‘TIS THE SEASON FOR HOLIDAY BAKING…AND I LOVE IT! Unfortunately I had to wait until last night to bake up the gifts for the teachers. Crazy family schedule makes looking like Martha Stewart so difficult! I made up packages that looked like this:

And were made with these delicious and relatively easy nuts – Spicy Pepitas, Pecans, and Almonds. Click on the picture to take you to this recipe:

Pecan Toffee Bars are my regular standby. Click on the picture to take you to the recipe:

Next, Cream Cheese Brownies. I used a Ghiridelli Brownie Mix for the main part of the brownies and then added a cream cheese topping into a muffin cup. Andes has a great package of Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips so I melted those and drizzled it over the brownie. I also did a pan of the Cream Cheese Brownies without the drizzles and cut those into small squares. I included a little package of the mint chips on the plate because they are so good by themselves.

Most of the recipes and inspiration came from a cookbook published by The Junior League of Austin called Necessities and Temptations. It is my favorite of all my cookbooks because the recipes are no fail. I’ve had utter success with each one and love the extras in the cookbook. You can still purchase this cookbook in a bundle with their new entertaining book on the Junior League’s website. I also saw used versions of the cookbook on sale through Amazon. Add it to your references when you get a chance. This is the first time I have done a mixed package of small bites. Normally I make huge batches of the Pecan Toffee recipe and send that alone. I really like the effect of mixing sweet and savory items together though. I was able to make 13 packages for the teachers, their assistants, bus driver, front school office, and academic bowl coaches. Let’s just hope they arrive upright and in good order after the little hands deliver them.

I would like a long winter’s nap now.