Search Results for: blog sweet treats for christmas gifts

Finding the True Meaning of Christmas

My 8-year-old has a severe case of the Christmas gimmies.  Unfortunately, I have myself to blame for her very unmerry malady. Whereas I am by no means showering the kid with pre-holiday presents, I haven’t been doing a very good job focusing on the “reason for the season” either. I’ve been swept into the chaotic tsunami that is the month of December.  Gifts to buy, wrap and mail; cookies to bake, decorate and distribute; cards to take photos for, write and stamp; and the list goes on and on. As a parent, it’s easy to get caught up in the … Continue reading →

Holiday Gifts from the Heart

The holiday season is an ideal time to teach kids about the importance of giving.  This year, though, consider doing one better by giving your children the opportunity to take a hands-on approach to gift-giving. There’s no need to break the bank purchasing expensive holiday presents for loved ones when you can use your creativity and other talents to craft a slew of special treats.  Show kids that by putting their heart into making a personal present for a loved one they will be giving a giving a gift you can’t put a price tag on. Some simple ideas include: … Continue reading →

Christmas in Summer

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve here in Australia. That means the last day for shopping and getting all those last minute food items. Not the ham though, I got that today. It also means I will be busy cooking pork and chicken and making babaganoush. Given a summer climate we don’t go into for roasts dinners on Christmas Day. Years ago we decided to go for what its better suited to the climate and have cold cooked meats and an array of salads. Tabouli is always one of our family’s favorites. But some of the other salads vary. As well as … Continue reading →

Simple Christmas Treats for the Gluten Free

Christmas time can be hard for those who are wheat and gluten free. There are so many treats they simply can’t eat. To make life easier for them try making some of the earlier suggestions for gluten free sweet treats and Christmas cakes. Here are a couple more simple recipes that you can take along to a party. The person who is gluten free will be pleased someone has considered them and made something they can eat. Another idea is to slip them in the school lunch box or whip up a batch as a small Christmas gift. Apricot Coconut … Continue reading →

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Handmade gifts can make the perfect Christmas gift especially for that hard to buy for person – you know the one I mean who seems to have everything. Nearly all of us know someone like that and it can be stressful trying to think what to give them. So why not give then something you have made yourself. Food products are nearly always welcome. In our food blog, you will find suggestions of slices, cookies and chocolates you can make. For those with a wheat and gluten allergy, many of them are gluten free. Don’t just put the gluten intolerant … Continue reading →

More Sweet Treats for the Lunchbox

Trying to think of something for a sweet change to put in the school lunch box or for those after school snacks? Here are a couple more gluten free sweet suggestions. Of course there’s no reason grown ups won’t enjoy them every bit as much as the kids. They’re both really easy to make and won’t take long, which is always a plus in my book. Apricot Fruit Bars Ingredients Three quarters cup dried apricots Hot water 2 cups SR gluten free flour Half teaspoon baking powder 1 cup raw sugar Three quarters cup coconut 6 ounces melted margarine Half … Continue reading →

Gluten Free Sweet Treats for Afternoon Tea or Lunchbox

If you have a gluten free person in your family it sometimes requires a bit of extra thought too come up with ideas for supper, morning or afternoon teas or to go in the school lunch box. Here are a couple of suggestions. Unfortunately many gluten free biscuit and slice recipes use honey which is not good for anyone allergic to it as I am. These two are honey free as well as gluten free. I’m sure your family will enjoy both these simple to make recipes. Children might even be able to help make them. Golden Crackles Ingredients 4 … 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 →

Bite-Sized Holiday Treats

Tis the season to be eating… and eating… and eating. I’ve been stuffing my mouth for the past week and Christmas is still five days away. Wherever you go during the holiday season, there’s usually some type of Christmas goodie to be devoured. Bite-sized treats are my favorite because you can sample a variety of recipes without feeling guilty. The following mini treats are among my holiday favorites: RASPBERRY BRIE BITES Ingredients: 4 ounces Brie 1/4 cup fresh or frozen raspberries 1/4 cup sliced almonds 12 phyllo cups Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash raspberries. Cut Brie into 12 … Continue reading →