Preparations 8 - Primped and packaged
Feels like we're entering the home stretch now. A little bit of wrapping to indulge in, some last minute distribution and the big day will be here.
But he ate enough of them once they'd been dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled.
Dishcloths have been ironed (what a hoot - I don't really understand 'blocking', but the wavy edges look somewhat straighter) and packed up with vanilla sugar and cookie cutters and a gingerbread house kit for good measure.
Chocolate pretzels baked (Mama? Why you making those poos?)
But he ate enough of them once they'd been dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled.
The recipe was from the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Cookies special (thanks Michelle!) . Call it a little Christmas gift from me to you to say thank you for stopping by here and leaving such lovely comments.
CHOCOLATE PRETZELS
1 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
Unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
In a small bowl, combine flour, 1/2 c. cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. Add flour mixture, 1/3 at a time, beating on low speed until combined. Divide dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 2 to 24 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Remove one dough portion from refrigerator; keep remaining dough portion refrigerated. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Sprinkle work surface with sifted cocoa powder, repeating as needed. Roll each portion of dough into a 9 inch long rope on prepared surface. Twist into a pretzel shape and place on a cookie sheet, 1 inch apart.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until just firm. Cool on the cookie sheet on a wire rack for one minute, and then transfer to to the wire rack to cool completely. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.
CHOCOLATE PRETZELS
1 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
Unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
In a small bowl, combine flour, 1/2 c. cocoa powder, and salt. Set aside.
Beat butter and brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until well combined. Add egg and vanilla and beat well. Add flour mixture, 1/3 at a time, beating on low speed until combined. Divide dough in half and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 2 to 24 hours or until dough is easy to handle.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Remove one dough portion from refrigerator; keep remaining dough portion refrigerated. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Sprinkle work surface with sifted cocoa powder, repeating as needed. Roll each portion of dough into a 9 inch long rope on prepared surface. Twist into a pretzel shape and place on a cookie sheet, 1 inch apart.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until just firm. Cool on the cookie sheet on a wire rack for one minute, and then transfer to to the wire rack to cool completely. Repeat this process with the remaining dough.
Comments
my youngest is just entering that phase where they say 'poo pants' all day long, thankfully he's going off out with his dad for the day tomorrow ; )
My two were waiting at the window for friends to arriv and my little boy (who has worryingly shown no inclination for phonics, reading, letter recognition....the list goes on) shouted quite unexpectedly 'p for poo'. I was so delighted that I didn't spot the way that this might go....w for wee, w for willy, b for bottom...
...am off to write my educational book now: teaching through toilet humour. Urg...I'm sure he's going to embarrass me with this...
How have I not managed to reply to your lovely email, and yet found time to write all this randomness? Sorry! So pleased you liked them and that the excessive use of bubblewrap was warranted. x
the recipe sounds delicious, but I couldn't possibly make them, because I'd spend the whole laughing and then not want to eat all the delicious poos.
Merry Christmas to you and yours :-) x
Hope you have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Cathy XX
Love the dishcloths, how I wish I could knit!
The coffee grinder was from good old ebay, there were a couple on when I looked, it cost about £18 inc postage but I love it, search under "vintage coffee grinder" - good luck!
Have a lovely Christmas and a great new year!
Julia x
Lucky people getting the dishcloths - they are a TOP gift! And so Christmassy with the star - to be kept for clean jobs only.
Alicex
The dishcloths look much too nice to use.
Lala :o)