December 24, 2013

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

December 24, 2013/ Michelle S

Merry Christmas Eve! It's frigid here in Iowa. As in below zero frigid. After I finish this post I am going to research real estate in Key West. I think decorating a beach house would be fun. Ike would love the year round walks. Now if only we can get Nate on board.

We spent a lovely few days at my parents' house. We did some baking. I love baking. I mentioned earlier that I decided to actually record some of our favorites so I can easily find the recipes next year!

I whipped up these peppermint Oreo truffles.

As I was photographing them, my dad wanted me to be sure to mention that I didn't make the Oreos or the candy canes. Always helpful. So just so we're clear, I didn't make the Oreos. Or candy canes. But I totally made all of the truffles. And I ate all of the truffles.

This recipe is adapted from Kraft.

Peppermint Oreo Truffles {decor and the dog}

Enjoy!

We hope you all have a fantastic holiday! We'll be back sometime next week!

December 20, 2013

Andes Mint Cookies

December 20, 2013/ Michelle S

I have a confession. I'm on a cookie only diet for the past 3 meals. (True story.) It's okay. They're all from scratch.

I'm sure it's bound to catch up with me. I am sort of craving a clementine. Maybe I'll just drink some sangria?

I'm going to share some of my favorite holiday baking recipes over the next few days. Mainly so I don't have to dig through my mess of a recipe box next year. Blog good. Recipe box bad.

First up are some Andes Mint cookies that are a family favorite of Nate's.

I always get nervous making family favorites. I would really hate to screw them up. I made my first batch of these for a cookie exchange hosted by NewlyWoodwards. This recipe is perfect for cookie exchanges because it makes a lot (~80) and they package easily.

And they were so easy to make that I didn't screw them up. Nate even thought they tasted like his mom's. Excellent.

They are also Santa approved. Always important.

Now for the recipe. Right click to print!

December 10, 2013

Simple Sangria Recipe

December 10, 2013/ Michelle S

It's that time of year again. The time where you have to find a way to deal with your family so you turn to booze.

I kid. I kid.

I do, however, love to celebrate the holidays with a tasty sangria. I love sangria because it's usually sweet and doesn't taste like alcohol. There aren't a lot of ingredients for sangria. I also like sangria because it's pretty. Always important. Today I thought I'd share with you one of my holiday favorites.

Sangria is also ridiculously easy to make. It's one of those drinks that looks fancy/hard to make but totally isn't.

Here are the ingredients for sangria:

Glass Pitcher
Cutting board
1 bottle white wine (cheap is always good for sangria)
1/2-1 bottle sparkling apple cider or apple juice (both work. amount depends on how bubbly you like your sangria)
2 clementines
1 Granny Smith apple
1 Gala apple
1-2 cups cranberries

You will need to chop up your fruit.

Once you have your fruit all clean and chopped and sliced and diced, you will add it to a pitcher with the wine and cider.

Look how pretty it is! Look who finally learned how to use the DSLR! *pats self on back*

Chill in the fridge until you're read to serve. You could mix this up over night. I would probably wait to add the sparkling cider until just before serving if you are waiting that long. (Make sure it's chilled!)