Hot Vanilla Caramel {with Sweet'N Low}

We live in California, where we can go swimming on Christmas Day, so it's a rare day when we can serve a hot drink and enjoy it. I love a hot drink, but ONLY on a cold cold day. So, today was one of those days, although the sun did come out, it was still cold enough to create a little chill outside and we were able to enjoy this HOT new drink we created.

Hot Vanilla Caramel
created by Tina Hudgens

(makes one serving)
1 cup milk
1 pkg Sweet'N Low
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp caramel syrup

In a microwave save glass cup heat up 1 cup of milk and the 1 pkg of Sweet'N Low for approximately one minute. In the meantime mix in a separate bowl the whipping cream, cinnamon and caramel syrup until combined. Add the whip cream mixture to the milk mixture and shake in a shaker (or mix up in a blender). Pour into a mug and return to microwave for 1 more minute. Add a dollop of whip cream and a sprinkle of caramel syrup before serving.

"As part of the DailyBuzz Food Tastemaker Program,

I received Sweet'N Low packages and a stipend."

Christmas NERD Frosting Fudge {12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GOODIES}

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GOODIES

Christmas NERD Frosting Fudge

We started making this fudge last year with our Peppermint Crunch Frosting Fudge and it's my favorite fudge to make and with SO MANY combinations, here is a sneak peak of all my fudge recipes. It's easy, it's simple, it's amazing and it's super duper delicious. What more could you ask for in a FUDGE ?!?! And if you or your kids LOVE NERDS, this fudge is out of this world.

Christmas NERD Frosting Fudge

recipe adapted by me , but found at Cookies & Cups

1 can of Vanilla Frosting (16 oz)
1 (12 oz) bag white chocolate chips, or 1 lb White Melting Chips
1 large box Christmas NERDS

Lay down wax paper in a 9×9 or 8×8 pan, depending on the thickness you desire for your fudge. Melt you chips in the microwave, as soon as they are melted, stir in your entire can of frosting. Once combined fold in your candy. Spread into prepared pan and chill for 30 minutes. When firm, cut into squares. Serve or store in an air tight container.

Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies {12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GOODIES}

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GOODIES

Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

 

We took our regular plain ole' Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe and turn it into extraordinary Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies, I can't wait to make another batch of these this week. Yes, it's less then a week and I've got to FINALLY get some serious baking done, WISH ME LUCK!

I have never ever ever been this far behind in baking. I worked for 3 weeks straight from 8am to 11pm everyday except Sunday and I just feel like I can't catch up, but I am not worried at all. I've got all week and I know I can whip some things out in no time at all. READY... SET... GO...

Andes Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
original recipe source unknown

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg & 1 egg yolk
1cups chocolate chips - 1 to 2 cups chopped Red Andes Mint Chocolate

Preheat oven to 325. Grease cookie sheets. Sift together flour, baking soda & slat; set aside. In a medium bowl , cream together melted butter, brown sugar and white sugar until well blended. Beat in vanilla and eggs until light and creamy, mix in the sifted ingredients until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips and Andes Mints by hand. Drop cookie dough on to cookie sheets and bake 10-12 minutes.

These were amazing cookies!

Vegetarian Creamy Tomato Soup {Panera Bread}

The mention of Panera Bread always makes one of my twins SING! She just loves loves to eat at this restaurant, she actually loved it so much, this is where she had her first job in High School. She's moved onto college and now lives in Missouri for school (instead of California), where Panera Bread is not called Panera, it is the St. Louis Bread Company. That's just a little fun fact, I thought you'd all want to hear. Either way, she still LOVES the place.

When I first heard about this Daily Food Buzz opportunity, I was thrilled and I knew this would be a perfect first lunch for her first day back in California and it was. Her twin, had to work (bummer for her), so mom and daughter (twin A) went out for a day of shopping and enjoyed a quick, fast and delicious lunch at Panera Bread before we hit the very crowded Christmas-time shopping mall.

My daughters favorite soup is the Vegetarian Creamy Tomato Soup, it's made with vine-ripened pear tomatoes pureed with fresh cream for a velvety smooth flavor accentuated by hints of red pepper & oregano, topped with our Asiago croutons (described so beautifully by Panera Bread web site). This is one of their soups that are served every day. Check out the great Panera Bread Soup Web Site, they really have taken a lot of time and effort and truly perfected their soup menu.

I know if it's a super cold day and you are in need of some delicious soup, Panera Bread is defiantly the place to go.

"As part of the DailyBuzz Food Tastemaker Program,

I received a Panera Bread Gift Card and a stipend."

Sparkling Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies {12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GOODIES}

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GOODIES

Sparkling Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies

I haven't always loved molasses cookies, but wanted to try my hand at them a bit more. I saw this recipe on Pinterest and knew I had some left over molasses in the cupboard and with sticking to "cleaning out the cupboards" in baking this year I thought, why not? Believe it or not these cookies were a hit.

Sparkling Chewy Molasses-Spice Cookies
recipe source Not Martha, original recipe from Martha Stewart (Dec. 2005)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
about 1/2 cup chunky sanding sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; set aside. Then add the butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer until combined. Beat in the egg, and then the molasses until just combined. Put mixer on low and slowly add the flour mixture just until dough forms.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of dough at a time (or use a 1" ice cream scoop), roll into a ball between your palms, then roll in sanding sugar to cover all sides. Place on cookie sheets spaced three inches apart (cookies will spread while baking). Bake one sheet at a time until edges of cookies are just firming up, 10 to 15 minutes.