Chocolate Covered Oreos

Once December 1st arrives snowmen begin to fill my house for the holidays and winter months. Last week I was at a cake supply store near my parent’s house where I came across the cutest mini sugar snowmen, and later decided to use them on chocolate covered Oreos. To make: insert a sucker stick into each Oreo (I bought candy cane flavor), melt chocolate and/or white chocolate on defrost in the microwave; 15-second intervals; stirring each time. Spoon chocolate over each Oreo and place on a cookie sheet add a sugared snowman (sprinkles, crushed candy cane …etc) if desired. Place in the freezer to harden (10-15 minutes) store in an airtight container or individual cellophane bags.

Santa Cookies

Before I left my parent’s house their neighbors little girl asked me if I could help her make the perfect cookie for Santa. I decided on Santa shortbread bread cookies made up of various size balls. They’re fun and simple for kids of any age to make. These cookies will last for weeks and freeze well.

Santa Cookies
Makes 11 cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookie
1 cup butter; softened
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon milk
1.5 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
miniature semisweet chocolate pieces
red paste food coloring

Directions
1. In a large mixing bowl beat butter on medium to high speed for one minute. Add sugar; beat until combined. Beat in 1 tablespoon milk and 1.5 teaspoons vanilla. Beat in the flour; you may need to mix in some with a wooden spoon.
2. Remove 1 cup of the dough. Stir red coloring into the remaining dough.
3. Shape each Santa by making on 3/4 -inch ball and four 1/4-inch balls from plain dough.
4. From red dough, shape one 1-inch ball and five 1/2-inch balls. Flatten the 1-inch red ball on cookie sheet until 1/2-inch thick. Attach plain 3/4 –inch ball for the head and flatten until 1/2-inch thick. Attached four 1/2-inch red balls for the arms and legs, and place plain 1/4-inch balls at the ends of arms and legs for the hands. Shape remaining 1/2-inch red ball into a hat Add chocolate pieces for the eyes and buttons.
5. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 12-15 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool for 3 minutes on a cookie sheet. Place on wire rack to cool.

For the Icing
Ingredients
1/2  cup shorting
2 1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
milk (add in slowly and as needed)
heart shaped red hot candies

Directions
1. In a small mixing bowl beat shortening and vanilla with an electric mixer for one minute. Gradually add 1 cup of powdered sugar, mixing well. Add in 1 tablespoon milk. Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar and enough milk (2-5 teaspoons) to make the frosting piping consistency.
2. Spoon frosting into a decorating bag fitted with a star tip. Pipe where desired and attach the cinnamon heart candy to the frosting for his mustache to create the nose.

DIY: Holiday Lantern

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This weekend I moved into my new house, and it hasn’t stopped snowing since I arrived. While I have decided not to go all out for Christmas this year I did decorate a lantern with my mum and grandma at Thanksgiving. The lantern is now making my house feel a bit more like Christmas inside. Ornaments, greenery and berries are what add a festive touch to this Ikea lantern.  
 {ornaments, greenery, berries and ribbon}
 {battery operated candle}
 {ornaments large and small line the bottom}
 {greenery added with berries on top of the ornaments and a deco ball}
 {a festive holiday touch to any room}

Snapshots

 {white chocolate peppermint spoons for cocoa}
I can’t believe that Christmas is only a couple weeks away, but I am embracing the upcoming holiday. It will be busy – moving into a new house, traveling, baking, prepping and a carriage ride around the city. I am trying to set time aside to enjoy the little things, and with hopes of a little less stress through the holidays. Have a fabulous weekend and I will see you Monday!
 {hickory farms a delicious gift}
 {diaper cake with wash cloth lollipops for a friends baby shower}
 {peppermint snowflake for Mum\’s cocoa bar}
{light up night in downtown rochester}

DIY: Infused Oil

For a fun twist on Christmas gifts, I have been infusing canola oil with various herbs. It’s a great way to add a unique favor to meals. I made three different combinations; rosemary, rosemary and peppercorns and rosemary with thyme.  I simply placed the dried herbs in individual glass bottles, added herbs, and poured in the canola oil adorned with twine and a glittery ornament for a festive finishing touch.  The oil is good for a month or two.
* Note: There was a concern made about the oil, a couple people asked questions.
• If you use Canola Oil the oil is perfectly safe.

• Use herbs that have been dried out.