Paula’s Recipe of the Month: December 2008 Christmas Mice
These are just the cutest little cookies ever! I knew months ago that this would be my December recipe. I’m sure I’ll be making these more than once before Christmas gets here.
Christmas Mice
24 Double Stuffed Oreos
1 C. chocolate chips
2 tsp. shortening
24 maraschino cherries with stems
almond slices
24 chocolate kisses
black, red and green tubes of decorating frosting (optional)
Rinse cherries and allow them to drain. Carefully twist Oreo cookies apart. Set aside the ones with the cream filling on them; save plain halves for another use. In microwave, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Holding cherry by stem, dip in melted chocolate, then press onto the bottom of a chocolate kiss. Place cherry and kiss onto the cream filling of the cookie. Let stem extend over the edge. Make ears for your mouse by placing sliced almonds between the cherry and the kiss (before the chocolate sets). Place in refrigerator until chocolate sets. With green decorative gel, pipe holly leaves on white cream of cookie by the mouse. Pipe holly berries between the leaves with the red gel. Pipe eyes on each chocolate kiss. Store in airtight container at room temperature.
Tips: I used Almond Bark instead of the chocolate chips and eliminated the need for shortening.
Maraschino cherries need to have stems and be well-drained.
Halloween Cake
Our church is having a Fall Festival tomorrow. There will be fun and games for everyone. There will also be a Bake Sale/Cake Auction. I volunteered to make a cake. I just finished it. I’m pleased with how it turned out.
The cake is a rich vanilla & chocolate chip cake with chocolate buttercream icing, surrounded by kit-kats and topped with Halloween m&ms. Yum!!!
UPDATE: MY CAKE SOLD FOR $82.50 TODAY!!! (Not to brag but the next highest selling cake was $35) 
Pumpkin Snack Mix
Tomorrow is Rea’s turn to take snacks to preschool. I wanted something fun, and something that the kids would enjoy eating. I found a recipe for Pumpkin Snack Mix, so that’s what Rea and I made today. It was really easy, and is really good. I’m already having trouble keeping Rea out of it. I really wish I had my Halloween stuff down from the attic, so I could have taken a cuter picture.
I’m blogging the full recipe, but please know that I halved it. Just something to keep in mind. Also, since this was going to school, I omitted the peanuts. It turned out great without them. Plus, I figured I can always throw in some honey-roasted peanuts for us later.
Pumpkin Snack Mix
- 3 quarts popped popcorn
- 4 cups Cheerios
- 4 cups Corn or Rice Chex
- 2 cups salted peanuts
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup butter, cubed
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1 pkg. (16 oz.) candy pumpkins
In large greased roasting pan, combine the popcorn, cereal and peanuts. In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, corn syrup and butter; bring to a rolling boil. Boil for 6 minutes; stirring occassionally. Remove from heat; quickly stir in vanilla and baking soda until mixture is light and foamy.
Immediately pour over popcorn mixture; toss to coat. Bake, uncovered at 250 for 1`hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Stir in candy pumpkins. Cool completely.
Zesty Chicken and Pasta
Yesterday I posted my recipe of the month for Zesty Chicken and Pasta. I couldn’t resist making it tonight for dinner. It’s one of Wynn’s favorites, plus I knew if I made it tonight I could get a photo to go with the recipe.
So, have you made The Chewy yet?
My recipe of month for June was for The Chewy. It’s the best chocolate chip cookie recipe! I posted my recipe for August today, and I got to wondering if anyone has tried The Chewy yet. I’ve got a batch in the oven right now, and thought I would tease you with a little photo. Trust me, you want to try these cookies.
Autumn Fruit Salad
It’s July 4th today, and we’re having some good friends over to grill, celebrate the holiday, and just enjoy each other’s company. I thought it would be the perfect time to make the Autumn Fruit Salad that I posted as July’s recipe of the month. It seems like it’s easy to forget your fruits and veggies when you’re cooking out/grilling.
I just finished making the fruit salad and have it chilling in the frig for this afternoon, but I thought it would be nice to take a photo and blog it. I always like it when you can see a photo to go along with a recipe. I just hope it doesn’t get your mouths watering too much.
cupcake tower
I threw a little party this afternoon for the girls in Rea’s dance class. We had a great turn-out. The party was a huge success. Rea had so much fun! I made “The Chewy” chocolate chip cookies that I posted as June’s Recipe of the Month. One of the dad’s could not stay out of them. It was funny. He kept saying, “ok, just one more.” I also made my cupcakes. They were so good. Maybe one day I’ll share my secret trick for making cake/cupcakes…I said, maybe.
In the meantime, I just had to show off a picture of them. I wish I could share the leftovers with you guys.
Today was also Rea’s first day of swim class, so hop on over to the girls’ blog for photos of that.
