Thursday, December 4, 2008

It's cookie day! Yippy!!!!


Hey everyone!!


Welcome to my 2nd cookie swap.

There are lots of girls playing this year.

so let's get this party started!



My cookies this year are....


"Peppermint Snow Balls"



These are technically Mexican Wedding Cakes or Russian Teacakes, but my grandmother gave up on us calling them that years ago!
Yield:
5 dozen
Ingredients

1 cup butter1/2 cup confectioners' sugar1/4 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour1 cup chopped pecans1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration1/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Cream the butter with 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar and the vanilla. Mix in the flour, nuts and salt. Roll about 1 tablespoon or so of dough into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 15 minutes. Do not allow these cookies to get too brown. It's better to undercook them than to overcook them. While cookies are still hot roll them in confectioners' sugar. Once they have cooled roll them in confectioners' sugar once more. Variation: add some finely crushed candy canes to the confectioners' sugar used for the final dusting.


CUTE PACKAGING

i love to give cookies in unique packaging

i love to recycle vintage items.


reuse vintage linens. tie up in pretty bows.


reuse vintage serving trays

Both of these items can be picked up at any local antique store.

They are pretty inexspensive, and show that you took the extra effort to make the gift special.


HOLIDAY DRINKS

while im baking i love to have hot chocolate, with lots of marshmellows.

i also love these...

"Frozen Cranberry Maragrita's"

Ingredients
1 (10-oz.) can frozen mojito mix
3/4 cup tequila
1/4 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
2 tablespoons orange liqueur
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Ice
Preparation
1. Combine first 5 ingredients in a blender. Fill blender with ice to 5-cup level, and process until smooth. Serve immediately.
Note: For testing purposes only, we used Triple Sec for orange liqueur.


COOKIE ORNAMENTS

I love to make differant kinds of cookie ornaments every year.


If you have a kitchen tree, these are a fabulous addition.

These are so easy.

Use cookie cutters you allready have on hand.

Or hit your local dollar store.

Decorate with sweet pictures, and cute pieces of leftover wrapping paper.

Hang with beautiful ribbons, and enjoy!

These next ones are so fragrant and simply beautiful.

(non edible)


Ingredients
3/4 cup applesauce
1 bottle (4.12 ounces) McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground
Cookie cutters
Drinking straw
Colorful ribbon
Preparation
1Preheat oven to 200°F.
2Mix applesauce and cinnamon with hands in small bowl until a smooth ball of dough is formed. Using about 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll dough to 1/4-inch to 1/3-inch thickness between two sheets of plastic wrap. Peel off top sheet of plastic wrap; cut dough into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Make a hole in top of ornament with drinking straw. Place ornaments on baking sheet.
3Bake for 2 1/2 hours. Cool ornaments on wire rack. (Or, to dry ornaments at room temperature, carefully place them on wire rack. Let stand 1 to 2 days or until thoroughly dry, turning occasionally.)
4Insert ribbon through holes and tie to hang. May be decorated with opaque paint markers found in arts and crafts stores, if desired.

Heres a list of all our

COOKIE FRIENDS

1. Heidi Woodruff

2. Lori Goree

3. Malissa Melrose

4. Ali Gripp

5. Joanna lewis

6. Cheryl Stoneham

7. Vivianne Neroni

8. Molly

9. Jeannine P

10. Christine

11. Michelle Geller

12. Linda

13. Julie

14. April

15. Sasha Libby

16. Barb Burkard

17. Karen Young

18. Lindsey & Twyla

19. Jenny Foster

20. Nerissa

21. Mendy

22.Tamy Ottomeyer

23. Jerri-lea

24. Sarah Huckman

25. Debbie

26. Julie Weller

27. Sallie

28. Dianne

29.Valerie

30. Jessica

31. Monica Anderson

32. Heidi Gordan

33. Cindy Gilstrap

34. Shawn

35. Melissa

36. Heather Rowley

37. Suzanne Duda

38. Andrea Tarling

39. SUZY

40. Heidi Wallingford

41. Jeanne

42. Heather Ales

43. Yin Zhen

44. Maria

45. Mica






49 comments:

bluemuf said...

Jessi, what fun, you have covered everything from yummy cookies, a refreshing drink, packaging, decor and lots of holiday ideas.

Karen

mendytexas said...

I am so excited to be a part of the cookie swap! Thanks so much for including me Jessi! ALSO, thank you so much for the fabulous Texas Stash you sent me! Love it all... you are just too sweet! :)mendy

tamy@prettie parties said...

Jessi
What a wonderful post!
I love the cookie cutter decoration idea! What a great way to use up all those precious and gorgeous paper scraps!
I am glad you liked the Vintage Barbie tags...how could anyone see vintage barbie and not think of you!!
Have a great weekend
I am off to "gorge" on the rest of "cookie day"
xo

Birds of a Feather said...

we love cookies, and my girlies and i love baking so we can't wait to test these recipes!

thanks so much for hosting, you truly are the BEST-est hostess ever! now if only we could all be together and swap in person!

xo heidi

Shawn said...

Hi Jessi! HOw fun thanks for hosting! I"m getting my recipe posted now if blogger will cooperate with me! :) hugs!

pinkroses said...

Hi Jess!
Thanks for hosting cookie day...your grandmothers cookies look delicious! xo suzanne

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Wow I'm going to have to make sure I visit these girls after I've eaten well or i sure will be hungry!

Love your ideas, esp the cookie cutters.

Victoria x

Lori said...

what a fun and yummy post Jessi!!! i love your tree and wrapping ideas and your recipes sound delish!!! i always make russian tea cakes for Christmas, those are hubby's fav!!!

Heidi said...

Such cute ideas! And I am in for that Frozen Cranberry Marg! Thanks for hostessing Jessi!
:) Heidi G.

Diane Duda said...

I am overwhelmed with inspiration from this post!

xo
Di

Anonymous said...

I love your post today! Lots of creative ideas. I've made the ornies years ago, ran across them again (I believe they had the tacky glue in them too) and they still smelled good.
Gotta try everything!
Thanks for a fun time in a nervous time for me. My mom is having her eye surgery later today. : (

amanda bel said...

Thank you, thank you! So much great stuff here, I don't know where to start!!!

Valerie said...

I am halfway through this wonderful list - thank you for hosting this swap as there are cookies out there I have never
heard of.

What fun it is going to be trying out some (all?) of these recipes.

Valerie

Heidi said...

Jessi! I love your cookie post today! What a fun exchange! I was going to post my recipe for Cinnamon Cookies, too! But my post got to long, so I'm glad you did! They smell so yummy at Christmas on the tree. Also, I store mine from year to year in the freezer!

We made Russian Teacakes ALL THE TIME when growing up! They are fast, easy and SO GOOD! I could eat the whole batch..oh, ya, I have! (Not a good idea!) I've never heard of adding the crushed peppermint, what a fun idea!

And, of course I love that you've shown how to make the cookie cutter ornies! That's always a fun craft, even for the little ones!

I'm off to visit some more girls in the exchange, what a PERFECT day!!!

Thanks again, sweetie, for my cookie ornie, I love it!!!
Hugs & smiles, Heidi

Jenny said...

This is so fun!! Thank you for hosting!!

Anonymous said...

One word -
YUMMO!!!

Joy
xo

Lori said...

So fun to be part of the cookie swap! Mmmmmm probably won't start that diet today.....

Fete et Fleur said...

What fun! Your packaging of your goodies is beautiful!

Nancy

Maria said...

Fun!! I just posted my post. Sorry I was a bit late.

Barbara said...

OH OH...I HAD ISSUES (perhaps the GRINCH?) and it wouldn't let me post my recipe on my blog til now!~!!!) SO PLEASE put on your snowshoes and stop by!

hugz

Pieceful Bits said...

Jessi,

Thanks for hosting sweetie!
Your drink recipe sounds scrumptious..but want to confirm the drink mix you listed. Is it mojito or is it supposed to be margarita? I am hosting Christmas Eve at my house and I want to make these!!!! Thanks (~~) Julie

Jennifer Hayslip said...

Sissy, you cookie exhange is fab! You are such the hostess! LOOOVING your holiday site! So CUTE and FESTIVE as always!!! XOXO, Jenn

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

jessi, what a fun party! I am in a cookie exchange this year so I am SO excited to browse these links to find some GOOD recipes and the one you posted... the snowball one... AWESOME! I am so making those. xoxo Heather

Simply Me Art said...

YUM I adore the snow ball cookies, Im making some this year. Im also stealing that margarita receipe too. Yummier! I love the cookie cuttter ornament idea also. Wow.. loads of great ideas. have a great weekend, Im off to drool at everyones cookie ideas. xoxoxo, Jamie

Yin said...

This is so much better than any cookbook! Thank you for hosting Jessi! Great job!

Linda Summerfield said...

Peppermint snowballs sound so very elegant! Beautiful pics and inspirations!
Thanks,
Linda

m i c h e l l e said...

Thank you again for hosting such a fun swap! Can't wait to try them all!

Holly said...

Oh! Cute, cute cookie cutter ornaments! Thanks for the idea!

~ Hearts ~

. said...

Oh I missed it. Wished I would have joined that. I used to work for otis spunkmeyer. Love your blog. Thanks Denise

Andrea said...

I love cookies! Just posted my sugar cookie with sprinkles I made just for you ! Also come join my birthday party coming up!

Lola Enchanted said...

so so fun!!! I just wanna wrap you up just for me!!!

So cute!!!!~

Anonymous said...

Hi Jessi!

Thanks so much for letting me play along this year. You are a FANTABULOUS hostess! lol! Love your recipe and the ornament ideas. You're the BEST!
HAPPY COOKIE DAY!

Hugs,
Melissa

Gilding the Lily said...

Fabulous post, Jessi! I haven't even had tiem to check in lately, but what a reward for taking the time tonight...I am hanging out while Kristin's class is going on at Gilding, and this was like icing on the cake! Absolutely wonderful! Nancy

Cheryl said...

Jessi,
What a fun cookie exchange....and I think I'll go for your frozen cranberry margaritas! Yum!
Well, I'm off to go cruise all the blogs that have participated. Have a great weekend and we'll miss you tomorrow at Joyeoux Affaire!
XOXO

shabbyscraps said...

ohhh, I can't wait to make those peppermint balls! I go bake~wild during the holidays! Thanks Jessi!
xoxo, Tiffany

Saucy said...

Thanks Lovey for hosting this event again, what sweet and awesome recipes from everyone!

I will have to rethink my decision to do less baking this year. We leave for Antigua Jan 21. Ugh. Bikinis.

Debbie Doughty said...

Thanks for hosting the exchange and sharing your recipe :D I'm still working my way through the list!

Anonymous said...

what great ideas on packaging!! thank you for hosting this it has been fun! hugs

toodles-
sarah

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

I like the twist on the Russian Tea Cakes!! LOVE your cookie cutter decorations, too! What a fun post and I have some catching up to do on your blog!!!

xoxo
Becky

Unknown said...

yes !! i would love to join in your cookie recipie swap !!! thanks for offering... I will be back to check out the others. I am always looking for yummy recipes to teach my daughter how to bake. Good hearing from you !! Hugs to you, Mica

Jessica said...

Thanks so much for letting me join in the cookie swap fun! Your recipes sound delicious and your ideas are great! Thanks!

kari and kijsa said...

Yum, yum, and a little more yum!!
blessings,
kari & kijsa

Folksie Linda said...

Thank you sweet Jessi for having the swap which is so much fun and for your wonderful display on your blog which I really enjoyed! Also for the recipe and the wonderful tips!! Have a very merry cookie Christmas!

Anonymous said...

What a fun cookie day thanks for sharing lots of fun blogs and delicious recipes to try! Amy :)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dena said...

What fabulous ideas! I love the idea of using the vintage trays :)

Hugs,
Dena

Zinnia's on Melrose said...

Hey Miss Jessi! Got your oh so cute card for the 3rd today! Love it! Love the pink Damask vellum. I really wanted to participate in your cookie exchange, but of course the week got away from me and I didn't get to prepare anything. I love all the recipes though. Thanks and looking forward to January! See ya!
Tricia
Vintage Bliss

Jenny said...

LOVE the Santa Baby topper!! Very cool!

Nerissa Alford said...

I love how you gave us all those extras besides a yummmy cookie recipie. I can't wait to try it.
Thank you for hosting!
Nerissa