Holiday Recipe Round-Up

We do so much cooking and baking...really all year round, but especially during the holidays. I want to share some of my very favorite holiday recipes with you. They might not necessarily seem "holiday themed" but they're Christmas tradition around here, so to me, they do!

Cheesy Rice Stuffing is the perfect stuffing for Cornish Game Hens, but I especially love mine as a side dish with ham at Christmas. SO yummy!

P'nut Cakes are a family favorite...my Grandma makes them every Christmas, and always snuck me a couple extra to take home. They're sweet and crunchy and messy, sticky perfection!

Homemade Hot Chocolate is always a delicious treat after playing outside with the kids or shoveling the driveway. We also LOVE to make this mix every Christmas and give it as Christmas gifts to teachers, co-workers and friends.

My step-mom used to bake up a storm at Christmas and my FAVE was always her Peanut Butter Cups...salty peanut butter makes these so delicious and so much like the real deal!

In the past I've participated in programs that donate cookies to be sent to troops overseas. These Monster Cookies are PERFECT for something like that, because this recipe is HUGE! My kids LOVE these! They're always a hit!

I hope you find some recipes your family can use...have a great holiday!

Cheesy Rice Stuffing

1/2 stick butter
1/3 c. Rice
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/3 c. Chicken Broth
1 can mushrooms
1 c. shredded cheddar

1. In a sauce pan, melt butter. Add rice and onion and cook 5-10 minutes stirring frequently. Add broth and bring to a boil.
2. Cover and simmer on low until liquid is absorbed. Stir in mushrooms -- Cool.
3. Toss in cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 400 for 25 minutes.

Grandma's P'Nut Cakes

1 Yellow Cake Mix
1 lb. Salted Spanish Peanuts - coarsely ground
1 lb. powdered sugar
Milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Melted Butter

1. Bake cake according to box directions. Let cool for about four hours and then cut into squares.
2. Add milk to powdered sugar until a consistency of runny frosting is reached. Add vanilla and a little melted butter.
3. Drip all sides of cake in glaze and then roll into ground peanuts. Place on waxed paper to set.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

1 - 2 lb. box/canister Nestle's Quik
1 - 8 qt. box Carnation powdered milk
1 (16 oz.) jar Coffee Mate
1 c. Powdered Sugar

1. Mix all ingredients well in a large bowl.
2. Store in airtight containers.
3. To serve, use 1/3 c. mix to 1 c. boiling water.

Peanut Butter Cups

12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips (milk chocolate, not semi-sweet)
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. salt

1. Cut 12 paper muffin cups in half so they are shallow and place them in a muffin tin.
2. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring regularly.
3. Spoon chocolate into the paper cups, and use the back of the spoon to spread chocolate up the sides of the liner to create the "shell". Refrigerate to harden the chocolate.
4. Microwave peanut butter slightly to soften. Mix in powdered sugar and salt.
5. When chocolate is hardened fill cups to just below the top with peanut butter mixture.
6. Spread chocolate on top to finish off the peanut butter cup.
7. Return to the fridge to set.

Monster Cookies

(If you don't want TONS of cookies, make sure to cut this recipe either in half or in fourths!)

4 c. sugar
18 c. oatmeal
4-1/2 c. brown sugar
6 c. peanut butter
2 Tbsp. corn syrup
1 lb. butter
8 tsp. baking soda
4 tsp. vanilla
1 dozen eggs
2 - 16 oz. packages chocolate chips
2 - 8 oz. bags M&Ms

1. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and beat.
2. Add the remaining ingredients.
3. Drop by spoonful onto baking sheets and bake at 325-350 for 12-15 minutes.

Stop back tomorrow for JENN'S MUST HAVES OF 2009 and JENN'S WISH LIST FOR 2010!

Oh...and I'm linking this post up at the DIY Show Off Surprise Party! They're holding a holiday recipe linky party...perfect timing for me! Stop by and check out the other yummy holiday treats!!