well, i managed to get some baking and candy made... late as always, but i did it (with the help of little buddy and b! here are the recipes for 3 of our favorites :)
slightly adapted from martha stewarts cookie book
makes 9 dozen!
3 cups flour
1 1/2 cups unsweetened dutch-process cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 pounds semi-sweet chocolate morsels
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter
4 1/2 cups granulated sugar
6 large eggs
5 teaspoons pure vanilla (i LOVE vanilla)
1. Preheat oven to 325˚. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baing soda and salt to combine. melt chocolate and butter in a glass or metal bowl over a pan of simmering water. transfer to a seperate bowl and add granulated sugar, eggs and vanilla. beat with an electric mixer on medium until combined. slowly add in flour mixture on low speed.
2. using a 1 1/2" scoop, place balls of dough on parchment lined baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. bake until cookies are flat and surface begins to crack (about 15 minutes).
we also always make a huge batch of fudge for the holidays...
adapted from a hershey's fudge recipe i found in a magazine
this recipe makes a TON of fudge so beware!
8 tblsp. butter
2 2/3 cups evaporated milk
16 oz. mini marshmallows
7 cups chocolate chips
(i substitute peanut butter chips, mint chocolate chips, butterscotch and milk chocolate for different variations)
6 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
6 tsp. vanilla
*2 cups chopped nuts optional
combine butter, evaporated milk, sugar and salt in a heavy saucepan. bring to boil over meduim heat, stirring constantly. boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. remove from heat.
stir in marshmallows, chips and vanilla. stir until marshmallows are melted. pour into foil lined 12x12 square or 13x9 pan.
*sprinkle colored sugars, nuts, crushed candies, etc.
and lastly...Christmas would not be Christmas without grama rosie's mexican sugar cookies. this recipe was passed down to my mother from either my grandmother lidia or my aunt d. she is having trouble remembering who!
i really hope you will have time to try one of these recipes for Christmas Eve!
in the midst of having a shoulder injury, baking and wrapping presents, i am also finishing up a bunch of crochet projects for gifts...
i still have 3 more to finish by tonight! better get hooking, huh?
have a wonderful day!
~r

