12 days of Christmas cookies...the final days

We had a wonderful 12 days of Christmas and while we ended up pretty exhausted from all the activities it has been by far the best Christmas season with my little man. I might say that every year but each year that his excitement grows and he is so beyond full of Christmas joy just makes the season so much brighter! I love it...we have done 3 different gingerbread's...a train, a tree, and the nativity scene. To have him grasp the true meaning of Christmas and get so into baby Jesus and his birthday has been so fun. His generous spirit grows and grows, it is defiantly the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is just 5 days away...We are all ready around here and if like me you are doing another day of baking, then here are some cookies you may enjoy doing these final days till Christmas. The house is lit up with lights inside and out, my son is beyond excited, its Christmas break from school which means Christmas jammies all day long!! We even wore them to the store today, they are only little once! We went to an ugly Christmas sweater party last night hosted by our dear friends, it was fun to see the creative sweaters and skirts.I actually secretly liked the one I wore and may even wear it Christmas day...

On the 9th Day of Christmas some jolly neighbors brought to you CHOCOLATE CRINKLE COOKIES...because"my daddy likes them more then the rest." Yes its true these are my husbands favorite cookies so we had to put them on the list, plus one fresh out of the oven still warm and gooey is pretty amazing. The little man & I shared one and he thought the same!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Recipe from All Recipes

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar

In a medium bowl, mix together cocoa, white sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the cocoa mixture. Cover dough, and chill for at least 4 hours.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Roll dough into one inch balls. Coat each ball in confectioners' sugar before placing onto prepared cookie sheets.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand on the cookie sheet for a minute before transferring to wire racks to cool. Enjoy!! On the 10th Day of Christmas a little boy brought to you...Some Chocolate Drizzled Rice Krispie treats...

Rice Krispie treats are one of Blake's absolute favorite things to make and eat warm out of the pan. We had to include them into our line up, its is one that Blake helps out every step of the way:)

We made them festive and added swirled Chocolate and crushed Candy Canes:) These are the only pictures, it was a particularly busy day and daylight was against us.

Rice Krispie Treats

by Ms. Marquets Kitchen

5 Tablespoons unsalted butter

7 cups mini marshmallows

5 cups cereal

1 cup mini marshmallows

1/2 cup dark Chocolate (optional)

crushed candy cane's optional

Melt the butter over medium heat on the stove-top. Add Marshmallows, stirring until melted. Remove from the heat, add cereal, stir, and add remaining 1 cup of mini marshmallows. Top with melted Chocolate of choice and Candy Canes and enjoy!

A favorite treat for the young and old! 

On the 11th Day of Christmas some true friends brought to you GINGERSNAP COOKIES...Gingersnaps are by far one of my favorite cookies to enjoy well anytime of the year, but you can always have an abundance of anything Gingerbread related around Christmas time. These delicious cookies come from my sister-in-law and I am excited to share them with you! They are full of flavor with the perfect crunch on the outside yet so soft on the inside! My little man loves them too and as you can tell from below did not want to wait till I was done to finish off the cookie:)

Gingersnap Cookies

Recipe from my Sister-in-law Jess:)

3/4 Cup of Shortening

1/4 Cup of Molasses

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Egg

2 1/4 Cups of Flour

2 teaspoons Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1 teaspoon Ginger

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon Cloves

Pre-heat oven to 375.

Mix Shortening, Molasses, Brown Sugar, and Eggs together. In a separate bowl whisk Flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, & cloves together. Stir into Molasses mix until combined.

Form dough into 1 inch balls and roll into granulated sugar.

Bake on parchment lined baking sheets for 7-10 minutes. I do mine for 8...all depends on how soft you like them. 

Let them sit on baking sheet for a minute or so and cool on wire rack.

Enjoy!

On the 12th day of Christmas some very Joyful neighbors brought to you CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CHEX MIX. This might be one of my favorite things...but then again I have a lot of favorite things. the perfect mix of puppy chow with the cheer and joy that peppermint brings this time of year. 
Blake had so much fun helping out with this one; from unwrapping candy canes, crushing them(the boy loves to hammer), to dumping, and mixing! He was all hands in on this one!

Having fun in the kitchen always ends with lots a dishes to clean and floors to sweep...we had a little extra to clean but that makes it a little more fun:)

You can find Chocolate Peppermint Chex Mix over on Our Best Bites. Super simple and so much fun with the kiddos...another crowd pleaser for the whole family! 

My little one loves to take pictures and this was a photo he snapped of our Christmas tree:) I love this time of year and I think he took a pretty good pic:)

In other news....GO SEAHAWKS!!!!!