Chocolate & Peppermint Cookies

One of my Christmas staples is Peppermint Bark.

It is the easiest thing to make with such a festive result.

I'm thinking I might have to add these cookies to the list.

They look sinful...and not too complicated!

Homemade Bread Pudding

Our wonderful friends, John & Hellen, invited us over for dinner several weeks ago. Of course, we had a fabulous time because Hellen is a great hostess! They have a daughter that is 3 months older than Carter so the girls are getting to the age where they really love playing together. Gracyn wanted to show Carter her "cooking" skills. Speaking of cooking, Hellen made this delicious dessert that I could not stop thinking about since we were there. Instead of waiting for a night that we had company, I decided to make the dessert for just Barrett and I. Sometimes, I crave a good dessert at night...and gummi bears just don't cut it!

Homemade Bread Pudding

8 slices of French bread

1 stick of butter

4 eggs

2 cups of sugar

4 cups of milk

½ teaspoon of cinnamon

½ teaspoon of nutmeg

Caramel Sauce:

1 stick of butter

½ cup of whipping cream

½ cup of brown sugar

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast bread on both sides in oven. Break into small pieces and place in 9 X 13 baking dish. Melt butter and pour of bread. Beat eggs and sugar in bowl. Add milk, cinnamon and nutmeg to egg mixture and stir. Pour over bread and let stand about 10 minutes.

Bake 45 minutes or until brown.

Caramel Sauce:

Melt butter in saucepan. Add cream, brown sugar, vanilla and salt. Bring to boil and simmer until thickened about 5 minutes. Serve warm with sauce. (Vanilla ice cream optional)