Brrrrr... it's cold outside, but not in the kitchen. Guess what we're doing?

If you said baking, you're correct! Our weather has been frigid for several days and looks to stay a few more so........ Cortney and I are making the best of it. Killing two birds with one stone, heating the house and baking an assortment of Christmas goodies.

This morning we got a load of laundry washed and hung on the drying racks in front of the stove, then got the load of whites washing. While waiting between wash and rinse water, I added the hot water to the pigs feed bucket, making them a nice warm mash. Then draining the whites wash water( remember we have a wringer washer, so it's done manually) and adding the rinse water and starting agitating again. We don on our winter gear; scarf, hat, gloves, heavy chore coats, insulated muck boots. Filling a 5 gallon bucket, with warm water for the pigs and their mash, we head out into the sub zero temps( windchill of -12 to -15 F) With the pigs fed and water troughs broke open, I send Cortney inside to warm up and wring out the whites. I then get the wheelbarrow and collected enough firewood for today, filling the wood box and then some. Now inside, and thawed out a bit we finish the Chocolate Caramel Thumbprints we baked last night. We had to melt the caramel and add 1/2 tsp. to each cookie, in the thumbprint( see photos below)

Closer view, hungry now aren't you*wink* The are very rich and a new recipe for us. This recipe is definitely going to be added to our collection. I'll share it here;
Chocolate Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
1/2 c. softened butter
2/3c. sugar
1 egg separated
2 Tbsp. milk
1 tsp vanilla
1c. unbleached flour
1/3c. baking cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
1c. finely chopped pecans( we added1/2 c, pecans and 1/2 c.
walnuts)
FILLING
12 to 14 caramels
3Tbsp. heavy cream

In a mixing bowl cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolk, milk and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa and salt, add to creamed mixture, mixing well. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until easily handled. Roll into 1" balls, beat egg white. Dip balls into egg white and then roll in nuts. Place 2" apart on the baking sheet. Use the handle of a wooden spoon and make an indentation( 3/8 to 1/2" deep) in the center of each ball. Bake at 350F for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on wire rack, completely.

Meanwhile melt caramels with cream in a double boiler( or for those who use microwaves, a heavy bowl) Using 1/2 tsp, fill each cookie. Chill. Okay we drizzled white Choc. chips( 15-20 chips and 1tsp. lard) to give them a fancy look( see photo below)

Then Cortney decided she'd better get the doggie treats made, because we have a few we need to mail to her friend in CA, for her dog, along with a few goodies for her friend as well. *wink*

Here is our secret dog cookie recipe:
Molasses Peanut Butter Dog Treats
2Tbsp. oil ( we use Olive oil)
1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1/2c. water
1/2c. molasses
2c. whole wheat flour
1c. unbleached flour
2Tbsp. kelp granules
2 tsp garlic powder( or 1 tsp. finely minced garlic)
Mix in given order. Knead on a lightly floured surface until firm. Roll
to 1/4" thickness and cut with cookie cutters. You may also roll into 1"
or smaller for small dogs. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes or until firm.
Makes approx. 2-1/2 dozen treats( depending on size of cookie
cutters) Photos below.

Best thing is, this is a healthy nutritious treat for our dogs, ours

absolutely LOVE them!

Well I need to rotate the drying racks and get some Fancy Ribbon

Fudge made. Enjoy your day :o)