Christmas is almost here, and Christmas dinner is one of the things most people are looking forward too; especially dessert. Here are a few desserts to add to your Christmas meal.

Pralines:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/8 cup butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine pecans, sugar, butter, brown sugar, milk and vanilla. Heat to between 234 and 240 degrees F (112-116 C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped into cold water forms a soft ball that flattens when removed from the water, and placed on a flat surface.
3. Drop by spoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Let cool completely.

Read more at: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pralines/

Sugar Cookies:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight)
2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface ¼ to ½ inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Read more at: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/the-best-rolled-sugar-cookies/

Chai Cupcakes:

Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon each ground ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves
• ⅛ teaspoon pepper
• ½ cup butter; softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1 ½ cups cake flour
• 1-1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅔  cup 2% milk
• Frosting:
• 6 tablespoons butter; softened
• 3 cups confectioners sugar
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 to 4 tablespoons 2% milk
• ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and pepper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and 1-1/2 teaspoons spice mixture. Gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition.
3. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 24-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
4. In a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy; beat in the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and remaining spice mixture until smooth. Add enough milk to reach desired consistency. Pipe frosting over cupcakes; sprinkle with cinnamon. Yield: 1 dozen.
5.  Read more: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/chai-cupcakes#ixzz3LQbb8KPJ

Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3 tablespoons margarine, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the sides and bottom of one 15×10 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl combine the flour, ½ cup sugar, butter and salt until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the prepared pan
3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes
4. In a large bowl, stir the eggs. Corn syrup, 1 ½ cups white sugar, melted butter and vanilla until blended. Stir in the chopped pecans.
5. Spread the filling evenly over the hot crust. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes, or until set. Let cool before slicing.

Read more at: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pecan-pie-bars-i/

Cinnamon Rolls:

Ingredients:

• Dough:
• 1/4 -ounce package yeast
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup scalded milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter or shortening
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

• Filling
• 1/2 cup melted butter, plus more for pan
• 3/4 cup sugar, plus more for pan
• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 cup raisins, walnuts, or pecans, optional

Glaze:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 to 6 tablespoons hot water

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease the sides and bottom of one 15×10 inch pan.

• In a large bowl combine the flour, 1/2 cup sugar, margarine or butter and salt until the mixture resemble coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the prepared pan.

• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes.

• In a large bowl stir the eggs, corn syrup 1 1/2 cups white sugar, melted margarine and vanilla until blended. Stir in the chopped pecans.

• Spread the filling evenly over the hot crust. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 25 minutes or until set. Let cool before slicing.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/cinnamon-rolls-recipe.html?oc=linkback