Soft Eggnog Cookies

photo & recipe adapted from Mommy's Kitchen

Soft Eggnog Cookies

1/2 - cup (1 stick) real unsalted butter, softened
1 - cup sugar
1 - egg
1 - teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 - tsp rum extract
dash of ground nutmeg
2 1/2 - cups all-purpose flour
1/2 - teaspoon baking soda
1/2 - teaspoon salt
1/2 - 1 cup - eggnog
FROSTING:

2 - 3 - tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
3 - 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 - cup eggnog
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
cinnamon sugar


In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla and rum extract. Combine flour, baking soda, nutmeg and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with eggnog and mix well. Start by adding a 1/2 cup of eggnog and if you feel that the dough is to thick you can up to 1 cup.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Flatten down the cookie dough just a bit.

Bake at 375 degrees F (convection oven-350 degrees) for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. The cookies are done when they are golden brown around the edges but still light in color on top. Test the cookies with a toothpick to make sure they are done. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes then remove to a cooling rack, cool completely and frost.

For the frosting: Combine butter, confectioners' sugar, eggnog and vanilla in a mixing bowl; beat until smooth. If the frosting is to runny add more confectioners sugar. If it is really thick add a bit more eggnog. It should be spreadable. Frost the cookies and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar on top.

Cookie Madness at BHG

recipes & photos from BHG.com

Eggnog Frosted Nutmeg Sugar Cookies

Ingredients


1/2 of a vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise, or 2 teaspoons vanilla
1-1/4 cups butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoom freshly grated nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 tablespoon dairy or canned eggnog
3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Eggnog Icing
Coarse sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Using the tip of a sharp knife, scrape pulp from vanilla bean; set aside. In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, eggnog, and vanilla pulp or vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the dough portions to 1/4 inch thick. Using a fluted round 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out dough. Place dough rounds 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are just lightly browned. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool. Repeat with other dough portion. Spread cookies with Eggnog Icing. If desired, sprinkle with coarse sugar. Let icing dry. Makes about 24 cookies.



Eggnog Icing: In a medium bowl, stir together 3 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in enough dairy or canned eggnog or milk (3 to 4 tablespoons) to make an icing of spreading consistency.



To store: Layer cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Red Velvet Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, cut up
1 tablespoon red food coloring
3 ounces white chocolate (with cocoa butter), coarsely chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons shortening
Finely chopped pistachios or rainbow nonpareils (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Cover and process with on/off turns until combined. Add butter and red food coloring. Process with on/off turns until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Process until mixture just forms a ball.*



2. On a lightly floured surface, knead dough lightly until nearly smooth. Roll or pat dough to a 1/2-inch thickness. Using a floured 1-1/2-inch round cutter, cut out dough. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Press scraps together and reroll.

3. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until centers are set. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; let cool.

4. In a heavy small saucepan, melt white chocolate and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly. Dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate. If desired, sprinkle with pistachios or nonpareils. Let stand on waxed paper until set. Makes about 24 cookies.


*Hand-mixing method: In a medium bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter and food coloring until mixture resembles fine crumbs and starts to cling together (it will take a while for the dough to come together). Form mixture into a ball, kneading until smooth.

To Store: Place cookies in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

recipe from Paula Deen

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Ingredients


2 cups crushed pretzels
3/4 cup melted butter
3 tablespoons sugar, plus 3/4 cup sugar
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping
2 (3-ounce) packages strawberry gelatin dessert mix
2 cups boiling water
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen strawberries
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple
Whipped topping or whipped cream, to garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

For the crust, mix the pretzels, butter, and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Press this mixture into a 9 by 13-inch pan and bake for 7 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.
In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and 3/4 cup of sugar. Fold in the whipped topping, and spread over the cooled crust. Refrigerate until well chilled.
In a small bowl, dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water, and allow to cool slightly. Add the strawberries and pineapple, and pour over the cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until serving time.
To serve, cut slices and serve with a dollop of whipped topping.


Yields: 8-10 servings

Baked French Toast with Praline Topping

recipe from Paula Deen

Baked French Toast with Praline Topping

Ingredients


1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup
Directions

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.


Praline Topping:

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Dried Cherry and Almond Cookies w/ Vanilla Icing

Recipe from Giada De Laurentiis

These have to be my favorite cookies so far. They're easy to make and taste so complex. Also you can make many logs ahead of time and pop a batch in the oven for unexpected guest.

Dried Cherry and Almond Cookies w/ Vanilla Icing

Ingredients


Cookies:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup, plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 large egg
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup coarsely chopped dried tart cherries (see Cook's Note)
1/2 cup slivered, blanched almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped (see Cook's Note)

Icing:

2 3/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 tablespoons water, plus extra, as needed


Directions

For the Cookies:
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, cinnamon, and salt until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, then beat in the egg. Add the flour and beat on the lowest speed until just blended. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the dried cherries and almonds.
Transfer the dough to a sheet of plastic wrap and shape it into a log, about 12-inches long and 1 1/2-inches in diameter. Wrap the dough in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. (Dough can be made up to 3 days in advance).

Arrange an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 heavy baking sheets with parchment paper.

Cut the log crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Transfer the dough slices to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1-inch apart. Bake until the cookies are golden around the edges and puffed, about 15 minutes. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before icing, about 30 minutes.

For the Icing:
Put the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the vanilla extract and water, adding more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the mixture becomes a drizzling consistency. (Makes about 2/3 cups icing, enough to ice both variations.)

Put the cooled cookies on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Using a spoon or a fork, drizzle the cookies with the icing, allowing any excess icing to drip onto the baking sheet. Allow the icing to set before serving, about 1 hour.


Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.


Cook's Note Alternative: Replace the dried cherries with 1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots and add 2 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts. Also, use 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and omit the almond extract.

Fruity Candy Popcorn

recipe from Our Best Bites blog

Fruity Candy Popcorn {AKA Jello Popcorn}

8 cups popped popcorn
1/4 C butter (that's half a stick)
3 T light corn syrup (honey is a good substitute)
1/2 C sugar
1 3.5oz box jello, any flavor (not the sugar free kind)


-Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a jelly roll pan with foil or parchment. If using foil, spray lightly with non-stick spray and set aside. Place popcorn in an extra large mixing bowl.

-Place butter and syrup in a sauce pan on medium heat. Stir until butter is melted. Add sugar and Jello and stir to combine.

-Increase heat and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat so it just simmers. Continue simmering for 5 minutes. You'll start off with a mixture that's sometimes thick (depending on the flavor, see note at end) and as it cooks the sugar will dissolve and it will become a little more liquid-ish.

-After the sugar mixture simmers for 5 minutes, immediately pour over popcorn in bowl. Be careful, it's super hot!! Mix right away and keep stirring so everything gets well coated. Spread mixture onto prepared pan and spread out evenly.

-Pop in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes. I've noticed that some flavors of jello have more mix than others (kind of like my discovery about different brands/flavors of cake mix noted in this post). For example, the strawberry is usually much thicker than the lime. If you notice this, you might want to bake the mixture for a few minutes longer to make sure it gets cooked all the way.


-Remove the pan from the oven and let cool to room temp. Then break into pieces and enjoy! You can certainly eat this un-baked as well and it's just soft and gooey, but definitely bake it if you're going to pack it up for giving, or serve it as party food so it will be light and crunchy.

Cranberry Bliss Bars

from Good Things Catered blog & adapted sligthly from recipezaar

Cranberry Bliss Bars

Ingredients:

for cookie

1 c. butter, softened
1 1/4 c. light brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp orange extract
1 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp salt
1 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 c. diced dried cranberries
3/4 c. white chocolate chunks


for frosting

6 oz cream cheese, softened
3 c. powdered sugar
4 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 c. diced dried cranberries


for drizzled icing

1 c. powdered sugar
1 Tbsp milk, plus a bit more if needed


Directions:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare (well grease) 9x13 baking pan.

-In bowl of stand mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until fluffy and light in color, about 2 minutes.

-Add eggs, vanilla, ginger, and salt; beat well.

-Gradually mix in flour just until combined.

-Remove bowl from mixer and fold in cranberries and white chocolate.

-Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.

-Place in oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until cake is barely light brown on the edges.

-Remove from oven and let cool.

-Meanwhile make the frosting.

-In stand mixer bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice and vanilla and beat on low until smooth.

-When the cake has cooled invert onto cutting board and spread frosting over top, evenly.


-Sprinkle top with diced cranberries.

-Prepare icing by whisking powdered sugar and 1 Tbsp of milk, adding more if needed to come to a thick consistency icing.

Place icing in a pastry bag, snip the end and drizzle over cranberries in a sweeping motion.

-Place cake on cutting board into the fridge to set, at least 1 hour.

-Remove cake from fridge and, using a long knife, carefully slice the cake lengthwise (the long way) through the middle.

-Slice the cake across the width three times making a total of eight rectangular slices.

-Slice each of those rectangles diagonally creating 16 triangular slices.

-Serve immediately or place into the fridge to keep for later.

Soft & Spicy Gingerbread Cookies

adapted from allrecipes

Soft and Spicy Gingerbread Cookies


Ingredients:

1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. molasses
1 egg
4 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground cloves
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground nutmeg


Directions:

-In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth.

-Stir in molasses and egg.

-Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg; blend into the molasses mixture until smooth.

-Cover, and chill for at least one hour.

-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line with parchment.

-On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness.

-Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.

-Place cookies 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.

-Bake for about 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm.

-Let cool for 10 minutes on pan.

-Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

-Frost or decorate when cool.

Triple Chocolate Devil Drops

(recipe from My Kitchen Cafe blog)

*Makes 2-3 dozen cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour

2/3 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened

1 1/3 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2/3 cup sour cream

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

4 ounces white chocolate, chopped


Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease two baking sheets (or line them with parchment or silpat liners).

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl. Gently whisk together to blend.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together at medium speed until light, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Mix in the vanilla extract. At low speed, add 1/3 of the dry ingredients and mix. Then add 1/2 of the sour cream and mix. Add another 1/3 of the dry ingredients followed by the remainder of the sour cream. Finally add the last of the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Using a wooden spoon stir in the chocolate chips.
Drop the dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies 1 inch apart. Bake the cookies for 12-13 minutes until edges appear done and no impression is left when you touch a cookie very lightly with a finger. Do not overbake or the cookies will be dry! Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and cool completely.
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate for one minute at 50% power. Stir and melt in 20-second intervals at 50% power, stirring after every interval, until chocolate is melted and smooth. (Don't cook at too high of a power or the chocolate will scorch and seize.)

Scrape the melted chocolate into a ziploc bag and seal the bag. Cut a tiny hole in one of the bottom corners of the bag and drizzle the cookies with the white chocolate in thin parallel lines. Refrigerate the cookies for 5 minutes or until set.

The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days, although, in my opinion, these taste best within the first 1-2 days.