Holiday Baking, FINALLY!!!

Finally, I am baking for the holidays...making some of our favorite goodies. I am re-posting the link at the bottom of this one for a great list of holiday recipes that I posted before Thanksgiving and since the Christmas holidays are upon us now.

Today, I am making a huge batch of party mix-our style. We like more of some things and less of others...here is our recipe

7 cups of Crispex - we don't like all the wheat, corn and rice ones
2 cups of mixed nuts - or whatever you like
4 cups of pecans - I know they are expensive but my mom has pecan trees & she gives them to me
1/2 bag of pretzels - I love finding the holiday shaped ones - found at Sam's this year

Seasoning:
1 1/2 sticks of butter
5 Tbsp. of Worchestershire sauce
1 1/2 tsp. of seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. of garlic salt

Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl (makes a lot), melt your butter and add all remaining seasoning ingredients in and stir. Pour this mixture over your dry ingredients and blend thoroughly. I have 2 large plastic bowls...I put all the ingredients in one, set the other one on top, "duck" tape the bowls together and "toss" or flip...over and over.

This lets the liquid seasoning thoroughly coats your dry ingredients.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour...turning every 15 minutes. Pour out onto paper towels to cool.

Brandon's favorite is Cream Cheese Ball.

3 - 8 oz. boxes - Philadelphia cream cheese
1 1/2 bunches - green onions
2 jars - Armor dried beef
1 Tbsp. - Worchestershire sauce
1 tsp. - Accent

In a large bowl, put all 3 boxes of cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, Accent and chopped green onions. Chop 1 jar of dried beef in a food processor and put into bowl with other ingredients. Blend together well and shape into a ball. Chop 2nd jar of dried beef keeping it separate.
Lay your "ball" on wax paper, cover the ball with 2nd jar of dried beef...you can roll the ball in the beef chips or pat it onto the ball. I flatten the top and bottom on my cheese ball but you can make it into any shape you want.

It is ready to eat or you can refrigerate it first. Serve with Ritz crackers and it is wonderful.

Tyler's favorite is the party mix and almond bark pretzels.

I buy the pretzel rods, white (vanilla flavored) almond bark and sprinkles. I melt the almond bark in the double boiler, dip the pretzel rods, lay out of wax paper and cover them with sprinkles. Let them cool and you have the best of both...salty and sweet.

Now, I have to make Roger a pecan pie...one of his favorites.

For lots of chocolate goodies and more...click here for Holiday Recipes.

Have a wonderfully blessed day!