Christmas Cookies -22

We made cookie boxes for our neighbors, teachers, and coworkers this year. We make several different kinds of cookies and then wrapped them in festive DIY peppermint packaging. This is the KitchenAid mixer that I use.

Chewy Sugar Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 Cup Butter
  • 1 1/2 Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 1/4 Cup Flour
  • 1/2 tea baking powder
  • 12 tea salt
  • 1 tea Vanilla
  • Colored Sugar for Rolling

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together butter and sugar.
  3. Add egg and mix well.
  4. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and vanilla.
  5. Chill for 1 hour.
  6. Roll out the dough and make little balls.
  7. Roll them in colored sugar.
  8. Place cookies on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

Sugar Cookies Swirls

INGREDIENTS:

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together butter and sugar.
  3. Add egg and mix well.
  4. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and vanilla.
  5. Divide into 3 portions and dye 1 portion red and another portion green.
  6. Chill for 1 hour.
  7. Roll out the 3 doughs and stack them on plastic wrap.
  8. Roll them up into a cylinder and chill for 1 hour more.
  9. Take off the plastic wrap and slice into 1/2 inch slices. Roll slices in the sprinkles.
  10. Place cookies on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

Almond Joy Cookies

 Servings 3 dozen

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 14 oz bag sweetened coconut flakes
  • 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2/3 cup chopped lightly salted almonds
  • 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325F.
  2. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl combine coconut, chocolate chips, almonds, and sweetened condensed milk.
  4. Stir until combined.
  5. Scoop out dough with a cookie scoop onto prepared baking sheet.
  6. Moisten the tips of your fingers with water and shape into discs. Pat the tops flat.
  7. Bake cookies for 12 to 14 minutes or until tips of coconut are just starting to turn golden brown.
  8. Let cool on baking sheet.
  9. Store cookies in an airtight container.

White Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

Servings: 36 cookies

INGREDIENTS:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • ½ cup shortening
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup crushed candy canes
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl beat together the butter, shortening, white sugar & brown sugar until fluffy (about 2 minutes).
  3. Add in the vanilla extract & peppermint extract, then mix in the eggs 1 at a time.
  4. Turn the mixer down to low speed and mix in the flour, baking soda & salt.
  5. Mix in the crushed candy canes & white chocolate chips.
  6. Form the dough into balls about 1 tablespoons and place 2 inches apart on the lined cookie sheets.
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the tops look just set.
  8. Cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes, then continue cooling on a wire rack.

Gooey Red Velvet Cookies

Makes 36 cookies

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 ¼ cups of flour
  • 2 cups of sugar
  • 2 tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tsps baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 8oz of softened cream cheese
  • 4 tbsps of softened butter
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp red liquid food coloring

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. In a bowl mix together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt and put to one side for later.
  2. In another larger bowl cream the butter and cream cheese together until the mixture is smooth. Then beat in the egg and the food coloring.
  3. Add to this mixture the dry ingredients you set aside earlier. Mix it all together until dough is formed.
  4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and leave the dough to chill for around 2 hours.
  5. Place the powdered sugar into a small bowl. Separate the dough into 1 inch balls and roll each ball into the powdered sugar. Place dough balls onto a greased baking tray.
  6. Bake cookies in an oven pre heated to 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
  7. Leave cookies to cool on a wire rack. Once cooled store in an airtight container. They should keep for 3 days.

Hot Chocolate Cookies

Servings 36 cookies

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 4 packages hot cocoa mix
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/2 Cup mini marshmallows

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl with standing mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
  2. In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients. Gradually beat dry ingredients into butter mixture until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours.
  3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop 2 tablespoons dough, 2 inches apart, onto baking sheets lined with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
  4. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes; remove to wire racks and cool.

Gingerbread Cookies

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 cups flour
  • ¾ Cup melted butter
  • ¾ Cup sugar
  • ½ Cup Molasses
  • ½ Cup water
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 TBS Cinnamon
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 egg

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Combine all ingredients.
  2. Once dough begins to form, dust generously with flour.
  3. Cover dough with plastic and chill for 4 hours.
  4. Dust surface with flour and roll out dough to ¼ inch thick.
  5. Use a cookie cutter and place pieces on sprayed cookie sheet.
  6. Bake 350 degrees for 8 minutes

Milk Chocolate Nut Melts

INGREDIENTS:

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Place a cup of water in a small sauce pan, and bring to a boil.
  2. Lower heat to simmer, and place a glass bowl on the sauce pan.
  3. Put the chocolate in the bowl and keep stirring for several minutes until smooth.
  4. Place a piping bag into a large glass and fold the bag over the edges of the glass.
  5. Spoon the melted chocolates into the piping bag and twist the top of the bag.
  6. Cut off the tip and squirt into the candy molds and place in the chopped nuts.
  7. Refrigerate for half an hour and then pop them out.

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Melts

INGREDIENTS:

  • Dark Chocolate Candy Melts
  • White Chocolate Candy Melts
  • Crushed Candy Canes
  • Candy Molds

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Place a cup of water in a small sauce pan, and bring to a boil.
  2. Lower heat to simmer, and place a glass bowl on the sauce pan.
  3. Put the chocolate in the bowl and keep stirring for several minutes until smooth.
  4. Place a piping bag into a large glass and fold the bag over the edges of the glass.
  5. Spoon the melted chocolates into the piping bag and twist the top of the bag.
  6. Cut off the tip and squirt into the candy molds and place in the crushed candy canes.
  7. Refrigerate for half an hour and then pop them out.

Christmas Candy Melts

INGREDIENTS:

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Place a cup of water in a small sauce pan, and bring to a boil.
  2. Lower heat to simmer, and place a glass bowl on the sauce pan.
  3. Put the candy melts in the bowl and keep stirring for several minutes until smooth.
  4. Place a piping bag into a large glass and fold the bag over the edges of the glass.
  5. Spoon the melted candy into the piping bag and twist the top of the bag.
  6. Cut off the tip and squirt into the candy molds and sprinkle in the Christmas sprinkles.
  7. Refrigerate for half an hour and then pop them out.

Peppermint Bowls

I just cut out the red portion of 1 paper bowl and then placed it onto the other bowls one at a time while I spray painted them red. Then I wrapped them with clear wrapping securing them with red pipe cleaners.


adf

Christmas Fireside Family Photos

Merry Christmas!

Lots of teens and tots in our family photo this year! The toughest part of family time these days, is matching the schedule of these kids going every which way. They are all involved in so many activities, I am sososososo proud of them all.

I set up my props in the backyard by our firepit and picnic table. I used vintage sleds, firewood, checkered tablecloth, my son’s guitar, and some evergreenery. We all dressed in denim, red, and black. I also tried to add as much red and black gingham that I could.

The Tots

These girls did very well for being so young. I had this vintage baby sled that I had found at a garage sale a while back. It fit well with my red, wooden, vintage fireside Christmas scene.

I also place a couple artificial Christmas trees because we don’t have real evergreens in this part of our yard. My dad will collect these after Christmas on the curb in his neighborhood.

The Picnic Table

Our picnic table became the center of our photos despite my efforts to include all of the props that I set out and the fireplace.

The Tree

The big kids leaned against the tree by the woodpile for some of our photos.

The Guitar

I love that he plays guitar and enjoys music so much. He enjoys playing for fun, but also gets to play his bass in church on Sunday mornings.

The Storm

She is so beautiful and loved sitting in this little seat at the woodpile. She wore her little red and black checkered jacket and canvas shoes.

Merry Christmas to all!


adsf

Christmas Day Kids Foods

We do all of our Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve each year. So for Christmas day I decided to put out finger foods for the kids as they were coming and going throughout the day. This way I don’t have to be in the kitchen cooking, so I can enjoy Christmas day too.

Hot Chocolate Bar

My kids are crazy about hot chocolate. We got some different flavors, but I also just made some in the crock pot to have out all day. Then we added marshmallows, mints, chocolate chips, chocolate wafers and chocolate stirring spoons. I added a scoop of peppermint bark ice cream to mine… YUM!

Cheeseball Platter

My husband loves cheeseballs so we have one almost every holiday. I placed salami, crackers, and cheeses along with the cheeseball.

Fruit Pizza

Ingredients :

  • Crescent Roll Dough
  • Cream Cheese 8 oz.
  • Marshmallow Cream 1 can
  • Fruit Diced Tiny

Directions:

  1. I spread the Crescent Roll dough on a pizza pan.
  2. Then I baked it according to the directions on the can.
  3. Mix together the Cream Cheese and the Marshmallow Cream to spread on the Crescent Roll.
  4. I cut the fruit into tiny pieces.
  5. I placed the left over fruit and dip in a platter for the kids.

Vegi Pizza

Ingredients :

  • Crescent Roll Dough
  • Sour Cream 1 tub
  • Ranch packet
  • Vegetables Diced Tiny

Directions:

  1. I spread the Crescent Roll dough on a pizza pan.
  2. Then I baked it according to the directions on the can.
  3. Mix together the Sour Cream and the Ranch packet to spread on the Crescent Roll.
  4. I cut up the vegetables into tiny pieces.
  5. I placed the left over vegetables and dip in a platter.

Cheesecake

My simple little pleasure, cheesecake!

Christmas Potpourri

I got the idea for Christmas Simmer Pot gifts from https://mommymadethat.com/stovetop-potpourri-gift/. We made these for teachers, baby sitters, coaches, and neighbors. Just add orange slices, cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and pine tree sprigs to some simmering water. Smelled delightful all weekend.

Family Christmas

The kids all got X-men Storm shirts from Baby Storm this year!

I love, LOVE, love, love, LOVE these kids!!!

Homemade Christmas Crafts & Gifts

Snowball Bucket

Glitter Tree

Button Tree

Jingle Bell Sled

Jingle Bell Bulb

Handprint Bulb

Christmas Wreath

Santa Bulb

Button Wreath

ORNAMENT BOX

The kids made ornaments for Grandparents and Aunts. I made this little paper that tells who made which ornament! My idea was to make it look like a box of chocolates when you open it… with the paper telling what is in each compartment. I love how they turned out!

MISTLETOES CANVAS

Storm made a cute Mistletoes canvas for her Grandparents! I tried to wrap the Mistletoes canvas with cute red jingle bells. The grandparents live in different states, so we wrapped them and packaged them in larger boxes.

CANDY POTS

We made painted pots filled with candy for their teachers! A snowman face filled with mints and a Santa belly filled with Santa Hershey’s Kisses. I also sent one of these to each of my nephews!

COUSIN SNACK BOXES

Each of the kids made a snack and we put them all in these cute boxes that I found at the Dollar Tree for their cousins! “J is for Jesus” candy cane, “Snowman Soup”, “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?”, “Gingerbread girl Oatmeal Cream Pie”! The cousins live in different states, so we taped the lids on the boxes and packaged them up.

CHRISTMAS PACKAGING

I packaged the Ornament Boxes, Mistletoes Canvas, Candy Pots, and Cousin Snack Boxes into larger boxes. I used balloons to fill the empty space, which my nephews loved playing with when they opened the boxes!

Christmas Tree Fruit Tray

I also made my fruit dip that the boys LOVE! Mix one package of cream cheese with one jar of marshmallow cream, serve with fresh fruit!

Refrigerator Snowman

She sits in her swing while I work in the kitchen, so I made the refrigerator to look like a snowman for her!

Snowman Gifts

TEENY TINY GIFT

I made this tiny box from foam to trick the kids about their gift from Grandparents! They were so confused about what could fit in this box that was for the whole family! The note said that their was a trampoline in the shed for them!

4 Month December Christmas Baby Photos

Baby is 4 months old for her first Christmas. My oldest son was super sweet to amuse his mom and dress up like Santa for a few pictures!

I absolutely lover her sweet smile! I found this re bucket at Goodwill along with a belt, so I glued it on and added some white fluff too!

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas”

My son had a “Candy Cane Dress Up Day” at school today, so he agreed to take a photo with Baby in her Santa dress!

Looking at the ornaments on the Christmas tree.

Playing with the lights was her favorite… I just had to keep her from eating them!

She hates being on her stomach, so she cried for most of these shots! But I LOVE the way they turned out!

“T’was the Night Before Christmas”

She tried to hold onto the ornaments, but had a difficult time commanding her hands to cooperate!

My little Santa Baby!

4 Month Belle Baby Photos

I chose Disney’s Beauty and the Beast  for the December princess because I love when Belle wears her red cape in the snow scene with Beast. I think it would be fun for future Belle pictures.

Someone gave her this cute Baby Belle outfit with the crown.

I hung a gold curtain for the backdrop and found the rest of the props a the local thrift store. The Bible is my Thomas Kinkade Bible that I love.

I used my EOS 2000D Canon Rebel Camera to take her princess photos. I also use my softbox photography lighting and backdrop rod to help.

Baby Princess Belle

Job 40:6 “Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:”


You might enjoy some of her other Princess Photoshoots:


Or some of her other Baby Photoshoots:

Family Christmas Minute-to-Win-it

This year we decided to try some fun family time for Christmas. We played a few Minute-to-Win-it challenges together. Our family has a large age difference, so we tried to choose games that would be equally challenging for each of all.

Deck the Halls

Deck the Halls

Materials:

  • 1 minute Timer
  • Cardboard Tube
  • Ruler
  • 6 Christmas Ornaments

Directions:

  1. You have just 1 minute to…
  2. place the ruler across the upright standing cardboard tube. Be sure that the ruler is smack in the middle so there is the same distance on each side of the tube.
  3. Then hang all 6 ornaments on the ruler (3 ornaments on each side of the tube).

Jingle Run

Jingle Run

Materials:

  • 1 minute Timer
  • 18 Jingle Bells
  • 18 Cups
  • Empty Cup (across the room)

Directions:

  1. Place a bell under each cup and spread them out on the table.
  2. Place an empty cup several feet away. (We put ours in the living room behind us).
  3. You have just 1 minute to…
  4. uncover 1 jingle bell at a time and run it to the empty cup across the room.
  5. Place the bells in the cup one at a time.
Jingle Run
Jingle Run
Jingle Run

Jingle Bell Race

Jingle Bell Race

Materials:

  • 1 minute Timer
  • Straws
  • Masking Tape
  • Jingle Bells

Directions:

  1. Spread out the jingle bells on 1 end of the table and place a line using masking tape across the other end of the table.
  2. In under a minute…
  3. use the straw to blow the bells across the table across the tape line.
Jingle Bell Race
Jingle Bell Race

Snowman Slide

Snowman Slide

Materials:

  • 1 minute Timer
  • Plastic Cups (with snowman faces)
  • Balloons

Directions:

  1. Arrange the snowman cups at one end of the table.
  2. In less than 1 minute…
  3. players stand at the end of the table and slowly release air from a balloon to knock the snowman cups off the other end of the table.
Snowman Slide

Snow Fall

Snow Fall

Materials:

  • 1 minute Timer
  • White Balloons

Directions:

  1. Players keep one hand in their pocket and try to keep two white balloons up in the air for one minute.
  2. You can adjust the difficulty of this challenge by adding or taking away a balloon.

Candy Suck

Candy Suck

Materials:

  • 1 minute timer
  • M&M’s
  • Straws
  • Plates

Directions:

  1. Player needs 2 plates with 10 M&M’s on one plate.
  2. In less than 1 minute…
  3. Use the straw to suck up the M&M’s, one at a time and place them on the second plate.
  4. Try to get all of the M&M’s to the second plate in less than a minute.
  5. You can adjust the difficulty of this challenge by adding or taking M&M’s.

North Pole Pop

North Pole Pop

Materials:

  • 1 minute Timer
  • White Balloons
  • Mittens

Directions:

  1. Player puts on mittens and has 1 minute to pop the balloon. (It’s much harder than is sounds.)

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa

Materials:

  • 1 minute Timer
  • Hershey’s Kisses

Directions:

  1. Each player needs 6 Hershey’s Kisses.
  2. Players place one hand behind their back.
  3. In less than 1 minute player opens all of the Kisses with one hand.
  4. You can adjust the difficulty of this challenge by adding or taking Kisses.
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa

Christmas Tree Stack

Christmas Tree Stack

Materials:

  • 1 minute Timer
  • Green Plastic Cups

Directions:

  1. In less than 1 minute…
  2. players stack up a pile of cups like a pyramid.
  3. Then place them back into a single stack.
Christmas Tree Stack

Here is our Thanksgiving Minute to win it post

Christmas Crafts & Snacks

The kids and I made some fun snacks for our teachers, coaches, and neighbors… We placed a variety of Hershey’s Kisses on the square shaped pretzels and melted them for a few minutes. After they came out of the oven, we added M&M’s to the middles of them.

I saved our Crystal Light containers for the past few years, and then I wrapped them in paper and added a bow and tag.

We made fun ornaments in my son’s class Christmas party… Snowman, Santa, and Roudolph.