So a sad turn of events happened around here. First the happy part. Jordan was gifted with a box of dark chocolate covered peppermint Jo-Jo’s from Trader Joe’s. Have you tried them? They are worth driving 45 minutes to get to the closest Trader Joe’s to buy them. So here is the sad part – we went to Trader Joe’s for these amazing cookies only to find that they were sold out. What?! How could they be sold out already? The poor guy working there seemed like he had explained this unfortunate situation to many people. Remember the movie The Little Mermaid where Ursula sings that song, “You Poor Unfortunate Soul”? I felt like that. In case you don’t remember Ursula sings, “You poor unfortunate souls, in pain, in need.” I was truly in pain, in need.

^^^I may be a bit biased, but aren’t ours so much prettier?

So what’s a girl to do? Make her own. So here they are. We bought Cool Mint Oreos and dipped them in melted semi-sweet chocolate and then sprinkled a few crushed peppermint candy canes on top. Delicious!

Homemade Dark Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Jo-Jo’s
1 package Cool Mint Oreos
1 package semi -sweet chocolate chips
Crushed candy canes

Melt chocolate chips in microwave. I did mine in a two cup measuring cup. Melt at 50% power in 45 second increments, stirring in between. Dip Oreos in melted chocolate. This part is really messy and takes some persistence to get the cookie fully covered in chocolate. Place dipped cookie onto a cookie sheet covered in wax paper. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane pieces, pressing in a bit to be sure that they stick. Place cookie sheet in refrigerator until chocolate firms up. Try to not eat the whole tray by yourself! I was able to make 20 dipped cookies, more had I not completely covered my hands with melted chocolate.

Cindy

Well, it’s almost Christmas and it really seems like it around here. We had our marathon decorating day last weekend, and I am thrilled with the results. Jordan did an amazing job choosing which decorations made an appearance and which ones stayed in the bins this year. Also, one of my college boys came home yesterday and by tonight the other one will be home too. Ahhhh, isn’t there something sweet and comforting about having everyone home safe and sound, under the same roof? Plus, there’s all the delicious smells and baked goods around. Yep, it’s almost Christmas!

So I mentioned that we have been baking a lot. Today I whipped up a batch of my amazing Snickerdoodles and then I made a second batch, but instead of rolling them in cinnamon sugar, I rolled them in red and green sugar. They turned out so pretty and festive and they are amazing. The cookie is soft in the middle, but has a bit of crunch on the outside.

Festive Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 3/4 cups flour

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

colored sugar

Preheat oven to 400*
In a large mixing bowl beat together butter, sugar and eggs until creamy and fluffy. In a separate bowl mix dry ingredients (flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt). Gradually stir dry ingredients into the butter mixture. I use the stir setting on my mixer, being careful not to overmix.

Roll cookie dough into 1 1/2 balls and then roll the dough balls around in the colored sugar. Place on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 7-9 minutes. Cool on a rack.

Cindy