Gretch Runs Christmas : Part 3

I can not believe that another week is here and it's time to share another Christmas post!  I've loved putting together this series, and I hope that you like what I'm sharing today!


I have two super simple crafts (they're seriously so easy that I feel silly for sharing them!  But they look SO cute!) and a delicious cookie.  Don'r forget to play my song of the week while you're reading, and enjoy!

P.S. if you missed any of my other Christmas posts, you can find them here!

Song

Today we're getting a little sassy and a lot saxy with this cover of Let It Snow!  I love how the melody is passed between the tenor sax and soprano, with lots of improv thrown in.  Such a fun song!  Maybe this will give Mother Nature a hint and Pittsburgh will get some snow this year...


Craft

This week we're going back to basics with some super-easy mason jar crafts.  I'm sharing two ideas, but the options are really limitless.  Mason jars are so affordable and easy to find (thanks to its Pinterest popularity), so I suggest picking some up for all your decorating needs!

Easy Mason Jar Crafts


#1 : Snowman
You need : red fabric and two buttons



Tie the red fabric around the top of the jar, and glue on the buttons.
You can fill the jar with q-tips or cotton balls to use in your bathroom, or with flour or sugar for your kitchen!


#2 : Ornaments
You need : randomly sized ornaments



Pour the ornaments in a jar.  That's it!  I love how simple and elegant this decoration is.
You can use different sized jars to make an adorable display on a table!  This also goes with any color scheme that you're using- all white ornaments, glitter ornaments, red and green ornaments, or bright ornaments like I'm using!


Cookie

This cookie recipe was suggested by Heather!  I wanted to try out a really decadent, rich cookie, and this one definitely fits the bill.  While this one might not be the most festive cookie I've shared, it's delicious and sure to make everyone happy.  The recipe makes a ton of dough, so I rolled half of it into balls and froze it in a baggy.  This would be a great DIY gift to give someone, or you can pull out the dough and make cookies whenever you have the urge!


Triple chocolate hot chocolate cookies

Hot Chocolate Cookies 

adapted from Tasty Kitchen

Ingredients :

2 sticks unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
⅔ cups packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla
3-¼ cups all-purpose flour
5 packages Hot Chocolate Mix
2 teaspoons salt
1-¼ teaspoon baking soda
total of 2 cups mix-ins (any kind of chocolate chips or other baking chips you'd like!  I used white chocolate, milk chocolate, and mini semi sweet chocolates)


Instructions : 

In a large bowl, cream butter, 1 teaspoon salt and sugars until smooth. 

Beat in eggs and vanilla until combined. 

In a separate medium-sized bowl, combine flour, hot chocolate mix, 1 teaspoon salt and baking soda. 

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.  Mix until all ingredients are combined- the mixture will be very thick!

Fold in chips or other add-ins, and chill the dough for at least one hour. 




Once dough is chilled, preheat oven to 350.

Scoop out dough (I used 1/4 cup for large cookies and 1/8 cup for smaller cookies) and form into balls.  Place an inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.  

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Let cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. 

Store unused dough in balls in a freezer bag.  Label with cooking directions, and save for a rainy day or give as a gift!



linking up with Amanda and Kels!

Comments

  1. You can also gift that cookie mix in mason jars :D

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    Replies
    1. OMG Suz that's genius!! Why didn't I think of that?!

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  2. I'm glad you liked the cookies! Every year I make them I forget it is a huge recipe and makes like 4 dozen cookies.

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you sent the recipe! They're amazing :)

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  3. Those cookies though. I need 'em. I love super simple crafts/decorations. I feel like once I finally bought a glue gun my life has been forever changed and I'm just like, so how can I use this thing today?!

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  4. hot chocolate cookies? omg where have these been my whole life?? i've got to make these.

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  5. Love those ornaments in a big mason jar. Like DUH. That would be so easy to switch up with candy corn or peeps or anything you like. I bet it would also look great in a vase with some ribbon around the neck.

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    Replies
    1. Smart idea! Love it. Goes along with the shadowbox- easy to customize!

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  6. Hot chocolate cookies? I can serve those with more hot chocolate :)

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  7. Hot chocolate in my cookies? YES please!!! :)

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  8. I'm with Susie - that cookie mix would be an amazing gift in a mason jar!

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    Replies
    1. You guys are geniuses. How didn't I think of that!

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  9. Ooooooh hot chocolate cookies!?!? Brilliant! I love that Christmas song. SO saxy.

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  10. Wha... those cookies look amazing! I want some!

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  11. I'm not a crafty person at all, so I love this simple craft ideas that maybe even I can do! Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you liked it! I thought it would be a stupid idea since it's literally putting ornaments in a jar, but it looks cute!

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  12. Those snowmen jars are seriously the cutest thing! So tempted to whip up a few to store my Qtips and cotton balls.

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  13. What a cute post! I love those hot chocolate cookies (yum!) and the ornaments in a jar? So cute and easy!

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  14. Another great write up!! Those got chocolate cookies though.. I've never had anything like those, they look SO good!

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  15. LOVE THIS ENTIRE POST. Talk about getting into the festive spirit. Now I’m ready for Christmas with full force! Let It Snow is now stuck in my head. Thank you for that. ;) Also, totally want those cookies now!

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