some favorite holiday recipes

thought i would post some of my favorite recipes i have tried out this christmas.  all of them are really easy..which is just my style ;) and very tasty!  and with that being said, my top 3 recipes:

magic cookie bars aka holiday magic bars: 
this is my grandma's recipe and she used to make these every christmas.  and boy did i ever look forward to them.  i think she knew that she couldn't come over on christmas without these. haha.  they really are one of my favorite treats ever!

1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine (i use butter because i refuse to use margarine, with it being so bad for you)
1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 can eagle brand sweet can milk (and i have used other brands and they turn out just fine ;) haha)
1 pkg (6oz) semi sweet chocolate chips (i use ghiradelli milk chocolate chips)
3.5 oz flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts (pecans)

preheat oven to 350
in 13x9 in pan, melt margarine in oven.
sprinkle crumbs over the margarine
pour sweet milk evenly over crumbs.
top with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts.
press down gently.
bake until golden brown. cool.  enjoy this little piece of heaven.  thank you, grandma (oh, how i miss her).





chocolate-covered peanut butter balls:
i got this next recipe out of the farm chicks christmas book my mom got me.  and they are sooo good!

makes 60 balls (you can cut the recipe in half to make less)
2 cups chunky peanut butter
1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), softened
4 cups confectioner sugar
3 cups crisp rice cereal
2 cups dark chocolate chips (12 oz) (again, i use ghiradelli milk chocolate chips)
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper and set aside.
cream the peanut butter and butter together in large bowl with electric mixer and set on medium speed until fluffly (2-3min)
add the confectioners sugar with the mixer on low speed, beating until combined.
stir in the rice cereal with a wooden spoon until fully incorporated.
roll the dough by the tablespoonful between your palms, into balls about 1 in in diameter.
place on the prepared baking sheets.

place the chocolate chips and shortening (i almost always skip the shortening) in a small bowl on high for 30 sec..remove and stir (keep repeating until melted). then using a fork (i like to use a spoon) dip each ball into the chocolate, coating well and letting excess drip off.  transfer the balls to the prepared baking sheets.  allow to cool until set.  and you can also refrigerate them (i think they taste the best cold!).
enjoy! :)


brownie buttons:
i got this recipe out of my new holiday favorites cookbook by gooseberry patch.  this recipe is so simple and good it's ridiculous!

16oz pkg refrigerated mini brownie bites dough
11 oz bag mini peanut butter cups (reeses are the best ;) )

spray mini muffin cups with non-stick vegetable spray (i like to use mini muffin liners).
spoon brownie dough evenly into each cup, filling almost full.
bake at 350 for 19-20 min (i only put them in for 10 min like the brownie pkg says). cool in pans 3 to 4 min.
gently press a candy into each baked brownie until top of candy is level with top of brownie.
cool 10 min in pans.
gently twist each brownie to remove from pan.
cool on a wire rack.
enjoy! :)

more baking goodies and fun!

ella enjoyed baking with me a lot this christmas!

 the cookies we made for her class cookie exchange.

 baking is fun..but the clean up is not so much. haha

the tray we made for bobby's office :)

i also filled recipe boxes with the same treats and recipe cards/recipes of the treats inside, for friends...but i forgot to take a picture. oops! haha!

i hope everyone enjoyed baking over the holidays as much as i did! :)