German Chocolate Chip Cookies

This is now my top favorite cookie. They're technically called Coconut Pecan cookies, but the frosting is the same for German Chocolate cake, so I've renamed them. They also could go by the alias "crack cookies"-sinfully delicious. If you enjoy baking cookies, this one is a MUST on your list. :)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/coconut-pecan-cookies

Christmas Menu 2016

I scaled down my holiday dinner this year--just a little bit since it was just the hubby and I. However, everything on this list (except for the mashed potatoes and ham gravy) was a new experience for me. I finally found a recipe for brussel sprouts that tastes amazing--of course bacon makes everything taste better; honey mustard ham glaze; and a to-die-for German Chocolate Cake. It was a very yummy Christmas.

http://www.chowhound.com/recipes/honey-mustard-glazed-ham-13715

http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2006/03/roasted-carrots-and-mushrooms-with.html

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/249972/sauteed-brussels-sprouts-with-bacon-onions/

Red mashed potatoes with ham gravy (with cornstarch)

--I used milk and ranch dressing, salt and pepper for the potatoes

I actually put this in a 13x9 pan. 

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/german-chocolate-cake

Holiday Almond Tassies Recipe

Tassie, means small cup. This particularly recipe is an old Dutch recipe. I loved it because I love almond flavored anything. One caveat-I think it could have used more orange juice for a bit more kick/contrast. Although the cream cheese crust and filling were a good combo, it was almost too much work for this busy girl. Very glad that I own silicon mini muffin tins and had a good fat handle for creating the cups. 

http://cdn2.tmbi.com/TOH/Images/Photos/37/300x300/exps38526_BHD153762B07_09_3b.jpg

Pecan Meltaways Recipe

I call these "Pecan Melt-in-your-Mouth" cookies. This is part of Taste of Home's "Countdown to Christmas Cookie" set and they are ah-mazing. One thing I've learned about cookies dipped in powdered sugar--it's imperative that you let them cool to room temperature. Also, these cookies don't taste quite right without the powdered sugar. They go from ehh' to wow! Super easy recipe, only makes a couple dozen, but nice for our small family.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pecan-meltaways?pmcode=&_cmp=CookieCountdown&_ebid=CookieCountdown12/4/2016&_mid=127817&ehid=dfef5f62f666e299097ce5854fb7aea035676b6b

Cranberry Cookies with Browned Butter Glaze Recipe

The picture does not do this recipe justice! These are probably the best cookies I have ever eaten. It was also my first time making browned butter glaze. I'm going to tuck this recipe away and use the glaze for cinnamon rolls. If you like to bake--you HAVE to make these. Your friends and family will love you (even more), should you decide to share. :)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/cranberry-cookies-with-browned-butter-glaze?pmcode=&_cmp=CookieCountdown&_ebid=CookieCountdown11/27/2016&_mid=126412&ehid=dfef5f62f666e299097ce5854fb7aea035676b6b

Chocolate Mexican Wedding Cakes (Christmas Cookie Countdown)

Cinnamon and powdered sugar make this an exceptionally delightful cookie. I am adding this one to my list of favorites. :)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chocolate-mexican-wedding-cakes?pmcode=&_cmp=CookieCountdown&_ebid=CookieCountdown11/26/2016&_mid=126357&ehid=dfef5f62f666e299097ce5854fb7aea035676b6b

Toffee Almond Sandies (Christmas Cookie Countdown)

I'm a little behind on my Christmas cookie countdown because I tried the Betty Crocker version the first 2 days, but was sadly disappointed that it was mostly pre-packaged cookie mix recipes. Now I'm back on the Taste Of Home Cookie Countdown in which I get 1 cookie/day from Black Friday until December 25th. Every year I challenge myself to make each and every one of them for the past 8 years but have only been successful once. This is a very busy year so I'm picking the ones that don't require many steps. This recipe was a great choice for cookie #1. I didn't have chocolate covered heath crumbles, just toffee bits, so I added mini chocolate chips. These were hard to share. :)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/toffee-almond-sandies?pmcode=&_cmp=CookieCountdown&_ebid=CookieCountdown11/25/2016&_mid=126301&ehid=dfef5f62f666e299097ce5854fb7aea035676b6b