Abby's Easy and Simple Recipes - Christmas Coloring Fun

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
3/4 to 1 c. applesauce
1 (4.12 oz.) bottle ground cinnamon

Mix applesauce and cinnamon together to form a stiff dough. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Make a hole for ribbon. Carefully place on rack to dry. Let air dry several days, turning occasionally. If you prefer they may be baked at 150 degrees for 5-6 hours.


CINNAMON SCENTED CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
4 oz. can (about 1 c.) cinnamon
1 tbsp. cloves
1 tbsp. nutmeg
3/4 c. applesauce
2 tbsp. white glue

In medium bowl, combine cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Add applesauce and glue; stir to combine. Work mixture with hands 2 to 3 minutes or until dough is smooth and ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Divide into 4 portions. Roll out each dough portion to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough with cookie cutters. Using straw or toothpick, make small hole in top of ornament. Place cut out ornaments on wire rack to dry. Allow several days to dry, turning ornaments over once each day. Use these ornaments to decorate gifts, hang on tree, etc.


GINGERBREAD ORNAMENTS
3/4 c. cinnamon
1 tbsp. allspice
2 tbsp. cloves
1 tbsp. nutmeg
1 c. applesauce

Combine first 4 ingredients and blend well. Stir in applesauce and mix well. Roll out 1/4 inch thick on ungreased cookie sheet. Cut with cookie cutters of different shapes. Put a tiny hole in top with toothpick. Let dry 4 days. Put string through hole and hang on Christmas tree. Can also make hearts for all year home ornaments. Smells wonderful.


BREAD DOUGH ORNAMENTS(NOT EDIBLE)
Mix 1 slice white bread (without crust) and 1 tablespoon glue. Keep wrapped. Mix assorted acrilic paints into separate piles of dough. This takes awhile to mix. For white dough you must use white paint. Flatten with a rolling pin. Shape into forms or use cookie cutter. Brush 1 tablespoon glue mixed with 1 tablespoon water over shapes. Stick wire into dough and let set at least 2 hours.


CHRISTMAS BREAD ORNAMENTS
4 c. flour
1 c. salt
1 1/2 c. water

Combine flour with salt; add water. Stir the mixture with a spoon until it starts to form a smooth dough. Knead dough about 5 minutes. To make ornaments, pinch off bits of dough and form shapes. Such as bears, Christmas trees, gingerbread people and snowmen or roll out the dough and use cookie cutters. To make hair, push a piece of dough through a garlic press. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Paint with acrylic paints, then spray with clear acrylic spray. On the back of the ornament, write the name and the year.


DOUGH ORNAMENTS
4 c. flour
1 c. salt
1 1/2 c. water
Cookie cutters
Straw
Yarn
Tempera paint
Clear fixative spray

Mix first 3 ingredients. Knead for 5 minutes and shape into a ball. Roll dough on a floured surface. Cut into shapes with the cookie cutters or shape with your own design. Make a hole in the top with straw (or toothpick). Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Paint with Tempera paint. While paint is still wet, you can sprinkle with glitter, if desired. When dry, spray with clear fixative. Insert yarn into the hole and tie in a bow and hang on your Christmas tree.


PLAY CLAY ORNAMENTS
2 c. baking soda
1 c. cornstarch
1 1/4 c. cold water

Mix soda and cornstarch together, blending well. Add the cold water and mix well until mixture is smooth. Boil for one minute until it has consistency of mashed potatoes. Stir constantly. Spoon out on a plate. Cover with a damp cloth and allow to cool. Knead dough and roll out on waxed paper. Cut out designs with a cookie cutter or shape by hand. Let dry until hardened, about 1 to 2 days. Paint ornaments with tempra or water colors. Dry well and coat with shellac or clear nail polish. Hangers may be mounted on back with glue, or pressed into dough before it dries.


A RECIPE FOR CHRISTMAS
Take a quart of joy and gladness A pack of folk and kin -- A dash of Christmas spirit And toss some laughter in. Take a large amount of giving And spread it generously; Read directions in the Good Book And apply them carefully. Garnish well with human kindness, On crystal leaves of cheer, And you'll have a batch of Christmas To last the coming year.

Holiday Smells
A simple recipe for that delightful holiday fragrance to scent your home or office for the entire season. This mixture of apple juice and spices is a joy to share with your friends and family. 1 lg. jar or can apple juice
1 pkg. pickling spice
1 pkg. whole cloves
1 pkg. stick cinnamon

Mix all ingredients in crock pot. Add water to fill container. Bring to boil, then simmer for as long as you desire. This mixture will last about 1 week. If you wish to use again, strain out spices. Add fresh juice and water. Be sure to reuse your spices in the next brew. A little water may be added. Please note: "This is not a beverage, only a fragrance."


MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL WONDERFUL!
2 c. pineapple juice
Cinnamon sticks
2 tbsp. whole cloves
1 tbsp. ginger

Bring to a boil in a saucepan; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered. Add more water as liquid evaporates.


CHRISTMAS POTPOURRI
2 qt. pine needles
4 c. citrus peel, cut into sm. pieces
and dried
1 candle sense (pine)
3 c. rock salt
2 cans rosemary, chopped
1 can basil, chopped

Mix and put in glass jar. Lasts years. Just put lid on for a couple days to get a stronger smell.

Jar Mix Recipes
INTERNATIONAL COFFEE
1 c. powdered coffee creamer or nonfat
dry milk powder
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 1/2 c. instant coffee powder
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

Mix all together. To serve, place 3-4 teaspoons of mixture in a mug and fill with boiling water. (2 cups of coffee creamer may be substituted for the coffee creamer, cocoa and granulated sugar.) May be used for gifts by placing in a decorative jar or a nice coffee mug and add serving directions. Each recipe makes about 5 cups.


SPICED MOCHA MIX
1 c. dry non-dairy creamer
1 c. hot cocoa mix
2/3 c. instant coffee powder
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

Mix all ingredients together. Store in a jar. Makes great Christmas gifts.
Recipe to attach to jar:
Use 3 tablespoons in one cup of boiling water.


CHRISTMAS SOUP GIFT
1 lb. dry red kidney beans
1 lb. dry pinto beans
1 lb. dry split peas
1 lb. dry black eye peas
1 lb. dry Navy beans
1 lb. dry lentils
1/2 c. dried parsley flakes
1/2 c. dried bell pepper pieces
1/2 c. dried minced onion
1/2 c. dried celery flakes and leaves
2-3 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. dried ground red pepper
2 tsp. cracked black pepper
8-10 pt. jars with lids

Mix all beans in a large bowl. Pick out any discolored beans. Divide beans evenly in 8 or 10 pint jars leaving 3/4 inch of space at the top. Combine all remaining ingredients and divide evenly in the jars. Seal with lid.

Recipe to attach to jar:
Soak bean and spice mixture in 2 quarts of water overnight. DO NOT RINSE OR DRAIN. Bring to boil; reduce heat and cook 2 hours. Add salt pork, ham bone, or turkey carcass plus 16 oz. tomatoes and 8 oz. tomato sauce. Cook an additional 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Serve with hot bread and fruit. Makes 8-10 gifts.


BROWNIE MIX
4 c. sugar
2 c. flour
1 1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
1 c. vegetable shortening or oil

Put all ingredients except the shortening in a large bowl; use a spoon to mix until uniform. Cut in shortening using either a pastry blender or your fingertips until mixture looks like a chocolate cornmeal. Seal tightly in a plastic bag or a jar, label along with this page number and store at room temperature.

Recipe to attach to jar:
Put 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla or orange extract in a mixing bowl; beat slightly. Stir in 4 tablespoons melted butter or margarine which has been cooled. Lightly spoon 2 cups of mix into the mixing bowl; do not pack the mix when measuring. Beat well with a spoon to make a somewhat smooth batter; stir in 1/2 cup chopped nuts, if desired. Spread into a greased and floured 8x8x2 inch pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan, then cut into squares.


FIRESIDE COFFEE
2 c. Nestle's Quik
2 c. Coffeemate creamer
1/2 c. instant coffee
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. granulated sugar

Mix in blender for 5 minutes at medium speed. Store tightly covered.  Put in jelly jars - tie with ribbon and plastic spoon and note directions on gift card for a nice gift.

Recipe to attach to jar:
Use 3 teaspoons per cup of boiling water.


OATMEAL RAISIN SPICE COOKIE MIX
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup raisins
2 cups uncooked quick oats
1 cup flour mixed with 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. salt

Layer ingredients in jar in order given. Press each layer firmly in place before adding next ingredient.

Recipe to attach to jar:
Empty cookie mix in large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add 3/4 cup softened butter, 2 eggs slightly beaten and 1 tsp. vanilla; mix until completely blended. Roll heaping tablespoonfuls into balls. Place 2 inches apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350º for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes on cookie sheet; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Makes: 3 dozen.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE MIX
This can be stored for 6 months in the refrigerator. 9 c. unbleached flour
3 c. sugar
3 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. salt
4 tsp. baking soda
4 c. shortening (not butter or
margarine)
4 c. pecans
4 (12 oz.) pkgs. chocolate chips

Store this mix in an airtight container.

Recipe to attach to jar:
To make cookies: 3 1/2 c. mix
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
Plus milk as needed
Drop onto cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. Makes 2-1/2 dozen.


OATMEAL COOKIES
Mix: 3 c. sifted flour
2 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
Cut in 1 cup shortening until mixture resembles cornmeal. Stir in 3 cups oatmeal.    Store in a tightly covered container.

Recipe to attach to jar:
2 dozen cookies
Combine: 1 egg
1 tbsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla
Stir in 2 cups dry mix. Drop dough by teaspoon onto greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 375 oven for 10-12 minutes. Yield: 8 dozen cookies. *You may add 1/2 cup raisins, dates, chocolate chips or nuts.


BROWNIE MIX
7 c. sugar
2 1/2 c. cocoa
1 tbsp. salt
4 c. flour
1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. baking powder
2 c. shortening

Mix sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together in large bowl. Stir well. Cut in shortening until it resembles coarse meal. Place in air tight container. Store in dry place or in the refrigerator up to six weeks.

Recipe to attach to jar:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add 3 beaten eggs to 3 cups of the mix. Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla. Flour and grease 9" square pan and bake all at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on wire rack.