Friday, November 30, 2012

Holiday Treats.

Merry Christmas friends! Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Every time I go home, my mom and I excitedly share with each other the things we've been wanting to cook. We usually start with a list of 5-6 things that we've read about or seen on Pinterest, then narrow it down to 2 or 3 based on what my mom already has in her pantry. (She keeps a VERY well-stocked pantry, by the way!) Thanksgiving weekend was no exception! We made caramel corn (which was TO DIE FOR) and perfected the art of the microwave praline. Both were stand-out recipes and ones I will keep in my folder of favorites for a long time to come! I wanted to share those 2 recipes with you, along with one more I made today that screams "Christmas!" Enjoy! xx

Microwave Pralines...so easy and ABSOLUTELY to-die-for! We let several people try them, and everyone loved them! Recipe below.

Enjoying the caramel corn and the scent of my favorite Christmas candle!

A tin full of homemade caramel corn is a perfect Christmas gift for friends or neighbors!

This recipe is one my mom has made several times, and it never fails to impress! 
It's from one of her Southern Living cookbooks, and as you can see from this picture, she tried it back in 1988! That's what you call a "tried and true recipe!" We popped the popcorn the old fashion way, using white popcorn kernels. Also, we both agreed that you can make the caramel recipe as shown and either double it or half it again, just to make sure ALL those kernels get covered with the goodness :)

Another great gift idea! So yummy!
Recipe and image found here.


MICROWAVE PRALINES
Adapted from (the amazing) Easy Does It: Winners & Favorites

1/2 pint whipping cream
1 pound light brown sugar
2 tablespoons margarine 
2 cups pecan halves*

Microwave whipping cream and brown sugar on HIGH for 11-13 mins. (we did 13 minutes, but should have done 11 based on how powerful our microwave is) Stir in margarine and pecans. Stir until not shiny. Working very quickly, drop onto foil by tablespoon. Yield: 24 pieces.

*We used pecan pieces, as that's all we had. Hence the shape of our pralines. You can use either one. Same amazing taste :) Also, pralines can be a little high maintenance. For tips on how to make them behave, go here.

Follow me, friends!
My fabulous mom's Pinterest: (She's got some good stuff) 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Healthy Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies.

I have stumbled upon the BEST fall cookie recipe.... They are moist. They are filling. They are tasty. And the best part...... They are HEALTHY and super easy to make! No flour....no butter... no added
sugar. You can thank me later. Happy Election Day, friends! xx

{via}

Recipe is from the cookbook, The Gathering of Friends Volume 1.


PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP RECIPE

1 package Spice Cake Mix (I used Duncan Hines)*
1 package Dark Chocolate Chips (I used Hershey's)
1 egg
1 (15 oz) can pumpkin (real pumpkin; not pumpkin pie filling)
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Preheat over to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together and drop on a greased cookie sheet, by teaspoon or (if you want bigger, like I did) a tablespoon. Bake cookies 10-12 mins.
Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

*Use the cake mix powder only. Do not mix it up, first, with the eggs and oil.