Christmas Treats

Today I'm sharing some easy Christmas recipes for you to make in preparation for the big day!

Growing up we always had SO many Christmas cookies.

There would be stacks and stacks of containers of goodies. 

Even though I don't eat all of the goodies, I love having a big spread for others to choose from.

Before we get to the yummy cookies, I'm going to share two great soup recipes. 

Potato Soup

11 TBSP. Butter

2/3 C. Flour

8 C. Milk

6 large potatoes, cubed

2 C. Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 C. Sour Cream

 In a large pot, melt the butter.

Whisk in the flour. 

Let butter and flour cook together for a few minutes. 

 Add in 1 C. of milk one at a time. 

Whisk the butter, flour and milk after each addition.

Let mixture cook together for a few minutes as it starts to thicken. 

Add cubed potatoes, boil. 

Reduce heat and a let simmer for a little while. 

Add in cheese and sour cream. 

Garnish with sour cream and cheese. 

Cheese Soup 

1 1/2 C. Chicken Broth

10 oz. Frozen Vegetables

1 C. potatoes

1/2 C. Milk

8 oz. Cheese Whiz or Velveeta Cubed

1 Can Cream Style Corn 

Croutons

Cube a cup of potatoes. 

You can use any potatoes. 

I used redskin potatoes from our garden this past summer!

 Add chicken broth to large pot.

 Add in frozen vegetables. 

On this day I used a 16 oz. bag, so there were lots of veggies!

 Add in potatoes and let simmer for 10 minutes.

 Add in 1/2 C. milk.

 Add cheese and cream corn. 

 Let simmer for a bit longer. 

Pour into a bowl and add some croutons.

This is a family favorite of my husband's family and the first time that I've made it!

Now onto the goodies....

Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 C. Chocolate Chips

1/2 C. Chopped Nuts (Optional)

1/2 C. Shortening

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1/2 C. Sugar

1 Egg (Beaten)

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1 1/4 C. Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Soda

1 T. hot water

Cream shortening

 brown sugar

 and white sugar. 

 Add beaten egg and mix. 

Then, add vanilla.

 Combine other dry ingredients in separate bowl and add half to the above mixture. 

Then, dissolve soda in hot water and put in batter.

 Add remaining dry ingredients. 

 Add chocolate chips. 

I forgo the nuts. 

Scoop onto ungreased cookie sheet.

 Bake at 350 15 minutes

Serve with a glass of milk!

These are a crunchier cookie. 

The minute I take a bite I'm transported back to my childhood. 

I promise it makes me feel like I'm a child again. 

I can even smell my grandma's home. 

These were her favorites. 

She would always say "I wish I had a nickel for every batch of chocolate chip cookies I made."

Muddy Buddies

9 Cups Chex Cereal
1 C. Chocolate Chips
1/2 C. Peanut Butter
1/4 C. Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 C. Powdered Sugar
*You can find this recipe anywhere like here. 
And then you can tweak it to make it your own, like me. 

I like to use a combination of cereals.
This time I used 3 Cups of Rice

2 Cups of Vanilla

4 Cups of Rice

Pour all of the cereal into a large bowl.


I like to melt my chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter on the stove.
Add 1 C. Chocolate Chips

1/2 C. Peanut Butter

 1/4 C. Butter

 1 tsp. Vanilla

 Mix together.
Pour over Chex cereal.

Pour chocolate covered cereal into a large bag.
Add 2 Cups or more/less of powdered sugar.

Enjoy!

Peppermint Mocha Bundt Minis

1 Box Chocolate Cake Mix

2 Small Boxes Chocolate Pudding

1/2 C. Vegetable Oil

1/2 C. Water

 3/4 C. Brewed coffee, cooled

4 Eggs

1 C. chocolate chips or mint ones

4 tsp. Peppermint Extract

In mixing bowl, add chocolate cake mix.

Then, add pudding mixes.

Add in 1/2 C. Vegetable Oil, Water and Coffee cooled.
What I love about this cake is that I could pull out my Keurig, brew the coffee, cool and throw it into the cake.

Add chocolate chips and peppermint extract.

 Grease little bundt pans.
Pour cake into 1/2-3/4 way full of little bundt pans.

 You can frost the cakes, but I just added powdered sugar and everyone loved them!

 I gave these with some Bath and Body Works soap for cute coworker gifts.
Everyone thought I bought the cakes!!

If you haven't bought Mix and Match Mama's book, you need it!
Seriously!! I've baked 5 of her cakes in the past week!!
Whew! Lots of baking that's so simple and delicious.
Next week I will be sharing a dinner party that we had in my classroom.
Three bundt cakes were made for it, and my students LOVED the Oreo one!

I'm off to purchase yet another Mix and Match Cakes book to send as a last minute gift.
Every time my great aunt calls me I'm making a bundt cake.
Her curiosity is really up, so I'm treating her to the recipes! :)

Have the best day friends!
Today is my first day of Christmas Break!
#AndalltheteacherssaidAMEN!