COOKIE COUNTDOWN #20- CRANBERRY ORANGE COOKIES

These look so "festive"... I definitely plan to make them for the holidays. Would love to hear your comments about how they turned out!!!

    
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cranberry-Orange-Cookies/Detail.aspx
CRANBERRY ORANGE COOKIES
Original Recipe Yield 4 dozen cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 2 tablespoons orange juice
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chopped cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
•  
• 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 3 tablespoons orange juice
• 1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the orange mixture. Mix in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart.
3. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks.
4. In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Spread over the tops of cooled cookies. Let stand until set.

COOKIE COUNTDOWN: RECIPE#19 CANDY CANE FUDGE

allrecipes.com is so great when you are looking for that perfect printable recipe.  I have been using this website like crazy since I had my girls.  I can always find a recipe to bring into their classroom's for parties, potlucks etc...


 
Original Recipe Yield 2 1/4 pounds

 http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Candy-Cane-Fudge/Detail.aspx

Ingredients

• 2 (10 ounce) packages vanilla baking chips
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 1 1/2 cups crushed candy canes
• 1 dash red or green food coloring

Directions

1. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, and grease the foil.
2. Combine the vanilla chips and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir frequently until almost melted, remove from heat and continue to stir until smooth. When chips are completely melted, stir in the peppermint extract, food coloring, and candy canes.
3. Spread evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan. Chill for 2 hours, then cut into squares.

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS FOR KIDS

One of my favorite sites to visit for childrens printables and activities is  http://dltk-holidays.com/xmas/m-draw-details.htm. They have plenty of winter/holiday related printables for every occasion.  Check out the "draw the details" on the gingerbread man and reindeer!

CRAFT FOR KIDS: HANDPRINT WINTER TREE'S

School vacations are coming up! It's a good time to start gathering ideas to keep kids busy.  Check back for many more fun and easy ideas to come...

Snowy Handprint Tree

http://crafts.kaboose.com/snowy-handprint-tree.html

What you'll need:

• 1 sheet light blue construction paper
• 1 sheet white copy paper
• Brown acrylic craft paint
• Glue stick
• Scissors
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar

How to make it:

1. Lay white paper sideways (landscape) and cut the paper in half using a curvy cut. Place paper across the light blue construction paper. Use the glue stick to attach it to the bottom third of the blue paper.  Use scissors to trim off any excess white paper.
2. Paint child's palm and fingers with brown paint. Have child spread out his/her fingers then press his/her palm and fingers down onto the paper. Wash off child's hand.
3. Use finger to paint on a "tree trunk" under the palm print.
4. Use the glue stick to apply glue to the fingers (branches) and snow (white paper). Sprinkle all glued areas with granulated sugar. Carefully lift paper and tap off excess sugar over the sink or a piece of wax paper.
5. Use glue stick to draw dots or small circles onto the blue paper, sprinkle with sugar again and tap off excess.