Hello and happy afternoon to everyone!
So before we get onto the topic of the post let talk running:
Since we raced on Saturday we have been taking a few recovery days and have our first workout back tomorrow. But in the meantime...
Yesterday- A.M.- 5 miles recovery
P.M- 8 miles recovery
Today- A.M.- 3 miles recovery
P.M- About to go do 5 more miles
Every year around Christmas time my family has several annual traditions that we follow pretty regularly, one being our Baking Day!
We spend a whole day in the kitchen baking goodies that last us through the holidays and sometimes even longer!
There is a pretty standard list that gets met each year, which includes:
- Busy Mom Drop Cookie (your standard No Bake cookie, my fav!)
- Chocolate Chip Pie (I added this recipe on my Thanksgiving blog, it truly is amazing!)
- Fudge
- Bourbon Balls (this was Mimi's recipe she always made)
- Birds Nest (Minus the colorful eggs, but neat idea for Easter)
- Pecan Pie
- And Mom's Bon Bon's
When looking on Pinterest today I saw so many new and delicious looking recipes that I think anyone would love for this holiday season and would be fun to add to our own baking day. So if you have a party to go to, someone to bake for, or want to start your own annual baking day here are some recipes to try!!
- Oreo Balls (Ive heard a lot about these recently and everyone loves them!)
What You Need:
- 1 package of Oreos
- 1 package of softened cream cheese
- 1 package of white candy coating
- 1/2 cup of chocolate chips (optional: for drizzling over the oreo balls)
What You Do:
1. Mash the heck out of those Oreos.
2. Mix Oreo crumbs with package of cream cheese. You'll probably need to use your hands for this one.
3. Roll into small, 1 1/2 inch thick balls.
4. Melt white candy coating. Using spoons, dip each ball in the melted candy and roll it around until it is covered, then place aside on wax paper to harden.
5. [Optional] Melt chocolate chips and, using a fork, drizzle over oreo balls. Refrigerate to harden.
Note: If the chocolate chips are still chunky after melting, add a teaspoon of vegetable or canola oil and stir to harden.
-Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter M&M Pie
1 recipe pie crust (that will fit one 9-inch pie)
1 cup granulated Sugar
¾ cup all-purpose flour
3 TBSP peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup Peanut Butter M&M’s
2/3 cup milk chocolate morsels
Preheat oven to 350°.
2.On a lightly floured surface, roll pie crust to ¼ -inch thickness. Transfer and press into a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp edge, if desired.
In a medium bowl, combine sugar, flour, peanut butter, and butter, mixing well.
Add eggs, vanilla, Peanut Butter M&M’s, and chocolate morsels. Transfer filling to prepared pie crust.
Bake until firm in the middle, approximately 45 minutes.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Fudge (What!?!?)
- 1 3/4 c. sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 c. milk
- 1 Tbs corn syrup
- 3/4 tsp kosher salt
- 2 Tbs unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Spray an 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.In a 3-quart saucepan, combine the sugars, cream, milk, corn syrup and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 242 degrees (ie the soft-ball stage). Remove from heat and stir in the butter, vanilla, and flour.Pour the mixture into a 9x13 inch casserole dish, and allow to cool until it reaches 110 degrees, 10 to 20 minutes.Use a large spoon to scrape the mixture in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat at medium speed until the fudge thickens and holds its shape, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the fudge to the prepared 8x8 inch dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top, pressing them lightly into the fudge.Allow to set at least 2 hours. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container.
- Brownie Cookies
½ cup butter
4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 cups (18 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 ½ cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Combine butter, unsweetened chocolate, and 1 ½ cups chocolate chips in a large heavy saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until butter and chocolate melt; let cool.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a small bowl, set aside.
Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer. Gradually add dry ingredients to egg mixture, beating well. Then add the chocolate mixture and beat well. Stir in remaining 1 ½ cups chocolate chips.
Scoop dough onto baking sheets 1 inch appart. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool slightly on baking sheets; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Ok everyone get to baking!!!!
