Sunday Snapshot: Valentine's Day Sweets

Over the last two years of living in China, I have received several care packages from sweet, thoughtful friends. One of the things I often request are cookie mixes. It is hard to find good flour and supplies over here and since I really don't bake often, I decided that even though I prefer "from scratch" cookies, mixes are just more practical. Therefore, I have received many!

This week I was in the mood to bake and decided that Valentine's Day was the perfect day to bake cookies. The frosting, however, IS from scratch. It turned out pretty well! I just wish I had food coloring so I could make it pink, but I don't. No candy hearts to put on top so mini M&M's had to do.

We have a couple families over here and so I was able to share my sweet treat with them. After all, I don't want these delicious goodies in my apartment because with my sweet tooth, we know what would happen.

Happy Valentine's Day from China!

Linking up with Ni Hao Ya'll

Cookies Galore

My nickname this week around my house has been "Betty." You know, Betty, as in Betty Crocker. Yep, that's me. I've been baking up a storm!

Since I wasn't home for Christmas last year and cookie supplies are a little difficult to find in China, I decided to go all out in the cookie baking department this season.

How many did I make? I'm not even sure. I know I made seven different kinds, doubling each batch. In my house, it's not worth it to make just one batch.

I started last week, did a batch here and there, then this Monday and Tuesday, I spent all day baking.

Okay, so I did take time each morning to just chill with my coffee but the rest of the day? Baking, baking, and more baking.

Yes, the gingerbread cookies are as delicious as they look, in case you were wondering.

I am pleased with the way they turned out (and taste!).

My friend, Laura, was kind enough to come over two days this week to help me. It was nice to have someone to chat with while baking.

The cutout sugar cookies took forever. I thought I would never run out of dough!

Since I had extra Hershey kisses, I made one more batch of Peanut Butter Blossoms. You can never go wrong with those.

They look so festive with the red and green sprinkles.

I'm officially "baked out." Now it's time to enjoy eating them and giving them away to friends!

Day 15 of Thankfulness: Holidays

I am thankful for the holidays.

For many people, the holidays can be a very difficult time of year. Whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, or 4^th of July, if you aren’t close to your family or friends, it can be a very hard time. I am thankful to be close to my family and holidays have always been special in my family. We haven’t always had a lot, but my parents would always do what they could to make it special for us kids.

Christmas was always a blast in my house. I remember often thinking how boring Christmas would be as an only child. With seven kids, it was total chaos. I look back on all those Christmas mornings and smile.

One thing I am really looking forward to doing while I am home is baking Christmas cookies. Lot's and lot's of Christmas cookies.

Yes, I am extremely thankful for the holidays. For family, friends, food, and fellowship. But most importantly, that God sent His one and only Son as a baby to die for our sins. Now that is sacrificial love.

Sunday Snapshot: Apple Scones

Once in a while, I really like to bake. But when the weather is hot and humid, I hardly ever feel like it. Which means I usually take "summers off" from baking around here. Finally the weather is starting to cool down and it's not quite as humid. Which means that I felt the urge to bake on this lovely Sunday afternoon. 

I decided to try "Apple Scones" in honor of fall. 

 After cutting them, I had to shred them.

 I am trying a Chinese flour and wasn't too sure how they would turn out... so far, so good.

 Sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon on top and they are ready to bake!

 And the result? Not too bad! They are actually quite delicious if I do say so myself.

Happy Fall! I found my recipe at All Recipes. Here it is if you want to try them yourself. I only did half a batch since it's only me and that made 4 scones.

Apple Scones

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup white sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup butter, chilled

1 apple - peeled, cored, & shredded

1/2 cup milk

For Topping:

2 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Measure flour, sugar, baking powder, soda, and salt into large bowl. Cut in butter until crumbly. Add shredded apple and milk. Stir to form a soft dough.

2. Turn dough into a lightly floured surface. Kneed gently 8-10 times. Pat into two 6-inch circles. Place on greesed baking sheet. Brush tops with milk, and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Score each into 6 pie shaped wedges (I was only able to get 4).

3. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 C) for 15 minutes, or until browned and risen. Serve warm with butter.

Ni Hao Ya'll