Holiday Recipes

With the holiday season in full swing, we couldn't resist sharing some of our favourite holiday recipes!

Brigitte - Bite-sized Baked Brie

I've always had such a love for all kinds of cheese, but brie has to be one of my favourite. Then once the cranberries come out for the holidays, together they make an awesome pair. Here's one of my favourite recipes, perfect for any holiday party. So delicious, and so much fun!

Makes 24 squares

2 sheets puff pastry, thawed but still cold 
1/2 wedge of brie, cold
1/3 cup cranberry jam/sauce (or any flavor you fancy!)
1 large egg, beaten
Splash of milk


All-butter, store bought puff pastry usually comes frozen and folded into thirds. We’re going to use these folded thirds to our advantage. Cut the puff pastry into thirds along the creases. Cut each panel into four pieces. They’ll be 2 1/4-inch tall and 3-inches wide. One sheet of puff pastry will yield 12 rectangles. Cut each rectangle in half. You’ll have 24 little rectangles that will create 12 little rectangle pockets.
Combine beaten egg and splash of milk. Brush 12 of the small rectangles with egg wash. If you’d like to make brie bites on sticks, now is the time! Place a popsicle stick halfway up the puff pastry and press in gently. Place a small sliver of brie (rind and all) on top of the egg wash (and stick). Top with about 1/2 teaspoon of cherry jam. Take another square of puff pastry and press between your fingers to make the rectangle slightly bigger. Place puff pastry on top of the cheese and jam. Use a fork to press the edges together. The egg wash will act as a glue. Make sure to seal the edges well by crimping with the fork.
Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place prepared brie bites on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with egg wash. Sprinkle with a touch of coarsely ground sea salt. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Brie bites are best served warm, but are also delicious at room temperature!


(recipe found at Joy the Baker blog!)

Julie - Cookie Brittle

Who doesn't love a giant cookie! We've been baking these giant 'cookie brittles' in my house forever. Easy to make and fun to decorate and customize with smarties before baking in the oven. Yummmmy!!

Ingredients:
2 squares or sticks margarine (1 cup)
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:
Using a mixmaster, cream 2 squares of margarine. Slowly add in 1/2 cup of white sugar. Blend well. Slowly add 2 cups of regular flour. Mix well. Add 2 tsp vanilla then 1 cup of chocolate chips. Mix until the batter gathers on the beater. Push into 15" pizza pan. Make it as flat and even possible. Bake at 375 F for 18 minutes until lightly brown. Enjoy :)

Emma - Pecan Sandies

To me, nothing says Christmas more than my Mum's Pecan Sandies! I was a particularly fussy eater as a child, and the only way my Mum could get me to try a pecan was in thee fantastic cookies! A family favourite for years, this super tasty, no fuss recipe is sure to please even your toughest critics.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and levelled)
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped

Instructions:
Preheat over to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in vanilla and salt. With mixer on low, gradually add flour, beating just until combined. Ass pecans.

Roll dough in 1 1/2-inch balls, and place on two baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Using whatever you have available, lightly flatten each cookie. Bake until cookies are golden brown, 15 to 17 minuets, rotating sheet halfway through. Transfer to wire racks, let cook, and enjoy!