Sunday, December 16, 2007

A Sure Sign That Christmas is Around the Corner . . .

I woke up all sniffly and coughing this morning. A cold has finally caught me. It makes sense because our weather has been so cold at night lately and my body is not used to that at all. Anyway, after a couple glasses of Theraflu Cough and Cold, I was back in business.

Today I decided to bake cookies and as a second thought, make some fudge. Usually my fudge turns out all crazy and it is not so chewy and perfect like store bought fudge, but I found the most amazing recipe that was super easy (well except for the stirring, my arm got sore) AND it tastes so darn good. Shall I share????


Microwave Mint Fudge

1 1/2 c. Sugar
1 can (5 oz.) evaporated milk
1/4 c. butter
5 c. mini marshmallows
1 pkg chocolate chips
1 packet (1 oz.) pre melted baking chocolate
1/2 c. chopped nuts
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

DIRECTIONS:
In a 2 qt. microwave safe bowl, combine sugar, milk and butter. Microwave on high until mixture comes to a full rolling boil, stirring after 2.5 minutes. Cook 5 more minutes, stirring after 3 minutes.

Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Stir in chips and chocolate until smooth. Stir in nuts and extracts. Immediately pour into a well greased 9x13 dish/pan. Chill until firm. Cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 2 1/4 lbs.

Grandma's Gingerbread Cookies (from the Grandma's Molasses site)

8 tbls. (1 stick) butter, or shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup Grandmas Original or Robust Molasses
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

Beat butter with sugar and molasses. Mix in egg. Sift dry ingredients and add to wet mixture. Mix well. Chill in freezer 1 hour or in refrigerator 2 hours. Heat oven to 350ºF. Roll out a portion of the dough 1/4-in. thick on lightly floured board. Chill remaining dough. Cut with cookie cutter, place on greased baking sheets. If decorating with raisins, add them at this time. Bake 8-10 minutes. Cool. Pipe on royal icing and add candy pieces, if desired.

7 comments:

Sharon said...

YUM! I need to move to AZ so I can come eat at your house. :)

Bouncy, Flouncy, Fun,Fun, Fun said...

That looks so yummy! You have my mouth watering for fudge now!
Glad your feeling better!

Bev Gerard said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, I am reading this late at night, and just savoring the imagined scents and rich goodness, Amanda! Yumma!

~Bev

Chris Scrappin and Stampin in Texas said...

Those cookies and fudge look so yummy. I will have to try the fudge. Also thos cocoa cupcakes look fun too. Hope yoou had fun on your hayride. Happy Holidays, Chris

Margie said...

Cold in Arizona?
We have about 3 feet of snow in the front lawn here in Ontario :)

Margie said...

Happy Holidays Amanda.
Congrats on the new home.
Thanks for your creative inspiration
MaggieMay

Julie Brooks said...

YUMMMM!!! Hope you feel better soon!!