We're Bringin' It Next Year

We did not win the Christmas lawn decorating contest for our neighborhood. Of course (who knows better than me, right?), you can't win if you don't enter. But next year, it's game on. Beware house on the corner with the synchronized light and music display and house around the corner with the life-sized cutouts of your enitre family posing so gracefully around the lighted tree on your porch. Next year our oversized Christmas boxes flanking the front door will have new friends and you can bet your stockings our porch light will be on when the committee comes a votin'.

Thank You, Phyto!

When I saw the FedEx man at the front door, I wondered what late Christmas gift had arrived...you know, maybe Kevin was going to great lengths to surprise me with the Infiniti I've been drooling over. No such luck.

But I did win some phytovolume actif (volumizing spray). Great day for it, too, 'cause the haircut I got today needs some extra sass in the back. I've used phyto products before -- when I was highlighting my hair -- and I really like them. They just cost too darn much to buy on a regular basis.

Thanks, FedEx man!

Merry Christmas

12 Days of Cookies - Day 12

We've finally made it to the last day of our 12 Days of Cookies bakefest. I must confess that this recipe did not actually get baked today...go ahead, let me have it. I know, I know, I technically didn't complete my mission. But I did have more fun than I imagined baking through the countdown to Christmas and spending time with the kids (and the hubby, too!). There were some challenges (I reaaaallly need a new oven) but we made it through. Enjoy this last recipe, even though it isn't a cookie -- but it does use cookie dough, so I'm gonna let it count!

Cheesecake Cookie Cups
1 pkg. (16.5 oz.) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough (use the Nestle Toll House kind you break apart)
2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
2 lg. eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Put one piece of cookie dough in the bottom of each cup. Bake for 10-12 minutes (cookie should spread to the edge of the cup).

Beat cream cheese, milk, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Pour about 3 tbsp. cream cheese mixture over cookie in each cup. Bake for an additional 15 - 18 minutes (until set). Cool completely when removed from oven. Top each cup with a level tablespoon on pie filling and refrigerate for one hour.

12 Days of Cookies - Day 11

Not sure why bar recipes are classified as cookies, but they seem to be. So I chose one to be included in our 12 Days of Cookies because I like this one so much. It takes a bit more work than some of the others I've featured (but no baking!) -- it is so worth the effort!

Nanaimo Bars
..bottom layer..
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup coconut (sweetened or unsweetened -- your preference)
1/2 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts or pecans)

Spray 9x9 inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Stir in sugar and cocoa. Gradually add beaten egg. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add vanilla, graham cracker crumbs, coconut and nuts. Stir until well mixed. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan.

..filling..
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2-3 tbsp. milk or cream
2 tbsp. instant vanilla pudding powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Cream butter with electric mixer. Beat in remaining ingredients. Add more milk if the mixture seems too thick. Spread this over bottom layer, cover and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes).

..topping..
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tbsp. unsalted butter

In heatproof bowl over pan of water, melt chocolate and butter. Spread over filling and refrigerate.

To serve: let it come to room temperature and use a sharp knife to prevent cracking the chocolate as you cut it into squares.

12 Days of Cookies - Day 10

The 12 Days of Christmas song boasts that today (day 10) there are ten lords a leapin'. Lords make me think of my old friend Pauline, who is from London, and thinking of her makes me think of her teaching me to 'take an afternoon cup of tea' and enjoy it with a few 'biscuits'. The first time I heard that expression, I was bewildered...who wants Earl Gray tea, with sugar and milk in it mind you, with a biscuit? A good Southern biscuit deserves some sausage gravy or homemade fig preserves or a slice of ham, not a cup of tea.

But being the great gal I am, I gave her biscuits a try. Turned out to be a shortbread cookie. Humph... why didn't she say it was a cookie? I'm all for that. But back to today's 12 Days of Cookies selection. For those leapin' lords, and Pauline, here is a twist on the traditional shortbread cookie. And with only three ingredients, it doesn't get much easier than this.

Brown Sugar Shortbread
1 cup flour
1 stick unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients with an electric mixer. Press into a 9 inch square pan. Bake until golden at edges - usually about 18-20 minutes. Cool slightly in pan and then cut into 16 squares. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Did You Know...?

I don't have a Facebook page, but that's another story for another post. I find fascinating, though, the perks of working for Facebook:

100% employee benefit (medical, dental, vision, life and disability) premiums PLUS 50% dependent benefit premiums

4 months paid parental leave for when you have or adopt a new baby PLUS $4000 baby cash when the child is born and $3000 per year for day care costs through age 5

21 days of paid vacation PLUS 11 paid holidays PLUS unlimited sick days

Free breakfast, lunch and dinner at the office (prepared by chefs) PLUS snacks

$50 per month to assist with public transportation to the office

Laundry, dry cleaning and photoprocessing service with pick-up and drop off at your desk

Quite a package, huh?