Tis the Season...

to head out of town! My love arrived in town on Friday and we're heading up to his mom's for a few days before coming back home to celebrate the season with my family.

I just wanted to wish all my fellow bloggers a very Merry Christmas!

Grandad's Pick: Mince Tarts.

Grandad loves Mince Tarts and Nanny really wasn't into baking them for him this year! I used the same pastry recipe as Dad's butter tarts, and filled them with premade mincemeat. Grandad thouroughly enjoyed them!

Wordless Wednesday.

Parasailing in Cancun - 2007 - Best week ever!

Dad's Pick: Butter Tarts.

My dad loves Butter Tarts so naturally, he wanted me to attempt to make them. When I asked him what made good butter tarts, he said "they need to be creamy." As someone who doesn't enjoy this particular baked good, it's hard to know what exactly he means by creamy. I figured I had to start somewhere, so here we began. They got two thumbs up, although I have yet to get feedback as to whether they are, in fact, creamy.




Butter Tarts
makes approx. 16

Ingredients:

Filling

1 cup raisins
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs, lightly beaten

Pastry

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. icing sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening
1 Tbsp. white vinegar
2 Tbsp. ice water
1 egg

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make the pastry, sift flour, icing sugar, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Pinch shortening into small cubes and rub lightly into the flour mixture until broken into crumbly pieces. Whisk vinegar, ice water, and egg with a fork in a separate bowl. Pour around edges of flour mix and pull together to form a ball. Flatten into 2 disks and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Roll out to 1/8" thick and cut 4" round. Form circles into small muffin pan.

For the filling, combine raisins, butter, sugar, syrup, and salt in a heavy saucepan. Heat on the stove at low heat until butter is melted and the mix is warm. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and eggs. Fill the muffin pan 2/3 full. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

Childhood Desires.

I always received amazing presents from Santa my parents, but regardless of how blessed you are, there is always something you didn't get. While shopping down in the States on Sunday, I was ridiculously excited when I came across the Candy Land game. I never had it as a child but always wanted it! Now as a 24 year old adult, here I am purchasing a game for those 3+. Go figure.

I remember my favourite toy, which I received from Santa, was an Ariel doll. She sang and was the greatest thing ever, at that time. I noticed that year, that my Santa present was wrapped in the same paper as another gift under the tree, so I think my believing Santa started to falter around then. He did good on his last year though!

Was there a toy you desperately wanted as a child? Have you fulfilled your want? What was your favourite present ever as a child?

Mom's Pick: Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies.

Mom requested Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies which got my Christmas baking off to the right start! They are delicious!




Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies
Makes approx. 20

Ingredients:

1 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
1 cup chocolate chips

Method:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Mix butter, sugar, vanilla, and flour until it forms into a ball. Add chocolate chips. Roll into 1" balls and bake for 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Christmas Yummies.

I used to be the Grinch. I was the little girl who yelled "Christmas is officially OVER!" as soon as I'd unwrapped my gifts. I couldn't feel the festive spirit - but that has all changed.

There is something about being able to decorate your own space regardless of how small it may be. Baking in your very own kitchen also adds some inspiration and spirit of Christmas. Having someone to love and enjoy the holidays with makes all the difference too. I couldn't be more excited to have Dan come home for Christmas so we can spend a reasonable amount of time together enjoying one of the best times of the year.

Classes are over, presents are wrapped and now I'm spending my time trying to busy myself which really isn't that difficult of a task. I have the Christmas baking bug. Right now, I'm catering to family requests. Last night I baked Chocolate Chip Shortbread Cookies for my mom and Butter Tarts for my dad. From what I've heard, butter tarts are a Canadian thing. To my American lovelies, do you eat them? I'm not fond because I don't like raisins, but they're a big hit with the raisin lovers!

Tonight I'm going to be baking Mincemeat Tarts for my Grandad and later this week will be making Oreo Rice Krispies Squares for my sister. All of this baking will help time fly before my love comes home!

Watch for some yummy posts this week!

What are your favourite holiday treats? Any suggestions for things to bake?

MIA.

Wow. I seriously never thought I would neglect my precious bloggy this bad.

It's almost mid December. Can someone tell me how this happened? No complaints from this girl. Only one week until Dan comes home! I couldn't be more excited to spend three weeks of uninterrupted time with him.

I finished my last final today and I am thankful classes are over for Christmas! January 4th is going to come way too quick but I only have two more semesters to go!

It's time for me to hit the hay and get some beauty sleep before work tomorrow. I just wanted to stop in and let you know that I haven't forgotten you and I'll be around more, I promise.