Christmas was awesome. Simply awesome. The big, jolly man made the trek to our house and came down the chimney - actually, this year, he came through the front door. My ever growing clever daughter asked, "How will Santa get through the glass on the fireplace, Mommy?" Sigh. 

I had to be one step ahead of clever clogs and pull out the big guns. A very special magic key, exclusively for Santa. Universal for any door. Thankfully, I picked one up several years ago on sale at the Hallmark Shop. Once I explained to her the procedure, she seemed content and asked no more questions.

After Santa delivered on the goods, he and I kicked back and noshed on some eggnog pound cake and tea while watching classic Christmas movies; stealing kisses here and there. Brings a whole new perspective to the classic Christmas song, "I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus", except my kids were sound asleep and that song is utterly ridiculous. I mean, OUR Santa wears flannel pajama bottoms and a well loved and worn Scott Dixon Indycar racing t-shirt. If he actually dressed up as Santa and delivered presents like that, I may laugh at him for all eternity.

But for the record, Santa's an awesome kisser.

EGGNOG POUND CAKE

Preheat oven to 350°F. Beat all ingredients together at low speed with an electric mixer until blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes.

Pour into two lightly greased 9x5-inch loaf pans. Bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack, and cool completely.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2012! Happy New Year and Happy Baking! 

Wanna make the easiest treat on the planet? Then child, do I have the treat for you! The secret? It's only 3 ingredients. Yes, that's right my pretty. Three.

Now there is no excuse to show up to a Christmas party empty-handed. Unless of course you lose all control and eat them en route.

Which is a totally understandable.

1 bag waffle-style pretzels

Rolos - Here is a little tip I learned. When purchasing Rolos, buy the ones you find in a roll, not individually wrapped. Otherwise, you'll be peeling foil off for hours.

While I love almost every cookie known to man, there are some I just do not. Cookies with any sort of dried fruit in them such cherries, apricots, or pineapple are forbidden near me (however, cranberries and raisins are embraced with open arms) and cookies with ginger as the main ingredient need not apply. I also don't like care for cookies that have way too many nuts or are swimming in powdered sugar. Someone once told me that shortbread is not a Christmas cookie. Tell that to any true Brit and they'll smack you senseless.

Of course, my Christmas Baking Extravaganza 2011 will kick off in a few short weeks, I can't forget about my wonderful gluten-intolerant husband. I know he will be pretty bummed that there will be cookies he can't eat without feeling the effects the following day. I have searched for some recipes that will appeal to him and his digestive system and found this delightful cookie. 

Flourless Peanut Butter Double Chocolate Chip Cookies will make his days merry and bright. 

And score me an extra present in my Christmas sack! 

FLOURLESS PEANUT BUTTER DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Recipe adapted and slightly modified from Recipe Girl

 3 cups powdered sugar

Did you ever have so many bananas that you don't know what to do with them? 

That's me. All the time. 

I am a sucker for slightly off bananas in the grocery store. I'll buy them, peel them, and stick them in Ziploc bags until I can use them. I found several bags in the freezer the other day and realized I need to curb my impulse for buying anymore.

As much as I love banana bread and muffins, sometimes I want something different besides the usual suspects. Like cookies. I always want cookies.

Enter Banana Walnut Cookies. I wasn't sure how they would turn out, but thought I have nothing to lose, aside from some of the bananas, and everything to gain, like freezer space.

As a girl, space is crucial. No matter where it is. The freezer should be no exception.

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ cup ground flax seeds

¾ cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1½ cups mashed banana
½ cups steel cut oats, finely ground

1 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350ºF degrees. Line cookie sheets with silicone liners or parchment paper.

In a bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, flax seeds, and salt until well blended; set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until well blended.

Add egg and bananas. I pureed the bananas with ½ cup oatmeal to add some extra goodness. By grinding/breaking down the oatmeal with the bananas, it helps yield a smoother looking cookie.

Stir in the flour mixture on low speed until just combined.

Using an ice cream scoop, drop cookie dough onto prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Immediately transfer cookies to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before storing.

Yields: About 2½ dozen

Happy Baking!

I know, I know, zucchini season has come and gone, but I just can't help myself - I love the stuff.

Although pumpkin is this seasons 'it' fruit, I will always give zucchini it's due. I throw it in almost everything I make. Zucchini has so much goodness. It's a very underrated fruit. 

These came about when I was looking for some cookies to make with the 100 zucchinis I got from the local farm we get our fruits and veggies from.

These are a keeper and quite the tasty treat.

Kind of like John Krasinski from The Office. (Can I get an Amen?)

ZUCCHINI CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

½ cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups grated zucchini

1½ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 cups old fashioned oats

¼ cup ground flax seeds

2 cups chocolate chips (I love dark chocolate chips in these cookies!

Preheat oven to 350º. 

In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and flax seeds; set aside. In a medium bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in the egg and vanilla, mix well - batter will be light in color.

Stir in the shredded zucchini and mix until combined.  

Combine zucchini mixture and flour mixture together and blend until incorporated.

With a wooden spoon or spatula, stir in the oats and chocolate chips by hand. 

Yields: About 3 dozen cookies 

Happy Baking!

I LOVE Williams-Sonoma. I really do. It's my happy place.

I attended their Customer Appreciation Night a few weeks back - 10% off everything in the store, including sale prices. Yeah. I did some real damage to the husband's credit card and I'm thinking of skipping town when the bill arrives next week. 

My favorite purchase was definitely the Breville Pie Maker. After weeks of admiring it, I finally broke down and bought it. Let me tell you, it's been WELL worth it. I've made pies that even I didn't think were possible with this crafty and ingenious machine. However, we'll save that for another post.

I also picked up a few jars of Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter.  

This delightful creation is something to get excited about. As I was walking around the shop, mentally keeping track of all the items Santa could get me that would prompt me to squeal with joy, a sweet sales guy named Ty was walking around with a tray of these super delicious squares. 

I ate 3 of them. I did my usual moaning as I devoured each one and, at the same time, convinced myself I NEEDED 4 jars. Imagine my excitement when I got to the till and they were on sale even further. Squeee! When I got home and did some digging on the internet, I discovered an entire website with dozens of recipes specifically for Muirhead butters.

I guess it goes to show it doesn't take a lot to make me happy. 

Expensive happiness perhaps, but not a lot.

PECAN PUMPKIN SQUARES

Adapted and slightly modified from Williams-Sonoma

  

1 box yellow cake mix

½ cup butter, melted
1 jar Muirhead Pecan Pumpkin Butter
3 eggs
1 tablespoon flour
¼ cup flour
¼ cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ cup old fashioned oats

¼ cup ground flax seeds

There are some combinations that deserve to be together: chocolate and peanut butter, milk and cookies, Saturday mornings and cartoons; while others should not: chocolate and orange (gag), chocolate and bananas (double gag), Kim Kardashian and marriage. Okay, so perhaps that was a bit mean, but c'mon. 72 days? Really?

Today, I had a real hankering for a good peanut butter cookie. One of my most favorite cookies (and I stress on the word ONE because I have about a dozen) are the Girl Scout Cookies, Do-Si-Dos. Peanut butter goodness. When I moved to Canada, I happily discovered they sold them in the grocery store YEAR ROUND under the name, Pirates. You can only imagine my enthusiasm.

Speaking of Pirates, let's rewind to a few nights ago. Halloween night. My daughter made out like one - and she was literally the cutest pirate at that. After 3 very successful trips out that night, her 'treasure' consisted of 21 bags of chips and 23 pounds of chocolate. Seriously, I'm not too far off the mark. I guess the upside to being adventurous in the kitchen is knowing that I can incorporate much of her loot into some recipes. 

When all was said and done, the winner of the night were the Smarties candies. Smarties candies are not to be confused with the Smarties in the States. Those are what Canadians call. Rockets. Anyway, we counted out 46 mini boxes. 46. That's at least like $10 worth of chocolate right there. Since we will not eat that many Smarties (well, SHE won't, but I just might) we opened a few boxes and threw them into our peanut butter oatmeal cookie batter.

Good call. They were just what the cookies needed. A beautiful marriage of a beautiful combination guaranteed to put a smile on your face the entire time.

No pre-nup required.

1¼ cup CHUNKY peanut butter

¼ cup butter, room temperature

1 cup packed brown sugar*

2 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup oatmeal - both rolled oats or quick oats work well
3 tablespoons ground flax seed, optional

1 cup Smarties Candies

*For a slightly crispier cookie, substitute 1 cup of brown sugar with ½ cup brown sugar and ½ granulated sugar.

Preheat oven to 350º. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together; set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat peanut butter, butter, and sugar until light and fluffy. 

  
Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until smooth. Add oatmeal and flax seeds, if using, and mix.


With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture, beating just until combined. 

 
Using wooden spoon or silicone spatula, stir in Smarties by hand. 

Using an ice cream scoop, drop onto baking sheets.


If using a small scoop, bake until golden, about 9 to 11 minutes. If using a large scoop, bake for 13 to 15 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool.

Yields: About 3½ dozen with small scoop or 2½ dozen with large scoop. 

Happy Baking!