Holiday Baking

[WCsweet<3]

For the past five or six years, my dad has requested his gift be cheesecake. I am tired of using the same recipe. Anyone willing to share?

[summer_gphib]

This is kind of a summery cheesecake, and it's frozen, but it's really, really good.

Ingredients--

1 oz package of cream cheese-- softened (you can use light or fat free)
1 tub of cool whip (you can use light or fat free)
1 can sweeten condensed milk
8 oz. of lime juice (you can use bottled but fresh is always better)
1 premade graham cracker crust.
limes for garnish.

Combine the cream cheese, cool whip, sweetened condenced milk, and lime juice, and beat it until smooth. Place into the graham cracker crust, and garnish with the lime. Freeze at least 4 hours overnight is best. It's pretty tart, but is really good. Kind of like an icecream/cheesecake/pie.

But it's still not a My Daddy's Cheesecake.

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by summer_gphib

This is kind of a summery cheesecake, and it's frozen, but it's really, really good.

Ingredients--

1 oz package of cream cheese-- softened (you can use light or fat free)
1 tub of cool whip (you can use light or fat free)
1 can sweeten condensed milk
8 oz. of lime juice (you can use bottled but fresh is always better)
1 premade graham cracker crust.
limes for garnish.

Combine the cream cheese, cool whip, sweetened condenced milk, and lime juice, and beat it until smooth. Place into the graham cracker crust, and garnish with the lime. Freeze at least 4 hours overnight is best. It's pretty tart, but is really good. Kind of like an icecream/cheesecake/pie.

But it's still not a My Daddy's Cheesecake.

This sounds SO good!

[ZTAMich]

I am using store bought dough this year for cookie cutter shaped cookies.
::hangs head in shame::

I wish I was going to Florida to see my fam - I love my mom's Spritz cookies!! Edible glitter - yay!

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by ZTAMich

I am using store bought dough this year for cookie cutter shaped cookies.
::hangs head in shame::

Psst - add some other flavoring (orange, lemon, or almond are good) and 1/2 cup of flour, and no one will know the difference. When you're a busy lady, there is no shame in cutting a corner or two.

I always add a new cookie or two, for variety. I'm also going to a Christmas Tea on Sunday, and wanted something festive. So, I made Almond Sandwich Cookies. The recipe called for a normal icing in the middle, but I used a flavored cream cheese one - yummy! I'm also trying Rosettes for the first time.

I found Cherry Rum the other night, and decided to make my Rum Balls with those. Has anyone else tried that? I usually use Vanilla Rum, but it was nowhere in sight.

[Jill1228]

Last night I made walnut bars for a meeting
for Christmas, I will be making a chocolate pecan pie

[indygphib]

I baked almost 7 dozen cutout sugar cookies on Sunday night. I frosted them with the following recipe I found recently in a magazine. This is honestly one of the best frostings for cookies I've ever tasted! It was very easy to work with - even though one of the main ingredients is marshmallow fluff, it isn't very sticky at all.

Marshmallow Fluff Frosting
1 (7.5 ounce) jar of marshmallow fluff
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large mixing bowl, beat marshmallow fluff, gradually adding butter. Beat in vanilla and powdered sugar. Spread or pipe on cooled cookies. Decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles.

*Frosting will set after about an hour or two in the refrigerator.

[AGDee]

I finally got started last night. So far, I've made the lemon bars, the bar cookie with the chocolate in the middle and the pistachio coffee cake. Tomorrow night will be the peanut butter kiss cookies and maybe the first batch of fudge. The sugar cookies and spritzes will wait until the kids are back home so they can help because they love making those. I might actually finish all the baking. I was getting panicky about it Sunday when I didn't get it started.

[MSKKG]

My husband loves divinity. I've tried to make it, but mine come out looking like white pralines! I will keep on trying though--maybe I'm not beating the mixture enough or my candy thermometer is messed up.

Two unbelievably easy recipes I use are for microwave peanut brittle and microwave fudge.

Microwave Peanut Brittle:

1 c. sugar
Pinch of salt
½ c. light corn syrup
1 c. raw peanuts
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. butter
1 tsp. soda

Combine sugar, salt, corn syrup, and peanuts in large glass dish. Cook in microwave on high for 7 minutes. Remove, stir, and add vanilla and butter. Cook in microwave on high for 2 minutes. Remove and add soda. Stir well and pour onto greased foil. Store in airtight container. Yield 1 lb.

I used a 4-cup measuring cup, and the mixture spilled over. However, my sister had no trouble when she tried it. Her mixture spilled over once she added the soda though.

Microwave Fudge:

1 box confectioner’s sugar
½ c. cocoa
¼ c. milk
½ c. butter (1 stick)
1 T. vanilla
¾ c. nuts

In medium-size microwave-safe mixing bowl, mix sugar and cocoa. Add milk and butter but DO NOT STIR. Heat on high in microwave for 3 minutes, then add vanilla and nuts and mix well. Pour into greased 8x8 (or equivalent size) pan. Chill for at least one hour.

[LucyKKG]

My mom and I have been making egg nog. Mmmm...drinking some right now.

I tried to make Norwegian Christmas bread (Julekake) and TOTALLY failed. My mom is gonna help me later on this week, and I'm sure it'll be a lot better. That's my uncle's Christmas present.

I'm also gonna go over to my grandma's on Friday to help her bake and decorate the house. Mmmm date crumble!!!

[icelandelf]

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

My mom and I have been making egg nog. Mmmm...drinking some right now.

I tried to make Norwegian Christmas bread (Julekake) and TOTALLY failed. My mom is gonna help me later on this week, and I'm sure it'll be a lot better. That's my uncle's Christmas present.

I'm also gonna go over to my grandma's on Friday to help her bake and decorate the house. Mmmm date crumble!!!

That sounds good. For us, I will be making traditional Icelandic (as much as one can find ingredients for in South Texas.)

I think our Jólakaka is similar to your Norwegian one, we don´t use much fruit in it, just a few raisins and some candied peel.

For Christmas we would like to have Jólarjupa (Christmas Ptarmigan) or Hangikjöt (Smoked Leg of Lamb) served with Kartölflur í jafningi (potatoes in Bechamel sauce.)

I'm also making lots of Christmas cookies

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by icelandelf

That sounds good. For us, I will be making traditional Icelandic (as much as one can find ingredients for in South Texas.)

I think our Jólakaka is similar to your Norwegian one, we don´t use much fruit in it, just a few raisins and some candied peel.

For Christmas we would like to have Jólarjupa (Christmas Ptarmigan) or Hangikjöt (Smoked Leg of Lamb) served with Kartölflur í jafningi (potatoes in Bechamel sauce.)

I'm also making lots of Christmas cookies

it isn't Christmas without akavit

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by VandalSquirrel

it isn't Christmas without akavit

Amen! OMG I should buy some and bring it on Christmas Day! Think my grandma would kill me??

[icelandelf]

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

Amen! OMG I should buy some and bring it on Christmas Day! Think my grandma would kill me??

Teehee Do it! And if you can find some, buy some Icelandic Brennivín. We put it in coffee and call it Black Death! Tastes like anise.

[ThetaDancer]

Bumping one of my favorite threads. The "creative holiday" thread made me think of this one. Anyone have any new recipes?