Diary of a Mom: Four Things Before Christmas

1. Ill child seems to feel somewhat better today.  Shhhh… don’t tell her this post is about food.

2.  Remember my whole thing about simplifying?  I love to bake and would happily make 7,000 batches of Christmas goodies.  Instead, I picked one to be my signature Christmas cookie, and if nothing else gets done, so be it.

Mint Chocolate Snaps

1 (6oz) pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

1/2 cup + 1 1/2 T shortening

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1tsp vanilla

1 tsp peppermint extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup crushed peppermint candy

More sugar

Cream shortening and sugar; beat until light and fluffy.  Beat in melted chocolate.  Add eggs, corn syrup, and extracts; beat well.  Combine dry ingredients and mix in .  Add peppermint.  (Dough will be stiff.  You may stir dry ingredients with a wooden spoon if you don’t have a stand mixer. ) 

Roll into one-inch balls and roll in extra sugar.  Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake at 350* for 12-15 minutes.  Cool on wire racks.

3. Photo above taken with my Christmas present to myself, a Nikon D5000.  When I explained to the salesclerk that this camera would not be upgraded for a LONG time, she assured I wouldn’t outgrow this one for a while.  Since I can barely turn it on now, I’d say that’s true!

4. Looking forward to Siesta Memory Challenge next year at Beth Moore’s blog.  I ordered the cool spiral.  Make it one of your resolutions next year, too!

Merry Christmas!

(Planning to post once more before Saturday)

Ginger

Linking up here and here.