A signature cocktail is one of my favorite entertaining secrets.  It makes every party a little more fun – especially if you greet guests at the door with an ice cold drink!  You can also set up all of the ingredients and the recipe on a bar cart and let your guests make their own.

This year I used See’s Candies Candy Canes on the rim of my signature cocktail to add a little something extra.  Not only will it taste amazing, but the red and green stripes add a festive element. 

Peppermint Martini

2 ounces vanilla vodka

1 ounce peppermint schnapps

crushed candy cane

peppermint bitters

Pour a tablespoon of peppermint bitters into a low dish.  Pour crushed candy canes into a separate dish.  Dip martini glass in bitters first, then candy canes.  Shake off any excess. 

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, shake vodka and schnapps.  Strain into prepared glass and garnish with a candy cane. 

---

This time of year we are making so many cookies it’s unreal. Lars made a batch last night for his scout troop today- I made a batch today for friends - last week I think we went through 12 pounds of butter just making and frosting cookies.

These are ones you will want in heavy rotation. They are in heavy rotation at our house - this is literally what Lars made last night, they are a huge favorite in our house. Jud told me today that he waits all year for these! Who knew?

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

8 candy canes, crunched up

STEP 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment or a silpat. Crush up the candy canes until they are very small pieces and set aside.

STEP 2

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla and cocoa powder and blend until light and fluffy.

STEP 3

Blend in flour and baking powder until the dough comes together. Roll a scoop of dough and dip the top into the crushed candy canes. Place candy side up on a lined baking sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes. The cookies will seem cake-y. It’s ok. Let them rest on the pan for about five minutes before moving to a rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container for up to one week!

---

Christmas morning - or the two weeks before Christmas morning when the kids are home and you have literally nothing to do with them in the morning - deserve something delicious and festive for breakfast! We sure do love gingerbread at our house. Basically because it’s cake. Which means these taste like cake and who doesn’t love cake for breakfast?

Also, they sound super festive, so despite the fact that they are really easy - they give you the illusion of being a real Christmas elf. Even if you’re exhausted because the kids are home for way too many days before the holiday even starts!

Gingerbread Waffles

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup milk

1/4 cup molasses

3 tablespoons melted butter

STEP 1

Combine all of the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl (or giant measuring cup) combine all of the wet ingredients.

STEP 2

Carefully blend all of the ingredients together and let them rest for 3-5 minutes. While they are resting, warm up the waffle maker.

STEP 3

Spray the waffle maker with cooking oil and fill the waffle maker about 1/2 full. Cook slightly longer than usual - mine went an extra two minutes - until crispy. The trick is to test the first one and see how much longer you need to let the rest of them cook. They will take extra time!

Serve hot with whipped cream and syrup.

---

Espresso Martini

A little something for the parents on Christmas morning - or the week before?

🍸

2 ounces vodka

1.5 ounces espresso

.5 ounce coffee liquer

Pour all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake well. Strain into a martini glass and top with three coffee beans. Cin cin!