So…right before Christmas I went and hurt myself. Christmas baking is on a bit of a back burner (pun intended) because of it.
As I was cutting Bible verses to put in our candy packages for the parade, I managed to be distracted enough to grab the blade of the paper cutter. Our ladies’ Bible study gals were all gathered to assemble the bags, but before we really even got started, I ended up in emerg. A few stitches later and a ginormous white bandage (which my df girl decorated with a snowman face), now I’m kinda outta the baking mode for a little while. However, we still have some time to git ‘er done, as they say. On the upside, I am now exempt from dish duty, and probably Christmas card writing, as it is my right hand.
We have a few things that are tradition. One recipe is “Chris’ Fudge”. A sweet friend got me started on the best and easiest fudge years ago. It’s basically one of those five-minute fudge recipes, but long before it was all over cyberspace. My techie boy eventually took over the fudge-making, but now that he’s married with a family of his own, I’m back at it. I’ll fess up: fudge is one of my favourite treats, so I like to make other kinds, too.
I made some of this salted caramel fudge before I hurt my finger but didn’t get the chocolate topping put on yet. I’ll probably recruit my df girl to finish it up tomorrow. I also made this Nutella fudge last year; it was smooth and creamy. We topped it with some Skor bits…yum! I like fudge so much I have a Pinterest board dedicated to it!
For as long as I can remember, my kids always look forward to these super simple candies: Polar Bear Smooches. There’s no recipe. It’s just white chocolate and crushed candy canes. Melt the chocolate, stir in the candy canes and drop into tiny silicone (or festive paper/foil cups) and–voila–a kiss from the North Pole.
Another tradition, begun by my mom is Butterscotch Confetti, aka Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares and, I’m sure, many other handles. I’m not a huge fan of marshmallows, and, I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but coloured marshmallows? *Shudder* definitely not. However, all this told, I don’t mind a square once in a while because the pb/butterscotch part is worth it. Besides, they’re super quick to throw together and look kind of ‘snowy’ with the white marshmallows.
Of course, there is always a need for some fun cut out sugar cookies for the kids (and me!) to decorate!
I have put together a list of a few recipes from Pinterest and about the web that I’d like to try this Christmas.
I actually started my Christmas baking last year with these fudgy crinkle cookies. We topped them with red and green M&Ms though. I have a weakness for chocolate and I love me a soft, chewy cookie.
Truffles. Need I say more? How about truffles that combine some of my favourite flavours: chocolate, coffee and peppermint. Oh my. These Peppermint Mocha Truffles are definitely getting done this year.
My family loves pavlova, so I think I may try my hand at these adorable Winter Wonderland Meringue Christmas Trees.
Every year I torture myself with dipped confections, so I may as well add these Peanut Butter Snowballs to my list. Honestly, though, if the truffles cause me too much grief, these will not make the cut.
Finally, if I can scrounge up my recipe for almond toffee, that will be the better (or even full) part of our baking for the season.
How about you? Any family favourites? Any new recipes you just can’t wait to try? I’d love to hear about them!
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