Hi, Friends-

Wow. How did the holidays sneak upon us? If you are a bit like me, you are thinking, “Is it already December?”

In my house, December means madness as I try to create my way through my holiday list.

There are days filled with peppermint cookie baking, dusting off vats full of glitter, ordering lux reams of paper, dashing to the store for pom poms, rummaging through the garage for bundles of wire, and creating, wrapping, taping, shipping all the way to January!

Things might be a bit different this year because of the pandemic, but one thing remains the same.

It’s a perfect time to create something special for someone special.

Let’s chat about 5 ways I can help you make your holiday week an easy one!

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1) The Best Holiday Cookie - Ginger Giants

Yes, I am giving you my secret cookie recipe. It’s hands down the best winter treat that has ever crossed my lips or anyone who has tried this stellar cookie. Yes, it’s easy.

2) The Minimalist Wreath

Here is an easy DIY that makes a beautiful addition to any holiday house or a terrific gift!

3) Working Dog Wrapping Paper or Holiday Kitten Wrapping Paper

A great way to wrap up all the special gifts that need wrapping!

4) A Simple Art Print

Why not give an art print as a gift? No in-person shopping required and it supports an artist!

5) The DIY Party Sweater

This is the easiest and most festive DIY ever! You will need fun pom poms, safety pins, and a fluffy sweater. It’s the perfect Zoom Holiday Party attire!

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Friends, let me know how the DIY projects go this week and I am wishing you the easiest holiday week ever!

// Hello Friends -

Fridays come and go, balloons pop, rainbows don't always appear after a rainstorm, and Mondays can seem like a bad ending from a good movie. However, there is something that we can count on to make our Monday happy. Doused on a cake, bedazzled on ice cream or slathered on top of a cookie these little darlings are better than an any TGIF.

Beautiful, tiny, sweet, little sprinkles.

They say life is good. Life is fun. Let's celebrate even on a Monday!

Smitten Kitchen has a fantastic Confetti Cookie recipe. The Piñata Cookie directions below were inspired and barely adapted from their flaky, buttery and sweet gem of a recipe. These piñata delights are bursting with rainbow fun and are bound to make Mondays a little more tolerable.

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Piñata Cookies

• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 teaspoon fine sea or table salt

• 1 cup (8 ounces, 225 grams or 2 sticks) unsalted butter softened at room temp

• 1/4 cup (2 ounces, 55 grams or 1/4 of an 8-ounce brick) cream cheese softened at room temp

• 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 11/4 cup Wilton sprinkles rainbow sparkling sugar & Wilton sprinkles white sparkling sugar mixed

Step 1: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking large sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Place flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl, combine and set aside. In a stand-up mixer, cream butter and cream cheese for 3 minutes until fluffy. Add the sugar and blend for 3 more minutes. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.

Step 3: Add flour mixture to wet mixture and beat just until flour disappears. This dough might feel too soft to roll into balls. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for approximately 10 minutes.

Step 4: Scoop balls of dough slightly smaller than golf ball size and roll them briefly in the palms of your hands. Drop them in a bowl of sprinkles and roll to coat evenly. 

Step 5: Transfer balls of sprinkle-coated dough to baking sheets at least two inches apart. Use the bottom of a drinking glass to press down on the cookies until they are about 1/4 to 1/2-inch tall. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes until they are lightly golden underneath. Remove from oven and let the cookies set on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.  Repeat with remaining cookie dough.

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May your Monday now be full of happiness and sunshine.

And sprinkles. Lots and lots of sprinkles.

Until soon friends. //

This post contains affiliate links.

The holidays can be SO Jolly!

Until they’re NOT.

Like when we have a whole pipeline of fabulous holiday ideas ready to create only to have a nasty little virus take down one cute kiddo. After five days of wiping noses, doctor’s visits and the logistics of getting one kid to school while one is flat out in bed, I am finally back at my desk, trying to be jolly and ready to sooth my stress with some emotional holiday eating!

What’s a better way to pacify our festive fretting than this recipe for “Ginger Giants?” They are big, chewy, spicy, sweet and warm us like this two person Christmas sweater {affiliate link}. They might just be a slightly better brick of love than “Peppermint Molasses Superstars but either recipe is a delicious winter delight!

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Ginger Giants

Serving: About 12 large cookies

• 3/4 packed cup dark brown sugar

• 1 cup softened unsalted butter

• 1 large egg

• 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses

• 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

• 3/4 cup candied ginger

Vanilla Frosting

• 8 tablespoons butter softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 4-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

• a pinch of salt

• Sweet Tooth Fairy Sprinkles {affiliate link} or more candied ginger for decorating (optional)

Step 1: Preheat oven to 325°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together brown sugar and butter until creamy. Beat in the egg and molasses until light and creamy.

Step 2: Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl then add them slowly to butter mixture.

Step 3: Use an ice cream scoop to drop the cookie dough onto prepared sheets 2 inches apart and bake for 10-12 minutes and then switch positions of the baking sheets in the oven. Bake for another 10-12 minute or until set. Cookies should be firm and dull in texture in the middle when done.

Step 4: Cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare the frosting. With a mixer, whip the softened butter on high for 3 minutes. Turn off the mixer and add the powdered sugar. Combine until smooth. Add the cream, vanilla and salt. Whip until smooth.

Step 6: With a butter knife or an offset spatula, frost the cookies with one tablespoon frosting. Add sprinkles or a couple more pieces of candied ginger. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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Enjoy the warm goodness and happy cookie making friends!

Day 9. Recipe 9.

Parties come and go, balloons pop and rainbows don't always appear after a rainstorm, but there is one thing that we can count on to make our day happy. They can be doused on a cake, bedazzled on ice cream or slathered on top of a cookie.

Beautiful, tiny, sweet, little sprinkles.

They say life is good. Life is fun. Let's celebrate!

Smitten Kitchen has a fantastic Confetti Cookie recipe. The below Piñata Cookies recipe was directly inspired and barely adapted from their recipe's flaky, buttery and saccharine goodness. The piñata influence comes from the fact these little delicious gems are bursting with rainbow fun. 

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Piñata Cookies

• 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 teaspoon fine sea or table salt

• 1 cup (8 ounces, 225 grams or 2 sticks) unsalted butter softened at room temp

• 1/4 cup (2 ounces, 55 grams or 1/4 of an 8-ounce brick) cream cheese softened at room temp

• 1 1/4 cups (250 grams) granulated sugar

• 1 large egg

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles

Step 1: Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking large sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Place flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl, combine and set aside. In a stand-up mixer, cream butter and cream cheese for 3 minutes until fluffy. Add the sugar and blend for 3 more minutes. Add egg and vanilla and mix until combined.

Step 3: Add flour mixture to wet mixture and beat just until flour disappears. This dough might feel too soft to roll into balls. Let the dough chill in the refrigerator for approximately 10 minutes.

Step 4: Scoop balls of dough slightly smaller than golf ball size and roll them briefly in the palms of your hands. Drop them in a bowl of rainbow sprinkles and roll to coat evenly. 

Step 5: Transfer balls of sprinkle-coated dough to baking sheets at least two inches apart. Use the bottom of a drinking glass to press down on the cookies until they are about 1/4 to 1/2-inch tall. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes until they are lightly golden underneath. Remove from oven and let the cookies set on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.  Repeat with remaining cookie dough.

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May your day now be full of happiness and sunshine.

And sprinkles. Lots and lots of sprinkles.

Until tomorrow friends.