Day Seven: Mulled Cider Recipe

Day 7 recipe of the PammiCakes 12 Days of Christmas Indulgences is Mulled Cider!  This warm cider is perfect for those cold winter days.  The aromatic spices steeped into the sweet cider will make you fall in love with this easy recipe.  Plus, your entire house will fill with the smells of cinnamon and nutmeg.  If you are in the mood, you can kick this mulled cider up a notch by adding a shot of your favorite rum to your cup before serving. 
 
Mulled Cider Recipe
Serves 12-16

1 gallon of apple cider
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 orange
Rum {optional}

In a large crock pot, pour in the gallon of apple cider.  Next whisk in the pumpkin pie spice.   This will be difficult to fully integrate into the cider, but as the cider warms, the spices will mix in better. 

Cut the orange in half and place both halves into the cider, cut side down.  Warm the cider on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours before serving.  Ladle cider into mugs to serve. 

If you would like to add rum to your cider, pour one ounce of rum into your mug, top off with cider. 

Tip:
1)  Home alone and really in the mood for mulled cider?  No problem.  I tried this the other day and it worked.  In a mug, mix cider, 1/4 teaspoon of pumpkin spice and 1/4 teaspoon of orange zest.  Microwave until warm, about 2 minutes, and enjoy! 
2)  Cut this recipe in half or even quarter it if you are having a smaller gathering. 
3)  If you don't have a crock pot, this can also be made on the stove top.  Simmer for 2-3 hours until warm and infused.   

Day Six: Red Velvet Trifle Recipe

Day 6 of the PammiCakes 12 Days of Christmas Indulgences is upon us!  Today is a big day because it marks two big milestones; 1) we are halfway through the Christmas Indulgences posts and 2) this is the 100th blog post on PammiCakes Recipes!  Being a blogger has been such an amazing adventure, and I want to thank everyone who has supported me and reads the blog!  I am having a blast trying new recipes and DIY projects, then sharing them all with you.  I never thought that my MBA Marketing class project of creating a personal brand would have turned into a hobby for me in the future.    

Today the recipe for the PammiCakes 12 Days of Christmas Indulgences is Red Velvet Trifle!  This recipe might be my favorite recipe that has been featured in the 12 Days so far.  Red velvet cake is so moist and delicious with its subtle chocolate undertones and vibrant red color.  Trifles are so easy and versatile that you can use any flavor combination you love to create the perfect dessert.  Trifle is a layered dessert that usually consists of 3-4 different elements layered together in a glass bowl.  This trifle consists of red velvet cake, cream cheese frosting, homemade whipped cream and white chocolate chips {YUMMY}.  This dessert will definitely be the hit of your holiday dessert table.  As you can see from the photos, I made individual servings of the trifle, but you could use one large glass bowl for a larger crowd. 
 

Red Velvet Trifle Recipe
Serves 12-18
Preheat oven 350^o

Red Velvet Cake
1 box of Red Velvet Cake Mix (plus, water, oil and eggs)

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese
3 tablespoons butter, room temperature
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

Whipped Cream
2 cups cold heavy cream

6 ounces white chocolate chips

Prepare red velvet cake according to the recipe on the packaging.  Bake in a 9x13 pan for specified time on packaging.  Once cooked, allow cake to cool completely.  Once the cake has cooled completely, cut the cake in to small 1 inch cubes. 

In the meantime, you can prepare the frosting.  In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to cream the cream cheese, butter, heavy cream and vanilla.  Next, 1 cup at a time incorporate the powdered sugar with the mixer on a low setting.  You don't want this frosting to be as stiff as a regular frosting.  We want this to be a bit softer so it spreads easier over the layers of the trifle.  Set frosting aside. 

In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream on medium/high for 2-3 minutes.  Watch this cream as you don't want to over beat it, but you want to have nice, stiff peaks. 

In your trifle bowl, glass bowl, individual bowls or wine glasses add a layer of your cubed red velvet cake.  Next, spoon your frosting over the cake.  Then add the whipped cream and top with a sprinkle of white chocolate chips.  Now, repeat those layers and top with Christmas sprinkles!  Enjoy

Day Five: Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe

For Day 5 of the PammiCakes 12 Days of Christmas Indulgences, it is all about tart cranberry orange bread.  I love making quick breads.  They are easy and the perfect pastry to make when you are in a pinch for a hostess gift.  This bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks or served along with a cup of tea.

 

The flavor combination of cranberries and oranges, to me, is one of the best pairs to incorporate into breads or muffins.  I love the tart, fresh cranberries mixed with the tangy orange, and balanced out by the sweet bread.  This bread would be a perfect addition to you dessert buffet or a great accompaniment to your Christmas breakfast.  I hope you enjoy!   

 
Cranberry Orange Bread Recipe
Makes one 9x5 inch loaf
Preheat oven 350^o
 
1/2 cup sugar
Zest from 1 orange
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup fresh orange juice
3 egg whites, lightly beaten
4 tablespoon melted butter
3 tablespoon vegetable oil
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) fresh cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

In a large bowl, mix sugar and orange zest.  With your hands, massage the zest and sugar together to infuse the sugar with the orange flavor.  Now, mix in both flours, baking powder and salt. 

Next, incorporate the orange juice, egg whites, butter and vegetable oil.  Whisk together until smooth.  Fold in the fresh cranberries and walnuts with a spatula. 

Line the bottom and sides of the loaf pan with wax paper.  Pour the bread batter into the lined loaf pan and place into the center of the oven.  Bake for 45-50 minutes.  Once the bread is cooked, let the bread cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, remove onto a cooking rack.

Day Four: Poinsettia Sparkler Cocktail Recipe

 

The Poinsettia Sparkler is the fourth recipe on the PammiCakes 12 Days of Christmas Indulgences.  The Poinsettia Sparkler is a sparkling wine or champagne cocktail that is the perfect match for any of your holiday gatherings.  This drink is smooth, tart, bubbly, festive and very easy to drink. 

This cocktail is the perfect way to great your guests for your holiday party. Wouldn't these look beautiful served on a silver platter?  Who wouldn’t feel welcomed and special being presented with these cocktails?  I know I would.  These cocktails are perfect for a celebratory cocktail party, dinner party or brunch.  Top them off with some fresh cranberries that will float on top for a gorgeous garnish. 

 
Poinsettia Sparkler Cocktail Recipe
Serves 1
 
Sparkling white wine
1/2 ounce Cointreau
3 ounces cranberry juice
Fresh cranberries

Chill a champagne flute with ice for a few minutes.  Discard ice.  Next, pour the Cointreau and cranberry juice into the chilled champagne flute.  Stir them and top off the rest of the flute with the sparkling wine.  Garnish with fresh cranberries.
 
Tips:
1)      This cocktail can be made non-alcoholic by using sparkling cider or tonic water.
2)       Want to kick it up a knotch?  Add one ounce of vodka or tequila to the drink.

Day Three: Fudge Filled Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe

Readers, you are in luck!  Because I loved this dessert treat so much, Pamela has allowed me, her husband Bill, to be her guest blogger on day 3 of the Pammicakes 12 Days of Christmas Indulgences.  These Fudge Filled Peanut Butter Cookies are unbelievable.  Pamela baked this amazing stack of cookies that our families were fortunate enough to get to enjoy during this holiday season.  In about 4 days, I probably had 15 of these in 3 different houses.  Mmmmmmm!

As you would expect, the combination of the peanut butter and the chocolate are perfect.  The sweet and rich tastes are complimented well by the soft texture.  Although the pictures Pamela took illustrate a striking resemblance to hamburgers, they certainly are not!  You’d be foolish not to start baking these cookies immediately!

Fudge Filled Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
Recipe adapted from Host A Cookie Party
Makes 48 sandwich cookies
Preheat oven to 350^o

Cookies
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 cup butter, unsalted
2 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
3 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt

Fudge Filling
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cover baking sheets with parchment paper or no-stick cooking spray. 

First beat the peanut butter, butter, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add eggs. Beat just until blended.

Then, combine flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Add to creamed mixture on low speed, mixing just until blended. Drop by level tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. 

Bake the cookies for 6 to 7 minutes or until set and just beginning to brown. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

For the filling, microwave the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in medium microwave-safe bowl on high for 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth when stirred. Stir in vanilla. Let cool 15 minutes. Spread generously on flat side of half the cookies. Top with remaining cookies, flat side down, to form sandwich cookies.

Day Two: Challah Bread French Toast with Apple Walnut Compote Recipe

For day 2 of the PammiCakes 12 Days of Christmas Indulgences, I am bringing you Challah Bread French Toast with Apple Walnut Compote.  The perfect way to start out your day is with this indulgent breakfast!  I just stumbled into this recipe recently due to a mistake on a trip to the grocery store.  Fortunately, due to a little confusion at the grocery store, we ended up with a loaf of Italian bread and challah bread the other night for our pasta dinner.  We kept with tradition and had the Italian bread during dinner, but we saved the challah bread for the next morning’s breakfast. 

Challah is a slightly sweet, egg bread that is braided. They are truly lovely loaves of bread and such a nice treat.  It makes for the perfect base for this french toast that is savory and delicious.     The crispy pan fried outside and the soft, chewy, sweet bread on the inside is such an amazing way to kick start your day.  I made a quick apple walnut compote to serve on top the challah bread to increase the indulgency of the meal.  The warm, soft apple apples combined with the challah bread is a match made in culinary heaven. 

Bread French Toast with Apple Walnut Compote Recipe
Serves 2

Challah French Toast
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1-2 teaspoons milk
4 slices of challah bread

Apple Walnut Compote
2 apples, cored and cubed
1/2 cups walnuts, chopped
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg

First start the compote on the stove, so it is ready once the french toast is cooked.  In a small sauce pan, add all apple walnut compote ingredients up above.  Stir the ingredients together so all the apples are coated.  Cover the sauce pan and simmer over medium-low heat until the apples are soft. 

In a medium sized bowl, whisk the egg whites, vanilla, cinnamon and milk.  Once all ingredients are incorporated together, dip one piece of bread in the mixture at a time.  Flip to coat both sides. 

Place the egg soaked bread onto a hot griddle that has been greased. Cook on both sides until golden brown.

Serve with a hearty serving of the apple walnut compote and maple syrup.  Enjoy!

Tips:
1)      This would also be delicious without the apple compote.

2)     If you don’t have apples, you can substitute pears, strawberries, blueberries, peaches, or anything else you have on hand.

Day One: Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints Recipe

Welcome to the first day of the PammiCakes 12 Days of Christmas Indulgences ! Thanks for stopping by.  I am so excited for holiday baking season!  It brings me so much joy to cook and bake for people that I love.  It must be my mix of Irish/Italian blood always cooking and baking for a small army.  I must have learned this from my mother.  At any family gathering, she always serves at least 4 vegetable sides, a main dish, mashed potatoes, stuffing, rolls and a table full of beautiful desserts.  It is fantastic because we always leave extra full and with at least one large grocery bag full of leftovers for the week!

Ok, onto the first holiday indulgence; Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints.  I stumbled upon this recipe while going through the Sunday paper.  My Sunday morning ritual is to go through the paper and clip my coupons before I head off to the grocery store.  I love coupons and saving money where I can!  In the weekly fliers was an advertisement featuring cookie recipes.  I started salivating immediately when I saw the chocolate caramel thumbprints photo.  These cookies combine some of my favorite things; chocolate, cookies, caramel!  Unite those three into one creation and it sounds perfect to me and my taste buds.  We tried them out the other weekend and they stood worthy of being part of the 12 Days of Christmas Indulgences.  So without further ado, I present the Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints cookies!
 

Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints Recipe
Recipe adapted from Host A Cookie Party
Makes 4 dozen cookies
Preheat oven to 350^o

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature 
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups finely chopped pecans
1 cup caramel flavored topping

Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper.  

Beat brown sugar and butter in medium bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed for 2 minutes or until fluffy. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add egg yolks, water, vanilla and salt. Beat until well combined. Add flour and cocoa on low speed until well blended.

Beat egg whites in a shallow bowl until foamy. Place pecans in a separate shallow bowl. Measure about 2 teaspoons dough for each cookie. Form into balls by rolling between your palms. Dip each dough ball into egg whites, then roll into pecans. Place on prepared cookie sheet. Using the back of a teaspoon or your thumb, make a rounded indentation in the top of each cookie.

Bake cookies for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. It may be necessary to recreate the indentation once again with a spoon. Place about 1 teaspoon caramel topping into the indentation of each cookie. Bake an additional 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for several minutes. Remove to cooling rack to cool completely.

Tips:

1)      As I always preach on this blog, use what you have.  If you don’t have pecans, no problem.  Use walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds instead!  They would all work really well.

2)      Invest in cookie scoops!  These help save so much time and size all the cookies the same.  This helps save time and ensuring consistency through your entire batch.