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Holiday Cranberry
Bread
 Makes 4 mini loaves
These tart cranberry loaves are a delicious accent to your holiday meals. We make them ahead of time with friends, freeze several and then give them as gifts. We also keep some to enjoy with our own families, for breakfast and with dinner. ½ stick butter, softened ½ cup white sugar ½ cup light brown sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 eggs 2 ½ cups bread flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoons baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup orange juice ¼ cup whole milk 2 teaspoons orange zest 1 ½ cups chopped whole cranberries Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cream the butter with sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well. Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Combine and then add the juice, milk and zest. Blend well. Fold in the cranberries and distribute evenly among four mini loaf pans sprayed with baking spray or greased well with butter. Bake for 24-30 minutes until cooked through. (You can put a toothpick in the center to see if it comes out clean.) let cool. |
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Hot Cocoa Mix
Fills a one quart mason jar, or two pint mason jars
We love this edible gift as it pleases everyone in the family, and is the perfect accompaniment to a winter evening by the fire. Package in wide-mouth mason jars so spoons can easily reach the mix, and make sure to add a label (with directions) and festive ribbon.
2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
½ cup sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
½ cup dehydrated mini marshmallows
½ cup ground candy canes or mini candy canes (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Divide among jars or other gift packaging. To serve, combine three or four tablespoons of the Hot Cocoa Mix with boiling water. |
| Salsa and Guacamole Seasoning Mix |
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Fills a 6-ounce spice jar
You'll never need to run to the store for salsa if you have this mix and a few fresh ingredients on hand. We like to mix it with fresh chopped tomatoes, onions, and cilantro, with a few dashes of lime juice. Canned tomatoes will do fine if fresh are not available. The mix makes a nice gift packaged in a spice jar with a clear label and a fun ribbon.
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
6 tablespoons minced onion flakes
2 tablespoons red pepper flakes (or more or less depending on desired heat)
6 tablespoons dried cilantro
2 teaspoons sugar
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, and divide among jars or other containers.
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Dear Friends,
What should we give this year to neighbors, friends, family, co-workers, teachers, crossing guards, and bus drivers? That's our simple yet time consuming thought during the holidays. It's a moment to communicate with a token, or through a gesture, how thankful we are to have these people in our lives. But while searching for the right gift, we often land in traffic jams or in long lines, ironically leaving us with little time left to spend with those we care about.
That's why at Cooking With Friends, we make edible gifts with friends. We find it to be a thoughtful and delicious solution that is fulfilling for both the giver and receiver. We hope you find this issue packed with scrumptious gift ideas.
Alison and Shannon
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Big business has been created around the gift of food. Gingerbread houses, cookie bouquets, exotic baskets of fruit and gourmet cheese are delivered to thousands of homes every year at the holidays. No wonder! If you've ever received one of these presents yourself, you'll agree it can be a thrill to receive a gift of food. Add the homemade component and you'll really get the wow factor. Nothing beats the homemade gift of food, especially when it's made together with a friend. |
Let's Count the Reasons
Makes economic sense - In today's economy, it can be a struggle to buy something for each and every person on your list, even something small. Homemade food gifts needn't cost a lot, especially when you're sharing ingredients with a friend and splitting the costs. Shop at a place like Sam's Club, our new partner at Cooking With Friends, and you'll really save.
It's Sentimental - Let's face it, if you've ever received a homemade food gift from a neighbor or friend, you probably felt really special that someone put the time into making you something.
It's actually enjoyable - Few people can stomach the crowds in shopping malls and the stress of buying gifts, but many can enjoy a few hours with a friend in a kitchen, baking or decorating holiday gifts together.
It can become a holiday tradition - The holidays should be a time to start traditions with long-lasting memories. The process of making an edible gift with a friend or family member is an ideal way to infuse your holiday with meaning. |
1) Holiday Cranberry Bread
2) Hot Cocoa Mix
3) Salsa and Guacamole Seasoning Mix
4) Chocolate Peanut Brittle
5) Candied Almonds
6) Herbs de Provence
7) Homemade Jam
8) Festive Holiday Cookies
9) Cherry Almond Granola
10) Holiday Chocolate Bark |
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The Presentation
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| Sometimes the food itself is enough of a gift. A loaf of Holiday Cranberry Bread (see our recipe left) can stand alone wrapped in cellophane, flecks of red berries accented with a green ribbon. Other times, it's fun to pair your homemade gift with something small like a candy dish or decorative jar, or something that specifically goes with the food gift. Make our Salsa and Guacamole Seasoning Mix, place it in a spice jar or small bag, and nestle it in a Lava Rock Molcajete. (You can buy one of these cool things from our OpenSky co-shopkeeper Michael Ruhlman at http://ruhlman.theopenskyproject.com/lava-rock-molcajete.html.) Or, assemble a few batches of our delicious Hot Cocoa Mix and package it with special mugs and peppermint sticks. | |
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Shop Cooking With Friends
Think stocking stuffers or Hanukah gifts with some of the items from our store at www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com. Our favorites: the sleek Microplane zester, pancake spatula, lemon press and soft skin vegetable peeler, which will all fit snugly in a stocking.
Dolce Gusto Coffee Maker
FREE Giveaway
Special for the holidays, Nestle has given us a fabulous red Dolce Gusto coffee maker to give away to one of our readers. Send us your best story about spending time cooking with family or friends during the holidays by December 15 to info@cookingwithfriendsclub.com. We'll select the most compelling story and send the winner this amazing gift and feature her story on our site. |
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Time-Saving Tool-- Wilton Pro Ultra II Cookie Press
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The Wilton Pro Ultra II Cookie Press is a fun way to make simple festive holiday cookies. Involve the kids and you'll crank out dozens of adorable cookies to ice and decorate. You can find it in our online store for $22.95: www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com. Bake them on a Silpat mat, also found in our store, and you'll never burn your cookies! Both items would make a nice holiday gift for a baking friend. |
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CWFC NEWS
Our pumpkin biscotti recipe and holiday baking tips will appear on the Dolce Gusto website on December 12th. Check it out! http://www.dolce-gusto.us/Public/Default.aspx |
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Alison Bermack and Shannon Henry
Visit our web site at www.cookingwithfriendsclub.com.
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