Looking for cute recipes for Christmas?!
Answers: I am looking for recipes that are tasty but also have a great presentation and look festive. Appetizers or desserts are welcome. Serious answers only please.
Hello ToyMamma,
How about a delicious (absolutely wonderful)
Kahlua Mousse ???
Kahlua Dessert Recipe
That’s right…Kahlua! And Ghirardelli Chocolate! :-)
Preparation time: Only 10 minutes! Sweet! Dessert Recipe serves 6.
Ingredients:
2 ounces Kahlua
1/2 cup of sugar
1 tablespoon fine instant coffee (your choice)
2 tablespoons ground Ghirardelli chocolate
2 cups of whipping cream
Instructions:
Chill a bowl and a beater
Put all ingredients into the chilled bowl and whip until stiff
Spoon into dessert glasses or put the mixture into a pastry bag and pipe it into the glasses
Serve topped with whipped cream and a liberal sprinkle of grated chocolate or if you're feeling extravagant, garnish with a piece of chocolate lace as shown or grated chocolate.
YUMMMMMY!
Bake sugar cookies cover with white icing and put sprinkles on top.
You could also put a little red or green food coloring in the dips like blue cheese or ranch dressing and serve with your chips or buffalo wings or what ever you are having that goes with dip.
easily bake a patch of cookies
and use a spoon to smoothly spread frosting on the cookies
Gingerbread Waffles with Hot Chocolate Sauce
Ingredients:
1 cup light molasses
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups boiling water
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter
Directions:
In a small saucepan, heat molasses and 1/2 cup butter until almost boiling. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Stir in baking soda, milk and egg.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the molasses mixture. Mix until smooth.
Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Serve hot with chocolate sauce.
To make chocolate sauce: In a saucepan, combine water, 1 cup sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add vanilla and 2 tablespoons butter; stir until smooth.
Pistachio Swirl Fudge
INGREDIENTS:
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed, milk, divided
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 packages (6-oz. each) semisweet, chocolate pieces
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup coarsely chopped pistachios
PREPARATION:
Place cream cheese in a small microwave-safe mixing bowl. Microwave on HIGH (100% power) for 15 to 25 seconds, or until cream cheese has softened. Add 2 tablespoons of the sweetened condensed milk and the vanilla.
Beat on low speed just until mixture is smooth; set aside.
Place remaining sweetened condensed milk, semisweet chocolate chips, and butter in a 2 1/2-quart microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium (50%) for 2 to 3 1/2 minutes, or until mixture can be stirred smooth and is glossy, stirring twice during cooking. Stir in pistachio nuts.
Spread chocolate mixture evenly into a lightly buttered pan. Drop cream cheese mixture, by spoonfuls, over chocolate; swirl lightly over the chocolate layer. Let fudge stand until firm or place in refrigerator to chill. Cut into small
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Brie and Cranberry Triangles
INGREDIENTS:
1 pound phyllo dough, thawed as package directs
3/4 to 1 cup melted butter
1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce
8 ounces brie cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350°.
Cut phyllo dough in half lengthwise. Keep half of the dough covered with plastic wrap or a dampened cloth while working. The dough you are working with should be covered with a damp cloth.
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350°.
Cut phyllo dough in half lengthwise. Keep half of the dough covered with plastic wrap or a dampened cloth while working. The dough you are working with should be covered with a damp cloth.
The thin sheets dry out very quickly. See package instructions for more information on working with phyllo. Working quickly, place two sheets of phyllo dough on work surface; brush with butter. Fold in half lengthwise; again brush with butter. Place 1 1/2 teaspoons cranberry sauce and 6 cubes Brie at the bottom of strip. Diagonally fold corner over filling, forming a triangle. Continue folding triangle shape up to the end. Brush with butter and place on a jelly-roll pan. Repeat with remaining phyllo dough and filling. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 20 appetizers.
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Festive Fruit Nut Wreath Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup soft butter or margarine
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 egg
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/4 cup finely chopped red candied cherries
confectioners' sugar icing, thin
flaked or shredded coconut (tinted, if desired)
PREPARATION:
Beat butter until creamy; add sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Sift flour and baking powder together; stir into butter mixture. Stir in oats, nuts and chopped cherries. Shape into wreaths.
Bake on ungreased cookie sheets in a 350 degree F. oven for 12 to 15 minutes. When cool, frost with a thin confectioners' sugar icing. Sprinkle with coconut and decorate with additional chopped pieces of candied cherries.
Makes about 3 1/2 dozen.
To tint coconut, put coconut in a plastic storage bag. Add a few drops of food coloring and shake well until coconut is evenly tinted. If using paste color, thin a dab with a few drops of water first.
For thin icing, mix about 1 1/2 cups of confectioners' sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk. Add a little more milk to thin more, if necessary.
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Easy Chocolate Truffles
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
pinch salt
1 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
PREPARATION:
In a double boiler over hot water, melt chocolate. Stir in sweetened condensed milk, salt, chopped nuts, and vanilla. Cool the mixture until easy to shape into small balls. Dip each ball into flaked coconut or finely chopped nuts.
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REINDEER COOKIES
1 can prepared vanilla or chocolate frosting
12 graham cracker squares (plus some for breakage)
24 mini chocolate chips
12 red cinnamon candies (red hots)
12 mini -pretzels, cut in half
Cut graham cracker squares diagonally in half using a gently sawing motion with a serrated knife. (Cutting with a firm motion will break the crackers.) Spread a small amount of frosting over the top side of the cracker half. Top with remaining cracker half forming a triangle shape so the two narrow ends meet to form a nose.
Spread a small amount of frosting to cover the top cracker. Gently press chocolate chips on reindeer for eyes and a cinnamon candy for nose. Add pretzel halves for antlers. Repeat procedure to use remaining ingredients. Let dry on rack. Makes 12.
Fruit salsas taste good and the colors are very festive. There are always Christmas cookies that have been decorated with colored sugars or icing and the same can be said of fudge.
Mango Salsa
2 cups
Ingredients
1 mango, peeled, seeded, and chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 medium red sweet pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 Scotch bonnet or hot green chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lime peel
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
1. In medium bowl stir together mango, sweet pepper, green onions, chile pepper, oil, lime peel, lime juice, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Store in refrigerator up to 24 hours. Makes 2 cups.
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Mango Salsa
about 2 cups
Prep: 20 minutes
Chill: 2 hours
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups chopped, peeled mango, papaya, peaches, plums, and/or pineapple
1/2 cup chopped red or green sweet pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions (2)
1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro or parsley
2 tablespoons lime juice or lemon juice
1 to 2 fresh jalapeno or serrano peppers, seeded and finely chopped, or 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Anaheim pepper
Directions
1. In a medium mixing bowl stir together fruit, sweet pepper, green onions, cilantro or parsley, lime juice or lemon juice, and jalapeno, serrano, or Anaheim pepper. Cover; chill at least 2 hours before serving.
2. Serve as a dip for chips or fresh vegetables or as a condiment for tacos, quesadillas, burgers, steaks, chicken, or fish. Makes about 2 cups.
Make-Ahead Tip: Spoon the salsa into a storage container. Cover and chill for up to 2 days.
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Papaya Salsa
Ingredients
1/2 of a small papaya, peeled, seeded, and chopped
1 small nectarine, pitted and chopped
1 hot red or jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 tablespoon snipped cilantro or parsley
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon honey
In a bowl stir together the papaya, nectarine, hot red or jalapeno pepper, cilantro or parsley, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and 1 teaspoon honey. Cover and chill thoroughly.
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Chunky Guacamole
Prep: 20 minutes
Chill: 1 hour
Ingredients
2 medium plum tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 of a small red onion, finely chopped
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 ripe avocados, seeded, peeled, and coarsely mashed
Tortilla chips
Directions
1. In a bowl combine tomatoes, red onion, garlic, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Gently stir in avacados. Cover the surface with plastic wrap. Chill for up to 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips.
2. Makes 2 cups (sixteen 2-tablespoon servings
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Sweet and Sassy Meatballs
64 meatballs
Start to Finish: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1 16-ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
1 18-ounce bottle barbecue sauce
2 1-pound packages frozen cooked meatballs, thawed (32 per pound)
Directions
1. For sauce, in a large skillet stir together cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce. Cook over medium heat until cranberry sauce is melted, stirring occasionally.
2. Add meatballs to sauce. Cook, uncovered, for about 10 minutes or until meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately or keep meatballs warm in a slow cooker on low setting to serve. Makes 16 servings.
3. Make-ahead directions: Prepare as directed in Step 1. Stir in frozen or thawed meatballs. Place in an airtight container. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. To serve, heat meatballs and sauce in a large skillet over medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally.
4. Chipotle-Sauced Meatballs: Prepare as above, except substitute one 12-ounce bottle chili sauce for the barbecue sauce and stir in 3 to 4 tablespoons finely chopped canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce.
5. Hawaiian-Sauced Meatballs: Prepare sauce as above, except substitute one 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, undrained, for the cranberry sauce.
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Irish Crème Fudge
I also use other liqueurs in place of the Irish Creme such as Kahlua, bandy, Kirsch, spiced/flavored rum and the new flavors of Kahlua mixing and matching nuts, coconut and dried fruits to match the liqueurs.
3 sticks of butter (3/4 pound)
3 cups sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 7-ounce jar Kraft marshmallow crème
12 ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 bottle (airline size or nip) or 1 shot Irish Crème
2 cups walnuts or pecans - optional
2 8-inch square pans sprayed with non-stick spray
In a heavy 3 quart sauce pan - I prefer an enameled cast iron -melt butter, sugar and evaporated milk. Bring to a boil, turn down heat to a low boil and cook for 5 minutes.
Turn off heat and mix in marshmallow crème. Once that is incorporated, mix in the chocolate chips until mixture is an even chocolate color then add the Irish crème and nuts, mixing thoroughly.
Pour mixture into pans and cool thoroughly before cutting into squares and serving.
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Gingerbread People
about 25 gingerbread people
Prep: 30 minutes
Chill: 3 hours
Bake: 5 minutes per batch
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup grated fresh ginger
Royal Icing
Assorted colors of paste food coloring
Directions
1. In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ground cloves; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat butter for 30 seconds with an electric mixer. Add sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla; beat until combined. Beat in ginger and as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour with a wooden spoon. Cover; chill dough about 3 hours, or overnight, or until easy to handle.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degree F. On a lightly floured surface roll dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut dough using 5-inch gingerbread people cookie cutters. Arrange the cutouts about 1 inch apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are light brown. Cool cookies on a wire rack. Pipe designs on cookies with tinted Royal Icing. Makes about 25 gingerbread people.
To Store: Place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store piped cookies at room temperature for up to 3 days. Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw, and if desired, pipe with icing.
Royal Icing: In a small bowl combine 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 4 teaspoons meringue powder, and 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar. Stir in 1/4 cup warm water. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, then on high speed 7 to 10 minutes or until very stiff. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons additional warm water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until of glazing consistency. To tint, divide the glaze into small portions. Add enough paste food coloring or liquid food coloring to each portion to make desired color.
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Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies
Prep: 20 minutes
Chill: 3 hours
Bake: 10 minutes per batch
Ingredients
1-1/4 cups shortening
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. salt
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. lemon extract
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk
Granulated sugar, fine sanding sugar, coarse sugar, or colored decorating sugar
Directions
1. Beat shortening in a large bowl with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add the 2 cups sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt; beat until combined. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and lemon extract till combined. Alternately add flour and buttermilk to shortening mixture, beating until combined. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill at least 3 hours or until easy to handle.
2. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Roll dough on a floured surface until 1/2 inch thick. Cut into rounds with a 2-1/2-inch cookie cutter. Place rounds 2-1/2 inches part on an ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake about 10 minutes or until set and edges just begin to brown. Transfer to wire racks and cool. Makes 32.
3. To store: Place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
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Spritz are a butter sugar cookie usually made using a cookie press to get many different shapes.
Spritz Blossoms
about 7 dozen cookies
Prep: 40 minutes
Bake: 7 minutes/batch
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups butter, softened
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 recipe Powdered Sugar Icing
Coarse sugar; silver dragees
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375F. In large bowl beat butter on medium to high speed 30 seconds. Add brown sugar and baking powder; beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl. Beat in egg, vanilla, and extract until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can; stir in remaining flour.
2. Push dough through cookie press onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 7 to
9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Transfer to wire rack to cool.
3. Brush with Powdered Sugar Icing; sprinkle with sugar. Place a dragee in center. Dry 30 minutes on waxed paper. Makes 80.
4. Store in airtight container in single layer at room temperature up to 3 days. Freeze up to 3 months.
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Molasses Ginger Cookies
Prep: 30 minutes
Chill: 3 hours
Bake: 9 minutes per batch
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark molasses
1 egg
1/2 cup coarse raw sugar or granulated sugar
Directions
1. In a medium bowl stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Add the 3?4 cup granulated sugar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in molasses and egg until combined. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour mixture. Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or until easy to handle.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in the 1?2 cup raw sugar. Place balls on parchment-lined cookie sheet or on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until edges are firm and tops are puffed; do not overbake. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to wire racks. Cool. Makes 4 dozen cookies.
Test Kitchen Tip: To store, arrange in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
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Tender Sugar Cookies
about 60 Prep: 40 min.
Chill: 30 min.
Bake: 15 min. per batch
Ingredients
1 cup butter, softened
1-1/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Directions
1. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add 1 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. If necessary, cover and chill dough in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes or until dough is easy to handle.
2. Preheat oven to 300F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in the remaining 1/4 cup sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in preheated about 15 minutes or until tops are slightly crackled and sides are set (do not let edges brown). Transfer cookies to wire racks and let cool. Makes about 60 cookies.
3. Tip: For a colorful platter of cookies, roll the dough balls in different colored sugars instead of the white granulated sugar.
4. To store: Place cookies in layers separated by pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies, if frozen, before serving.
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COCONUT OATMEAL COOKIES DIPPED IN CHOCOLATE
1 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
? tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
? cup Butter – softened
1 2/3 cup Sugar
2 Eggs – large or bigger (I prefer to use Jumbo)
1 ? tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
2 ? cup Quick Oats
1 cup Flaked Coconut
16 oz Milk Chocolate - Melted (I prefer Droste a Milk Chocolate candy bar from Holland)
Preheat oven to 375 F.
Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (and I know how you gals like 'fluffy'). Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in flour mixture, vanilla and oats. Add coconut. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly browned at the edges. Cool on a wire rack. One cool dip half of each cookie in the melted chocolate and let harden. Makes about 60 cookies. Cookies will spread when baking.
My mom makes these around Christmas and they are soo good!
large pretzel rods
chocolate chips
candy canes
Crush the candy canes into small pieces. Melt the chocolate. Dip 3/4 of the pretzel into the chocolate then immediately coat with candy cane pieces. Enjoy:)