Wednesday, December 9, 2009

It Doesn't Show Signs of Stopping...

Good morning!!

The cake I was working on this week got moved to next weekend...(now leaving me two cakes to do next week...but whatever...) so I moved up my holiday baking! Yum!

Every Christmas I bake goodies for Matt's group of attorneys at work and a few of my co-workers as well. Yesterday's agenda included Peanut Blossoms, Chocolate Haystacks, Salty Chocolate Pecan Candy, Buckeyes, and Gingerbread Cookies.

The Buckeyes and Gingerbread Cookies required chilling the dough overnight....so I will finish those later. Now onto the good stuff!

Peanut Blossoms: (recipe from Kraft Foods)


1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
2/3 cup peanut butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts, finely chopped
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
48 foil-wrapped milk chocolate pieces, unwrapped

PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Beat butter, peanut butter, 1/3 cup of the granulated sugar and the brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat until well blended. Combine flour, peanuts, baking soda and salt. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended after each addition.

SHAPE dough into 48 balls, each about 1 inch in diameter; roll in remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Place, 2 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE 9 to 10 min. or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate piece into center of each cookie. (Cookie will crack slightly around edge.) Cool on baking sheets 1 min. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.


Chocolate Haystacks: (recipe from Kraft Foods)...my family may or may not call these poop stacks. Just a little tid bit for ya from my childhood...


1 cup BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks
1 cup butterscotch chips
2 cups chow mein noodles
2 cups JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
1/2 cup PLANTERS Salted Peanuts

MICROWAVE chocolate chunks and butterscotch chips in medium microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 to 3 minutes or until almost melted, stirring after 1-1/2 minutes. Stir until completely melted.

ADD remaining ingredients; stir until evenly coated.

DROP teaspoonfuls of the chocolate mixture onto large sheet of wax paper. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm.


Salty Chocolate Pecan Candy: (recipe adapted from Southern Living Magazine)

17.5 oz. bar of milk chocolate
3/4 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
1/4 tsp. salt

BAKE pecans in a single layer on cookie sheet at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.

MELT chocolate bar on a parchment paper covered cookie sheet in oven at 255°F for 5 minutes or until melted. Spread melted chocolate with a toothpick to cover the entire cookie sheet. Sprinkle with pecans and salt.

CHILL for 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces and store in an air tight container in the fridge.


Happy Baking!!

16 comments:

Ashley Paige said...

Um, those poop stacks look amazing. And no, I never thought I would ever catch myself saying that. That's hilarious that your family calls them that! And peanut blossoms? Definitely a childhood fave. Along with peanut butter thumprint cookies! YUM!!

A New England Girl said...

Peanut blossoms are some of my absolute favorites!! I could never get sick of those little delights. :) I am also in awe of all of the baking you did, and all of the baking you're still going to accomplish. Would you like to do my holiday baking as well? :) Everything looks delicious!

Lindsey said...

Yummy!! Thanks for sharing friend!

Yelena said...

yummm
so ive never tried any of those before, but they all look so delicious..especially those peanut blossoms! wow..
impressive.
i can't bake to save a life unfortunately, so you completely amaze me! wow. :)
loving your blog! :)

jenn said...

ok - you and lucy are going to make me fat. or at the very least - eat an entire bowl of sugar like you're making me crave!! :)

The Shabby Princess said...

Hi, I just gained 10 lbs while reading that.

Gah, why don't we live closer?! We would have so much fun being baking buddies (and yes, I just said that). I need someone to bake holiday goodies with--it's so much more fun with a partner in crime.

And, I'm sure our husband's would get along, with the whole cereal boxes left everywhere thing and all.

Tasha said...

These look delicious! This chocoholic will have to try these recipes! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!

Dollface said...

Everything looks so amazing! and not on the wedding diet... but please please please send me sugar free and diet recipes, hahah xxxooo

Girl Meets Beau said...

Yummm! It looks so good! I am doing the same thing this weekend. I can't wait to get in the kitchen and bake! I love all the holiday candies and cookies!

5th Belle Avenue said...

YUM!!! Everything looks amazing!! How were you able to get so much done during the day?! Were you off of work? I'm inspried!

MrsMis said...

We gave buckeyes away as our wedding favors... 2,500 of them all together, its safe to say that I probably won't be making anymore until next year ;)

Anonymous said...

Those all look so darn yummy!!

Kristin said...

I love Peanut Blossoms, and I am so stealing these recipes!

Krystyna Lizabeth. said...

so i think i just gained weight by looking at your page.
i am jealous that your husband gets to enjoy all these treats.

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

oh my goodness! this coupled with my last post! devasting(ly yummy!) =)! I'd love to come bake together too! That would be so much fun!

Kelly @ turned UP to ELEVEN! said...

you are a baking goddess!!! I was just saying last night to my boyfriend I don't know how these ladies do it (I've only cooked three batches of cookies so far and I'm pooped) - well done!!! :) The buckeyes look SO tasty!

Well done on the surprise party they are always stressful to plan but SO worth it to see the surprise on the party man or woman's face!!!