Thursday, December 26, 2013

Holiday Baking

Christmas has come and gone, and it was an amazing one. My first one actually celebrating it with BP since last year I went to MA to spend it with my family. 

Officially kicked off the holidays with a present that BP got me last Christmas, a leg lamp cookie cutter. I won't lie, I had been dying to use it since he got it for me. The time was finally here!! 


Yep - I'm a nerd and went the whole none yards decorating these things. Some turned out great, while others not so hot thanks to my hand. 

Next up, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles. Our church is amazing. Flat out love the people that go there and the home group BP and I joined is just awesome. Christmas Eve mass was on our agenda and everyone brings a plate of cookies to it for a little party afterwards. Easy - I wanted something different that would stand out and be easy to make. 


We all know that these are one of my all time favorites, and now they are one of BP's....in his top 3 actually. 

Next up - coffee ring. I love making this....but was a little scared because Big Red is on his last leg. Every time I use my beloved mixer I'm scared it will be my last. But he made it through, limping along, but we got it done. 


I brought some in to work for the amazing people I work with and for one of the couples in our home group. Everyone told me how great it is. BP was looking forward to it as always...and has now dubbed it the Amaze Ring since he thinks the calling it a Coffee Ring just doesn't do it justice. 

Christmas was finally here!! Time to open our gifts to each other. I have to admit this was the best Christmas ever. BP got me the most thoughtful and amazing gift ever.


I started crying once I opened it. I was so touched that he went and did that. And honestly I can't wait to use it!! Other highlights included.....


....a lobster pot from my parents. And as my nerd gift to BP....


....the best Vader coffee mug ever!! 

Up for the rest of the day BP, his dad and I spent the day watching movies and just relaxing. BP made the three of us a truly delicious dinner and then more relaxing. I couldn't of asked for a better Christmas. 

And incase you want it, here's the recipe for the cookie dough truffles. 


Cookie Dough Truffles


1/2 cup butter, room temp
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup semisweet mini chocolate chips
1 1/2 pounds chocolate bark candy coating, melted


In a large bowl cream butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy.  Add vanilla.  Gradually beat in flour and add condensed milk.  Add chocolate chips (regular size chips work - I use them all the time).  Shape into balls and place on waxed paper or parchment paper. The dough is really sticky so make sure to coat your hands in flour when rolling.  Chill for 2 hours.  *****DONT FORGET TO USE FLOUR!!*******


Melt chocolate bark candy coating.  Using 2 forks, dip cookie balls into candy coating to cover.  Place back on waxed paper and chill to set.  Store in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. 

Monday, December 16, 2013

BP's Birthday Weekend

The love of my life is now another year older. And since his birthday fell on Monday, we celebrated it all weekend long. I mean really, who wouldn't want that? 

Friday night we finally celebrated our anniversary. It was a couple weeks late, but we went and had an amazing dinner out. Saturday was the main day of celebration for BP. Dinner with friends was the plan, but first I had to make him his birthday cake. His request was for a white cake with white frosting, and as sugar free as I could make it (BP is diabetic). Now this wasn't an issue for me, I swap out real sugar all the time for Splenda and haven't had an issue.....until this cake. There is truth to the rumor that there is a certain threshold of how much fake sugar you can use before it ruins whatever it is your making. 


Well - looks was the only thing this cake had going for it. It was extremely dense and tasted cakey - in a bad way. BP and I had a couple bites of our pieces and threw them away it was that bad. Our mouths had been assaulted. We warned BP's dad about how awful it was and he sweetly told me it looked great. When I replied its in the top 10 worst things I've ever made, BP and his dad sweetly agreed that once we left for dinner that BP's dad would throw out the cake and clean the plate it was on.  I mean really - worlds thinnest 3 layer cake. 

Sunday night was capped off with a dinner celebration for my office and it was a great time. Great food and great conversation. A perfect way to end the weekend. Lesson learned about the fake sugar threshold - and this weekend I will make another cake for BP to make up for the awful one I made.