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Coconut Candy Cane Cookies and Mega Chocolate Delights

It’s the eighth of December… how’s your Christmas cookie baking coming along? My sister-in-law just called to tell me that her kitchen resembles Mrs. Field’s, but not in a good way. The countdown to Christmas is on and if you haven’t already chosen the sweet treats you plan to lovingly prepare for family and friends, then you’ve come to the right place. I’m about to share two of my all-time favorite Christmas cookie recipes. The first recipe for Coconut Candy Cane Cookies was voted best holiday treat at the TV station I used to work at. Unfortunately, I wasn’t the … Continue reading →

Decadent Valentine’s Day Bar Cookies

Valentine’s Day is just a week away. Do you know what you’ll be cooking up for your sweethearts? This year I’ll be working overtime in the kitchen whipping up several Valentine’s Day desserts since this is the first time in more than a decade that my entire family (parents, siblings and their respective spouses and children, aunts, uncles, etc.) will be together on Love Day. Given that there will be a variety of people with varying tastes gathered for one meal I will be making two different bar cookies (they are really more cake-like squares). The first recipe features the … Continue reading →

Rocky Road Mud Cookies

Consider me a fan of anything that includes both milk chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Putting both into any type of dessert always yields a more richer and more complex flavor. In fact, here’s a little tip: if you add both semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips to your chocolate chip cookies. . .they’ll be doubly delicious. Just add half of each (as opposed to double the amount of chocolate called for.) In any case, these are a great snack to warm up your home on a cold winter’s day. I’m fairly sure I heard them calling for hot chocolate when … Continue reading →

How to Have a Choco-licious Christmas

Have you ever experienced the decadence of a chocolate molten lava cake? The devilishly good treat is comprised of a miniature cake with a hidden warm chocolate center that oozes out like lava from a volcano when pierced with a fork. It is sinfully delicious and now I’ve discovered a way to replicate the magic in a cookie. While I can’t take credit for creating the recipe (I got it from a holiday cookie swap), I can definitely attest to its phenomenal taste and ease of preparation. Ditto for another holiday classic that I traditionally prepare this time of year—-Chunky … Continue reading →

Holiday Drinks for Kids

While you are making plans to stock your bar for holiday guests don’t forget your youngest visitors who can’t imbibe in seasonal libations. It’s a good idea to mix up a few festive beverages for them to enjoy too. Whether you are looking for something warm to serve or need a way to liven up your holiday punchbowl, the following recipes should come in very handy: HOT CANDY CANE COCOA Ingredients: 4 cups whole milk 3 (1 ounce) squares semi-sweet chocolate, chopped 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed 1 cup whipped cream 2 to 3 extra candy canes Directions: In a … Continue reading →

Christmas Cookie Balls

Growing up my mom would make hundreds of snowball cookies at Christmastime. Once they were done baking she would allow me to roll them in powered sugar, and then my brothers had the task of packaging them up for family and friends. To this day snowball cookies are among my favorite holiday treats. I love the way you can easily pop them into your mouth one after the other, after the other… This year I plan to carry on the family tradition of baking snowballs, but will be adding a few new cookie ball recipes to the mix. The following … Continue reading →

Ideas for Edible Christmas Gifts

Here are a few recipes that your holiday guests will really go nuts for. They’re sweet, spicy and perfect to serve at a Christmas party, a family get together or to give away as holiday gifts. Christmas Cashews and Cinnamon Nuts were always a hit at my office during the holiday season. They are great for snacking and are loaded with healthy protein. What’s more, if you are looking for a simple and affordable homemade gift to give to your babysitter, paperboy, or your postal carrier, these nuts deliver. CHRISTMAS CASHEWS Ingredients: 1 teaspoon garam masala (located in the ethnic … Continue reading →

How to Make Homemade Peppermint Bark and Other Sweet Holiday Treats

If you are looking for an affordable edible gift to present to friends and family members this holiday season I highly recommend Peppermint Bark. Interestingly, I didn’t get my first taste of this delicious holiday treat until I was in my 20s. I was anchoring a local morning TV news show and a local chef came into the station to demo the recipe for a Christmas cooking segment. One bite and I was hooked. Chocolate and mint… who can resist that combination? What’s more, the recipe is fantastically simple to make. The other edible gift I like to pass out … Continue reading →

Kids in the Kitchen: How to Make Cute Chocolate Christmas Mice

“‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…” Mice and Christmas… it’s a combination most home cooks would rather not have to deal with. Unless, of course, you are making these adorable Chocolate Christmas Mice. This particular recipe is an ideal project for young children since it doesn’t include hot ovens, sharp utensils or boiling liquids. Rather, you will be using store-bought items and letting your kids use their imaginations to create cute little edible mice. Once you’re done making your tiny treats store them in an airtight container. … Continue reading →

Making Edible Reindeer and Other Holiday Treats with Your Kids

Cooking with young children may take twice as long, but it has the potential to be ten times as fun if you are working with kid-friendly recipes. The following holiday-themed recipes are among my 4-year-old’s favorites. Not only does she delight in getting to add ingredients, mix, scoop and stir, but the Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies also allow her to exercise her creativity in the decorating process. As for the Candy Cane Ice Cream Sandwiches, well, one look at the ingredients and you’ll see why this is a holiday classic in our home. PEANUT BUTTER REINDEER Ingredients: 1/2 cup creamy … Continue reading →