Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a delightful New Years Eve, and all the blessings of the New Year!

New Years Whiskey

And remember – don’t drink and drive. Use a designated driver, or take a cab. Walk if you have to – but DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE.

Happy New Year!

A little Christmas Bokeh

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night.

 

Cranberry White Chocolate Fudge

Everyone loves fudge. That’s just a simple fact. But most of us won’t attempt to make it becaues of the cantankerous reputation fudge has. I know I’ve had a few batches seize, or get up and run away on me. But this is a far simpler version, and I know you will have great  success with it. I have faith in you. And, really, it’s a fool proof recipe.

What you will need:

1 12oz. pkg. white chocolate chips

1/2 cup icing sugar

1 3oz pkg cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup vanilla frosting

1 1/2 cups dried cranberries (I use Craisins – try the orange Craisins)

1 tsp orange zest

Prepare a 9 inch square pan by lining with foil and giving a spray of non-stick spray (Pam).

Melt your chocolate chips in small double boiler over medium low heat until melted, stirring often.

In a medium bowl, mix icing sugar, cream cheese and icing until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate chips, cranberries and orange zest.

Spread mixture into prepared pan. Refrigerate at least one hour. Lift fudge out of pan, peel off foil liner and cut into squares.

This fudge is lovely to give as gifts, or for cookies exchanges. Lovely presentation with the cranberries.

Alternative: Reduce cranberries to 1 cup and mix in 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts.

Molasses Drop Cookies

Molasses. Mmmmm. A staple for baking, cooking and eating, molasses has been a part of Newfoundland culture forever. I think I ate molasses on everything as a kid; even on chicken. Nothing made me happier. These cookies just bring back all those childhood memories. And the aroma of molasses cookies baking is one of the happiest Christmas memories.

 

What you will need:

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. ginger

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup fancy molasses

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup  hot coffee, or substitute hot milk, if you prefer

 

Preheat oven to 375. Grease cookie sheets.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Stir baking soda into hot coffee (or milk). Add to other ingredients and mix dough until well blended.

Drop cookie dough by the tablespoon onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes.

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.

Marshmallow Snowballs

This is a quick and easy treat that many Newfoundlanders will recognize. These are so easy to make, and perfect for making with kids.

What you will need:

4 oz cream cheese

2 cups icing sugar

2 tbsp milk

1/2 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips, melted

3 cups colored mini marshmallows

3 cups coconut

 

Combine first five ingredients, beat together until smooth.

Fold in marshmallows, then shape into balls.

Roll in coconut, and enjoy.