Christmas Calories Don't Count!

Every year since I was one, my Grandma comes over to our house to make gingerbread houses with us. This is a tradition that started when my mom was very little and her mom would make homemade gingerbread to decorate. When we moved away from Arizona and came to Utah, my grandma flew out to keep up the tradition, until this year. My family chose to try Christmas cookies, which we usually make but on Christmas Eve. My Grammy has a special cookie and frosting recipe we use every year (twice a year now!).

My Grammy's Recipe

2 cups flour

Photo Courtesy of Northwest Church

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon milk

1. 
   
2. Sift together, flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. 
3. Cream butter and sugar together. 
4. Add in egg, vanilla and milk. 
5. Slowly add in flour mixture, make sure well combined. 
6. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. (can also be frozen) 
7. Roll dough out on floured surface to 1/8  or 1/4 inch thickness
8. Use cookie cutters to cut into shapes. 
9. Place on parchment lined baking sheet.
10.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 7-8 minutes, just until edges start to turn golden.
11.  Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing to racks to cool completely.

Photo Courtesy of Wicked Good Kitchen

Because I didn't make gingerbread houses with my grandma this year, I thought it was only necessary that I did with someone else. My friend, Sophia, invited me to her house to make some with her and her sister. We stated out well but didn't let the icing dry before putting on the toppings and it collapsed in the making. Meanwhile, Natalie and her friend took their time and didn't add random gummies and gluten free pretzels.

Sophia, Morgan and my gingerbread house vs. Natalie and Carleigh's.

You can never have enough cookies during the holidays!

My friend Gabby and I at a holiday party.
Photo Credits: My mom

Blaire covered in cookie frosting and decorations!

Christmas parties is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Every year my mom and I throw a mother-daughter cookie exchange and this year it was the 4th annual party with almost all the same girls. Another holiday party I attended was a cupcake decorating party for one of the clubs I'm a part of.

Recipe courtesy of Chocolate Chocolate and More with a few moderations.

Pumpkin Pie, Oh My!

As previously mentioned, I love pumpkin and apple pies. Today I’ll be showing you one of my favorite pumpkin pies to make with my family. Pumpkin pie is one of the most traditional foods you can eat on Thanksgiving and my family is VERY into traditions. Every Thanksgiving we visit Grandma and Papa Beach on Balboa Island in Newport Beach, California. All my cousins live in the area so they aways join us!  We have turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and my Papa always has to have creamed onions - which I don't care for too much!  He is always in charge of the turkey every year and he is the one who carves the turkey right before dinner. He makes an extra one for leftovers for the next days lunch! My dad always hangs around while he is carving and steals bites before dinner.  

My mom is in charge of decorating the table and we always bring fall leaves from Park City to sprinkle on the table.  My cousin, Colleen, and I make place cards, assign everyone their seats, and write the menu on a big chalkboard. When the rest of the family has arrived, all the cousins play games while the aunts and uncles watch football.  When we are all seated around the table, we go around and everyone says what they are thankful for in their lives.  At then end of the meal, we all enjoy pumpkin pie with chipped cream and apple pie a la mode.  It is the best way to end a great day celebrating family and all of our blessings.  Hope you have a Thanksgiving to look forward to as well this year!  

Photo thanks to: Pauper's Corner

RECIPE:

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

2 large eggs

1 can (15 oz.) pure pumpkin

1 can (12 fl. oz.) evaporated milk

1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell

Whipped cream (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
POUR into pie shell.
BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.

Fall Foods- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

As fall is approaching and the leaves are changing, our tastebuds are adjusting to the temperatures. Autumn in Park City is one of the best times to live in this unique town. The colors are always changing and the temperature is just right. For the perfect temperature there is always a perfect snack. In this case, chocolate chip pumpkin bread sounds simply scrumptious and is a must for fall! This seasonal sweet is the ultimate treat for a crispy fall afternoon. Paired perfectly with a cold glass of milk, your new favorite fall food tastes of the highest quality. This pumpkin bread is extremely moist and filled with rich pumpkin flavoring. Best served in the beautiful trees of Utah. As the smell of the bread in the oven reaches your nose, you know fall had officially begun.

(High Altitude)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread- twopeasandtheirpod.com

INGREDIENTS
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, cream sugars, butter and eggs. 
Add flour, pumpkin, water, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and cloves. 
Mix thoroughly. Fold in chocolate chips.
Pour into four greased and floured 6-in. x 3-in. x 2-in. loaf pans. 
Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until breads test done.Recipe courtesy of Taste of Home

Park City is a very popular destination in the winter. Known for it's ski resorts and "best snow on earth", this unique city located in Northern Utah attracts skiers from all around the world. Many don't know the beauty of it in the other times of years, especially autumn. The view from any window is breathtaking and the leaves are appealing to all eyes. According to Travel and Leisure Park City is the third best town to be in during Halloween. Park City is the place to be for fall on Halloween, Thanksgiving, or just an average day, you'll never be disappointed with the scenery.

Just an average day in early fall.

Happy fall everyone!