Treats

Yesterday two of my lovely girlfriends came over and we chatted, giggled and baked all night.  White Christmas was on in the background, the boys were off playing a little Guitar Hero (which totally confuses me-I'm not a game person) and we had sparkling cider.  It was quite heavenly and peaceful.

So anyhow-here's what was made:
 

Links to recipes:

Basic Marshmallows

I made the base recipe for both of my batches without playing with any of the ingredients.  For the peppermint ones, I finely ground about a cup and a half of candy canes and mixed it into the fluffy mixture along with about a half teaspoon of peppermint extract and a few drops of red food dye.  After I cut them into squares, I rolled them in a mixture of powdered sugar and leftover crushed candy cane.

For the coconut ones (which are SO good but no way do I have a bag of them sitting next to me-uh uh nope-not me) I added a teaspoon of coconut flavoring and about 3/4 cup shredded coconut to the fluffy mixture before pouring it into the pan.  I finely chopped more coconut to mix with the powdered sugar to roll them around in.

White Chocolate Cherry Shortbread Cookies

The cookies are a tiny piece of heaven.  Ahhh... this is the second year I've made them and just TRUST me.  'Nuf said. 

Look at these cute little treat holders that I found 4 for a buck in those dollar bins at Target:

The fun boxes are from Martha Stewart's craft line.  I got these ones on clearance a few months ago, but she's got a really cute Holiday line out now too.

Wish you all were in my neck of the woods so I could drop by with some goodies and chat for a bit.  Thank you for all being here and reading my ramblings.  It means a lot more than I could explain.

I hope you're enjoying your celebrations!

Comments

[Mandi]

That just sounds like the perfect way to spend an evening!!

[heather hales]

you have such a knack for taking the ordinary and turning it into the extraordinary! Beautiful images and the marshmallows look good, I've always wanted to try making them!

[mo]

I too wish you could drop by with a few of those marshmallows! And a nice chat sounds good about now too...

[Simone]

It all looks so happy, colorful, bright, feel good, yummie etc etc. You have a wonderful way of making things and putting them together. Always so much fun to visit your blog. It brightens my day!

[Miri]

that all looks so delicious!
love the penguin box, haven't seen it in the uk though. :(

[Renee]

Yummy!! Who are the goodies for? I don't enjoy spending time in the kitchen but if I did this is how I would want to do it.

[amy]

everything looks fabulous!! how fun!!

[Kari]

For the coconut marshmellows - did you add coconut flavor in addition to the vanilla, or use it instead of the vanilla?

[Cindi]

OOohhhhh! Yuummm! I'm going to have to make some of the marshmellows soon. I think my daughters would love that! And who doesn't love white chocolate? Thanks for the tips on the goodies!

[Laurie]

Oh what fun, Sandi! Wish I could pop on over to your cozy place and have christmasy fun!
Laurie~

[Kim]

Mmm..I just made a batch of the vanilla marshmallows this morning. We're going to be dipping mallows at my house :) I think I'll make some of the coconut ones too, those dipped in chocolate, divine! We are already planning on doing the candy cane ones too. I break up the canes and add it to the sugar mixture, then will roll them in candy canes after they are dipped. YUM!!!
After that, I will blissfully slip into my sugar coma.

[Andi]

Sounds like a lovely evening with some delicious and gorgeous results. Lovely!!

[Dena Rooney-Berg (sugarshop)]

No matter what your project, it is beautifully painted with a bright and happy color combo! You rock, have I said that before?
xoxox

[Jennifer Rollins]

I wish I was in your neck of the woods too - everything looks so yummy!!! I am so excited about the white-chocolate cherry shortbread cookies - I printed out the recipe and I will be making some of these for sure:-). Thanks for sharing!

[Gina]

you have a great knack for making all things look darling and fun! talk about eye candy; i love the photos, colors, and recipes!

[Silvia Bretas -Honey Sugar Boutique]

l can't stay on my diet seing all this yummys!

[Melissa Garza-Allen]

White Christmas is my fave holiday movie! And I could eat a whole bag of those little mint kisses!

[amylouwho]

OH how I love the dollar bins at Target. They suck me in everytime! I love your selection of treats!

[Tiff@Three Peas]

What fun!!! Sounds like a perfect evening to me!!!

Come by and enter to win some fabulaous prizes!

[Genevieve Gail]

I'm totally not a game person either, but Guitar Hero rocks! Just try it once if you haven't already, it's fun I swear! Thanks for sharing the recipes, your pictures are beautiful :)

[Pink Sky]

Yum!!! Thanks for sharing the recipes! :) It looks like so much fun!

[Margaret]

Sounds like fun evening! This reminds me of evenings baking with my mom. White Christmas was and is a favorite in our house. And the little gift boxes are a great find, thanks for sharing!

[Catherinette Singleton]

The thought of those peppermint marshmallows is making me swoon. How tasty would those bad boys be in some hot cocoa?? Must have those!!

[sandra]

Hi Sandi!
I just wanted to thank you for the beautiful Christmas music!! I pulled up your blog yesterday when I was baking cookies with my kids...All the classics!! They especially liked the Grinch!! Can't wait to try the cookies and marshmallows! Where did you find those great boxes?

Thanks so much!
Sandra

[mcauliflower]

great assortment idea! Would you believe I have yet to tackle coconut flavored marshmallows? They seem to be popular this year!

...I'm thinking I see some chocolate coated coconut rum ones in my future!

cheers