Homemade Christmas Gifts "Santa Claus Cookie Co"

It's that time of Season to start making your list,

And see just who will be getting your gifts.

What gifts you say? Well, what do you think!

THESE gifts of course, just click this LINK.

So whether it's for your neighbor or your crazy Aunt Sue,

We have the perfect gift ideas for you.

Just download THIS packet and make your own treats,

And in no time you'll have gifts for everyone on your street!

Merry Christmas.

This free homemade Christmas gift idea packet comes with instructions and patterns to make these Christmas containers.

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

The kitchen's a mess, flour everywhere,

And yes some dough even got in my hair.

But I'm in a rush, holiday cooking to do,

I don't even have a minute to think things through.

Watching the oven while the dishes pile up,

Oh shoot, that was only supposed to be half a cup!

Check the clock, guests soon to arrive,

Hopefully they find me still alive.

So much effort, but not much to show,

oh the woes of working with dough.

From Megan's Kitchen

This is how I found myself feeling as I was trying to come up with the below Christmas treat. For weeks I had these brilliant ideas of how to turn bread into different Christmas trees...would it surprise you to know things didn't work out quite as I had envisioned? 2 of the 3 ideas were a flop and this one had so much potential, but I messed it up in the final hour. Never, I mean NEVER try to decorate anything when it is still warm. I know this...this is not a shock. But still, I was hurrying and then after all the effort that went into it, I just wanted to be done. And all my nice christmas tree decorations melted into a nice sugary puddle. The final picture is the tree redecorated over the melted decorations and it just isn't what I wanted it to be. My guests were still thrilled with it though and let's face it...cinnamon rolls in any shape are absolutely delectable. SO get creative and try this out. I will repost once I have a chance to recreate this and save face :).

First you are going to making the dough. We use this dough for almost everything and I LOVE it. In your mixer you are going to put 1/2 cup water, and 3 tbsp of yeast. You will then add 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 1 cup powdered milk, 1 cup instant potatoes, 1 slightly beaten egg, 1/2 cup oil, and 1/2 cup honey. Let mix for a second and then add 2-1/3 cups water. You will then gradually add 6-8 cups of flour. You have added enough flour once the dough begins to pull away from the sides. Let dough continue to mix for 10 minutes. Transfer dough to a greased bowl and spray the top with cooking spray. This is a VERY sticky dough.

Cover with a moist towel and let rise till triple the size.

Divide this dough into three - this batch will make 3 Christmas trees.

Divide one of these dough sections into 6 balls, each getting smaller in size. The tiny one on the end is for the trunk. If I were to do this again I would probably divide it into more sections because my tree turned out pretty short and squat!

Roll out each section and cover with butter (I used 1/2 a stick between all layers) and brown sugar and cinnamon.

Roll each section up and place it on your cookie sheet to make a tree.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes. Watch it though, you want to make sure that the middle isn't too doughy.

Now is supposed to be the fun part...especially if you have kids. Decorate your tree however you want and if you do make the three trees with the dough you can always have a competition...just wait till they cool to decorate! Merry Christmas.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

What You Will Need:

2/3 cup sugar
1 lemon (grated for lemon zest)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cups flour
2 tsps. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsps. vanilla
1/2 cup butter (one stick), melted
2 tbsp. poppy seeds

Making the muffins:

In a large bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl whisk the sour cream, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice and melted butter together until well blended. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and gently fold the two together. Don't worry about a few lumps. Stir in the poppy seeds.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Immediately move the muffins to your serving platter and glaze the muffins.

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
2 tbsp. lemon juice

Whisk all together until smooth. If the glaze is too runny add more powdered sugar.  Glaze the muffins while they are still warm.

These melt in your mouth!

Homemade Party Favors "Reindeer Ornaments"

Hey Rudolph!

These charming reindeer treat bags/ornaments will put a smile on everyone's face this Christmas.

You can give them to your kids, kids teachers, friends, family, or as a party favor

so get started on making these great gifts now.

You can download this free pattern HERE at Parties and Patterns.

Download, print and get crafty!

Fall Crisp Apple Pie

Two of my families favorite pies!

One unbaked 9” pie crust
8-10 apples
1 cup sugar
¼ tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 cup flour
1/8 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel, core, and slice apples into a bowl. Add ½ cup sugar, spices, and lemon juice. Mix lightly and pour into a 9” pie crust. Blend the remaining sugar, flour, salt, and butter to a crumbly consistency. Sprinkle over apple mixture. Bake for 45 minutes, or till apples are tender and crust is browned.

Pie Crust (Makes 4 single pie crusts)

Whisk together:

4 cups flour

1 tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. salt

Cut 1 ¾ cup shortening into flour mixture.

Mix together with a fork:
1 T vinegar
1 large egg
½ cup water

Add egg mixture to flour/shortening mixture. Wrap in plastic wrap and put in refrigerator until needed. Freeze unused dough.

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 egg yolks, beaten
One 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup lemon juice, divided
Dash of salt
3 tbsp. butter
One 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1½ cups cold water
One 4 oz. instant lemon pudding mix
Whipping Cream
Lemon slices to garnish
One 9 deep dish pie shell, baked

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in water, mixing until smooth. Cook and stir until thick and clear. Quickly stir in egg yolks. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice, salt and butter. Cool for several hours. In a mixing bowl, blend condensed milk and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in pudding mix and 1/3 cup lemon juice. Fold into chilled lemon filling. Place filling in pie shell. Refrigerate and garnish with whipped cream and lemon slices.

Turkey Peanut Butter Ball

From Megan's Kitchen

The first time I made this ball I pictured it as a turkey...who does that with food? Not an elaborate feathered friend, just quick and easy dessert parading as a table decoration.

Of course if you are really wanting to be creative, you can always do more.

Apples stuck in as wings, or pretzel legs, but this is about all the creativity I was feeling last week so this is what you get.

Peanut Butter Ball:
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
3 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Beat together powdered sugar, peanut butter, cream cheese and brown sugar. Cut a piece of plastic wrap and pour the ingredients in the middle of it, forming it into a ball shape. I use a cereal bowl to help. Put it in the freezer for an hour and a half to firm up (I put the bowl in the freezer). When it can hold it's shape well enough but is still slightly sticky, pull it out and roll it in the chocolate and peanut butter chips. Return to freezer for another half an hour and then it is ready to decorate. I stuck apple slices in as tail feathers because that is by far the best food to eat this peanut butter ball with. A nutter butter quickly became the head and then I used chocolate chips and a candy corn to do the eyes and nose. The waddle is a slice of an air head but you could also pipe it on with red icing. You can freeze this, but I wouldn't decorate it until you are ready to serve it since apples brown quickly. Let it defrost for 20-30 minutes and you will be ready to go. Tastes best served with apples, graham crackers and pretzels.

Homemade Party Favors "Pumpkin Cookies"

I wanted something fun to give my friends this Thanksgiving Season and who doesn't like pumpkin cookies? I designed a cute casing for the cookies and

voila: it's a perfect little treat to let friends and family know you're thinking about them.

The packet comes with instructions, patterns, recipes and gift tag to make the gift bag.

Fill it with homemade pumpkin cookies and deliver to make someone's day.

This idea can also be used as a party favor. Download this pumpkin cookie box packet

HERE at Parties and Patterns, print and party.