Culinary Adventures with Camilla

This is another cookie creation that was spawned by watching an inspiring fifteen minute video by cookie artiste Susan Spungen last week. Thankfully I found the article:  12 Stunning Cookies that will Impress Everyone You Know  that featured Spungen's recipes and more gorgeous photos of her creations. Though this sugar cookie and icing recipe is my tried and true favorite. I just used Spungen's painting inspiration for the decoration! Ingredients Pepermint Sugar Cookies 2-3/4 C flour 1 t baking powder 1 t salt 3/4 C butter, softened 1 C organic granulated sugar 2 eggs 1 t pure peppermint extract Royal Icing 3 egg whites, or more to thin icing 6 C organic powdered sugar juice from 1 to 2 organic lemons (I used a Meyer lemon) 1/4 t pure  peppermint extract To Finish red food dye (I used a natural dye) 1/2 t pure peppermint extract Also needed: clean paintbrush Procedure Pepermint Sugar Cookies Sift together flo...

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of  Adams Extract and Spice, a sponsor of #ChristmasCookiesWeek . I received complimentary product for the purpose of review and recipe development, but all opinions are honest and they are my own.  This page may contain affiliate links. Prizes + Giveaway Here we are at day three of a fantastic event helmed by Ellen of  Family Around the Table   with help from Christie of  A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures . These talented ladies are tireless and inspiring. They not only wrangled all of us foodie bloggers, but they lined up some amazing event sponsors who donated to us for recipe creation and also for prizes. Go to  my kick-off post  to read about the prize packages and to enter the giveaway. Or you may enter at the bottom of this post. You won't want to miss out. Seriously. Your holiday baking will be kicked up more than a few notches. The Rest of the Cookie Tray Andes Mint Chocolate Brownies ...

When Dylan came home with his Secret Santa assignment, he declared: "I'm going to bake him cookies. Red ones. Because red is his favorite color." I explained that would require food coloring - or beets - so he opted to make them peppermint. Riley's comment made me laugh - "you know that peppermint is green, right?"  But Dylan was adamant. He retorted, "The candies are red...and white!" I love his note: "Happy Holly Days." That actually makes sense. 1 C butter, softened ½ C organic granulated sugar 1½ C organic coconut sugar 2 eggs 1 t peppermint extract 1 t pure vanilla extract 2¾ C white whole wheat flour 1t baking soda 1½ t baking powder 2¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and sugars in a mixing bowl until lightened and fluffy. Add eggs and extracts and beat for another minute or two. Fold in baking soda, baking powder, and flour with a stiff spatu...

In some countries -  including Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Austria - pigs symbolize progress. Some claim it’s because these animals never move backward; others assert it’s all in their feeding habits, that they push their snouts forward along the ground when rooting for food. But the lucky food is not limited to pork. Pig shaped foods count, too.  So, during our New Year's Day picnic at Mount Madonna, I broke out a Peppermint Pig to smash and share with the Novak gals.

It occurred to me, after I had made these, that she intended these to be made with peppermint candies, not peppermint extract. Actually, I didn't realize it at all; Jake clued me in to the red and white swirled chunks in her drawing. Whoops. Hope she likes these anyway. I melted dark chocolate in a double boiler, stirred in some pure peppermint extract, and poured it onto a parchment to harden. Then I cracked the chocolate into rough pieces when it was completed cooled.

The boys were craving something sweet, so I thought I'd whip up a pan of fudge, again, with the black and white theme for "101 Dalmatians."  Dylan wanted to help.  So I let him choose the flavor: peppermint, blood orange, or vanilla.  He opted for peppermint. Ingredients 1-14oz can of condensed milk 3 C dark chocolate chips 1/4 C butter 1/2 t pure peppermint extract white chocolate chips Procedure In a double boiler, over low heat, melt chocolate chips with sweetened condensed milk and butter. Remove from heat; stir in peppermint extract.  Spread evenly into buttered foiled-lined square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm.  Lift fudge out of pan and place onto cutting board; peel off foil and cut into squares. Store covered in refrigerator.