Day #5: DOC Blog Linkup!

Hey everyone! Today, will be:

Healthy and non-healthy Christmas recipes!

So, for some Non- healthy, here we go!

1. Gingersnaps(have to try these. SO good)

• 3/4 cup margarine
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup white sugar for decoration

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and molasses until well blended. Combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; stir into the molasses mixture to form a dough. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll the balls in the remaining sugar. Place cookies 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

2. Raspberry and Almond Shortbread Cookies (haven’t tried this recipe myself, but I have made shortbread before, and it is really good)

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup seedless raspberry jam
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon milk

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together butter and white sugar until smooth. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Mix in flour until dough comes together. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Make a small hole in the center of each ball, using your thumb and finger, and fill the hole with preserves.
3. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes in preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let cool 1 minute on the cookie sheet.
4. In a medium bowl, mix together the confectioners’ sugar, 3/4 teaspoon almond extract, and milk until smooth. Drizzle lightly over warm cookies.

     3. Of course, Gingerbread  Men Cookies! 

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 cup shortening, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, until they are completely absorbed. Divide dough into 3 pieces, pat down to 1 1/2 inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When the cookies are done, they will look dry, but still be soft to the touch. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. When cool, the cookies can be frosted with the icing of your choice.

 

 

And for some healthyish ones;)

1. Grinch Kabobs (never have tried these myself, but how can you go wrong with a toothpick and fruit? With a marshmallow at the top. ;))

• 24 green grapes
• 1 large banana, cut into 24 slices, or as needed
• 24 hulled strawberries, tips removed

• 24 miniature marshmallows(see, not the most healthy ;))
• 24 toothpicks

1. Thread 1 grape, 1 banana slice, 1 strawberry (narrow end facing up), and 1 marshmallow onto 1 toothpick to resemble the Grinch’s head in his red hat. Repeat with remaining grapes, banana slices, strawberries, and marshmallows.

 

Hey, did you know you can have pretty healthy gingerbread cookies too?

You can use the same recipe above ^^ but just substitute some ingredients for healthier ones?  Substitute the all-purpose flour for spelt or kamut or sprouted whole wheat flour, and voila! Substitute the sugar for maple syrup and voila! And the shortening for butter! 🙂

2. Apple Cider 🙂

Very easy, everyone. 🙂 Just grab some apple cider from the store (pay for it first 😉 or get some apple juice, put it in a slow cooker or pot on the stove, and add cinnamon or cinnamon sticks. If you’re feeling adventurous, add some Bengal Spice tea to the mix. You just might like it! 🙂 Once it is heated, pour into a mug, and sip intermittently, while you are sitting on a couch, (or sofa 😉 ;)) reading a book 🙂

 

Okay, that will be all everyone. 🙂 I have to skiddadle, so see you all tomorrow! 🙂 (most of the recipes from Allrecipes.