Warm and Cozy Scent for the Holidays right on your stovetop!

Have you ever walked in to a Hallmark or Holiday gift store and wanted to jar up that "holiday scent" that smells up the store?  It's a combination of cinnamon and spices, pine tree scents, and a fresh aroma that makes you all warm and cozy inside. 

I have a great recipe below for your stovetop that will make your entire house smell like the holidays and give you that warm scent that celebrates the season with you.  It's super easy, and making 1 pot will last you the entire holiday season (around 4 weeks).

Ingredients needed:
-Bag of fresh cranberries (fresh are found in the Produce dept at your local grocer)
-1 Oranges
-Cinnamon sticks (these can be found in the spice section at your local grocer)
-Cloves (jar of cloves can be found in the spice section at your local grocery store)
-Cast iron pot (if you don't have one, you can use any pot.  Cast iron pots hold heat longer so I prefer to use that). You can also use one of those baby crock pots.
-Water

Tip:  Did you know that almost always, the spices are in alphabetical order in the spice section at your local grocery store??  Knowing this will make it easier when looking for specific spices.

Tip:  You can also buy one of those netted bags full of broken pieces of cinnamon sticks and use a palm full each time as well. They smell amazing! 



Ingredient conversion:
1 small jar of cloves will last you for 5 pots approximately
1 tin of cinnamon sticks will last you 3 pots approximately
1 Orange per pot
1 bag of Cranberries will last you 2-3pots

To begin, slice your orange into thin slices.  Place the slices into your pot.

Next, open your bag of fresh cranberries and pour half the bag into the pot.  Store the rest of the cranberries in your fridge.

Take a few cinnamon sticks (3-5) and pour them into your pot.

Take 1/5 of your cloves and pour them into your pot (a small palm full is fine).

Add 2 cups of water.

Put your stove on simmer.  If you are using a cast iron pot, once your pot heats up, you can turn off the stove because the pot will hold the heat for awhile, and this will continue to give off the aroma.  Once your pot cools off, just turn it back on, heat it up, and the smell will carry throughout your home.

If you are using a baby crock pot, if yours has settings, put it on the low setting.

Always remember to make sure there is water in your pot!  The water will evaporate with heat, and if there is no water left in the pot, your ingredients will burn and you will ruin your entire pot.

Never leave a pot unattended or leave your stove on when you are not home.

Once the water level is low, just add more water.

I use this pot the entire holiday season and in to the winter months.  I start in November and keep it on the stove through February.

I usually change out my ingredients after 3-4 weeks or so.  You will find the oranges will turn a brownish color due to the cloves and spices in the cinnamon sticks.

Tip:  I also cover my pot in between uses to avoid dust and other things getting in to the pot.

xoxo
Happy Holidays!
Brenda

Holiday Chex Mix

Chex Mix is the perfect holiday snack and a great holiday gift!!!  There are so many different recipes for Chex Mix that you can use, too!

I love the combination of sweet & salty so I came up with this Chex Mix version that my husband and I just love!  Below is a simple step-by-step tutorial on how to make this treat for your family this holiday season!

Ingredients needed:

2 - Bugles 7.5oz.

2 - Honey Roasted Peanuts 12oz.

10 cups Chex Mix (I used 5 corn chex and 5 rice chex)

2 - Melting Chocolate 10oz. bag (I used Wilton's Light Cocoa)

3 - M&Ms (the large holiday bags)

Tip:  I made a HUGE batch because I am giving these away as gifts.  You can certainly back down the recipe to fill your needs.

Tip:  You can make this Chex Mix version for ANY holiday!  Just change out the color of the M&Ms for each holiday (pink/red for Valentines Day, Orange/Yellow/Brown for Halloween, Green and White for St. Patrick's Day, etc).

To begin.....

Spread out your ingredients onto a parchment lined baking sheet (corn & rice chex, bugles, and peanuts).

(In the picture you won't see any peanuts.  My husband ate the peanuts I bought that I was going to use so he was at the grocery store while I was making this buying more for me  :) .  I just added in my peanuts at a later point after I had my picture taken).  

 These are the holiday M&Ms I used.

Melt your chocolate over low heat, stirring continuously.

 Once your chocolate is melted, drizzle it over your ingredients (make sure your ingredients are spread out evenly over your baking sheet to make sure you coat everything with chocolate drizzle).

 Once you are done, allow your chocolate to dry and set.  

Then, add your M&Ms to the mixture and carefully mix together all ingredients.  

I took a large spoon and used a cooking funnel (one that I use when I do canning) and I put my holiday chex mix into pint & quart sized jars, but you can use whatever container you would like.  Just make sure it's an air tight container.

Tip:  You can use holiday tins, holiday decorated zip lock bags or cellophane baggies, or jars!

You are done!

Taste and enjoy or give away as holiday gifts!  Either way, you are JUST AN IDEA away from making this awesome and EASY holiday treat!

Candied Almonds

Don't you just love those candied almonds you buy at the mall that smell so yummy?!!  They usually make them right in front of you and sell them in those paper cones or plastic bags shaped like a carrot.  They are roasted, smell of sugar and cinnamon, and are oh-so-delicious!

So, why not make them yourself and pass them out as holiday gifts!??  Below is a tutorial along with pictures that you can follow to make your own holiday treat this year!

Caution:  THESE ARE ADDICTING!

Ingredients needed:
2 egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups raw almonds
6 Tablespoons sugar
6 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cinnamon

Tip:  If you want Apple Candied Almonds you can add 2 Tablespoons of powdered apple cider. 

Side note:  I doubled the ingredients so I could make a double batch because I am giving jars away as holiday gifts this year.

Begin by beating the egg whites and the vanilla together until you get soft peaks.

 

Then, add in your almonds and coat the almonds with the egg white/vanilla mixture.

In a separate bowl, mix together your sugars, cinnamon, salt (and your powdered apple cider if you are using that).

Take your dry mixture and add it to your almond mixture and mix everything together, making sure all of the almonds are completely coated.  

Next, cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and cooking spray.

Then, dump your mixture onto your baking sheet and spread out to an even layer.

Don't these look AMAZING!!? 

You are almost done!

Next, in a 250 degree oven, bake your almonds until they are dry and crunchy.

Mine took 1 hour.  I stirred the almonds after 30 minutes.  Then again, after 15 minutes, and then again after another 15 minutes.  Mine were all dry after 1 hour (so in 1 hour, I stirred them 3 times).

When you stir, always make sure to spread them back out to an even layer.  They will dry faster this way.

Once they are dry, I allowed my nuts to cool off before packaging.  I chose jars to package mine but I have seen them in plastic bags, too.  Holiday decorated cellophane baggies would be cute, too!

You are finished!  Super easy and sooooooo good!  These are great gifts and stocking stuffers for your holiday season!  Remember, you are just THIS idea away from a great and tasty gift!!!

Merry Christmas!
xoxo,
Brenda