A Christmas Card, by accident

I had not done my Christmas cards as of December 11th.  And to be honest I didn't know if I was even going to do cards this year.  We attended a charity event and there was a Santa there so we had a family picture taken and when it printed I said, "Well, there is the Christmas card.". So I placed an order online, I don't know why I didn't just have them sent to Walgreens. The cards arrived on Thursday December 22nd and I had them in the mail on Friday December 23rd.  Maybe next year I will be more prepared. 

Merry Christmas

This picture card was one that I just made for fun. 

~Michelle

Candy Bar Cookies-on-a-Stick, Happy New Year

These cookies have a surprise center and a peanut butter cookie outside.  And it's all on a stick how cool is that.  If you wrap them in treat bags they are good to eat now or later. 

I made these super delicious for the kids to take to school for Christmas.  Both of my kids said they didn't like them.  The oldest doesn't really like baked goods, except chocolate chip cookies, and the little guy he loves all sweets, however, he said he didn't like the candy bar center.  Ugh sometimes you can't win.

I do like these cookies and I am baking them again for a New Years Eve party at my neighbors house.  I hope everyone has a Happy and Healthy New Year. xo

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They are fun and pretty easy to make I hope you give them a try and impress your friends. :)

Gently press the Popsicle sticks in to the mini candy bars.  These are Snickers.

Put the dough around the candy bar. Press into the sprinkles.

Ingredients:
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
40 wooden sticks
40 miniature (about 1-inch-square) chocolate-coated, caramel-topped nougat candy bars (with or without peanuts) or 20 fun-size candy bars (about 2x1-inch rectangles), halved crosswise.
Small multicolored decorative candies, chopped nuts, and/or colored sugar (optional)


Beat peanut butter, butter and shortening in a large mining bowl with an electric miner on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.  Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, and baking soda; beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined.  Beat in as much of the flour as you can.  Stir in remaining flour with a wooden spoon.

Insert a wooden stick into each candy bar piece.  Form about 2 tablespoons of dough into a ball around each candy bar piece, making sure the candy is completely covered.  If desired, roll ball (or press one side)  in decorative candies, nuts, or colored sugar, gently pressing candies or nuts into dough.  lace the cookies 2 1/2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.


Bake in a 325F oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until set.  cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes.  Transfer to wire racks; cool completely.

Makes about 40

Enjoy
~Michelle

recipe from Better Homes and Gardens special cookie issue.  1999

Chocolate Raspberry Bars

I searched high and low for my recipe for Chocolate Raspberry Pretzel bars and I just could not find it.  It was one of those situations where whenever I am looking through my cookbook cupboard I see this printed piece of paper and think, I should make these.  Well, I'm ready to make them and I have no idea where the paper with the recipe went.  So, I googled it to see if I could somehow find it.  No luck.  I did find this recipe and it turned out amazing. The original recipe called for strawberry jam, however, who can resist the combination of chocolate and raspberry, not me.

I made it for my friends at work who have been laid off. We went out for dinner to a local Italian restaurant, that my grandma happen to work at many, many years ago.  Then we came back to work and enjoyed some sweet snacks on their last day.  Sad to see things end this way but I know they will all find better jobs.

recipe from Very Best Baking

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INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups (12-oz pkg.) semi sweet chocolate chips, divided
1 jar raspberry jam 10 oz)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.

Beat butter and 1 cup granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until fluffy.  Beat in egg.  Beat in 2 cups flour.  Stir in 1 cup chips.  Spread mixture in prepared pan.  Spread jam evenly over mixture in pan, leaving 1/2-inch border.

Combine 1 cup flour and 1/4 cup granulated sugar in medium bowl.  Cut in 1/4 cup butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly.  Stir in remaining chips.  Sprinkle streusel evenly over preserves.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until top is golden brown.  Cool completely in pan on wire rack.  Cut into bars.

Combine powdered sugar, milk and vanilla extract in small bowl.  Drizzle over bars; let stand until set.

YUMMY

~Michelle