christmas | The Pink Apron

Merry Christmas Neighbor!: 10 Neighbor Christmas Gifts

Since the dawn of man, neighbors have wished each other a “Merry Christmas!” with fruit cake, cookies and various forms of Chex mix. After years of throwing away stale cookies 3 days after Christmas, I decided to give my neighbors something different. Here are some ideas of what to give to neighbors that may be a refreshing change from the usual.

Cherry-Chocolate Cupcakes

For Christmas dessert, most people make pies and puddings. We make cupcakes. Luckily, I have an amazing cupcake book I use basically anytime I need to make cupcakes. The Great Cupcake Book by Nordic Ware is my favorite of my nine (yep, nine) cupcake cookbooks. There are fun new flavors and classic flavors, but these cupcakes always turn out fluffy and delicious.

What are we teaching our Kids at Christmas

Each year, Christmas becomes less about Christ and charity and more about shopping, decorating and catching that great deal. We may not be able to change Christmas throughout the world, but we can change Christmas in our homes.

Braided Cinnamon Bread

As far back as I can remember, my mom has made Braided Cinnamon Bread for every Christmas morning breakfast. Maybe I should also add it to Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day and possibly Tax Day. Really any excuse to eat it suits me just fine.

Christmas Candy-Cane Kiss Cookies

Last week, I posted a variation on my favorite chocolate chip recipe. Since I just can’t get enough of this recipe, I decided to do one more variation. I took the traditional Hershey’s Kiss cookie, but gave it a Christmas twist.

Christmas Bark

Last year, I posted a recipe for peppermint bark. This year, I decided to try something new. I love bark because it’s extremely easy, fun to change up, and delicious!

Christmas Gifts for Grandpa and Grandma

My kids wanted to make presents for their grandparents for Christmas. Rather than buy a craft, we decided to use what we had and make them something meaningful and something they can use.

Orange and Cinnamon Rolls

Whenever we make Parker House rolls in my family, we do something special with the scraps. Rather than make more savory rolls, our family makes sweet rolls in cinnamon and orange.

Mint Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies

I started these cookies off with my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. The only change I made was, I left out the 2 cups chocolate chips and instead used 1 cup mint M&Ms and 1 cup Nestle winter dark chocolate and mint morsels. The effect was wonderful!!!

How to Roll your Rolls

Rather than make the standard rolled-into-a-ball rolls, we like to try different things. Learn to make crescent, clover and Parker House rolls using any basic roll recipe.