Sugar Plums

Back during Christmas in July Shirley on Hallmark Home and Family made these Sugar Plums.  I printed out the recipe and decided I was going to make them for Christmas.  These little bites will having you dance the dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in no time.  For those picky eaters don't tell them what is in these and what they don't know won't hurt them.  These are so easy to mix up because the food processor does all the work. 

I rolled mine in purple sugar but you could use any color you like.

This is a lot of dried fruits.  But it's these dried fruits that make them so good.

Start with 1/2 cup dried plums (prunes for those of you that don't know)

1/2 cup dried apricots

1/4 cup dried cherries

1/4 cup dried cranberries

3/4 cup chopped almonds

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 Tablespoon grated orange peel.  I didn't measure I just used the peel of one orange.

1/4 cup honey.  If you spray your measuring cup with Pam it will just slide right out.

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cardamon

pinch of salt

Now that you have everything in the food processor.  Pulse until everything is mixed well.

This is what it looks like.  I used my cookie scoop and scooped them and rolled them into a ball.

This is my purple sanding sugar.

Drop them in and roll in the sugar.

These are so pretty and smell like Christmas.

Store in an airtight container.

Sugar Plums Recipe

1/2 cup dried plums (prunes)
1/2 cup dried apricots
1/4 cup dried cherries
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 Tablespoon orange peel
3/4 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cardamon
pinch of salt

Minty Grinch Crockpot candy

Several years ago I made a chocolate crock pot candy that has made the rounds.  It is a classic but uses a lot of ingredients.  This one is a cute play on the classic Grinch story.  Everyone has a Grinch in their life that would appreciate this candy.  It is very easy to make and doesn't make a ton so it is a great little treat. It might just turn your Grinch into a CindyLou.

I used the peppermint pieces that I used in the cookies the other day.  If you want to crush candy canes you can do that as well. 

This couldn't be any easier.  Those are green candy melt pieces.

Add two bag 12 oz each to the crock pot.  Be sure to use a liner so it will be easy to clean up.  These candy melts you can find at craft stores or Walmart.

Add 6 oz white baking chocolate.  This is those chocolate bars in the baking section of the store. Add it to the crock pot too.  Cover and cook on low for 1 hour.

When that hour is up stir the chocolates together.

Then add 2 cups or a little more dry roasted peanuts.

Add them to the chocolate.

Add 3/4 teaspoon mint extract.  Stir everything together.

Now scoop onto wax paper or parchment paper.

After you scoop a couple at a time sprinkle the candy cane on top so that it sticks when it firms up.

Let them sit until they are firm then store them in a airtight container.

Minty Grinch Crockpot Candy Recipe

2 12 oz bags of green candy melts
6 oz white baking chocolate
2 cups dry roasted peanuts
3/4 teaspoon mint extract
crushed candy canes or peppermint pieces

Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies almost taste like an Almond Joy candy bar, and what's not to like there. Chocolate, coconut and almonds are so good together. I think your family with enjoy these too. These cookies go together really quickly.  They freeze beautifully also.

Not anything unusual in these cookies.

First thing is to measure out 3/4 cup chopped almonds and

3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Spread out on a parchment lined baking sheet and toast lightly in the oven.  I set the oven to 350 and put inside for about 5-7 minutes.  I kept an eye on it and stirred the pan during the toasting.

Start with 3/4 cup softened butter

Add 3/4 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar to the butter.  Mix well.

Add 2 eggs and mix well.

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla.  Mix all that well in the batter.

Add 3 cups all purpose flour.  Don't all at one time or you will have a mess to clean up. Also add 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips.

The almonds and coconut are all toasted.  Now to let it cool before adding to the batter.

I mixed it together and put it on a second cookie sheet to cool.  It isn't going to cool when left on the cookie sheet that went in the oven.

Now scoop and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  If you are going to mix and bake at the same time you will need to chill the dough for about an hour.  When baking place in a preheated 350 oven and bake for 14-16 minutes.

And enjoy.

Coconut almond chocolate chip cookie recipe

3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup softened butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup sweetened toasted coconut
3/4 cup toasted chopped almonds.

Preheat oven to 350 bake for 14-16 minutes.

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Cookies

I have discovered that shortcuts in my cookie baking are a good thing.  Cake mix cookies are the latest cookie that I have found.  They usually do not have a lot of additional ingredients either so they are good for beginning bakers or someone that has limited supplies.  There are lots of recipes for different flavors of cake mix cookies.  I have made Grinch cookies in the past out of a cake mix.

These are so good and lots of pecan goodness inside.

You may have some difficulty finding a butter pecan cake mix so when you find them you might want to pick up an extra box.

Start with the cake mix in the bowl.

Add 1/3 cup oil

2 eggs

2 cups white chocolate chips

1 cup coarsely chopped pecans.  Mix everything well together.

Then scoop your dough.  It's that easy.  When ready to bake place in a preheated 350 oven.  Bake for 13-15 minutes.

And enjoy

Butter Pecan White Chocolate Cookie Recipe

1 box Betty Crocker Butter Pecan Cake mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 cups white chocolate chips
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 350.  Bake for 13-15 minutes