Thursday, December 29, 2011

Candy Cane Fudge, Peppermint Pie, and the rest of December...

Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year! I realize I'm about 4 days too late to the Christmas recipe party but better late than never right?  

This December has been a whirlwind of events.  Birthday. 1-Year Anniversary. Christmas. Parties. Headband business starting. And not to mention, I had to actually work sometime in there.  Here's a little recap of December and what I've been baking lately and just life in general.  

Rather than type out and post the recipes I used, I'm just going to link them straight up.  

That being said...my December.  


One-Year Anniversary---Enchanted Rock, Fredericksburg, TX


Train themed birthday cake for 1 year-old

Celebrating the holidays in Llano, TX...I have no idea what sort of gun I'm shooting.

Merry Christmas, from Nelly.




I didn't use nearly enough red dye or peppermints but it tastes delicious.



Christmas Eve with my siblings.

Here's to 2012 :)


Sunday, December 11, 2011

Ginger Molasses Cookies

I have a list of things I want to make this holiday season and so far, I've been slacking.  You see, December is by far my favorite month of the year, but it's also the busiest month of the year for me.  First, there's my birthday, followed shortly after by my anniversary, and of course, Christmas!  And evidently, I'm supposed to continue working through all of this. Bah humbug.  


My first recipe for you is one of my favorite cookies.  I wouldn't specifically label them "Christmas cookies" but I only crave them around this time of year.  And then I only let myself make one batch of them, because the hubs and I ate all two dozen cookies within two days.  Don't judge. 


This is another recipe that was given to me by my friend's mother---she's a cookie queen.  Not sure where she first read the recipe but I know it comes out of her old-school notecard recipe box. :)



These cookies taste very similar to gingerbread but with a little more bite.  They're sweet, slightly salty, and delicious.  


Like I said before, they didn't last long in this household.


Perfect for a cookie exchange or just because.  


And now I need to get back to the kitchen and continue crossing things off the list.


Ginger Molasses Cookies
         (printable recipe)

2 1/2 cups AP flour
2 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp ginger
1/2 tsp allspice
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup + 2 tbsp butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
6 tbsp molasses
1 egg

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  
2.  Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in separate bowl.
3.  Beat butter and sugars together until light and fluffy.
4.  Beat in molasses and egg until thoroughly combined.
5.  Gradually add in flour mixture until combined.
6.  Scoop by rounded spoonful onto baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes. (Option: roll dough in white sugar before baking) Cool on wire rack.