Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Ahhh it's time to get in the Christmas spirit. But how can we get in the spirit when we all know that the snow is coming (AKA People freak out and forget how to drive in the snow, thus a plethora of accidents) It happens every year. Crazy Holiday shoppers! I'm not even kidding while walking through Walmart a woman in front of us Loudly proclaims " I FREAKIN HATE RUDE HOLIDAY SHOPPERS." Well excuse me. I've never seen so many heads turn at once and they looked right at us! It wasn't us, Scouts Honor, and I'm not even a scout! Also Christmas music... It's all I'm listening to!! I have a serious addiction to christmas music, Love It, Love it, Love it.

Also I thought that I would just let everyone know this year my color theme for christmas is silver, white, and blue's.

And you all need to check out ,

www.fancyflours.com

Definitely an amazing site for Cookie Cutters, Flavorings, Colored Sugars, Sprinkles and much much more.

So since today is the 1st of December and we had the first snowfall I thought, Peppermint Hot Cocoa, how perfect is that?! I also plan on giving it out as Christmas presents with homemade marshmallows. No time like the present! Lemme tell you what; this was the creamiest hot chocolate I have ever had, hands down! I sat in an arm chair reading copious cookbooks watching the snow fall and enjoyed the right cocoa. A fireplace would have only made this picture even more beautiful!

NOTE* I made myself a singling serving I used 2 tablespoons of the cocoa, and 1/8 cup hot water and a cup of milk and nuked it :) Yes, I said Nuke. I packaged up the rest of the peppermint cocoa mix in plastic Ziploc bags.

So here's to starting the Christmas season out right!

Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup white sugar

1 pinch salt

1/3 cup boiling water

3 1/2 cups milk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

1/2 cup of candy canes

Directions

Add about 10 or 12 mini Candy canes in a food processor and grind them up until they are powdery.

Combine the cocoa, candy cane, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Stir in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature. Add whipped cream and crushed candy canes on the top and enjoy .

Kick Off to Fall

It's almost FALL!! And I can't even express how excited I am! Here is what I love about it : Campfires, Apple Cider, S'mores, Caramel Apples, Corn Mazes, and the changing leaves! My dad brought home Apple Cider Sunday and I came up with these cupcakes that to me just sum up fall :) Apple Cider Cupcakes with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting, another of my Original ideas! And Let me tell you what they didn't disappoint! Here are a couple pictures to tide you over until I can perfect this recipe!

Chocolate Chip Cherry Chocolate Muffins

A mouth full I know!! This is another one of my original creations and I tested them on my Partner in Crime!! The good news. He said they were "Awesome". I was so pleased! I was praying the entire time "Oh dear lord PLEASE let these muffins turn out!" Hallelujah! I was sending them to a friend so they just had to work out! They were moist and not very rich they were made with Oil and Yogurt. Delish, I would know I ate 5 of them while making them! Unfortunately it's another one with no recipe yet !

Sweet Corn and Blackberry Cupcake

These are My Jeni's Ice Cream inspired Cupcake. So Sorry but this recipe is a heavily guarded secret :) I know, I know but this one is one that I created out of my head and transformed it from ice cream to a cupcakes and man a live were they amazing!!!!

Here are some pictures to feast your eyes on!

Red Lobster's Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Ooooh my weakness!!! Seriously, these biscuits are delivered to my table and gone in ten seconds flat. Now here comes my dilemma; My little brother is allergic to shellfish, which means no RED LOBSTER (This is where my life ends) ! I love red lobster it was our birthday dinner place every single year my parents would ask us "Where do you want to go to dinner?" and our answer was a very loud and exuberant "RED LOBSTER! Now, No Rod Lobster!!! So I found these in a book and just had to get it for this single recipe! Yes I love these biscuits that much. Okay enough Rambling ON TO THE RCIPE! Did I mention how simple these things are?? Simple and Amazing are definitely my thing!

Ingredients:

2 1/2 Cups of bisquick
4 Tablespoons Cold Butter
1 HEAPING Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
3/4 cup cold milk
1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder

Topping
2Tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (I only used a 1/4 tsp)
1/4 teaspoons parsley

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Add Bisquick Mix


Cut the butter into pats and cut it into the biscuick mix with a pastry cutter. the mixture should look like small peas.


Add the Cheddar Cheese,



Garlic Powder and Cold milk


stir briefly and then knead the rest by hand in the bowl


Drop a little less than an ice cream scoop of dough onto an lightly greased cooking sheet.


Bake for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown.

Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter add the garlic and parsley mix and brush the tops of the rolls with the mixture. Go for it, don't be shy! Lay it on thick Baby :) Make sure you use it all.

Enjoy these little sinful rolls, eat your fill!



Quick Recipe Print out

Ingredients:

2 1/2 Cups of bisquick
4 Tablespoons Cold Butter
1 HEAPING Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
3/4 cup cold milk
1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder

Topping
2Tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (I only used a 1/4 tsp)
1/4 teaspoons parsley

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the cutter into pats and cut it into the biscuick mix with a pastry cutter. The mixture should look like small peas.

Add the Cheddar Cheese
Garlic Powder
Cold milk
stir briefly and then knead the rest by hand in the bowl

Drop a little less than an ice cream scoop of dough onto an lightly greased cooking sheet.

Bake for 15-17 minutes or until golden brown.

Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter add the garlic and parsley mix and brush the tops of the rolls with the mixture. Go for it, don't be shy! Lay it on thick Baby :) Make sure you use it all.

A change up!

Hello Everyone!

I haven't been on much, i've been so busy lately!! So I'm going to do something new while I'm on Vacation!! i'll be posting everything we eat here for Dinner, dessert, and the places that we go out to eat at!! Plus maybe some beach pictures!

Hope everyone is having a great summer!

Texas Sized Almond Crunch Cookies

Best Cookies, Hands Down. I dare you to find a cookie better than this one! Crunchy cookies, with bits of chopped almonds and toffee, and a sugar coated top. Oh, my.

These also defy all we know about making cookies.

All purpose flour and wheat flour?

Butter and oil?

Powdered sugar??

One bite and you are hooked for life!
Also sorry for such a short description of these delicious cookies, I seem to be completely speechless on describing desserts when they are so amazing!

Ingredients:

1 cup Butter
1 cup Vegetable Oil
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Powdered Sugar
1 teaspoon Almond Extract
2 whole Eggs
3-½ cups All-purpose Flour
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Cream Of Tartar
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
2 cups Chopped Almonds
1 package (8 Oz. Package) Toffee Brickle
Sugar, For Coating Cookies (up To 1 Cup)



Directions:

Heat the oven to 350 Degrees F.

In a large bowl, cream the butter,
oil,

and sugars.

Add the almond extract and the eggs, mix well.




Mix the flour, wheat flour, salt, cream of tartar, and baking soda.




Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter and sugar mixture in the mixer on low speed.



Stir in the chopped almonds and toffee brickle by hand.



Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop out some cookie dough and flatten with a cup dipped in sugar.



Bake for 12-16 minutes, or until golden brown. I had to use our grill spatula because these puppies are huge!! I opened the oven door and had the biggest surprise of my life, I freaked out! Some how my cookies had turned into mutant sized cookie!

Don't get my wrong they were Delicious, But mutant sized :)


Let cool completely!



Enjoy

A Face Lift

How are you guys enjoying the new face lift? I love it! I don't think I have ever said this but, Gateau means Cake in French, and while this blog is not "Just Cake" It seemed fitting :) My grandma is coming up here and we are going to be making some delicious food! Like homemade applesauce, buttermilk brown sugar muffins (She is the only one that can make them! i'm not even joking I tried to make them and they exploded in the oven! See I have Kitchen Error's to!! Among other things, I will be making tea sandwich's, cookies, ambrosia salad, scones, and a multitude of other things! It's going to be a fun 2 weeks with her!! I can't wait! now I'm signing off to finish a scholarship essay! Have an Amazing Week
Hope this picture makes you smile :) And not think that it's crawling up your leg as you look at it like me! ( Did I ever mention my extreme aversion to all things crawly!)

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

If there is one thing I can't stand, it's a chewy cookie. I love crunchy cookies :)
One of my friends brought these cookies to drama on friday. These are called Mary's Chocolate Chip Cookies. The. Best. Chocolate. Chip. Cookie. You. Will. Ever. Have! (I felt the periods were necessary for getting the point accross.) They were crunchy and buttery and most importantly chocolaty! Where have you been all of my life? But You should try these! My friend also said that they taste very good with white chocolate and dried blueberries! I can't wait to try them that way! You could aslo add nuts or other dried fruits.

Ingredients:

3 sticks butter (This is very good for you, I promise)
1 1/4 cups white sugar
1 1/4 cups brown suagr
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
24 ounces chocolate chips


Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream the butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla



Add the flour, baking soda and salt


Mix



add the chocolate chips and mix well


Bake 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet.


Bake for 12-15 minutes


ENJOY!!