Wicked Good Wednesday #4

Co-hosted by Rachel at {{{I Love}}} My Disorganized Life!!

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's

Wicked Good Wednesdays Party!

Again, we had some wonderful and creative entries - not quite as many as the weeks before, but I know you all have been extremely busy with holiday preparations, so I won't hold it against you.  ;-)

THANK YOU for joining us!!!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!!
We did here at 365, quiet and relaxing which is good.
Now back to a shortened work week!

If you participated or will be participating this week, please grab our new button!

  <a border="0" <span class="<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span></span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</span></span></span>=http://365daysofbaking.<span class="<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span></span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">blogspot</span></span></span>.com/" target="_blank"><<span class="<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span></span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; 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background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">src</span></span></span>="http://i1300.<span class="<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span></span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">photobucket</span></span></span>.com/albums/ag92/rachelwillis69/<span class="<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span></span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">WickedButton</span></span></span>.<span class="<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span></span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; 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Our most clicked link this week was the 
Magic Christmas Bars 
from Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate!!

Don't these look magnificent? Joan did such a great job on these and they're perfectly decorated for the holidays!

My Wicked Pick of the Week goes out to...

That Skinny Chick Can Bake 
for her Holiday Cream Cheese Tea Roll

Seeing this from Liz brought back so many wonderful memories of Christmases when I was little.
My grandmother would make a tea ring every year and it was delicious.

Three of my Wicked Favorites were:

Carrot Bundt Cake 
from Tumbleweed Contessa

Carrot cake is one of my favorite cakes
And I love how it's decorated with just the right amount of frosting -
not too much to detract from the great flavor of the cake,
but just the right amount to highlight it.

Bacon Wrapped Stuffed Jalapenos 
from Who Need's a Cape?

Bevin had me with bacon on this one. I'm not much for spicy stuff,
but knowing the cheese would take away some of the heat, make me want to really try these!

AND...
Ultimate Chocolate Muffins 
from Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate

LOVE me some chocolate and I really like them in a muffin.
I never thought I would, but then I made some last year and now I'm hooked!
And of course, Joan is the queen of all things chocolate, so these have GOT to be great!

Thank you all again SO very much for participating!!

If yours was selected as a Wicked submission, we are having some html difficulties with our button.
We'll get it fixed and let you know as soon as we do,
so you can grab it to let everyone know you were
WICKED!!

Also be sure to head on over to Rachel's site,  {{{I Love}}} My Disorganized Life  to see what she has picked as her favorites!! Now onto the PARTY!!!!

Homemade Dulce De Leche Coffee Creamer

This stuff...
THIS stuff is OUT of this world!!!
Let me tell you!!
Now that I'm making our own coffee creamer, I've fallen in L-O-V-E with this one I've recently made!!
It is a MUST try!
And yes, it is so good that I'm going against what I usually do here at 365 by leaving my rating until after I give you the recipe, but it's too good to keep it a secret even for a few more sentences.

This is how I made the Ducle De Leche in yesterday's post. It was SO easy. I let the condensed milk sit in the crockpot after reading how to do it on my dear friend Ann's blog, The Fountain Avenue Kitchen.
And it was yummy enough to eat with just a spoon, too!

BUT  since I'd made this Homemade French Vanilla Coffee Creamer I thought why NOT make some with this wonderful new concoction!
Needless to say, it worked out beautifully.
But I already told you that, didn't I?
Haha
I like to repeat myself, especially when something is just so, so very good.


Homemade Dulce De Leche Coffee Creamer

1 1/2 8-ounce canning jars of Homemade Dulce De Leche (equals one full can of sweetened condensed milk)
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients.
How easy is THAT?!?!

Using a whisk, mix everything together until thoroughly combined.

Using a funnel, pour into vessel that you'll be using to store the creamer.

Creamer will be fresh until expiration of the milk that you use.
Give the bottle a good shake or stir before each use.
It tastes really good to drink just out of the bottle, but it tastes even better in your coffee.

I suppose you could also put it into the container you want to use and then shake it, but I found it much easier just to use the whisk as the Dulce De Leche was pretty thick.
I rate everything I make on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the best and this Homemade Dulce De Leche Coffee Creamer earned 4 rolling pins!!
THIS STUFF ROCKS!!!
And yes, you absolutely must put this on your Bucket List!
Seriously.
Have I lied to you yet?
Why should I start now?

This is going to be my go-to creamer from now on!

Merry Christmas Eve, my dear 365 friend.

I give you BIG baking hugs and muffins!!

Crockpot Dulce De Leche

By now I'm sure all of you, unless you're new to 365, know how very much I love my crockpot.
I really don't know if there has ever been a greater invention.
I'm kidding.
I know the iPad wins in that contest hands down, but still.
Come to think of it, I think the Snuggie and that Clapper thing for the lights might have it beat, too.
BUT, that crockpot is one cool kitchen gadget!

Ann, from The Fountain Avenue Kitchen shared this wonderful recipe she made in her crockpot, Slow Cooker Dulce De Leche and I knew I had to try it because I was thinking of something I could definitely use it for!
But I'm NOT telling.
Until tomorrow.
We have to take this one step at a time.
There no putting the cart before the horse on this blog. That's not going to work.
We have to go in. order.
Step one comes before step two.

So, here you go, my friends...
Easy peasy.
I'm in love with the stuff.
And I think you will be, too.

Crockpot Dulce De Leche

2 14-ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
3 half pint (8 ounce) canning jars
AND that all-important crock pot

Pour the cans of condensed milk into the 3 canning jars, dividing evenly.  Each jar should be practically full.
Seal each jar tightly with a ring and lid. (Mine had the rings attached to the lids.)

Place jars into the crock pot.
Pour in enough water so that it is about 1/2-inch below the lids.

Cook on low for 10 hours.
Remove jars from water.
It will be thick like a custard, but when stirred with a spoon, will resemble a thick caramel sauce. For an even thinner consistency, Ann suggests shortening the cooking time to about 8 hours.
Store in refrigerator.

I rate everything I make on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the best and this Crockpot Dulce De Leche earned 3 1/2 rolling pins!
Oh, the things you can do with this stuff!!
The possibilities are ENDLESS!!
I can't wait  to share what I used it for!!
Tomorrow, I promise.
I also liked to eat it out of the jar with the spoon.
Ann had the great idea of eating it with some fresh apples. That was yummy, too.
I will definitely be making more of this and trying it with other recipes.
Dulce de Leche Chicken, Meatloaf. Fish.
I'm kidding.
I think we'll just stick with the desserts.

I give you all BIG baking hugs and muffins!!

Wicked Good Wednesdays #3

Co-hosted by Rachel at {{{I Love}}} My Disorganized Life!!

Thank you to everyone who participated in last week's

Wicked Good Wednesdays Party!

We had so many wonderful and creative entries!!

THANK YOU!!!

If you participated or will be participating this week, please grab our new button!

  <a border="0" <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</span></span>=http://365daysofbaking.<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">blogspot</span></span>.com/" target="_blank"><<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">img</span></span> <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">src</span></span>="http://i1300.<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">photobucket</span></span>.com/albums/ag92/rachelwillis69/<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">WickedButton</span></span>.<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">png</span></span>"/></a>

We have a three-way tie for our most clicked link!!
Congratulations, to all!!! Please grab our Featured Button!

Peanut Butter Caramel Chewy Christmas Wreaths 
from Jazzy Gourmet Cooking Studio

Sherry did such a great job on these!
They are SO pretty and such a festive treat this time of year!

Easy Puff Pastry from Scratch 
from Flour Me With Love

Lisa made these look so easy, but she says they ARE easy!!
And they look delicious, too!

AND...
Meringue Hugged Candy Cane Kisses 
from Pint Sized-Baker

Karyn put some great little surprises in these goodies!
And I LOVE the color!

My Wicked Pick of the Week goes out to...

Reeses's Peanut Butter Cup Bark 
from Chocolate, Chocolate and More Chocolate

Joan caught me hook, line and sinker with this baby! Reese's are my FAVORITE candy and never would I have thought to put them into a bark! Genius, I tell ya!!!

Three of my Wicked Favorites were:

Chicken Tortilla Soup 
from The Fountain Avenue Kitchen

I have been wanting to make a chicken tortilla soup since forever and this one from Ann may be just the one I've been waiting for!

Candy Cane Puffs 
from The Freshman Cook

Teri made these beautiful bite-sized treats!
White chocolate and crushed candy canes - such a great combination! 

Vinyl Christmas Plate 
from Occasionally Crafty

Valerie made this beautiful plate! It's a gorgeous item to display for the holidays, but it would also be a great gift!

Thank you all again SO very much for participating!!

If yours was selected as a Wicked submission, please grab the following button:

  <a border="0" <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</span></span>=<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">BlogURLaddress</span></span>" target="_blank"><<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">img</span></span> <span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">src</span></span>="http://i1300.<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">photobucket</span></span>.com/albums/ag92/rachelwillis69/<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">WickedGoodWedfeaturedbutton</span></span>-1.<span class="<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">goog</span>-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">png</span></span>"/></a> Also be sure to head on over to Rachel's site,  {{{I Love}}} My Disorganized Life  to see what she has picked as her favorites!! Now onto the PARTY!!!!

Day 8 of the 12 Days of Cookies - Crappy Peppermint Meringues

I'm going to tell you this now and I'd like to say that I'll only tell you this once, but these were the yuckiest meringues I've made yet.
The only other time I've made them was for Halloween last year. They were the Ghost Meringues and they were really cute with the mini chocolate chips I used for eyes and even tasted good with the vanilla extract.
These festive holiday ones, not so much.
Yeah, no.
Not making them again.
Evah.
Even if I were to change the recipe a tad.
So, know what? I leave it up to you if you want to take them on.
I take no responsibility for the outcome - you've been warned. There's my disclaimer. hee hee

I've seen them throughout the internet and thought they looked so pretty with the red and green that I just had to give them a go.
It should have been a sign that they weren't going to turn out too well when I had to mix the egg whites for like, 3 hours before they became stiff.
Ok, maybe not that long, but far longer (that doesn't sound right, but anyway) than needed.
Those things were just NOT cooperating and wanting to stiffen.
Stupid egg whites.
I think it may have been that there was a bit of yolk that leaked into them and try as I could to extract it all from the three egg whites, it just wasn't happening.
Those are my thoughts anyway.

I need to let you know that I've gone back to work full-time, so I'll be doing my best to find a balance between family, work, the blog and my 365 Facebook page.
I appreciate your continued support and patience during this time.

Crappy Peppermint Meringues - makes about 20

3 large egg whites, room temperature
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
3/4 cup superfine sugar
*I couldn't find superfine sugar in the store I went to, so I used a little bit more than 3/4 cup granulated sugar that I had placed in my food processor and ground for about 3 minutes until it was fine and then allowed it to settle for 30 seconds before using .*
1 teaspoon peppermint extract *TOO much!!! I really suggest using 1/2 teaspoon - it was just way too strong for my liking.
red and green gel food coloring - the liquid stuff just doesn't work and really makes them look kinda gross. Trust me.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the egg whites and salt and beat until frothy.

Add cream of tartar, and increase mixer speed to medium high.

Beat in sugar, one tablespoon at a time while continuing to mix.

Add extract and continue beating until meringue becomes thick, glossy and can hold stiff peaks, should be about 6 minutes or so.
To color the meringues, use a small paintbrush to paint 4 strips of food coloring, 2 of each color, up along the inside of the pastry bag.

Place the meringue into the pastry bag.

Squeeze onto prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches in between each.

Bake 1 hour. Turn off oven and allow meringues to remain in oven for another 2 hours until dry.

I didn't even take pictures of the finished product, I was so disgusted with them.
The pictures you see are before they were baked.
Don't worry, they didn't look much different.

I rate everything I make on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being something you absolutely positively need to make and these certainly did not reach a 4.
I think they deserve a 1 1/2.
BLECH!!!
Well, I won't be making these again!
Yeah, huge disappointment.
So, as I said before I'll leave it up to you as to whether or not you want to make a go if it.
I wish you luck and hope they turn out for you.

I give you BIG baking hugs and muffins!!

Wicked Good Wednesdays #2

Co-hosted by Rachel at {{{I Love}}} My Disorganized Life!!

Before we begin, I just want to thank everyone who participated in our very first

Wicked Good Wednesdays Party

last week. I was completely inspired by all of you and am so thrilled that we had so many people participate!!

THANK YOU!!!

If you participated or will be participating this week, please grab our new button!

  <a border="0" <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</span>=http://365daysofbaking.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">blogspot</span>.com/" target="_blank"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">src</span>="http://i1300.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/ag92/rachelwillis69/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">WickedButton</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">png</span>"/></a>

Our most clicked link was...

Organized Island's - Dollar Store Decorations

Raquel did a fantastic job decorating for the holidays using inexpensive items!
Just goes to show that you can still be festive, create a beautiful holiday atmosphere without breaking the bank.

My Wicked pick of the week goes out to...

One Creative Mommy for her 
Quick and Easy Terra Cotta Snowman Tutorial

Heidi created a beautiful snowman out of terra cotta planting pots!
So easy, inexpensive and super cute!

Three of my Wicked Favorites were:

Chocolate Caramel Coconut Cookies from Simply Gourmet

These cookies just hooked me at the Caramel. Ok, and the coconut, and the chocolate and the sugar cookie. Best thing about these? Sherron says you can also make them gluten-free!

Birthday Gingerbread Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting 
from Moore or Less Cooking

I have an affinity for gingerbread. I like gingerbread cookies, but I like gingerbread cake much  better, and with a cream cheese frosting? Mmmm, mmmmm!!
Nettie made this for own birthday and I think I may have found my next birthday cake as well.

Candy Cane Crinkle Cookies from The Slow Roasted Italian

Donna made these sugar cookies extra-special for the season by adding some holiday cheer.
The candy cane is so symbolic this time of year and these cookies are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike! 

Thank you all again SO very much for participating!!

If yours was selected as a Wicked submission, please grab the following button:

  <a border="0" <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">href</span>=<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">BlogURLaddress</span>" target="_blank"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">src</span>="http://i1300.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/ag92/rachelwillis69/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">WickedGoodWedfeaturedbutton</span>-1.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background-color: yellow; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">png</span>"/></a>
Also be sure to head on over to Rachel's site,  {{{I Love}}} My Disorganized Life  to see what she has picked as her favorites!! Now onto the PARTY!!!!

Day 7 of the 12 Days of Cookies - Cranberry Orange Pistachio Biscotti

You know, I used to be intimidated by biscotti and the thought of making it. I really thought I would just screw it up.
I've tackled biscotti, now I think it's on to macarons.
Those should be interesting.
I've heard both good and bad things about making those.

I adapted this recipe from my Fannie Farmer Cookbook, Thirteenth Edition.
It has the beautiful colors of the holidays and tasted great when dunked into my tea at breakfast.

Cranberry Orange Pistachio Biscotti - makes about...oh dear...one of those times when I forgot to count again before we started eating. well, the cookbook say it makes about 3 dozen.

2 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons allspice
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
zest from 1 orange
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier liquor
3/4 cup chopped fresh cranberries
3/4 cup shelled pistachios, chopped into chunks

Place a baking rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, allspice and salt.
In a the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter until light.

Add the sugar, beating until smooth and creamy.
Add the eggs and mix until smooth.

Mix in orange zest, orange liquor.
Gradually add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.

Stir in the cranberries and pistachios.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide in half.
Shape dough into two separate logs about 1 1/2-inches by 10-inches long.

Place the rolls on a baking sheet approximately 2 inches apart.
Bake in the top third of the oven for about 25 minutes, or until set and lightly browned on the top.
Cool the logs on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes or cool enough to handle, and then cut diagonally into 1/2-inch thick slices.
Place the slices flat on the baking sheet and return to the oven to bake for 10 minutes to dry them.
Turn slices over, baking for an additional 10 minutes.
If you desire the biscotti to be hard enough for dunking, turn oven off and leave the biscotti in the oven for an additional 20 minutes.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool and store in a tightly covered container.

I rate everything I make on a scale of 1-4 with 4 being the best and these Cranberry Orange Pistachio Biscotti earned 3 rolling pins.
I really am in love with biscotti.
I love the crunch of it and then the way it absorbs the flavors of the tea when I dunk it.
And the different flavors you can have...
The possibilities for biscotti are ENDLESS!!
Try it, you'll see.

I give you BIG baking hugs and muffins!!