Christmas Goodies

 Each Christmas season I have a few recipes that I tend to lean on (sugar cookies, sausage balls, fudge & pecan pies). I'd like to share a few recipes with you all since they were such a hit last night at the Holiday Market. :) Thank you to everyone for coming and to my sweet friends that all have been blessed w/beautiful talents!

White Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter 

1 cup powdered sugar

1 egg, beaten

1 ½ t. almond extract

1 t. vanilla

1 t. salt

2 ½ c. sifted flour

Source: Annies-Eats

Directions: 

Cream butter. Add powdered sugar. Blend in egg, almond extract, vanilla, salt and flour. Chill dough until firm. Roll to ¼” thickness on well-floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters. Place on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-10 min. Cookies should not brown. Frost and decorate when cool. Yields ~40 cookies.

Royal Icing

2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

In the bowl of your electric mixer, beat the egg whites with the lemon juice until combined. Add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on low speed until combined and smooth. The icing needs to be used immediately or transferred to an airtight container as royal icing hardens when exposed to air. Cover with plastic wrap when not in use.

 

Cappuccino Fudge

1 (7 oz.) jar marshmallow cream

½ c. sugar

2/3 c. heavy whipping cream

¼ c. margarine/butter

1 t. instant coffee powder

¼ t. cinnamon

¼ t. salt
1 t. vanilla

1 (12 oz.) bag semi-sweet chocolate chips

Adapted from: Annies-Eats

Directions:

Line an 8” square baking pan with aluminum foil; set aside. In a 2 qt. saucepan, combine marshmallow cream, sugar, cream, butter, coffee powder, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue to boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and chocolate chips until smooth. Pour into prepared pan. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Place on cutting board and cut into 36 squares.

Merry Christmas, Y'all! 

* This is a new fudge recipe I tried this year and it's delish! And VERY easy to make! Enjoy!

Christmas w/ The Comer Fam!

Merry Christmas from The Comer Family

It's def Christmas time...did anyone else feel like they had the department stores decorated earlier this year than normal? Or am I just getting OLD!? HA!

Paul and I look forward to this special time each year and I'm ALWAYS ready to re-decorate my house and bake yummy goodies.

I've already mentioned that I LOVE Christmas so  I wanted to share a few of my fav photos with you!

This is my kitchen table decor-Red snowflake candles, Target.com

The 2010 Comer Christmas Tree at the new crib! It was a bit of a struggle to find the "right" spot but we found a perfect spot in the living room for us to enjoy! Next year we will be adding a tall, skinny tree for the dining room. :)

I wish this pic would get me warm just looking at it. :) I'm freeeezzzing!

Lollie, my lil elf!

Another one of my sweet baby! {Weebles is still alive just in need of a cute hair do}

A new piece to my collection {notice the ornaments are a nativity}

A few of my Carolers {the rest are in the dining room} and a nativity my parents brought us back from Guatemala this past April.

More Carolers and an Angel painting I painted!

More Carolers! :) {Still not the dining room collection, they are the best}

A beautiful Santa! Isn't he a gorgeous Santa?

Merry Christmas!

Please don't leave us off your Christmas card list this year. :) Leave a comment or email me for our new address!

P&B Snap, Crackle & POP!

In my last post, Funfetti Cake Pops I told you guys I was in charge of desserts for a baby shower I helped host recently. These were my second choice and were a HUGE hit!

P & B Snap, Crackle & Pop Brownies

1 box brownie mix, prepared in a foil-lined baking dish

1 cup sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 1/3 cups peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups Rice Krispies

Source: Kevin&Amanda

Prepare brownies per the directions on the box and bake in a foil-lined baking dish. Heat sugar and corn syrup in a heavy bottomed saucepan over high heat until mixture starts boiling. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla until smooth. Pour over rice krispies and stir to combine. Immediately press the peanut butter and rice krispies mixture over the brownies. ENJOY!!!

Funfetti Cake Pops

Funfetti Cake Pops

Last week I helped a few fun girls host a baby shower for one of my best friends. I was in charge of the desserts which means TROUBLE for me. ha! I LOVE sweets and thoroughly enjoy baking and tasting! :) I have been hearing about cake balls & cake pops for quite sometime now but haven't been up to the challenge to try them out! I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to "practice". They were very complementary {thank you} and these funfetti cake pops were delish!!!

First bake your cake per the directions on the box and cool completely.

Next, mush the cake and icing.

Freeze the mixture so it's easier to work with.

Roll mixture into balls and insert lollipop sticks for easier dipping and eating!

Melt white chocolate, dip, decorate and EAT! {ENJOY}

I used lots of PINK sprinkles since Whitney is having a girl this go around!

Have fun & enjoy these yummy treats!

Keeping Christ in CHRISTmas!

Did I mention I don't like Christmas?!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

I love everything about it... celebrating the Birth of Jesus, the crowds, the pretty store fronts, the colors, smells, real Christmas trees, baking cookies, ornaments, nativities, Christmas lights, seeing the little children at the mall sitting in Santa's lap, shopping for Christmas presents, giving to the less fortunate, Christmas music, decorating the tree and drinking hot chocolate w/marshmallows.

This Christmas I'm keeping Christ first! I'm reminded of the verse Luke 2:11 "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Because of  his actions, we can receive forgiveness from our sins, restore an intimacy with our Creator, discover our life purpose, live life on Earth more abundantly, and reserve an eternal home in Heaven.  These are the reasons why I celebrate CHRISTMAS!

Please set aside a special time to read the Christmas Story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20. 

Merry Christmas!
Tarayn

Guilty Pleasures

First, I want to give a shout out to my beautiful cousin, Heather! Her and Ben got engaged last night and we all couldn't be happier for them!!!! Her ring is beautiful......... Congrats Ben & Heather!!!

I have a few guilty pleasures {something one enjoys and considers pleasurable despite feeling guilt for enjoying it} Fashion, Food {especially unhealthy foods high in sugar and/or fat}, Football and Fellowship!

Tonight, Paul & I devoured one of my fav all time meals!!!

GRILLED CHICKEN & WAFFLES!!! scrumptious, I know! :)

I'm sure you've heard of the famous Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles but if you haven't it's SO yummy! Paul and I ate there last Jan. when we saw the Tide play for the National Championship. :) 

Evidence we were there! It sure didn't feel like it...what a whirlwind!! 

Speaking of national champions... {I just can't help myself} The word Schadenfreude comes to mind-- pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. Sorry, to all my AU peeps. :) It's healthy competition, right?

Hope you enjoyed Catching up with the Comer's! :)

Feel free to leave a comment (but please know I'm kidding about AU)

Christmas Market

Hey Everyone! A few friends and I are having a small scale Christmas Market next Thursday, Dec. 9th from 3-8pm at my house. Please join us for Christmas Cheer and some unique shopping! :)


All items are handmade: Classic White Nativity, Children's clothing, hand sketched stationary & unique paintings all for sale.



Merry Christmas!