We had a sweet Christmas!

By Mark January 4, 2016 Food No Comments

I was adventurous this holiday season. Alongside the busyness of production work and festive singing, I took a couple days to make treats for family gatherings. It consisted mainly of baking, since it’s the only time of year the world spoils themselves to sweets! (Pffft, right!)

Here’s the rundown of what I made. These aren’t holiday-specific, so feel free to try them out anytime!

Butterscotch Chip Cookies

With the end of the year coming, I wanted to clear out the pantry, and I happened to have the ingredients for these cookies. And for some reason I had an overabundance of butterscotch chip morsels. So I took this recipe and replaced the chocolate chips. These cookies turn out more flat in shape but are delicious!

They were crunchy after cooling, but if you store them in a sealed container or plastic bag, they soften and are chewy.

Recipe and photo courtesy Eat at Home

CPS Lunchroom Butter Cookies

In December 2015, WGN-TV in Chicago featured a news story about these cookies that used to be served in the lunchrooms of Chicago public schools. Apparently these have a cult following among former CPS students. I personally lived in the suburbs and attended a private school so didn’t have the privilege of having these buttery concoctions.

Of course, since I love WGN News (they’re on my television every morning and most times throughout the day), I had to find out more about these. Digging through the mass amounts of information available across the internet, I came across this recipe. It has just four ingredients! Butter, butter, sugar, and more butter! (Not really.)

Recipe and photo courtesy My Sweet Sanity

Sweet & Salty Fritos Candy

I’m a sucker for desserts that are sweet and salty. Chocolate-dipped pretzels. Candy-covered bacon. A Take 5 candy bar. Salted caramel mocha.

I came across this candy by accident. Just looking for other desserts to make. And I’m glad I did! Fritos corn chips, pretzels, chocolate and peanut butter cups. Apparently the person who came up with this recipe also created it by accident! Try it now!

Recipe and photo courtesy Cookie Madness

Candied Almonds

Whenever I’ve gone to the fair — or even to Chicago’s Navy Pier — I always want to get a paper cone full of candied almonds or pecans. I thought, why not spend the extra money for something that’s difficult to find. Then I found a candy shop in the suburbs who had them regularly! But I was still spending a pretty penny.

Then I saw this recipe and didn’t realize HOW EASY they were to make at home! Budget, rescued.

I still need to try and make the praline candy-covered pecans.

Recipe and photo courtesy Allrecipes/Darla K

Butter Pound Cake

Whenever the family gets together, it’s always a fun time. If you’re Filipino or have been to a Filipino family party, you know how well-varied the spread of food can be! I always want to try and bring something new to the party, and something everyone there would enjoy. Again, if you’ve been to a family party, there are A LOT of people.

So what better than a simple pound cake? There is so much butter in this that I’m hoping Paula Deen shows up.