Christmas time home baked treats!

One of our favorite Christmas Morning treats, fresh from the oven "Orange-Pecan-Cinnamon Rolls". I use my bread maker to mix the dough for this tasty treat. I usually have the dough set to go in the breadmaker, before we leave for Christmas Eve festivities at my Parents house. Then upon our return home later that evening, I just roll out the dough and prepare the Cinnamon rolls so they are ready to bake by morning. These Cinnamon Rolls have become a tradition in our house on Christmas morning. They are quite yummy, and they disappear quickly around here.



This is the third year that I have tried my hand at making Christmas Stollen. My Mom always makes this at Christmas time. She uses a very traditional German recipe for making Stollen. I believe her recipe has been handed down in her family for a number of generations.
I have taken the liberty to create my own "Stollen" recipe, meaning I took out the ingredients that I never cared for as a kid, and I have substituted in other tasty ingredients in their place. Traditional German Stollen for example, has raisins in it...Yuck! I always hated baked raisins as a kid, so I use dried cranberries instead, Yummy! I also don't care for those candied cherries, Yuck! I use finely chopped dried Apricots in their place, Yummy! Traditional German Stollen recipes use Cognac to soften the dried fruit, this year I discovered a far more tasty option....I used Butterscotch Schnapps to soften the dried fruit I used in my stollen this year...Hmmm, now that is yummy! I also add a tasty layer of Marzipan to the center of my Stollen. I just love Marzipan, it is especially delicious when baked into the Stollen. I love having a slice of Stollen with tea in the evening. My family enjoys my non-traditional "Stollen".

At Christmas time we bake a variety of goodies to share with friends and family. Here is a little sample of the yummy treats we have made this Christmas.

Here are a few more of our favorite treats to bake. I just love these Eggnog Spritz Cookies with coffee in the morning... hmmm, Yummy!

Lemon Bars are always a holiday favorite. My parents have a big lemon tree, and they are kind enough to share lemons with us. These lemon bars are quick and easy to make, they are so tasty too.

We also enjoy making Candies this time of year. Kurt makes this fabulous "Rain Forest Crunch". It is a buttery brittle candy that is filled with ingredients like, coconut, macadamia nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, and brazil nuts. This is one of my favorite Christmas time treats.

Blackberry Cheesecake Muffins and "Magic Reindeer Food"

A little while back I promised to present you with my "Blackberry Cheesecake Muffin" recipe. I baked a batch of these yummy muffins this morning. I had to photograph them rather quickly, as they began to disappear from the basket so fast. My three (very) hungry children are on their Christmas vacation from school, so I will be baking yummy breakfast treats more often in the next couple of weeks. I really enjoy baking muffins and scones for breakfast, especially when we don't have to rush off in the morning. So for the next couple of weeks, I will start my day with a nice Hot Triple Cinnamon Cream Latte, and plan out my baking strategy for the day. Watch for more of my favorite recipes.

Here is the recipe for "Caroline's Mistletoe Ranch Blackberry Cheesecake Muffins"

Cheesecake topping:

Mix together one 8 0z package of cream cheese,(softened at room temperature) 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon unbleached flour, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, until smooth. Set this aside until ready to use.

For the muffins:

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon real vanilla extract

1 pint size container of fresh blackberries (frozen will work in a pinch, but fresh works best)

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla; mix well. Stir into the dry ingredients just until moistened. Carefully fold in the blackberries. Fill paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full. Using a spoon, make a small well in the center of each muffin, this is where you will place the cheesecake mixture.

Add 1-2 tablespoons (depending on what will fit) of the cheesecake mixture to the well you created in each of the muffins. Reserve any left over cheesecake mixture for another batch of muffins. The cheesecake filling works great in Pumpkin Muffins too. Bake the muffins at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire cooling rack.

Optional; Sprinkle the muffins with turbinado sugar. I consider turbinado sugar to be glitter for baked treats, it adds a little yummy sweetness and it is festive and pretty.

Enjoy these muffins with hot chocolate or coffee. Please refridgerate any left over muffins.

Here is a little craft that I would like to share, "Magic Reindeer Food"


This past week, I had the opportunity to share this little craft with my daughter Kambria's, Junior Kindergarten class. I had a fun time helping the kiddos make this simple little recipe. The children measured out their own ingredients, they did very well with this craft. I even made cute little bags with blue and white snowflake fabric, so we could wrap them up in something festive and cute. After all, "Presentation, is everything". A special thank you to Miss Monica, (Kambria's very hard working teacher) for allowing me to bring this fun recipe into the class to share.


Recipe for:
"Magic Reindeer Food"

2 tablespoons Oatmeal
1 dash of Red Sugar
1 dash of Green Sugar
1 Generous sprinkle of Blue Sparkle Glitter


Add ingredients to ziploc bag.
Carefully seal the ziploc bag, making sure it is completely closed.
Shake bag gently to mix ingredients together. If giving this a gift include the instructions listed below.



"Magic Reindeer Food"
Directions:
On Christmas Eve,
Sprinkle on the lawn at night,
The moon will make it sparkle bright.
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,
This will guide them to your home.
Have a Merry Christmas!

Well, I am off to finish a few last minute Christmas gifts. Be sure and check back in a day or two to see what I have been up to.

Check out this adorable Custom Boutique Dress by Kaytes Kloset

Here is a little treat...

I just had to share this adorable Dress available custom made for your little girl, by Heather of Kaytes*Kloset. I just love the colors on this set. The paisely print and rose print fabric come together beautifully. The classic details make this perfect for portraits, special occasions, and birthday parties. Just imagine your little cutie wearing this set for a tea party. This set also includes the super cute hat! The designer of this dress is one of my groupmates in Gigggles Boutique on ebay. Search GGBT on ebay for more of my fellow Giggles girls designs.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Custom-Boutique-Knot-Apron-Dress-SET-2-3-4-5-6-GGBT_W0QQitemZ120345511502QQihZ002QQcategoryZ163213QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Disneyland at Christmas time

I have not been very attentive to my blog....sorry for the long lapse in posting, but I was busy getting ready to go to Disneyland!

I love going to Disneyland at Christmas time.

Tinkerbell is currently one of Kambria's favorites. I cannot tell you how many times she has watched the new Tinkerbell video!

Of course when we go to Disneyland, I have to make custom outfits for my children who will still wear them. Kambria is my biggest fan of my custom made outfits. She always has more outfits to take, than she could possibly wear on our one week stay. She loves the attention she gets when people admire her outfits. She even strikes a few modeling poses when people inquire about her outfits. My husband says, I should have her pass out my business cards,( ha, ha!). This year, Kambria's favorite outfit was all about Tinkerbell. Kambria helped to pick out the colors and fabrics for this set. She just loves bright colors.

Keegan and Katiana will still wear something that subtly suggests Disneyland. I have to sneak Mickey Mouse head embroidery onto Keegan's shirts when he is not looking, and hide it back in his luggage when he is not aware of it. Katiana, still enjoys custom made outfits that don't scream Disney! She prefers classic simple details.

My babies are growing up.

Kambria has never met a baked treat that she did not like! These Disney treats were calling out to her!

Here are a few more pictures from our trip.