Grinch Punch

I made this Grinch punch to go along with our Grinch cookies for our 1st annual family Grinch party last night.  It was a hit.

Doesn't get any easier than this.

Fill a glass up with scoops of lime sherbet.  Notice we even had green straws as well.

Then fill glass up with Sprite.  Smoosh it around in the glass to melt the sherbet.

Our Grinch punch and cookies.  It was a fun night and one I hope we remember to have again next year.  Now no more Grinches this year.

25 Days of Christmas Cookies: Day 2 The Grinch Cookies

I saw these cookies and the recipe for Grinch punch and knew I had to have the first annual Family Grinch Night.  I tease my husband about being a Grinch at Christmas because he doesn't get in the spirit as early as I do.  He is getting better.  So tonight we are having our family Grinch party and watch the original ( sorry Jim Carey it's better) version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  I will post the punch tomorrow.  This is a fun activity that you and your family might want to start.

The cookies are very easy.  They start with a French vanilla cake mix.

Melt 6 Tablespoons of butter and let cool.

All nice and melted

While you are waiting on the butter to cool you can put together 1 cup confectioner's sugar and 1 teaspoon of cornstarch.  My sugar had some lumps in it and I had the time so I sifted it into a flat plate.

I will admit you can probably use less sugar.  I did throw away some when I finished.

Now to the cake mix add 2 eggs.

The melted butter.

And stir together.  The batter will be very stiff.

Add some green coloring.  I had some cake coloring but you could use regular food coloring too.  It will take a lot because you want it a pretty shade of green.

I ended up kneading it with my hands to get the color mixed well. Looks like the Grinch color to me.

Now roll into small balls and drop into the powdered sugar mixture.

Roll them around and put on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.

My whole tray. Put them in a preheated 375 oven for 9 minutes.  They will look like they aren't done but they are.

Let them sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before you take them up.

Let them cool completely.

Now what Grinch would not like these cookies.

Grinch cookie recipe
1 box French Vanilla cake mix
6 T butter melted
2 eggs
green food coloring
1 c powdered sugar
1 t corn starch.

25 Days of Christmas Cookies: Day 14 Crock Pot Chocolate Candy

I has been a few weeks since I had a Crock Pot Monday recipe.  I know it isn't Monday but this recipe can't wait.  This is by far the best crock pot recipe I have made for you.

Look at all that wonderful chocolate.

Rule #1 of this candy is that everything needs to go in this order.  Add 1 16oz jar of unsalted roasted peanuts.

Add 1 16oz jar of salted roasted peanuts.

Add 1 12oz package semisweet chocolate chips

Add 1 12 oz package butterscotch chips.  You can leave this one out if you are not a fan.

Chop a 4 oz bar of German chocolate and sprinkle on top.

Chop 3 lbs of white almond bark.  Rule #2 of candy resist the urge to stir!  Cover and turn the crock pot on low.  Let cook for about 3 hours.

Almost ready.

Now you can stir the candy.  The chocolate is soft and easy to stir.

Continue to mix well.  Stir from the bottom.

Nice an well mixed.  Time to start dropping.

Lay down some wax paper.  Using two spoons drop by spoonfuls onto the wax paper.  You can make them as big or as little as you like.

Look at all that candy.  Let sit for a couple of hours to cool.

Now the good part licking the bowl.  I'm sure you will find some help with that.

Crock Pot Chocolate Candy Recipe.
1 16oz jar roasted unsalted peanuts
1 16oz roasted salted peanuts
1 12oz package semisweet chocolate chips
1 12oz package butterscotch chips
1 4oz bar German chocolate broken into pieces
3 lbs white almond bar broken into pieces.

25 Days of Christmas Cookies: Day 5 Gingerbread Cookies

I don't really know where I found this recipe or how long I have been making it, but I do know it is one of the most requested things I make.  I have people starting about October wanting to know when I am going to make my gingerbreadmen.  I have looked at lots of recipes and this is the only one I have found with cardamon in it.  I guess that is what makes this different from other gingerbread recipes.  I have had people tell me that they don't like gingerbread but like these cookies.  Hope you will give them a try for your family.

Get everything out and ready.  I like Grandma's Molasses best.

I mix up several batches at one time so I do a little prep work before I get started to make things go much faster.  I put all the spices and baking items that need to be measured together.  This cup includes the following:
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cardamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
My kitchen smells so good when I am mixing up and baking these cookies.

Now to start putting them all together.  Cream together 1 1/2 cup sugar with 2 sticks butter that have been softened to room temperature.

To that add one egg.

2 tablespoon water

3 tablespoon molasses.  If you spray the cup with non stick spray it will come out much easier.

Mix well.

Now add 3 1/4 cup plain flour one cup at a time, mix well after each cup.

Now add the cup of spices.

Scrap down the sides and kinda scoop it into a ball.

Turn the ball out onto plastic wrap and wrap and put in the fridge.  The recipe says for a few hours but I always put it in over night.  They will be ready to roll out and bake tomorrow morning.

Before getting ready to roll out the cookies there are a few things you need to do ahead of time to make things easier.  Get out all your cookie cutters you want to use.

Line your cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Lightly flour your surface and rolling pin so the dough won't stick.

Get one batch out of the fridge.

I cut it in half because it is easier to work with only part of it at a time.

This is the half I am working with.

Roll it into a ball and lightly flour it.

Now start rolling it out.  Turning it helps keep it the same size.  You will get your upper arm work out doing this.

The dough is rolled out.

Start cutting your cookies.  I made a feww of these cookies this time.  This is Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.  My husband brought me back this cookie cutter this fall.

Here is a tray of some of my favorites.  These are ABC cookies.  Already been chewed.

Now to the gingerbreadmen.  When you get a tray filled place in a preheated 325 oven.  I start with 8 minutes and check them.  If you are baking for a long time by the end of the batches you might want to start with a lower time and just add to it as needed.

A nice batch of those.  I have all sizes and also some gingerbreadgirls too.

I had already put up some of the cookies when I took this picture.  I make all kinds of cookies.  I have Polar bears, buffaloes, trees, small houses, elephants, footballs,all in addition to the gingerbreadmen.

Gingerbread cookie recipe
1 1/2 c sugar
1 c butter softened
3 T molasses
1 egg
2 T water
3 1/4 c plain flour
2 t baking soda
2 t cinnamon
1 1/2 t ginger
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cardamon
1/2 t cloves