Delicious Goodies Galore

Peanut Brittle

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Delicious Goodies

Quick and easy, no fail microwave peanut brittle is a holiday favorite and a great create your own gift item or bake sale item. Pack in cello bags and finish with a ribbon tie for a festive holiday touch.

Ingredients:

1 Cup sugar
1/2 Cup light corn syrup
… Dash of salt
1 to 1 1/2 cup shelled raw peanuts
1 Tbsp. butter
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Grease baking sheet heavily. Set aside. (See Cook’s tip)

Combine sugar, corn syrup and salt in Classic Batter Bowl. Stir in peanuts. Microwave at high (100%) until light brown, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once or twice.

Stir in remaining ingredients until light and foamy. Quickly spread on greased baking sheet (or pastry mat). Spread as thin as possible for brittle candy.

Let cool. Break into pieces. Store in container with a tight lid to keep it fresh.

Cook’s Tip: if you have a pastry mat use it instead of the baking sheet….no greasing or parchment required!

Posted in Thoughts to Ponder | Tagged Candy, Gifts, Peanuts | 1 Comment

Pumpkin Pecan Dump Cake

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Delicious Goodies

Texas Recipes

Ingredients:

1 (29 oz) can pumpkin puree
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 (18 1/4 ounce) box yellow cake mix
1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped
1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

In a mixing bowl, combine first 6 ingredients, until well blended.

Pour batter into a 9×13″ greased pan.

Sprinkle DRY cake mix on top, then cover with pecans.

Pour melted margarine or butter over top.

Bake 50-60 mins., or until golden brown.

Serve with Cool Whip or whipped cream on top.

Posted in Recipes | Tagged Cake, Dessert, Pecan, Pumpkin | Leave a comment

Peppermint Melts

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Delicious Goodies

Texas Recipes

Ingredients:

1 Cup butter, softened
1/2 Cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
1-1/4 Cups all-purpose flour
1/2 Cup cornstarch
For the frosting:

2 Tbsp. butter, softened
1-1/2 Cups confectioners’ sugar
2 Tbsp. milk
1/4 tsp. peppermint extract
2 to 3 drops red food coloring, optional
1/2 Cup crushed peppermint candies

Directions:

In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners’ sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in extract. Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Shape into 1-in. balls. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.

In a small bowl, beat butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar, milk, extract and food coloring if desired; beat until smooth.

Spread over cooled cookies; sprinkle with crushed candies.

Store in an airtight container. Makes approx. 3-1/2 dozen.

Posted in Recipes | Tagged Cookies, Desserts, Gifts, Peppermint | Leave a comment

Cherry Limeade Macaroons

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Delicious Goodies

Texas Recipes

For the Macaroons:

4 Egg Whites
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp. Almond Extract
1/4 tsp. Salt
16 Ounces Coconut Flakes

For the Limeade Filling:
4 Ounces Cream Cheese
7 Ounces Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/2 Lime, Zested
1 Lime, Juiced
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Directions:

Mix together the egg whites, sugar, vanilla, almond extract and salt until well combined.

Add in the coconut and stir until coated evenly.

Drop tablespoons of coconut mixture onto a cookie sheet that’s been lined with aluminum foil, greased, and floured.

Using wet hands to prevent sticking, push your thumb into each pile and carefully form an indention in each cookie.

TIP: You can push the edges back in around your thumb as you go to make sure the cookie holds it shape.

Place the macaroons in the oven at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until the tips of the cookies begin to turn golden brown

Pull them out and allow them to cool completely.

While the macaroons are cooling, grab up the cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla. Whip it up with a mixer until smooth.

Drop tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into the cooled macaroons. Top with a marachino cherry. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

TIP: Dry your marachinos in a paper towel before putting them on the macaroon so the juices don’t run into the filling.

Posted in Recipes | Tagged Cookies, Desserts, Macaroons | Leave a comment

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Delicious Goodies

Yum, so good on a cold night, around the table, playing games!

Mom What’s For Dinner?

Posted in Recipes | Tagged Drinks, Hot Cocoa, Peppermint | Leave a comment

Chocolate Mice

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Delicious Goodies

This is my favorite thing to make during Christmas time and I have been making them for over 15 years with my mom and have shared them with my co-workers and my in-laws. I hope you enjoy them as much as our family does and include the kids (my son helps with the eyes and eats some of the cherries before they can be made into mice!)

You will need:

Maraschino Cherries with stems
Hershey Kisses any flavor
Melting Chocolate (you can use chocolate chips just make sure not to burn them)
Sliced almonds
Black decorating food gel for the eyes
Parchment Paper
Baking sheet

Directions:

Drain cherries for about 30 minutes (DO NOT RINSE)

Melt chocolate in the microwave on half power for 30 second intervals till all the chocolate is melted in a glass bowl (I use a measuring glass)

Place parchment paper on the baking sheet.

Dip Cherries into the melted chocolate and place on parchment paper.

Attach the Hershey kiss to the cherry immediately once you put the cherry on the parchment paper.

While the chocolate is still setting put two almond slices as the ears in-between the kiss and cherry.

Once you have put the mice together take the black decorating food gel and make little eyes on the mice.

Let it set and enjoy these cute little mice for the holidays!