2009 Holiday Baking Spree...

After a few busy days, we finally have all of the goodies baked, cooled, wrapped, packaged and either hand delivered or dropped off at the post office for our annual Holiday Baking Spree. I wasn't sure if we were going to be up to doing all of this, but the distraction was welcome and it lifted our spirits. This will be a fairly big post with plenty of treats, so get yourself a warm, steamy beverage (preferably chocolate in this house!) and grab a seat!

We decided to add a couple brand new recipes this year and the first I tried out were these Smoky Cheddar Coins. Imagine a sharp shortbread cookie, except instead of being sweet, it was rich with smoky cheese, crunchy toasted pecans and had a note of heat from a pinch of spicy cayenne pepper. You can use a regular sharp cheddar, but we couldn't resist the thought of a racy smoked cheese - we used a cheddar that was Apple Smoked and lightly flavored with garlic. This dough can easily be made ahead of time - wrap the dough logs well, then stick in the freezer until you're ready to slice off as many savory coins as you need (they are easier to slice neatly if you let the dough thaw first).

Smoky Cheddar Coins

One baked good we always, always have to make is one of Jeff's favorite holiday cookies. Using a scoop of chocolate malt powder, these thin, crispy cookies, bumpy from those festive M&M candies, have a unique taste that makes it hard to stop at one. Which is one reason why we make so many of them - this year we ended up making over 16 dozen (though plenty found a home in Jeff's belly already!).

Chocolate Malted M&M Cookies

If you're new here, or have yet to give this wicked candied popcorn a try, I urge you to whip up a batch as soon as you can... especially if you are a salty-sweet fan. Generous with ginger and cinnamon, this fragrant treat will earn you points alone for the sweet aroma that drifts throughout your house as it bakes.

Gingerbread Popcorn

The first time we made this fudge, we couldn't get enough of its creamy, smooth texture. It has quite a wallop of cinnamon, but it isn't overwhelming at all - love the surprise on people's faces if they've never had it before!

Cinnamon Fudge

Remember how we toyed around with the roca recipe we always use last year? It didn't let us down again this year either as we made almost 27 pounds and not one batch had any issues. This buttery candy is crazy addicting and I'm glad most of it has left the house, otherwise I'd have eaten way more than I need to!

Almond Roca

Since many of recipients have doggies running around their house, we had to include a little package for them too. Gus wasn't around when we first made these biscuits, which is why we choose them over the rest - he needed to sample some too you know!

Crunchy BBQ biscuits

This next cookie is new to the Baking Spree, but isn't new to us. We first made these snappy crisps back in September this year and we knew right away it was special enough to make the cut. This happens to also be one of those doughs that makes dozens with a single batch and can be made ahead and frozen.

Lemon-Scented Ginger Almond Crisps

We usually do two types of fudge and after some discussion, we decided to forgo the rest we thought about and hurried right back to these double-decker gems. Perfect for those chocolate-peanut butter fans in your life!

Two Toned Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

This next one couldn't be simpler, which is why it always gets made. Using a waffle pretzel as the base, we top each square with a caramel-stuffed chocolate Rolo candy (we've also seen these made with Chocolate Kisses, which would work just as well!), then slip the whole pan they were assembled on into a warm oven for just a minute or two. You'll know they are ready when the chocolate turns shiny. We top them with M&Ms, but nuts also work well (and if you use a pecan, they'll be a snazzy turtle-like clone!).

Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Squares

When we first made this unconventional brittle, I wasn't sure what the outcome would be. Maple, chipotle and peanut? Could that really work well? You sure bet it can! The smoky heat from the chipotle is tamed by the sweetness, but you still get a little burn that comes by surprise. Working in just a bit of pure maple syrup adds an intriguing and slightly more complex depth than your ordinary peanut brittle.

Chipotle-Maple Peanut Brittle

These nutty, slender almond cookies are fun, sparkly and using red hots adds a real zinger to them. They are dipped in melted white chocolate, which helps the colorful crushed candy and coarse sugar stay in place.

Cinnamon-Sugar Sticks

Spiced nuts are commonly found on tables around this time of the year, but our snazzy kicked-up version is leaps over its competition. The pecan halves are tossed with egg white, Kahlua (a delicious coffee liqueur), sugar and a touch of cinnamon. Roasting them not only brings out the richness of the nuts, but it turns the mixture we coated them with into a tantalizing sugary casing that is a thrill for any lucky taste buds.

Kahlua Spiked Pecans

Another new treat to the list this year are these adorable spritz cookies. Last year we made an Eggnog version, but this year we went crazy with peppermint and white chocolate. We found the dough firm enough that we popped these melt-in-your-mouth cookies out in no time, but if you find that the dough is too soft to hold the shape you want, stick it in the refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes. As with any spritz, it is best to pipe them onto cold, ungreased baking sheets - this helps them stick and pull away from the spritz gun.

White Chocolate Peppermint Spritz Cookies

I thought we were finally done with cookies, but then Jeff pleaded a case to make these swanky gingersnaps that he loves. I quickly caved and hauled the mixer back out, mainly because I love their satisfying texture - crispy around the edges, yet the closer you get to the crackly center, the more moist and chewy they get. Plentiful in the spice department, they do have a secret ingredient most can't pick out, but love - fresh ground black pepper!

Swedish Gingersnaps

And to finish our gifts off, we close with another "no-recipe" goodie that we've been making for as long as we've done this baking spree. These little bombs are small Ritz Bitz crackers, filled with creamy peanut butter, that take a dip in a lake of creamy white chocolate. Before the chocolate has a chance to set, we sprinkle the tops with all sorts of colored sugars or sprinkles - so easy, yet insanely good.

White Chocolate Dipped Mini Peanut Butter Ritz Bits

Whew - I believe that's everything this year! I was hoping to sneak in a few more new recipes, but we couldn't knock out any of the older favorites without some pouting! Maybe next year...