Peanut Butter Blossoms

I have been debating getting a stand mixer for years.  Typically, I borrow my mom's if I have to do a serious bout of baking.  For anything else for which a stand mixer would come in handy, I just make due by some other means (like hand-mashing potatoes, which doesn't happen often).  When a stand mixer showed up on my doorstep a week ago as an early Christmas present from my husband, the first thing I made were these cookies - his favorite.  I used a recipe out of my recipe box from my mom.  I had to smile when I noticed it was the exact recipe from the back of the bag of Hershey Kisses.  (Incidentally, my kids loved to help - I shaped the dough into balls, they rolled the balls in the sugar and put them on the cookie sheet.)

INGREDIENTS:

• 48 Hershey Kisses
• 1/2 c shortening
• 3/4 c peanut butter
• 1/3 c sugar
• 1/3 c packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 c flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in a large bowl until blended. 
3. Add 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar; beat until fluffy.
4. Add egg, milk, and vanilla; beat well.
5. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.
6. Shape dough into 1 inch balls.  Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.
7. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.  
8. Immediately press a chocolate piece into center of each cookie.  Cookie will crack around edges.  Cool on wire rack.  Makes 4 dozen cookies.

Difficulty: I think these are relatively easy as far as cookies go, but I have made easier
Time: 10 minutes prep; 8-10 minutes baking per batch
Source: my mom (or the back of the bag of Hershey Kisses)

Kelly's Menu Plan 12/3 thru 12/9

The Christmas season is full of activities for my family-trips to outdoor ice skating rinks, cookie parties, gingerbread house making, parties.  This weekend we were stuck at home; everyone had the flu.  I used some of my extra downtime working on a menu.  I am hoping doing some meal planning will keep me out of the crowded grocery stores while letting me spend the rest of this special time with my kids.

Monday-Sausage, Spinach, and Tomato Pasta

I bought spinach on sale earlier this week, and we have some frozen sausage. This recipe is one of my husband's favorites.

Tuesday-Turkey Day Casserole

John asked that I would add this dish to the rotation, and Andrew, my 16 month old son, loves it.  I took advantage of all the sale prices on canned cranberries and stuffing.  The coupon on the Country Crock side dishes will be useful to pick up the mashed potatoes.

Wednesday-Leftovers

When I get home from work, John will be handing me 2 dance bags, two ready dancers, and a bag of dinner for us.  

Thursday-Zesty Chicken Pasta

We haven't had this dish in a few months.  The kids don't like it so spicy, so I'll reserve some pasta for them.

Friday-Pizza

Lately, I've been having my husband stop at Aldi to pick up their take-and-bake pizza on his way home.

Saturday-Pulled Barbecue Chicken Crescents 

I've been seeing lots of holiday coupons for crescent rolls lately, time to stock up.  I'll use the rest of the chicken I defrosted for Thursday's dinner to make this.  

Sunday-Snickers Cookies and Apple Crescent Surprise

We'll be having dinner with my family so I will need to bring a dessert, the apple crescents. We are working on our Christmas cookies. I did have to break down and buy the snickers this year; we didn't have a lot of leftover Halloween candy, and I wasn't fast enough to collect the snickers bars and hide them.