Christmas baking

Christmas baking... probably my favorite thing about Christmas.  This year the kids and I spent three weeks making sweet memories... and lots to satisfy our sweet tooth!  =]  Snickerdoodles and very easy to make chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips.

Easy Butterscotch Chip Chocolate Cookies

1 box (18.25 oz) chocolate cake mix

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

2 cups (12 oz pkg) butterscotch flavored morsels

1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Combine cake mix, oil, and eggs in large bowl.  Stir in morsels and pecans.  Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until centers are just set.  Let stand for 2 minutes, remove to wire racks to cool completely.

I love that recipe, it's so easy to do.  We are peanut butter lovers here so we use pb instead of butterscotch and leave out the nuts.  They really are delicious!

Amariah's favorite to make (and eat) are the chocolate stars.

Again, so easy to make.  Melt one bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips and a tub of chocolate frosting in the microwave.  Let it cool slightly.  Put it in a decorator (we love Pampered Chef's Easy Accent Decorator just for this recipe) and squeeze out your design.  Put them in the freezer for a few hours to set.  YUM!

Then Amariah got the smart idea to add recipe cards to the goodies.  I don't think she thought that one through too well... she had to write out one for each of her 6 teacher's bowls.  We decided just two of the recipes would be enough, haha.  In the end, they made cute little gifts.

Robbie has three teachers this year.  He's all ready for his school party with his book gift to exchange.  I'm so glad they do a book now instead of a toy.

After we finished all the school teachers' cookies, I made 6 dozen snickerdoodles for our Ladies Christmas party/cookie swap at church.  This year we did it a little different.  Everyone only took home 3 dozen cookies (instead of the normal 6 dozen) and the other 3 dozen were donated to our youth Christmas dinner and children's program.  We didn't want to leave out those who don't like to bake or don't have time for it; they only needed to bring 3 packages of cookies to donate.  It was a wonderful night of great fellowship, food, and cookies!  Also a fun way to serve others in our church!

Next on the list was Rich's co-workers, the kids' Sunday School teachers, and the College/Career class that Rich teaches.  Lastly, cookies for the extended family.  I wish we had counted the number of dozens we made.  I just know dozens of memories were made... that's all that really matters.

The stars are for a special project that I'll be back to show you in the next post.  Brothers working together...

I think they all three did an awesome job!

Ryan, the 15 year old has been a huge help in the kitchen for me this year.  I am training him the ways of cooking and baking so he will be able to do it when he gets out on his own.  He is a very fast learner and is doing a super job already!

Well it's been a lazy New Year's Eve day around the Berry homestead.  So very, very nice for a change!  But I'm not good at just sitting around.  I'm gonna tackle my scrapbook/craft area so some new cabinets can be purchased to get that area workable again.

I'm grateful for the three wonderful kids that God has blessed us with.  I'm thankful that God allows us time together to make some fun childhood memories for them.  I'm excited about what the upcoming year holds for this family.

Wishing you and your family a fun time to end out the year and a refreshed spirit to tackle the upcoming year~