Sunday, December 20, 2009

Burp!'s Holiday Sweet Kitchen (and no, it's not more ice cream!)

I couldn't tell you what it was, but this morning I suddenly got this eerie feeling that I needed to check my calendar.  Boy, was I shocked to see that Christmas is just over a week away!!  Where did the time go?

Fortunately, we have been doing more than simply resting on our laurels for the last few weeks.  Our Christmas shopping is done (yes, done!!), we've ordered our standing rib roast for Christmas day dinner, and we just finished wrapping our gifts.  Oh -- and we did manage to whip up a nice big batch of chocolate covered cordial cherries.

These delicious tidbits have become a holiday tradition at our house.  And we couldn't envision Christmas without them.  As of this year, we've been making them for twelve years running.

The cherries soaked in brandy for over a week this year, so these little gems are packing a bit of a punch.

And they're tasting particularly fantastic.  We've packed up most of them to give as holiday gifts. But, we'll set aside a few for eating as well... I might even manage to hoard a few long enough to enjoy them on New Year's Eve, if Peef doesn't find them first.

Of course, if you're not a fan of cherries, you could make another one of our favorites: Layered Peppermint Crunch Bark.  This stuff is hauntingly similar to the stuff you can buy at Williams Sonoma, without the hefty price tag.  A full recipe of this stuff would cost you about $50 at WS.  The ingredients to make your own will cost about $12.  Yeah, trust me. It's worth the effort.
I also have a pretty fantastic recipe for fudge bourbon balls.  You take barely-cooked brownies as its base. They're completely fudgey and wonderful.  Come to think of it, we haven't made them yet this year. But, just the thought of them is making me a little bit drooly.

So, it's back into the kitchen with me...

In the meantime, I just want to take the opportunity to wish each and every one of you a Very Merry Christmas!  I hope that your celebrations are filled with incredible joy, the company of your favorite people, and plenty of delicious food.  And if we don't talk before the new year, may your 2010 be blessed with all that was good in 2009, and then some!

Recipe:  Chocolate covered cordial cherries


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16 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas to you! I couldn't make that layered peppermint bark, since I'd eat it all myself. Maybe I'll need to make it for Valentine's Day - I do love it... I'm saving my candy canes!

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  2. Delectable bites of happiness! What terrific treats to ring in the Holidays. Merry Christmas and a Joyous New Year!

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  3. Yummy goodness! Have a fabulous holiday!

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  4. Yes, we made the peppermint bark this year for the first time and it was awesome. So awesome that we ended up eating the first batch (which was meant to be included in gifts) and had to make another.

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  5. Standing rib roast? I want to come over to your place for Christmas dinner and take home some cherries while I'm there!

    You have a wonderful Christmas!

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  6. Merry christmas to you too! I love those little cherries although I am sure they would not last me till newyears!

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  7. Those cherries sound and look amazing. There is no way that those would last til New Year's in my house! Merry Christmas to you and Peef!

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  8. Treats look great.

    MERRY Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  9. ps. sorry there's no more ice cream!

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  10. You're making sweet treats by the hundreds. Totally support that! Happiest holidays!

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  11. Merry Christmas! Can't wait to make the treats. They look amazing!

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  12. Love the cherries! Didn't do any this year, but made up a bunch last year. For something a little differnt, try bourbon instead of the more traditional brandy!

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  13. Merry Christmas! What wonderful holiday gifts! Lucky are the people who receive those sweets!

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  14. I am one of the lucky people to receive those cordial chocolate covered cherries - They provided the perfect ending for our Christmas Eve dinner. Thanks again, Lori!

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  15. I can't even imagine how great the kitchen smelled. Mouth watering...

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