HippieDog's Favorite Recipes

Christmas Jam Jars

 

This is my VERY favorite time of year. The week before Christmas.

I love all the fun ribbons, packaging, boxes, bows and try to think of clever ways to put things together.

 

I made so much jam this year, I just couldn't stop making jam! I thought I was nuts, but now I'm so glad I did because it makes darling gifts.

I bought my personalized ribbon roll over at Pick Your Plum and it just makes it! Cute! Throw in a crochet dish cloth and you have yourself a thoughtful practical little friend or neighbor gift.


Christmas Jam Jars

pint jars
fabric
ribbon, rope or twine
personalized labels
buttons
pinking sheers
thread

Your pint jars can be filled with so many fun things.  A few things that I'm doing this year are; jam that I made this fall, peppermint bark and snicker doodle coffee mix. You can even put in M&M's, candy kisses or your favorite holiday candy.

If you don't have the personalized labels, just use a cute shipping tag or christmas label with your special holiday note.

Cut fabric in circle shape to fit over your pint size jar. Secure with rope, twine or ribbon and tie off.

Sew your fabric tag with a cute little matching button.

Happy Holidays!

 

Ginger Bread Men Cookies

I spent the afternoon making Gingerbread Men cookies with a certain little boy.....not to be confused with the "Ginger Bread Boy". No silly foxes in this story :)

I've run away from a little old woman,

A little old man,

And I can run away from you, I can!

 

Run, run as fast as you can;

You can't catch me, I'm the Gingerbread Man.

 

 

 

I know I posted this recipe before here but it's such a great recipe I wanted to share it again :)

The perfect Gingerbread cookie recipe from my mother in law Rosemary.

Dan loves these cookies and remembers his mom making cookie sheets full of gingerbread men and sugar cookies during the holidays.

 

Rosemary's Gingerbread Men Cookies

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
frosting
candies
additional sugar for decorating

Combine shortening, sugar, molasses and egg. Beat well. In separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Gradually add to sugar mixture, just until combined.

Refrigerate dough overnight or in our case for at least 2 hours.

Roll dough on floured or powdered sugar surface ( I use powdered sugar) and cut out gingerbread man shapes or desired shape.

Bake 350 degree oven for 6-8 minutes.

Decorate with candies, sprinkles and make faces with cake decorating gel.

Tip: Use a straw and poke top of gingerbread mans head to make a hole for hanging.

Decorate with yarn, string, tinsel or ribbon for a darling Christmas tree ornament or garland around the mantel :)

 

Homemade Granola

  

My girlfriend Shirley loves granola and always shares her stash with me at work.

So I thought I'd make a batch of homemade granola and surprise her with a little jar :)

 

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup slivered almonds

1 cup cashews

3/4 cup shredded sweet coconut

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons maple syrup

1/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 tsp. salt

 

In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.

In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt.

Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans.

 

Bake 250 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.

I found this yummy recipe here. I just skipped the raisins for this batch and sprinkled a little bit of ground cinnamon :)

I used quart jars to store my granola. It's also a good idea to double this recipe, you'll be glad you did.

Granola Jars

Wash and sterlize 3 quart jars.

Fill your jars with granola and screw on cap and lid.

Find some pretty country fabric and measure 9x9 square.  Cut out squares with decorative scissors if desired.

Apply fabric to top of jars and add rope or ribbon.

I just used plain white file folder labels and cut out with decorative scissors.

Label and store.

Makes darling gifts and looks cute in the pantry too!!!

 

Vintage Candy Bars

 

I couldn't resist making a few of these candy bar wrapper sweets when I found this free printable at Kmckaydesigns.com.

I love the vintage look.........

1. old vintage prints
2. Hershey's miniature candy bars
3. tin or box from dollar store
4. lace, buttons, papers and trims

Wrap your candy bars with vintage paper art. Place in paper covered art tin for someone special.

Cut paper to fit around tin, extending an inch or so along the sides. Spread glue stick on top of tin lid and position paper.

Clip all around edges and glue down. Trim with lace and buttons if desired.

 

Be sweet......

 

Brownie Pops

 

We made a few brownie pops the other night. We used our favorite brownie recipe but you can use a box mix if you'd like.

Let brownies cool completely and cut in small squares. Insert sucker sticks, dip in melted white chocolate and sprinkles.

Tie with pretty ribbons.......so sweet!