Egg Nog Cookie Recipe

I've touched upon the greatness that is egg nog in the posts of Christmas past. I've also mentioned how much I enjoy Christmas cookies. It seemed only fitting that I somehow combine the two into what can only be described as the personification of holiday cheer. I'm talking about egg nog cookies. Can life get any better? I submit that it cannot.

They're easy to make, they're delicious, and they're a welcome change of pace from the same old ginger bread and sugar cookies that are shaped like socks. Here's what you will need:

• 1 1/3 cups butter
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cups eggnog
• 2 tsps dark rum
• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt

Combine the ingredients in the order listed above. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about an hour.

Drop the batter onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 10-12 minutes. After such time, press the center of the cookie. If your finger leaves no imprint, they are done. Make sure to keep an eye on them and don't let them burn. If you do, Santa will pass over your house on Christmas Eve and give all of your presents to that neighbor you don't like. You know the one I mean.

Holiday Drinks

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season are the winter drink varieties at Starbucks. There are few things as warming on a cold winters day than a nice hot holiday beverage. This year there are 3 different varieties available: Gingerbread Latte, Espresso Truffle, and Peppermint Mocha Twist. Peppermint mocha's have been around for a few years now and I believe that the gingerbread latte was available last year. The only new edition to the line up is the espresso truffle.

I love peppermint mocha's and feel they are the best choice for a little holiday pick me up. Hot chocolate and peppermint; whats not to like? I recently tried the espresso truffle for the first time the other day, and while delicious, I suspect it kept me from getting a good nights sleep. I had one around 7 o'clock PM and didn't fall asleep until roughly 4am the next morning. Apparently you shouldn't have 2 shots of espresso that late in the evening. Who knew? Either way, I strongly suggest you give one a try, just make it a little earlier in the day.

Christmas Cookies

When winter first rears it's ugly head each year, people tend to gain a little weight. It's science people, I don't just make this stuff up. When it's cold outside, people tend to be less active. Not only that, but with the holiday season, comes holiday goodies.

It all starts with Halloween. No matter how hard you try, you will inevitably end up eating more candy than you'd like. There's really no use in trying to avoid it, it’s the way of the world. Before you can even recover from Halloween, you've got Thanksgiving (a holiday where you are encouraged to gorge yourself on food for an entire day) and following Thanksgiving of course, is Christmas!

Christmas is a little different though. At no point are you forced to eat a giant meal or campaign door to door for candy. You are, however, constantly presented with holiday treats: egg nog, candy canes, those red and green M&M’s, and of course, Christmas cookies!

Christmas cookies are EVERYWHERE! You see them behind the glass at Starbucks, there are plates kicking around the office, and if your grandmother doesn’t make at least one pan of cookies, then she isn’t doing her job. ;)

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I love Christmas cookies. How could you not? They’re chalked full of sugary goodness and they’re shaped like my favorite Christmas gifts! What am I getting at? A simple request: Break out your cookie sheets and cutters and make a batch for your favorite holiday bloggers!

What are your favorite Holiday treats?

Liquid Holiday Cheer!

The holidays are almost here and that means the return of my favorite holiday treat. Candy canes? Fruit Cake? Absolutely not! Those things are terrible. Actually, there’s nothing wrong with candy canes. I don’t know why I said that. What I am referring to is the triumphant return of eggnog!

Eggnog is as delicious and wonderful as it is terrible for you. I’ll be the first to admit, that the name egg nog sounds less than appetizing. I myself wouldn’t touch the stuff until I was in high school. However, once I tried it, I couldn’t stop. There are many different varieties of eggnog produced each year: Golden, vanilla, pumpkin, light, and even sugar free (though I would classify that as sweet milk). Eggnog is the perfect drink for people that want to have a little holiday drink, but also want some pancakes.

Eggnog can also be mixed with liquors such as rum, brandy, whiskey, and cognac and is apparently a great source of magnesium. That’s good right? It’s the perfect drink for holiday parties and is so versatile that you can even put it in your coffee! I strongly recommend that you drop whatever you are doing and get to your local grocery store to stock up on eggnog before the holiday rush. I’m giving you insider information here people, use it as you will.

Simple & Delicious Christmas Pie Recipes

No dessert captures the sweetness of Christmas better than a warm pie baking in the oven. It’s a nostalgic smell that brings to mind a grandmother’s kitchen, and evokes a safe, homey feeling. Freshly baked pies are a symbol of the holidays and a decadent dessert that have been enjoyed by millions since the time of the Egyptians. This Christmas, prepare your kitchen with all the finest cookware, bakeware, and appliances so you can cook up a mouth-watering holiday pie for all your family to enjoy! Don’t spend all day in the kitchen trying to make a complicated tiramisu or upside down cake. Bake a delicious pie that’s as easy as… well, pie! Here is a classic Mince Apple Pie recipe and a festive Holiday Eggnog Pie recipe for you to get started!

Mince Apple Pie:

1 baked 9-inch pie crust
1 cup prepared mincemeat
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
4 cups Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Pre-heat the oven to 375°. Next, line the bottom of 9-inch pie pan with half the pastry. Combine mincemeat and orange zest. Spread the mixture on the bottom of the pastry-lined pie pan.

In large mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup sugar, the chopped walnuts, and flour. Then, add the apples and toss. Next, spread the apple mixture over the layer of mincemeat and then sprinkle lemon juice on top. Cover the filling with the remaining pastry. Seal the pie crust and flute the edges. Lightly brush the top of the crust with water and sprinkle with sugar. Carefully cut several vents in the top crust so the steam can escape. Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until apples are tender. Wait least 30 minutes for the pie to cool before serving.

Holiday Eggnog Pie:

1 baked 9-inch pie crust
2 packaged of vanilla pudding mix
2 cups of eggnog
1 ¼ cups milk
1/8 teaspoon of grounded nutmeg
1 carton Cool Whip or whipped topping
¼ cup pecans (optional)
1 tablespoon rum

Combine the pudding mix, eggnog, milk and grounded nutmeg in a saucepan. Cook on the stove and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a complete boil. Then, remove from the heat and add rum if desired and cool for 5 minutes, stirring twice. Line the bottom of the pie pan with the pie crust and pour on the mixture. Cover the surface with plastic wrap. Finally, chill at least 3 hours in the refrigerator. Garnish the pie with Cool Whip or other whipped topping. Top with pecans or just a little nutmeg sprinkled on the Cool Whip.

Check out Merry Christmas Decor for other holiday tips, gifts, and decorating ideas!