THE List

HAPPY {early} THANKSGIVING!

But it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas over here. (And has been since our trip up north to Frankenmuth.....I'll share more on that adventure soon.) Plus, all of the snow...this so-called storm...is making it amazingly beautiful and quiet and just downright gorgeous.

Yes. YES. Yes, it's that time of year again. Decision time. What am I baking this year for the holidays? Before all of the fun holiday craziness sets in (who am I kidding? it's here!), I'm sharing my list with you all today.

Last year, I did not, I repeat did not stick to my baking list at all. It wasn't intentional, but I was searching through cookbooks, scanning old recipes, and then Jessica added her cookies to the mix...I was all over the place. We were all over the place, losing track of time (and days). I always make too big of a list, we always make too big of a mess....

Go big or go home (or, in this case, get out of the kitchen), is what I say.

Pumpkin Spice Honey Cookies.
Peanut Butter Cup Blondies. (pictured above) I made these two treats a couple weeks ago as my contribution to my co-worker's holiday bake sale. I'm not a huge blondie fan, but these were decent. Of course, anything with peanut butter is, at least, decent. (see below) The pumpkin cookies were so good and perfect for the upcoming holiday, I'm making another batch for Thanksgiving.

Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies. I never made it to these gluten-free cookies last year, so I have to put them at the top of this year's list. (Sorry, Auntie!)

Black Bottom Cups. A holiday favorite. This recipe is coming, cough--a little delayed from last year--cough, so stay tuned!

Grandma Barb's Cut-Outs. I already have four batches of this special dough in the freezer, and I cannot wait to use my cute and new tiny cookie cutters. I plan to bring these bite-sized treats into work for my kiddos to celebrate the last story time of the year.

Black Bean Chocolate Chili Cranberry Cookies. My grandpa specifically requested these cookies this year. He's loving everything I'm making with black beans lately. This upcoming weekend I have to make him a special batch of my black bean burgers. I hope he enjoys these just as much.

Almond Blueberry Cookies. Ah, yes. These beauties may actually make it onto someone else's platter this year. But don't hold your breath. If you're in the vicinity when I start this batch, feel free to drop by and grab a spoon :)

Browned Butter Cookies with Caramel Frosting. Hopefully Jess and I won't get too confident in the kitchen. I'd hate to mess up these family favorites two years in a row. Unbelievable. I, err we, might be demoted.

Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Oatmeal Cookies with [Holiday] M&Ms. For Mr. B, obviously. Nothing fun about these......but it's for him. The chocolate chips were first, of course. I told him I'm only making one batch this year because "I have too many other FUN holiday treats to make." This batch is already gone. Last night he actually opened the cookie jar, Phoebo, looked inside, looked at me, and then showed me that it was empty. I added chocolate chips to my grocery list. The things I do to keep him happy.

Snowflake Gingerbread. Not a huge fan of gingerbread, but I want to give these a try.

Lucky Rainbow Chex Mix. Does this really need an explanation?

Peanut Butter Fudge Cookies. Because I love peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Coconut Oil Cookies. Because I love peanut butter.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites. Because I love peanut butter. And because of Mr. B's love affair, there are plenty of pretzels to go around.

Almond Butter Saltine Chocolate Bites. Four ingredients only. All four happen to be in my pantry right now. And these sound mouth-watering. I'm thinking they may be my father's favorite this year.

Reindeer Chow. I always wanted to make this. I'm not a huge fan of it, but I'm making it anyway!

Pistachio Chocolate Shortbreads. It's not Christmas without stocking up on my beloved pistachios, that is after I pay an arm and a leg for them....and these look very holiday-ish.

Almond Apricot Butter Cookies. I chose to nix these from last year's list. I'm really, really hoping to make these this year!

Lemon Poppy Seed Cream Cheese Cookies. I always make a citrus cookie, and I love, love, love lemon anything. My mother loves lemon. These are for us, Mama.

Giant Chai Tea Frosted Cookies. I was devastated sad when I realized I never made these last year. These are special. One batch only makes eight large cookies. So that means I will be enjoying eight cookies.

Snowman S'mores. I may just make these because I have an abundance of graham crackers over here. Build me one bonfire in the backyard and I become a hoarder.

Simple Avocado Fudge.
Some-other-special-holiday-fudge-I-haven't-decided-on-yet. Maybe my tasty Espresso Fudge.

Snowmen Brownies. Brownies. Snowmen cookie cutter. Powdered sugar. Festive.

Pet Treats. Don't forget these little ones!

As if Siamese needs another reason to think she's so great.

Ohhhh, Jessica, I hope you're ready, my dear. I promise to be even more prepared. Cookies galore.

What's on your baking list this season?

Happy Holiday Baking!

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

Holiday Baking To-Dos

Is it sad that most of the cookies on my to-bake list include chocolate? I'm really trying to mix it up here, but it seems everything I marked as "possible for holidays" involves chocolate. And I'm not even a huge fan of chocolate....or am I? But I know many who are and I am sympathetic to others' needs like that. However, I did manage to find room on the list for a few of my favorites and non-chocolates.

Now, to find the time to make these!! Less than 30 days and counting. Ai yi yi.

Grandma Barb's Cut-Outs. Like last year, these are a family tradition. Not the healthiest sugar cookie, but it's the holidays and I must.

Skinny Sugar Free Sugar Cookies. I'm also making a small batch of these sugar cookies. Because I want to try a new version and a healthier one, too!

Hot Cocoa Cookies. I'm not a chocolate fan but I enjoyed these cookies so much last year they made this year's list. Indulge.

Browned Butter Cookies with Caramel Frosting. If I leave these off the list Mr. B will kill me....or complain until they're made. (Plus, Jess and I always make these during our annual baking sessions. That's always an adventure, and you can read about last year's here.)

Black Bottom Cups. I actually left these tasty treats off the list last year for the first time in four years. My friend, Kylee, shared this infamous recipe with me and I always make them. But not last year...I wanted something NEW. Yeah, they're on the list this year. And I promise to share the recipe!

Giant Chai Tea Frosted Cookies.These cookies sound amazing. The ingredients don't make a lot (8 large cookies), so either make them smaller or everyone gets one on the plate.

Brown Butter Oatmeal Chunk Cookies. Mr. B also loves oatmeal cookies, right behind Chocolate Chips and Browned Butters. But I'm throwing in a small twist I think he'll like to add change to the classic.

Citrus Butter Cookies. I found these cookies in Pioneer Woman's cookbook (and they're also on her blog) and knew immediately this would be my citrus cookie for the holidays. Most excited to try theses! I love a good pucker :)

Raspberry-Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles.
Espresso Chocolate Truffles with Almonds. The new Food Network magazine arrived in the mail last week, and after skimming through it I decided I'm making truffles. It's kind of a "pick your own ingredients" thing, and I think these two sound best.

Mexican Chocolate Popcorn Balls. I found this recipe in last year's holiday Food Network magazine, and I'm going to attempt them. It's been forever and a day since I made popcorn balls.

Chocolate Chip Cookies. I'm not sure why I even put these on the list. These are the first cookies I have to make every year in order to keep Mr. B quiet while I make all the ones he refuses to try. I can't even put fun twists on them because he doesn't like peanut butter or nuts or anything in his chocolate chip cookies. (But this year I'm making my friend Jenny's recipe. There's a secret ingredient in them. Shhhhh...)

Deep Dark Chocolate Cookies. Having celiac disease can be hard on my aunt during the holidays, so I'm making her this gluten-free chocolate cookie.

Molasses Spice Cookies. To be honest, these cookies are only on the list because I have half of a jar of molasses I need to use up. Maybe a hidden gem?

Cinnamon Chips Gems. I wanted to make these last year but I could not find the cinnamon chips anywhere! This year I will hunt them down.

Almond Blueberry Cookies. And, yes, these are a must. They're my favorite cookie in the whole world and the only ones I'll eat once they're baked. Always room for these gems.

Skinny Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge. Instead of a bread this year I'm making fudge. And I really, really love this simple recipe I made earlier this year....but I want something with peanut butter and chocolate. And health(ier). So I turned to some of my healthy blogs and found this delectable recipe.

Cookie Dough Cheesecake Bars or Turtle Cheesecake Balls. To take to my work pot luck next month...but can't decide which...thoughts?

Cranberry Crumble Bars. I have a bag of fresh cranberries and I need to do something with them soon or they'll become a part of the center piece on my dining room table. One of my co-workers is retiring at the end of the year and we're having a "Happy Retirement" party for the entire library staff. We're doing a Mad Hatter/Tea Party theme, and I think these bars fit in perfectly.

Pet Treats. And this year I'm not leaving out my family's four-legged friends!

Single-Serve Monkey Bread.
These were a big hit with my hubby and I last Christmas morning, and I believe I started a tradition.


What's on your baking list this season?

*Need some inspiration or want to try something new? Check out my baking list from last year, or Jessica's baking lists ...there are three of them (love her blog!).

Happy Holiday Baking!

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi

The Chew: Homemade Fudge

It's July, and as promised, I have a few new features coming to Sweet B's Impressions. Since I'm constantly trying out and adding my own twists to new recipes from around the blog world, my various cookbooks, mouth-watering pins on Pinterest and TV, I decided to start a few "Recipe in Review" posts. I'm aiming for a review or two a month. [But please don't hunt me down if I fall behind. I don't plan to....but life happens, ya know?]

My first such post had to be this Homemade Fudge I watched Carla Hall make on The Chew a couple months ago. (Love, love, love this show. It's definitely been my addiction since it first aired way back last October and, besides Rizzoli and Isles, is the only thing I watch on TV...well, my sports of course and the occasional Food Network show.)

Let me tell you about this fudge. But first let me just say that I am not a huge fudge-consuming person. (Except for my Grandma Bays' Peanut Butter Fudge, which sadly no one has been able to exactly duplicate since her passing a few years ago. And I long for her fudge every holiday.)

So when I heard Ms. Carla Hall say, "Who doesn't like fudge?" as she began her segment, I raised my hand. But then all these thoughts and versions started floating through my mind as I watched her create this super easy and quick fudge. I just had to give it a shot with my favorite ingredients which just happened to be lying around the kitchen.

And, yes, it is just as mouth-watering as it looks. So.freaking.good. LOVE.

I made it for a little get-together my friends and I had, and I was thrilled when everyone could taste the espresso...because I barely could. Next time I'm adding a whole shot and skipping the extract. (I like my espresso strong...like my men.) It was barely sweet, which I loved. And had just the right amount of nuts, which I, too, loved.

I had fully intended on saving some for when my friend Jessica and I next saw each other (because I told her all about it and she was dying to try some), but late at night I found myself sneaking into the freeze for a bite. I don't know what happened, but eventually all I had left was an empty container with chocolate smudges.

Homemade Espresso Fudge with Pistachios
*adapted from The Chew

1 1/2 c shelled pistachios
1 lb good quality dark chocolate, finely chopped (I prefer at least 65% dark chocolate...the higher the better my friends)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into small pats
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Pinch salt
1 tsp almond extract
2 tsp strongly brewed espresso, or espresso granules (maybe a full shot next time and no extract)

Line an 8"x8" pan with two strips of parchment paper the width of the pan with at least a 3" overhang on each side. In a glass bowl, mix chocolate, butter, milk and salt.  Place bowl over double boiler with simmering water.  Stir until chocolate is smooth, about 5 - 10 minutes. Remove bowl from heat, dry bottom of bowl, and stir in extract and espresso.  Fold in pistachios. Pour mixture into prepared dish and smooth with spoon or offset spatula.

Chill in fridge until set, about 1 1/2 hours.  Cut fudge into desired size with a sharp knife.  After each cut, wipe knife with a damp paper towel.

*I'm thinking of adding dried cranberries and blueberries for a Christmas twist this holiday season.

  

With Love and God Bless,
Brindi