What's on Your Christmas Baking List?

[straitfan]

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to cut them though. When ever I try to cut them (even when they are fresh and not frozen or partially chilled) the crust part always seems to break. It's easier to cut them into squares. My triangles always seem to break at the points.

I've been lining the pan with an oversized sheet of parchment paper, and then when I'm ready to cut, I lift it all out of the pan and take my FC Chef's knife and cut all the way across in one "rocking" kind of motion. Then take the knife at a diagonal and cut into triangles. (Didn't explain that perfectly, but hopefully you get my drift). Then I lift onto the serving plate with mini spat.
These are SOOOOOOOO GOOOOOOOOD!

 

[Intrepid_Chef]

Russian tea cookies (snowballs)
Seven layer bars
Peanut butter (maybe blossoms)
Decorated sugar cookies (maybe some from the spritz, probably some cut-outs)
Chocolate chip (maybe)
Snickerdoodles

Since the first three have nuts, I have to include an equal number of cookies that don't. I give a container of cookies to each of my siblings.

 

[JAE]

I've put them in the freezer before. They freeze well and then you can set them out at room temp for a while to thaw. Or even just stick them in the freezer for a short time.

I'm still trying to figure out the best way to cut them though. When ever I try to cut them (even when they are fresh and not frozen or partially chilled) the crust part always seems to break. It's easier to cut them into squares. My triangles always seem to break at the points.

The other day when I made them for the third time, I had my friend (helper) really crush the cookies fine, like the recipe says. Sometimes I don't follow directions and realize later there's a reason for the directions. Anyway, the cookies were easier to handle. Also, we only froze the crust for 10 minutes, instead of like the first time when I froze the crust for at least an hour.

I also have a problem cutting through the piped chocolate w/o smearing or breaking the lines. This third time, I put them in the frig for just a couple minutes after piping the chocolate lines. That way the chocolate lines weren't so hard that they broke and they weren't so soft that they smeared terribly. It was almost perfect. Unfortunately, I was chatting with my friend and I totally cut the triangles in the wrong directions. That's okay, though. We just wanted to eat them, anyway. It wasn't for a show.

 

[The_Kitchen_Guy]

CRISPIX PUPPY CHOW (SIMILAR TO CHEX MUDDY BUDDIES)
Printed from COOKS.COM
1 12 oz box Crispix cereal
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (Hershey's recommended)
1 cup peanut butter (jiffy recommended)
5 tbsp. butter (Parkay recommended)
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pkg. (16 oz. or 1 lb.) powdered sugar
1. Pour out cereal into large bowl and set aside.
2. In 1-qt. saucepan, heat chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter over low heat, stirring frequently until melted. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour mixture slowly over cereal while stirring with a spatula to evenly coat. Pour into a 2-gallon resealable plastic storage bag or grocery bag. Add powdered sugar slowly. Shake until well coated. Spread onto wax paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. Share with someone you love.

(Serves about 12.)

http://ihasahotdog.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/cute-puppy-pictures-practsin-smile.jpg

 

[raebates]

Nutty Eggnog Bars
Rae's Famous Fruitcake Bites
Sweet Sprinkles Pumpkin Mini-Muffins
Gingerbread for the gingerbread house (The Furry Guy will be helping with the decorating)
Cranberry Twists (Christmas morning)ETA: While it's not actually baking, I'll also make:Chocolate Orange Craisin Fudge
Festive Cranberry Bark (for our pastors)

 

[PCMomto4]

The other day when I made them for the third time, I had my friend (helper) really crush the cookies fine, like the recipe says. Sometimes I don't follow directions and realize later there's a reason for the directions.

I am glad to know that I am not the only one who does this!!!

 

[pampcheflisa]

crockpot candy, chocolate covered cherries, peanut butter cups, peppermint bark, decorated sugar cookies, peanut brittle, pints of salsa and almond joy balls, coconut bon bons and whatever else I find time for.

what is crockpot candy? sounds intriguing!!!

 

[babywings76]

The other day when I made them for the third time, I had my friend (helper) really crush the cookies fine, like the recipe says. Sometimes I don't follow directions and realize later there's a reason for the directions. Anyway, the cookies were easier to handle. Also, we only froze the crust for 10 minutes, instead of like the first time when I froze the crust for at least an hour.

I also have a problem cutting through the piped chocolate w/o smearing or breaking the lines. This third time, I put them in the frig for just a couple minutes after piping the chocolate lines. That way the chocolate lines weren't so hard that they broke and they weren't so soft that they smeared terribly. It was almost perfect. Unfortunately, I was chatting with my friend and I totally cut the triangles in the wrong directions. That's okay, though. We just wanted to eat them, anyway. It wasn't for a show.

What method do you use for crushing the cookies? I thought mine were pretty fine, but maybe they haven't been fine enough. But then you mix them with chocolate, so when that hardens I thought that's what I was seeing as the crumbles. Does that make sense how I'm explaining it? :blushing:

 

[JAE]

I follow the directions and crush them in a zip loc freezer bag using a meat tenderizer. The third time I made them, I had my friend really crush them up. If I had a food processor, I would have used it because it wasn't for a show.

 

[ChefJoyJ]

Just saw this and got some great ideas! However, with my newfound pneumonia (*sigh*) and two sick kids, I'm scaling waaaay back this year. Unfortunately, I'm finding I get exhauted very easily thanks to the pneumonia. Oh well. What I'm doing is packaging these up nicely and I'm goinng to end up putting them in gift baskets. For my aunt and uncle, I'm arranging 2 nice bottles of wine and these goodies. Yum!!

oreo truffles
chocolate dipped pretzel rods
chocolate dipped peanut butter balls
mint chocolate meringues

(why on earth do I feel as if I'm forgetting one or two??)

As for mini loaves - I really want to try my hand at those this year, especially since I finally have the PC mini loaf pan - someone on here mentioned they make chocolate chip banana bread - wanna share the recipe? :blushing:

 

[ChefJoyJ]

I forgot chocolate dipped peppermint sticks. Apparently, I like to dip things.

They all can be jazzed up to look really fancy, for minimal effort. Can't go wrong with that.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

I forgot chocolate dipped peppermint sticks. Apparently, I like to dip things.

They all can be jazzed up to look really fancy, for minimal effort. Can't go wrong with that.

Ugh! I had pneumonia in Sept/Oct...I've never had anything knock me for a loop like that did. Take it easy, and don't do too much. I know - that's much easier said than done, especially with little ones!

I'm not one to ask for help, but I did let a friend take my son every afternoon for a week, so that I could rest. It helped immensely to be able to take an uninterrupted nap!

 

[Caro6798]

Hi, I'm new on here. Thought I'd share what I'm making

Chex Mix
Peanut Butter Balls
Martha Washington Candy
Peanut/Marshmellow Clusters
Peanut Butter Fudge

Our only Child will be coming home from College (Culinary School) next Saturday and knows mom will have the traditonal stuff!

Carol

 

[ChefBeckyD]

Hi, I'm new on here. Thought I'd share what I'm making

Chex Mix
Peanut Butter Balls
Martha Washington Candy
Peanut/Marshmellow Clusters
Peanut Butter Fudge

Our only Child will be coming home from College (Culinary School) next Saturday and knows mom will have the traditonal stuff!

Carol

Welcome Carol! This is a great place to be!

What is Martha Washington candy???