Homeschool Memoirs: Winter Treats!

THEME:

This week I want to invite you to share one of your favorite winter treats. A treat you look forward to making when the snow falls and include the recipe for it so others can try it out.

Holiday baking is always fun in this house. I love when it is chilly outside and we are staying inside in a toasty kitchen baking for hours. The smells are heavenly and everything tastes so yummy when it is still warm. Who can resist chocolate chip cookies while the chips are still soft? Or peanut butter cup cookies? Or peanut blossoms, or.... Oh, you get the picture. We just love baking and then sampling everything. Waiting for it to cool enough to eat is probably the hardest part of baking!! :o)

Here are two recipes that I haven't tried yet, but plan to try. I have heard that they are really, really yummy by more then one person!! The best part...they offer something other then chocolate. (you know...in case you are on chocolate overload!)

Cranberry Orange Cookies:

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
(optional)

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.

3. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.

4. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

Click link for the next recipe: Cranberry Bliss Bars