Holiday Holly Cookies

WOW!!  We are talking Christmas now!  This is one of our family traditions around the holidays. Favorite of young and old alike.  Every cookie tray will brighten up once you add these. These are perfect for a cookie exchange.  Quick and easy to make. If you can make a rice krispie treat, then you are already a pro. 


Holiday Cooking Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

16 oz marshmallows
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 teaspoon green food coloring

4 1/2 cups corn flakes

wax paper for assembling and drying

Holiday Cooking Instructions

In a large pan, melt the butter, marshmallows and vanilla over medium heat.
Stir constantly to prevent scorching.
Add the food coloring and stir until well combined.

Place the corn flakes in a large bowl.
Add the marshmallow mixture to the corn flakes and stir until all the flakes are completely covered.

Using two spoons, drop the cookies onto the wax paper in small mounds.
Work quickly as the mixture cools it becomes tacky.

Press 2 or 3 cinnamon candies on each cookie.

Allow to set at least 24 hours.

Sangria Recipe

Holiday Drink Recipes

This one came as quite a surprise to us. Normally we steer away from sweet drinks, but once we made a batch, everyone was asking for more. The lesson here is to make two batches if you can!! Keep the crowds satisfied! We used an inexpensive dry red wine. Trader Joe's Three Buck Chuck is a good choice, but any merlot or shiraz would work just as well.

It is great for holiday punch recipes that your guests can serve themselves, freeing up your time to enjoy yourself. For those really special occasions, serve this in a festive punch bowl with punch cups of course! Freeze some lemon slices in blocks of ice to float in the bowl to add a that 'Martha' touch.

Holiday Recipe Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light rum

1 orange
1 lemon
1 lime

1 750-ml bottle of dry red wine

Holiday Drink Recipe Instructions

In a small pitcher, combine the rum with the sugar.
Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
Slice each fruit into 1/8" slices. Add to the rum mixture.
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is best.

At least one hour before the party, add the wine and stir well.
Add plenty of ice.
This is best after allowing some of the ice to melt a bit.

Sausage Rice Casserole

This side dish goes quite well with a turkey dinner. It is an excellent choice for a gluten-free side dish on your Thanksgiving table.

Make a mental note: Here is an easy holiday recipe with less than 6 ingredients! Now we are talking really EASY!  This dish also reheats well in the microwave if you happen to be taking it over the river and through the woods.   Make it spicier by using a hot sausage instead of the mild kind.  We discovered a sage flavored sausage and it was yummy, yummy!

Holiday Recipe Ingredients


2 boxes Zatarin's Wild and Long Grain Rice Mix
2 tubes of bulk breakfast sausage, mild or sage flavor
1 large onion, sliced
1   8-oz can of sliced mushrooms, drained
1 family size can of cream of chicken soup


Easy Holiday Recipe Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare the rice according to the directions on the box.  Set aside.

Brown the sausage in a large skillet. Breaking up any large chunks.
Remove and drain on paper towels. Saving the drippings.

Place the onions in hot drippings and cook until soft.
Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.

In a large bowl, carefully combine all the ingredients to mix well.
Spoon into a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Bake about 30 minutes until set.

Blueberry Jello Salad Recipe

This is among the holiday baking recipes that will become one of your traditional favorites.  Everyone loves Jello and with the addition of blueberries,  you get that extra antioxidant boost that is so healthy. This holiday recipe is made in two steps, so make sure to plan ahead.

Holiday Dessert Recipe Ingredients

1  6-oz box of raspberry or blackberry Jello
2 cups of boiling water 
1 can of blueberries, drained, saving the juice 
1 large can of crushed pineapple, drained, saving the juice

Holiday Topping Ingredients

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 oz reduced fat sour cream
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1  8-oz package of reduced fat cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

Easy Holiday Recipe Instructions

Save a total of 1-1/2 cup of the juices from the blueberries and pineapple. Set aside.
Make the Jello in a medium bowl using only the 2 cups of the boiling water.
Add both fruits and the reserved juice.
Pour into a 9-1/2 x 11 glass pan.
Chill until firm.

For the topping, combine all the ingredients except the nuts in a medium bowl.
Stir until well mixed.
Spread over the congealed salad.
Sprinkle with the chopped nuts.
Keep chilled until ready to serve.