I am in the mood for brownies tonight!  Just look at all that chocolately goodness.  Yummy… This recipe is a great Christmas twist on your basic chocolate brownie.  Thanks to Mormon Soprano for the idea!

Here is what you need to make Santa’s Brownies:

• 2 C sugar
• 2 C flour
• 1 cube butter, softened
• 4 Tb. cocoa
• 1/4 C. oil
• 1 C water
• 1 C Buttermilk
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 eggs

Here’s how to make it, along with a recipe for the peppermint frosting -> Santa’s Brownies Recipe

I just got back from my baughter’s preschool Christmas party where one of the moms brought these cookies to share.  At first  I passed on them because they look just like the usual spritzer cookies that tend to be hard and dry, but once we saw how quickly the kids were eating them and going back for seconds, my husband and I finally decided to try one.  Wow, were we surprised.  They are so yummy.  The mom who made them said it was an old family recipe and that the trick was to add extra cream cheese.  I wasn’t able to get the actual recipe from her, but I instantly went online to see what recipes I could find.  It looks like most recipes call for 3 oz. of cream cheese, but this one recommends using an extra ounce.  I am so excited to make them… and eat them too!  Thanks to Michelle at Big Black Dog for the recipe.

Here’s what you need to make these cookies:

• 1 c. Butter
• 1 c. Sugar
• 1-3oz pkg. of Cream Cheese (I always double the recipe and just add 1-8oz package of Cream Cheese. I think the extra Cream Cheese makes a better cookie dough.)
• 1 Egg Yolk
• 2 1/2 c. Flour
• 1/2 tsp. Vanilla

Here’s how to make it -> Cream Cheese Christmas Cookie Tutorial

Anyone else in the mood for some good old-fashioned hot chocolate?  It has been cold here for a couple days now and I want nothing more than to snuggle under a blanket with a warm cup of cocoa.  This is a recipe my husband and I have been using for years.

Here is what you need to make this creamy hot chocolate:

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• flavored coffee creamer to taste

Here is how to make it:

• Combine the water, cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan.  Bring this mixture to a slow boil, stirring constantly.
• Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes.
• Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil!
•  Remove from heat and add vanilla.
• Divide between 4 mugs and add flavored creamer as desired. (We love pumpkin spice and mint.)
• As an extra special treat, you can top it off with whipped cream or marshmallows.

I had this dessert at a party last year and fell in love!  It is so delicious.  The cream cheese filling makes it a bit rich, so be sure to make the slices small to begin with.  If you are like my husband, you can just go back for more.  Thanks to The Kitchen is My Playground for the recipe!  Her’s is the best by far.

Here is what you need to make this Pumkin Cake Roll: