#also this is just the base recipe you can add crushed up candy canes for peppermint hot chocolate

[beartoothbarry]

World's best hot chocolate in my powerwolf chalice. You take a bunch of little pieces of chocolate (i do 50% milk 50% dark) and melt them in a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water, then slowly add milk or cream a little at a time (whole milk at minimum, no watered down hot chocolate!!!) and mix it in until it gets to the consistency you want. You can also add a tiny amount of cayenne pepper, vanilla extract, and salt to make it taste warmer and enhance the flavor. And I always get the good stuff when it comes to the chocolate, no hersheys or chocolate chips trust me it makes a difference

And then I put a fuck ton of Irish cream in it :)

[giulyshipsarelife]

Santa's Official Helper

Day 3 of the Hayffismas Week : Au or Semi-Au based on a Christmas book/Movie/Song etc

Summary: This is a Modern AU based on a scene that I had Seen on TV.

You can also find it on [AO3]

__________________________________________________

Peeta Mellark stood in The Twelve’s library, staring at the empty red velvet chair in the town’s small scale version of a Christmas Village, looking for all the world like he was about to burst into tears. His uncle, Haymitch Abernathy stood behind him, looking like he had no idea what to do if his nephew were to burst into tears.

“It’s - it’s alright, Peeta,” he said, giving the boy’s shoulder a squeeze. “You can leave school a little early tomorrow, and we’ll drive down to Portland and go to the mall there.”

Peeta looked up at him uncertain, his lower lip pushed out in a rather endearing pout. “But tomorrow is the holiday party at school. You said you’d help me make cookies tonight.”

“Right…” Haymitch frowned. He’d known that, but things had been a bit busy the last couple of days with it being so close to Christmas and the end of the year. It was the first Christmas he celebrated since he was sixteen and it was because of his nephew. The child's family had died in a fire and he was the only superstite. They have been living together for almost a year.

He had always hated Chistmas, even when he was a child. But here he was, in a place where his nephew should have meet Santa Claus, even if he was nowhere.

Haymitch was certain though, that he had read the times for the Christmas Village in the paper correctly. “Santa” would be there from ten to seven, and it was just now five o’clock.

But there was no Santa, just an empty chair.

“Oh!” came a voice from the back of the library. “I’m sorry! I didn’t realize anyone came in.”

The man’s face lit up as Effie Trinket came around the shelves. “Trinket,” he started, then he stopped and his mouth dropped open when he saw what she was wearing.

The green skirt was a bit shorter than her usual wardrobe, and it puffed out around her legs from the crinoline that was beneath it. Her top was a simple green button down with some red and white embellishments, but what really made her ensemble were the candy cane striped stockings and the sparkly red heels. She was the most adorable Santa’s elf he’d ever seen, and he was quite possibly even more smitten with her. And that was saying something given that he’d been besotted with her from the first day they met and had been harboring a growing crush every day since.

"Finally, you have learned my name. But you should add 'Miss' before my surname." She said amused.

“Uh, I’m - I mean we were -” He snapped his mouth shut and pressed his lips together, struggling for words as a slow smile spread over her face.

“Where’s Santa?” the child asked.

Effie’s face fell. “I’m so sorry, dear. He had to, uh, go - back to his workshop.”

Peeta shuffled his feet and pushed his hands down in his coat pockets. “Oh. Why?”

She knelt down in front of him and gave him a small smile. “Well, there was a problem with some of the toys and he had to make sure it was all fixed in time for Christmas.”

Her eyes darted up to Haymitch’s face, and her smile broadening when she met his stormy grey eyes. “It was very last minute, I’m very sorry. I meant to put up a sign, but I got distracted reshelving some books.”

Haymitch shook his head. “That’s quite alright, Sweetheart.”

The woman glared at him, probably because of his lack of manners.

When he had met her the first time he had noticed that she loved to behave like a proper lady. And he had found entertaining to annoy her, so he used pet names like Sweetheart or Princess.

"He is a very busy man." She added.

The Santa duties were usually covered by a combination of Mr. Heavensbee from the drugstore and Mr. Odair who taught biology at the high school. Something must have happened to one or both of them for there to be no one to cover.

“Will he be back tomorrow?” Peeta asked.

Effie bit her lip and shot another look at Haymitch. “I’m sorry, but Santa’s schedule is so busy he won’t be able to come back tomorrow.”

The child looked almost distraught. “But Mitchy - how - how will I tell Santa what I need for Christmas?”

The man braced himself for a difficult evening of dealing with an extremely disappointed six year old. “Well, uh, we - we can go this weekend...” No, there was the Everthorne’s party this weekend in the woods. “Or, um…”

“Hey, darling,” Effie said, her voice just above a whisper so that Haymitch could hear what she was saying.

He flash her a smile when she glanced up at him, grateful that she’d sensed his distress.

Peeta immediate turned his attention to her, and she leaned in with a sly smile. “You know, I’m Santa’s Official Helper in Twelve. If you tell me what you want for Christmas, I can tell Santa.”

Peeta titled his head to the side. “How?”

“I’ll text him.” the woman grinned. She didn’t care if it made sense or not, if it made the child happy and save his uncle some grief, it was worth it.

The boy’s eyes went wide. “You have Santa’s phone number?!”

Even though it was harmless white lie told for the benefit of a child, she still felt quite important.“All Santa’s helpers do.”

“Wow…” His voice was hushed and he looked up at Effie in awe. Then he pulled a face. “Do I have to sit on your lap?”

It was all she could do not to laugh, and when she looked at his uncle again, she could see he was having the same problem. “Not if you don’t want to, darling. All you have to do is whisper to me.” She turned her head to the side, her eyes on Haymitch’s as his nephew leaned in to whisper his most wanted presents in her ear. The way he was staring at her made her heart skip, and she had to ask Peeta to repeat his last item to make sure she got it all correct.

“You promise you’ll tell Santa?”

Effie smiled and straightened, brushing her hands down the front of her outfit. “I’ll do it right now.”

She walked over to the main desk and picked up her phone, opening a new text message and typing out what the boy had just told her. To make it look more real, she entered SANTA at the top in the recipient list. Of course there was no such contact in her phone, but the child didn’t need to know that.

“See?” she said, bending down to show him the phone.

Peeta eyed the screen and a wide grin spread over his face, much to his uncle relief. She had turned away to show his nephew the message she was pretending to send to Santa, but he could read the screen quite clearly over her shoulder. Luckily, he knew his nephew would have asked for a recipes book and for a small building kitchen that children usually used to faking cook. He had only to go out, bought them and then wrapped and hid on the top shelf in his walk-in closet. He thought he must be beaming from ear to ear. Effie Trinket was an absolute treasure.

“Thank you, Miss Effie!” Peeta exclaimed, throwing his arms around Effie’s neck.

She laughed and hugged him back. “You are so welcome. I’m glad I could help. And I see that you are a gentleman, fortunately you aren't like your uncle.”

Her eyes found Haymitch’s again as she said his name. She had turned around and her eyes were sparkling.

Haymitch scoffed but he didn't say anything.

An idea popped into her head. “Sweetheart, Why don’t you go grab some candy out of the bowl? I think there’s some peanut butter cups left...”

Peeta gave a cheer and ran across the room to the refreshment table to dig through the candy bowl.

“Speaking of phone numbers...” she said as she turned to the man and held out her phone.

The message to “Santa” was still open on the screen, the cursor blinking next to it. It took him a moment, but he finally reached out and took it from her, and entered his personal number.

He wasn't sure he'd had done the right thing. Giving her his phone number. He found her annoying and crazy. Who cared that she was one of the sexiest teacher he had ever known? Who cared that he loved her smile and how she behaved with children? Who cared that she had a masterpiece as an ass? Certainly not him... Well, he might had a crush on her but it was only that.

He handed the phone back, while thinking at all of those thing. A few seconds later, his cell beeped in his pocket. Effie waited as he pulled it out to see a message from her number. Up popped the list of Peeta’s gifts.

He grinned. “Very clever, Princess.”

Effie’s head dipped and she smiled. “Why, thank you.”

"No, really you have just saved me, Princess." He added.

She gave him a soft smile and then she spoke again. "So now the princess had just saved her prince?" She asked with a strange glint in her eyes.

Her words left him unprepared and he found himself without a quick remark.

He touched nervously his hair. "I'm not... We are not.. well not that I don't find you hot.. but you are my nephew's teacher.." He bubbled.

She started to laugh at his attempt to say something comprehensive. "It was just a joke, you have to relax," she brushed her hand with his. "Prince" she added with an amusing smile on her lips.

He shook his head while Peeta hurried back to his side, the pockets of his coat stuffed with candy. Haymitch rolled his eyes.

"Umh, we need to head home and - bake - a batch of cookies for tomorrow.”

She gave Haymitch a sympathetic look. “Goodnight, Mr. Abernathy. And goodnight, Peeta!”

“Night, Miss Belle!” The boy hollered back, already halfway out the door.

“Goodnight, and thank you.” He sighed and inclined his head, not looking forward to spending the night in the kitchen, covered in flour.

“If you need help,” Effie called out, and Haymitch stopped with the door open. She help up her phone and wiggled it back and forth. “You know how to reach me.”

She winked at him, and his eyebrows lifted. “Indeed I do, Sweetheart.”

*

Effie was standing in her small kitchen, toying with the string of a tea bag while it seeped, when her phone buzzed. She picked up and tapped the screen.

I'm bored, sweetheart. You know how to help me? Haymitch.

She smiled fondly at his inappropriate message.

[kiddiemom-blog]

Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipe

Spiked Hot Chocolate is a joyful mixed drink perfect for the holidays, and you can quickly whip up a fast batch for this year's holiday celebration, and even make single servings for unwinding at home by the Christmas tree. If you're not quite sure just how much or what kind of alcohol you 'd like to dress up your hot cocoa with this season, you've concerned the best location!

This is a homemade hot chocolate dish produced increasing, and you can make it deal with practically any combination of alcohol. Not sure which combo to use? See the list of boozey products below, all of which pair perfectly with chocolate. If you're not prepared to put on your mixologist britches just yet, take comfort in knowing you've got 3 stellar, ready-made alcoholic hot chocolate mixes to choose from: vanilla vodka and Kahlua, Baileys and Kahlua, or make it simple with whipped cream vodka!

HOW TO FACILITATE SPIKED HOT CHOCOLATE

To make spiked hot chocolate, you would begin in a pot on the stovetop with your cocoa powder mix and a bit of water over medium heat. Once the cocoa mix has liquefied, the dairy goes in. After the hot chocolate has actually heated through, it's gotten rid of from the heat, add the vanilla extract (and peppermint extract, if utilizing) along with the alcohol.

FAST RECIPE RECAP

Mix cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and water in a pot on the stovetop over heat.

Add the dairy and bring to temperature.

Eliminate from heat and vanilla (or peppermint) extract and alcohol.

FEEL THE BURN (OR ACTUALLY, DON'T)

The trick to an excellent cocoa powder-based spiked hot chocolate is (hate to state it) fat. Heat tends to intensify the burn of alcohol on your scheme. The fats from the dairy will help to counterbalance the burn. Using cream and entire milk, instead of let's state a mix of half-and-half and 2% milk, will assist to cut that overpowering, unpleasant burn from the alcohol, and produce a smooth and satisfying spiked hot chocolate.

If you're in a pinch and you don't have the cream, you can still use this dish with whatever dairy you have on hand. I would recommend adding the alcohol in smaller increments to taste, rather than all at once if making a huge batch.

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE SPIKED HOT CHOCOLATE

You can get actually creative when it pertains to surged hot chocolate, and if you want to go out on a limb, do a little exploring and create your own spiked hot cocoa recipe, below you'll discover a few various boozey choices to choose from!

As a base for your mixed drink dish, for each 5 ounces of dairy, you'll use 1 ounce of liqueur and 1/2 an ounce of alcohol.

TERRIFIC ALCOHOL OPTIONS FOR ALCOHOLIC HOT CHOCOLATE:

Vodka

Vanilla Vodka

Whipped Cream Vodka

Bailey's Irish Cream-- a whiskey-based, cream liqueur with moderate chocolate flavor

Godiva Chocolate Liqueur-- cocoa flavored liqueur

Frangelico-- hazelnut flavored liqueur

Kahlua Coffee Liqueur-- rum-based, coffee seasoned liqueur

Customer XO Coffee shop-- tequila-based, coffee-flavored liqueur

Rumchata-- rum-based, creamy, cinnamon-flavored liqueur

FOR HOT CHOCOLATE WITH BAILEYS AND KAHLUA

Single Serving: Hot chocolate with Kalua and Baileys is also a popular combination. For this mixed drink, you'll include 1 ounce of Kahlua and 1 ounce of Baileys per serving of hot chocolate. A standard hot chocolate serving is anywhere from 5-8 ounces, which is simply under or right at 1 cup of liquid.

Huge Batch: For a big batch, follow the hot chocolate dish located in the dish card, leaving out the vodka and Kahlua quantity it calls for. Instead, add a 1/2 of a cup each Kahlua and Baileys.

FOR HOT CHOCOLATE WITH WHIPPED CREAM VODKA

Single Serving: To make an alcoholic hot chocolate with whipped cream vodka, add 1 1/2 ounce of whipped cream vodka per serving of hot cocoa.

Huge Batch: For a big batch, follow the hot chocolate dish located in the recipe card, leaving out the vodka and Kahlua it calls for. Rather, include 1 cup of whipped cream vodka.

How to Make Spiked Hot Chocolate from Leftover Peppermint Bark

We make a couple of batches of my Williams-Sonoma copycat Peppermint Barkat the start of every Christmas season. The huge shards are usually gobbled up fairly quickly, however inevitably we'll be left with a couple of scraps come the end of the vacations, and the remaining bark goes in a container for a very special occasion. We host a meal Christmas party every year, and we constantly supply our signature roasted beef tenderloin canapés and, obviously, increased peppermint hot chocolate.

If you want to make alcoholic hot chocolate with your remaining peppermint bark, here is a basic technique for doing so. I make certain everybody's leftover quantities will vary, so here is more of a method instead of a recipe for putting that peppermint bark to great usage.

1. INTEGRATE PEPPERMINT BARK AND CREAM

Include your leftover bark to a large pot, and put over simply enough cream to cover the bark. Over low heat, and allow it to melt together.

2. INCLUDE MILK AND VANILLA EXTRACT

Add whole milk, cup-by-cup, until it tastes like hot chocolate! At the end, splash in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract for an additional unique touch. Keep track of how much liquid you include, as this will impact just how much alcohol enters into the cocktail.

3. ADD ALCOHOL

Once the chocolate to milk ratio is right, add the alcohol. For every 5 ounces of dairy, you will include 1 ounce of coffee liqueur and a 1/2 ounce of vanilla vodka. If you can discover a mocha coffee liqueur, consider it a double reward! It works perfectly for this mixed drink. Then, transfer it into a hot drink dispenser or a crockpot on warm and serve!

Complete your spiked hot chocolate with an extremely significant serving of whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed peppermint candy, or perhaps even a candy walking cane for an additional special touch. Whichever method you select to make or serve it, you can rely on warm smiles and spirits to be raised! Please, delight in.

Spiked Hot Chocolate

Perfect, spiked hot chocolate including a simple, homemade hot chocolate recipe with vanilla vodka, and Kahlua.

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/2 cup water

2 1/2 cups whole milk

1 1/4 cup whipping cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract (optional)

5 ounces (about 2/3 cup) Original Kahlua or Mocha Kahlua

2 1/2 ounces (about 1/3 cup) premium vanilla vodka

whipped cream (optional)

crushed peppermint candy (optional)

In a medium-sized pan over medium heat, integrate sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and water and whisk to integrate.

Enable mix to come to a fast simmer, and put in milk and cream. Stir often until heated up through. Remove from the heat.

Add the vanilla and peppermint extract (if utilizing), Kahlua and vanilla vodka, and stir once again.

Ladle into a mug, top with whipped cream and crushed peppermint (if wanted). Serve and delight in.

If you can discover Peppermint-Mocha Kahlua, this can be used and the peppermint extract within this dish can be omitted.

" none" data-count=" 0" data-float-color=" #ffffff" > Pin Share Share The post Spiked Hot Chocolate Dish appeared initially on

The Anthony Kitchen.

[delightfullychilled]

10 Great Christmas Party Cocktails

We all love to throw Christmas celebrations. The notion of having a home full of family and friends is among the best feelings in the world. In order to be sure that you enjoy the party atmosphere as far as you can, you want to have the correct drinks available in the party. This article compiles the best ten greatest Christmas celebration cocktails you could ever create.

1. Angel's Delight: Angel's pleasure is a gorgeous pink, creamy drink that is absolutely delicious. In addition, it can be used as a light dessert if you'd like to give your visitors an alcoholic indulgence.

If you are looking for this kind of article have a look here too for the same - Beer delivery Toronto

2. Candy Cane: The candy cane cocktail is a mixture of tastes and colors. It's a delicate mixture of chocolate, berry, and mint. When the actual cocktail is created you also add in peppermint candy that's been finely crushed. This gives the cocktail a much sweeter taste.

3. Christmas Jones: This cocktail is marginally more hard than another alternative. It's a very fruity taste with a mix of pineapple, strawberries and quite a major splash of vodka. Once the following was mixed together you can add a wonderful splash of lime pop. Garnish with mint.

4. Eggnog: A Christmas celebration is not a Christmas party with no conventional cocktail that's been loved for decades. There are loads of variations of eggnog and you just need to get the ideal cocktail combination for you and your guests.

5. English Christmas Punch: The reason why that this cocktail has a punch in it's that it instantly warms up you - rather a kicker for your cold holiday season. It's a hefty choice of red wine and rum. Basically: yum in a punch bottle.

6. Grinch: The Grinch is based on the famed Dr. Seuss novels. You utilize a melon-based liqueur and it's absolutely yummy to liven up your Christmas day. Garnish it with red decorations to complete the character of this drink.

7. Holiday Hopper: This cocktail has an unusual mixture of tastes. It unites mint, melon, and chocolate to make a delectable taste which will surely delight. It also can combine with your decorations as it's beautiful light green - the same as a Christmas tree.

8. Merry Christmas: Gin and cranberries make this cocktail the ultimate Christmas drink. Simple with all the ingredients but an intense flavor that's very light on the stomach as well as the palette. You can even find"mocktail" recipes if you want to earn a non-alcoholic alternative.

9. La Vie En Rouge: Celebrate the celebration with this crimson drink. Orange spirits, rosemary and cranberry juice gives it a very unusual texture and flavor. Serve it at the dinner celebration to present your guests something yummy to enjoy their meal with.

10. Zen Fantasy: You use a combination of fruits and green tea liqueur. It's a very soothing cocktail that will calm even the most troubled mind. Ensure that you decide on a few cocktails to make sure your Christmas celebration is as eventful as possible. These drinks will favorably make your guests get into the Christmas cheer.

[yumyummunchies-blog]

60 Christmas Themed Food Ideas for Office Meal Celebrations!-- Forkly

Looking for Christmas-themed food ideas for the annual office potluck party? There are countless holiday-themed recipes available online but many of them are time-consuming, difficult and expensive. That’s where we come in. We’ve scoured the web for the very best Christmas party food ideas that can be whipped up in a matter of minutes and won’t break the bank! Amaze your co-workers this holiday season with one of the super easy (but still delicious and unique) party food ideas below.

1. Green and Red Pasta Salad

Pasta salad is the best idea for a potluck. Not only does everyone love it, but its also incredibly easy to make and doesn’t require any effort once you get to the office. Simply put it in a large container in the fridge and pull it out when you’re ready. It’s that easy!

2. Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Chocolate covered pretzels will be a sure hit with your co-workers. Buy some pretzel sticks and mini pretzels at the grocery store – along with some chocolate and sprinkles and you’re good to go. Melt the chocolate in a matter of seconds, dip the pretzels in the chocolate, then the sprinkles and you have a wonderfully delicious holiday treat.

3. Christmas Veggie Kabobs

This healthy and tasty appetizer requires about 5 minutes and 10 dollars. All you need is a couple of green peppers, Greek yogurt dip, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, and some skewers. Cut up the vegetables and cheese and alternate each along the stick, as shown in the photo. A holiday-inspired appetizer that everyone will love.

4. Christmas Goat Cheese Toast Bites

These little appetizers look so fancy and delectable that everyone will think they took hours to make. Luckily, they take just minutes. All you have to do is buy a pack of melba toast crackers (garlic ones work really well), a brick of goat cheese, sundried tomatoes and balsamic reduction. Place the toasts on a sheet. Once all of the toasts are done, you can either serve them as-is or, if your office has a toaster oven you can throw them in for a few minutes to warm them up.

5. Turkey Veggie Tray

This is the item that everyone will be copying for years to come. Why? Because vegetables are a must-have at any potluck or get-together and this one is very festive and incredibly easy. Place the vegetables on the tray as you see them laid out in the photo. If you happen to find a festive little bowl, put the dip in that – it’ll add an extra touch of Christmas to this fantastic turkey veggie tray.

6. Cheese and Grape Christmas Tree Tray

Another easy snack that everyone will love. Who doesn’t like cheese and grapes? Simply purchase a variety of cheeses and a bundle of green grapes and place them on a board in the shape of a Christmas tree. Use a stick of celery as the base of the tree and decorate throughout with a few leaves for garnish. This delicious and festive appetizer takes about 10 minutes to create – start to finish. It doesn’t get any better than that!

7. Mini Christmas Pita Pizzas

These are really easy – and equally delicious – but will probably only work if your office has some type of toaster oven (or possibly microwave if you’re really desperate). If your office has a toaster oven, these are so easy to make and your co-workers will appreciate the festive, deliciousness they bring to the party. You can dress them up with whatever vegetables you like – red and green are obviously the best.

8. Christmas Nacho Cups

These festive little nacho cups are an easy and great way to contribute to your holiday potluck party. Simply add guacamole, cheese and cherry tomatoes with cilantro. They’re perfectly bite-sized and delicious. If you want to spice things up a little, you can add a small piece of jalapeno pepper to each cup as well.

9. Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad

Bringing a salad to a potluck is a fantastic way to ensure your friends and family get some greens in their bodies to even out all those heavy pasta dishes that are sure to show up! If you have spinach, sliced almonds, dried cranberries and sesame seeds on hand, this salad will be easy for you to throw together in minutes.

10. Cranberry and White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes

These sweet little cups of goodness will be the belle of the potluck ball when dessert time comes around! The best part about this is that you make one mixture and simply divide it up into mini mason jars. Top with sugared berries and a sprig of rosemary and you have a snow-covered treat ready to be enjoyed by all.

11. Cranberry Walnut Holiday Cheese Log

A cheese log is a hit no matter what potluck you go to, and now you can color coordinate it to match the Christmas holiday season. With the help of cream cheese, cheese and walnuts, you can emulate nature’s winter colors while using dried cranberries and green onion to add the festive pop of color.

12.  Pomegranate and Cranberry Bruschetta

Bruschetta is often a savory dish that you can enjoy before a big meal. This time, while the purpose of bruschetta is the same, now it is a sweet and savory dish! With the natural sweetness of the pomegranate and the tart cranberry finish, your guests won’t know if they’re eating an appetizer or dessert, but no matter what they think it is, they will love it!

13. Cranberry Feta Pinwheels

Pinwheels are a crowd favorite any day of the week. They’re savory, filling and often packed with some of our favorite foods such as cheese and meat! This Christmas create delicious pinwheels that look like the holiday season. Much like the other recipes, dried cranberries come to the rescue to make these pinwheels, Christmas wheels!

14. Cream Cheese and Parmesan Asparagus

Get your side dish and croissant all in one! This side dish not only looks creative but tastes absolutely amazing! The green and white are perfect for Christmas. All you will need is pastry dough, asparagus, cream cheese, parmesan cheese and an egg. It’s so simple yet absolutely gourmet.

15. Vegan Blinis with Red Pepper Relish

These little crostinis are the perfect alternative for those who are eating a vegan diet but still want to be included in the holiday festivities. With bright red pepper relish, you’ll find yourself humming Christmas carols as you arrange them on your favorite holiday tray.

16. Simple And Easy Chocolate Pretzel Christmas Tree Brownies

Potlucks are fun but with limited time in the weeknights, you need something easy. This recipe screams easy and you’ll have a delicious dessert to contribute in no time. You’ll need store-bought two-bite brownies and just a few other ingredients. Follow our tutorial and recipe and you’ll discover just how easy this is!

17. White Christmas Tree Dessert Toppers

This is essentially the same idea as the green trees but we’re sharing it to show you what else you can do with those incredibly easy chocolate trees. Swap green chocolate wafers for white and add candied silver balls for an elegant decoration. You can use these white Christmas tree toppers to transform an ordinary cake into a Christmasy one. You could also consider adding them to cupcakes or any other dessert, let your creativity run wild!

18. Cheese Christmas Cracker Snack

Whip up a platter of crackers and cheese and add a dash of creativity for your Christmas potluck. This idea is so easy you’ll only need 3 store-bought ingredients. If you don’t have a set of Christmas cookie cutter’s we’ve included a link so you can get your own. Here you’ll use the cookie cutters for the cheese but you’ll find yourself using these all season long whether it be baking cookies or cutting other soft food into fun shapes for the whole family.

Christmas Cookie Cutters 👉 Buy it: https://amzn.to/2NXU0EQ

20. Cozy Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Every potluck needs a fun beverage. Keep the festive theme going strong and contribute a slow cooker that is filled to the brim of delicious peppermint hot cocoa. This recipe only requires a few ingredients and then you’ll let the slow cooker do all the work. Bring your slow cooker to the potluck along with fun party cups and some delicious toppings such as whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

21. Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer Brownies

If you’re considering whipping up a batch of brownies for your potluck why not add a few additional steps to create festive Brownies for Christmas. These reindeer brownies are so easy to make and look adorable too. Those you share them with will certainly appreciate them and the best part is they didn’t require much work.

22. Christmas Lights Chocolate Bark

Chocolate Bark is one of the easiest treats to make in large batches which is why it’s great for potlucks. It’s also something you can customize to suit almost any theme! For Christmas, we’ve created a fun Christmas light chocolate bark that you’ll have fun creating and eating! You’ll only need 4 ingredients and a microwave to create this exciting treat.

23. Rice Krispie Cone Christmas Trees

Rice Krispie treats are enjoyed by both children and adults alike. Just like chocolate bark, you can get creative and make them suit any theme. For your Christmas potluck, you need to try these Rice Krispie cone Christmas trees. Instead of marshmallows chocolate will bind the Rice Krispies together and a parchment paper cone will mold the shape.

24. Reindeer Oreo Balls

These oreo balls are sort of like a chocolate truffle but require minimal effort. These reindeer balls are filled with crushed Oreos and cream cheese. Then they’re dipped in chocolate and decorated with candy eyes, pretzels, and Sixlets candies.

25. Christmas Cornflake Wreaths

Like Rice Krispies, Cornflakes can make an excellent ingredient for treats. You’ll combine Cornflakes with melted marshmallows and butter to form the wreath shapes. Green food color provides the vibrant color and red cinnamon candies are added for the finishing touches! These are so easy you can let your kids help you prepare them.

26. Easy Cheese Puff Pastry Christmas Trees

These cheesy puff pastry Christmas trees would be perfect for your Christmas potluck. They’re so easy to make and only require 3 simple ingredients. Serve up a platter of flaky irresistible pastry trees for an unforgettable treat.

Every Christmas season I have to watch the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. So why not put on the film and get making your own grinch popcorn. The red and green color is perfect for your Christmas potluck and everyone will gobble it up in no time.

28. Boozy Christmas Cherry Bombs

Change things up and bring a boozy Christmas snack to your next potluck! Just make sure those of age are indulging in this treat. Boozy cherries are made from red maraschino cherries that are soaked in a vanilla flavored vodka. They’ll soak for up to 24 hours but make sure to save the vodka to mix into your favorite cocktail later. To add a Christmasy touch dip the cherries in a melted candy coating and decorate with festive sprinkles.

29. Christmas White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cookies are always a crowd-pleasure so whip up a batch and bring them to your potluck. These chocolate chip cookies get a few upgrades to make them perfectly festive for the party. Firstly, you’ll trade milk chocolate chips for white chocolate. Then, you’ll add a few drops of red and green gel food coloring.

30. Gingerbread Cheesecake Dip

Are you considering a dip to bring to your Christmas potluck but want to contribute one that has festive traits? Look no further and bring this gingerbread cheesecake dip. You’ll trade savory flavors for sweet with a hint of traditional flavors of the Christmas holidays. Along with cream cheese, this dip contains flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Serve with graham crackers or your favorite wafer cookie.

31. Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks

Getting creative with your food can still be easy and this recipe proves how. Transform store-bought thin crust pizza crust into a delicious pull apart breadstick appetizer. The breadsticks are filled with a tasty spinach dip. Follow the recipe and directions and you’ll have this edible Christmas tree made swiftly.

Puppy chow, or in this case, reindeer chow is a popular snack item. It’s sweet and super addictive and would be a great treat to contribute to a potluck. This reindeer chow is made up of holiday M&M’s, peanut butter cups, pretzels, and homemade muddy buddies. The red and green M&M’s added the perfect holiday colors to this snack.

33. No-Bake Baileys Bonbons

If you didn’t love the boozy cherries you’ll probably like these no-bake Baileys bonbons. They’re so easy to make and only require 4 ingredients. These bonbons are chocolatey, creamy, and definitely rich in flavor. Once complete, you can decorate them with festive red and green sprinkles.

34. Candy Cane Fudge

Another crowd pleaser, especially around the holidays would have to be fudge. This fudge recipe is simple yet remains stunning and full of flavor. You’ll only need 3 ingredients, white chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and crushed candy cane powder. They only take minutes to make and then will need to harden in the fridge overnight.

35. Triple Layer Vintage Christmas Jell-O

This triple layer vintage Christmas Jell-O will give you a blast from the past and you’ll be glad you brought it to your Christmas potluck. Lime jello makes up the bottom layer while the middle is made up of lemon jello and fluffy marshmallows. The top layer is a classic cherry but together they create an unforgettable bite.

36. Candy Cane Cookies

Not only do these cookies take on the shape and colors of a traditional candy cane but they are flavored with peppermint too. They’re easy to make and would make an excellent contribution to your holiday potluck. You’ll need just a few ingredients to make these cookies. Follow the recipe and directions to whip these candy cane cookies into shape.

37. Festive Fruit Platter

Potlucks are often thriving in sugar treats so why not share a delicious fruit platter instead! This example may be small scale but it shows how you can make a simple fruit platter festive by creatively arranging the food. You can create the layers of the Christmas tree with any fruit you like. Once your coworkers see your fruit platter they’ll devour it in no time.

38. Caprese Salad Skewers

This idea may not be exactly Christmas themed per se, however, the colors are perfectly festive for the holiday! Share a platter of these kabobs and your coworkers will go crazy for them. These skewers take the ingredients of Caprese salad and transform them into convenient finger foods that you can share. To create the skewers layer cherry tomatoes with basil, and mozzarella balls. To garnish, drizzle a savory balsamic glaze.

39. Santa Hat Brownies

Who doesn’t love an ooey-gooey fudgy brownie? Share a plate of these Santa hat brownies at your office potluck and you’ll watch them disappear in minutes! This is a simple brownie recipe that requires minimal ingredients. To create the Santa hats use a strawberries and whipped cream!

40. Gumdrop Nougat Candy

This 4-ingredient treat is stunning in color and delicious in flavor. All you’ll need to create this gumdrop nougat is butter, white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and red and green gumdrops. This treat will only take you 15 minutes to make and can be stored in the fridge until you’re ready to share at work!

41. Gingerbread Bars With Cream Cheese Frosting

Do you enjoy fudgy brownies? Then you’ll love these gingerbread bars! They’re soft and chewy and perfectly seasoned to taste just like gingerbread! Bake the bars in the oven and then whip the cream cheese frosting together. Decorate the bars with the frosting and festive sprinkles of your choice.

42. JELL-O Santa Hat Cookies

These JELL-O Santa hat cookies would look adorable on a platter and your coworkers will go crazy for them. These cookies truly melt in your mouth! To create them you’ll need egg whites, strawberry JELL-O, white chocolate, mini marshmallows, and just a few other ingredients.

43. Devilled Eggs With A Holiday Twist

Devilled eggs are one of the most popular potluck food items! To create a festive platter consider trying this recipe! It’s a regular devilled egg recipe but what makes them unique is their coloring. You’ll use red and green food coloring to transform this appetizer into one that is perfect for the holidays.

44. Christmas Red Velvet Sugar Cookies

Red velvet cookies are perfect for Christmas! These cookies are bold red and incredibly delicious too! From start to finish you’ll only need 20 minutes to create them. Once they have cooled decorate using a homemade cream cheese frosting and garnish with festive red, green, and white sprinkles!

45. Santa’s Favorite Cookie

Another excellent cookie option would be these red, white, and green cookies! If Santa loves them so will your coworkers! You’ll need just a handful of ingredients to make these and you’ll most likely have them on hand already! To transform these cookies with festive colors mix in festive colored sprinkles and red and green M&M’s.

46. Holly Jolly Cookie Stick

Do you despise baking? No problem! Try creating these holly jolly cookie sticks! This recipe is so easy because it requires all store-bought premade ingredients. To create the cookies dip Pirouette French Vanilla cookie sticks in melted white chocolate. Then, garnish using Christmas sprinkles of your choice!

47. Cranberry Fluff Salad

Tired of green leafy salads? Try a sweet salad for a change! This cranberry fluff salad is a vintage recipe but remains exciting in both flavor and texture. This salad is made up of cranberries, crushed pineapple, mini marshmallows, and whipped cream topping.

Another great alternative to a leafy green salad is this Christmas salad. It’s savory, creamy and oh so delicious! This simple recipe combines broccoli and cauliflower florets with red onion and cherry tomatoes. Smother those ingredients in a simple creamy dressing that your coworkers will surely enjoy!

49. Cheese Ball Bites

Cheese balls are great for parties, especially potlucks! Instead of creating one cheese ball you need to make these cheese ball bites! They are  so easy to make too! To make them festive coat them in alternating red, white and green ingredients. Some great examples of these toppings are walnuts, dried cranberries, fried onions, chives, crumbled bacon and sunflower seeds.

50. Pesto Tortellini Skewers

This pesto tortellini can be served both chilled and at room temperature. If your office doesn’t have a fridge big enough to store potluck food items then you need to make this recipe! Considering they can remain at room temperature, they won’t turn rancid (phew)! To build these skewers you’ll use tortellini, pesto, sundried tomatoes, and small wooden skewers. It’s so easy you have to try it!

51. Easy Peppermint Brownie Truffles

Share a platter of decadent truffles with your coworkers this holiday season. They look gourmet but are actually quite effortless to create. To make this recipe even easier start by baking your favorite boxed brownie mix. Once the brownies have cooled use a fork to create crumbles. Then, form the crumbles into bite-sized balls and freeze. Setting them in the freezer will help them keep their shape. Lastly, dip them in melted chocolate and garnish with crushed candy canes and a drizzle of white chocolate!

52. 5-Minute Festive Cranberry Salsa

This cranberry salsa is unlike any snack you’ve tried before! Spicy jalapenos balance the flavors of tart cranberries and together create one tasty treat! In addition to fresh cranberries and jalapenos, you’ll need red onion, fresh cilantro, and a few seasonings. Place the salsa on top of a soft brick of cream cheese and serve with crackers or chips of your choice!

53. Cranberry Bliss Bars

Cranberry bliss bars are every Starbucks addicts favorite! If they weren’t one of your favorite holidays treats before they will be now! This is an easy copycat recipe of the Starbucks classic holiday treat. Your coworkers will be astounded to discover you made them yourself!

54. Peppermint White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

These cheesecake bars are rich and super easy to make! They’re infused with lovely flavors of peppermint and decadent white chocolate. To create these bars start with a delicious crust. Then mix together the cheesecake filling and top with white chocolate baking squares and crushed candy canes. As a bonus, this recipe is also gluten-free!

55. Candy Cane Christmas Dip

Chip dip is a crowd favorite so there is no wonder that a dessert dip would be popular too! This candy cane dip is perfect for the holidays and your coworkers will love it! The ingredient list is short, all you’ll need is marshmallow fluff, cream cheese, peppermint extract, crushed candy canes, and red food coloring. Serve the dip with your favorite wafer cookie!

56. Cherry Almond Cream Cheese Crescent Danish Tree

Share a warm flaky danish with your coworkers. This holiday tree is festive and edible! Start with store-bought crescent roll dough. Instead of unrolling the dough you’ll cut the roll of dough into 11 rounds. Form the Christmas tree shape and top with a delicious cream cheese. Bake them in the oven and then garnish with cherries and a delicious frosting drizzle!

57. Christmas Tree Treats

Create a stunning Christmas tree pastry to bring to your office potluck! You’ll only need 6 ingredients. These include store-bought puff pastry, pecans, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon and icing sugar to garnish! They’ll come together in a hurry and everyone will enjoy them.

58. Funfetti Shortbread Bites

Funfetti shortbread bites are a delectable little snack that would be perfect for your office potluck! This shortbread recipe is short and simple and you’ll have this treat made quickly! First, you’ll need to mix the ingredients to create a dough. Don’t forget to add the festive sprinkles! Place the dough in a square pan and chill in the fridge. Lastly, cut the dough into little squares and finish by baking them in the oven.

59. White Chocolate Ting-A-Lings

This no-bake recipe comes together effortlessly and tastes lovely too. To create these white chocolate clusters you’ll need chow mein noodles, salted peanuts, white chocolate, and festive sprinkles. All you have to do is melt the chocolate, pour over the chow mein noodles and peanuts and form the clusters onto a baking sheet with parchment paper. Garnish the cluster with sprinkles and set in the fridge to harden.

60. Easy Christmas Peppermint Patties

These sweet peppermint patties are incredibly easy to make and don’t require any baking. This recipe requires 6 simple ingredients all of which you’ll most likely have on hand. Use food coloring to create the different colors and infuse the patties with peppermint extract for a delicious holiday flavor!

[reciperesolutions]

Christmas dinner menu (new recipes): Christmas-tree spinach artichoke dip, “best” cranberry brie bites, [boozy] chocolate candy cane no-bake pie! I’m a little behind in posting but I’d say these were worth the wait :) I rarely try new recipes on guests but for some reason, each year we’ve hosted Christmas, the majority of dishes I serve are completely brand new. And successful! I guess it’s my own little Christmas miracle :-P

Spinach-Artichoke Christmas Tree: Though the sweet-toothes of the family voted the pie as their favorite, I loved the spinach-artichoke tree - a recipe inspired by one of those video-recipe Facebook posts. I used my own spinach artichoke recipe (below) instead of the one they spelled out just with the modifications of using smaller garlic cloves (so I could throw in an extra one or two) and chopping up the artichoke hearts instead of leaving them quartered. But I wrapped the pizza dough and finished it as instructed. There was a lot of piecing together bits of dough (since I was working with round-shaped pre-made dough, not rectangular or unshaped, as they have in the video) but it all worked out beautifully - not a big deal at all to piece together bits of the dough, as it all comes together as it bakes. It also felt like I was over stuffing the filling but I LOVED the ratio of dough-do-dip in the end, so using a full recipe of the dip worked out.

There were a couple of small adjustments I realized as I was going would be necessary. First, it needed to stay in the oven longer than called for to get that beautiful golden brown. (Also, I did add an egg wash - one egg mixed with water, then brush that mixture across all the dough before putting it into the oven - to get that beautiful sheen. Not sure if that was necessary with the finishing butter at the end, but it all tasted good.) In the video, they describe this as ‘spinach breadsticks’ - mine were definitely not breadsticks. In fact, you couldn’t even pick them up with your hands: we had to break out the lasagne turner and add some little paper plates and forks for everyone to enjoy. Not a huge deal - just a change in consumption style. Almost the entire tree disappeared shortly after we broke the utensils out though!

Cranberry Brie Bites: I’ve slowly started developing a palate for brie but was really excited about it when I saw this recipe: cranberry sauce (I used my favorite/homemade recipe), toasted pecans, rosemary. To be honest, I don’t think it was necessary to use homemade cranberry sauce - the canned would have been perfectly fine. (The nuances of my homemade sauce were a little lost in the bake, I think.) I think user error was the biggest flaw in this recipe, in that I realized too late it called for a mini-muffin tin - so I flipped over a regular muffin tin and used the crevices between the actual ‘muffin’ parts (diamond-shaped voids), since they would be smaller and these guys really did need to be cupped while they baked to keep their shape (I did spray the bottom of the pan with Pam to help with the release - I think that was probably a good call). But as a result, I think the ingredient proportions were a little off as we distributed everything across each bite, realizing I’d miscounted how many ‘crevices’ there were. They were good when they were hot, but ultimately came out a little dry. I think more cheese added (which probably would have been the amount per-bite that the recipe calls for) and more liquidy of a cranberry sauce (which mine is definitely more solid - also I burned a lot of it, so that syrupy consistency was never gonna happen with this go-around) would have improved it. ALSO, I pre-toasted the pecans - because toasted pecans are SO much better than not - only to realize they would have toasted anyway when you put the bites into the oven lol. So a couple of obstacles but they were still a tasty addition to the menu.

Chocolate candy cane pie: This was pretty darn good. For a no-bake recipe, it was more involved than I was expected - do a simple task here, wait two hours, do another simple task here, wait another two hours - and so on. So it took a lot longer to actually complete than I expected (which was okay) even though it wasn’t a lot of work in itself.

I did make a few modifications. Did not realize until far too late in the game that I had about 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract left! (The recipe calls for significantly more than that.) BUT! We had done a little impromptu spiked hot chocolate bar the night before with my brother-in-law, who was craving hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps - what a great substitute for extract of the same kind! Though I’m not a baker and don’t prefer super sweet treats, I have noticed that my most successful desserts all involve some kind of liquor. So instead of using 2 c milk (as I didn’t want to do the coffee creamer), I did 1 3/4 c milk and 1/4 peppermint schnapps in the first part of the recipe to make the chocolate pudding (it was delicious...I may legitimately just start doing spiked puddings for dessert and leave it at that). I did throw in what little I had remaining of the extract as they called for it in the topping, but also substituted the red-and-green chocolate chips (mostly because I didn’t really like they way they looked in the finished product picture) with a crushed up white chocolate candy cane bar/peppermint bark. (I actually meant to sprinkle this on top of the finished pie in lieu of crushed candy canes - just for a better texture as you’re eating it but forgot about that plan lol and used it in lieu of the chips instead.)

This was a great hit. It was light and refreshing after a rich Christmas meal and it was just as good the next day. I used a Keebler chocolate pie crust (it was the only one I could find) but next time I’d REALLY like to use an Oreo chocolate pie crust. I’d also definitely keep with the schnapps modification - that was a really delicious base. Though I’d actually prefer twice as much of the chocolate pudding and half as much of the whipped topping “middle” layer, so I may adjust that next time accordingly. Oh, and remember to save some of the white chocolate peppermint bark to sprinkle on top to give it some more jazz in presentation :)

I also served bowties with kale and sundried tomatoes, slow-cooker garlic smashed potatoes (previous recipe on here - these may have actually been the favorite dish of the day - OUTSTANDING), and duck leg confit (also featured on here before). I’ve got the duck legs in their own photo because I had to do/tried a substitution: could not find duck fat ANYWHERE, so I used equal parts of olive oil instead. Just as delicious! And actually, it may have crisped up in the finishing stages even better.

Merry Christmas!!

Spinach artichoke dip recipe (filling): http://reciperesolutions.tumblr.com/post/128226214218/homemade-spinach-artichoke-dip-with-toasted

Spinach breadstick-tree recipe (assembly instructions): https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/christmas-tree-spinach-dip-breadsticks.html

Cranberry brie bites: http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a56610/cranberry-brie-bites-recipe/

Chocolate candy cane pie: https://www.strawberryblondiekitchen.com/no-bake-candy-cane-pie/

Duck leg confit: http://reciperesolutions.tumblr.com/post/128219574943/dang-nab-it-24-hrs-in-a-dry-rub-12-hrs

Garlic smashed potatoes: http://reciperesolutions.tumblr.com/post/153753441356/reciperesolutionstumblrcom-slow-cooker

[nukrypton]

Winter Cocktails – 15 Easy Alcoholic Drink Recipes

http://bit.ly/2z3HNaZ

New from the galaxy of NuKrypton... Winter Cocktails – 15 Easy Alcoholic Drink Recipes

Stay warm and get toasted this season with 15 easy winter drink recipes. Choose from blended drinks, Sangria, martinis and dessert cocktails. Throw the perfect holiday party with simple alcoholic drink recipes for winter.

Santa’s Little Ho Ho

source

Santa can’t wait to get back to the North Pole for some of this mixed winter drink. Remember to add Vodka for that extra “Ho”.

You’ll Need:

1 Bottle of Chilled Champagne

1 Bottle of Chilled Ginger Ale

2 (10oz) packages of Frozen Strawberries (let them thaw partially about 10-15 minutes first)

Combine all of the ingredients in a large Punch bowl, stir gently and Serve immediately. The strawberries keep the punch well chilled without watering it down unnecessarily, be sure to test it out BEFORE the guests arrive!

White Chocolate Snowflake Martini

source

This elegant dessert cocktail will give you the feeling you’re in a winter wonderland. Godiva White Chocolate liqueur and Vanilla Vodka make it a smooth, luxurious treat.

Ingredients (makes one drink)

2 oz. vanilla vodka

2 oz. Godiva white chocolate liqueur

1 oz. white creme de cacao

1 oz. half and half

Lemon wedge

Sanding sugar

Directions

Cut a half-inch slit into the lemon wedge and rub it around the rim of the glass. Pour sanding sugar into a shallow dish then dip the rim in the sugar to coat evenly. Gently shake off excess sugar. Add the vodka, chocolate liqueur, creme de cacao, and half and half into a shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain mixture into glass.

Serve immediately, and enjoy with your favorite seasonal tunes next to a toasty fireplace!

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

source

If you’re a fan of Cinnamon you’ll enjoy this sweet and spicy winter cocktail. Fireball Whisky mixed with RumChata and a hint of Vanilla Vodka will warm you up on those cold nights.

Ingredients

3 ounces rumchata 1 ounce vanilla vodka 1/2 ounce fireball whiskey cinnamon sugar, for rimming the glass

Directions

Wet the rim of a low-ball glass and dip it in the cinnamon sugar. Shake all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and strain into glass.

Tiramisu Martini

source

A delicious dessert cocktail with Rum, coffee, chocolate and cream. The recipe includes Godiva chocolate for an added touch of luxury. Try this creamy winter cocktail for your next holiday party.

Ingredients

1 ½ ounces Kahlua (half of a shot glass). 1 ½ ounces Rum Chata 1 ½ ounces Godiva Chocolate Liquor 1 ½ ounces heavy cream whipped cream, chocolate shavings, ground coffee or cocoa, and lady fingers for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to combine. Pour into 2 martini glasses. Top with freshly whipped cream, chocolate shavings, ground coffee or cocoa, and lady fingers. All are optional, but all are fun! Enjoy.

Jack Frost

source

A blended winter cocktail that will be nipping at your taste buds. Blue Curacao gives this drink its frosty look.

INGREDIENTS

Light corn syrup for rimming glasses Flaked coconut for rimming glasses 8 cups ice (more or less depending on desired consistency) 1 cup pineapple juice ½ cup blue curacao ½ cup vodka or light rum (I used vodka) ½ cup cream of coconut

INSTRUCTIONS

Rim the glasses: Pour a thin layer of corn syrup onto a plate and dip the rims into the corn syrup, then dip in coconut flakes. In a blender, blend ice, pineapple juice, blue curacao, vodka and cream of coconut until desired consistency is reached. Pour into glasses and serve immediately.

Holiday Champagne Punch

source

Be the star of your next holiday event with this 10 minute winter drink recipe. You may want to double or triple the recipe because it will surely be a huge hit with guests.

Ingredients:

1 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 3 cinnamon sticks 4 whole cloves 2 cups cranberry juice cocktail 1/2 cup pineapple juice 1 bottle champagne (Korbel Brut works great) Small amount of Grand Marnier (or any orange liqueur you prefer) Red sugar Green sugar

Directions

In a saucepan, bring water, sugar, cinnamon sticks and cloves to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Discard cinnamon and cloves. Cool to room temperature and pour into a large pitcher. Add cranberry juice and pineapple juice. Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. At serving time, add 1 bottle of chilled champagne.

Peppermint Mocha White Russian

source

Here’s another twist on a popular favorite. The sweetness of peppermint makes this the perfect after dinner drink.

Ingredients

Drink: 1.5 ounce Vodka 1.5 ounce Peppermint Kahula 2 ounces Milk of choice

Garnishes: Whipped Cream Crushed Candy Canes

Instructions

In a cocktail glass, filled half way with ice, add a 1:1 ratio of vodka and Kahula. Top with milk. Stir to combine. Garnish with whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Santa Claus-Mopolitan

source

The holiday makeover for this trendy cocktail is simple to create and will add some extra Christmas cheer to your next party.

1 serving: 1/2 cup cranberry juice 1/2 cup white peach cranberry juice 1 ounce triple sec 1/2 ounce vodka Shake with ice, pour into rimmed glass. Garnish with fresh cranberries

For a crowd, easily serves 16 guests: 1 -64 ounce bottle cranberry juice (Ocean Spray) 1 -64 ounce bottle white cranberry-peach juice (Ocean Spray) 16 ounces triple sec 8 ounces vodka Chill well for at least 3 hours before guests arrive.

Cranberry Apple Cider Sangria

source

The perfect seasonal drink with fresh fruit and cinnamon. A crisp, refreshing cocktail that’s simple to create.

Ingredients Servings: 8 cups

1 750 ml bottle red wine 3 cups soft apple cider (non-alcoholic) 1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice 1/2 cup Triple Sec or other orange liqueur 1/2 cup honey* (or 1/2 cup simple syrup made by heating equal parts of sugar and water over medium heat until dissolved) 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries sparkling water to top off 1 cup freshly diced red and/or green apple cubes cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions

Combine red wine, apple cider (or pure apple juice) cranberry juice, orange liqueur and honey (or simple syrup) in a large pitcher. Add cranberries and diced unpeeled apples. Serve over ice, if desired, filling glasses 3/4 full and topping off with some sparkling water. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and a straw.

Recipe Notes *If you use honey, it might sink to the bottom of the pitcher if it is left to sit for awhile, so just give it a stir before serving it.

Sugar Cookie Martini

source

Indulge your sweet tooth with this fun dessert cocktail. With only 3 ingredients you could be on your way to a delicious end to a holiday meal.

INGREDIENTS:

1 ounce vanilla vodka 1 ounce amaretto 2 ounces Frosted Sugar Cookie or Vanilla International Delight Coffee Creamer

DIRECTIONS:

If desired, coat the rim of your glass with light corn syrup and then dip the rim in sugar. Place ice in a martini shaker, along with all ingredients. Shake and strain into prepared glass. Serve immediately.

If you can’t find the Frosted Sugar Cookie creamer, you can substitute Vanilla. Or, substitute 2 ounces of half and half or whole milk for the creamer, and add a few drops of vanilla extract.

Saint Nickarita

source

Enjoy this holiday spin on the classic margarita. Cranberry and lime mixed with Tequila will give you that warm tingling feeling, great for those cold winter nights.

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces tequila 1/2 ounce cranberry juice 1 ounce lime juice 1 ounce orange liqueur 1 ounce club soda fresh cranberries and lime wedges (for garnish)

Instructions

Combine the tequila, cranberry juice, lime juice, orange liqueur and ice in a cocktail shaker. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Top with club soda. Garnish with skewered cranberries and lime wedges. Rim margarita glasses with salt, if desired. Cuisine: Mexican American | Recipe Type: Drinks

Notes If making a large batch to serve out of a pitcher, simply multiply the recipe by the number of guests attending. Keep the pitcher on ice to ensure the drinks are poured cold. If you don’t have a cocktail shaker, simply use a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Pumpkin Spice Punch

source

In just 3 steps you can have a deliciously sweet winter cocktail, great for parties. Baileys Pumpkin Liqueur plus Bourbon gives this drink the right amount of sugar and spice.

Recipe (serves 10):

Mix 15oz new Baileys Pumpkin spice, 15oz milk, 7.5oz Bulleit bourbon and vanilla extract to taste in a bowl. Make sugar rim with brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Serve over ice.

Chocolate Peppermint Martini

source

Another tasty dessert cocktail for the holidays. Super easy to make with only three ingredients.

Ingredients

1 cup chocolate milk (non-dairy preferred – I like almond) 1 shot chocolate liqueur 1/2 shot peppermint liqueur crushed peppermint/candy canes, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Pour the chocolate milk into a martini shaker. Add the liqueurs and shake to combine. (Stirring also works.) Pour into a glass and serve!

Sex On A Snowbank

source

The name says it all… A blended winter drink that’s sure to make you come back for more. If you like coconut and Malibu Rum, this delicious cocktail will leave you satisfied.

Ingredients

1 1/2 ounces Malibu rum 3 tablespoons coconut cream 6 large ice cubes

Instructions

Place ingredients together in a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a chilled martini glass.

Notes If you want a thicker consistency, use less ice and more coconut cream. For a really fancy drink, coat the rim of the glass with finely shredded coconut!

Baileys Peppermint Martini

source

Try this simple 3 step recipe to create a sweet, festive holiday cocktail. You can’t go wrong with Baileys Irish Cream as a base, mixed with hints of peppermint and Vodka.

Tried one the recipes above? Comment and let us know how your favorite winter cocktails turned out!

Follow I’ll Try It! Food & Drink Board on Pinterest

The post Winter Cocktails – 15 Easy Alcoholic Drink Recipes appeared first on NuKrypton Inspired.

Winter Cocktails – 15 Easy Alcoholic Drink Recipes appeared first on NuKrypton Inspired Remember to Like and Reblog!

Shop the latest designs in apparel, accessories and home decor in our galaxy or visit NuKryptonTeesCo on Etsy

[vegankitchenblog-blog]

Find Some Comfort in These Vegan Versions of Famous Comfort Foods

Being vegan doesn’t stop one from getting heart broken, nor does it help when you have career problems or don’t know what to do next with your life. Well, we all know what it is that can make us feel better in times like this: COMFORT FOOD. It is called comfort for reason, right? Being high in calories and carbohydrates, and being fairly simple to prepare are the qualities that make comfort food so popular when it comes to lifting one’s spirits. Now, since we made it clear that being vegan (unfortunately) can’t spare you from feeling down from time to time, here are some vegan versions of your favorite comfort foods.

How Comfort Food Works and Why Are the Vegan Versions Better

To understand how food affects us we have to know how our bodies actually work. When we are down, and feeling blue we crave sweets and highly caloric foods because we need to increase our serotonin levels.

What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, that is, it carries signals along and between nerves thus ensuring mood balance.

How does comfort food affect the serotonin levels?

As I said above, comfort food is rich in carbohydrates, and it is precisely them that increase the production of serotonin resulting in a happier you.

However, the source from which we take these carbohydrates is also really important, if not crucial for maintaining the good mood for a long time instead of ending up even more stressed and filled with guilt. (Because let’s face it, an empty ice-cream container never makes anyone happy). This, leads us to the last part of the question, why vegan comfort foods are better.

While candies, doughnuts, and white breads will give you a temporary feel good sensation, opting for whole grains and fruits is definitely the smarter choice.

Vegan Pizza

Pizza is one of the best foods on the planet, and the most famous ones too. And while we all love(d) a good pepperoni pizza, they certainly are optional. But what a pizza recipe cannot go without is cheese. So, even though you can find delicious vegan recipes on a food app called MyGreatRecipes, I will give you a tip or two on preparing comfort food vegan recipes here.

The Vegan Dough

What makes a pizza dough good is finding the right balance between softness and crust, and you will achieve it if you add the following ingredients: Three and a half cups of flour, two and a half ounces of fast rising yeast, a teaspoon of salt, a cup of very warm water and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Yup, no need for milk or eggs.

The Vegan Cheese

Now, as I already said, pizza won’t be it if it weren’t for the cheese. So, having a recipe for a vegan parmesan up your sleeve is always welcomed. The best part is, it takes literally one minute to be prepared. You should just put half a cup of raw cashews, 3 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, and ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder with a pinch of salt into a blender and just blend until everything looks like, well you know, parmesan. Store it in the fridge and you can reuse it for the following few weeks.

The Sauce

While there is nothing non-vegan in a pizza sauce, since it mainly consists of tomatoes and seasonings, I felt the need to give you my favorite pizza sauce recipe. You will need a 15-ounce can of organic tomato sauce, half a teaspoon of dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, brown sugar and sea salt.

The toppings

You know that pepperoni is out of the question when it comes to vegan recipes, but you can have endless fun with choosing the proper ingredients. Go for veggies like chopped peppers (red, green and orange), chopped red onion, chopped button mushrooms, and for the ultimate Mediterranean feel some chopped green and black olives. I love to sprinkle sesame seeds on top of everything, but you can easily leave that part out.

Vegan Buffalo Wings

We all love(d) them. Deep-fried, unbreaded, and coated in the best sauce ever, chicken wings have become embedded in the American cuisine. It is precisely the vinegar-based sauce with cayenne pepper that makes people go crazy about this comfort food. And for all of you who loved buffalo wings before deciding on going vegan, here is how you can prepare a version so close to the original that you will want to eat it even when you are in the highest of spirits.

The Vegan Meat

To get the meat feel you will need a cup of vital wheat gluten, 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, a teaspoon of onion powder, half a teaspoon of salt, the same amount of poultry seasoning, 2 tablespoons of tahini and ¾ cup of vegetable broth. In two separate bowls put the dry and wet ingredients and then mix them by adding the first to the latter. Knead the dough until it gets elastic enough to be able to be divided, and make sure it is not too dry.

The Vegan Sauce

The thing that we love the most about the famous buffalo wings is the hot sauce they come covered in. So, go ahead and whisk together 2 tablespoons of flaxseed and 6 of water with 2 tablespoons of Buffalo sauce (depending on how hot you want the wings to be), half a tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes and a teaspoon of cayenne pepper. After dipping each wing in the sauce proceed to toss them in a mixture of 2 cups of oat flour and a teaspoon of black pepper. Proceed to fry them as you would the regular ones.

The Vegan Bones

Of course, the beauty of eating chicken wings is in the process of picking them by the bone. And since meatless wings do not have bones, you can use either a sugar cane or a popsicle stick.

Vegan Cheesecake

Maybe one of the foods I resort most to, cheesecake can make the gloomiest of days lighter. And with vegan ingredients, I eat it totally guilt-free and can allow myself to eat more than one piece.

The sole name includes the word “cheese” in it, which dismisses any vegan version of it as a not-so-good one. But, quite the contrary, it will leave you speechless and will taste just like the real deal.

The Crust

Either go for cashews and coconut cream, or a packet of graham crackers and 2 full tablespoons of coconut oil.

The Filling

Go for a vegan cream cheese (say Tofutti), coconut milk and cashews, cornstarch and flour are also vital for the proper texture, and vanilla is essential for the irresistible aroma.

The Topping

A cup of fresh or frozen blueberries with some water, sugar, and cornstarch will make for the yummiest, prettiest purple topping. You can check the whole vegan recipe with step by step instructions here.

So, next time you feel down in the dumps, even if you are not vegan yourselves, go ahead and satiate your carbs cravings by preparing a vegan recipe instead of a regular one. You will feel better and won’t have a sense of regret after eating (ok, as soon as you don’t eat tooooo much :D)