last minute neighbor & friend gifts... from your kitchen~

here are some recipes that i got from some of my fellow members of THE HIVE. all of them look delicious, so i though i would feature all of them & there great blogs! in no particular order...

{caramel marshmallow rice crispy treats}

these are a little labor intensive, but just look at them! you can find this recipe here @ City Home/Country Home.

next up...

{reindeer corn cookie bark}

this is so fun & different! it is also a great way to get the kids in to kitchen for some cooking fun. over at the Home Based Mom, you can grab this recipe & lots of other fun holiday bark recipes!

drum roll please...

{mindika's white chocolate & peppermint fudge}

what is Christmas without fudge??? & this is such a great mix of flavors! head on over to Mindika's Moments to find this & lots of other great recipes for the holiday!

just wait...

{confessions of a bake-aholic's chocolate mint cookies}

i love everything over at Confessions of a bake-aholic! she does such a great job!!! & this recipe is no exception. cookies are a must have during the holidays! & this is a great choice.

& last but definitely not least...

{mel's perfect almond roca}

almond roca is one of my favorite candies! & this is a great recipe for a great toffee! she does different nut toppings for different variations. of course my favorite is her almond roca, but i wouldn't turn down any of them:) head over to mel's kitchen cafe to get this and many other great recipes!

hopefully these yummy treats will make it to from your kitchen to your friends & neighbors home! i wish all of you a happy holiday season, covered in sprinkles, glitter & of course- flour:)!

give the gift that gives year round...

a food magazine subscription is a great gift that is reasonably priced & will keep giving all year! i love Everyday Food. there is also Cooking Light, Bon Appetite, Gourmet & others great food magazines to choose from. it's always great to get new inspirations in the kitchen:)

easy freezer strawberry jam...

last week i replenished my freezer with strawberry jam.  i don't have any secret recipe, i just use the one on the pectin package:)  but just incase any of you haven't discovered how easy strawberry freezer jam is... this post is for you!!  i will be honest too- i prefer freezer jam to cooked jam if you have the freezer space.  not only is it so easy, but it tastes so fresh.  i am also posting the tag that i created for the jam i gave as gifts.  i used a 3" circle shaped punch to cut mine out.  you can pick one up at the craft or scrapbooking store.  Enjoy!

 

{strawberry freezer jam}

2 cups pureed strawberries

4 cups sugar

2 TBSP lemon juice

1 package powdered pectin

3/4 cup water

In a large bowl, combine strawberries, sugar & lemon juice.  Let sit 10 minutes.  Meanwhile in a small sauce pan- bring water to a boil.  Add pectin.  Bring back to a boil.  Cook at hard boil for 1 minute.  Pour pectin mixture into strawberries.  Stir until sugar is all dissolved. (i usually feel it between my fingers till it is no longer grainy)  Pour into washed & dried containers, either glass or plastic, store in the freezer up to 1 year or in the fridge for 1 month. 

{to get the tag: right click on the image of the tag, "save image as...", save where you want to your computer.  print ( i used a textured card stock).  attach with ribbon, twine or ric rac}

i'll post a recipe for my sister-in-law's super yummy Heavenly Biscuits.  they go perfectly with this jam!

cookie gift boxes part 1...

no secret that i LOVE food.  i think it is great gift especially this time of year!  here is the first of my 3 different cookie gift boxes with recipe cards.  again, get creative- use neat containers that you already have or nice plates that they would love to keep.  baskets work great!  wrapped in cellophane or just open with tissue.  cute family keepsake ornaments are always pretty on the ribbon too.  have fun with it, they don't have to all be the same.  Click HERE for this recipe card.

{peanut butter s'mores gift box}

{peanut butter cookies: 2 per sandwich}

{marshmallows:  make sure you have enough}

{Hershey's chocolate bars:  i say 1/2 a bar per sandwich}

{add the recipe card in the box or whatever container you choose:)}

Merry Gifting!!