District of Prep: Christmas Eve Eve!

Happy Christmas Eve Eve everyone! Only two more short days until Christmas. My house is currently going crazy between last minute wrapping gifts as well as some preparation for the meals! With the Christmas jingles in the background going and the fireplace blazing, I wanted to share with you all the madness that I am participating in today.

There is much to do in the kitchen! I have to help my family prepare for a few last minute desserts! I love being in the kitchen. Even though I am basically a sous chef to my mom, we always have a fun time. Here are a few recipes that you should all try out because they are delicious!

Christmas Treats:

Rolo Pretzels with M&Ms:

Ingredients:

Mini Pretzels

Rolo Candies unwrapped

M&Ms

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 Degrees F.

Place mini pretzels on a large baking sheet. Top each pretzel with one Rolo candy.

Place baking sheet in the oven for 3 minutes, until Rolo candies start to melt. Don’t melt them all the way.

Remove from the over and lightly press an M&M on top of each Rolo.

Eat warm or let them cool off!

Classic Sugar Cookies:

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon fine salt

¾ cup superfine sugar

1 ½ sticks unsalted butter at room temperature

1 large egg lightly beaten

1-teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.

Beat the superfine sugar and butter with an electric mixer on medium speed in a bowl until light and fluffy.

At about 5 minutes beat in the egg, then the vanilla.

Add the flour mixture and mix on medium until completely incorporated.

Divide the dough in half, and wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (takes about 1 hour).

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.

Let the dough sit at room temperature for a few minutes to make rolling easier. Roll out 1 dough at a time between 2 pieces of parchment paper until 1/8inch thick. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and arrange about 2 inches apart on baking sheets.

Bake until the cookies are golden brown on the bottom (about 10 to 12 minutes).

Let the cookies cool on baking sheets until firm enough.

Once completely cooled, begin to decorate as one pleases!