FROSTED: Sing Some Festive Beats...With Christmas Carol Inspired Treats!

As soon as the calendar page flips to December, my IPhone quickly fills with playlists of all my favorite Christmas Carols. I am often heard belting out Santa Baby in the shower, humming Jingle Bells while doing household chores, or rocking out to All I Want For Christmas Is You while driving to work.

So, the other day while listening to one of my many holiday ballads, the song We Wish You A Merry Christmas came on and I noticed that the lyrics mentioned Figgy Pudding. I have heard this song many times before but I never really questioned what this type of festive pudding could be. Well, I did some research and discovered that Figgy Pudding is a very thick and heavy cake-like dessert. Sounds like something I would definitely try!

This made me wonder how many other interesting foods, desserts, and drinks are mentioned in Christmas carols that we often don't know exactly what they are or overlook during the holidays. So this week, I am sharing with you some Christmas tune inspired treats that will have your guests crooning your praises. Now warm up your oven and record some of these holiday song inspired confections into your cookbook . . .

"Oh, bring me some Figgy Pudding..."---We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Figgy Pudding Butter Cookies
(Recipe by Food 52)

Cookie Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon of orange zest (from one orange)
• 8-10 large dried Turkish or Caliymirna Figs (the light brown ones)
• 1 teaspoon of freshly ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 cup of whole milk
• 1 1/2 cup of all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 3/4 cups (or 1 1/2 sticks) of unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cups of confectioners sugar
• 1 large egg  

Brandy Sugar Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cup of confectioners sugar
• 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
• 2 Tablespoons of Brandy
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

 Directions:

1.  Sift together flour, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon in a bowl and set it aside. Dice figs into small chunks and put them in a saucepan with the milk. Heat on low, stirring occasionally for about 15 minutes.

2.  Put 1 1/2 sicks of softened butter in the bowl of the electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on med-high until the butter is fluffy, about two minutes. Sift 3/4 cup of confectioners sugar into the fluffy butter and mix until smooth. Add in one egg and reduce speed to low. Add in flour mixture and mix until just combined.

3.  Strain the figs from the milk. Add them, along with the orange zest, to the dough. Fold in until the ingredients are evenly distributed. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours.

4.  After the dough has cooled, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. On a well-floured surface, roll out the dough until it is 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2 inch round cookie cutter, cut out the cookies and place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet, spaced one inch apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

5.  While the cookies are baking, combine all the ingredients for the Brandy-Sugar Glaze in a saucepan on med-low heat, and stir often, until the sauce comes together. After the cookies have cooled, use a fork to drizzle the warm glaze on them.

"And I've got some corn for popping..."---Let It Snow

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

(Courtesy of Our Best Bites)

 

Ingredients:

• 16 cups of popped popcorn (fresh, or about 2 bags unbuttered or natural microwave popcorn)
• 1 pound of almond bark
• 1 (6 ounce) box candy canes, crushed (about 1 generous cup)
• 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint oil or 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
• 3/4 cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1.  Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl. Melt almond bark according to package instructions.  When completely melted, add extract or peppermint oil.  If using extract, it’s normal for the almond bark to seize (get lumpy) which is okay, just stir very quickly, the more you wait the more it will seize.

2.  Pour melted almond bark mixture over popcorn and pour crushed candy canes on top.  Stir to evenly coat.  Pour popcorn out onto waxed paper, parchment, or foil and spread out.

3.  Place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.  Drizzle over popcorn mixture.  Let mixture dry completely until chocolate and almond bark are hardened.   You may place in the fridge to speed process along.

When chocolate is hardened, use your hands to break up popcorn into chunks.

"Here we come A-Wassailing..."---The Wassail Song

Wassail Martini
(Via Henderson Times News (Mountain Traditions Holiday 11th Issue) )

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups of apple cider
• 1 cup of pineapple juice 
• 1/4 cup of orange juice 
• 2 teaspoons of honey  
• 1 Tablespoon of dark brown sugar  
• 1 teaspoon of whole cloves 
• 1 teaspoon of allspice berries  
• 2 cinnamon sticks 
• 2 ounces of gin (good quality) 
• 2 ounces vodka (good quality) 
• Orange zest curls, for garnish

 Directions:

1.  In a small pot, combine apple cider, pineapple and orange juice, honey, dark brown sugar, and whole spice. Bring to a simmer to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and let the spices steep for 20 minutes. Strain and chill.

2.  Pour chilled wassail into a mixing glass with gin, vodka, and a few ice cubes. Stir or shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with orange zest curls.

"She'd been drinking too much eggnog..."---Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer

Eggnog Fudge
(Recipe from Brown Eyed Baker)

Ingredients: 

•  2 cups of granulated sugar
•  1/2 cup of unsalted butter
•  3/4 cup of eggnog
•  Pinch of salt
•  10 1/2 ounces of white chocolate, chopped
•  1/2 teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg, plus a little more for dusting the top of the fudge
•  1 (7-ounce) jar of marshmallow creme
•  1 teaspoon of rum extract

Directions:

1.  Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper and let it hang over the side; set aside.

 2.  In a heavy 3-quart saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, eggnog and salt over medium heat. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 8 to 10 minutes, until a candy thermometer reaches 234 degrees F, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove from heat.

3.  Using a wooden spoon, work quickly to stir in chopped white chocolate and nutmeg until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in marshmallow creme and rum extract. Beat until well blended and then pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle a little freshly ground nutmeg on top. Let stand at room temperature until cooled, then refrigerate overnight until firm.

4.  When completely cool, cut into squares. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator.

 

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."---The Christmas Song

Chocolate and Chestnut Macaroons

(Courtesy by Food Nouveau)

Filling: Chocolate Chestnut Buttercream Ingredients:

(Makes approximately 36 macaroons)

• 1 stick of butter (1/2 cup), room temperature
• 1/4 cup of chestnut spread
• 2 Tablespoons of cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon of rum (optional)

Shell Ingredients:

• 3 large egg whites, aged for at least 24 hours
• 4.4 ounces (125 grams) of almond meal
• 7 ounces (200 grams) of powdered sugar
• .5 ounces (15 grams) of cocoa powder
• 1 ounce (30 grams) of granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of coffee extract

Filling Directions:

1.  In a medium bowl, beat cream the butter using an electric mixer. Add the chestnut spread, cocoa powder and rum, and beat together until creamy and homogeneous. Set aside.

2.  Take the egg whites out of the refrigerator about an hour before making the macarons to bring them back to room temperature. Line two doubled baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

3.  Place the almond meal, powdered sugar and cocoa powder in the bowl of a food processor. Finely grind everything together for a minute or two. Stop the processor, scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, and process again for a minute. After processing the sugar-almond-cocoa mixture, carefully sieve it, discarding any bigger bits that remain in the sieve. Reserve.

4.  Put the egg whites in a large stainless steel bowl. Beat at medium/high speed with a handheld or stand mixer. Once they start to get bubbly and white and the whisk is lightly leaving marks, slowly add the granulated sugar. Keep on beating until stiff peaks form.

5.  Add the coffee extract to the egg whites along with a third of the almond-sugar-cocoa mixture. Fold to incorporate by sliding a rubber spatula down to the bottom of the bowl and gently bringing it back to the top. Keep on adding the almond-sugar-cocoa mixture a third at a time until everything is incorporated, always folding gently and never beating.

6.  Pour the batter in a pastry bag fitted with a round 1/2-inch tip, then pipe equal rounds of batter on the parchment-lined baking sheets. Let rest for 20-30 minutes before baking.

7.  Preheat oven to 310°F (155ºC). When the shells have rested enough, bake for about 15 minutes, or until the shells are firm on their feet when lightly tapped.

8.  Let cool the shells completely, then remove from parchment paper. Fill with chocolate-chestnut buttercream, then refrigerate for 24 hours before eating. Enjoy within the next 5 days for the best texture and flavor.

 

Or how about The Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker

Sugar Plum Walnut Butter Cake

(Via Three Clever Sisters)

Ingredients:

• 9 Tablespoons of unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup + 1 Tablespoon of unbleached all purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cup of sugar (divided)
• 16 sugar plums cut in half
• 1/4 cup of brandy
• 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 2 extra large eggs at room temperature
• 1/4 cup of ground toasted walnuts

 Directions:

1.  To toast the walnuts, toss in a dry skillet over medium for a few minutes until toasted. (Watch carefully, they can burn easily). Immediately remove to a plate and grind in the food processor when cool.

2.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9-inch springform pan with 1 Tablespoon of the butter and dust with 1 Tablespoon of the flour.

3.  Toss the plums with 2 Tablespoons of sugar and the brandy, set aside.

4.  Stir together the remaining cup of flour, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl.

5.  In a large bowl, cream the remaining 8 Tablespoons of butter into the sugar, lemon zest, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Sift in the flour mixture.

6.  In a separate bowl, beat the eggs just until they start to foam. (Do not overbeat). Fold the eggs and the ground walnuts into the flour-butter mixture and mix well.

7.  Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Arrange the plum halves, cut side down, in concentric circles over the batter. (The batter will rise up around the plums as is bakes.) Pour any remaining brandy syrup on top. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of sugar. Slide onto a cookie sheet to catch any spills.

8.  Bake one hour, or until the plum cake is golden brown and a cake tester comes out clean. (Be careful not to test through a plum!). Cool 10 minutes before removing the sides of the springform pan and serving.

Who knew that food set to music could be so scrumptious? What a delicious harmony these goodies could make at the next Christmas concert at your church,  your children's upcoming holiday program at school, or a vintage holiday gathering at your home.

So turn up the volume on your radio, synchronize it with the sound of your blender, and make Bing Crosby eat his words with these yummy Christmas carol inspired treats. Have a wonderful weekend!

Perfectly Pretty Peppermint Eggnog Milkshake Shots

Is it possible to bottle up too much Christmas in one tiny little seasonal shot?  You know, I really didn't think so....that is, until I saw this ever-so-fabulous & absolutely delicious Peppermint Eggnog Milkshake shot from http://sugarandcloth.com.  They are almost too pretty to drink!  Here's how to make them . . .

PEPPERMINT EGGNOG MILKSHAKE SHOTS

Ingredients:

~ Peppermint ice cream
~ Peppermint white chocolate bark
~ Crushed peppermint
~ Eggnog
~ Sugar water

Directions:

~ Blend together 2 parts peppermint ice cream to one part eggnog. Rim the glasses with with crushed peppermint by dabbing them with sugar water and dipping them in peppermint. Fill your glasses with the milkshake mixture and place them in the freezer until you’re ready to serve. Break the peppermint bark into halves and place them on top just before serving.

Divine, right?  Now while I'm off figuring out how to turn these lovelies into martinis to enjoy on Christmas Eve, you knock one back and kick those holiday-shopping weary feet up, okay?

Juneberry Baby: Scratch-off Gender Reveal Announcements: Part 2

I am excited to bring you the addition of another gender reveal announcement to the shop!  We've been getting quite the demand of our elephant scratch-offs and a few of my favorite customers have been asking when we will have more in the shop.

Well, we've been a bit busy over here, with the new little one and all, but I managed to put this new Baby Owl one together, and I promise to have more over the next couple of months . . .

Now just in case you forget how it is done, you can DIY your own scratch-off circles (I will send you the PDF of both boy and girl-so as soon as you find out the gender of your little one, you are ready to print them!)  Then you mail them out to all of your friends & family (or pass them out at your baby shower!) and let them try their luck and take a guess!

Here's a link to the listing in the shop, where you can purchase the PDF file to be customized just for you:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/117871309/owl-baby-gender-reveal-scratch-off-pdf

And here is how to make the scratch-off circles:

http://juneberry-lane.blogspot.com/2012/07/scratch-off-gender-reveals.html

Super simple and just so cute too!!  Don't see the design you were hoping for in the shop?  No worries, just send me a message and I would be glad to put something together for you!!

Tutorial Tuesday: Handmade Holiday Ornament Wreaths . . .

You know me, I am all about glitter & sparkle when it comes to holiday decorating!  Need a fun & easy craft to help you feel artsy and add some shine to your season?  Why not head to Target for a big $15 box of shatterproof ornaments, then set to work with your glue gun and styrofoam circle and create something purely magical to greet your guests at the front the door?!

First, a little inspiration:

DIY ORNAMENT WREATH
(via The Next Bird)

Supplies You Will Need:

~ Glue gun

~ Styrofoam wreath base

~ Ornaments

~ Pretty Ribbon

1.) First start by attaching a lengthy ribbon to the Styrofoam donut. This will be where your wreath will hang.

2.) Line the inside and outside with ornaments. I took the hook piece off the top of the ornament and placed them hole side up, so this will be the back of the wreath.

3.) Flip it over when it dries and start piling the rest of the ornaments on, leaving the smaller pieces for last. When you're satisfied and the larger spaces are filled, make a pretty bow with the ribbon and hang on the front door! It would also be fun to put a little mistletoe in there somewhere..  if you're into that kind of thing.

So fancy, right?  And just so darn simple as well...wouldn't these make lovely gifts for teachers, neighbors, and friends too?  

Holiday Family Portraits: Cracking the Color Code!

One question that keeps popping up amongst all of my friends this holiday season is what colors to dress the family in for the big holiday photo.  If you were a bride who loved picking out the hues of your wedding or someone with a flair for interior design, than this little assignment is going to be nothing but fun for you.  But just in case you are not, today I am here to help with a few fun color combos along with a little guidance.

When choosing a photo palette, it is best to remember that the typical rules still apply: a cool color always compliments a warm one (think of my favorite combo-turquoise & red!!) and a neutral thrown in adds just the right amount of appeal to the mix to create an overall affect that is pleasing to the eye.

Here are a few examples of hot hues for this season:

(via Amber Anderson)

(image from Ashlee Raubach) 

Love me some yellow & grey!

(Courtesy of Hergert Photography) 

(via Ashlee Raubach) 

 (courtesy of Ashlee Raubach)

How about this fun, little announcement too?

(via http://devandmcki.blogspot.com/) 

(courtesy of holladay photo) 

(via shannamichelle photography)

And check out these color suggestions and tips from Deep Focus:

1. Make sure your outfits don’t disctract from your faces. You want your faces to be the focal point of the image. Choose tops that are solid and relatively free of embellishments. Prints and patterns are ok, but make sure they are subtle or small. For example, a patterned skirt looks great with a solid top, or a small gingham shirt looks great with a solid color pant.

2. Do not wear the exact same outfits! We’ve all seen the portraits of children whose parent’s dress them the same, and frankly, it’s quite humorous. Unless you’re going for the comic-effect, please refrain from being too ‘matchy matchy’. An exception to this would be if everyone wants to wear blue jeans, or khaki pants. If this is the case, make sure the tops do match exactly.

3. Complement each other without being identical. With the above statement about wearing the exact same outfit, wearing colors that are in the same color family is encouraged. If you want everyone to wear a blue top, have someone wear dark/midnight blue, someone else wear sky blue, someone else wear royal blue, etc. Having different shades in the same color family will make your portrait more interesting.

4. Reflect your personal style. You do not have to go out and purchase a new outfit for everyone before your portrait session. Match your outfits with the style and personality of your family. These are your portraits, and if you are wearing an outfit that you’d never wear otherwise wear or do not feel comfortable in, it will reflect in the final product.

5. Hair and makeup. This goes without saying that personal grooming is very important for your portraits. During the session the photographer will do their best to stay on top of things, but you know your family the best, and if something looks out of place, please don’t be shy to speak up. Make sure you do not try a new hair or makeup style for you portraits. Also, an overlooked grooming mistake is touching up nail polish. Teenagers often will paint their nails a bright or very noticable color, which is fine, what is not fine is when it is chipping away. Believe me, you do not want to get your portraits back and the first thing you notice is your daughter’s half painted lime green fingernails.


Still need a little assistance?  Just take a look at these color wheels and remember you are going for two hues on opposite sides of each other.  Then think greys, creams, or white for a neutral hue to balance things out.

Why not grab a hue from one of these hot shades of 2012, find it on one of the color wheels above, pick out a shade on the opposite side of the spectrum, and choose your favorite neutral!  Easy peasy!

Personally, I am all about grey as a neutral this season and love the look of layering-cool color as the cardigan, neutral shirt underneath and a pop of the warm color accessorized as a scarf, boot warmers, or necklace for mom, dad in the neutral colored shirt, and the kids in stripes or plaids with all three hues combined!  Have fun shopping and have a great week!!

Local & Lovely: Hidden Gem Holiday Happenings for families in & around Los Angeles!

Well, hello there, and thank you for popping by on this wonderful weekend in December:)  Now I know most of you Juneberries aren't local to Los Angeles, but there is such a shortage of condensed good information out there for fun, family-centered activities that I thought I would take a weekend day every now and then to point out some local seasonal happenings!

As this is a massive expanse of a city, looking it up on traditional event websites makes for a long morning spent sifting through club openings and more adult-oriented fare.

A bit of the upcoming fun that has recently caught my eye, even though my babies are just a bit too little to truly enjoy these yet are:

Ice Skating Rink - ICE at Santa Monica

~ located at 5th and Arizona.  Every holiday season, Downtown Santa Monica brings a little ice skating to the beach side community and transforms the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue into ICE at Santa Monica, a premier outdoor ice skating rink. The 8,000 square foot rink by the beach offers residents and visitors a little taste of winter without the bite, now through January 16th, 2012

Metrolink Holiday Toy Express

~ Santa’s glittering train, the Holiday Toy Express®, is once again preparing to travel from city to city to entertain families and collect toys for the less fortunate. This year the Holiday Toy Express will bring joy to all of the communities we serve as it marks its 16th year of operation. This 41 stop tour, which passes through six counties, brings a brightly packaged gift to Metrolink communities – a 450-ton train decorated with holiday displays and 50,000 twinkling lights – and delivers a live musical performance, Santa and community fun.  Join us, ABC7 and Southland Firefighters who will be collecting toys at the station stops as a key part of their overall annual “Spark of Love Toy Drive” in the region.

Visit http://www.metrolinktrains.com/news/promotions_detail/title/Holiday_Toy_Express_2012

Glendale Americana Winter Wonderland

~ Watch a Winter Wonderland appear before your eyes. Witness an enchanting snowfall as Santa's helpers transform The Americana at Brand into a winter wonderland each night at 7pm and 8pm.  Strolling Carolers, Brass Bands and Melodic Bell Ringers... It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

http://www.americanaatbrand.com/glendale/promos/promo_page.php?id_promo=59&section=events

Christmas Boat Parade

~ Join over a million viewers as you watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 104th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, we invite you to celebrate this year as we feature the theme "Surf, Sand and Santa!"

Visit http://www.christmasboatparade.com/

North Pole Express Fillmore

(Fillmore & Western Railway)

~ Kids can wear their pj's as they listen to Santa's elves read "The Polar Express." Santa will visit and cookies and chocolate milk will be served. Fillmore & Western Railway Company

For more info visit here: http://www.fwry.com/

Christmas Tree Train:

(Fillmore & Western Railway)

~ On weekends from November 26 through December 11 you can bring the entire family and start or continue a Christmas tradition by riding the train to the Christmas Tree Farm to select and cut the perfect tree. If a tree is not on your list, take this holiday train ride with Santa to shop at Loose Caboose Garden Center and Gift Emporium.   At Loose Caboose Garden Center and Gift Emporium you can choose from a variety of antiques, gifts and Christmas decor. Food and beverages (including beer & wine) will also be available onboard. For more info visit here: http://www.fwry.com/

Underwood Family Farms Christmas on the Farm

~ Big Wave Dave's *Christmas Trees bring Christmas to Underwood Family Farms.  Beginning on November 23 - December 17, fresh cut northwest trees as well as mistletoe, wreaths & all the fixings will be available for sale at the farm.  

Underwoods Farm Center & Farm Market Open will be open from 9am - 5pm weekends only from November 23 - December 16.  Admission to the Farm Center is $6.00/per person and children under 2 free. Tractor rides & the Animal Show are included with paid weekend admission. The Farm Center will close for the season December 17 until we open for the 2013 season on March 1.  Visit http://www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/the_holidays.html for more details.

The Magical Christmas Caroling Truck

~ This one is a hands-down, for sure for my family this year!!  Every year on Christmas Eve from 5-11 pm, the Magic Christmas Caroling Truck drives through the north Los Angeles neighborhood of Toluca Lake. Decorated like a holiday parade float, the festive flatbed is laden with volunteer musicians and singer who carol through the community.  Visit http://www.christmascaroling.org/

I will definitely be popping back in with more during the weeks ahead and might even share a few pictures of our own experiences as we head off in search of new family traditions!  Enjoy your weekend!!