chantelle Carter
Seeing as it’s cookie… I mean, Christmas season, I thought I would share a couple of my favourite recipes that have been a hit amongst my friends and cookie exchange goers alike. I try and make these as gifts every year for my neighbours and friends but they tend to disappear before I can get them out the door. I feel these recipes should come with a warning!
Christmas Crack
(Warning: Highly Addictive)
Ingredients:
•Cooking spray
•35 to 40 saltine crackers
•1 cup butter
•1 cup light brown sugar
•8 ounces semisweet chocolate
chips (about 1 1/3 cups)
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425 F.
Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, spray with nonstick spray and arrange the saltines salt-side down in a single layer. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together and boil until it turns a caramel color, a few minutes. Remove from heat and pour over the crackers, covering them evenly.
Put the pan into the oven and bake for three to five minutes, or until just bubbly, watching carefully. Remove from the oven and pour the chocolate chips over the crackers. When the chips melt a bit, spread them over the crackers with a knife.
Transfer the pan to the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until completely cold. They will form one big sheet. Break up into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Bailey’s Irish Cream Truffles
Ingredients:
•1/4 cup Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur
•1 Tablespoon butter
•12 oz. semisweet chocolate
•2 egg yolks
•1/4 cup heavy cream
Directions:
Melt chocolate, Bailey’s and heavy cream together over very low heat.
Whisk in yolks, one at a time — mixture will thicken. Whisk in butter.
Refrigerate overnight, or until firm.
With spoon make small balls. Roll in powdered sugar, cocoa, chopped nuts, sprinkles, etc.
Place in festive little cupcake or candy wrappers and put in little candy box or plastic wrap with some ribbon.
Makes 1 dozen truffles.
I would also like to remind you all to bring a dozen of your favourite cookies, along with the recipe, to the News Office before 5 p.m. on December 17 to enter into our Ultimate Cookie Competition. We are holding an Open House on December 18 from 1 to 3 p.m., so that you can meet and mingle with the staff, drink hot chocolate, and vote on your favourite cookie. All submitted recipes will be published in our Christmas edition, as well as the Ultimate Cookie Champion receiving a beautiful gift basket donated by Treasure Trove Kitchens & Gifts. So warm up those ovens Valley Friends and get baking!
