Today our older son came over to help around the house. He polished cabinets and furniture for me in preparation for the Open House. Such a huge help! After DH came home from his morning meeting, they worked outside, putting up Christmas lights. The porches are festooned, the carport is outlined in lights, and the […]
Toffee Bar Crunch Biscotti is a delicious cookie that I make each year for our Christmas Open House. It is perfect with a delicious cup of freshly ground coffee. I made two batches of the recipe today, and that made five loaves. It is cut, set on its side, and baked a second time to […]
Open House is getting closer. We’re counting down. Just a week left. Today our older son and his family came to help with decorating and cleaning. Along with our two daughters, DH, and my sister Genny, a lot was accomplished! The downstairs is almost entirely ready. Besides the kitchen, of course. Cleaning it for company […]
The past few days, I made several recipes for the freezer in prep for our annual Christmas Open House. Daniel’s Cookie Bar Bites are a favorite. A few days before the party, I will thaw the cut cookie bars and dip them in chocolate, then decorate them with a variety of sprinkles. Until then, the […]
Yesterday, I baked Nutmeg Logs for the Christmas Open House. I’m a little behind on baking, but still have four weeks, right?? I like to cut the cookies with the crimped pastry cutter. It gives the cookies a decorative edge. I make these rather thin because that creates a crisp cookie. The cookie platter needs […]
Chocolate Creams 1 pound semi-sweet chocolate 1 pound unsweetened chocolate 1 c. heavy whipping cream To make the cream centers, melt the chocolate. I use the microwave, heating the chocolate for two minutes at 40% power. Stir and reheat for 30 seconds at 40% power, repeating until almost melted. Stir until completely melted. Transfer the […]
One of my favorite Christmas not-a-cookie treats are Date Balls. They are delicious. Thanks, again, to my friend Mellanie who shared this recipe with me. Date Balls (Makes about 90 pieces.) 1/2 pound butter (2 sticks) 1 pound dates, diced or chopped 2 c. sugar Cook over medium heat 10 minutes, stirring constantly. DO NOT […]
Sugar Cookie Crisps I found this recipe (called Sugar Cookies X) at allrecipes.com in November of 2000, and I’ve been making it ever since. They are sugary and crispy delicious. Preheat oven to 350*F. In a large bowl, mix till creamy: 2 c. white sugar 1 c. vegetable oil 1 c. butter 1 tsp. vanilla […]
I found this recipe while looking for cookie recipes to try out for our annual Christmas open house. I like something fancier for the party, but DD said we should make them for the open house. If I could incorporate chocolate somehow…. We will certainly make these again. They are delicious. Great honey / peanut […]
Lindsey and Tricia, this is for you. 🙂 So glad you were able to come yesterday! These sugarplums are delicious and easy to make. I double the following recipe for the open house. Sugarplums * 3/4 c. raisins * 3/4 c. chopped dates * 3/4 c. dried apricots, chopped * 1 c. walnuts * 1 […]