The Twelve Days of Christmas Baking - Day 10: Peppermint Brownies

As much as I love baking from scratch, sometimes I just can't do it.  Either I don't have the time, don't have the energy, or don't have the ingredients.  In those very rare occasions, I usually fall back on a box.  I know, baking blasphemy!

If you're in need of a quick, cute, and yummy Christmas dessert, I suggest you try making Peppermint Brownies.  All you need is a box of brownie mix (I use plain chocolate brownies), candy canes, and vanilla frosting.

Directions:
1.  Bake the brownies according to the directions on the box.
2.  While the brownies are baking, put four candy canes in a plastic baggie and smash into pieces.  Four canes work well if you're using an 8X8 baking pan.
3.  Either whip up a batch of vanilla icing (recipe below) or use some from the store.
4.  After the brownies have cooled, spread on the icing and sprinkle with candy cane pieces.
5.  Voila!  You're finished.

Vanilla Frosting Recipe

• 2 cups confectioners sugar
• 2 Tbsp butter, softened
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until combined.  Add milk and vanilla.  Beat on high speed until smooth and fluffy.  Makes 1 cup.


The Twelve Days of Christmas Baking - Day 11: Big Soft Ginger Cookies

The Twelve Days of Christmas Baking - Day 5: Sand Art Brownies, A Great Gift To Make and Give

Looking for a fun, homemade gift?  Here's one that looks adorable and ends up tasting great as well.  Sand Art Brownies are basically just like those sand art jar projects we all made as kids.  Well, at least I made a few.  The only difference is that the "sand" is dry brownie ingredients: flour, brown sugar, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, sugar, pecans, salt and cocoa.

Just layer the dry ingredients in order in a Ball jar using a funnel.  The funnel I use is actually a funnel used to change car oil with the super small end cut off.  No, it was never used to change oil, but when I asked Hubby to buy one for me while he was at the store, that's what he brought home.  A big, giant, red funnel.  It does the job, and I've just never thought to buy a new one.  Funny, that hubby of mine!

Tip: Make sure you press down the brown sugar and the flour.  If you don't, the ingredients won't fit in the jar.

After you layer all of the ingredients, cut a cute piece of fabric and place it between the two parts of the jar lid.  Then tie a ribbon around the neck of the jar with the directions.  Now that's a cute present if I do say so myself!

The Twelve Days of Christmas Baking - Day 6: Kit Kat Bars, a No-Bake Recipe!