Back in the Kitchen Again!

Well, the kitchen is fully functional now and I am back in the baking mode again! It feels so good to just do what I love. We haven't finished the kitchen, but it is where I can now cook again. I am glad too because that eating out stuff is getting pretty old. Today I decided to start with one old and a couple of new recipes to bake to get this Christmas spirit revved up! I made some Popcorn balls that we used to make when I was growing up. I love these popcorn balls! I think it is because they have a sweet flavor to them thanks to a packet of Jell-O instead of just a plain old sugar popcorn ball. I like that you can change the flavor of them any time you want just by adding a different flavor of Jell-O. These were made with Berry Blue. I also decided to try my hand a making some peanut brittle, but alas...I think I overcooked it because it tasted like burnt peanuts to me. I don't think I was cut out to make candies and it might be best if I just continued with the baking!!! I also made a recipe that is actually out of one of those jars that have all of the ingredients in it. I bought a book of recipes for them and I thought I had better try it out before I gave them away as little gifts for some friends. This one is for White Chocolate Chunk Muffins. I made them in little loaf pans instead this time. I really liked the taste of this cake. I don't usually like the taste of white chocolate, but I guess since this included small pieces I didn't really mind. It is really a good cake and would work beautifully as muffins. You know you might even try them as those little mini muffins so you can eat more of them and not feel so bad. (or is that just me?) I also included a piece of an awesome Apple Cake that my mom made today. Tomorrow we are making tamales & Christmas cookies! Merry Christmas Everyone!

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White Chocolate Chunk Muffins

2 1/2 Cups flour

1 1/2 Cups white chocolate chunks or chips

1 Cup packed brown sugar

1/3 C unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/3 C buttermilk

6 tbs butter, melted

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 400. Grease or paper-line 18 regular muffin cups. Put first 6 ingredients into bowl. Combine buttermilk, butter, eggs and vanilla in small bowl until blended; stir into dry mixture until moistened. Spoon evenly into prepared muffin cups, filling aobut 2/3 full.

Bake 16-18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 5 minutes; remove from pans and cool 10 minutes on wire racks.

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Jell-O Popcorn Balls

1 c. light corn syrup

1/2 c. sugar

1-3 oz. pkg. Jello

9-12 c. popped popcorn

Bring syrup and sugar to boil. Remove from heat and add Jello, stirring until dissolved. Pour over popcorn, mixing well. Form into balls.