Christmas Cookie Party

To kick off the Christmas cookie baking season, I made these delicious chocolate crackle cookies a few weeks. True, to form, the holiday season has been a whirlwind ever since and my list of baking hopes and dreams remains very, very long. 

Last weekend, Alicia hosted a cookie baking/exchange party at her festive home. I love a good cookie, as well as the opportunity to sample an assortment. Last year, Alicia and I spent a joyous Sunday afternoon baking (8 or so different varieties of cookies) until our hearts were content. 

Adorning our festive aprons pre-baking last year

Admitting to ourselves that we may have slightly overdone things last year, we vowed to keep our recipes to a minimum and extended the invitation to the rest of our group as well. It ended up turning into more of a cookie exchange than baking due to the number of people participating, but it with Christmas music in the air, it was just the push I needed to kick-start my somewhat lagging Christmas spirit. 

Alicia and Dan's amazing Santa bathroom set made it impossible not to embrace my inner [very excited] child

Limiting myself to one type of cookie for this year's bake-off, I found myself returning to a recipe that I'd made last year during our day of Christmas cookies. This time, the addition of mini chocolate chips made the end result a little ball of chocolate happiness!

Hidden Hershey Kisses

Ingredients

Adapted from Tastebook

• Approx 48 Hershey's Kisses (I used a mix of hugs and the dark chocolate version)
• 1 cup butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Similar to the peppermint patty brownies, there was a lot of unwrapping involved

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 375°F

2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in large bowl until well blended

3. Add flour to butter mixture; blend until smooth. Stir in mini chocolate chips

4. Mold a tablespoon dough around each chocolate piece, covering completely. Shape into balls; place on ungreased cookie sheet

5. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool completely

6. After cookies have cooled, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave bowl for 30 seconds, followed by 15 second intervals. Stir between each cook time until smooth

7. Drizzle chocolate over each cookie. Place cookies in refrigerator until chocolate hardens (about 30 minutes) or in the freezer (10 minutes) to speed up the process

Breaking Out the Cranberries...and a Little Mint

In my baking world, there are two baking goods that are synonymous with Christmas: cranberries and peppermint. There's something about them that makes it officially seem like Christmas (not unlike pumpkin during fall...unrelated side note, I have two cans of pumpkin leftover from fall and I'm going to be breaking into at least one soon. I miss pumpkin so much it hurts). 

Last week, we had our super early office Christmas/holiday party (ah the perils of having multiple offices to work into the schedule). I was not in the spirit at all (seriously, despite my attempt to make my home festive, I was still mourning the loss of my beloved Thanksgiving). Nonetheless, I rose to the occasion, or at least attempted to. I've discovered that the beauty of making multiple dishes for an event is that you increase the odds that at least one of them will turn out. Unable to choose just one recipe (as per usual), I decided to make peppermint patty brownies and cranberry white chocolate bars. Yum and yum, and perfectly in tune with the Christmas spirit. 

Unfortunately, the brownies betrayed me like Judas (although in hindsight, it could be due to the fact that I refused to trust the recipe I found and instead decided to go rogue), but luckily the cranberry bars saved the day and earned me the baking praise I've come to crave :)

Peppermint Patty Brownies 

[the way they should have been]

Not usually a huge fan of the patty, I was instantly in love with the festive packaging

They had such promise

I would not recommend trying my rogue version...I basically took my current favorite brownie recipe, removed the chocolate chunk pieces, and poured half the batter in the pan, laid out the peppermint patties, and then topped with the remaining brownie mix and baked. 

And then the finished product emerged [notice the moist center and dark edges]

After some bites (not just by me). Such a good idea, maybe next time it'll work out.

If they hadn't stuck to the pan, I think they would've been quite good. I ate them out of the pan for a bit, before pawning them off on some friends and eventually disposing of the remains. Since they refused to come out of the pan, I refused to besmirch my good name and serve them in the officina.

Enter the cranberry white chocolate bars to save the day! These were based off a Starbucks version that someone was smart enough to figure out. I didn't make mine as fancy as Starbucks or the inspiration for this recipe, but they were still good and well received, which after my failings with the brownies was all that I could hope for. 

Cranberry White Chocolate Bars

Ingredients

(adapted from Averie Cooks)

For the Bars

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (2 sticks)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 3 tps vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
• 1 cup dried cranberries, loosely packed

Frosting and Topping

• 2 cups white chocolate chips, melted 
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 tsps vanilla extract
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries, loosely packed

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 13x9 inch pan with aluminum foil or spray with cooking spray; set aside

2. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter, about 90 seconds. To the melted butter (allow it to cool slightly so you don't scramble the egg), add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and stir to combine

3. Add the flour, salt, and stir until just combined. Be sure not to over-mix or the bars will be tough

4. Fold in the white chocolate chips and cranberries, stir to combine. Pour batter into prepared pan, smoothing it lightly with a spatula 

5. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until center is set and golden or edges begin to slightly pull away from sides of pan; do not overbake

6. Allow bars to cool before frosting them. While they cool, make the frosting as follows...

7. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate on high power, about 1 minute, reheating in 10-second intervals, or until it can be stirred smooth. Be careful not to overcook

8. To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine cream cheese, the melted white chocolate confectioners' sugar (one cup at a time), vanilla, and beat until smooth and fluffy. 

9. Add additional confectioners' sugar based on taste preference and desired frosting consistency. Frost the bars; if you have excess, it will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 1 month (and longer in the freezer...although I discovered a few months back how delicious it is right out of the freezer and can no longer keep it in the home)

10. Evenly sprinkle 1/2 cup cranberries over the top of the frosted bars. Allow bars to set up for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Bars may be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week

Topped and ready to be cut into

The holiday baking season has officially begun! 

Cookies and Crafts

Along with the celebration of Baxter's birthday, last weekend also marked the start of Christmas cookie season. I'd stocked up on baking supplies while I was home for Thanksgiving and could no longer wait to break them out (although admittedly I'd already begun to sneak some of the dark chocolate Christmas M&Ms into my mouth). Last year there were a slew of Christmas cookie recipes that I wanted to try and only had time for about half of them. Determined not to let that happen again (although I'm already making my peace with the fact that once again there will be some that don't make the cut), I decided to do a little test run. 

The chosen cookie to kick off the holiday season was one that had been on my list last year, but I got scared off from making: chocolate crackle cookies. In hindsight, I'm not sure why I was scared of them, they were super easy!

As I mentioned during one of my many Thanksgiving posts, last year this time was when my baking skills really began to blossom. I tried all kinds of creations courtesy of Alicia's amazing Martha Stewart cookie book and while she does her own version of these, I found this food network version to be less complicated and super delicious.

Double Chocolate Crackle Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 6 Tbsps unsalted butter, melted [possibly a little more if too try]
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Coated and ready to bake

Preparation

1. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl
2. Whisk in the melted butter and eggs until combined, then stir in the white chocolate chips. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until firm, about 1 hour. (I halved the recipe and the dough wasn't holding together, so I ended up still using 6 Tbsps of butter, so if you're making the full recipe consider doubling the buter if the dough is too dry)
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper
4. Put confectioners' sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll tablespoonfuls of the dough into balls, then roll in the confectioners' sugar until well coated
5. Place 1 inch apart on the baking sheets. Bake until the cookies are puffed and the tops are cracked, about 10 minutes. About 8 minutes in I used the back of a teaspoon to gently flatten the cookies (mine were still balls) and create the cracked effect. I also sprinkled a little additional confectioners' sugar on them once they were done cooking
6. Let cool 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container up to 1 week

In addition to some baking, I also completed my first craft project of the Christmas season--a wreath for my door. This was another project I'd wanted to undertake last year but never got around to doing so. 

As with most of my craft ideas, this one came courtesy of Pinterest. And, as with most of my craft ideas, it ended up taking much longer than anticipated. I started working on it on Saturday and about mid-way through, discovered that I wasn't going to have enough ornaments to finish. If I'd read the instructions clearly before hand, I would've known that the finished wreath needed about 100 ornaments. But alas, I did not. 

Luckily, my mother is a kind sort and was amenable to my suggestion of an afternoon lunch/Christmas shopping trip to Old Town Alexandria, followed by a stop at the local Michael's to replenish my supplies (I also paid her in freshly baked cookies). It ended up being a good trip, got some presents crossed off the list (including a dashing red wool sweater for my Aussie....can't wait to share pictures of that one, or to try it on her) and I was able to spend the evening finishing my wreath. Many hot glue sticks and ornaments later and I successfully crafted my first wreath! I've loved a good sparkle on and off since childhood and I'm definitely falling back in love this year:

Getting ready to start (the first time)....not nearly enough ornaments

Making progress

Finished. So sparkly!

Happy 8th Birthday Baxter!

Saturday was my beloved Shepherd's 8th birthday. It's quite possible that I was more excited for the arrival of her birthday than she was. This was due largely to the fact that I ordered her present a few weeks ago and couldn't wait to see it out of the box (and also her reaction to it). Plus, I love a good birthday celebration, as I gushed about here, and here, and again here. I may have a slight obsession with birthdays. 

Because I love birthdays so much, I had a lot to live up to with this one. Bax has had some pretty nice birthdays over the years. Her first will probably always be my favorite. She was my first puppy and only the second dog my family ever had, so I had no idea what to expect when I put presents in front of her. It was nothing short of adorable...

She's always been a curious sort and knew right from the start that the presents were for her

I adorned her in a fun birthday bandanna for the occasion

One of my favorite parts about this birthday was how she opened her own presents

She was really into it

This was another birthday that she got a present that I was super jazzed about. I loved a good polka dot (and still do from time to time)

I did not make this cake, although it's one of my life-long dreams to recreate it. It came courtesy of her favorite puppy boutique in Tulsa, OK

Year 2 brought the passing of her first friend (our family dog Lacie, a sweet border collie mix that bad puppy Baxter drug around by the tail far too often) and the arrival of a new friend, Penny the Labradoodle, who was much more willing and excited to participate in Bax's birthday celebration.

2 year old Bax still retained her child-like wonderment

This was her standard cake for the first three years

And she was thrilled. Such a ham sometimes

She loved that cake

It's a little blurry because Penny wasn't into be still, ever, but I love how she's smiling and enjoying the party

Year three was an interesting celebration. My parents moved from Oklahoma back to the homeland (Maryland) that summer, but Sister, Bax, and I remained in school (college and law school respectively) in the Sooner state. At one point during the semester Sister and I decided Baxter needed a friend since Penny had moved to Maryland and law school was taking up more of my time than she'd grown accustomed to. Enter Clarabella "Bella"Bronstein, the West Highland Terrier puppy (and the last small dog I will ever own). So, when Thanksgiving break rolled around we undertook our first of many cross-country road trips (I've seriously made that drive no less than 20 times in 3 years, evening dragging TF into the fun...but that's a story for another day) to celebrate my favorite holiday with the fam. Since we wouldn't be back until Christmas, the visit also included Baxter's 3rd birthday celebration, complete with her favorite cake, which we schlepped all the way from Oklahoma in a cooler (seriously, this trip was epic).

Adorning her traditional birthday attire

This was Bella's first party, she didn't really understand that the presents weren't for her

Baxter is the best to buy presents for. She gets so excited! (Also, not sure why Penny had to be caged, but I'm guessing it was because she was struggling with the concept of presents not being for her and it was interfering with Bax's day)

1,300 miles later, the cake was still as good as she remembered

Bella's first time with puppy cake. She was in love

They made up and enjoyed some time together (Bax wrapped in one of her new presents, because she doesn't like to be cold) before we hit the road

Year 4 was a small, intimate celebration (Bax, Bella, and I) as I got wise and flew home for Thanksgiving. She still loved present opening just the same

I have no idea what happened to birthday number 5, but that was my last year of law school and around the time I moved to the east coast, so I'm guessing it wasn't celebrated in a big way. But for year 6 I returned to my party throwing ways, even making her cake and some side biscuits from scratch (my inner baker was beginning to emerge).

The gang had also learned how to attend and behave at parties

To help with her adjustment to east coast winters, Bax got a dashing little coat

It's really hard to say who's enjoying themselves more in this picture

Last year, I tried to reprise my role as "baker of puppy birthday treats," but sadly I failed. While the mini cupcakes I created turned out just fine, they did not agree with Bax's stomach. Baker fail.

Despite the end result, she seemed to enjoy the gesture

And that brings us to this year. Hopefully Baxter's birthday photo review wasn't too incredibly boring, although I'm guessing if you're still with me by this point you share my love of dogs :) 

For this birthday I wanted to make her a special treat yet again, but shaken by the results of my creation last year, I was a little nervous for how it would turn out. I found a new recipe and dove in.

Banana and Applesauce Cake with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Adorned with one candle as not to overwhelm the birthday girl

Ingredients

Adapted from Barkify

Cake

• 1 cup whole wheat flour + 1 Tbsp corn meal
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 over ripe banana 
• 1/2 Tbsp canola oil
• 1/2 tsp vanilla 

Icing

• 4 oz fat free cream cheese (softened)
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
• **use small amount of unsweetened apple sauce to thin out the icing if needed 

Ready to bake

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 F

2. Spray cupcake pan or load pan with canola oil (or use cupcake liners)

3. Mix dry ingredients together

4. Mix wet ingredients, including the smashed banana, with an electric mixer

5. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix well until ingredients are combined

6. Pour mixture into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes (less time if making cupcakes)

7. While cupcakes are baking, prepare icing. Mix softened cream cheese and peanut butter with an electric mixture until well blended and spreadable 

8. Add a small amount of unsweetened applesauce if icing needs to be thinned [I ended up adding 2 Tbsps]

9. Allow cake to cool for about 20 minutes before adding icing. I topped the cake with some mini biscuits I had on hand to pull the cake together and serve as pho sprinkles

Waiting patiently for her cake to be finished

She could smell the peanut butter and was determined to wait it out

"Happy Birthday" time

First taste....will she like it

She LOVED it [I cut her a piece of it and didn't let her devour the whole cake]

Gone in a flash!

And then it was present time. Still curious

New bed. She'd had her previous one since her first Christmas (also engraved with her name) and I decided it was time for a fluffier model as she ages

I think she likes it. All tuckered out 

And so concludes another birthday for my beloved Shepherd!