A few holiday recipes

Here are a few holiday recipes I thought some of you might enjoy.

Scented cinnamon ornaments

Yield: 1 servings 4 ounce Cinnamon
1 Tb Cloves
1 Tb Nutmeg
¾ cup Applesauce
2 Tb White glue
Ribbon

In medium bowl, combine cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Add applesauce and glue; stir to combine. Work mixture with hands 2 to 3 minutes or until dough is smooth and ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Divide into 4 portions. On floured surface, roll each portion to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough with floured cookie cutters of desired shapes. Using straw or toothpick, make a small hole in the top of the ornament. Place cutouts on wire racks and allow to dry at room temperature for several days or dry them in a dehydrator. Thread ribbon through hole in ornament. DO NOT EAT. Makes about 32 (2 inch) ornaments.

You may find that the consistency of your "dough" just doesn't seem right.  I added more spice to mine to make it work.  Actually I didn't have enough glue, so I just kind of added this and that until it seemed right.  You can also wrap it in saran wrap and put it in the fridge before you roll it out.  Make sure you keep it at least 1/4" thick when rolling out or your ornaments may be too thin and fragile.  Mine were probably a wee bit thicker and I liked them like that, they were nice and chucky.

I made a bunch of these in the shape of gingerbread men.  I put some holes on the tops of their heads to use them to hang on the tree.  Then on the others I put a hole on each of their hands so I could string them on a twine garland with dried apples and what-not.  The ones that I am using for a garland I am going to cut felt to fit and glue on the backs so that when I hang it they won't cause any discoloration of the wall.

I put mine in a 200 degree oven and let them dry in there for a few hours.  The house smelled wonderful!  What a great project to do with children.  Speaking of which, I am not putting mine on the tree this year...Rylie thinks these are actual cookies...ewww!  I also had to chase Ray away from them when he got home.  LOL

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When David, Sammi and Christopher were small I made a batch of this up and we made a bunch of ornaments.  I had so much fun with the kids doing this.  I think they still remember it too and that was at least 10 years ago.

Bakers Clay Dough  

This dough is intended for craft projects.  Please do NOT eat it.  

2 1/2 C all-purpose flour
1 C salt
1 C water  

In large mixing bowl combine flour, salt and water.  Mix thoroughly with spoon till all the flour is moistened.  Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface.  Knead till smooth, about 10 minutes.   Shape into a ball; return to bowl.  Keep covered with a damp cloth or paper towel till ready to use. 

Before beginning project, check the consistency of dough.  If the dough is too sticky, add a small amount of additional flour.  If dough is too stiff, knead in several teaspoons additional water.   

Roll dough on floured surface 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness.  Cut with cookie cutters.  Place ornaments on lightly greased cookie sheets.  Make hole in top of ornaments for hangers.  Brush ornaments with 1 beaten egg.  Bake at 325 degrees till hard, 25-30 minutes.  Cool on wire racks.  Makes about 2 dozen.  

You have to watch so they don't get too brown if your going to decorate them.  After we made our ornaments I let the kids decorate them with acrylic crafters paint and glitter.  When the paint dried I sprayed them with a fast drying glossy clear coat.

*Word of warning for those with pets.  I made these ornaments to give away one year and someone told me that her dog just loved the ornament I gave her.  So much so, that he ate the whole thing.  Although it is all natural, so perhaps it's also a good recipe for doggie biscuits too.

This is a great recipe to keep on hand for projects with the kids year round.  They can also roll out long strips and make baskets or whatever their imagination wants.  For bigger, bulkier items you may need to let it sit in the oven longer. 

To make a basket, have them roll, or cut (plastic knife) out a bunch of strips.  Then "weave" them over an oven safe bowl.  Leave them on the bowl and put in the oven.  Your kids will be thrilled if you use their basket to serve bread at the dinner table. 

They could even make matching napkin ring holders, or name plates for the table and decorate it all for the holidays.  Or give them an old glass vase that you don't use anymore and let them put the dough over that and decorate it.  I'm not sure how well the glass will take to being in the oven.  I would turn the heat down and leave it in longer.  I may need to look that information up.  But imagine how thrilled your little one would be to see you use that vase for your holiday center piece?  They will feel so proud when you tell all your guests that they made that.  What a way to bolster their self-esteem.

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Ray loves to have Eggnog during the holidays.  However, making a drink with raw eggs kind of freaks me out.  Here is a recipe I found for making eggnog that I am comfortable with.  I hope you enjoy it!

Eggless Eggnog

8 cups milk
One 3 oz package of French Vanilla Instant pudding
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp of nutmeg

In a large bowl, mix the pudding with 1 cup of the milk. When pudding is formed, add in the remaining ingredients and mix very well. Chill.

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I hope you found something useful here today.  If you try out any of the projects, drop me a line and let me know how it went.  Or better yet send me a picture of what you and the kids made so I can share itwith everyone.

Have a wonderful day!
Hugs!