Rum Raisin Cookies and Rum Raisin Bars

I'm always in pursuit of new recipes for an annual Holiday Cookie Contest that I have entered for the past 7 years. I love Rum Raisin Ice Cream so I was interested in a Rum Raisin Cookie recipe. This is what I ended up with after researching and adapting various recipes.

I spent a vacation on the Island of St. Lucia.
I learned to appreciate good West Indies Rum.
This is the only Rum I use for Cocktails and Baking.

Rum Raisin Cookies

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
A Sheet Pan lined with Parchment Paper.

1 C Golden Raisins
1/8 C Dark West Indies Rum
8 TBS Butter, room temperature
1/2 C Crisco
1/2 C Granulated Sugar
1/2 C Brown Sugar
1 Egg
1 tsp Vanilla
2 1/2 C Flour
3/4 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/4 C Turbinado Sugar in a bowl for coating the dough.

In a small glass, microwave safe bowl:
Raisins
Rum
Heat, covered, in a Microwave for 30 seconds.
Remove and set aside.

In a Stand Mixer with a Paddle Attachment:
Butter
Crisco
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Beat for 3 minutes until creamy smooth.

Add:
Egg
Vanilla
Mix just until combined.
Leave the batter in the mixer until the next step.

In a Mixing Bowl, Sift together:
Flour
Baking Powder
Baking Soda
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Whisk well.
Gradually add to the Mixer.
Mix just until incorporated.

Add:
Raisins and Rum.
Mix just until combined.

Use a 1 3/4" Cookie Scoop, scoop some dough and roll in your hand.
Flatten it into a disc.
Dip one side in the Turbinado Sugar.
Place the dough 2" apart on the Sheet Pan, sugar side up.
Bake 12 minutes.

Remove the pan to a rack and cool for 5 minutes.
Transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!


Rum Raisin Bars

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 - 9" X 13" Glass Casserole Pan brushed well with Pan Release Mix. (equal parts of Crisco, Vegetable Oil and Flour) I start with 1 C of each mixed well and refrigerated in a jar. I always have it available for all of my baking needs.

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:

2 TBS Butter
1 C Dark West Indies Rum (Mount Gay)
2 C Golden Raisins
Simmer for 5 minutes.
Set aside to cool completely while you make the cookies.

In a Large Mixing Bowl:
2 C Flour
1 C Granulated Sugar
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/2  tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Cinnamon
3/4 C chopped Pecans
Whisk Well.

Add:
Raisins
Mix well to combine.

Spoon into the Pan.
Bake 15 - 20 minutes.

Remove Pan to a rack to cool for 5 minutes.

Frost the Bars.

Frosting
In a Large Mixing Bowl:

2 TBS Butter, melted
1/4 C Orange Juice
1 C Confectioner's Sugar
Whisk to combine until creamy smooth.

Frost the Bars.
Set aside to cool completely for 15 minutes.
Cover with Plastic Wrap and refrigerate 1 hour.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Recipes for a Lodge Cast Iron Mini Cake Pan

I have had this pan for many years and the only things I use it for are Rolls, Cornbread and Biscuits. When I recently received this link, I wanted to post it on my Blog. I'll adapt the Breakfast recipe and make it vegetarian. It has opened my eyes to so many new options to bake in this pan.

Easy Buttermilk Drop Biscuits - Slow Cooker Gourmet

Mini Pineapple Upside-Down Cakes - Lodge Cast Iron

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Holiday Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate and Stovetop Peppermint Mocha Coffee

I realize that Flavored Coffee Creamers aren't for everyone but I happen to like them. I don't put Sugar in my Coffee so my guilty pleasure is flavored Coffee Creamer. They're also available in Sugar Free. Some of the best flavors come out for the Holidays. Here are 2 recipes using Seasonal Flavored Coffee Creamers. I received the Pumpkin recipe from a friend in Sweden. I adapted the recipe and as I was researching additional Hot Drinks using Holiday Flavored Creamers, I decided to add the Peppermint Mocha. You could make the White How Chocolate with Hazelnut too.

There are so many Holiday flavors available that you could adapt these recipes and customize your own favorite drinks. The two most available brands are International Delight and Coffee-Mate.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin Spice

York Peppermint Patty

Peppermint Mocha

Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate

1 C International Delight Pumpkin Pie Spice Creamer

6 C Whole Milk

3 C White Chocolate Chips

Whipped Cream and Cinnamon for Garnish

In a large Crock Pot:

Milk

White Chocolate Chips

Heat on Low for 2 hours until the Chocolate is completely melted.

Stir to combine well.

Add:

Coffee Creamer

Stir well

Serve Hot.

Garnish individual servings with Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of Cinnamon.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Peppermint Mocha Coffee

For each serving:

1/2 C Brewed Espresso Coffee

2 tsp Chocolate Syrup

1/4 C Whole Milk

1/4 C International Delight York Peppermint Patty Coffee Creamer

In a Large Coffee Mug:

Coffee

Syrup

Stir to combine well.

In a Saucepan on Medium Heat:

Milk

Coffee Creamer

Heat just until it simmers.

Add to the Coffee, stir and Garnish with Whipped Cream.

Enjoy!

Peace in the Kitchen!

Corn Casserole, just another Corn Casserole recipe!

I have so many Corn Casserole Recipes. Here's one more.

Here's what you'll need:
Preheat the oven to350 degrees
1 - 2 quart  Casserole Dish, sprayed with Vegetable Cooking Spray.

2 Quart Oval

2 Quart Rectangle

8" X 8" or 9" X 9" Square

In a Large Bowl:
1 - Can of Corn, drained.
1 - Can of Creamed Corn
2 Eggs, beaten.
8 TBS Butter, melted.
4 TBS Flour
2 TBS Sugar
1/2 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 C Whole Milk
1/2 C Diced Red Bell Pepper
1/4 tsp Salt

Mix well and spoon into the Casserole Dish.
Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes, until the top is Golden Brown.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Thanksgiving Hershey's Kisses Acorns

This Hershey's Kisses Thanksgiving Treat has been around for a long time. I've thought about making them in the past. If you haven't seen them, they are a fun treat to have around for Thanksgiving.
I've done the research and there are a variety of directions for them. There are other wafer options and additional stem options. I've simply chosen the one I like. I like the look of the Nutty Butter Bites and the addition of the Peanut Butter taste. Some recommend adhering them with Chocolate Royal Icing. This seems to be the easiest method. It takes 3 ingredients. It would be a fun thing to do with your kids.

Here's what you'll need:
Hershey's Kisses
Mini Nutter Butter Wafers
Milk Chocolate Chips (you'll need enough for the acorn stems and some to melt to adhere everything together)

I'm posting a photograph so you'll have a visual of how they go together.
Melt some of the Chocolate Chips to use as the "glue" to hold the parts together.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Baked Swiss Chard and Parmesan Cheese Dip

I like Swiss Chard and this Dip looks delicious. I wanted to show the photograph so I posted a link to this Betty Crocker recipe.

                                                                                                                                     Warm Swiss Chard Parmesan Dip Recipe This baked super cheesy Swiss chard dip recipe is an easy appetizer - perfect for entertaining. (0) 0                                                                            

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!

Fall Caramel Apple Cocktail

I wasn't quite sure what to call this and I'm not sure this title is appropriate. It was the best I could come up with. I Like Sparkling Apple Cider in the Fall. So, I like the idea of a refreshing Fall Cocktail that tastes like Caramel Apples.

Here is the final cocktail!

Jonagold

Braeburn

Granny Smith

Fall Caramel Apple Cocktail

1 Bottle of Chilled Chardonnay or Chablis wine.

1 Bottle of Chilled Sparkling Apple Cider.

1/4 C of Torani Caramel Syrup.

4 Apples, diced (I recommend Jonagold, Braeburn or Granny Smith, in that order! I also like using 2 different Apples)

In a Large Pitcher:
Wine
Cider
Syrup
Stir to mix well.
Add Apples.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Serve straight up or On the Rocks.
Garnish individual servings with some of the Apple.

Enjoy!
Peace in the Kitchen!