Thursday, December 10, 2009

Something Smells Yummy!

Yesterday continued the baking extravaganza in our house! I whipped up some Oatmeal Cookies, finished the Buckeyes, and made Peppermint Bark. Seriously yum people! But my fridge is about to explode.

Oatmeal Cookies: (recipe from Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2008)



2 sticks unsalted butter, chilled
2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries (I omitted these)
1 cup white chocolate chunks

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees. Cover cookie tray with parchment paper. (Note...you should do this. Even if your pan is non-stick. Trust me. I know from batch #1...it is not pretty!)

CREAM butter and sugar in an electric mixer until fluffy. Add the vanilla and eggs, beat to combine. Sift next 6 dry ingredients together. Stir dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Add buttermilk, stir to mix. Fold in oatmeal, cranberries, and white chocolate chunks, blend well. Drop by tablespoons onto baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart. (Note...you should do this too. They spread out a LOT).

BAKE for 10-12 minutes. Cool on rack for 5 minutes.

**For a little more fun, melt chocolate and drizzle over the top of cookies.


Buckeyes: (recipe from...my mama!)



1 1/2 lbs. powdered sugar
2 sticks butter
1 lb. peanut butter
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 package semi sweet chocolate chips (I use more than this...I would recommend buying 2 packages)
1/3 square paraffin wax**

MIX first 4 ingredients and shape into balls. Chill (with toothpicks inserted in center) preferably overnight.

MELT wax in saucepan on low heat. Add chocolate and stir until melted. Dip balls into chocolate and chill again until chocolate is set.

**I find the wax to be totally necessary. It helps to thin out the chocolate which makes dipping the balls easier, and it gives the final product a shiny coat. Totally worth it.


Peppermint Bark: (recipe from Food Network)


1 cup crushed candy canes
2 lbs. white chocolate
peppermint extract (optional)--I use it...maybe 1/4 tsp.


PLACE candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller.

MELT the chocolate. Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate (add peppermint flavoring at this point if desired). Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces (like peanut brittle).


Tomorrow...the day you have all been waiting for! Christmas decorations!! And of course..THE tree!

17 comments:

Heather (Live.Love.Laugh.) said...

Yum yum and yum!!!

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

Oh my stars! I am going to the store and buying the ingredients to make those buckeyes!!

Classy Fab Sarah said...

You have inspired me to do a little baking today! Yay cookies!!

The Shabby Princess said...

It's hard for me to be your friend right now. (kidding of course). Although, you're causing me to gain some serious weight. ;)

Anonymous said...

Omigosh!
I can't believe you posted Buckeyes.
Everyone around here looks at me crazy when I try to explain those to them.
They are my absolute fav!!

5th Belle Avenue said...

Ohhh I am SO going to have to make all of these!!! They look AMAZING! YUMMM!

5th Belle Avenue said...

PS. Did you add peppermint flavoring to your Peppermint Bark or just go au'natural with only the flavors from the candy canes?

jenn said...

seriously - you and lucy are going to contribute to my demise. just wanted to let you know now. these look amazing!!

Brittany Ann said...

Mmmmm....I want to try that peppermint bark!

Lindsey said...

YUM! Your blog makes me hungry, haha!

Sonja said...

YUM!!! I have to try and make the peppermint bark! My mother in law makes the best Buckeyes too!! :)

Lucy Marie said...

droooooooooooooooooooooooling.

I want the peppermint bark!

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

oh my goodness........ i want to make all of them, especially the buckeyes! you are amazing!

KJ said...

You're such a great lil baker! WOW! Love the recipes! YUM!

d.a.r. said...

I so need to bake now...

little luxury list said...

Can we be baking buddies? Yum!

Taylor-Made Wife said...

I inadvertantly ran across your blog, and I just love all of your decorations. Your recipes look awesome! I will definitely have to try the Buckeye's. I love peanut butter. yumm.