Christmas Recipes 2010

So this year we did very simple food on Christmas...just finger foods and snacks all day!

But here are a few things I tried, and we loved!

Cocktail Meatballs from Allrecipes.com

Hidden Valley Cheese Ball

...and this is what I made the cheese ball look like! Christmas Package Cheese Snack


The meatballs are very good and the sauce is incredible and so easy. Just chili sauce and grape jelly! And the cheese ball, according to my mom and hubby, was very good. I don't like cheese balls in general, but I wanted to make the package!

Holiday Peppermint Candies

Holiday Peppermint Candies
from: "Classic Christmas Recipes"

Makes 5 dozen and they are scrumptious! I made these last year and gave them out and they were a huge hit!

1/2 package (4 ozs) cream cheese, softened
1 T butter or margarine
1 T light corn syrup
1/4 t peppermint extract or few drops peppermint oil
4 C powdered sugar
Green and red food coloring
sifted powder sugar
Green, red, and white decorating icing (optional)

Mix cream cheese, butter, corn syrup and extract in large mixing bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gradually add 4 C powdered sugar; mix well.

Divide mixture into thirds. Knead a few drops green food coloring into first third; repeat with red food coloring and second third. Wrap each third in plastic wrap.

Shape into 1 " balls working 1 color mixture at a time. Place on wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Flatten each ball with bottom of glass that has been lightly dipped in sifted powdered sugar.

Repeat with remaining mixtures. Decorate with icing. Store candies in refrigerator.

Sooo good muffins!

Cream Cheese Carrot Muffins
From: Brenda Miskin

This is such a great muffin mix, that really tastes more like pumpkin...even Jon liked it after he found the carrot specks in it! Makes 12 muffins.

Muffin Batter:
1 can (15 oz) sliced carrots, drained
1 3/4 C flour
1 C sugar
1 1/4 t baking soda
1/2 t EACH salt and cinnamon
1/8 t EACH allspice, cloves, and nutmeg
1 egg
1/3 C oil

Filling:
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/4 C sugar

Directions:
Blend carrots until smooth. Add remaining ingredients. (Not filling). Grease muffin cups. Fill 1/3 full.

In a small bowl beat the filling ingredients until smooth.

Drop tablespoon of filling into center of each muffin. Top with remaining muffin batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.