Salt Dough Ornaments

I'm not exactly made of money, which is why I cry a little inside whenever I think Christmas presents. I wanted something for my aunts/uncles/cousins/neighbors/friends that would be easy, fast and cheap to make, but still looked nice. Salt dough ornaments are all of the above, and the ingredients are in your pantry!

Salt Dough Ornaments

2 cups flour

1 cup salt

1 cup water

Mix flour, salt and water until a dough ball forms (I used a mixer, but you could certainly hand mix). Knead for about 5-10 minutes. I'll admit, I was lazy and only kneaded for 5 minutes, and that was with a mixer!

Throw your dough on some parchment or wax paper if you have it and roll out until about 1/4 inch thick.

 This is an optional step, but if you'd like to add a little texture, put a towel or other fabric over the top of the dough and gently roll over it with your roller.

Cut ornaments into whatever shape you'd like. I used the good ol' fashioned glass method, because I'm boring. Then, take a straw and poke a hole into the top of each one. You can either let them air dry on the counter for about 48 hours if you have the time (not recommended if you live in a humid climate like I do) or you can bake at 250 degrees for about 2-3 hours. I ended up doing a combination of both, because they were not air drying fast enough for my liking. 

Next, paint the ornaments whatever color you'd like. Again, because I'm boring, I went with plain white.

Cut out scrapbook paper, wrapping paper or fabric into whatever design you want (the dinosaurs are for my nephews).

I Mod Podged the designs onto my ornament to give them a nice sheen and hung them with red twine. 

These are very easy and fun to make. You can get creative with shapes and designs. I let my son paint a few and then Mod Podged the dinosaurs onto them. And the great thing is, if you mess up it costs like ten cents to make a new batch!

Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

I'm on a sweets kick...so sue me! These are rich, delicious and highly addictive. Make them today and you will thank me!

Chocolate Chip Toffee Bars

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup butter

1/3 cup shortening

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp almond extract (optional but highly recommended)

1 1/2 tsp spiced rum (optional but highly recommended)

3/4 cup chocolate chips + more for sprinkling

3/4 cup English toffee bits + more for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 8x8 (or 9x9 for thinner bars) baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some to hang over the sides; spray with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a separate bowl or mixer, cream butter, shortening and sugars together until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix. Add vanilla extract, almond extract and spiced rum. Slowly mix in flour mixture until just incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips and English toffee bits. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. While still warm, sprinkle the extra chocolate chips and toffee bits on top. Let cool completely before removing from pan and slicing into bars. Makes 16 bars. 

Cranberry Winks

This isn't a craft, so be warned.

I was in the baking mood the other day, so my husband asked me to make his favorite childhood Christmas cookie, cherry winks. I had never heard of, nor tasted cherry winks before because I think cherries are of the devil. I refuse to buy, taste, smell, touch or look at cherries...ok I might look at them, but only if their smell is contained (like in a jar or a picture on the interwebs). My husband knows this, so he agreed to a compromise. And thus, cranberry winks were born!

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (I used half all-purpose, half whole wheat)
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
2 tbsp milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup dried cranberries, divided
2 2/3 c. corn flakes (crushed to 1 1/3 c.)

Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Mix in oatmeal and set aside. Place dried cranberries in a small bowl, cover with water and microwave for 2 minutes. Drain the cranberries and reserve the liquid. Finely chop 1/2 cup of the reconstituted cranberries and set aside. In mixer or large bowl beat butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time; beat well. Mix in milk, vanilla and almond extracts and 3 tsp of the cranberry liquid. Add flour mixture; mix well. Fold in chopped cranberries. Shape level tablespoon of dough into balls (dough will be sticky). Roll into crushed corn flakes. Place on greased or parchment paper lined baking sheets. Top each with a reconstituted cranberry. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly brown.

Enjoy and cherry haters unite!