From Country Living

Whenever I see a Country Living, I think of my mom.  For as long as I can remember, she subscribe to Country Living magazine.  As soon as it came in the mail, she’d put it on the end table beside the couch. I knew exactly where she’d be and what she’d be doing the entire evening. It was always an outstanding and beautiful magazine and it still is today.

It’s amazing how great magazines and books weave themselves into a family’s fabric, isn’t it?

Below are some absolutely amazing Country Living’s Sweet Homemade Gift Ideas (plus clever ways to package them).

Thanks SO MUCH to CountryLiving.com for sharing these with our food blog’s readers!

Sweet Homemade Gift Ideas (plus clever ways to package them)!

At the Brooklyn bakery One Girl Cookies, owner Dawn Casale rewrites history- updating old family recipes with fresh flavors- and draws upon the past to present the treats in vintage jars, tins, and more. Santa’s not the only one who loves sweets; these unique gifts will make anyone’s holiday deliciously delightful, especially for a cookie swap!

Step 1: Choose your cookie!

Chocolate Whoopie Pies with Peppermint Filling

Makes 24 whoopie pies. Working time 30 min. Total time 1hr. 15 min.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light-brown sugar
1/2 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
1⁄3 cup canola oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Peppermint Filling (recipe below)

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together sugars, yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla on medium speed until mixed, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and mix for 30 seconds. Cover and refrigerate batter until chilled, about 30 minutes.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a large plain tip (about 1/2 inch wide). Pipe 2-inch circles onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing whoopies 1½ inches apart. (Keep batter refrigerated between batches.)

4. Bake until whoopies spring back when touched, about 9 minutes. Cool completely on pans.

5. To fill pies: Turn half the whoopies over so they’re bottom-side up. Using a pastry bag or butter knife, add a dollop (1-1/2 tablespoons) of Peppermint Filling onto each whoopee bottom. Top with remaining whoopies.

Peppermint Filling

Makes 2 cups. Working time 10 min. Total time 10 min.

4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1⁄8 teaspoon salt
3 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more if needed

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together cream cheese and butter on medium speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Reduce mixer speed to low; add peppermint extract and salt, and mix for 30 seconds. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and mix for 1 minute. If filling is too soft to hold its shape, add more confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency. (Store in refrigerator, in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed onto surface of filling, for up to 5 days.)

Nana Cookies

Makes 36 cookies. Working time 25 min. Total time 40 min.

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons solid vegetable shortening, at room temperature
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg yolk
1/4 cup whole milk

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together shortening, butter, and sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add egg and egg yolk, and beat for 1 minute.

3. Reduce mixer speed to low; add a third of flour mixture and a third of milk, and mix for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl. Repeat. Add remaining flour mixture and only enough milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to yield a smooth dough, and mix. (It should not be too sticky.)

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Transfer batter to a pastry bag fitted with a star tip (about 1/2 inch wide). Pipe 4-inch-long cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. (Keep batter refrigerated between batches.)

5. Bake cookies until lightly golden around edges, about 15 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Cream Cheese Shortbread with Toasted Walnuts

Makes 36 cookies. Working time 15 min. Total time 30 min.

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add chopped walnuts and stir to combine. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together butter, cream cheese, and sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Add vanilla and mix for 1 minute. Reduce mixer speed to low; gradually add flour mixture and mix for 20 seconds. Take bowl off mixer and finish mixing dough with a rubber spatula.

3. Roll about 1-1/2 tablespoons of dough into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and gently press to flatten top. Repeat with remaining dough, spacing 1 inch apart.

4. Bake cookies until light brown around edges, 14 to 16 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Chocolate-Pistachio Biscotti

Makes 48 biscotti. Working time 25 min. Total time 1 hr. 35 min.

4 navel oranges
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup shelled pistachios, unsalted
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
Fleur de sel, if desired

1. Cut long, thin strips of zest (avoid white pith) from oranges. Place zest in a small saucepan, add enough water to cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Then drain off water. Repeat boiling and draining process 2 more times. Set aside.

2. In a medium saucepan, bring 1-1/2 cups water and 1 cup sugar to a boil. Add zest and simmer for 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.

3. Place chocolate chips in a food processor and pulse 3 or 4 times to break up. Add pistachios and pulse 2 or 3 times.

4. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat together butter and remaining sugar on medium speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and beat on medium speed until incorporated, 2 to 3 minutes.

6. Reduce mixer speed to low; using a slotted spoon, add candied orange zest to buttersugar mixture and beat for 30 seconds. Gradually add three-fourths flour mixture, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Add chocolate-pistachio mixture and remaining flour mixture, mixing until dough just comes together. Do not overmix.

7. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using damp hands, shape each piece into a 12-inch-long log, 1/2 inch high.

8. Bake logs until firm, about 24 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Reduce oven temperature to 250 degrees F. Cool logs on baking sheet for 12 to 15 minutes.

9. Transfer logs to a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice each into 24 half inch- thick biscotti. Place biscotti on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1/2 inch apart. Sprinkle with fleur de sel, if desired. Bake biscotti until slightly crisp, about 10 minutes, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Step 2: Wrap it up!

• Cherry vintage tins add a personal touch to baked goods. Striped and polka-dot patterned tins, paired with contrasting ribbon or wrapping paper add a unique touch.
• Take a bakery fresh approach with printed paper bags. This bright idea is reminiscent of childhood fun at the country fair.
• Mini-Bundt, cupcake, and loaf pans double as “boxes” that recipients can put to good use. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
• Mason-jars are a sweet way to wrap up treats. Don’t have any on hand? Try an empty honey or jam jar. Short on time? Layer the dry ingredients into the jar, secure the lid then write the remaining directions on the tag. Don’t forget a bow!
• For a professional finish, reinvent old holiday cards with stamps and scissors to create a personal tag without spending a dime!

Thanks again to CountryLiving.com for sharing these great ideas!