#ChristmasSweetsWeek

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Cookie Cups

Pumpkin and chocolate are a match made in dessert heaven. You won’t miss the pie when these bite-sized, easy Chocolate Pumpkin Cookie Cups are on the menu.
This post is sponsored by Dixie Crystals in conjunction with #ChristmasSweetsWeek. 
All opinions are mine alone.


Cookie cups are a favorite of mine, because of all the flavor and filling combinations. It’s day 5 of #ChristmasSweetsWeek and I am a firm believer that pumpkin is not just a September-November food. Yes, fresh pumpkin is only available at certain times of the year, but I used canned pumpkin for the pumpkin pudding and it is so amazing!!

I have made quite a few cookie cups this year, like these Funfetti Cheesecake Cookie Cups and Chocolate Irish Cream Cheesecake Cookie Cups. Like I said, so many options for flavors. I have so many ideas for more cookie cup creations next year.

The chocolate cookie cups are so easy to make, and I used a pestle to press the centers down after baking. You can also use the back of a wooden spoon or muddler if you have one. The key to getting the cookie cups so uniform is using a small cookie scoop. Cookie scoops/ice cream scoops are a lifesaver when I make cookies and cupcakes. I know that everything will be the same size and bake at the same time.


#ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes:

Beverages:

Bourbon Salted Caramel Coffee with Whipped Cream from With Two Spoons
Cookie Butter Eggnog Cocktail from My Suburban Kitchen
Coquito from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Eggnog Martini from Everyday Eileen
Frozen Caramel Hot Chocolate from Eat Move Make
Hazelnut Hot Chocolate Sticks from Family Around the Table
Mulled Red Wine Sangria from Platter Talk
Red Velvet Hot Chocolate from Live Love Texas
Salted Caramel Affogato from Tara’s Multicultural Table
Salted Caramel Apple Cider Martinis from Sweet Beginnings
Salted Caramel Chocolate Martini from The Crumby Kitchen
Salted Caramel Espresso Martini from An Affair from the Heart
Salted Caramel White Hot Chocolate from Who Needs A Cape?
Sugar Cookie Martini from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Vanilla & Spice Hot Mulled Wine from The Baking Fairy

Breakfast:

Baked Eggnog French Toast from The Spiffy Cookie
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen

Candies:

Almond Butter Rum Toffee from Take Two Tapas
Christmas Eggnog Fudge from For the Love of Food
Christmas Grinch Bark from Blogghetti
Cookie Butter Bark from Seduction in the Kitchen
Eggnog Sugar Cookie Bark from 4 Sons ‘R’ Us
Peppermint Marshmallow Fudge from Daily Dish Recipes
White Christmas Sugar Cookie Dough Fudge from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks

Desserts:

Black Forest Cheesecake from Kate’s Recipe Box
Butter Rum Cheesecake from Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
Butter Rum Nutty Biscotti from Love and Confections
Chai Snickerdoodle Cookies from Mildly Meandering
Christmas Cornflake Wreaths from The Mandatory Mooch
Cookie Butter Blossom Cookies from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Frozen Mint Meltaway Pie from Cooking with Carlee
Lemon-Cardamom Sugarmen Cookies from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes from The Beard and The Baker
Red Velvet Cupcakes with Eggnog Butter Frosting from Lady Behind the Curtain
Santa Hat Cupcakes from The Redhead Baker
Slice ‘N’ Bake Grinch Cookies from Big Bear’s Wife
White Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies from Cheese Curd in Paradise

Thank you ChristmasSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Lorann Oils & Flavors, Torani, Joyjolt, and Sweets & Treats Boutique for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The ChristmasSweetsWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The ChristmasSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the ChristmasSweetsWeek posts or entry.

Gingerbread Latte Cupcakes with Coffee Buttercream #ChristmasSweetsWeek

Skip the coffeehouse and bake some delicious Gingerbread Latte Cupcakes with Coffee Buttercream! These delectable cupcakes are topped with a coffee buttercream, adorable specialty sprinkle mix, and mini gingerbread man cut-out cookies!! They are almost too cute to eat!
This post is sponsored in conjunction with ChristmasSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

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Cranberry Orange Meltaways #ChristmasSweetsWeek

These melt-in-your-mouth cookies are the perfect addition to any holiday cookie platter. Cranberry and orange combine in a buttery and delicious drop cookie that will leave you wanting more!
This post is sponsored in conjunction with ChristmasSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

It’s day 2 of #ChristmasSweetsWeek and I am on a roll with the cranberry and orange combination. Don’t worry, this will be the last cranberry-orange combo for the week – I have more deliciousness coming your way! Cranberry Orange Meltaways are one of my favorite cookies because they are so easy to make – and even easier to eat.

These light and buttery cookies have the perfect amount of citrus and tart cranberries. If you’d like it a little sweeter, a dusting of powdered sugar would be a great addition. Since these cookies are so tender and soft, it is best to bake them on a day when there isn’t a lot of humidity. That can be quite difficult living in Florida, so I usually only make these on cold Winter days.

Cranberry and orange is one of my favorite holiday flavor combinations, like my Easy Cranberry Orange Madras from yesterday. It’s tart and sweet and fresh – something a little different than the usual heavier Christmas cookies. 
One of my most-used kitchen tools is a small cookie scoop. I can’t live without it because it makes portioning out cookies so easy. Every one is uniform and you don’t have to worry about them baking at different times, since they are all the same size.

Here are some tools used to make this recipe:

Cranberry Orange Meltaways

By Love and Confections

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup Dixie Crystals Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Dixie Crystals Confectioners Powdered Sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted Cabot butter, softened
  • zest from 1 medium navel orange
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg, room temperature
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries
  • Dixie Crystals Confectioners Powdered Sugar for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350F. Prepare baking sheets with parchment.
  2. In the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream sugar, powdered sugar and butter 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add in zest, vanilla, and egg, and mix to combine, scraping down the sides as necessary.
  3. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients 1/2 cup at a time.
  4. Place cranberries in food processor and pulse a few times until small pieces. Fold in chopped cranberries.
  5. Using a cookie scoop, portion out dough onto cookie sheets and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until bottoms are light golden brown.
  6. Cool on tray for 5 minutes then move to wire rack to cool completely. If desired dust with powdered sugar.

Yield: 4 dozen

#ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes:

Beverages:

Candy Cane Crunch Milkshake from The Redhead Baker
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Toddy from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Frozen Blue Hot Chocolate from For the Love of Food
Grumpy Grinch Punch from For the Love of Food
Merry Mistletoe Cocktail from Who Needs A Cape?
Raspberry Thyme Prosecco Punch from Take Two Tapas
Vanilla Milk Punch from Cooking with Carlee

Breakfast:

Cranberry Orange Make Ahead French Toast Bake from With Two Spoons

Candies:

Cookie Butter Balls from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Homemade Peppermint Patties from Everyday Eileen
White Chocolate Bark from Family Around the Table

Desserts:

Apple Cheddar Hand Pies from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Sparkling Wine, Cranberry, and White Chocolate Layer Cake from Cheese Curd in Paradise
Chocolate Orange Crinkle Cookies from Kate’s Recipe Box
Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Tart from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Cranberry Orange Crinkle Meltawats from Love and Confections
Double Chocolate Mousse Cake from The Crumby Kitchen
Gingerbread Cookie Cups from Moore or Less Cooking
Gingerbread Sprinkle Cookies from Daily Dish Recipes
Grandma’s Chocolate Pie from Tip Garden
Italian Butter Cookies from April Golightly
No Bake Eggnog Pie from Our Good Life
Orange Cranberry White Chocolate Bread from Sweet Beginnings

Thank you ChristmasSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Lorann Oils & Flavors, Torani, Joyjolt, and Sweets & Treats Boutique for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The ChristmasSweetsWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The ChristmasSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the ChristmasSweetsWeek posts or entry.

Easy Cranberry Orange Madras #ChristmasSweetsWeek

Easy Cranberry Orange Madras are the perfect cocktail for any holiday party. Simple ingredients, with a twist, create a memorable drink that is great any time of the year.
This post is sponsored in conjunction with ChristmasSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.


It’s day 1 of #ChristmasSweetsWeek! Fun and festive cocktails are a must at any holiday party, and I love creating them to kick off my themed weeks. #ChristmasSweetsWeek brings together 44 bloggers and over 180 recipes featuring fudge, cookies, layer cakes, breakfast sweets, cocoas, martinis, ciders, and much more. Plus, there is a huge giveaway (enter below) with some amazing prizes, just in time for the holidays!

Growing up, whenever we went out for a special dinner with my grandparents, they would order cocktails. My grandfather usually got a CC and Ginger and my grandmother ordered a Madras. The pretty, pink-hued drink graced our dining tables and was her regular cocktail of choice. Years later, I grew fond of the cranberry and orange combination and love having it with vodka or champagne in cocktails. She doesn’t get out much now, but if she did, I’m sure she would still order this beautiful drink.

I love pretty drinking glasses and have loved the Stella Highball Glasses from Joyjolt for a while. They are the perfect size and have a great weight – not too heavy, but heavy enough that I don’t have to worry about them tipping and spilling easily. These were the perfect choice for my Madras. They sent me some other glassware to try out and I cannot wait to create more drinks and cocktails in them.

I strayed just a bit from the traditional recipe by adding some Torani Vanilla Syrup. I love this little hint of sweetness it gives to the cocktail. Torani also sent me their Salted Caramel Syrup and I have some delicious plans for that soon too!

This drink came together in a breeze and you can add lots of fun garnishes to jazz it up. I chose cranberries and orange slices. Sugared cranberries would be beautiful, as well as orange zest spirals. These would even be fun with rock candy sticks too!

Easy Cranberry Orange Madras

By Love and Confections

Ingredients

  • Ice
  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka
  • 3 1/2 ounces cranberry juice
  • 1 1/2 ounces orange juice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon Torani Vanilla Syrup
  • Cranberries and orange slices for garnish

Instructions

  • Place ice in highball glass. Add vodka, cranberry, orange juice, vanilla syrup and stir. Garnish with cranberries and orange slices.

Yield: 1 highball glass

#ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes:

Beverages:

Brownie Batter Hot Chocolate Mix from The Spiffy Cookie
Christmas Flip from Our Good Life
Easy Cranberry Orange Madras from Love and Confections
Glogg from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Grinch Cocoa with Peppermint Marshmallows from Kate’s Recipe Box
Salted Caramel Toffee Martini from Family Around the Table
Sparkling Snowfall Cocktail from Seduction in the Kitchen
Sugar Cookie Martini from The Redhead Baker

Breakfast:

Christmas Cranberry Bread from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Easy Cinnamon Roll Christmas Tree from Jonesin’ For Taste
Overnight Caramel French Toast from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen

Candies:

Cherry Mash Truffles from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Chocolate Covered Orange Cheesecake Truffles from Cooking with Carlee
Dark Chocolate Cherry & Peppermint Snowflake Bark from Sweet Beginnings
Grinch Fudge Topped Brownies from Big Bear’s Wife
Pineapple Upside Down Cake Fudge from Lady Behind the Curtain
Red Velvet Fudge from Live Love Texas

Desserts:

Black Forest Tiramisu Parfait from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Chocolate Bundt Cake from Juggling Act Mama
Chocolate Eggnog Cupcakes from The Crumby Kitchen
Christmas Chocolate Chip Sprinkles Butter Cookies from Moore or Less Cooking
Cookie Butter Pudding Cups from The Beard and The Baker
Cranberry Almond Ecstasy Bars from Tip Garden
Date Filled Cookies from Platter Talk
Easy Snickerdoodle Cake from Daily Dish Recipes
Eggnog Blossom Cookies from Blogghetti
Eggnog cookies from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Gingerbread Cheesecake Trifle from My Suburban Kitchen
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Eggnog Buttercream from Tara’s Multicultural Table
Glazed Gingerbread Loaf from 4 Sons ‘R’ Us
Marbled Star Cookies from Eat Move Make
Mint Chip Cookies from The Mandatory Mooch
No Bake Peppermint Eggnog Pie from Who Needs A Cape?
Peppermint Shortbread from Cheese Curd in Paradise
Pepper Jelly Rugelach from Take Two Tapas
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies from April Golightly
Sugar Cookie Cheesecake from Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt
Toffee Thumbprint Cookies from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Ugly Sweater Cake from Mildly Meandering
Vanilla Yogurt Mousse with Cinnamon Apples from With Two Spoons
Vegan Hot Chocolate Layer Cake from The Baking Fairy
Winter Wonderland Snack Mix from An Affair from the Heart

This recipe is intended for individuals ages 21 & up. Please drink responsibly. Thank you ChristmasSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Lorann Oils & Flavors, Torani, Joyjolt, and Sweets & Treats Boutique for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The ChristmasSweetsWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The ChristmasSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the ChristmasSweetsWeek posts or entry.

#ChristmasSweetsWeek 2018 Giveaway

Welcome to #ChristmasSweetsWeek 2018! My co-hostess, Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures, and I are so excited for this sweet week! What better way to celebrate the holidays than with food and a fun giveaway? 44 bloggers from around the country have come together to share over 180 sweet Christmas recipes!!

This post is sponsored in conjunction with ChristmasSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Deck the halls and get ready for very merry sweet treats, like fudge, cookies, Christmas morning breakfasts, layer cakes, martinis, cocoa, and more! Our #ChristmasSweetsWeek sponsors are helping us give away some great prizes. Thank you so much, Sponsors, for your generosity. We have an incredible giveaway below and would love if you would take a moment to read about it and what you can win!

Prize #1 Dixie Crystals 

Dixie Crystals is giving one winner a Keurig K-Select Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Maker.
Since 1917, Dixie Crystals® has been the South’s choice for high-quality sugar and sweeteners. For generations, Dixie Crystals has been at the heart of family traditions and celebrations. Our pure cane, non-GMO sugar products guarantee that treasured family recipes will turn out right every time. Bake with love and Dixie Crystals.

Prize #2 Cabot Creamery Co-operative 

Cabot is giving one winner a cheese gift set, including a Cabot Cheese slate cutting board, small cheese cleaver, Cabot custom Bee’s Wrap, an assortment of Cabot’s finest cheeses.
Cabot Creamery Co-operative, makers of naturally aged, award-winning cheeses and dairy products is owned by 1,000 dairy farm families in New England and New York.

Prize #3 LorAnn Oils & Flavors

LorAnn is giving one winner a collection of 6 LorAnn Bakery Emulsions, a collection of three LorAnn Oils vanilla extracts, a candy making cookbook, The Sweetapolita Bakebook, and a 12-unit variety pack of LorAnn super-strength candy oils.
Our flavors. Your creations. For over 50 years, LorAnn Oils has been supplying professionals and home chefs with the finest quality candy and baking flavors, essential oils, and specialty ingredients. Visit us at www.LorAnnOils.com to shop, learn, and discover new recipe ideas.

Prize #4 Joyjolt 

Joyjolt is giving one winner an Aurora Whiskey Decanter Set. Our Aurora Whiskey Decanter set has a timeless and sophisticated design that adds both class and style to any table. This set is hand made with top quality lead free crystal glass and cutting edge materials. The sets quality, design and upscale packaging makes the Aurora a perfect addition to your home, bar, hotel, restaurant, club or office. DRINK WITH JOY. ENJOY THE JOURNEY.
Here at JoyJolt we believe that so many of the moments you enjoy most include raising a glass. From the jolt you get from that first sip of coffee in the morning to toasting a milestone with close friends. Thats why we have created glassware equally as special and unique as your happiest moments.

Prize #5 Sweets & Treats Boutique

Sweets & Treats is giving one winner the Year of Sprinkles Box at a $150 value. It contains holiday mixes, classic sprinkles, and some of their most popular sprinkles.
Sweets & Treats, a party and baking supplies manufacturer and wholesaler, started out of a baking industry need for truly grease-proof cupcake liners. From there, the company expanded into a handful of specialized categories including the latest, Sweet Sprinkles, their one of a kind sprinkles and sprinkle mix line. With hundreds of truly unique products, they are a one stop shop for your next party!

Prize #6 Torani 

Torani is giving one winner a year supply of Torani: 12-750ml glass bottles, flavors will be winner’s choice, plus pumps for each bottle.
Torani inspires you to taste life, one flavorful experience at a time. Even though people all over the world recognize our iconic Torani bottle, we’ve remained a family-owned company — adhering to the high quality standards that Rinaldo and Ezilda set over 90 years ago. Each and every syrup, sauce, and smoothie is created with care and pride. Way back we started with just five syrups. Today, you can use more than 100 of our naturally flavored syrups, sauces and beverage bases in coffees, sodas, teas, smoothies, cocktails and more. And we’re excited to bring you new taste traditions and flavors as we move forward.

Thank you ChristmasSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Lorann Oils & Flavors, Torani, Joyjolt, and Sweets & Treats Boutique for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The ChristmasSweetsWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The ChristmasSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the ChristmasSweetsWeek posts or entry.