Pistachio and Cranberry Holiday Cookies

Part two of Holiday cookie baking. Tonight I made shortbread cookies with a lemon glaze, pistachios and cranberries. I used the recipe below as pinterest inspiration.

Step 1: Bake your favorite shortbread or sugar cookies (I made shortbread)
Step 2: Mix powdered sugar, milk, lemon juice and lemon zest for a glaze (top the cookies once cooled)
Step 3: Sprinkle chopped pistachios and cranberries on top

That is it!

Now let cool and package for a great gift. I did put them on a cardboard square and then wrapped them up since they are delicate and need to be on a sturdy base.

http://www.marthastewart.com/354123/lemon-pistachio-wreaths

Christmas Turtles

For the Holidays I usually make peppermint bark, peanut butter blossoms, and sugar cookies but most of those are just because of tradition. This year I am adding a few new ones that I can't wait to taste. I found a recipe for Turtles and then adapted it to my own taste buds.

Ingredients:
20 Camels- I bought the ones from trader joe's
Bag of pecan halves
1/2 bag dark chocolate chips- I used Ghirardelli
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
Sea salt

Cut the camels in half and mold the half carmel on top of  two pecan halves. Put them in the oven at 325  until carmel melts around the pecans. Melt the chocolate chips and butterscotch in the microwave. Place a spoonful of chocolate over the camels (don't worry about making them perfect- turtles should look traditionally rustic). Sprinkle with sea salt.

Let sit for at least and hour then package them up for a beautiful Holiday gift.