Sprinkle Cookies
There is a local Italian bakery near my parents house that serves the best cakes however my favorite item is their holiday sprinkle cookies. This past weekend I decided to attempt to copy their recipe for a cookie exchange party. While it\’s not exactly their cookie I am pleased with the results.
Sprinkle Cookies
Ingredients
1.5 cups flour
1.5 teaspoons baking powder
dash of salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 egg white, lightly beaten
multi-colored sprinkles
Directions
1. Beat butter, and sugar on medium-high for 3 minutes.
2. Add vanilla, almond and egg; beat until smooth.
3. Add flour, baking powder and salt; beat until just combined.
4. Use a cookie scoop drop into balls onto a parchment lined baked sheet.
5. Press each ball into disks.
6. Chill disks for 40 minutes (I placed my cookie sheets outside -it\’s freezing out).
7. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
8. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush tops of cookie disks with the egg white and press into sprinkles.
9. Return cookies to baking sheet.
10. Bake for 10 minutes or slightly brown on the bottom (time varies based on oven) rotating the cookie sheet halfway through.
11. Allow to cool before serving.
SinfulColors: Mirror Metallics
{Pine Away, Red Eye, Purple Heart, Gold Medal, Blue Steel, Triple Platinum}
Mirror Metallics is SinfulColors Holiday 2013 collection and it features six sparkling shades that remind me of gumdrops. At only $1.99 each at Walgreens SinfulColors nail polish makes the perfect stocking stuffer, and if you\’re like me you love receiving nail polish in your stocking. I have found that SinfulColors nail polish lasts on my nails for at least seven days before chipping. Below are my four favorite colors from the collection that I will be giving to my girlfriends wrapped in a little box with a tag that says \”For Your Mistletoes\”.
Read more at http://www.dealiciousmom.com/holiday-gift-ideas-ages-2013/#w6fpg5yJjKZdjd2v.99
Read more at http://www.dealiciousmom.com/holiday-gift-ideas-ages-2013/#w6fpg5yJjKZdjd2v.99
Gold Medal is absolutely stunning and actually is very true to an actual 14k gold. This hue would look stunning as an accent nail paired with black polish for New Years Eve.
Pine Away is a glitzy Christmas tree green and looks stunning paired with Red Eye. A Christmas must have.
Triple Platinum is a lilac that is packed with glitter. I used it as an accent nail paired with OPI\’s Linkin Park After Dark when I went ice skating over the weekend and received so many compliments.
If you\’re looking for a glittery red that is going to turn heads Red Eye is your color. This color screams Christmas, and would look so cute peeking out of a stuffed stocking.
Dog Treat: Lumps of Coal
These have quickly become Jack\’s favorite treats. I decided I would share them with all his furry friends and neighbors. I placed the lumps of coal in a clear cello bag adorned it with a bow and placed in a stocking I bought at the Dollar Store.
Lumps of Coal
1/2 cup canola oil
2 eggs
6 tablespoons peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flour (I used 1 cup all-purpose and 1 cup oatmeal that I blended in a food processor)
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup water
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF.
2. In a saucepan over medium low heat add frozen blueberries and 1/2 cup water. Cook until liquifies. Allow to cool.
3. In a medium bowl combine oil, eggs, peanut butter and vanilla.
4. Stir in flour and oats.
5. On a well-floured surface roll the dough out to about 1/3 inch thickness.
6. Cut out into square coal-like shapes or desired shapes.
7. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 13 minutes or until desired crispness.
Three Types of Gifts
One of life\’s little pleasures is giving and receiving gifts. Giving a gift is one way to express appreciation, generosity, love, thanks as well as achievements and special occasions. Seeing my mum always giving gifts I quickly learned that there are three basic types of gifts; enduring, perishable/consumable/temporary and personal. What are your favorite gifts to receive?
Enduring. This includes but is not limited to: monogrammed items such as vases, decorative items, cookware, collectables and picture frames. These all make great gifts for weddings, baby showers or anniversaries
Perishable, consumable or temporary. This includes but is not limited to: candles, flowers, decorative soap, candy, wine and paper gifts. These make great gifts for the person who has everything, a hostess or a friends birthday.
Personal. Shoes, picture, handbags jewelry, clothing, lotion or perfume/cologne. These all make wonderful gifts for significant others, family members and close friends.
Gingerbread Dog Biscuits
If you and your pup are feeling festive here is how you can make your own yummy Gingerbread Dog Biscuits.
Ingredients
1.5 cups flour* (see notes below)
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup water
4 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
1/4 cup molasses
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325.
2. Cover cookie sheets in parchment paper.
3. Mix together all ingredients.
4. Let rest for 15 minutes.
5. Roll out onto a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick.
6. Using holiday themed or bone-shaped cookie cutters (large or small) cut out the cookies.
7. Place on baking sheet and bake for 12-20 minutes depending on size and crispness.
Fashion meets Food 