What is your must have at Christmas

[ajf9597]

Are there any Christmas candy or cookie recipes that you make every year? I'm looking for some new recipes, we don't normally make anything but Sugar Cookies, but I want something different this year.
What are your must haves??

[nesser1981]

I love to make snickerdoodles. I'm going to try a new recipe this year. And actually, we usually pick 3 or 4 new cookie recipes every year that I bake to try. If I like them I add them to my cookbook and then I'll pick some of those for the neighbors.

[Stacey42]

Chocolate peppermint bark. I love peppermint bark. last year I made a variation that had a base of graham crackers that was awesome.

[color of my heart]

my grandmother makes fudge every year. plain old fudge, nothing special. but it's tradition.
my mom makes krumkaka, which are swedish cookies made on an iron, one at a time. it takes her all afternoon to do it. we only get them at christmas.
i think this year, i'm gonna do cake balls. and i want to try salted caramel butter bars, and double chocolate mint cookies (both recipes from cookies and cups).

[MissKim]

I love sugar cookies at Christmas, but have no patience to bake and decorate them. I always have to make peanut clusters and white chocolate party mix.

[mummytothree]

I like simple!! My favortie is Peanut Butter Blossoms!!! I use the recipe on the back of the Hershey Kiss bag!!!

[Kat Stokes]

There are 3 things that a "required" by my family to make at Christmas time. I just made 3 batches of peanut brittle and 9 dozen bourbon balls as well as 2 doz. molasses crinkles.

1) Peanut Brittle (microwave recipe - super easy and soooooooo yummy!)

1-1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. light corn syrup (Karo)
dash of salt
2 c. raw peanuts
1 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Butter a medium sized cookie sheet. Put sugar, corn syrup, water and salt into a microwave proof bowl (I use the large pampered chef classic batter bowl because it has a handle). Stir and cook in microwave for 5 minutes. Add peanuts and cook 12-15 minutes or until syrup is at hard crack stage (300 degrees on a candy thermometer). Stir in butter, baking soda and vanilla. Pour onto buttered cookie sheet. Spread. Let cool and break into pieces. Store in a dry cool place.

2) Bourbon Balls

1 c. vanilla wafer crumbs
1 c. finely chopped pecans
1 c. sifted powdered sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa
1/4 c. bourbon (or rum)
1-1/2 tbsp. white corn syrup

Powdered sugar, sifted (for rolling)

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Blend bourbon and corn syrup. Add to dry ingredients and mix well. Form into small balls. Roll in sifted powdered sugar. Chill.

*Freeze or refrigerate balls before rolling in powdered sugar for best results.

3) Molasses Crinkles

Recipe courtesy of Ms. Betty Crocker herself.

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/...c-f42830d14f76

[jessica31876]

hey Kat have you ever tried those bourbon balls with Captain Morgan's spiced rum? Also since the rum/bourbon is not cooked these are probably not good for kids to try?

[Kat Stokes]

Originally Posted by jessica31876

hey Kat have you ever tried those bourbon balls with Captain Morgan's spiced rum? Also since the rum/bourbon is not cooked these are probably not good for kids to try?

Yep! Sure have! They are yummy and definitely NOT for kids. The longer they are stored the stronger they get too. My dad likes them about 2 weeks old.