Six-In-One Refrigerator Cookies

2 cups butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup lightly brown sugar (firmly packed)
2 eggs (beaten)
1 tsp. vanilla
4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup coconut (shredded)
1/2 cup pecans (finely chopped)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 sq. unsweetened chocolate (melted)
1/4 cup candied cherries (finely chopped)

Cream butter.  Gradually add sugars, cream until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla mix well.  Sift together flour, soda and salt gradually add to creamed mixture beating well after each addition.  Divide dough into 6 parts.  Add coconut to one part; pecans to second; nutmeg and cinnamon third; melted chocolate to fourth; and candied cherries to fifth.  Leave the last portion plain.  Chill 30 minutes or longer. Shape dough into 6 rolls about 1 3/4" in diameter.  Wrap tightly in plastic wrap or waxed paper and refrigerate overnight or freeze.  When ready to use, slice with sharp knife in 1/8" slices. (if frozen thaw just enough to slice)  Place on lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake in moderate oven (375) for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned.  Remove cookies and cool on racks.  Makes 18 dozen.

1 1/2 dozen of each


I ran across this recipe in a cookbook that I borrowed from my sister in about the last month so haven't tried any yet, but thought they sound good.

Thank you for reading my Christmas In July post.  I really have to learn to post pictures again.  They taught me one way on here and then changed it so....

Ritz with rolos

I may have mentioned these in the past but they are always well received and a great easy filler for trays.

Line a cookie sheet with ritz crackers and then unwrap a rolo and put on top of cracker.  Put into an oven at about 300 for a couple 2 or 3 minutes ( on plate in mirowave) and when you take them out top with another ritz cracker and push down slightly.

When cooled can be dipped in chocolate and then drizzled with white chocolate or vice versa.  I leve mine plain but a friend dips hers.

Gift Ideals

Within this past week , we have taken our 5 1/2 yr. granddaughter fishing twice.  Today while at lake I suggested to my husband that he should fill a tackle box with items for her for fishing for a gift.  Along with a new pole. Some items will be going on sale.

Cranberry Nut Bars

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 1/4 cups fresh or frozen cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350.
Beat eggs until thick.  Add sugar, beating until thoroughly blended.
Stir in flour and melted butter, blending well.  Add cranberries and walnuts, stirring just until combined.
Spread evenly in an 8" square greased baking pan.  Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool.  Cut into bars. 
Serves 24

A change from all the chocolate.

Games

If any of you play games with the family on Christmas Eve /Christmas Day, now is the time to start thinking about them and getting it together.  Collecting prizes here and there so doesn't add up along with everything else during the holidays.

Pumpkin Cookie Dip

Serve with gingersnaps, vanilla wafers, or sliced apples

1-8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
2 (7-oz) jars marshmallow creme
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated orange zest

In mixing bowl beat cream cheese and marshmallow creme together until smooth.  Stir in pumpkin, cinnamon and orange zest.  Store in refrigerator/.  Makes 4 cups

Substitute drained mashed sweet potatoes for pumpkin.

A co-worker use to bring this often at work.

No Roll Pie Crust

Has anyone tried one of these?  I just ran across the recipe a few days ago.

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup salad oil
2 tablespoons cold milk
Mix flour, sugar and salt in mixing bowl.  Add milk to salad oil.  Stir in flour.  Put mixture into 9" pie plate and shape.

Nature Decorations

There are several  items in nature that you can pick of and use in decorating.  Pinecones, different types of flowers can be dried and put into wreaths (snowball blooms), different types of pods can be dried.  All can be spray painted.  Pumpkins seeds can be made into Christmas ornaments as can okra pods can be santas.

Also remember burnt out light bulbs (regular lights) can be painted into Santas.  I have a huge one and regular size one.  The outdoor bulbs red ones can be turned into Santas to. 

E-Bay

I know there is alot of opinions on giving used items for gifts.  BUT...if you have a reader in the family you can get books like new for hardly anything.  I got the 3 books that Susan Branch wrote (about her life before getting started to the present), cookbooks like new--Pioneer Woman and etc..

Also if you have anybody that collects vintage items----tablecloths (holiday or everyday), Christmas ornaments or whatever the collection is you can find deals at times on e-bay.  Years ago I got into darners. 

Fabric for sewers you can buy scraps,

Solo cup Christmas Ball

I don't have a picture to share, but several years back we made about 10 of these with the multi colored lights.  We put them on every other post on our fence.

SEVERAL years ago a great aunt made them after seeing them on campers when they were camping and we googled pattern then.

Nice in a group on 1 hanging on the porch.  Easy to make.


Google it

Collect Collect

Start saving your coin now and see how much it will add up to by the holiday season!!!!  You will be surprised at the amount you will have.


Start saving empty containers to sore baked cookies in before giving out (butter bowls, ice cream containers)).  Also, you can recycle like pringle cans, coffee containers and such to give cookies/candies in. Google or pinterest ideals.

Hawaiian Pie

A dessert that is alittle lighter than candies and cookies....

3 eggs beaten
1 stick margarine (melted)
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 small can crushed pineapple
1 cup coconut (flaked)
1 tablespoon cornmeal
1 tablespoon flour
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat first 3 items until sugar dissolves.  Then add rest of ingredients.  Pour into an unbaked pie shell.  Bake until golden brown in oven at 375.

(Mine oven is about 30 minutes)

Buffalo Wing Pretzel Sticks----From Pinterest

Might make a nice gift for co-workers, neighbors, etc......






Buffalo Wing Pretzel Sticks

Print

These Buffalo Wing Pretzel Sticks are the perfect snack to enjoy while watching the game!

Serves: Serves 16

Ingredients

• ½ cup buffalo wing sauce (I used Frank's)
• ½ cup buter
• 1Tbs Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic owder
• 1 tsp seasonsed salt (I used Lawry's)
• 16 oz bag pretzel sticks
• blue cheese dressing for dipping
• celery and carrots (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.
2. Line a jelly roll pan or two baking sheets with parchment paper
3. Melt wing sauce, butter and Worcestershire sauce in a small saucepan over low heat.
4. Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, and seasoned salt and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
5. Empty bag of pretzels into in a large bowl.
6. Drizzle pretzels with wing sauce mixture and toss with tongs until evenly coated.
7. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Serve with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing for dipping, if you like.

Buttered Walnuts or Pecans

2 tablespoons salted butter
1/4 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste (optional)
1 cup walnuts or pecan halves

In a small skillet melt the butter over medium heat.   Add the brown sugar and cayenne (if using) and stir until well combined.
Add the walnuts or pecans and toss to coat.  Cook until the nuts are well coated and fragrant.  3 to 5 minutes stirring frequently.
Pour onto a sheet of wax paper and cool to room temperature.  Crumble the pieces before sprinkling over a salad or eat as is.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Haven't tried this.  Just found it in the Magnolia Table Cookbook awhile back.

Homemade Whipped Cream

1 pint heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt

In a large bowl, combine the cream, sugar, vanilla,a nd salt.  Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy and the cream holds a soft peak when you pull the beater out of the bowl.

Use at once or store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 30 minutes.

Use on pies, cakes, fruit cobblers or crisp, brownies, etc......

Think Positive!

Start doing alittle planning here and there---buy a few extra grocery supplies on your grocery trips that keep (canned goods, baking supplies) and you will be that much farther ahead.

Or get a gift card at the grocery store or Wal-Mart, etc and have an extra $5.00 or more put on it on your grocery trip to have for the holidays.

Doing little extra steps now will make for a more stress free season!

Decorating outside

If you decorate outside are you thinking of new decorations or placing things differently?  Do you need new extension cords, things to put lights on gutters?  Any new lights or such?  Some places are having CIJ sales so maybe worth checking out.  As for new cords and such maybe grab one here and there shopping and won't add up all at once.

Cinnamon Candy

Been years since I did it.  Another one of the recipes where you like something or don't.

3 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cup white syrup
1 cup water
1/4 oz. cinnamon oil
1/4 tsp. red food coloring

Put first 3 ingredients into a 4 qt. saucepan and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture turns clear.  Turn heat on high, not stirring, until it reaches 310 on candy thermometer.  Take off heat and add cinnamon oil and food coloring.  Be careful not to breathe fumes, and pour onto cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil and powdered sugar.  Cool and crack into pieces.

Ribbon Salad

When younger this use to be at some of the holidays.


1 pkg. cherry jello
1 small can crushed pineapple
nuts, chopped
1 large package cream cheese, softened
Lime jello
1 cup carrots, grated
1 cup celery, finely chopped
Put package of cherry jello in a a long dish. add crushed pineapple. Add chopped nuts and let it set until jelled.  Then spread soft cream cheese on top.  Then make lime jello, add carrots and celery.  Pour this mixture on top of cream cheese and refrigerate.

The Presence of Christmas

Christmas is not just a season,
Christmas is just not a day,
Christmas is more than a reason
For parties, presents, ans play.
Christmas is truly the essence
Of joy that the Savior brings;
Christmas is surely the presence
Of Jesus, the King of Kings!


William Arthur Ward

Cappuccino Mix

I have not tried this but thinking maybe for gifts. 

1 cup instant coffee creamer
1 cup instant chocolate drink mix
2/.3 cup instant coffee crystals
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients mixing well.  Store in an airtight container.  To prepare one serving, add 3 tablespoons mix to 6 oz  hot water and stir well. 
Yield 3 cups dry mix.

Says better that store brought mixes

English Toffee

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c nuts chopped

Mix all together.  Press dough into greased 10x15" pan.  Beat 1 egg white and spread on dough.  Sprinkle with 1/2 cup nuts.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Cut while warm.

Apple Cinnamon Ornaments

If you have never made them you should try them..  They are easy and fun with kids and put a heavenly scent in the air.

Different recipes can be found. 

Name Tags

I am late posting--had to get batteries for my mouse!

Anyhoo, Places like Hobby Lobby has the foam ornaments in a bucket and some of them you can insert a picture.  Would be fun to do pictures of people at a different age than they are now and let people try to see who gift goes to.  They will have a keepsake ornament too.  They use to have Santas, Snowmen, Elves and Deer.

Cranberry Bars

You either like cranberries or you don't,,,,I don't think there is a in-between with them.

 1 1/4 cups butter softened divided
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar divided
3 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats divided
1 cup all purpose flour
1 can (14 oz) whole berry cranberry sauce
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

In a large bowl cream 1 cup butter and 1 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy.  Combine 2 1/2 cups oats and flour.  Gradually add to creamed mixture until crumbly. Press into a greased 13x9" pan. Spread with cranberry sauce.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt remaining butter stir in the pecans and remaining brown sugar and oats.  Sprinkle over cranberry sauce.  Bake at 375 degrees and until lightly browned 25 to 30 minutes.  cool and cut into squares.

Peanutty Chocolate Cookies

These are always a hit

1 cup chunky peanut butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 package fudge brownie mix (13x9" size)
1/2 cup water
12 ounces milk chocolate candy bars coarsely chopped
1/2 cup unsalted peanuts
In large a large mixing bowl cream peanut butter and oil.  Beat in eggs just until combined.  Stir in brownie mix and water.  Fold in the chopped candy bars and peanuts.  Drop by heaping tablespoons 2" apart onto greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove to wire racks to cool.  Yield: 3 1/2 dozen.

I usually add alittle more peanuts and chocolate to top of cookies.

Christmas Candy Cane Crispers

I have not tried these yet but hope to.  I will probably use the fruit candy canes instead of peppermint ones.  Think I might actually put some crushed ones into the dough and not just on top.

1 cup butter at room temperature
1 1/4 cups powder sugar plus additional for coating
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/3 cups flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup coarsely crushed candy canes

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Grease and lightly flour a baking sheet.  In a large bowl beat butter, powder sugar, and vanilla.  In another bowl stir together flour, rolled oats and salt then blend with creamed mixture.  Roll dough into 3/4" balls and then roll in powder sugar.  Place 2" apart on baking sheet and flatten with a fork making crisscross pattern.  Sprinkle each with about 1/2 teaspoon crushed candy canes.  Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 to 3 minutes transfer to wire racks to cool completely. 
Makes about 4 dozen

Orange Cream Shake

Treat for little ones

2 cups orange juice
3 cups vanilla ice cream

Add the orange juice to the blender first, then add the ice cream.  Blend into a shake.
Makes 4 (1-cup) servings

Sweet 'n' Salty Trail Mix

1 egg white

1 pound unsalted mixed nuts

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3 cups mixed dried fruit

1/4 cup candy coated chocolates, like M&M's

Heat oven to 250 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.  In bowl beat egg white and add next 4 ingredients.  Toss well to coat.

Transfer nut mixture to baking sheet and bake 30-45 minutes until crisp and dry.  Cool completely.  Toss nuts with dried fruit and M&M's.

Serve 16

Christmas In July!

Peanut Brittle Cookies

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 egg
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup ground peanut brittle

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a cookie sheet.

Cream sugar and shortening.  Add egg and beat well.  Sift flour measure and shift again with baking powder and salt.  Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk.  Stir in vanilla and peanut brittle.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet.  Bake 10 to 15 minutes.  Makes 5 dozen.

Coconut Custard Pie

I posted this on Facebook but some of you aren't on it so will post it here.  I took it to work on Saturday and they really liked it.  I did not try it but it went together fast and looked really pretty in the pie plate.

1/2 cup bisquick
3/4 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 cups milk
1 cup flaked coconut
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tbsp. butter softened

Combine all ingredients and pour into a buttered 9" pie plate.  Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until custard is set.  Like magic it layers into crust, custard and coconut top.