Christmas Cookie Roundup

Every year, my girlfriends and I get together for a Christmas cookie exchange.  Its just a small group, usually about 6 of us are available, so we don't get completely overwhelmed with cookies (is there such a thing?), but we definitely leave with a satisfying cookie platter to share at home!

I usually make 2 different types, and believe me whenI say that I start searching for my cookie recipes weeks in advance! And I usually test them out beforehand too.  What can I say, I may have a bit of a perfectionist complex when it comes to my cookies.  The exchange is in exactly ONE week and I still haven't picked out my cookies this year!  I do have quite a list though that needs narrowing.  How will I ever pick just two of these?

Eggnog cookies from Dessert for Two.  I've been following this blog for a few years, and Christina is an absolute sweetheart and a genius in the kitchen!

Cherry Surprise Crinkles from Better Homes and Gardens.  These seem like the Cherry Garcia of cookies, yum.

Chocolate Chunk Gingersnaps from Real Simple.  I make gingersnaps almost every year, so why not add chocolate??

Peppermint Meltaway Cookies from Stephanie at Silver Boxes.  I've never made anything like these before, but they look awfully good.  These might be a real contender.

Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies from Jessica at The Novice Chef Blog.  Who doesn't love crinkle cookies, and red velvet…yes please!

Crunchy Frostbite Cookies from MyRecipes.com, the look a little bit sweet, a little bit salty, and a little bit minty.

Which of these sound best to you?? Do you have any cookies that you make every Christmas?

Taste of Tuesday: Honey Rhubarb Scones

If you remember a few weeks back, I posted this about having a ton of rhubarb and no clue what to do with it.  I ultimately decided to make the last recipe on that page for the scones.  The original recipe can be found here, so I won't repeat everything, but I did make a few tiny changes.

First of all, the original recipe calls for vanilla yogurt, but I had plain greek yogurt on hand, so I used that instead.  I added a little splash of vanilla to the dough also.  The only other difference between my scones and the recipe is that I used lavender honey, also because its what I had on hand.  If when I make these again, I think I'll add some orange zest to them, that would be tasty!

Exhibit A: Gigantic rhubarb plant:

I used my kitchen-aid mixer to whip up the dough.  It was very easy, just mix together:

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 6 Tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 Tbsp. honey, plus more for drizzling
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

Add the rhubarb (I used 3 large stalks) after simmering it in a saucepan with 2 tbsp of brown sugar.

Form a round disc of dough, cut into 8 scone-shaped pieces (btw, why are scones always shaped like triangles?) and bake at 400 for 15 minutes.  Voila!

Very easy and very tasty.  Especially when eaten straight out of the oven!

Be sure to visit the website for the original post AND check out the other recipes from this week's Taste of Tuesday hosted by Ashley and Jessica.

Rhubarb Crazy

I have a gigantic rhubarb plant growing in my backyard and I have no idea what to do with it!  I pretty much love all fruit (I don't think rhubarb is technically a fruit though) but I have never really experimented much with rhubarb.  I made jam with it once, which was very tasty now that I think of it, but I'd really like to try out some new things.  Thank you pinterest for the following ideas...

Rhubarb Muffins

Rhubarb Raspberry Crisp

Fresh Rhubarb Cocktail

Rhubarb Raspberry Yogurt Pops

Honey Rhubarb Scones

Do you have any favorite ways to use rhubarb??