Day 5 ~ Holiday Recipes





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Holiday Recipes

Ok I've been looking forward to this part of the '12 Days of Christmas' link up over at The Blessed Life!!  Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love to cook and bake!  And this time of the year is when I bring out some of my most beloved recipes!!  Some things that are 'have to's' around the Green household this time of the year are Peanut Butter Balls (people from Ohio call them 'buckeyes' and I've also heard them referred to as 'chocolate balls') and my famous peanut butter cookies (they are filled with a cream cheese/peanut butter mixture..like a thumbprint cookie..and drizzled w/chocolate).  Yum!!  Also each year for Christmas Eve..I do some appetizers for when my parents come to visit.  Its basically the only time of the year I do anything of this nature, but I must say, I really enjoy it!  I do tend to stress a little bit about it though, mainly because I don't really have anything thats 'go-to'..I try doing different things each year.  Sooo..any holiday appetizers you'd like to share with me..I would be MORE than happy to accept!! 

Here is the recipe for my peanut butter cookies.  Since most of you know about peanut butter balls, I won't post the recipe, but if you leave me a comment requesting it..I'll be happy to share!  :-) 

Mel's Peanut Butter Cookies

1/2 cup crisco

1/2 cup softened butter

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 1/2 cups sugar, divided

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

3 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Filling:

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

4 ounces softened cream cheese

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Topping:

2 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips

In large bowl, beat crisco, butter, peanut butter, 1 cup sugar and brown sugar.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after adding each one.  Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt.  Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls; roll in remaining 1/2 cup sugar.  Place on a baking sheet.  Using the end of a wooden spoon, make an indentation in the center of each ball.

In small mixing bowl, beat peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth.  Mix in the sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla.  Spoon some of the filling into each indentation in each cookie. 

Bake at 350 degrees until done (I usually just keep an eye on them..I'd say about 8 minutes or so..depends on your oven).  Remove from pans to cool.

Melt the chocolate chips (I do mine in the microwave..stir often to prevent scorching) and stir until smooth.  Drizzle melted chocolate over each cookie.

Enjoy and happy baking!!  :-D