Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Buckeyes + My Go-To Christmas Apps + Sweets

First of all, thanks for all of your sweet congrats on our Baby #2 news, seen on instagram. We are so excited, very thankful, and I will update y'all soon! 

I'm so excited that Christmas is just a mere few days away, and we have lots of fun family time ahead. If you are like me, then food is a big part of the Christmas celebration. I love some Thanksgiving food but I reallllly love Christmas food. It's fun to have some recipes you can always rely on and make part of your yearly tradition which is why I am sharing some of my favorites today!

One of my very favorite sweet treats to start out with, Buckeyes, or as most people call them, Peanut Butter Balls! This is our family recipe that I grew up having and exactly how they should taste {in my opinion!} Certainly, one of those recipes everyone has a tweak for, but I really do love the tried and true recipe below. If you make them, let me know! My neighbors are enjoying half of the batch I made so we didn't eat them all before Christmas!

Buckeyes {Peanut Butter Balls}

Mix together:
1 stick butter
1 lb box confectioners sugar
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Roll into small balls the size of a buckeye {about 1" round} Refrigerate for about 1 hour until set. Melt together in top of double boiler:
1 6 oz package semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 of 2 oz. bar of paraffin wax

Insert toothpick in top of each peanut butter ball and dip into chocolate mixture almost to the top of the ball, leaving the top uncovered so it will look like a buckeye. Place on waxed paper until chocolate hardens.




These oyster crackers and a family Christmas gathering almost go hand in hand. They make a big batch {think the size of one of those big bags of oyster crackers} and are perfect for setting out on the counter in a small bowl for a quick, light bite to eat. They are also dangerous though, we always go back for one more handful, one more, and go back again, and again :) I also bagged some up yesterday for neighbors as a little Christmas treat.




This is my go-to cheese ball recipe. It's very simple but the flavors are perfect for pleasing everyone. I just made one ahead of time to be served on Christmas day. An appetizer that is homemade, but waiting in your fridge for the right time is key for holiday entertaining! Serve it with wheat thins or your favorite crisp cracker. Recipe note: I only wanted one cheese ball so I cut the recipe in half.



Pepper Jelly and Cream Cheese

No recipe required for this one and that is so ideal for this time of year. You can't spend hours on everything you whip up in the kitchen and this is just so easy, tasty and everyone loves it. Definitely a southern staple in our family! Take one block of cream cheese and empty a small jar of pepper jelly {I like red} on the top. Extra points if you find a gourmet pepper jelly made locally or at a specialty store. Serve with crackers. I already served this on Sunday night for a quick appetizer and it does not disappoint. 


I made this recipe last year and they were a hit. I know there are a ton of versions of this cookie, but this one seemed to hit it on all the marks. A definite keeper!



I also made these last year and I would definitely keep this recipe close by. A perfect sweet mini bite to bring along when you are visiting someone out of town, a baby shower, bridal shower, brunch, you name it! I also used ready made crescent dough to keep it extra simple.



I would love to hear any of your tried and true favorites! Hope you all are having a Merry Christmas week!


2 comments:

Brittany@TheLadyLawyer said...

Many of these are my favorites! We always do appetizers and snacks on Christmas Eve and I enjoy this kind of food better than a big meal!

April of Smidge Of This said...

Aw I am thrilled for your family! What exciting news!!!!!