This morning, I heard on the radio a public service announcement for individuals and families in need to call 2-1-1, a United Way help hotline. I hadn’t heard of this hotline phone number before so I “googled” it. What I found was that most of the United States offer this service for families in need which is also available in other languages, too. I’ve copied information from a couple of sites explaining what services you can connect to by calling the 211 help hotline. If you are an individual or family …

Use this Gingerbread Cookie recipe* to make delicious treats for the holidays.
What you need:

1/2 cup shortening
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup dark molasses
1 egg white
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

What to do:

Beat shortening, brown sugar, molasses, egg white and vanilla in large bowl at high speed of electric mixer until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices in small bowl. Add to shortening mixture; mix well. Cover; refrigerate until firm, about …

This is a perfect cake to serve on any special gift giving occasion, such as Christmas. An eye catching marzipan bow transforms an everyday looking cake into a dazzling gift box.

Ingredients:

1 recipe Marzipan
red food color
1 package (18 1/4 ounces) devil’s food cake mix
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 cup mini chocolate chips
2/3 cup finely ground hazelnuts or almonds
1 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

What to do:

Prepare Marzipan, coloring it red as shown in photo, set aside.
Preheat oven to …

Emily is turning 3-years-old one month after Christmas. There might not be anything left to get her for her birthday after both sets of grandparents, uncles, and aunts (“greats”, too) shower her with Christmas presents. Three-years-old is a fun age to shop buy Christmas presents for. Emily can finally play with toys that don’t have the choking hazard warning for children under three-years-old. She’s moving on to the next stage in toys! But that also means, she’s growing out of the baby stage.

Here’s what our Emily hopes Santa …

If you find that you’re short on time and need to bring cookies to a holiday party or Christmas cookie swap, I have a couple of easy suggestions for decorating Christmas cookies to help save you time. Just follow the following easy, time-saving directions…
What you need:

Confectioner’s Sugar
3-inch chocolate cookies
parchment paper
Sugar sifter

What to do:

To make snowflakes, tree, or star templates: For snowflakes, cut several pieces of parchment paper into 3-inch circles. Fold each in half, then into quarters. With scissors, cut small pieces from folded edges to create snowflake design. For the star or tree, fold …

Heavenly Angels
Yule Trees
plus recipes for
Marzipan
Cookie Glaze
Gingerbread Cookies

Heavenly Angels

These adorable Heavenly Angels can be given away as edible take-home favors, grouped to form a heavenly choir, or used to decorate a cake. The recipe is easy enough for children to help you decorate these edible Christmas favors. The heads are made of Marzipan. The Marzipan recipe follows the Heavenly Angels recipe.

What you need:

6 tablespoons Marzipan
3 white chocolate baking bars (2 ounces each) or confectionery coating, coarsely chopped
6 ice cream sugar cones and sprinkles
6 large pretzel twists
Assorted food colors
1/3 cup shredded coconut, …

Kids love this Christmas version of popcorn balls. The peanut butter adds a great flavor twist. Use these for edible Christmas favors and table decorations. For each of your guests, write their name on a star and attach it with a tooth pick inserted in the top for your Christmas table place cards.

What you need:

6 cups popped popcorn
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup peanut butter
Green food color
1/4 cup red cinnamon candies

What to do:

Line baking sheet with waxed paper. Pour popcorn into large bowl.
Combine sugar and corn syrup in …