Christmas Cookie Mix Jars

A few months back I fell in love with these cookie mix jars Bakerella made and knew straight away that I wanted to make them for Christmas.
I showed a friend of mine (Leanne) and she fell in love instantly too. Leanne took the gorgeous photos of Olivia's birthday party earlier this year.

We sourced some jars locally, Leanne created the gorgeous labels and we used fabric and twine from my stash. The major hurdle to overcome was getting the MM's. Luckily I have a very generous friend in the USA that shipped them to me. For those of us in Australia, Mars decided in their wisdom, not to produce the Christmas coloured packs of MM's this year. So your options are to get a friend to send them from the States or to pick through the normal packs of MM's. Good times!

If I were to make these again (and I most likely will) I would only put half the amount of flour in the bottom of the jar and then place the remainder on the top to even the layers out.

I'm in the middle of gifting these to teachers, neighbours, friends and family and I must say the response has been lovely.

Christmas preparations

Between ballet concerts and kindy breakups we have been busy putting together our homemade gifts for family and friends this Christmas.

Hope your preparations are going well!

Candy Cane Chocolate Hearts

Here is a super easy (and tasty) treat you can make in minutes. I think these would be gorgeous bagged up little cellophane bags tied with pretty ribbon.

They would also be an easy activity to do with children on the school holidays.

What you will need:

Candy canes - if you want to make 10 hearts, you'll need 20 candy canes

White chocolate

Dark chocolate

Sprinkles or non-pareils

What to do:

Unwrap all your candy canes and place them in the shape of a heart on baking paper.

Heat chocolate and spoon into the centre of the hearts. Be sure to fill all the little nooks.

I made all of mine with dark chocolate base and topped some with white choc as well.

Sprinkle with your choice of non-pareils an let set. Note that white chocolate takes a little longer to set than dark choc.

Now, nibble on them with a friend with a good cup of coffee or give as a sweet gift this Christmas.

Enjoy!

Cheap and chic

Another really simple way to package your homemade treats is to place in cellophane or glassine bags. Cut rectangles out of card stock the width of the bags, fold them over the tops of the bag and staple shut. Affix a pretty label over the staples.

There are so many talented and giving people out there in blog land who share their artwork for things just like this. You just have to go looking and you'll find something that suits.

Image 1 - Martha, Image 2 - Bake it Pretty

Cappuccino Brownies

I made these tasty little treats a few years back. Found the recipe at good ol' Martha. Again, these are divine. They may not make their way to the intended recipient!

Cappuccino Brownies

Ingredients

Makes 16
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Directions

Preheat oven to 325 degrees, with rack in center. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan, and line the bottom with parchment or wax paper. Coat paper with butter. Set aside.
In a large heatproof bowl, combine the butter and unsweetened chocolate, and place over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until completely melted. Let cool slightly. Whisk in sugar, espresso powder, vanilla, and eggs.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add to the chocolate mixture, and stir until just combined (do not overmix). Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour into pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out slightly wet, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack; cool completely. Remove from pan. Using a damp, warm knife, cut into 16 squares, wiping knife blade after each cut. Peel off parchment paper and serve.

Recipe from Lisa Kim of Brooklyn, New York. via Martha Stewart

Homemade Christmas Treats

There's nothing I love more than baking for friends & family, teachers and neighbours during the holiday season.

I thought I would share with you some of my favourite homemade baked gift giving ideas over the next month. So without further adieu ....... (OMG, you are going to die when you taste these)

Custard Yo Yo's

If you are a fan of "Melting Moments" then you will LOVE these. Made with custard powder rather than cornflour it gives it a fabulous vanilla/custard taste.

Smooth shortbread filled with creamy custard icing.

250g soft butter
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 3/4 cups plain flour
1/2 cup custard powder

Preheat oven to 180c

Beat butter and icing sugar together until creamy.

Stir in sifted flour & custard powder.

Roll Tbsps into balls and flatten with a fork onto a baking tray (line with baking paper). I flatten in my hands as I like them smooth.

Bake 12-15mins until pale golden brown.

When cold sandwich together with custard icing.

Custard Icing:

Beat together 100g soft butter, 1 1/4 cups icing sugar, 1/4 cup custard powder and 2 drops of vanilla essence.

Now, to me, the way you present these is also very important. I would either fill up a glass cookie jar, find a pretty tin and line it with a matching teatowel, or you could purchase some premade boxes like these from Martha Stewart Crafts.

Hope you have fun making these tasty little treats.

Recipe courtesy of my gorgeous friend Kathryn.