December 18, 2008

LilSis, you know that I always accuse you of being too hard on yourself when it comes to baking.  You’re a better baker than you give yourself credit for. HOWEVER, having said that, I do know you pretty well and I have to caution you against this cookie.  I think it’s a recipe for a stress attack!  I’ll tell you why:

1. This is a roll-out cookie so it’s fussier than a drop cookie or bar.  That means it’ll take more time, and it may stick to your work surface.  I’m not saying it’s rocket science; it just takes more time and attention.  Do you even have a rolling pin?
2. Once the cookies are done, they have to be dipped in the white chocolate.  Again, not a difficult process, but a time-consuming and messy one.

All in all, I can’t recommend that you make this cookie.  I agree that it looks beautiful, and I love the combo of peppermint and chocolate.  How about this recipe for Peppermint Chocolate Sandwich Cookies from Giada De Laurentis instead?

Peppermint Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

I haven’t tried them – I’m on a baking holiday for a couple of days – but they look cute, the flavors sound yummy, they’re easy (they use refrigerated sugar cookie dough) and I think you could bake these without needing cocktails.  The directions say to roll out the dough and cut it out with a cutter, but I don’t see why you couldn’t cut slices from the log, as usual.  What do you think?

~BigSis

December 17, 2008

Did you ever meet anyone who didn’t love brownies?  I haven’t.  I think most people love them, like I do, even though I’m not even a sweets eater.  Monday’s SPCA Bake Sale would certainly make that point.  We sold all of our brownies and bars, and we started out with quite a few of them, cut into big generous slabs!   Here’s what we had:

• Barefoot Contessa’s Outrageous Oreo Brownies from Culinary in the Country.  These are as big and fat and thick and rich as they look!  Crackly on the top, moist and fudgy inside.  They make me happy. 😀

Barefoot Contessa's Outrageous Oreo Brownie

Check out that Christmas Oreo red filling!

• Barefoot Contessa’s Outrageous Brownies with Chocolate Chips and Walnuts from Food Network. These actually sold out before the Oreo version, which surprised me.

Outrageous Brownie with Chocolate Chips and Walnuts

• Caramel Bars from my recipe file.  They’re full of caramel, oats, walnuts and chocolate chips. I need to post the recipe; they’re so good and easy!

Caramel Bar

• Pecan Pie Bars from “The Pastry Queen” by Rebecca Rather.  Oh. So. Yummy.  That’s all I can say.

• RazzMaTazz Bars ( I used cranberry jam instead of rapberry, so I guess these would be CranMaTazz Bars instead) from CookieMadness.net.  In addition to the jam, they have white chocolate and almonds. Very rich, delicious and pretty too!

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from the back of the chocolate chip package, or RecipeZaar.  These are a classic, and everyone loves them. Especially BDot!  I like them full of pecans, but not everyone is a nut-lover, so I left them out for the Bake Sale.

All of these beauties were sold, and I know we could have sold many more brownies.  Several people walked in the door asking, “Do you have any brownies?”  Alas, we had to break the hearts of these folks who came in after the last outrageous crumb went out the door.  Next time…even MORE brownies!

Do inquiring minds want to know how many bowls it takes to make a batch of outrageous brownies?  Check it out:

Outrageous mess for outrageous brownies!

I think it took 3 bowls (maybe 4) for these brownies, and let me tell you, they were worth it!  This is my new favorite brownie recipe.  Thanks, Ina!  As soon as I recover from this baking extravaganza, I’ll be back with more details on how the SPCA Bake Sale turned out.  Meanwhile, make some friends…make some brownies!

~BigSis

December 15, 2008

Today is the BIG DAY that we’ve been looking forward to and working toward for weeks now! Today is the BAKE SALE we’re holding to benefit the Dallas SPCA, and we’re aiming high: $3000!

If you’re in the Dallas area, come on by! The sale is Monday, December 15th from 9:30 am until 4 pm.

If you can’t come, you can contribute to the SPCA through this special link set up for our event until December 31st.

Donating through this link in December will ensure that your contribution will go towards our team’s goal of $3000. Above all, we ask for your prayers for this event; that we would raise a miraculous amount of money for this incredible charity, and that everyone would see that the only explanation for the success was the Hand of God!

~BigSis

December 12, 2008

Lots o’ baking is going on in my itty bitty kitchen this week!  I’ve tried to choose recipes that have universal appeal, and that are holidayish.  Most are pretty easy to make, with a decent “profit margin” but I’ve thrown in a few that are a bit more challenging and expensive to keep me on my toes!

I thought you might like to see what’s coming out of my kitchen, since this IS the primo baking season and perhaps you’re in the market for a good sweet recipe.  So far, just since last Saturday, I’ve already prepared multiple batches of each of these:

• Gingerbread from Cooks Illustrated.  A subscription is required to access this recipe, but don’t be put off by that.  Cook’s Illustrated is the only food site that I pay a fee for, and to me it’s totally worth it.  Their product reviews alone are invaluable, and their recipes always work.  They have total credibility with me.
• Chocolate Sheath Cake – it’s a classic recipe that you can find lots of places, including on RecipeZaar.  Moist, chocolaty, delicious!
• Super Moist Pumpkin Bread with walnuts (vegan) from AllRecipes.  This is a unique recipe with coconut milk but no eggs and no dairy.  It’s fabulous!  I made lots of them for our last bake sale.
• Cranberry Pumpkin Bread from RecipeZaar. I first found this recipe when my freezer went on strike recently and I had to use up a giant bag of thawed cranberries.  It’s very easy, extremely moist, and the combination of flavors is surprisingly good.
• Strawberry Bread.  I’ve been making this forever, and don’t know where I originally got the recipe, but this version from RecipeZaar is similar to mine. In this bread, the pecans are non-optional in my book.
• Root Beer Bundt Cake from Baked: New Frontiers in Baking by Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito. This was a new recipe to me, and I’m glad I tried it.  It’s really really moist and deeply chocolate.  I don’t get that much root beer flavor without the icing, but it’s wonderful regardless.
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from the back of the Nestle’s package.  You can find the recipe on RecipeZaar too.
• Texas Pecan Pie Bars from The Pastry Queen by Rebecca Rather. This recipe makes a ginormous batch of these wicked bars, but I still made a second batch.  They were that good.

Still on the agenda for this weekend:

• Almond Toffee from CookieMadness.net.  Absolutely an A+ recipe!  I made bunches of it last year, and got rave reviews.  You MUST have a thermometer to make this!
• Soft Peanut Brittle from CookieMadness.net.  Another great one from Anna!  I don’t usually care for traditional peanut brittle, but this is nothing like that.  It’s flavorful, tender, and just delicious!
• Pralines from The American Family Cookbook by the Culinary Arts Institute. I think this cookbook is out of print, but I’ve seen it on ebay.
• Outrageous Oreo Crunch Brownies from Culinary in the Country.  Christmas Oreos and brownies together in a recipe adapted from the Barefoot Contessa?  How bad can that be?  I’ll also do some without the Oreos.
• Chocolate Fudge from the back of marshmallow cream jar.  You know the one.
• Mrs. Busch’s Caramel Bars – a finalist in the Dallas News’ cookie contest a few years ago.  The recipe’s been taken offline, darnit.  I’ll post it another time if these come out as good as I remember them.
• Razz-Ma-Tazz Bars from CookieMadness.  I’ve never made these, so I’m trusting the Cookie Queen that these will be incredible.  I’m doing them with my homemade cranberry jam instead of raspberry since that’s what I have.

That’s it!  I’ve already eliminated 2 or 3 things from the weekend’s list, and I still have more than one little elf can do!  I better eat my Wheaties this weekend, you think?  All of the expense and all of the work will be SO worth making some money for this incredible charity!

~BigSis

December 11, 2008

I’m always in a baking mood at Christmas, but since I’m in “Bake Sale Mode” this year, I REALLY have cookies on the brain.  Lots of other folks do too:

• Recipe Girl shares her favorite Christmas Cookies and Candies
• Paula Deen’s favorite Christmas Cookies are in Good Housekeeping
• Marye from Baking Delights has some favorite Christmas Cookies
• The Food Network has 12 Days of Holiday Cookies
• Martha Stewart has a Holiday Cookie feature of course
• Southern Living’s Santa’s Cookies are shortbread cookies 8 ways
• Gourmet Magazine’s Favorite Cookies span 1941 to 2008
• Dallas News has a bunch of Holiday Cookie stories

Bake on, elves!  I’ll be back on Friday with the scoop on what I’ve been baking this week for the SPCA Bake Sale.

~BigSis

December 10, 2008

If you’re having a Christmas party, or attending one that you need to bring an appetizer to, I have a winning idea for you.  This is an extremely simple no-bake dish called Cheesecake Crunchy that works every time, and it looks fancy.  Plus it’s deeelicious!  I’ve been making it for more than 20 years, and I have no idea of where I got the original recipe.  You’ll want to start it early enough to allow plenty of chilling time.  I usually make it the day before I need it to make sure it’s thoroughly chilled and set.

Cheesecake Crunchy

1/4 stick butter, melted
3/4 cup cheese crackers, crushed (I prefer CheezIts)
1/2 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, drained and chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 cups sour cream
1 pound cream cheese, softened (2 8-ounce blocks)
Dashes of Frank’s Red Hot Sauce to taste
Extra cracker crumbs and olive halves for garnish, optional

Brush the bottom of a 9″ springform pan with the butter, and sprinkle the crushed crackers over it to form a crust.  Combine the remaining ingredients together with a hand mixer until smooth.  Gently pour over the crust and spread evenly.  Garnish by sprinkling a few extra cracker crumbs over the top and arranging the olive halves, if you wish.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate several hours or overnight.  When ready to serve, remove the sides of the springform pan and place cheesecake on a serving platter.  Serve with more CheezIts or other crackers of your choice.

I wish I had a photo to show you, but I don’t dare make this dish right now since I don’t need to take it anywhere and I would eat the whole thing.  Seriously.  Give it a try and let me know how you like it!  If you don’t make it at Christmas, keep it in mind for New Year’s Eve!

~BigSis

December 8, 2008

We mentioned the other day that I’m organizing a Bake Sale for December 15th (yes, I am truly insane to dream up a project like this at Christmastime). 100% of the proceeds will go to the SPCA here in Dallas, and our goal is to raise $3000. Yep, I said $3000 (I guess I’m insane AND overly-ambitious). Seriously, I’m doing this with two of my awesome co-workers (K and SA) and K’s sister L. We love to bake, we love animals, and we know that the SPCA and other animal organizations are in a real financial crunch right now, so it just makes sense to try to help them before the end of the year. The sale will be held in the conference room of the office building we work in (thank you to the building management), and we’re extremely excited to do this. We could each make a cash donation to the SPCA, but if we can invest that cash into baking supplies, and leverage it for the SPCA, so much the better!  We believe our goal is doable, and we’re praying that God will bless this event!

Having said all of that, what does a girl’s kitchen look like before she starts a 9-day baking spree of this magnitude?  Here it is with some of the ingredients queued up ready to be called into service.  This little bitty kitchen has no idea of what is about to happen to it!

Pre-Bake Sale Kitchen

Closer view of the left...

...and the right

Well, now you know.  It started out neat and clean and organized.  Here’s one shot of Day One…still pretty neat.

Baking Day One

I’ll post some more pictures mid-spree (it’s going to get messy next weekend, and dare I say – ugly) and post-spree! I’d say “wish us luck”, but I don’t believe in luck, so pray for us! And if you’re in Dallas, email me for the particulars on the sale!

Ladies, start your ovens!

~BigSis

December 6, 2008

What would Christmas be without great music?  I can’t imagine it!  I know some people aren’t huge music fanatics, but I am, and for me, music is the backdrop for the whole season.

It’s really hard to narrow down my favorite Christmas CDs to only 5, but I can do it! These are my favorites at the moment:

• Nat King Cole “Christmas Favorites” – “The Christmas Song” is on this CD, but there are other songs on it that I love even more, like “O Little Town of Bethlehem” and “The First Noel”.  Nat’s smooth voice on these classics just makes them warm and cozy favorites all over again.  This is the CD you want in the background when you’re gathered around the tree with your family opening gifts.

• Avalon “Joy” – There are so many incredible songs on this CD! How about “Jesus Born on This Day” and “We Are the Reason” for starters? Then throw in “Don’t Save it All for Christmas Day” and you’ve got a winner!  It was released in 2000 and half of the group’s members have changed, but it’s still a great recording.  If you love Jody McBrayer’s voice as I do, also check out his solo CD “This is Who I Am” (2002).  It includes one of my favorite all-time songs “To Ever Live Without Me”.  You may recognize it by Jody’s incredible lyrics: “It was all about a man, it was all about a cross, it was all about the blood that was shed so I would not be lost.  It was all about the love that was bigger than a life.  It was all about a freedom that was given through your sacrifice. ‘Cause you would rather die than to ever live without me.”  Thinking about that makes me teary; let’s move on.

• Amy Grant “A Christmas Album” – This CD came out in 1983, I can hardly believe it. 25 years later, it’s still one of my favorites. I don’t know what it is about “Tennessee Christmas” but I love love love it. “Emmanuel” and “Heirlooms” are also songs I play over and over again at Christmas.  This is a fun but really warm and sentimental CD.

• Martina McBride “White Christmas” – Martina’s voice says Christmas to me, and it just seems like her heart is in all these songs. I adore “What Child is This”, “Do You Hear What I Hear”, and all of the other classics on this CD.  Martina can’t sing a bad song, and she does an amazing job on all of these selections.

• Rob Johnson “O Holy Night” – Rob’s version of “Mary, Did You Know” is stunning!  The title track, “Welcome to Our World”, “Who Would Imagine a King” and “You are the Light” are also standouts on this CD that came out last Christmas.  Rob was the worship leader at my former church, and is now with another church in Keller that a friend and I visited for a while before I moved farther away.  We did visit again for last year’s Christmas service, and grabbed up this CD afterwards. When Rob was leading worship for us, one of the things that we always loved about him was his JOY, and this CD reflects that completely.  It’s joyful from beginning to end.  Who doesn’t want more of that?

Oh, fudge!  I forgot Selah’s “Rose of Bethlehem”. And Elvis’ “Blue Christmas”!  And The Chipmunks!  And “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”!  There’s so much music for such a short season!  Hey LilSis, what Christmas tunes are playing on your iPod right now?

~BigSis

December 4, 2008

Is it just me, or are the Christmas specials airing earlier and earlier each year?  On Monday, we had the Shrek Christmas special followed by the Grinch.  On Tuesday, we had Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and on Wednesday we had Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  At this rate, we’ll be out of Christmas shows to watch by the weekend!

Rudolph and Herbie

Rudolph

I know that retailers put Christmas merchandise in the stores as soon as possible in order to get every possible sale.  That makes sense to me.  But I don’t get why these TV shows come on so early.  Are the networks afraid that the ratings will be lower if the shows come on later in the month, thinking that we’ll all be at parties instead of gathered around the tube?  It doesn’t bother me, it just baffles me.  I’ve missed my favorite (Rudolph) several times because it came on while I was still doing Thanksgiving dishes! Well, not really, but almost!  Next year, will we be watching the Grinch before we go out to watch the Fourth of July fireworks?  Just wondering.  What do you think?

~BigSis

December 2, 2008

If you’re like me and just realized that we have only 3 weeks from Thursday until Christmas is here, you’re probably freaking out a little.  Or a lot!  You’re probably also wishing for a way to get yourself organized so that you won’t forget anything, AND your stress level will be under control a little bit more.  I found a few things that might help.

• Real Simple has a 26 day Holiday Blogathon going on right now.  What?  They didn’t invite BigSisLilSis to participate?  Even though we’re crushed, I do have to say there are some great tips there from some great blogs on all kinds of Christmas topics.
• i-village has a Christmas Planner broken down into the 1st week of December, the 2nd week, the 3rd week, Christmas week, Christmas morning and after Christmas.
• FamilyFun.com shows us how to transform a 3-ring binder into Ann’s Amazing Holiday Planner.
• If you have a little time on your hands and are super-duper crafty and stampy, check out this tutorial for a beautiful Christmas Planner from Christine Rowland, a Stampin Up Demonstrator.
• How about a video for those of us who need a visual?  I have a jillion things to do but I sat here and watched this whole 7 minute video on making a cute Christmas Planner.  I couldn’t stop watching it! Plus I really enjoyed the music from Josh Groban.
• TwoPeasInABucket’s member gallery has this Christmas Planner that is absolutely gorgeous.  There aren’t any instructions, but it’s certainly inspiring to look at.  I’m pretty OCD and overly-perfectionistic, but this project is beyond me for December 2nd.  Maybe if it was July 2nd I would attempt this jewel.
• OrganizedHome has some Christmas Planner notebook ideas that are pretty practical.
• And last but not least, the FlyLady offers a Holiday Cooking and Decorating Schedule.

We’ll send more tips and tools your way as we find them.  Meanwhile, take a deep breath, make a list or two, and enjoy this blessed season!

~BigSis