Food Gifts | A Daisy Garden

Posts Tagged ‘Food Gifts’

Edible Gifts (are the best!)

Posted in Baking, Cooking, Gifts, Photography, tagged Baking, Bread, Christmas, Cooking, Food, Food Gifts, Gifts, Handmade Gifts, Holidays, photography on December 22, 2017| 3 Comments »

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Thank you all so much for the way you responded to my last post. It’s funny (not in a humorous way, but a thought-provoking way) how through this “blog world” I have made some unexpected friendships that have been a real blessing to me.

I really didn’t expect a lot of response after not posting anything for six months! But you guys have just made me feel as if I got a hug from each of you! You didn’t have to do that, so it means all the more.

I’m so looking forward to reading through your blogs and catching up on all you’ve been doing, and what’s been going on in your lives.

………………………………………………….

Now, about edible gifts…

We have several Christmas get-together with Pastors & their wives (with whom we work) in different regions so it gives me a chance to bake some special little things that are really only around at Christmas time. (Not sure why! They are good enough to eat all year round! 😊)

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s year I made three different things to go in the gift bags. Mini Oreos, dipped in white chocolate and rolled in crushed peppermint candies.. Mini Swirl Cinnamon Bread loaves… and Fudge Brownies.

The mini Oreos are so easy. You just dip them in melted white chocolate then roll them in crushed peppermint candies. Place on a wax papered-covered baking sheet, and place in refrigerator (This will keep them crunchy). I was surprised how long they stayed fresh! They are a delicious treat!

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n came these mini Cinnamon Swirl loaves. Just use your favorite recipe, and you can add raisins, dates, or dried apricots – whatever you prefer.

The key is to bake them in paper loaves so you can just wrap them up in cellophane after they've baked and cool.

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last but certainly not least, are the fudge-y brownies, made with dark chocolate chips, if you like that extra chocolatey goodness. These are my favorite!!

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s always fun to bake something a little extra special for people that you know could use an encouraging word, letting them them know that they are appreciated, their work is not in vain, and that they're loved.

What are you baking today? Are you baking something sweet for someone special?

Have a wonderful Christmas season!

Hugs,

Daisy

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Apple Sauce

Posted in Cooking, tagged Cooking, Food, Food Gifts, photography on September 22, 2014| 33 Comments »

I love apple season.

I buy the bags of apples marked .99 lb

I stick my nose in the bag and smell that
wonderful scent of apples…

I must look funny, but I don’t care.

I feel inspired to bake…
apple pie, turnovers, bread, and . . .

Apple Sauce.

This is my first year making apple sauce.
My friend just happened to mention that she
was making apple sauce, and because she’s such a wonderful cook,
I asked her how she made it.

I always thought it would be a complicated process,
too difficult for someone like me who usually does
the quick & easy recipes.

But I couldn’t believe how easy and simple
the entire process was.

I just washed, cored, and cut the apples into big chunks.
Yes, that’s right… you don’t have to peel them!!!
That alone is what inspired me to try this recipe.

I combined a half cup of brown sugar,
a sprinkling of ground cinnamon (about 1 tsp)
and tossed the apples with this mixture
along with 10 Red Hot candies.

I then added 2 cinnamon sticks,
one tablespoon of vanilla,
and 2-3 star anise
to the big pot (with the one inch of water).

Just before the water began to boil,
I poured in the apples,
and covered the pot.

I waited til the water boiled,
then I turned the temperature down to a very low simmer
and left it on the burner for about 2 hours,
stirring once in a while.

The whole house smelled of cinnamon and apples!

When the apples were of apple sauce consistency
…you might like yours more chunky or less chunky…
I turned the stove off and let them sit until
they weren’t hot any more… just warm.

I had never had warm applesauce…
but I just couldn’t wait to try it!

… so … I did

and it was delicious!!

I was surprised how good it tasted.
I guess I really didn’t expect it to be better
than the store-boought.
But it was!!

This weekend I went back and bought another 2 bags of apples.