It sounds weird but if you’re exhausted and wanna take a break from your Christmas to-do list, a great way to wind down is to do some baking.  You can involve the kids if you want to have some quality time or you can pour yourself a glass of Sangria and go it alone.  Either way, put on some Christmas music, light your tree and slow everything down a bit while you make something delicious you can enjoy and share with your neighbors.  Your taste buds will be tingling and you’ll be refreshed by the time you’re done!

Easy & Unexpected: Coconut Macaroons

So, my cousin Liz is a chef.  This comes in very handy.  One Christmas during a visit she graciously did a cooking class with the kids and shared this incredibly easy and delicious recipe.  And when I say easy – this is barely baking people.  It’s more like throwing things in a bowl and making magic.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A bag of coconut
2. Half can of sweetened condensed milk
3. 1 egg white beaten to soft peaks
4. 1 tsp of vanilla
5. Pinch of salt
6. 1/2 cup of chocolate chips

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Pre-heat your oven to 300 degrees convection
2. Mix all the ingredients and drop small firmly-packed scoops on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

3. Bake for 20-25 minutes

That’s it!  The most work you’ll do is cleaning your mixing bowl.  In thirty minutes you’ll have these sweet cuties as an unexpected addition to your baking arsenal.

Try them out and let me know how it goes!  Eat them or give them away.  If you decided to just pour the sangria and look at the pictures that’s fine too.  Either way leave me a comment and have a wonderful Christmas!