Christmas Baking Marathon 2013

My baking is officially done.  Phew.  Well, I take that back.  I still want to do Christmas sugar cookies with the kids sometime this weekend, but the giveaway stuff is done, and all but the neighbors' are delivered.

I did goody boxes for teachers, treats for the Mom Squad at school, family, neighbors, and gift exchanges.

Here's what came out of the kitchen this year.

Peppermint Oreo Brownies

So ya remember those Thin Mint Brownie Bites and the Mint Oreo Brownies I posted earlier this year?

I did it again.
"Put a brownie on it."

This time, I used Trader Joe's peppermint Oreo knock-offs.

Man, those things are good.

I decided to guild the lily a wee bit by drizzling melted chocolate on top once they were cooled.

Then I sprinkled crushed candy canes on top of that.

Yeah, they don't suck.

I ran out of batter to cover all the tops, so I just baked them open-faced and they turned out just fine.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are just your regular old Nestle Toll House recipe chocolate chip cookies, but with green mint chips and red and chocolate chips.

Oreo Peppermint Bark

This was a fail in the looks department.

I don't know what the heck happened, but all the layers separated and I basically got crumbs.

But it's still delicious and would make an awesome ice cream topper.

I used this recipe.

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls

aka Buckeyes

This was my first time making these and they're friggin' delicious.

It's like biting into a peanut butter truffle.

I used this recipe.

I think I'll try the rice krispies version, that's mentioned in the comments of the recipe post, once the holidays are over.

I put them in mini cupcake liners once they were completely chilled.

Pumpkin-Banana Bread

I just made this for the first time last month.

I thought it was delicious, so I made a couple loaves as gifts.

My recipe for it is here.

Salted Caramel Butter Bars

I first made and posted these in my 2011 Christmas Baking Marathon post.

The Dad, as well as everyone else, had voted them best in show that year.

I have NO CLUE why I didn't make them last year.

They're beyond delicious.

If you're only gonna try one thing from this post, make these.

They're insane.

The link is at the end of the 2011 post, or you can go straight to the recipe here.

It's all about those edge pieces.

Chocolate Cheesecake In a Jar

I posted these this summer.

I had made both plain and chocolate for Father's Day.

It's soooo delicious.

I decided to do the chocolate ones for Christmas gifts.

You can get my recipe for both flavors here.

And there ya have it.

2013's Christmas Baking Marathon has come to a close.

Now, I think I'll go pop one of those Peanut Butter Balls in my mouth.

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