Pear Sparklers

Holidays are for celebration.

What better way to celebrate that with a refreshing sparkling drink!

This drink is non-alcoholic so the whole family can enjoy.  We've also made an alcoholic version with Citrus Vodka which was delishhh!  I think rum would be a great addition as well. (I'm partial to rum drinks!)

This is very quick and easy to put together.  You can have a whole tray of drinks ready in a flash when guests arrive.  What a great way to greet people don't you think?  It makes them feel wanted and it is a very hospitable way to welcome someone into your home!

Enjoy!



Pear Sparklers

Serves 8 to 10
Ice cubes as needed
1 1/2 to 2 cups bottled pear juice (such as Kern's)
4 to 5 cups sparkling water, chilled

Place ice cubes in tall glasses. Add about 3 Tbs. pear juice to each glass and then pour in about 1/2 cup sparkling water. 

"The Fudge"

How about a classic Holiday candy?

Who doesn't love fudge?

Mom has made fudge every year at Christmas time ever since I can remember.  I and try to make it every year as well.  Sometimes I'm so bogged down with shopping and getting everything ready for the holiday that I don't have time.  It's those years that I miss having fudge around.

So this year I made sure to have it on my list of holiday goodies to make.  I've been bringing you several of the goodies so far, and today is all about "The Fudge".   This is what MGG calls it...not just fudge, but "THE Fudge"!

Well this fudge has been around forever.  My mom made it and now I use the same recipe, which by the way, comes out perfect time and again.  It's the Fantasy Fudge recipe on the back of the marshmallow creme jar!  I'm sure you've heard of it....if not, then you MUST try this now!

Simple to do, just follow the directions, and don't skip of the boiling part. It is required to boil until reaching 234 degrees in order for the fudge to set up correctly. (Trust me it won't set up if you don't do this step!)  The rest is easy peasy!  I make mine plain chocolate.  No nuts, no nothing.  But you can add them if you want.

Enjoy my favorite fudge!

"The Fudge"

by Kraft (from the back of the marshmallow creme jar)

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine
1 small can (5 oz.) evaporated milk (about 2/3 cup) (Do not use sweetened condensed milk.)
3 pkg. (4 oz. each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped
1 jar (7 oz.) JET-PUFFED Marshmallow Creme
1 tsp. vanilla

Line a 9x11" pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. 

Bring sugar, butter and evaporated milk to full rolling boil in 3-qt. saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Cook 4 min. or until candy thermometer reaches 234°F, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Add chocolate and marshmallow creme; stir until melted. Add vanilla; mix well.

Pour into prepared pan; spread to cover bottom of pan. Cool completely. Use foil handles to lift fudge from pan before cutting into squares.

Holiday Baking: Apple Cider Quick Bread

 

Hi there!  Yesterday I talked about my holiday baking marathon this past weekend making a gazillion goodies...

Seriously!

So today I took some to share with my co-worker.  Giving them a little bit of each variety. 

By far the Apple Cider Quick Bread was the hit of the day.  Woohoo!

I love this quick bread.  It is moist and tender, but full of fall flavors.  If you know me, then you know that I have a passion for apples.  Anything apples.  Each year I look for new apples in the grocery store and farmers markets to try.  This year I found an apple called Opal.  Oh My!  Bright yellow, and full of wonderful sweet flavor.  My new fav.

Quick breads are everywhere this time of years.  So coming up with this flavor combination was a no brainer for me.  I just put together some of my favorite spices, added a great apple, (I used a Fuji apple) and some healthy (wheat flour, yogurt etc!) stuff too and a great quick bread was born.

Oh YUM!  You have to try this.  Nothing better with tea or coffee than a nice piece of Apple Cider Quick Bread, steaming hot.  Or, try this...toast it in the morning and smear on some whipped cream cheese.  

I love it, they loved it, you'll love it too!




Apple Cider Quick Bread

Makes 1 loaf

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 egg white
1/2 cup apple cider
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup shredded peeled tart apple
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine ingredients flour through nutmeg. In a small bowl, combine the eggs, egg white, cider, yogurt, oil and vanilla. Stir egg mixture into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in the apple.

Pour in to a 9” x 5” loaf pan sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.