Christmas Yule Log

Every Christmas growing up, my mother made this Yule Log.   My mother was French Canadian and their tradition was to attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve and come back for Reveillon, which is a wonderful meal of Tourtiere and Yule Log.

I simply can't let Christmas go by without carrying on this tradition.  It's comforting to know that at least 3 other Yule Logs are made by my siblings for Christmas Eve.  My mother's tradition carries on.....

Egg Nog Cupcakes

Attention Egg Nog Lovers (and I know you're out there!), if you love Egg Nog, you'll love these cupcakes!  They taste like the real thing.  These are rich, dense cupcakes, not for the faint-hearted.

For the cupcakes:
 1/4 cup dark rum or bourbon
1 cup low-fat eggnog
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 Tbps apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 cup sugar
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt


For the frosting:
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tbsp. lowfat eggnog
1 tbsp. rum
generous pinch of nutmeg
2 (or more) cups confectioners’ sugar
ground cinnamon


Preheat oven to 350° F.  Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.  In a small bowl, mix together the rum, eggnog, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract.  In a large bowl, mix together the nutmeg, sugar, flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined.  Divide evenly between prepared muffin wells. 

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cakes spring back when lightly pressed.  Cool in the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, cream together the butter, eggnog, rum, nutmeg and confectioners’ sugar.  Add in more confectioners’ sugar if needed to make the frosting stiff, but spreadable.  Frost the cooled cupcakes.  Sprinkle with a nutmeg and decorate with gingerbread sprinkles or snowflakes.

Christmas Cheer

Christmas Eve, I decided to make a Christmas cocktail.  I was using Sparkling Wine and Ice Wine.  When I opened the Ice Wine, it was red!  I didn't know that Ice Wine came in Red and White just like regular wine.

Anyways, what turned out to be a mistake, actually looked quite beautiful and the colours really went with the festive season.

Here's the cocktail:

• Pour ice wine into the bottom of a champagne flute.
• Fill the flute with sparkling wine. (the ice wine will remain on the bottom of the glass)
• Top with fresh cranberries (for decoration only)

Enjoy!

P.S.  It was so pretty that we decided to recreate it again on Christmas Day!

Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Every Christmas, I make this Chocolate Peppermint Bark.  It's one of our many traditions.  It's so easy to make.

I buy the supplies at the Bulk Barn.  I'm sorry but I don't measure or have exact quantities.

Ingredients:

• Dark or Light Chocolate Molding Wafers
• White Chocolate Molding Wafers
• Candy Canes or Peppermint Candies

Heat the dark chocolate over a double-boiler until melted.  Using a spatula, spread the melted chocolate over a parchment-lined baking sheet.  Cool.

Meanwhile, crush the candy canes or peppermint candies.  I place the candies in a zip-lock bag and hammer them with a rolling pin. It's great for relieving your holiday stress!

Melt the white chocolate.  Spread the white chocolate over the dark chocolate.  Swirl the white chocolate with a knife.  Immediately sprinkle with the crushed candy canes.

If desired, you can melt additional chocolate and drizzle over top.

Variations:  instead of the candy canes, you can use marshmallows, peanut butter cups, M&Ms, Junior Mints, etc.  Anything goes....

It's the most wonderful of the year!

It's the Christmas season and it's easy to get caught up in the gift giving, the parties, the decorations, the shopping, etc.


Let's take time to remember the real reason for the season.  No matter your denomination, it's the spirit of the season that is the most important.  Let's remember those that are less fortunate and need our help.  It's easy to bring a smile to a child's face by donating a toy.  No extra money?  How about donating your time to the Salvation Army or Food Bank?  An hour here or there really adds up and helps the charities who so desperately need it this time of year.

So when you're feeling particularly frazzled, that's exactly the time to sit quietly with a cup of tea and reflect on the beauty of this wonderful season.  Remember why we celebrate this important and special time of year.

It's easy to spread your Christmas spirit - here are just a few thoughts on spreading Christmas cheer:

• hold the door open for someone's who's ladened down with packages or a stroller
• say Merry Christmas to all the store clerks
• Smile!
• make a cup of tea for an overworked co-worker
• donate an unwrapped toy to your local church or charity
• bake some homemade cookies for your local retirement home or daycare
• offer to do Christmas shopping for someone who's not able to leave the house
• pass someone on the street and say "Merry Christmas"
• offer to babysit your friend's children so they can get a few hours on their own
• donate a few extra coins to the red kettle campaign
• buy a "goat" or a few "chickens" through World Vision
• remember the people who do so much for you throughout the year (teachers, crossing guards, bus drivers, etc.).  A gift card to your local coffee shop or bookstore is always a welcome gift and doesn't cost much.

I could go on but you get the idea.  It doesn't take a lot of time or money to be kind and do some good in the world.  And above all, remember to slow down and remember "the reason for the season".

What are some things that you do for others to share your Christmas Spirit?