or margarine 1 … Continue reading →

Chocolate Covered Christmas Goodies

So much for a low-calorie Christmas. My mom just sent a container full of homemade chocolate Christmas goodies and we just about polished off the entire tin. UGH! It’s a case of not being able to eat just one. The Mint Chocolate Wafers are heavenly, and once you start eating you simply can’t stop. Then again, I was never known for my exceptional willpower. Regardless, the treats are gone and if we want more I’m going to have to make them myself. Fortunately, the recipe is not hard. Take a look, and you will see how easy it is to … Continue reading →

Merry Christmas Breakfast Recipes

Christmas morning is not the time to be serving cold cereal and dry toast for breakfast. The special day deserves an extra special morning meal. However, it shouldn’t require you spending hours in the kitchen while the rest of the family enjoys playtime with their new gifts. So, what do you do? Consider whipping up the following simple, yet festively sweet breakfast recipes: ORANGE AND CRANBERRY CREME BRULEE FRENCH TOAST Ingredients: 2 tablespoons corn syrup 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1 loaf Texas Toast 5 eggs 1 1/2 cups half and half 1 teaspoon vanilla … Continue reading →

Christmas Cake and Cookies

I love the elaborate Christmas dessert buffets found at upscale restaurants and hotels during the holiday season. I prefer sampling a variety of sweet treats than gorging on a single piece of rich cake or pie. Those holiday dessert buffets inspire me this time of year. While I am far from an expert baker, I do my best to whip up an array of different desserts to serve on Christmas Day. Some are traditional, while others are far from holiday fare. Regardless, they are all delicious, and as you can see from the recipes I’ve listed below, they are also … Continue reading →

Christmas Cookie Bake-a-thon

It’s a blizzard out there! Seriously. A genuine, meteorologically categorized blizzard. Schools are closed, major highways are shut down, and frankly, I’m surprised that we still have power. It’s my first official blizzard and I don’t know who’s more excited about staying home all day, Mommy or the kid. The National Weather Service warned about the impending 18 inches of snow and 50 mph winds, so I prepared. I stocked up on all the essentials needed to turn today’s blizzard into a Christmas cookie-baking marathon. Here are just a couple of the holiday treats my daughter and I will be … Continue reading →

Go Red This Christmas

Put a little color into your season’s eatings. Why settle for drab brown and white Christmas cookies when you can serve up festive red ones instead? The following yummy desserts are not only packed with flavor, but they also feature colors that will get you into the Christmas spirit in no time: EASY RED VELVET CUPCAKES Cupcake Ingredients: 3 large eggs 3/4 cup unsalted butter 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 2 1/4 cups sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 2 tablespoons red food coloring 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 … Continue reading →