Christmas gifts

Candied Nuts, Cookies, and Crafts, Oh, My!

This is a perfect recipe and makes your house smell DELICIOUS! These nuts are great for parties and gifting.

Cinnamon Candied Nuts

Ingredients
1 lb nuts (pecans or almonds are good)
1 large egg white
1 Tbsp water
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a large  bowl, vigorously mix egg white, water, and vanilla until very frothy
In a separate small mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, cinnamon, and salt
Add nuts to egg white mixture and toss until evenly coated
Pour half of the sugar mixture over nuts and stir several times.
Add remaining sugar and stir to distribute over nuts evenly
Pour coated nuts over a parchment paper lined baking sheet and spread into an even layer
Bake in preheated oven 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes
Allow to cool, then store in airtight container

Recipe by Laura Schofield

In addition to the Cinnamon Candied Nuts recipe above, how about whipping up one of these recipes to fill your kitchen with yummy holiday smells?  Something wonderful to share with your family and your friends!

M & M Cookies

Classic cookies with red and green candy are so simple! Use any cookie recipe, or try this Cake Mix Cookie!

Ingredients
1 package dry cake mix
½ cup softened butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs

Instructions
1 cup candy M & M's or chips
Bake 350 for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set.

Here are some more great Christmas baking and crafting ideas to try, and share!

Cake Pops

Christmas Pretzel Treats


Homemade Nestle Crunch Bars


Cinnamon Ornaments


Handprint Snowman Ornament


Candy Cane Bath Salts


More Ideas on Pinterest

I hope you feel inspired to drop everything and make something wonderful to share during the upcoming holiday weeks!  I would love to hear what your favorite recipe is to make and share?

Christmas Baking - Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes

Maybe you have friends that you'd like to gift a Christmas goodie to, but they are a gluten-free family?  Don't worry - I have you covered!  Check out these yummy recipes.

Coconut Christmas Cookies

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
1/4 cup agave or honey
2 tbsp virgin coconut oil
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
Christmas décor or colorful candies

Combine everything but the décor in a food processor. Add candy decorations, candies, or chocolate chips. Press into small container, about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Cut into small squares. Make multiple recipes if you plan to share, this is a small batch. Modified from Coconut Crack Bars.

No Bake Coconut Snowball Cookies

Use the Coconut Christmas Cookie Recipe
Shape coconut cookie mixture into 1” balls
Allow the shaped coconut balls to firm up in the refrigerator
Melt  the dark chocolate in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Dip the coconut balls into the melted chocolate
Sprinkle with a little additional  coconut. Allow the chocolate to harden by placing the coconut balls back into the refrigerator for 5-10 minutes.
Complete recipe online.

Peppermint Kisses

2 egg whites
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 cup sugar
2 peppermint candy canes, crushed

Beat egg whites until foamy. Add sugar and cream of tartar, beat until soft peaks form.  Beat in sugar. Spoon onto foil-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Bake 225 degrees for 2 hours. Store in an airtight container. Do not package with moist cookies.   Modified from Taste of Home.


Chocolate Mocha Kisses

3 egg whites
¼ tsp cream of tartar
¼ tsp salt
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1 Tbsp instant coffee or espresso powder
3 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate mini-chips

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt until soft peaks form.  Ad sugar, a little at a time, and beat until soft peaks form.  Sift in cocoa and espresso powered, and fold together.  Fold in the mini-chips. Drop batter by tablespoons onto baking pan lined with parchment paper.  Bake 300 degrees for 40 minutes or until crisp. Modified from Relish.com/meringues.



 

Christmas Baking - Sweet Bread Gift Recipes

I love giving sweet bread treats to our neighbors and friends, and bringing them as hostess gifts. These can be made in advance and frozen.  They travel well, too!  You can find wrapping suggestions from Martha Stewart Crafts and from Wilton available on Amazon.

Pistachio Bread

1 package yellow cake mix
1 package pistachio pudding mix (3 oz.)
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1/8 cup water.
Cinnamon-sugar mix: 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp cinnamon

Mix in a bowl until moist. Grease a loaf pan, and dust with 1/2 the cinnamon-sugar mix.  Pour batter in pan and top with remaining cinnamon-sugar mix.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until done.

Lemon Bread

1 lemon: grate 1 Tbsp peel and set aside 4-1/2 tsp lemon juice
2-1/4 flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1-1/2 cup sugar
3/4 melted butter
3 beaten eggs
3/4 cup milk

Mix dry ingredients. Add the moist ingredients and lemon peel.  Stir until just moistened.  Pour into greased loaf pan.  Bake 350 degrees for 1-1/2 hours until done.  Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Make glaze: over medium heat, cook the 4-1/2 tsp lemon juice with 2 tbsp sugar until slightly thick, about 5 minutes.  Brush over the top of loaf.

Pumpkin Spice Bread

1-3/4 flour
1-1/2 sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup pumpkin
1 beaten egg
1/3 cup water

Sift dry ingredients. Mix butter, pumpkin, egg, and water.  Mix in dry ingredients until moist.  Pour into greased and floured loaf pans.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs
2 cups finely ground zucchini
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup oil
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Mix moist ingredients together.  Mix dry ingredients together.  Combine all and stir until mixed. Stir in nuts, if desired. Pour into a greased and floured loaf pan until 1/2 full.  Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.

Banana Bread

2-3 large over-ripe bananas
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup buttermilk (or milk mixed with 1 tbsp vinegar)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/4 cup sugar
1 cup whole wheat flour
1-1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Cream the butter and eggs with sugar.  Mash in the banana.  Add remaining ingredients.  Pour into one loaf pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

Cranberry Orange Bread

2 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 teaspoons grated orange peel
1/2 cup orange juice
2 eggs
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cranberries
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Mix dry ingredients. Beat sugar, butter, and vanilla until fluffy.  Add eggs and orange peel and juice. Mix in dry ingredients until moistened.  Gently stir in chopped cranberries and nuts. Bake 350 degrees for 1 hour, until done. Make glaze if desired. Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 Tbsp fresh orange juice. Wisk until smooth and drizzle over cooled bread.

Do you gift the gift of sweet bread during the holidays?