Happy Holidays

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays but this year it has been harder to enjoy them, mostly I think because life just feels too busy. But, Christmas has always been marked for me by holiday baking and so that is just what I did! I had leftover cream cheese frosting I made Emma’s preschool snack (which could be another post) so I sought out a gingerbread recipe. I found a copycat recipe of the  Starbucks Gingerbread Loaf (which I love). The frosting was for a large batch so definitely cut down the recipe unless you want extra for icing another cake or cookies!I also made the candied orange peel myself, which although it was time consuming, was very interesting. Next time I have a couple of tweeks I’d like to make, possibly adding some baking powder and eggs to help it rise better but other than the issue of it not rising as high as I would like, it turned out great!

 

 CANDIED ORANGE PEELS

3 Oranges

1 cup Sugar

Using a citrus zester or vegetable peeler, shred long strips of orange peel.

Place strips in a medium saucepan. Cover with cold water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Drain; repeat two more times with fresh water.

Place sugar in a clean saucepan with 1 ½ cups of water; stir to combine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Add the orange strips to the boiling syrup; reduce heat, and simmer until strips are translucent, about 12 minutes. Remove from heat; let strips cool in syrup for 1 hour. Remove and let dry on paper towel for 1-2 hours; roll in granulated sugar and place on parchment paper. Let them set overnight (or 8 hours).

 

 

STARBUCKS-STYLE HOLIDAY GINGERBREAD LOAF

 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2 1/4 teaspoons ginger

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon orange extract, optional

1 cup applesauce

1 teaspoon baking soda

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in orange extract if using.

Dissolve baking soda into applesauce and mix into creamed butter mixture.

Add flour mixture. Mix until smooth.

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 40 to 50 minutes (I do 45 minutes) or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out just slightly sticky.

 

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks; 6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners’ sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.

Frost cake when it is completely cooled. Decorate with chopped candied orange peel or candied ginger.

Sophia’s 2nd Birthday

Unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to upload my pics and video from Thanksgiving until today, but still wanted a special post for her. Sophia turned 2 years old on November 28, 2008. She has grown up so much in the last year! She has been able to make progress in the physical areas of life, like walking and running, so that she can now keep up with her older sisters. She also has a great vocabulary–the doctor said she is advanced for her age, and says such funny things that she hears her sisters say. But most of all, she has continued to be such a sweet blessing for both Matt and I as we watch her grow. Here’s everyone singing to her on her birthday–she loves the birthday song!

November Photo Dump

 

Here are some pictures I’ve been needing to post 🙂 The girls went as 2 Cinderellas and a Snow White for Halloween, Emma’s pre-school went ice skating at the beginning of November, Matt and I were able to go on a surprise date for my brithday, Emma was an indian in her pre-school play (and the picture of her in tears is QUITE a story, which I will post soon), I love Felicity’s smile (here she is at the park day after Thanksgiving), we celebrated Sophia’s 2nd birthday and a family picture we took when taking pictures for my mother-in-laws’ Christmas card. Enjoy!