Wednesday, December 4, 2013

holiday baking

It's no secret that I love to bake, and with Christmas coming up, I've been looking
at web sites and Pinterest boards for some baking inspiration.

This Cranberry Cake photo practically had me drooling on my keyboard.
It's from a site called The Kitchn and you can find the recipe here.


 A Pretty Life in the Suburbs posted the recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate
cookies last year. I made them and they were delicious. I am definitely
making them again this year. Here's the recipe.


How about a Christmas Blondie? This blondie delight is studded with white chocolate, 
candied cherries, and toasted walnuts. Brought to you by Better Homes and Gardens.


I'm a huge chocolate fan, but I also love a good molasses cookie around
Christmastime. These are one of Brian's favorites. From the blog, Mango
On An Apple, here's the yummy recipe.

 
Even if you're not a baker, you can whip up these holiday spiced nuts.
They'd be great for snacking, for putting out on the table for pre-dinner
snacking when company comes over, or even put in a pretty package for
gifts. Go check out the recipe at Mom Advice.


Speaking of holiday baking, next week starts the Blog Tour that I'll be
a part of. I'm still putting final touches on my holiday decor and even though
I don't put up a tree or do anything "fancy", I'd like to think that my home
is inviting and cheery for my family and friends. I can't wait to share it with
 all of you!



28 comments:

  1. These recipes all look delicious. I'm still refining my cookie choices for this year but I know I will be making the chocolate-mint cookies on the back of the Nestle mint chips bag. :) Have you ever had Abuelita hot chocolate (also made by Nestle, actually)? It's a product from Mexico. We can easily buy it here but it may not be widely available. If you've never had it, I know you would love it.

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    1. Never heard of that hot chocolate! I wonder if I can order it from amazon? I actually made a batch of homemade hot chocolate mix last week when my son was in from school. :-)

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  2. Looking forward to the blog tour, if I don't freeze first :) it is cold here too

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    1. I'm looking forward to it, too - I can't wait to see everyone's decorations, baking, what have you!

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  3. Oh my, Melanie and I would read this right before bedtime! A little earlier in the day and I could have made one of these delicious recipes. Still undecided on some of my Holiday baking, I have been obsessed with decorating and I have a very stiff neck! Oh well, such is life!
    Oh, Rebecca is our daughter and Molly is the grand baby:)
    Jemma

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    1. I think I'll start my baking next week, so I'd better get my recipes whittled down and decide on which ones I'm going to make for sure. Sorry to hear you have a stiff neck - those are awful. Thanks for the reminder on the names of your daughter and grandbaby!

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  4. Ok...now I am hungry...delicious looking dishes, Melanie!

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    1. I can't wait to try some of them - but then freeze them so I don't eat them!

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  5. I am still decorating the house for Christmas, but after we get our tree on Saturday, I plan to start my favorite part of Christmas - baking all my favorites.

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    1. Yep, me too. I've been decorating. No baking, so far.

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  6. All your recipes look scrumptious Melanie, looking forward to seeing your decorations too.

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  7. Melanie, like you, I LOVE to bake, especially sweet breads, muffins and simple cakes, and such. And, I don't wait for Christmas to do it! I bake every week, makes me feel cozy and warms up the house, as well as providing a sweet treat of an aroma in every room! Your goodies look delicious and tempting, especially am curious about the Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies!

    Looking forward to stopping by your place next week on our Tis the Season Blog Tour!

    xo
    Poppy

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    1. I baked more often when I had kids at home. Now that it's just me and my husband, I don't bake too often because neither one of us need it! When I do bake, I usually end up sending some of it with Brian to work.

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  8. I printed out the cranberry bread recipe and the Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies! And when we get the blog tour over with I'm going to start baking! And try to resist eating the treats that are meant for "the family!"

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    1. If all goes smoothly in my household, I plan to do some baking on Sunday. Not sure if I'm going to make the Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies or if I'll try something new.

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  9. I am assuming those chocolate cookies will be out for us to eat when we come for the tour? :)

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    1. Absolutely, Deb! I wish the blog tour were in "real life" so that I could meet you all - and the cookies would definitely be out for all of us to enjoy together!

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  10. Oh, they all look delicious! I am iced inside the last couple of days in Dallas, TX and wished I could sneak out to the grocery store and get some goodies to be able to bake all day long! You making me want to bake!
    Patty at Home and Lifestyle Design

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    1. I can't believe how people are home-bound in places like Dallas and Arkansas - and we're OK here in the Chicago area! I always have baking staples on-hand, so I can pretty much bake at the drop of a hat. I hope you stay safe and warm!

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  11. Oh, that cranberry cake also had me drooling over my keyboard!

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  12. Melanie, thanks for sharing all these great looking recipes! I give nuts(candied and spiced) as Christmas gifts a lot. The recipe you shared looks especially good. Have a blessed Christmas season!

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    1. I love candied and/or spiced nuts and I agree they make great gifts. Christmas blessings to you as well, Lynn.

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  13. what wonderful recipes. Im off to bake

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  14. I need to start doing some baking now that the decorating is done. A home is about the people in it, and I'm sure you've created a very warm, cozy, welcoming place for your family and friends. Looking forward to your tour.
    Mary Alice

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a kind comment - I read and appreciate each one!