Thursday, December 19, 2013

Chocolate-Espresso Snowballs


    So, I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but........I love the snow!  I just love to watch it falling outside my window, especially if I'm inside baking Christmas cookies!  Now, if there are kids around, snow usually means.....snowballs.  And, that is why these are the perfect cookies to share with you today......that and the fact that they are delicious!!   Flavored with cocoa and espresso powder, laced with finely chopped pecans, and covered with a dusting of snowy white powdered sugar.....all I can say is YUM!!  Give these a try, and see if they don't become a regular on your Christmas cookie baking list.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Italian Pepperoni-Cheese Puffs


    Happy Holidays Everyone!!  I'm sure you're all in the middle of your baking, shopping, and the rest of your holiday preparations.  And many of you are probably finished and just waiting for the celebrating to begin.  I, on the other hand, have not baked one Christmas cookie yet!  Now, granted, the house is decorated and looking pretty festive, but the real baking doesn't usually start until two weeks before Christmas.  I always intend on starting earlier, but somehow, two weeks before the big day, is always when it begins.  Maybe it's because, when I home schooled the kids, we would be doing our school work up until
that time.  Then, when we were on Christmas break, I'd dive into all the baking.  Well, whatever the reason, it always gets done.  Then it's kind of like a baking marathon around here...... I love it!

    Since this is such a busy time and there are so many parties/get-togethers going on, I thought a quick and tasty appetizer idea would be a great thing to share.  These are like mini savory cream puffs, Italian-style!  They're very light and go well with a little pizza sauce on the side.