Homemade Christmas Gifts "Santa Claus Cookie Co"

It's that time of Season to start making your list,

And see just who will be getting your gifts.

What gifts you say? Well, what do you think!

THESE gifts of course, just click this LINK.

So whether it's for your neighbor or your crazy Aunt Sue,

We have the perfect gift ideas for you.

Just download THIS packet and make your own treats,

And in no time you'll have gifts for everyone on your street!

Merry Christmas.

This free homemade Christmas gift idea packet comes with instructions and patterns to make these Christmas containers.

Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree

The kitchen's a mess, flour everywhere,

And yes some dough even got in my hair.

But I'm in a rush, holiday cooking to do,

I don't even have a minute to think things through.

Watching the oven while the dishes pile up,

Oh shoot, that was only supposed to be half a cup!

Check the clock, guests soon to arrive,

Hopefully they find me still alive.

So much effort, but not much to show,

oh the woes of working with dough.

From Megan's Kitchen

This is how I found myself feeling as I was trying to come up with the below Christmas treat. For weeks I had these brilliant ideas of how to turn bread into different Christmas trees...would it surprise you to know things didn't work out quite as I had envisioned? 2 of the 3 ideas were a flop and this one had so much potential, but I messed it up in the final hour. Never, I mean NEVER try to decorate anything when it is still warm. I know this...this is not a shock. But still, I was hurrying and then after all the effort that went into it, I just wanted to be done. And all my nice christmas tree decorations melted into a nice sugary puddle. The final picture is the tree redecorated over the melted decorations and it just isn't what I wanted it to be. My guests were still thrilled with it though and let's face it...cinnamon rolls in any shape are absolutely delectable. SO get creative and try this out. I will repost once I have a chance to recreate this and save face :).

First you are going to making the dough. We use this dough for almost everything and I LOVE it. In your mixer you are going to put 1/2 cup water, and 3 tbsp of yeast. You will then add 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp salt, 1 cup powdered milk, 1 cup instant potatoes, 1 slightly beaten egg, 1/2 cup oil, and 1/2 cup honey. Let mix for a second and then add 2-1/3 cups water. You will then gradually add 6-8 cups of flour. You have added enough flour once the dough begins to pull away from the sides. Let dough continue to mix for 10 minutes. Transfer dough to a greased bowl and spray the top with cooking spray. This is a VERY sticky dough.

Cover with a moist towel and let rise till triple the size.

Divide this dough into three - this batch will make 3 Christmas trees.

Divide one of these dough sections into 6 balls, each getting smaller in size. The tiny one on the end is for the trunk. If I were to do this again I would probably divide it into more sections because my tree turned out pretty short and squat!

Roll out each section and cover with butter (I used 1/2 a stick between all layers) and brown sugar and cinnamon.

Roll each section up and place it on your cookie sheet to make a tree.

Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes. Watch it though, you want to make sure that the middle isn't too doughy.

Now is supposed to be the fun part...especially if you have kids. Decorate your tree however you want and if you do make the three trees with the dough you can always have a competition...just wait till they cool to decorate! Merry Christmas.

Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins

What You Will Need:

2/3 cup sugar
1 lemon (grated for lemon zest)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cups flour
2 tsps. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsps. vanilla
1/2 cup butter (one stick), melted
2 tbsp. poppy seeds

Making the muffins:

In a large bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl whisk the sour cream, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, lemon juice and melted butter together until well blended. Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and gently fold the two together. Don't worry about a few lumps. Stir in the poppy seeds.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Immediately move the muffins to your serving platter and glaze the muffins.

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
2 tbsp. lemon juice

Whisk all together until smooth. If the glaze is too runny add more powdered sugar.  Glaze the muffins while they are still warm.

These melt in your mouth!

Homemade Party Favors "Reindeer Ornaments"

Hey Rudolph!

These charming reindeer treat bags/ornaments will put a smile on everyone's face this Christmas.

You can give them to your kids, kids teachers, friends, family, or as a party favor

so get started on making these great gifts now.

You can download this free pattern HERE at Parties and Patterns.

Download, print and get crafty!

Fall Crisp Apple Pie

Two of my families favorite pies!

One unbaked 9” pie crust
8-10 apples
1 cup sugar
¼ tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. lemon juice
3/4 cup flour
1/8 tsp. salt
6 tbsp. butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel, core, and slice apples into a bowl. Add ½ cup sugar, spices, and lemon juice. Mix lightly and pour into a 9” pie crust. Blend the remaining sugar, flour, salt, and butter to a crumbly consistency. Sprinkle over apple mixture. Bake for 45 minutes, or till apples are tender and crust is browned.

Pie Crust (Makes 4 single pie crusts)

Whisk together:

4 cups flour

1 tbsp. sugar

2 tsp. salt

Cut 1 ¾ cup shortening into flour mixture.

Mix together with a fork:
1 T vinegar
1 large egg
½ cup water

Add egg mixture to flour/shortening mixture. Wrap in plastic wrap and put in refrigerator until needed. Freeze unused dough.

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 egg yolks, beaten
One 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup lemon juice, divided
Dash of salt
3 tbsp. butter
One 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1½ cups cold water
One 4 oz. instant lemon pudding mix
Whipping Cream
Lemon slices to garnish
One 9 deep dish pie shell, baked

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in water, mixing until smooth. Cook and stir until thick and clear. Quickly stir in egg yolks. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in 1/3 cup lemon juice, salt and butter. Cool for several hours. In a mixing bowl, blend condensed milk and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in pudding mix and 1/3 cup lemon juice. Fold into chilled lemon filling. Place filling in pie shell. Refrigerate and garnish with whipped cream and lemon slices.

Turkey Peanut Butter Ball

From Megan's Kitchen

The first time I made this ball I pictured it as a turkey...who does that with food? Not an elaborate feathered friend, just quick and easy dessert parading as a table decoration.

Of course if you are really wanting to be creative, you can always do more.

 Apples stuck in as wings, or pretzel legs, but this is about all the creativity I was feeling last week so this is what you get.

Peanut Butter Ball:
1 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup peanut butter
8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
3 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Beat together powdered sugar, peanut butter, cream cheese and brown sugar. Cut a piece of plastic wrap and pour the ingredients in the middle of it, forming it into a ball shape. I use a cereal bowl to help. Put it in the freezer for an hour and a half to firm up (I put the bowl in the freezer). When it can hold it's shape well enough but is still slightly sticky, pull it out and roll it in the chocolate and peanut butter chips. Return to freezer for another half an hour and then it is ready to decorate. I stuck apple slices in as tail feathers because that is by far the best food to eat this peanut butter ball with. A nutter butter quickly became the head and then I used chocolate chips and a candy corn to do the eyes and nose. The waddle is a slice of an air head but you could also pipe it on with red icing. You can freeze this, but I wouldn't decorate it until you are ready to serve it since apples brown quickly. Let it defrost for 20-30 minutes and you will be ready to go. Tastes best served with apples, graham crackers and pretzels.

Homemade Party Favors "Pumpkin Cookies"

I wanted something fun to give my friends this Thanksgiving Season and who doesn't like pumpkin cookies? I designed a cute casing for the cookies and

voila: it's a perfect little treat to let friends and family know you're thinking about them.

The packet comes with instructions, patterns, recipes and gift tag to make the gift bag.

Fill it with homemade pumpkin cookies and deliver to make someone's day.

This idea can also be used as a party favor. Download this pumpkin cookie box packet

HERE at Parties and Patterns, print and party.

Homemade Party Favors "Turkey"

This little guy was easy to make and the both kids and adults love him.

He was gobbled up faster then you can say Count Your Blessings! This "Turkey" packet includes instructions and patterns and can be downloaded for free

HERE at Parties and Patterns!

Happy Thanksgiving

Table Runner Patterns "Pumpkin Patch"

Yup, another table runner pattern. I really do love fall! I still have pumpkins out on my front walk. We didn't carve them this year for Halloween and so now they are perfect for Thanksgiving.

You can download this pattern packet

HERE at Parties and Patterns.

Homemade Party Favors "Give Thanks"

Add a bit of charm to your Thanksgiving dinner table.

This free download includes instructions and patterns to make these fun favors.

Fill these homemade boxes with cookies, candies or a special treat.

You can download this packet

HERE

at Parties and Patterns.

Table Runner Patterns "Pumpkin Patch"

Across the waters they did sail,

and now at thanksgiving we tell their tale.

Of hopeful freedom, families and strife,

Of a journey to find a better life.

Of people coming together joining hands,

To thank God above for fruitful lands.

Megan Jessclard

This Thanksgiving Table Runner can be downloaded

HERE at Parties and Patterns.

Taco Salad

From Megan's Kitchen

Let's face it...we are salad people. Many nights a week we are eating some variation of salad and so I am always trying to think of new ideas to mix it up. This salad is our absolute favorite lately. It's just a taco salad, but it is so yummy. Here's how we do it at my house:

Ingredients:

Romaine lettuce

Jalapeno ranch dressing - I had some fat free ranch in my fridge, which I personally think is disgusting, so I threw it in the blender with some jalapenos and it was amazing. But two weeks later we can hardly eat it it's so hot. :) You can just buy jalapeno ranch dressing though to make it easier on you.

Ground Turkey - I season it with taco seasoning. Easy enough.

Black Beans - I throw these in the pan that I cook the meat in once the meat is done just to heat them up.

Corn - Same as the beans - I brown them in that same pan with a little butter and salt and pepper. You could do them with the beans, but due to my bean aversion, I refuse.

Tortilla Strips - The best part. I take a couple of corn tortillas and cut them into strips. Then I toss them in olive oil and season them with either all seasoning salt or taco seasoning depending on my mood. Then I crispify them in the same pan I've been using. That's right. I crispify them. So tasty.

My husband's salad:

My beanless salad...

Table Runner Patterns "Sunflower"

Sunflowers grow wild in my yard and I could not resist in creating this table runner that has big, bright yellow flowers. It makes me happy just thinking about my garden.

You can download this table runner pattern HERE at Parties and Patterns.

Thanksgiving Table Runner Patterns "Pumpkin Festival"

Crisp is the air rustlin the leaves,

Dangling from the many trees.

They're red and yellow, orange and green,

Making such a lovely scene.

but soon enough, down they'll twirl,

to be collected by each boy and girl.

Raked in a pile and fluffed to perfection,

Make kids come running from all directions.

Megan Jesclard

It's autumn. Horray! Bring the fall into your home with this autumn table runner or wall hanging. You can download this pattern
HERE at Parties and Patterns.

Download, Print and Sew.

Haunted Pumpkin Patch

Megan Jesclard

I had been talking to my cousin right before Halloween and saying how disappointed I was that I hadn't gotten into the holiday like I usually do....so to remedy that we decided to have a Halloween themed dinner. This is my haunted pumpkin patch: I made the pumpkins out of cake balls and the mummy's are cake pops. The hay stacks are just peanut butter rice krispy treats.

Cake Pops and Balls

1 box chocolate cake mix (or cake mix of your choice)

1 can cream cheese frosting

White, orange and green candy melt

Sucker sticks

Make cake according to package directions. Let cake cool. Mash the cake with ¾ can of

frosting. Roll the dough into balls and freeze for a couple of hours. Melt the candy melt

according to package directions. Dip the end of each stick in the candy melt and let sit in

freezer for 10 minutes. Push the stick up halfway through the frozen cake ball and dip cake ball

in melted candy melt. Put cake pops back in freezer as you dip them. After you have dipped

all the pops, decorate them. Put melted candy melt in a squeeze bottle (found in your

local grocery store) to make the mummy wrappings and attach the eyes. Enjoy!!!

I also contributed these little mummy wraps...they were cooler but I had thrown the worms on right before we left the house and the mummy's were still a little warm, so by the time we got there the mummy's were covered in puddles of goo...lovely. One is filled with PB&J and the other is filled with cheese and pepperoni. I have a bread braid addiction lately. Turns out you can fill them with pretty much anything and they are delicious!(The recipe can be found under main dishes and is called bread braids.)

Frieda made some awesome meatloaf mummys. I don't know how I didn't get more pictures of everything but the spread was impressive...and we had a great time.

Dads Favorite Pumpkin Pie

Dad’s Favorite Pumpkin Pie

One unbaked 9” pie crust
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp cloves
¼ tsp nutmeg
¼ tsp ginger
½ tsp salt
One 15 oz. can pumpkin (packed pumpkin)
1 cup evaporated milk

Prepare pie crust. Combine eggs, sugar, salt, and spices and beat well. Blend in pumpkin, Add milk and beat well. Bake 450 degrees for 20 minutes, reduce heat and bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. (Do not substitute the canned milk.) I like to put tin foil around the edges of the pie crust so they don’t burn.

Pie Crust (Makes 4 single pie crusts)

Whisk together:

4 cups flour

1 tbsp. sugar

2 tsp salt.

With a pastry cutter, cut 1 ¾ cup shortening into flour mixture.

Mix together with a fork:
1 tbsp. vinegar
1 large egg
½ cup water

Add egg mixture to flour/shortening mixture
Roll dough out into pie crust. Freeze unused dough.

Witch's themed Dinner

I know this theme was all about witch's, but I had to throw in a mummy for the guys. This themed dinner included, name cards (these name cards are also fun favors to be taken home

and can be filled with your favorite candy or treat). Juice bottle labels with of course

witch's on them. We printed off small witch's and glued them to toothpicks for the fruit picks.

We served chilli, chicken spagetti, witch's wart breat (scones), a green salad and brownie witch's for dessert. You can download the free instructions and pattern for the witch and mummy party favor HERE.

This witch is certainly not going to win any rewards, but she still caused a scandle at the party and everyone was gossip mongering about her.

Chicken Spaghetti:

4 cups cooked chicken, cubed
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
14 oz. pkg. spaghetti, broken and cooked

In a bowl, combine the chicken, 2 cups cheese, soup, milk, salt and pepper and mix well. Add the cooked spaghetti and toss to coat. Transer to a greased 13"x9" baking pan and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top. Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until heated through and cheese is bubbly. Makes 10 servings.

For the witch face and hat make your favorite pie crust and die the dough colors of your choice. Roll out a round shape for the face and mold a nose. Roll out a triangle and rectangle shape for the hat. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place on top of your casserole. Add olives for the eyes and celery for the hair. Be creative.

Witch's Wart Bread:

You can use frozen roll dough and let it thaw at room temp until they raise or you can make home-made dough for the scones.

Home-made Dough:

In bread mixer put ½ cup warm water, add 3 tbsp. yeast and sprinkle 1 tbsp. sugar over the yeast. Add the following to the bowl:

1 cup instant potato flakes

1 cup instant milk

1 tbsp. salt

1/3 cup oil

1/3 cup honey

1 egg
3 3/4 cup water

Turn on bread mixer and and mix ingredients together. Slowly add flour (6-8 cups) until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Do not add too much flour or your dough will be too stiff. Put your dough in a greased bowl and cover with a towel and put in a warm place. Let rest for 20 minutes. This will make a lot of scones. You may want to make a loaf of bread with half of it. Take a small portion of the bread dough and roll it out in a rectangle. Cut into squares. I like to then take each square and roll it really thin. Heat 1 quart of oil to 400 degrees. I like to use an electric skillet, but you can also use a wok or other deep frying pan. Cook scones about 3 at a time. If the oil is hot enough the dough will pop up pretty quickly and start forming those witch’s warts. If not hot enough the dough will sit on the bottom of the pan for awhile. When brown on one side turn over and brown on the other side. Serve these hot with butter, honey, jam or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Your guests are going to love you.

Witch Brownies:

2 packages brownie mix or favorite brownie recipe
Chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreos)
Bugle Chips
Air Head candy
Round shape candy of your choice for the witch head
Fudge sauce (recipe below)

Combine both packages of brownies and make according to package directions. Bake the brownies in one 13"x9" pan. Let brownies cool and cut into nine squares.

To serve brownies: Place a brownie on a serving plate. Glaze the top of the brownie with the fudge sauce. Insert the oreo 1/3 of the way down from the top of the brownie. Dip the end of a bugle in the fudge sauce and attach it to the top of the oreo to make the witch's hat. Place the witch's head under the oreo. Dip the end of a toothpick into the fudge sauce and dot the witch eyes. (You can also use mini chocolate chips). Out of one air head cut six long strips. Roll one strip of candy into a curl shape. Make two for each witch and lay along each side of the witch head. (You can also cut a strip of air head and wrap it around the bottom of the bugle for the hat trim. Serve brownie with your favorite ice cream. These witch brownies are so alluring and will trap any little ghoul and goblin.

Fudge Sauce:

1 cup sugar
2 tbsp. light corn syrup
4 tbsp. cocoa
dash salt
4 tbsp. butter
1 cup powdered sugar
½ cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix sugar and cocoa in saucepan. Stir in butter, milk, corn syrup and salt, heat to boiling, stirring frequently. Boil vigorously for 3 minutes. Cool. Beat in powdered sugar and vanilla. The frosting should be slightly runny. You don't want it to be thick. It will thicken.