Countdown to Christmas Day 4...Christmas Tree Meringues

These are so cute and perfect for little kids ( & adults!) as dessert or just a yummy treat. Here is an awesome recipe that has been shared by bargainmums.com.au

Christmas Tree Meringues

Ingredients

4 egg whites, at room temperature

3/4 cup sugar

green food colouring gel

sprinkles

sugar star decorations

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 100c and line two baking trays with baking paper.

In a stand mixer with a wire whisk attachment or using hand beater, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks begin to form. Slowly add the sugar with the motor still running, add a little food colouring, and continue beating until the egg whites are thick and glossy.

Transfer the meringue to a piping bag with a star nozzle fitted and pipe Christmas tree shapes onto the baking paper. Decorate with the sprinkles and top each tree with a sugar star.

Bake the meringues for 2 hours, checking every so often to make sure the meringues are not starting to brown. Allow to cool completely before serving.

Recipe from - http://bargainmums.com.au/christmas-tree-meringues

Enjoy baking!

Kylie xx

Countdown to Christmas Day 5...Christmas Bark

I was introduced to Christmas Bark last year at a bible study supper and I thought it was the bees knees! When my friend told me how easy it was to make, it quickly become one of my favourite things! I shared a recipe a few weeks back but there are so may different recipes, that I thought why not share some more. Do yourself a favour an indulge in at least one of them...you won't be dissapointed! Here's a collaboration of 10 different bark recipes....

Easy Christmas Bark

recipe at - http://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/easy-christmas-bark/

Christmas Bark - Pistachio's & Cranberries

http://www.craftymorning.com/christmas-bark-recipe-pistachios-cranberries/

Toasted Almond & Cranberry Bark

http://chickenscratchny.com/2014/12/toasted-almond-cranberry-bark.html

Cookies & Cream Bark

http://premeditatedleftovers.com/recipes-cooking-tips/cookies-and-cream-bark/#_a5y_p=3125799

Pecan pie Bark

http://wishesndishes.com/pecan-pie-bark/

Mint Oreo Bark

http://www.wineandglue.com/2012/02/mint-oreo-bark-a-k-a-i-must-win.html

Sugar Cookie Bark

http://www.crazyforcrust.com/2012/07/sugar-cookie-bark/

Black & White Christmas Bark with Cranberries

http://christmascookiesblog.blogspot.ca/2014/12/black-and-white-christmas-bark-with.html

Peppermint Bark Candy Cane Hearts 

https://www.ohnuts.com/blog/peppermint-bark-candy-cane-hearts/#_a5y_p=3073460

Christmas Bark

http://www.butterwithasideofbread.com/2013/12/christmas-bark.html

Enjoy!

Kylie xx

Countdown to Christmas Day 6...Christmas Cocktails

Here is a roundup of a few Christmas Cocktails!

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• Easy Cranberry Magarita's

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• 1 1/2 cups cranberry juice (I recommend using a brand that is 100% juice)
• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3/4 cup tequila
• 1/2 cup orange-flavored liqueur, such as Cointreau or Triple Sec
• ice cubes
• Recipe at - http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/cranberry-margaritas/?/crlt.pid=camp.V45n1bvTUKnU

• Santa's Magic Potion (Eggnog & Bailey's)

• 4 parts eggnog
• 2 to 4 parts Baileys, to taste
• Ice cubes, optional
• Nutmeg,for sprinkling
• Cinnamon, for sprinkling
• Recipe at - http://www.averiecooks.com/2014/12/santas-magic-potion-eggnog-baileys.html

Slow Cooker Spiced Wine

• 1 (750 ml) bottle red wine (choose something fruity but not too sweet. Merlot, Zinfandel, or Cabernet Sauvignon all work well)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 orange, zested and juiced 
• 2 cups apple cider
• 5 whole cloves
• 4 green cardamom pods
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 1 whole star anise
• 1/4 cup brandy
• Orange slices, for garnish
• Cinnamon sticks, for garnish
• Recipe at - http://www.wellplated.com/spiced-wine/#_a5y_p=3054434
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Cranberry Mimosa

Cranberry Juice

Sparkling White Wine 

Optional green sprinkles/sugar for rimming glasses

Recipe at - http://whoneedsacape.com/2013/12/cranberry-mimosa/

Christmas Sangria

2 Bottles of Sauvignon Blanc

1 Apple, sliced into chunks

1/2 Pomegranate

1-2 Oranges, cut into slices

170g Cranberries

1 Cup white grape juice

Sprigs of Rosemary, to garnish

Recipe at - http://thenymelrosefamily.com/2014/11/christmas-sangria.html#_a5y_p=2951716

Enjoy!

Kylie xx

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Countdown to Christmas Day 7....Peppermint Cookies!

One of the best things about blogging is that it's an excuse to bake lots of goodies. I am so excited that I stumbled upon these because I really truly think that they may be the BEST COOKIES I HAVE EVER TASTED! They are seriously amazing!!! I found the recipe at  http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/a-holiday-cookie-exchange-and-giveaway/. Being in Australia, I had to make 1 change to the recipe as I could not find mint choc chips. So I replaced the mint choc chips with 1 packet of After Dinner Mints, that I broke apart and mixed in. Here is the recipe from Leigh Anne Wilkes from Your Home Based Mom....

Peppermint Cookies

 

Print

Author: Leigh Anne Wilkes

Recipe type: Cookies

Ingredients

• ½ C butter
• 1 C sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• pink or red food coloring
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1¾ C flour
• 1 C mint chocolate chips
• candy canes, crushed

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Grease cookie sheet
3. Cream together sugar, butter, egg, salt and food coloring.
4. Stir in baking powder, flour and vanilla.
5. Add chocolate chips.
6. Roll dough into ball, dip in crushed candy canes.
7. Bake 10 minutes.

Enjoy baking!

Kylie xx

Countdown to Christmas Day 8....Christmas Mason Jar Gifts

I have a slight obsession with mason jars! I think they are so practical and funky! There are so msny things you can do with them! So here is a collaboration of over 100 awesome mason jar gift ideas that different people have created. 

http://thefrugalgirls.com/gifts-in-jars-recipes

http://simpleasthatblog.com/2015/12/simple-mason-jar-gifts-with-printable-tags.html

http://www.nobiggie.net/25-mason-jar-gift-ideas/

http://liverandomlysimple.com/diy-succulent-mason-jar-gift/

http://www.rusticfolkweddings.com/2013/11/08/6-creative-ways-to-use-mason-jars-at-your-southern-wedding/

http://www.howdoesshe.com/18-creative-mason-jar-gift-ideas/

http://www.gurl.com/2014/11/26/easy-and-unique-diy-holiday-gifts-you-can-make-with-mason-jars-tutorials/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/41-easy-things-to-do-with-mason-jars#.jceD1rM3X

Kylie xx

Countdown to Christmas Day 9....Mocktails!

It's always nice to have a special, fancy drink at Christmas time. Here are some yummy moktail recipes that the whole family can enjoy!

Simple Mixed Berry Punch

1.7 Litres of mixed berry Juice

2 Litres Sprite

170g frozen raspberries or frozen mixed berries

recipe at -  http://www.amomstake.com/2014/12/simple-mixed-berry-punch/

Non-Alcoholic Mimosas

Orange Juice

Sparkling Apple Cider

Frozen or fresh berries for garnish

http://peacebutnotquiet.com/non-alcoholic-mimosas/

Frost Bite

85g Lemon-lime soft drink

55g White grape juice

Fresh Blueberries

Fresh Mint

30g Pinapple Juice

30g Lime juice

recipe at - http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/16-holiday-mocktails-perfect-for-pregnant-moms/#frost-bite

Virgin Mojitos

Mint leaves

Fresh Lime

Sprite

Ice

recipe at - http://www.thehowtomom.com/2013/12/virgin-mojitos.html

I'm looking forward to drinking these!

Kylie xx

Countdown to Christmas Day 10...Christmas Crack Toffee

This recipe from ' I Heart Naptime' is truely amazing!!!! So quick and easy and absolutely delicious. Love that I stumbled across this recipe!! You really should try it. Here's how to make it....

Ingredients:

45 saltine crackers

228g butter, cubed

1 cup light brown sugar

2 cups chocolate melts

1/2 to 1 cup of Christmas sprinkles/ M&M's/chopped nuts 

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 160°C.

2. Line a large baking dish with baking paper. Then line the pan with saltine crackers.

3. Place the butter and sugar in a medium sized pot over low- medium heat. Stir until the butter is melted. Once the butter has melted, bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes. Stir constantly.

4. Once it's nice and bubbly, remove pan from heat and pour evenly over saltine crackers. Spread mixture with a knife... however it doesn't have to be perfect. Try to move fast during this part so the toffee doesn't harden.

5. Place pan in the oven and bake for 6-8 minutes. The mixture will spread evenly over the crackers as it bakes.

6. Place the chocolate melts in a microwave safe dish and place in microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove and stir. If the chocolate is not completely melted, place in microwave for another 20 seconds. 

7.  Remove the baking dish from the oven. Spread the melted chocolate over the toffee and spread evenly with a spatula.

8. Sprinkle the Christmas sprinkles / M&M's / nuts on top and then place in the freezer for 30 minutes. 

9. Once chocolate has hardened, break pieces off and serve.

 It will stay fresh for 1 - 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.

(Recipe adapted slightly from http://www.iheartnaptime.net/christmas-crack/)

Kylie xx

Countdown to Christmas Day 11....Santa hat cupcakes

These cupcakes are really cute and super fun! My favourite part of any cake, is the icing and these cupcakes are definitely all about the icing. Here's how to make them.....

INGREDIENTS

* Ingredients for your favourite cake mix batter (I just used a 90 cent packet mix) 

* 125g butter, at room temperature

*2 Tbls milk

*1.5 cups icing sugar, sifted

* 300ml thickened cream

 INSTRUCTIONS

1.  Make cake mix as per instructions and divide into patty pans. Cook as per instructions.

2.  Beat the butter in a bowl, until white and creamy

3. Add the icing sugar and milk, and beat until all combined.

4. Add drops red food colouring and stir until combined. Continue this process until you get the desired red coloured icing. 

5. Place in an icing bag and pipe on top of the cake, in a swirl pattern, moving up,  from the outside, into the middle.

6. In a seperate bowl, beat the cream, until it forms soft peaks.

7. Place in a piping bag, with a shaped nozzle of your choice. Pipe dots of cream around the base of the red santa hat and then pipe one dot on the  top.

8. Place in the fridge until firm. The cream does melt quickly if they haven't been in the fridge.


Quick tip if you didn't already know.....
Put your piping bag inside a large glass and turn the top of the bag over the top of the glass. Then pour your icing into the bag. Pull the top of the bag up & twist. Cut the tip of the piping bag and your ready to pipe!

And that's it...enjoy!

Kylie xx