HippieDog's Favorite Recipes

Quick Caramels

 

Quick Caramels

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups real butter
1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar 

Line 9x13 pan with foil and butter bottom and sides to prevent sticking.

Combine ingredients in heavy 3 quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. When mixture comes to a boil, wipe down sugar crystals from sides of pan. Insert candy thermometer. Cook until firm/hard ball stage 248 to 250 degrees.

Pour mixture in prepared pan.

Let cool completely. Invert on cutting board and cut into 1 inch squares. Wrap and twist with wax paper. Store in cool place. Makes 96 caramels.

Recipe Source: Becky Low, Dairy Farmers of Utah

 

Mini Gingerbread Houses

I have always wanted to make Gingerbread Houses or buy one of those cute little kits.

I didn't want a big project, so I thought mini gingerbread houses would be perfect.

They are the cutest little magical things.

We are definitely going to add another Christmas tradition to our list :)

Mini Gingerbread Houses

Graham crackers
1 tube easy squeeze icing, white
1 can easy flow frosting, white
assorted candies and coconut

For each house, glue together with icing 5 graham cracker squares, without a top.

For roof, cut one graham cracker square in a triangle with a serrated knife.

Use two more graham cracker squares for the roof. Secure with icing and let dry.

Using the easy flow frosting with star tip, squeeze frosting to cover all of your gingerbread house seams.

Decorate with candies and let dry.

Tip: We put each house on a sheet of wax paper. When everything was dry, we transferred our houses to a pretty plate. Decorate around the houses with more coconut and steps made of peppermint candies.

CUTE!!! Easy Easy :)

Happy Holidays!

Recipe Source Idea: Sandra Lee Mini Gingerbread Houses

Holiday Baking Favorites

I've been trying lots of new recipes and of course making all of my favorites.

I made a collection of our VERY FAVORITE recipes.

Happy Holidays!

Chocolate Chip Candy Cookies ~ Wedding Cookies ~
Christmas Sugar Cookies ~ Cowboy Cookies

Microwave Peanut Brittle ~ Peppermint Bark ~
White Chocolate Pretzel Treats ~ White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies

Cinnamon Buns ~ Cherry Chip Loaf ~
Crock Pot Candy ~ Cookies and Cream Fudge

Rosemary's Gingerbread Men Cookies ~ Oatmeal Cream Pies ~
Holiday Slush Punch ~ Snickerdoodle Coffee Cocoa Mix

Peanut Butter Candy Kiss Cookies ~ Chocolate Fudge Mint Cookies ~
French Cinnamon Puffs ~ Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprints

Angel Sugar Kiss Cookies ~ Cinnamon Maple Rolls ~
Snickerdoodle Cookies ~ Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Angel Sugar Kiss Cookies

Good grief....these are GOOD.

I need to pace myself.

Of course I can't leave well enough alone and have a good old fashioned sugar cookie.

I had to top them with kisses. Three kinds to be exact.

I noticed the peppermint kisses melt...melt...melt. I let them do their thing and then spread the peppermint chocolate around and topped with another kiss.

Crazy good.

Angel Sugar Kiss Cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tartar
1/2 tsp. salt
additional sugar for rolling
Candy Kisses of choice

In mixing bowl cream butter, shortening and sugars until well combined. Add egg and vanilla.

In another bowl sift together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to sugar mixture. Beat until well combined.

Using teaspoon or small cookie scoop roll cookie in ball and then in sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 400 degrees for 6-10 minutes. Cookies are done when they start turning golden brown.

Immediately top cookies with unwrapped candy kisses. You may want to add the peppermint kisses when the cookies aren't so hot. Or just frost your cookies with the melted peppermint and top with another kiss if you wish :)

Let rest on baking stone or cookie sheet for a few minutes and transfer to wire rack when cookies are set.

Store in airtight container.

Recipe source adapted from: Taste of Home Angel Sugar Crisps

Chocolate Fudge Mint Cookies

Probably the easiest cookies on the planet!

I was in need of a quick chocolate cookie fix......these are delicious :)

Chocolate Fudge Mint Cookies

1 box Chocolate Fudge cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips
1 package Andes Creme de Menthe baking chips

In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, oil and eggs. Mix until well combined. Stir in mini chocolate chips.

Drop by teaspoonfuls, or use a cookie scoop on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 350 degrees for 7-9  minutes. Do not overbake.

Remove from oven and Immediately sprinkle tops of cookies with 1-2 TB baking chips.

Wait until mint chocolate melts, about 6 minutes and gently frost cookies.

 

YOM YOM

Yay! It's December......Happy Baking :)