Guru Goddess

What You Need:

 

1 1/3 C + 2 T of flour, divided

8 T + 2 t of sugar, divided

1/4 t of salt

1/2 C of cold butter, broken up

4 T + 1 t of cold water

1/4 t of vanilla extract

3 C of tart apples, peeled and chopped

6 T of sugar

1/2 t cinnamon

4 T caramel ice cream topping, warm

 

How to Make It:

 

Toss together 1 1/3 C of flour, 2 T of sugar and the salt in a mixing bowl.

Cut the butter into the mixture with a pastry blender until crumbly.

Gradually add the cold water and vanilla while tossing with a fork.

Continuing tossing after all the water and vanilla has been added until a soft dough forms. 

Form the dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.

Set the oven temperature to 400 degrees and allow it to preheat.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Lightly flour a flat surface and roll the chilled ball of dough into a circle.

Place the dough on the prepared baking sheet.

Place the apples, 6 T of sugar and remaining flour into a mixing bowl.

Stir until the apples are completely covered with the flour and sugar.

Spread the apple mixture into the middle of the dough leaving a 2 inch wide edge.

Fold the edges of dough up over the filling leaving the center uncovered.

Toss the remaining sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle over the open filling.

Bake 25 minutes or until the filling is bubbly and crust is golden brown.

Slide the pie onto a wire rack to cool.

Drizzle with the caramel topping before serving.

 

Makes 12 servings

 

Preparation Time:  approximately 20 minutes

Chilling Time: approximately 30 minutes

Baking Time:  approximately 25 minutes

Total Time:  approximately 1 hour 05 minutes plus coolingoling

What You Need:

 

1 C of butter, room temperature

1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, room temperature

1 C of sugar

1 egg yolk

3 t of vanilla extract

2 1/2 C of flour

Seedless strawberry jam

 

How to Make It:

 

Place the butter, cream cheese and sugar in a bowl.

Cream the mixture with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat until blended in well.

Stir in the flour until well combined.

Cover the bowl and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough.

Preset the oven temperature to 350 degrees.

Remove the dough and shape into 1 inch balls.

Place the balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Use the handle of a wooden spoon to make 1/2 inch indentions in the center of each cookie ball.

Fill each indention with strawberry jam.

Bake 10 minutes or until the cookies are set.

Cool on the cookie sheet 2 minutes then move to wire racks to finish cooling.

 

Makes 5 dozen cookies

 

These cookies make a pretty addition to any buffet.  They are easy to prepare and fun to eat.  Any type of seedless jam works great in this recipe.

1.      A Christmas dinner for two is not a solemn affair. We are talking about choosing to celebrate away from the large gathering of relatives. You can certainly visit family for dessert or at some other holiday event.

 

2.      You can still eat turkey with all the trimmings. Cook a small turkey breast instead of a large whole turkey. Buying a bag of breadcrumbs to make the dressing should provide at least four servings of stuffing.

 

3.      Order your dinner and pick it up. Most grocery stores provide Christmas dinner options for small gatherings even as small as two. If you still want to make your Christmas turkey breast, order the side dishes and desserts from the grocery store. Their menu specifies serving sizes and prices. Order well in advance so there will be no problems with your order.

 

4.      Try something new. Since there is no one to impress, try some of those Christmas side dishes you’ve seen on Food Network cooking shows. Set up a taste testing for the two of you along with some wine to make the food taste better.

 

Christmas dinner doesn’t have to involve the entire family to be special. Spending quality time with our significant other at the holiday dinner table is a rewarding experience as well. 

Sometimes we don’t want the big gatherings at Christmas. It could be us and our spouse. If you want to forego the lavish Christmas dinner and share it with a special someone, here are some ideas for a Christmas dinner for two.

 

Christmas dinner does work even if there are only two people involved. Portion sizes are smaller and you won’t stay in the kitchen all day, but laughs and good memories are still made.

 

1.      You will save money. There will be less of everything to prepare when dinner is for two instead of twenty. If you still want leftovers, cook dishes in servings of four. This way, just enough is leftover for one maybe two meals so you won’t get tired of eating it.

 

2.      Turn the Christmas dinner into a romantic meal. Add candles to the table and set formal place settings. Both of you can dress for the occasion even if it is in your living room.

 

3.      Prepare a Christmas dinner menu in advance. It won’t be a big menu, but you can do it together. Fixing the meal together is also romantic. Talk over old times when you were dating or of Christmases past.

What You Need:

 

1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling

1 (18 1/4 oz.) pkg. yellow cake mix

1/2 C butter, melted

1/3 C of walnuts, chopped

 

How to Make It:

 

Place the pie filing into a 1 1/2 qt. crock pot. 

In a small bowl combine the cake mix and butter and mix until crumbly.

Spread the mixture over the pie filling.

Evenly sprinkle the walnuts over the top.

Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on low for 3 hours.

 

Makes 12 servings

 

Preparation Time:  approximately 5 minutes

Cooking Time:  approximately 3 hours

Total Time:  approximately 3 hours 5 minutes

 

If you’re looking for a quick dessert to serve with Christmas dinner try this one.  Any type of pie filling will work.  The walnuts are optional or the can be replaced with pecans if you prefer.