Friday Favorites – Episode 117

Have you finished all of your Christmas shopping yet? I think I may actually be done… I have a gift card or two to pick up at the store next week, but that doesn’t really count, right?

It’s a good thing that I have my shopping done, because now I have lots of baking to do! I always put together homemade gifts for our friends, neighbors, and family, so my focus is now changing from the shopping mall to my kitchen. Plenty of my gifts will come from everything I canned throughout the year, which takes some of the pressure off. But, there will be cinnamon rolls to bake, almonds to roast, and lots (and lots!) of cookies to decorate! In fact, I’ll probably be decorating while you are reading this post!

It may sound like a lot of work, but I really enjoy being in my kitchen preparing for Christmas.  I’m sure many of you can relate.  Even with all of my “usual” gifts on my to-do list for the next week, I’m looking forward to trying a few new things, as well. While I’m not sure I’ll get to all of them, I thought I’d share a few of the recipes that caught my eye…

• I’ve always strayed from trying cake balls (or cake pops)… I know they are all the rage, but the idea of having to individually roll the sticky cake and frosting mixture in my hands is too much for me. After seeing these Christmas Cake Truffles from TidyMom, though, I am starting to reconsider.  She makes her truffles using a small cookie scoop. I think I can handle that!
• I only recently discovered eggnog… Until a year or two ago, I thought I hated it. But, now I’m obsessed. I have been putting it in my coffee instead of creamer in the mornings, and I can’t get enough of baking with it. Naturally, I cannot wait to make these Eggnog Scones from Sugarcrafter. Perhaps they will be my reward for getting all of my cookies decorated!
• If you’re looking for something a bit different to serve at a holiday party, you can’t miss this Pear and Smoked Gouda Tart from A Thought for Food.  It’s simple and elegant, with a nice balance of sweet and savory. I’m thinking of making it as an appetizer (perhaps in miniature form!) for our Christmas dinner.
• Speaking of loving eggnog… Have you seen this Christmas Cheer cocktail from Nutmeg Nanny? It’s part eggnog and part peppermint schnapps… What’s not to love? I think this would also make a lovely reward for finishing my cookie decorating.
• I have always wanted to bake some of the traditional Italian breads for the holidays.  Panetone is at the top of my list, but I’m also loving the look of this Pandolce Genovese from Cake Duchess. I can just smell the fresh bread baking in the oven!