Nutella Cookies

'Twas The Night Before Christmas
For moms! Written by Karen Spiegler. Originally published in "Maniac Moms: A Humorous Newsletter for Crazed Mothers" in December/1993.


Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode
Only one creature was stirring, & she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of Nintendo 64 & Barbie, flipped through their heads.
The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"
With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, & saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."
"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
"your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."
"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.
"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young & The Restless."
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"
From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared & I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."
The clone changed the small one & hummed her tune,
as she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled & sighed, "And I love you, too."
The mom frowned & said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal."
That's my child's LOVE she is trying to steal."
Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."
The mom kissed her child & tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
when they'll be too old for my cradle & song."
The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side Santa said "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, You will be all right."

Nutella Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup Nutella
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
3 1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon +1 teaspoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons baking soda
pinch salt
2 cups white chocolate chips
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips


Cream butter and sugar together for about 5 minutes.  It should be light in color.  Add in vanilla, then eggs (one at a time), then vanilla. In a separate bowl mix flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture.  Add in chips.

Spoon onto greased baking sheet with about two inch spacing.

Bake 350F in the middle of the oven for about 12 to 14 minutes. Cool on pan for a couple minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.

Scones

I went to the store today because I had to get one more thing.  I went to Kohls to get some lounge pants for my Dad and I had to stop and laugh.  The store was filled with last minute, procrastinating men. It's particularly funny because my husband does the same thing.  And I know, he probably is out there right now as I write this.  He said he is going to the gym but is he really... ?

Sometimes I am amused by this and sometimes it irks me.  Why can't he have the foresight to think of me early on, consider what I might like... and then go and buy it- you know, like, a couple weeks ago.  Why?  Is this a man thing?  Or is this my husband and a few other procrastinating men out there?

Well, if you are home and not last minute shopping- make some scones.  Have them tomorrow morning for breakfast with some jam on them and a spot of tea.

Buttermilk Scones

Printable version here.

1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
2 tablespoons sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2  teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted butter

Beat together the buttermilk, egg and sugar.  In another bowl, combine 3 cups flour together with the baking powder, soda and salt.

Add about 2/3 of the flour mixture to the buttermilk and stir well.

Gradually add the melted butter, incorporating it thoroughly into the mixture.

Stir in the remaining flour mixture. At this point you can add whatever you like.  Raisins, chips, blueberries, cranberries...

A little more flour may be necessary to form a stiff dough.

Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead for several minutes.

Shape into a circle and cut into 8 triangles. I put them into my scone pan.

Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Err on the side to short in the oven because they can dry out easily if left in too long.

If you have them the next day, pop them into the microwave for about 20 seconds.  My daughter likes them with some butter and some sugar sprinkled over them.

Tell you about my sweet potato version soon...

Now, for some pictures of she-wolf with her Christmas duds on.  I do have to say that Caina loves wearing fancy collars. 

Does this face say "love" or what.

Chocolate Pistachio Thumbprints

Today I really wanted to make cookies.  But I wanted to make scones just a little bit more.  Packaged up a few scones with a jar of peach amaretto jam, and sent it off with my daughter's friends parents.  Hope they like scones.  I will be passing the recipe onto you soon.  A great scone.  I did a little experimentation and came up with a scone recipe of my own.  One more time to test and I will pass that one along to you as well.

Then I sat myself down at my sewing machine and worked on some last minute gifts.  It has been very relaxing even though it is last minute. So the cookies never became a reality.  One less cookie around here is probably a good thing.


These cookies from the cookie exchange are real beauties aren't they?  A nice addition to your cookie tray.  They are decorative and delicious. 

Chocolate Pistachio Thumbprints
Printable can be found here.

1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
3 1/2 oz. package of pistachio pudding and pie filling mix
1 egg
2 cups flour
1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
3/4 cup to 1 1/4 cups finely chopped pistachios

filling:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter, room temp
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 3 tablespoons milk

glaze:
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 teaspoons shortening

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a couple cookie sheets.  I like to use a lot of cookie sheets and then have them already to go.  I never put cookies on a warmed pan.  They will spread quite  a bit if you do that.

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar together.  Add in extract, pudding mix and egg.  Add flour and 1/2 cups chocolate chips, until well blended. Shape into 1 inch balls, roll in nuts.  Place two inches apart on a baking sheet.  With thumb make an indentation in center of cookie.  Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, until edges are lightly brown. Cool one minute before removing from cookie sheet.  Cool.

In small bowl combine the filling ingredients and stir until smooth.  Spoon a scant teaspoon into indentation.  Melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave.  Drizzle onto cookies.  Makes 3 to 4 dozen.