3 Quarters Today

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christmas

7th Day of Christmas: Old Fashioned Christmas Ribbon Candy

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Old Fashioned Christmas Ribbon Candy
Old Fashion Christmas Ribbon Candy

Old Fashioned Ribbon Candy reminds me of my Dad. He loved the little pieces of Christmas candy and would carefully and meticulously pick through the bowl to find his favorite.

I was reminded of my Father when I visited my in-laws for Christmas and my Mother in Law set out a tray that included old-fashioned ribbon candy. I was a kid again!


Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks for Christmas

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In my house during the Christmas season, if it doesn’t move it gets dipped in Chocolate. It’s not Five Golden Rings, but Golden Pretzels, all dipped in chocolate. Chocolate covered pretzel sticks have become a favorite with my kids, they look fancy, they store well, and are easy tasty snacks.

Make Chocolate Covered pretzel rods it fun and easy to dip pretzel sticks in chocolate
Pretzels and almond bark

Let’s Make Chocolate Covered Pretzel Sticks

How easy is this? Very easy! Just gather a few simple candy making supplies, clear off a space on your table, cover it with waxed paper and melt chocolate. Your imagination is the only thing that limits you. My favorite brand is are Snyders pretzel Rods mainly because they come in a hard plastic container and there are fewer broken pretzels.

Because I dip so much food in chocolate during the holidays I do use almond bark instead of Ghirardelli chocolate. I reserve the gourmet chocolate for chocolate covered cherries. But back to pretzels.

Snyder's of Hanover Old Fashioned Pretzel Rods, 27 OunceSnyder’s of Hanover Old Fashioned Pretzel Rods, 27 OunceGhirardelli Chocolate White Candy Making Wafers, 10 OunceGhirardelli Chocolate White Candy Making Wafers, 10 OunceWilton 1904-1017 Candy Melt Dipping Tool, Set of 3Wilton 1904-1017 Candy Melt Dipping Tool, Set of 3Wilton 415-1971 Dipped Treat Boxes, Black/WhiteWilton 415-1971 Dipped Treat Boxes, Black/White200 Clear Self Sealing Cellophane Pretzel Rod Bags - FDA approval for food packaging. (1200 Clear Self Sealing Cellophane Pretzel Rod Bags – FDA approval for food packaging. (1LI-GELISI 18/8 Stainless Steel Universal Melting Pot, Double Boiler Insert, Double Spouts, Heat-resistant Handle, Flat Bottom, Melted Butter Chocolate Cheese Caramel Homemade Mask =500ML (Silvery)LI-GELISI 18/8 Stainless Steel Universal Melting Pot, Double Boiler Insert, Double Spouts, Heat-resistant Handle, Flat Bottom, Melted Butter Chocolate Cheese Caramel Homemade Mask =500ML (Silvery)

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How to make Chocolate Covered Pretzels

chocolate covered pretzelsThe recipe for chocolate covered pretzels is  really easy and fast. You just need the following.

Stick pretzels, melting chocolate (chocolate and white), a double boiler, and waxed paper ( or parchment paper), tablespoon and fork.

  1. Melt  chocolate or almond bark in a double boiler with 1-2 inches in the bottom pot and the chocolate in the upper bowl.
    • This keeps the chocolate from getting too hot and scalding. The candy melts at a low temperature and stays smooth and creamy. The number one problem people have is getting the chocolate too hot and it gets lumpy. Many instructions will have microwave directions for melting chocolate, but it only works with small amounts as hot spots appear and the chocolate congeals into a mess.
  2. Bring the whole pot to the table and place on a trivet.
  3. Stand the pretzel on end in the pot and spoon chocolate on all sides
  4. Place on waxed paper
  5. Melt white chocolate for drizzle, 1-2 cubes in microwave, 30 seconds at a time and stir after each heating
  6. Dip fork in white chocolate and wave back and forth across the pretzels.

Creative Pretzel Rod Ideas and Toppings

Many people ask how I get the drizzle so neat and even. Easy, all I do is dip a fork in dark or white almond bark and wave it over the dried pretzel rods dipped in chocolate.  and when they are still wet I then sprinkle the toppings. Depending on the holiday depends on how my gourmet pretzel rods will look. If its Halloween, I use spiders and ghost sprinkles, and 4th of July gets red, white and blue.

Shakespeare's Chocolate Assorted Pretzel Rods - 20 countShakespeare’s Chocolate Assorted Pretzel Rods – 20 countShari's Berries - Hand Dipped Caramel Pretzel Rods - 12 Count - Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari’s Berries – Hand Dipped Caramel Pretzel Rods – 12 Count – Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari's Berries - 24 Hand-Dipped Caramel Pretzel Rods - 24 Count - Gourmet Baked Good GiftsShari’s Berries – 24 Hand-Dipped Caramel Pretzel Rods – 24 Count – Gourmet Baked Good GiftsWilton 6 Color Christmas Sprinkle MixWilton 6 Color Christmas Sprinkle MixOasis Supply 8-Ounce Patriotic Stars Sprinkle Quins, LargeOasis Supply 8-Ounce Patriotic Stars Sprinkle Quins, LargeWilton 710-2055 Halloween Test Tube Sprinkle Set, AssortedWilton 710-2055 Halloween Test Tube Sprinkle Set, Assorted

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What other pretzel rod ideas do you have? I think it would be a great fundraiser for church or school.

 

It’s Sugar Coma on Day 4 of Christmas

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Cookies, cookies and more cookies. Starting around Thanksgiving I start stocking up for my cookie marathon for Christmas. It’s a tradition to bake at least six different kinds and mix it up with chocolate covered pretzels and chex mix.

For 25 years I’ve made cookies to share and give as gifts. It’s what my kids know and have come to depend on during the holidays. This was especially evident in the excitement I heard as my youngest Marine Corp opened his care package the week before Christmas.

I took a full container  to work (Hamilton Color Lab) everyday the week before Christmas to and shared them with my co-workers and customers. Every night I came home with an empty container.  I swear some customers came in just for the cookies. Which made my day!

Peanutbutter Kiss cookies

This is the easiest recipe you will find, and I should really make them year round, but then they wouldn’t be so special around the holidays.

Ingredients (I believe this is even gluten free)

  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • Hershey kisses

Directions

  1. Combine the peanut butter and  sugar. Add egg and mix well.
  2. Mixture will will thicken as it sits but can be refrigerated to ease handling
  3. Roll into 1″ balls
  4. Bake at 350F for 8 minutes (this results in a really nice soft cookie)
  5. Remove from oven and press a Hershey Kiss into the middle
  6. Let set on cookie pan and remove to rack to cool
  7. The chocolate will soften from the heat of the cookie but will return to it’s normal consistency within a few hours so give them some time before packaging or bagging.

Some of my favorites over the years include (it’s my goal to include recipes for all of these)

  • Cake Sugar Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip
  • Double Chocolate Chip
  • Molasses spice cookies
  • Oatmeal chocolate chip
  • Candy Cane
  • Lemon Sugar Cake Cookie
  • Chocolate Peppermint
  • Butter Spritz Cookies

Homemade Christmas Cookies

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Season Of Christmas Continues, Day 3

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This is the first year my youngest Marine son won’t be home for Christmas.

He’s  a U.S. Marine stationed in California, pulling 24-hour shifts so he can come home on the second block leave.

Christmas tree for my MarineA week before Christmas he called on the phone and reminded me that he wanted LOTS of food when he got home, especially my cookies, pretzels, and venison jerky. Little did he know a care package was on its way with everything included on his list.

Along with all his favorite treats was this tree, don’t know if he put it up (I hope so), but I wanted to send a piece of home his way. (His older brother, stationed in Arizona, also got a care package)

But it is my youngest Marine who got the special treatment this year. He is a corrections officer in the Brigand received the box during his 24 hr “sleep break”. He called and opened the box on the phone with me, which I love.

I got to hear the excitement in his voice as he pulled out the Chocolate Covered Candy Cane Christmas Peeps, Reeses Candy Canes, and deer jerky from the stocking. When he opened the cookie tin, he exclaimed: “Oh my God, this smells soooo good!!” Thank you, thank you!

I always send a Santa hat, to be worn when they open their presents and add a little frivolity and holiday spirit.

Does a Mom good to hear appreciation from her sons. Makes me want to send another box really soon. But, I don’t have to.

He’s coming home tomorrow night for a 10 day leave!