Monkey Bread

My mom hosted a beautiful breakfast for the ladies in my family this morning and I decided to make some monkey bread. It was my first time making it, but it will not be my last. It was super easy, super tasty and really fun to eat too :-) I did a search on Pinterest for monkey bread and there were hundreds of pins, but I chose this one because I thought it was the prettiest. Good reason right?

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love baked for me...

Monkey Bread

You'll Need:

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 cup brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup melted butter - equal to one stick butter
• 3 10 ounce packages of buttermilk biscuits

- Preheat oven to 350. Sprinkle nuts in bottom of Bundt pan. In a side bowl or shallow dish, combine the sugar and the cinnamon. Cut each biscuit section into quarters & roll each section in the sugar/cinnamon mixture. Layer pieces in the bottom of the pan , building rows until all pieces are layered.  Combine melted butter and brown sugar and pour mixture over the dough. Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown and puffy. Cool pan for 10 minutes. Invert bread onto cake stand and serve.

And a couple of pics from my mom's breakfast spread...

Day 7- Kraft Fantasy Fudge

This was my first, and possibly last time to make fudge. I followed the recipe on the back of the marshmallow creme jar, thinking it would be a snap, because well, the directions were simple enough. But.. I had the bright idea to switch out one of the ingredients, and I think that may have contributed to this fudge's pain-in-the-rear status. It called for a can of evaporated milk, but I usually replace recipes that call for evaporated milk with sweetened condensed milk (to richen the flavor). This time, I don't think it was the best idea. While it worked, and the fudge tasted good, it was extremely hard to bring to a boil, which made it difficult to completely melt the sugar, therefore the fudge ended up with a bit of a grainy texture.

So...if you have an easy fudge recipe (I think I've even heard of making it in the microwave???) PLEASE let me know and I will try it next year!

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love baked for me....

Kraft "Fantasy Fudge"

• 3 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 small can (5oz) evaporated milk
• 12 squares Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 jar jet-puffed marshmallow creme
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 tsp vanilla

Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to a full rolling boil on medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and marshmallow creme, stir until well melted. Add nuts and vanilla. Pour into 9 inch pan and let cool completely. 

**note, I do not recommend substituting sweetened condensed milk for the evaporated milk!**

• 
  

  
  
  
  

Gingerbread Cheesecake Bites

Today's recipe comes from a pin I found on Pinterest. Like yesterday's treat, these are super easy and only 4 ingredients! I won't be able to bake this weekend, but be sure you check back next week for more recipes, including some of my favorite Christmas breakfasts, easy crock-pot candy (great for gifts), and more!

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love baked for me...

Gingerbread Cheesecake Bites

• 30oz roll Pillsbury gingerbread cookie dough
• 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla

Roll gingerbread cookie dough into balls (about 2 tsp each) and place in mini muffin liners. Create a well in the cookie dough using the back end of a mini rolling pin. Place the rolling pin in powdered sugar first to prevent sticking. Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla in mixer. Put cream cheese mixture in a piping bag (or ziplock like I did) and fill each with a teaspoon or so of the mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes.

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

This time last year I hosted a cookie exchange for my fabulous friends. I'll never forget that day. Afterall, it was the day I was introduced to Oreo balls, and a girl doesn't soon forget a day like that now does she? I really wish I was having another cookie exchange this year, but unfortunately, with so much going on, it just didn't work out. So... I thought I'd make Oreo balls as one of my 12 days of baking. I decided to put a little holiday spin on them by adding the peppermint garnish. I got the idea from Starbuck's peppermint brownie cake pops. These. Are. So. Easy! And only 4 ingredients... Enjoy!

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love (non) baked for me...

Peppermint Oreo Truffles

• 1 package double stuffed Oreos
• 1 package vanilla coating (you could also use white chocolate)
• 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy

Chop Oreos finely in a food processor. Mix cookies with the softened cream cheese. (I started with a spoon, but honestly it's easiest to hand mix.) Roll into 1 inch balls and freeze for 15 minutes. Melt vanilla coating according to package directions, dip chilled Oreo balls in coating. Sprinkle with peppermint candy and let the coating set. Refrigerate.

Bourbon Balls & Bourbon Cheesecake Brownies

My husband has been asking me to bake him something with a little kick. This month's Southern Living featured a section of desserts for bourbon lovers, which was right up his alley. Both desserts got his stamp of approval :)

On the third day of Christmas my true love baked for me...

Bourbon Balls

• 1 box vanilla wafers, finely crushed
• 1 cup chopped pecans, toasted
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar 
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 2 1/2 tablespoon light corn syrup
• Powdered sugar for rolling

1. Crush vanilla wafers in food processor. Separately, chop pecans in food processor.

2. Stir together the first 4 ingredients in a large bowl until well blended.

3. Stir together bourbon and corn syrup until well blended. Stir together bourbon mixture and wafer mixture. Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in extra powdered sugar. Cover and chill up to 2 weeks.

These no-bake treats are like dessert and after dinner drinks rolled (literally) into one. They certainly pack a punch and would be great to take to a holiday party. Just be sure kids know they're for adults only!

And on the fourth day of Christmas my true love baked for me...

Bourbon Cheesecake Brownies

• 4 (1oz) unsweetened chocolate baking squares
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, plus 2 tablespoons
• 1 8oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup bourbon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease and flour (or use the nifty Pam for baking like I did) a 9 inch square pan. 

2. Microwave chocolate squares and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl on high 1-2 minutes or until melted and smooth. Whisk in brown sugar and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar. Add 3 eggs, 1 at a time, whisking just until blended after each addition. Whisk in vanilla, salt, and 1 cup flour. Spread half of batter in prepared pan.

3. Beat cream cheese until smooth; add 2 tablespoons flour and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, beating until blended. Add bourbon and remaining 1 egg, beating until blended.

4. Pour cream cheese mixture over brownie mixture and top with remaining brownie batter. Swirl together.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely. 

*Note* My hubby asked for these to be served cold, so I cooled them in the fridge and they were really good that way!

These brownies seemed cakey at first (because I tested them before they were completely cooled), but after I tried them again when they were refrigerated, they were dense and rich and divine! There is a very subtle bourbon flavor that gives them a little something extra. 

Perfect Gingerbread Muffins

On the second day of Christmas my true love baked for me...

Perfect Gingerbread Muffins

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• Scant teaspoon baking soda (a little less than a tsp)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup melted shortening
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Topping:

• Sugar in the raw

Mix all wet ingredients in mixing bowl, sift all dry ingredients into the mixing bowl. Beat until smooth. Pour into muffin liners or greased muffin tins. I filled mine to the top so they would be large. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar in the raw just before the muffins set. 

These muffins are super moist and tasty. Plus, bonus, they make your house smell wonderful and Christmasy! Enjoy!

Bourbon Glaze for Eggnog Pound Cake

This morning, as I was straightening my hair (random I know), it occurred to me that I should have put a bourbon glaze on the eggnog pound cake. Because I mean let's face it, eggnog is really served best with a little nip, right? Here's the glaze recipe for the classic Bacardi rum cake, but I replaced the rum with bourbon. The next time I make this cake, I'll definitely add the glaze. Let me know if you try it out!

Bourbon Glaze

* 1/2 cup butter

* 1/4 cup water

* 1 cup sugar

* 1/2 cup good bourbon

Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar. Boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in bourbon. Note: The bourbon will cause steam. Be careful not to burn yourself.