Posted in Cherries, christmas making and baking, Cookies, Holiday/Christmas

Santa’s Whiskers – Christmas Making and Baking

I made these many years ago.  This year I decided to make them once again.

Things you need to remember – Don’t use press and seal plastic wrap when you wrap the cookie dough in plastic wrap.  That made it difficult to make a roll.  The coconut will make a mess.  Just keep the broom around.  🙂

santa's whiskers

Santa’s Whiskers

Adapted from Cooking with Stolen Moments

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1 c. butter (2 sticks), softened
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. milk
  • 2 1/2 c. flour
  • 3/4 c. maraschino cherries, diced, plus 1 tsp. juice from the jar (I may have used more juice because I love maraschino cherries.)
  • 1 c. coconut, unsweetened

Steps:

  1. Beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
  2. Add vanilla and milk.  Beat until combined.
  3. Add flour, 1/2 c. at a time.  Mix until incorporated.
  4. Fold in the cherries and juice.  (I used my mixer.  You can certainly use a spoon for this step.)
  5. Divide the dough in half.  Form each half into an 8 or 9-inch log.  Roll each half in coconut.
  6. Wrap in parchment paper or plastic wrap.  Freeze for at least 30 minutes.
  7. Slice in 1/4 inch cookies.  Place on baking sheets.
  8. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.
  9. Cool on wire racks.

I froze mine overnight and then pulled them out of the freezer for 15 minutes before slicing them.

Posted in christmas making and baking, DIY, Drinks, Holiday/Christmas

Peppermint Mocha Creamer – Christmas Making and Baking

I’m enjoying making new creamers now that I got the ratio of milk/ half & half/ or heavy whipping cream to condensed milk.

This creamer needs to be warmed up so that the cocoa is dissolved.  I had to strain the nondissolved cocoa, so there weren’t any lumps left.

As you can see from my pictures, some of the cocoa did not dissolve.

I like peppermint mocha lattes from Starbucks.  However, they use WAY too much mocha in the lattes.  This creamer allows me to have a peppermint mocha latte without the extra cost.  Plus, I can customize it to my liking.

Peppermint Mocha Creamer

Stars of the recipe:

  • 1/2 c. condensed milk
  • 1/2 c. milk, half and half, or whipping cream
  • 1 to 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1 tsp. peppermint extract
  • 1 to 2 tsp. cocoa powder

Steps:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan.
  2. Heat on medium-high heat until the cocoa is dissolved.  Five or so minutes.
  3. If the cocoa does not dissolve, strain the creamer to remove the lumps of cocoa.
  4. Enjoy 1 or 2 Tbsp. in a hot cup of coffee.