Peppermint Barktini

Happy Christmas Eve! I made up this dessert cocktail for my sister and me a couple of weeks ago - it's very festive and perfect for Christmas.

Ingredients:

• 2 oz vodka
• 3/4 oz crème de cacao
• 3/4 oz crème de menthe
• crushed candy canes
• simple syrup
• 1/2 cup crushed ice

Combine the vodka, crème de cacao, crème de menthe, and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously.

Spread the crushed candy canes out on wax paper. Line the edge of a martini glass with simple syrup and then dip the rim of the glass onto the crushed candy canes.

Pour the drink into the candy cane rimmed glass and enjoy! Merry Christmas!

Candy Lasses

We make these peppermint cookies every Christmas - they're a family recipe and they are one of my favorites.

Ingredients:

• Cookies
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. ginger
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp. molasses
• 1/2 cup crushed candy canes
• Peppermint Frosting
• 3 cups sifted powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp. crushed candy canes
• 3 tbsp. soft butter
• red food coloring
• 1-4 tbsp. milk

Yield: 36 cookies

Begin by crushing the candy canes - I did it in a mixer attachment.  I just used a box of 12 candy canes - the leftover crushed candy is good on top of whipped cream in cocoa or coffee.

Cream the butter in a mixer.

Add both the sugar and the brown sugar and cream well.

Blend in the egg and molasses.

Add the flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.

Mix in the 1/2 cup of crushed candy canes.

Drop by teaspoon onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. 

Bake at 350ºF for 12 minutes.

Now you need to make the frosting.

Combine the powdered sugar, vanilla, crushed candy canes, butter, and a few drops of red food coloring.

Blend in milk, 1 tablespoon at a time until you get the desired consistency.

Frost the cookies.  Allow the frosting to set and enjoy.