Weekly Photo Challenge: Holiday Treats
“The holidays stress people out so much. I suggest you keep it simple and try to have as much fun as you can.” Giada De Laurentiis
Weekly Photo Challenge: Holiday Treats – Cookies & Mince Pies & More…
Weekly Photo Challenge: Holiday Treats – Cookies & Mince Pies & More…
Holidays are about experiences and people, and tuning into what you feel like doing at that moment. Enjoy not having to look at a watch. Evelyn Glennie
When I read the theme for this week’s photo challenge … It’s Not This Time of Year Without… I immediately thought of the special foods that remind us of the holiday season; egg nog, mince pies, Christmas pudding, fruit cake, custard, hot cross buns, and all manner of comfort foods that bring us together to celebrate the changing seasons. Sure, many other things are classic examples of the season, like the lights, trees, songs, and all the things that get us into that holiday spirit and mood… But, food is closest to our hearts and homes, and that is where all the good conversations and expressions of gratitude begin and end.
In the picture above, I have decided to share two foods that we enjoy during this season. The pies are mince pies and while they are not as popular in the USA, I grew up eating them as a special, traditional, holiday dessert treat. I still love eating them with Bird’s Eye custard and/or Devon cream. Come back for the recipe for my Everything Cookie. It is a treat you won’t want to miss. Happy Holidays to you and yours!
More Below!
“Over the holidays is when I have the most occasions to cook and bake.” Nina Dobrev
Weekly Photo Challenge: Holiday Treats – Cookies & Mince Pies & More…
Weekly Photo Challenge: Holiday Treats – Cookies & Mince Pies & More…
It’s like your children talking about holidays, you find they have a quite different memory of it from you. Perhaps everything is not how it is, but how it’s remembered. Denis Norden
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanut butter chips
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
1 egg
1 stick of butter
I package Ghirardelli Chocolate cookie mix
Optional: 1 tablespoon of coconut flakes
Serves 12-15
PREPARATION:
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ready to Eat: In 12-15 minutes
Preheat oven temperature to 375 F. Soften butter either in the microwave or by sitting bowl in the hot water basin. In a large mixing bowl combine egg and butter using a spoon or electric mixer. Combine cookie mix and mixed chips in a mixing bowl and blend well for about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes until a moist dough is formed. Scoop dough into tablespoon servings and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet/tray. Bake cookies at 375 for 12 -15 minutes or until cookies are golden brown or darker… It all depends on your preference. I love my cookies to have a crunch on the exterior and a chewiness as we work to the center… So adjust the time to suit your texture preferences. Once Cookies have been baked for 12-15 and achieved the desired color, remove them from the oven and let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes before serving or packing them away, These are delicious and you can add extra ingredients to the mix; including nuts and spices. Enjoy! Bon Appétit!
As we get ready for the holiday season, we must permit ourselves to enjoy the special treats that add to our memories and joy. Indulge your taste buds and get back on track after the holidays… After all, the holiday season comes once a year and I doubt a bit of celebratory feasting would ruin any diet plans. Staying Healthy matters more. Happy Holidays!
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Weekly Photo Challenge Post: – It’s Not This Time of Year Without… – For this week’s challenge, show us the one thing without which your holiday season could never be complete. With the end of November near, we’re in the midst of the holiday season for many people around the world. With them come traditions, both new and old. A customary event, object, or feeling that makes the celebration familiar and comforting. It may even be the thing that makes that time of year what it is. What about you? Is there a particular dish, a favorite game, or a specific place that signals this time of year to you? Share it with us in a photo!
Have a restful weekend!
Positive Motivation Tip: Traditions are created to hold special memories. Don’t abandon yours!
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All other Photos from my collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
oh wuaow!! makes me want for the season to get here now! lol
Hahaha! I love this season of the year. It’s filled with good cheer. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
Cheers Cheers ^.^
My next door neighbour makes the best mince pies, only Waitrose come anywhere close!
How wonderful! I’ve made them in the past but, they can be quite time consuming so I go for the Walker’s selections at my local Expatriate store… Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Gilly! <3
Oh those treats looks soooo good. I need my cheat day to come up!
Semi-sweet, bittersweet, milk chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter and butterscotch chips – OH MY!
This sounds sooo amazing!! I love how these cookies have just a little bit of everything! I bet it balances out nicely!
Spending time in holidays is too subjective to the person who wants to make it worth celebrating. Food tripping is one of the traditions I know in our country.
I think I want some. These pictures are very tempting. I think I will definitely try this recipe out for the holidays.
Overall an amazing idea to make holidays more interesting . Will definitely try this.
Love all those pics of holiday treats!!
Yum! Now I’m super hungry! 🙂 I haven’t tried Bird’s Eye custard yet. I have to check that out.
Cookies and Mince pies, both look delicious, although I’m not the biggest fan of mince pies. They are very popular here in Ireland.
These look delicious! I’ll have to make some!
Wow, makes me hungry! That close-up picture of mince pie got me craving 🙂
I hate to say this but I have never heard of mince pie, but then again I am in the US. I am sure it is good though. It sounds delicious!
With Christmas getting closer, I start to bake a lot more. I love having cookies around the house during the holidays. It’s also never a bad day when your house smells like fresh baked cookies!
I love holiday treats!! The recipe is perfect for my daughter and I for the holidays!
These look so delicious! I love a good holiday treat closer to Christmas time.
So many amazing things in those photos. Never had a mince pie before though!
oh I have to admit that this time of year is amazing for the beautiful flavours and you have lots of reasons to eat as many treats as possible with friends and family calling
We just went out yesterday to pick up our baking ingredients for holiday cookies. I can’t wait to start baking and eating all the goodies of the season.
Holidays are really all about these treats! We do not have Halloween and Thanksgiving here in our country, but the holiday treats we look forward to the most are the Christmas treats. Fun to give away, fun to receive.
These goodies look amazing! I will have to try out the recipe!
You know in all of these years, I’ve never had mince pie. I wonder if I’d like it… I’m curious now.
So many sweets! I love that you blogged your challenge. It looks delish and I think on a cold winter’s day I am going to try this recipe!
Can’t wait for the holiday! I always love a good holiday treats. I totally agree with your motivation tips of holding on to tradition. It’s so important to keep tradition alive for next generation to come.
I love holidays and so as treats too! And yes, holidays wouldn’t be complete with a treat. Glad you shared your recipes here. I would love to give ’em a try soon.
I’ve never heard of Everything cookies. They sound good!
lovely recipe! would love to try it this weekend! I love christmas pudding so much always a must for us!
Sounds soooo yummy! I can’t wait to try. Happy Holidays!
Lol
There is so much to chow down on when the holidays come!
Happy Holidays to you as well. Holiday season is such a wonderful period of the year to come up with some great home decorations, amazing gifts and delicious recipes. I would love to try that mince pies this year and my kids are going to love it right away!
This is so yummy! With holidays and festive season I will be baking more of cranberry, cinnamon stuff to match the Christmas feel.
wow everything looks so tasty. i am such a girl who looks sweets.
Christmas at home is not complete without my grandmother’s leche flan (a Filipino version of creme caramel)! My mother sells cookies during Christmas as well so it has become a staple! Seeing these treats make me excited for Christmas!
omg absolutely looks great and I want this on Holiday
I love holiday treats even if its a lot of calories. Well, it’s Christmas so throw the diet plan away.
This is totally making me hungry!
Oh they look so delish! I would gain 50 pounds!
Don’t forget the gingerbread latte too haha! I agree holiday treats are the best part of Christmas for sure !
The pies and cookies look so delicious! Having traditional foods passed down by family is what touches me the most during this time of year. My sisters and I still are trying to recreate my late mother’s dishes but they don’t taste as delicious as hers.
Looks like a yummy recipe. Treats and festivities just got over here in India. Our biggest festival is Diwali – the festival of lights, the triumph of goodness over evil!!! Happy Holidays to you!
Delicious treats! I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of trying minced pie yet.
that recipe sounds great! I wish I had more time to bake this year. too much to do, but I love doing that. I am going to make at least a few more fresh baked cookies at some point, even it if it is only one or two kinds. Not a good time of year for a diet, blessings!
Those treats all look so yummy
Baking is one of my favorite things to do during the holidays. My children and I really enjoy making memories in the kitchen together.
Holiday is coming near and it wouldn’t be complete without treats and all the stuffs that goes with it. I am excited for fruit cakes 🙂
now this got me excited for christmas! these and mulled wine, perfection
These are all a yummy treat, I want this for Holiday
I always look forward the holiday season… All those fantastic scents and flavors are simply enchanting! 🙂 Although I don’t have a sweet tooth Christmas time can’t pass by without some Strudel 🙂 As you said it.. celebrating with special treats in moderation can’t hurt 😉
We don’t have mince pies here. Actually, I have not heard of anyone do it here in my country.
Food ( aside from everyone else becoming extra nice ), like everyone else, is one of the best things during the holidays. I love how it brings people together. It makes the holidays and all the festivities extra special and more meaningful.
I’ve never had mince pies before but I keep seeing gorgeous pictures of them I think it’s time to try! It is THAT time of the year after all 🙂
These are all making me hungry!! ‘Tis the time for holiday treats and my family is pretty happy about that 😉
Oh yummy, Now that is incredible Christmas treats. The ingredients are real easy to find too 🙂
Yumm! This looks super delicious! I don’t really bake but if I do, I would try this instantly!
I love to bake. It is one of my favorite things to do with my girls. Hope to try out your recipe soon!
The quote you opened up with resonates with me. I get so stressed over the holidays about pleasing people and I know its ridiculous every year! Goal this year: enjoy time with others.
you just made me happy with all those yummy treats!!! have to try the recipe here!
My mouth is so watery, these look so yummy. Love your photo challenges
I want all of these treats!! I don’t think I’ll wait long to try the everything cookie.
Fantastic holiday food photos! Here in the U.K mince pies are a must at Christmas. We love eating them with fresh home-made custard.
Baking during the holidays is always fun when everyone is involved. My mom used to enjoy making her famous dishes. Now, I’ve been doing the same every year. It’s amazing how much your memory remembers things.
True! It’s stressful buying Christmas gifts ha-ha 😀 But yeah it’s fun buying special stuff for special people. Oh, I’m craving Cookies, the home-made one yummy! Thanks for the easy recipe *winks
Holiday treats make a delicious phito challange! Btw, I didn’t know Chirardelli has a cookie mix!
These all look so yummy!
my daddy’s favorite pie was mince meat and grandma would make it every year for him
come see us!
Just these treats are making me so hungry! They all look great and so agree with the quote, its so much about having fun!
xx, Kusum
Oh my! these look so good! and they’re easy to make.
You are so right! Food is always close to the heart: always settling a few centimeters below 😛 I agree though! I looove eggnog, but I am happy it is only around once a year. Too much and I would be sick of it!
Cookie cookies you have me drooling. I have only made 2 of my treats so far.
I love treats. Nothing beats the smell of things baking, or the taste of freshly baked treats.
I can’t wait for our annual holiday baking session! These cookies look really tasty.
For me it’s not this time of year without potato casserole. My family eats it every single Thanksgiving & Christmas and it doesn’t feel like the holidays for me without that.
We just made a bunch of cookies for the holidays. I plan on making up more next week. Totally bookmarking this 🙂 YUm!
Wow! Happy holidays to you and whoever gets to much on these wonderful treats!
Oh, the holiday season is here and xmas is just around the corner. I have’t done anyhting yet and need to travel abroad tomorrow. Haven’t had any xmas treats yet!
Yummyy! One thing I love about Holidays is that we can eat a lot!! Hahaha.
OMG all those cookies , I will make them this weekend for sure..thank you for the recipe
Minced pies are so good! I am always happy when I start seeing them in the stores, even if it’s not Christmas time yet. I wish they would sell them year round!