"It's just what I wanted!!!"
How was your Christmas? Did you get everything you wanted?
I’m not even exaggerating when I tell you that my kiddo’s reaction to every single gift was the same. She squealed and giggled and yelled, “It’s just what I wanted!!!” It was a good Christmas.
We actually have two more Christmas events next weekend, and boy, that really confused her. “Another Christmas? With our other family?” Of course, that paled in comparison to the Who’s On First runaround we had when I mentioned our friend Sara who does not have children, and that sweet girl thought I was talking about my cousin Sarah who has four children. “But what about her kids? Where did they go? Why doesn’t she have kids anymore? Where ARE they?”
I eventually realized that we were talking about two different people and tried to set her straight. Meanwhile, Mark’s head just about exploded.
In addition to the family and the presents, our Christmas was full of food, including a few new (to me) recipes. Just like Thanksgiving, some were bigger hits than others.
My faithful cooking assistant
In what’s hopefully becoming an annual tradition, I made my version of Pioneer Woman’s lasagna for my in-laws on Christmas Eve. Both my husband and brother-in-law deemed it delicious, with the perfect cheese to sauce ratio. I also made a pumpkin pie from scratch (kind of – if you count opening two cans and a frozen crust as “from scratch”) and it turned out okay. It could have baked a little longer, but that didn’t really slow us down.
Speaking of Christmas traditions, I attempted to create a new one by making monkey bread for our breakfast on Christmas morning. And it didn’t exactly work out as I’d hoped. I used jumbo biscuits, and I’m assuming – based on the not-so-perfect results with a dried out top and doughy bottom – that I was supposed to use the small ones. Also, the recipe calls for three cans of biscuits and, jumbo or not, no family of three needs that much monkey bread!
For Christmas dinner, my mom asked me to bring appetizers. I made my usual tortilla rolls, a dip that I’ll post about later, and the tastiest Chex Mix I’ve ever had. I read about this snack on Alli-n-Son’s blog, and it is tasty. I’ll share my version, so you can make a batch for New Year’s Eve!
Pumpkin Pie Crunch
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups Cinnamon Chex
2 cups Honey Nut Chex
2 cups Golden Grahams
8 oz honey-roasted peanuts
Add the spice to the sugar. Melt the butter and stir in vanilla. Combine them into one bowl. Pour six cups of cereal into a really big bowl and mix up. Pour butter mixture over cereal, then add nuts and stir. Nuke it in the microwave for 5-6 minutes, stirring every two minutes or so. Spread onto cookie sheets and let cool.
The original recipe calls for pecans, but I don’t like pecans. It also didn’t include Golden Grahams, but I like Golden Grahams. No offense to the original recipe, but I like my version better!
How was your Christmas . . . food? Did you cook and/or eat anything new?
This post will be linked to Mouthwatering Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Tuesdays at the Table, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, What’s Cooking Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Foodie Friday, Grocery Cart Challenge, Friday Firsts and Food on Fridays. It will also be linked to Ingredient Spotlight at Eat at Home.
That’s funny – I “attempted” to make monkey bread for Christmas morning as well. I didn’t have a bundt pan, so I used a loaf pan (as one recipe mentioned) and I had the same results – crispy on top and doughy in middle. I used 3 cans of the regular buttermilk biscuits and had a ton also (for a family of 4 – it was ALOT too! Next time I may try a 9 x 13 pan.
I think a 9×13 might work. A larger, more shallow layer would probably have better coverage. (Although, it’s not like we didn’t EAT our not-great monkey bread. My daughter and I were polishing off the leftovers when I read your comment!)
I was just tweeting with @sthrnfairytale and she shared this idea for INDIVIDUAL Monkey Breads – cooks faster and more evenly. I thought it was BRILLIANT! http://bit.ly/fVijHY
LOVE the Chex Mix idea – definitely putting that one in the files. I might have to make some for the office next week. Yummy!!!
Can I just tell you how ADORABLE your daughter is. Treasure every minute. They grow up SO fast!
I will definitely be making up a big batch of that chex mix! I never thought of that combination, but they’re all things I love!!
I know – so smart, right? (I can only say that because it wasn’t my idea, of course!) :)
You’ve put together my two favs!!!! LOVE it, thank you
I hope you have the chance to make it. It’s SO easy and SO good!!
You said you didn’t use golden grahams? What did you use instead? Sounds delish, perfect for fall! Thanks, Jenny C.
I did use Golden Grahams. The original recipe didn’t call for it, but I added it!
Mary, sorry I read it wrong! Thanks for setting me straight! Your blog is so fun :-) I’m really enjoying it – the name really drew me in! Blessings.
No problem! :)
I’m in love with this idea!
You’ve got to try it – it is SO good!
I seen you made the monkey bread and had some different results. I’ll tell you what I do and it seems to turn out just right for me..no doughy center. First I use a bundt pan to me that seems esscential then I used ONE CAN of either the jumbo or flakey or even the small biscuts. Here’s the Key! You have to spread them all out barely touching one another and make sure you have enough sryup on the bottom of the bundt pan and also on top if you like you can just drizzle on more sryup on top of your biscuts along with sprinkling of cinnamon. Then bake as usual..by the way what temp and how long are you baking them for..that could also be an issue. This recipe is always a fav of my family esp. ME since it’s soo simple. Why not post which recipe you used and I’ll take a look at it, if it’s different then mine I’ll post the one I use then. HAPPY NEW YEAR!