FoodFixe

Ho-Ho-Holiday Cookies, Etc.

About the only thing I’ve managed to cross off my holiday to-do list is baking. But I know plenty of folks who are just getting started on their cookies, candies, and other confections. If you’re going to baking in the next couple of days and are looking for something new to try or just some inspiration, here are a few of my favorites …

Black & White Peppermint Bark

I’m a mint fanatic. Mint chocolate chip is my favorite ice cream, and candy cane cookies were my favorite holiday treat as a child (to be replaced by peppermint sugar cookies) At no time during the year do I crave something minty and chocolaty than during the holidays; it’s rich and satisfying without being cloying and unctuous.

I’ve been making peppermint bark as part of my annual holiday “baking” tradition for 15 years. I always include a few shards of the creamy minty treat on the cookie plates I give as gifts during the season. Until last year, I’ve made a peppermint bark recipe I found years ago in Martha Stewart magazine.

5 Tasty Valentine's Treats

Seems like just yesterday it was New Year’s and now Valentine’s Day is two days away. Even if you consider February 14th a Hallmark holiday, the long weekend is a good excuse to make something yummy and share it with those you love.

I scoured the FoodFixe archives and came up with this short list of tasty treats to tickle your tastebuds. Whether you’re a chocoholic or prefer your desserts on the light and fruity side, you’ll find something here to help you celebrate this weekend.

Boozy Rum Balls

It just wouldn’t be the holidays without catching a buzz from Kelley’s Boozy Rum Balls. In fact, they’re so popular that Kelley can’t NOT make them during the holidays. There would be an uprising among her friends and coworkers going through rum ball withdrawal.

If you’re not a fan of rum, you can use the hooch of your choice, such as bourbon (my personal favorite). The nice thing about Boozy Rum Balls is that they keep for quite awhile, so you can make them in advance. And that’s a good thing, because they do need to sit for a week before eating or gifting.

Easy Chocolate Fudge

Every year, when the girls get together to bake, we can always count on Denise to make her famous fudge. It’s a tradition, much like my Chocolate Ganache Truffles and Kelley’s Boozy Rum Balls (recipe coming soon). I asked Denise to share her recipe when she came to visit last weekend for our annual cookie-baking extravaganza.

“After a disastrous try that resulted in crunchy fudge due to unmelted sugar, my roommate Kathy got me this recipe from her mother. It’s very easy to make. Usually I make two batches, one with and one without nuts.  “

Thanks, Den!

Chocolate Ganache Truffles

Admittedly, chocolate truffles are not cookies. Nor, are they baked. However, chocolate truffles are definitely a treat -- a treat I've made every holiday season for the last few years.

I know making truffles sounds like a big undertaking, but I assure you that they are easy. There are relatively few ingredients that take very little time to put together. You can even make the ganache a day or so ahead of time until you're ready to form the truffles.