Cooking Quick & Easy Christmas treats - *UPDATED* - compiled recipes - Page 53

[Shagley]

When my DMIL passed away in 1994 (just 2 weeks before my DD, her first grandchild, was born) the only possesion that her two sons (one my DH, of course) fought over was a hand-written cookbook where she had kept all of the family's favorite recipes. She was one heck of a cook.

So to try and make everyone happy (because her sisters, step-daughter and other familiy members also got involved) I spent the next weeks after she passed away typing it up so it could be shared by all. Each holiday I try and pick out something that she noted that my DH loved as a child (I even transcribed her notes about who liked what and I'm so glad that I did) and make it for him. The cookbook ended up being 122 pages long in a Word document so she's left me a lifetime of special surprises for her son.

This is such a sweet story. My friend's mother passed away a couple of years ago and her mother was also a wonderful cook with many handwritten recipes. My friend is working on typing up a cookbook using a font of her mothers handwriting (http://www.fontifier.com/) to give to her family members. She meant to do it for Christmas this year but ran out of time, but I know her family will just love it. (She used old letters and recipes that were written by her mom to have the font made).

 

[msdznyduck]

Current has a 'hand writable' cookbook (From my kitchen to yours) for I think $19.99. (I'm sure you can find one cheaper than that, that just happens to be the one that I got.) I have one and have been passing it around to grandmas, aunts, even some uncles who like to cook. They write their specials in there and when it is done I will have a cookbook in all their own handwriting. Takes time, but I got started on it a few years ago, and add my own to it when I find something everyone likes. It is for my 17 yr old DD to have eventually.

 

[WDWBarb]

This is such a sweet story. My friend's mother passed away a couple of years ago and her mother was also a wonderful cook with many handwritten recipes. My friend is working on typing up a cookbook using a font of her mothers handwriting (http://www.fontifier.com/) to give to her family members. She meant to do it for Christmas this year but ran out of time, but I know her family will just love it. (She used old letters and recipes that were written by her mom to have the font made).

What a GREAT idea this is! I really wish I'd had the chance to do something like this. The one piece I miss is the actual handwriting and notations (and even the cooking stains!) of the book. I don't know if I'd have enough of her handwriting lying around but I'm sure going to look!

 

[flipflop]

subbing

yummmm

 

[Imzadi]

Thank you so much for putting them together. I'm going to make a cookbook out of them all for my daughter in law in Ireland. I've been sending them piecemeal.

Anyone interested in a place where you can self publish your own book with a harcover or as paperback and then order only as many copies as you need, go to: http://www.lulu.com/en/products/hardcover/

Look under the "Publish" links.

Didn't we have a similar thread about just appetizers? I tried the search and got no where (surprise). I'd like to add those. And then I think I'll add the slow cooker recipes too! So far it's 69 pages (book size, double sided). This is just great.

Here are several wonderful DIS archived threads I compiled from the various boards for cookies, treats, appetizers & other goodies. (They are not just for the holidays!) They are excellent DIS resources and would go great in a cookbook.

Quick and Easy Appetizers & Snacks

New Year's Eve appetizers

Here's the link to my favorite thread on the DIS:
Cookies from cake mixes! Super Easy! NOW w/ BISCOTTI and Cookie BARS

The *Official* Holiday Recipe 2007 Thread

Christmas Cookie thread

Quick and Easy Cakes from mixes

 

[MN_Gal]

NO - COOK DIVINITY

1 pkg. Betty Crocker Fluffy White Frosting Mix
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (16 oz.) pkg. powdered sugar
1/3 c. light corn syrup
1/2 c. boiling water
1 c. nuts, chopped

Beat frosting mix, corn syrup, vanilla and boiling water in small bowl on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks for, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Gradually beat in sugar on low speed. Stir in nuts. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until outside of candy feels firm, about 4 hours. Turn over and allow to dry at least 12 hours. Store in airtight container. Divinity can be frozen up to 2 months in airtight container. Makes about 5 or 6 dozen.

 

[bear74]

NO - COOK DIVINITY

1 pkg. Betty Crocker Fluffy White Frosting Mix
1 tsp. vanilla
1 (16 oz.) pkg. powdered sugar
1/3 c. light corn syrup
1/2 c. boiling water
1 c. nuts, chopped

Beat frosting mix, corn syrup, vanilla and boiling water in small bowl on low speed until blended. Beat on high speed until stiff peaks for, about 5 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Gradually beat in sugar on low speed. Stir in nuts. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Let stand until outside of candy feels firm, about 4 hours. Turn over and allow to dry at least 12 hours. Store in airtight container. Divinity can be frozen up to 2 months in airtight container. Makes about 5 or 6 dozen.

thanks

 

[mama4]

Ok...I just finished making chocolated covered pretzel rods (white and dark rolled in EVERYTHING- nuts, m&ms, buttersctch chips, toffee chips, coconut, sprinkles- they look beautiful! )-I've made these many times and love them. But I also made (all ideas from this thread) pretzel wreaths (with hugs mmm mmm), peanut butter cookies with pnut butter cups pressed into them (can't remember the name-in the mini muffin tins), candy cane hearts (adorable) and I also made sugar cookies w/ lots of sprinkles, m &ms and some half dipped in Ghirardelli chocolate. Also made banana nut bread w/ choc chips... all to take to dhs work. Well, maybe not all...

Also wanted to add.. can't remember if I saw this on this thread or not but yesterday at ds school (Kgarten) the teacher had me make graham cracker pralines. Most recipes call for brwn sugar on this but I made 5 pans this way and they were delish!
Melt 1 stick butter and 1/2 c reg white sugar on stove. Line pan with graham crackers. Mix butter/sugar mixture w/ 1/2 chopped nuts and bake in 350 degree oven for 15 min. Let them sit on the counter to harden and although they are pretty hard to cut, they pop out of the pan real easily... delicious!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Just giving a bump for the new upcoming season

 

[DumboPrincess]

yummo

 

[flipflop]

Great ideas on here!

 

[Mickeyherewecome123]

WOW, all I can say is WOW that was a great idea to compile a huge list of all the recipes. You guys did a great job.

And I have a recipe to add, I dont think I saw this one on the list.
POTATO CHIP COOKIES

1 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. crushed potato chips
1/2 c. pecan pieces
2 c. flour

Cream together first 3 ingredients. Mix in rest of ingredients. Take about a teaspoon of mixture for a cookie. Mash a bit with a spoon that has been wet and dipped in sugar. Bake about 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes about 5 dozen.

thanks
Fran

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks, Mickeyherewecome! I bet those would taste really good with dark-chocolate bits mixed in... now if only somebody could come up with a microwave version, I'd test it myself...

 

[Cinerbelle]

Subscribing to read when I have more time!!

 

[Cinerbelle]

Our favorite holiday punch recipe is to mix 1/2 gallon of Lime Sherbet (or any other flavor of sherbet) with 7-Up. Just put the frozen sherbet in a punch bowl, and pour the 7-Up over top of it. As the sherbet melts and mixes with the 7-up, it makes a refreshing, frothy punch. We start by adding a 2 liter bottle of 7-Up, then we add more 7-Up (pouring it over top of the still frozen sherbet) as needed. Yummy!

I make this punch, but I add a container of frozen strawberries that I have let defrost half way.

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

Just giving a bump for the new upcoming season

Awesome, thank you!

I cannot believe it is 'that season' already!

(I happen to really love 'that season')

 

[Marianne0310]

Thanks for bringing this thread back!

Marianne

 

[toledo13]

My mom makes peppermint crunch.

Melt 2lb bag of white bakers chocolate
Mix in red and green peppermint candy, crushed (as much or as little as you want!)
Pour onto cookie sheet and freeze until solid
Break apart and store in freezer in ziplock bag

She has done this recipe with crushed potato chips, and crushed pretzle pieces, instead of peppermint candy. I bet peanuts, almonds, cashews, cereal, rasins... the ideas are endless... would be good too!!

 

[Mic_n_Min]

My mom makes peppermint crunch.

Melt 2lb bag of white bakers chocolate
Mix in red and green peppermint candy, crushed (as much or as little as you want!)
Pour onto cookie sheet and freeze until solid
Break apart and store in freezer in ziplock bag

I make this every year also, but I first melt a half bag of milk chocolate chips and pour it onto the cookie sheet and let it freeze. Then I add the white chocolate with the peppermint pieces in it-yum!

Can't believe it's that time of year again to start thinking about holiday baking! Only 104 days til Christmas!

 

[TEXASPRINCESSES]

wow--this is great--how about some new ones...I'm always looking for new ideas!