Ok Ladies lets share some fun and simple Holiday Recipes~~short and sweet and lets consider cost as well....
****Lavender Delight*****
1. sml pkg of raspberry, or cherry jello
1. 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
1. lrg can of Pears
1. cup of coolwhip
Spray jello mold with pam and set aside...
prepare jello omitting cup of cold water stir until dissolved and set aside.
Drain the pears really well--add one cup of pear juice to jello above.
Beat the cream cheese and drained pears together until smooth.
add in cup of coolwhip and beat again.
add in the jello which you set aside and blend all together.
Pour into jello mold and refrigerate--overnight.
No one has ever said No to this jello mold~~ENJOY!!! :) :D
Dear Faith:
This is one of the recipes I have been searching for many years. I did not know what is was called and my friends had similar ones, but this one is the best I ever had at a friends many years ago. Thank thank you.
My favorite cookie - - Is Melt in your mouth Shortbread. They are true to the name and people just gollip them up.
If you go to google and type in "Melt in your Mouth Shortbread" you will find the recipe.
Another recipe I lost and cannot remember who was the baker "Rice Krispie squares with two other cereals" I believe, not sure, if it was one of Martha Stewart's recipe. If anyone knows the name, would please write back.
Thanks again, Helen
Hi Helen, I am so glad that I posted that jello mold then---would you believe-this recipe is from the 80's???? My MIL made this for a luncheon spread and with a blink of an eye it was gone... It is simple, easy and tasty!!! I will definiately have to look into the "shortbread one" for it would be nice to post that one as well....
Perhaps for the Martha Stewart one go on line to her blog and check out her Rice Krispie recipes it sounds goooooooood...
Here's to great recipes......HUGS, Faith :)
My dear sweet MIL (seriously, I loved her very much) made something similar. I wasn't much of a Jell-o maker and my kids were amazed by the bright, jiggly, jewel-like Jell-o creation their GM made. Brings back memories, thanks so much for posting (PS, I'm still not much of Jell-o maker, LOL.)
These nuts are so easy: http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=10000000633348
We do them every year and everyone loves them. I double the recipe for each batch but use two pans to spread them on so they don't clump.
Pen, That nut recipe sounds good I am going to try it for I do have many "nuts" whom would love them--including me... Thanks for sharing. Faith :) :D
Whip Cream ~~~~ :) :D ;D of any sort...
So Julia, what rock have you been living under? ... country do you live in? Cool Whip is a whipped cream alternative, it's actually an edible oil product. It's smooth and sweet, but really disgusting if you think about what it's made of and the fact that it doesn't go bad.
Julia, any kind of whip cream will work wonders~~~just as long as it is not shaving cream...LOL ;)
Helen, I went on line and pulled up the cookie Recipe you recommended~~~~
*********Melt-In-Your Mouth Shortbread Cookies**********
1 cup butter softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 375 degrees~~
Whip butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in the confectioners' sugar, cornstarch and flour. Beat on low for one minute, then on high for 3-4 minutes. Decorate with sprinkles etc..
Drop cookies by spoonfuls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes . Watch that the edges don't brown to much...Cool on wire rack ..
Enjoy~~~ :) :D
Dear Faith:
Thanks for looking up the recipe on line; re: Melt in your Mouth Shortbread Cookies.
I also, went online and found it, but thanks so much.
I wish everyone would try this recipe just once, and they will add to their Christmas Cookie List.
My grandson eats them so fast, I hide some, so when he is scrounging around looking for more, I put some on a plate when he is not looking and put them on the table. A big smile comes over his face - - and it's worth every minute of baking.
I make 4 times the batch, that's how popular they are.
Keep on baking and let's keep this subject open, I really like new recipes!
Helen
Quote from: Faithlooksup on December 08, 2010, 03:17:48 PM
Helen, I went on line and pulled up the cookie Recipe you recommended~~~~
*********Melt-In-Your Mouth Shortbread Cookies**********
1 cup butter softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 375 degrees~~
Whip butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in the confectioners' sugar, cornstarch and flour. Beat on low for one minute, then on high for 3-4 minutes. Decorate with sprinkles etc..
Drop cookies by spoonfuls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes . Watch that the edges don't brown to much...Cool on wire rack ..
Enjoy~~~ :) :D
They sound low cal enough.. I'll give them a try ;) We always HAVE to bake these awful bland white cookies then put enough frosting on them to make them sweet. Not my FOO tradition but now my kids would die if I didn't make them.
My parents were never big on Christmas baking, that I can remember. But my mom always had Farm Stores eggnog in the house, that was the best of the best.
Has anyone made mini quiche using the fillo cups? Or ... do you know of any really yummy desert fillings for the mini fillo cups?
Hi Laurie, I went on line with "Recipes for mini fillo cups" and a lot came up and one which really sounded good was the "Herb Cheese Mini Quiche" from Better Homes and Gardens recipe club. Hope this helps... Hugs, Faith..... :) :D
Yummm that does sound good.. I'll be sure to look it up... I searched and didn't come up with much but left out the one important word "recipe" I just kept typing in mini fillo cup, mini fillo fillings etc ... I need to rememeber K.I.S.S.
Quote from: Faithlooksup on December 08, 2010, 03:17:48 PM
Helen, I went on line and pulled up the cookie Recipe you recommended~~~~
*********Melt-In-Your Mouth Shortbread Cookies**********
1 cup butter softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Preheat oven to 375 degrees~~
Whip butter with an electric mixer until fluffy. Stir in the confectioners' sugar, cornstarch and flour. Beat on low for one minute, then on high for 3-4 minutes. Decorate with sprinkles etc..
Drop cookies by spoonfuls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes . Watch that the edges don't brown to much...Cool on wire rack ..
Enjoy~~~ :) :D
Do these freeze well?
Easy Crackle Cookies
1 regular size cake mix (lemon, chocolate, cherry flavor....even the Jiffy pistachio flavored one, use two boxes with Jiffy mixes)
1 large or extra large egg
1/2 container Cool Whip (4 ozs needed not the full 8oz.)
Mix all three together (by hand) into a really thick dough/batter....keep working it it does take some time to get it all together. Form into 1 inch balls and roll these in powdered sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 or 12 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack. Nuts can be added in the mixing stage if you like or half of one pushed in the top of the unbaked ball ...slightly. Sometimes I use a small, small ice cream scoop to measure the dough out...just drop the scoops into the sugar and roll.
Always a favorite and very simple.
Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy
1 c. sugar
1 c. corn syrup
1 1/2 c. peanut butter
5 c. cornflakes
Bring sugar and corn syrup to a boil. Remove from heat immediately and stir in peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter has melted. Add cornflakes and stir. Mixture will be stiff. Drop on waxed paper to cool.
Pen,
Could you use peanuts added to the peanut butter instead of corn flakes? I'm not fond of dry cereal---also, is this a hard or a soft candy?
Thanks,
Kathleen
Kathleen, if you were talking about the Peanut Butter Cornflake Candy, I have never tried it with peanuts. It is an in between. It's not really hard, but more chewy than anything. You don't taste the cornflakes, just the peanut butter mostly.
Pooh, yes, I was referring to your recipe. Sorry I got mixed up.
Here is my oldest son's favorite Christmas cookie (or for anytime). It's flourless for those who need gluten-free treats, has no
butter or other fats, has the healthy orange zest, doesn't require a mixer but only a whisk. Easy, fast and gorgeous.
Coconut Cherry Macaroons
2/3 cups sugar
2 large egg whites
finely grated zest of one orange
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries
2 teaspoons pure vanilla (not imitation)
1/2 teaspoon fine salt (I always omit salt, but the recipe calls for it)
3 cups (8oz) shredded coconut
Preheat oven to 340; line baking pans with parchment.
Whisk sugar, egg whites, cherries, orange zest, vanilla,& salt in a large bowl.
Toss coconut with egg mixture until coated.
Moisten fingers with water. Form one heaping tablespoon of batter into pointed
mounds/pyramids, placing one inch apart on sheets. Bake until edges are golden
brown and the entire macaroon is lightly toasted, 16-20 minutes. Transfer to rack
to cool.
Silly question Kathleen
Do you put the cherries or cranberries in, in their dried state, or do you have to soak them first? Like possibly soak them in rum. I'm not real big on either cherry or cranberry.. do you think I could just add extra orange zest, or mini chocolate chips.. naw don't like the chocolate chip idea, I'm looking for a more adult treat
Adult treat Laurie? Then how about dried prunes? ;D
Quote from: Pooh on December 14, 2010, 08:53:28 AM
Adult treat Laurie? Then how about dried prunes? ;D
Ok maybe an adult without constipation problems.. but you know then again.. who said that Christmas cookies can't be used for revenge (http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb341/LaurieSS/munchingsanta.gif)
Ha! Could work....hmmmmm
This is another easy one I make for the Dispatchers at work. They love it. It makes a big bowl full and is very, very sweet. It looks like Puppy Chow.
People Chow
6 cups Crispix or Corn Chex
1/2 stick butter
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
6 ounces chocolate chips
2 cups powdered sugar
Melt butter, peanut butter and chocolate chips together in saucepan over medium heat or melt in bowl in microwave. Pour chocolate mixture over cereal in a large bowl. Stir to coat. Put powdered sugar in brown grocery bag or large ziplock. Pour cereal into bag and shake to coat. Spread out on cookie sheet or wax paper to harden.
Laurie: You don't have to soak the cherries or cranberries; they soften in the baking. I don't know about chocolate chips; why not set aside a small amount of batter at first and try it and see? It should work, then you could add the chips to the whole batter. You could probably just eliminate the cherries but I love them---they add so much flavor. Try one or two and see if you don't agree, before adding the whole amount.
As for the rest of the comments, bah humbug. I don't wish to lose my Christmas appetite, thank you very much!
Kathleen
I need to lose my Christmas or anytime appetite ... I just put cookies in the oven accidentally set the timer for 9 hours not 9 minutes.. this is why I only do one pan at a time :) I absolutely hate these cookies I'm making they are the bland ones with the frosting on top.. you are suppose to roll and cut the dough, but I'm entirely to lazy for that silliness, so I scoop, roll into balls and press with the bottom of the coffee mug. My dd and my ds's gf will be here to frost them all next week.
I'll try the macaroons with the cranberries since my mother loves cranberries. She also hinted at a coconut pie, but the macaroons may be a nice substitute. I wish I had an extra freezer, it would sure make life easier right now.
Laurie,
I'm finally rebelling against cut-out frosted sugar cookies. These have to be the emptiest calories of all time. Plus they are a dog to make. Nobody really likes them after the age of about ten.
I can top your 9 hours on the timer. After we moved into our new house, I accidentally set the microwave for 20 hours, not 20 minutes. I was rewarded with a loud smoking explosion. I raced to turn it off but too late, the entire inside was black, the glass turntable was shattered and so was the glass container I was using for the food. Frantically I dragged the thing outside. Don't ask me what food it was because it was unrecognizable.
But can you believe that after a good cleanup that microwave is still in service? In case you're wondering it's a Magic Chef and yes, I'd buy one again,
Kathleen
I can go along with your theory about the 10 year olds and these cookies. Since my entire family acts like a bunch of children when they see them, they all love these cookies. My dh finally admitted that mine were better then his mother's because I don't overwork the dough and make them thicker. We had a Japanese student here a couple of years ago and he helped to ice and decorate the cookies, he thought that he had just lived through the best Christmas ever.
I was just thinking about meals around the holidays.. I'm going to have 8 people here for every meal before Christmas, ten on Christmas and 17 on the 27th. I thought about a pot of chili but two don't like beans. Spaghetti, but 2 don't like the vegetables. Stew is out as well.. not sure what I'm going to be feeding all these people.. hmm wonder if Pen would come and make me some tamales.
Hi everyone, here is an easy yummy addition to your holiday baking. AND, it's easy.
? donna
BLACK RUSSIAN BOOZE CAKE
1/4 CUP KAHLUA (COFFEE LIQUEUR)
1/4 CUP VODKA
1 PKG. YELLOW CAKE MIX
1 SMALL PKG INSTANT CHOCOLATE PUDDING
4 EGGS
1 CUP VEGETABLE OIL
3/4 CUP WATER
?
BLEND ALL INGREDIENTS FOR 2 MINUTES AT MEDIUM SPEED.
BAKE IN A BUNDT PAN AT 350 FOR 45 TO 50 MINUTES.
That cake sounds divine.. but I have to ask about the ? mark under the 3/4 cups of water.... Is this like a secret ingredient, does this mean that I can add a little rum to the mix as well.. we'd have to call it the Anti-Dbl A.
Quote from: Laurie on December 14, 2010, 01:55:38 PM
I was just thinking about meals around the holidays.. I'm going to have 8 people here for every meal before Christmas, ten on Christmas and 17 on the 27th. I thought about a pot of chili but two don't like beans. Spaghetti, but 2 don't like the vegetables. Stew is out as well.. not sure what I'm going to be feeding all these people.. hmm wonder if Pen would come and make me some tamales.
Yes, I'll come! Sorry, DF & SM, gotta go south to the land of tamales and make tamales...LOL. We make a big pot of seafood chowder (not the white kind, ours has tomato sauce and green chile salsa in it along with potatoes, celery, carrots, onion.) We always get raves, even the year I used a seafood medley from Costco that contained baby octopus. It was a Sunset Magazine recipe a few years back. Anyway, it reheats well and with a piece of crusty La Brea bakery bread (gotta love Costco) it's a welcome light(er) meal during the holidays.
I'm not much of a baker, alas. Have any of you WW ever made persimmon pudding? I'm going to try it this year - gulp.
Octopus - Persimmons ... I don't think so Pen.. I'm not even going to ask what you stuff your tamales with ;)
Hey Laurie, we have the same problem around here. My DH has a bunch of vegetarians in his family so I figured out awhile back to make multiple spaghetti sauces. I make 3 different sauces, one with lots of vegetables, one with meat and one just plain and then lots of noodles. They can put whatever sauce they want. I also make two pots of chili, one with meat and one without. I bet you can find a beanless recipe and have two pots.
Quote from: Pooh on December 15, 2010, 06:25:12 AM
Hey Laurie, we have the same problem around here. My DH has a bunch of vegetarians in his family so I figured out awhile back to make multiple spaghetti sauces. I make 3 different sauces, one with lots of vegetables, one with meat and one just plain and then lots of noodles. They can put whatever sauce they want. I also make two pots of chili, one with meat and one without. I bet you can find a beanless recipe and have two pots.
Yeah I can.. I was just being lazy. My dh went off last night, "why do you have to cater to everyone, you've done this your whole life"... on and on and on.. such a nag. I said ok you're right, I am not making the molasses cookies only one person here eats them.. ohhhh you know it that one person is dh and now his outlook changes. Go figure huh
Ha ha...funny how they change their minds.
I made 12 dozen of those nasty Christmas cookies that I don't like. Now I guess I'll need to go buy a sugar crop to come up with the main frosting ingredient. But I don't frost.. I do the cookie.. I'll make the frosting, but it's everyone else's job to slap them together.
Finally got my dd's agenda last night, she said not to worry mom I'll be home to help you.. I'll come in Monday, oh Tuesday I need to go shopping, would you please go with me.. Yes I know that my grandparents are coming in Wed, but I'm meeting a friend (can you hold dinner for me) Thursday my bf is coming over, he might stay overnight so Friday maybe we and my db can see a movie. Don't worry mom how long can it take to frost the cookies? (all 12 dozen) Saturday.. oh I'll be home Saturday, it's Christmas.
Good thing she is going to find a day for us. If only we had that kind of energy.
Gotta luv em!!!!
Wow, I feel so far behind. Luckily DH is baking (I'm hopeless mostly, but I excel at ginger-molasses cookies, LOL!)
Yeah, I vaguely remember having energy. Doesn't it also seem as though we don't have as much time these days?
Yes it does Pen. I look back now at when my children were growing up, and can't for the life of me figure out how I got everything done. Working, cooking, cleaning, paying bills, running them EVERYWHERE, family, etc. Now I don't have a 3rd of the stuff and I don't have any time! Mind boggling
Pooh, maybe your mother-in-law helped you get everything done when your kids were growing up? Just a bad Christmas joke,
Kathleen
Lol Kathleen!
Ok Laurie...you just jinxed me! That's what I get for laughing at what your DH did. My DH just texted me and asked if I knew how to make butterscotch/chocolate haystacks! He said he is craving them! I hate butterscotch and have never made them.
Anyone got a good recipe for them?
Pooh, I just googled them, to see what they might be, and apparently there are chow mein noodles involved. :o Chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, melted together, and then chow mein noodles stirred in. Then drop on waxed paper and put in the fridge to harden. That is so weird, I may feel compelled to make some at some point, lol.
Thanks Elsieshaye! I have never made them or had them. Apparently something his grandmother used to make.
Quote from: Pooh on December 15, 2010, 12:56:05 PM
Thanks Elsieshaye! I have never made them or had them. Apparently something his grandmother used to make.
Tell you dh that she shared the recipe with no one and it died with her. You know this might be one of those yummmm memories that doesn't pan out as an adult.
Maybe, but he's so good to me, I will give it a whirl! Lol....TO MAKE! TO MAKE! I'm not eating them....
If the final product is disastrous, take them to the office
I came across several variations: http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/857/ (http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/857/)
Thanks Laurie...I couldn't help but laugh that they also called them "Beaver Dams"
Quote from: Laurie on December 14, 2010, 04:42:03 PM
That cake sounds divine.. but I have to ask about the ? mark under the 3/4 cups of water.... Is this like a secret ingredient, does this mean that I can add a little rum to the mix as well.. we'd have to call it the Anti-Dbl A.
Hi Laurie, don't know why there was a ? mark, I was trying to create a heart as I do in FB using the Alt key, then 3. It works in my emails or letters fine but not in this application.
Just delete the ? marks, sorry for any confusion.
Quote from: Helen0214 on December 07, 2010, 10:17:18 AM
Dear Faith:
This is one of the recipes I have been searching for many years. I did not know what is was called and my friends had similar ones, but this one is the best I ever had at a friends many years ago. Thank thank you.
My favorite cookie - - Is Melt in your mouth Shortbread. They are true to the name and people just gollip them up.
If you go to google and type in "Melt in your Mouth Shortbread" you will find the recipe.
Another recipe I lost and cannot remember who was the baker "Rice Krispie squares with two other cereals" I believe, not sure, if it was one of Martha Stewart's recipe. If anyone knows the name, would please write back.
Thanks again, Helen
Helen, I made these cookies last night using the recipe Faith found. Yum! They are really good. I will admit that after eating one, they are not very sweet so I mixed a little powdered sugar and milk and put a little sugar glaze on them. That added just enough sweetness for me!
But anyone that wants something that is not overly sweet and really good, needs to try these! They truly do "melt in your mouth."
Thanks Helen and Faith!
Hi Pooh, I also had to agree with the Shortbread cookie recipe..I made them and they tasted so bland to me...then my neightbor stopped by and i offered her one, she ate it and replied, "did you forget to add something in these." I had to laugh, so I added some Vanilla to the rest of the batter and then sprinkled powder sugar on top. It helped and then it simply comes down to a matter of what you like....
Kathleen regarding your magic chef microwave~~my X and I bought the first one as soon as they came out back in the 70's and Magic Chef was the first maker if I remember correctly. However, when it was time to buy a new microwave for myself I wanted and found another Magic Chef--they are built like army tanks and last forever...
Merry Christmas everyone...Faith
Laurie, I do not know if these freeze well...Perhaps try freezing a few and see what happens. However with the active ingredients I dont see why not... :-\
Better late than never---
I have a shortbread recipe from Scotland that calls only for sugar, butter and flour. If yours is bitter it could be the corn starch---I then cut these in strips and dip the ends in chocolate and then in Heath Bar crunch crumbles (you can buy them in the chocolate chip section.) Huge hit.
The chow mein noodle thing is a 50's recipe. We used to do it with just chocolate and chow mein noodles. (I then heard of a cookie that sounded even more awful made with potato chips. Talk about having some trans fat with your cholesterol.) By today there are so many other wonderful recipes, that I wouldn't waste my time with chow mein noodles, but that's just me. I don't think I could take butterscotch in them.
I made: the flourless King Arthur chocolate cookies; date filled cookies; coconut-orange pyramids; Russian tea cakes; chocolate ginger cookies (smashed dark chocolate baked in, heavenly) and sugar cookies but not the kind decorated with the frosting. My youngest son's favorite is the date-filled and I'm glad because at least there's some good nutrition in them.
Think that will hold them?
Merry Christmas,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen~your shortbread recipe from Scotland sounds awesome~~would you mind sharing??? Thanks and HUGS, Faith
Hi Faith,
Sshhhh---it's the day after Christmas and everyone is still asleep. Ever since my third baby I am constitutionally unable to sleep past 9 AM---that's the new noon.
Better late than never, here's the shortbread. I've been making it for 20 years. It's from an old Better Homes & Gardens cookbook, before they
"sanitized" out all the fat from so many of their recipes:
Scotch Shortbread
Cream one cup butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in two and 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour. Chill at least several hours (does well overnight.)
Divide in half. Press out the way you wish; I roll mine with a floured rolling pin, or you can press into a circle and cut triangles into the dough to be separated completely after baking. I cut mine fully into strips before baking. Don't worry if they aren't evenly cut; this dough is very forgiving. Place on ungreased baking sheet; they will spread but only slightly, so leave a small space between each.
Bake at 300 for 30 minutes. Don't overbake; they should be very light brown around the edges. Cool slightly before you remove to racks. Cool completely before decorating or dipping.
This year, I learned how to make an easy chocolate drizzle. Put a package of chocolate chips into the top of a double boiler and add 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Stir occasionally until melted. I dipped just one end of the shortbread cookies into the chocolate, then dipped them into Health bar crunch morsels (also available in a package near the choc. chips.) I then stuck them in the freezer to harden the chocolate for a few minutes (they freeze well long term as well, however.) These were a huge hit and nobody even missed the decorated cookies.
These cookies are great anytime, and the nice thing is the dough will keep in the fridge so if you have unexpected company, you can bake them on the spot. They also last a long time after baking (no eggs.) Easy, easy.
Enjoy,
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen, SHHHH I promise and I am tip toeing as well....Thanks for the recipe sounds awesome. I am definiately going to try it ...Hope your Christmas was wonderful...HUGS, Faith :)