Neighbor Treats

Ahhh, that time of year again... baking Christmas goodies! That's what has been on my mind the last few days... what to make for the neighbors?

Last year I made yummy white chocolate popcorn with mint M&M's. Just melt some white chocolate or almond bark (about 3 bricks), pour over a freshly popped bag of microwave popcorn, and mix in some M&M's!

This year I am considering the Almond Toffee Crunch my mom taught me how to make. Although I'm a little concerned that it won't make it out the front door before I eat it all. Anything toffee flavored is my very favorite!!!

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 tbsp light corn syrup
1/2 cup ground almonds

Place first 4 ingredients in a heavy pot with a lid on. Bring to a boil on high, covered, without stirring. Once mixture is boiling, remove lid, add almonds, and begin stirring quickly. Continue stirring rapidly until toffee thickens, darkens, then begins to smoke. Allow to smike for 10-15 seconds, then pour immediately onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread out and allow to cool. You can spread melted chocolate over toffee once it is cooled. Allow to cool completely, invert, peel off tin foil, and crack. If covered in chocolate, allow to cure for6 hours before cracking.


These Giant Ginger cookies (source) have also been a favorite at our house lately. Mike says they are the best cookies he has ever had, which is saying a lot considering he loves my snickerdoodles and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies too! I think they would be cute tied with pretty ribbon. We also love them with vanilla ice cream smooshed in between.

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
3/4 cup coarse sugar, or granulated sugar

In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds to soften. Gradually add the 2 cups granulated sugar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and molasses. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour mixture. Shape dough into 2-inch balls using 1/4 cup dough. Roll balls in the 3/4 cup coarse or granulated sugar. Place about 2-1/2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until cookies are light brown and puffed. (Do not overbake or cookies will not be chewy.) Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.

What's baking in your kitchen? DO share!