Christmas Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate
December 24, 2012
We are continuing our Christmas recipe series today with some family time favorites.
Today’s recipes include Traditional Oatmeal Cookies, Crockpot Candy and Rice Krispie Treats — perfect recipes for the family to make together. And what would Christmas be without Hot Chocolate? Our quick and easy recipe can easily be increased to make enough for everyone, plus it’s easy to include some extra cocoa powder for a deeper, darker treat.
To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Crock Pot Candy
submitted by Brooke Mixon
- 16 oz Salted Peanuts
- 16 oz UnSalted Peanuts
- 4 oz German Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Almond Chocolate Bark
- 1 pkg Butterscotch Morsels
Put all ingredients into crock pot. Cook on low for 2 hours. Do not stir or open lid. After 2 hours, turn off crock pot, stir candy and drop in clusters onto wax paper. Let cool and enjoy. This recipe will make 70-90 pieces of candy, depending on the size.
Traditional Oatmeal Cookies
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
- 3 cups of Quaker Oats (Quick)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat together butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Slowly stir in oats. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto an ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 1 minute on sheet, remove to wire rack.
Rice Krispie Treats
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 (10 oz., about 40) pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
- 6 cups Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal
In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal coating them well with the melted marshmallow mixture. Using a buttered or silicone spatula, press the mixture evenly into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with wax paper. Cut into squares when the mixture cools. Makes 24 squares.
MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
Microwave butter with marshmallows on high setting for 2 minutes in a microwave safe mixing bowl. Stir together when melted. Microwave again on high for 1 additional minute. Stir in cereal, mixing until well coated. Press into pan as above.
Hot Chocolate
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp. sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 1 c. milk
- a bit of vanilla, if desired
Combine cocoa, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Heat it on low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the paste from sticking to the pan. After about 1 to 2 minutes, add milk and vanilla. Mix it all together until it reaches your preferred temperature.
Cloudy Today, Potentially Stormy Christmas
December 23, 2012
By Christmas Eve, we’ll have an increasing chance of rain. Showers are thunderstorms are likely for Christmas Day, with a chance of strong to severe storms.
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
- Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 53. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
- Christmas Day: Showers and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe, with damaging winds and heavy rain. High near 72. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
- Tuesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely before midnight, then a chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 42. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph becoming northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
- Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 53. North wind around 5 mph.
- Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
- Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 59.
- Friday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
- Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.
Molino Library Progessing Toward Opening Date
December 23, 2012
Weeks after the grand opening of the new Molino Community Complex, the Molino Library is making some visual progress toward an opening date.
Furniture was delivered last week for the library.
“We are still waiting on the shelving to be completed, computers installed and books to be transported. Of course there are a lot of little things in order to prepare for opening,” Librarian Pat Rigel said. A specific opening date for the library has not yet been set.
Rigel is also looking for an artist to donate their time to paint a mural on the wall of the library’s children’s area. For more information, contact her at the Century Library, (850) 256-6217.
The Molino Community Complex project included the conversion of the old Molino School in to a library, community center and museum. There was also a new 7,000 square foot facility constructed for the tax collector and property appraiser. The project was funded by local option sales tax monies, with a ribbon cutting held back in October.
Pictured: Furniture was delivered last week for the new Molino Library. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Photos: Century’s Old Fashioned Christmas Light Display
December 23, 2012
Thousands of cars pass the Century Roadside park each evening, very few stopping to enjoy the old-fashioned Christmas lights.
The lights, which became Century’s after the City of Pensacola upgraded some number of years ago, include a large North Pole house, “The Jolly Trolley”, and Santa with his sleigh and reindeer.
Today, we take you inside the park at North Century Boulevard (Hwy 29) and Hecker Road for an up close and personal look at the lights.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: No. 1 North Pole Place, part of the Town of Century’s Christmas lights display. Pictured inset: A clown fires and “animated” cannon. Pictured below: The Jolly Trolley. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
North Escambia Trash Pickup Is Monday
December 23, 2012
ECUA residential sanitation collections scheduled for Tuesday will be made one day early, on Monday, December 24. The change includes garbage, recycling and yard trash collection across most of the North Escambia area.
Dumpster service collections for commercial customers will be made on Wednesday, December 26 instead of Tuesday, December 25.
For more information, click here.
How Much Do Those Christmas Lights Cost On Your Power Bill?
December 23, 2012
Have you ever wondered just how much it costs to light up your house and tree for the holidays? Probably less than you think, according to Gulf Power. The utility says it costs about $1.40 to run a string of 200 miniature holiday lights for about five hours a day for 30 days.
To save money, the company recommends the purchase of LED Christmas lights — the cost to power 200 LED bulbs five hours a day is only about 19 cents for a month. According to the Alliance to Save Energy, each LED bulb uses only about one-tenth of the energy used by traditional mini-lights. And, LED lights last a long time and don’t produce heat, which helps eliminate fire hazards.
Last Minute Christmas Gift Bargains: Try An Area Thrift Store
December 23, 2012
If you are looking for bargains on your last minute Christmas shopping, one of the thrift stores operated by an area non-profit might just have what you need. From the We Care Economy Shops in Atmore and Flomaton, to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Century, to the Molino Thrift Store, the deals await Christmas shoppers looking to save.
We Care Economy Shops, Atmore and Flomaton
The We Care Economy Shops in Flomaton and Atmore offer a wide variety of merchandise, from clothing for the entire family to housewares and furniture in their thrift shop.
The store also sells a variety of toys, furniture seasonal items and clothing. All of the items are inspected before being sold, and some items are new.
Proceeds from the store fund the We Care Program, a prison ministry program founded in 1970. The We Care Program spreads their message in prisons, including Holman and Fountain in Atmore and the Century Correctional Institute.
The We Care Economy Shop in Flomaton is located on Highway 31 about a half mile from Highway 113 in a former hardware store building. The We Care Economy Shop in Atmore is located downtown at the intersection of Highway 31 and Main Street.
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, Century
The St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store also offers a variety of merchandise at bargain prices.
The store offers a vast array of items including glassware, toasters, lamps, couches, desks and office equipment, books, movies, shoes and the complete range of clothing in their new location on North Century Boulevard next to the Dollar General.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is an international organization with a mission to help the poor and homeless. Their thrift stores are a way of raising money to accomplish that mission.
Molino Thrift Store
The Molino Thrift Store offers a full selection of merchandise at discount prices.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is a little different that many other thrift stores. Not only are the prices lower than some thrift stores, the business has a mission of reaching out to those in need and returning their profits directly to the community.
According to Manager Jason Lee, a Baptist pastor, the store returns 10 percent to churches in the community.
The Molino Outreach Ministry Thrift Store is located on Highway 29 at Molino Road, in the former Grocery Advantage building.
NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.
Christmas Recipes: Apples, Sweet Potatoes And A Quick Breakfast Brunch
December 23, 2012
Today’s Christmas recipes feature an Apple Caramel Pudding and a Sweet Tater Cheesecake. We also have a Farmer’s Omelet Casserole that’s easy to cook and would provide a hearty Christmas morning breakfast or brunch for everyone.
To submit your recipes to share with our readers, email them to news@northescambia.com.
Farmer’s Omelet Casserole
by Terri Brown
- 3 cups frozen cubed hash brown potatoes
- 1 cup chopped green pepper, divided
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 18 large eggs, beaten
- 2 1/3 cups chopped cooked ham
- 1 1/4 cups chopped tomato, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (coarse grind is best)
- 1 1/2 cups (6 oz) shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
Cook potato, 3/4 cup green pepper and onion in oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, stirring constantly, 8 min. or until tender. Cool potatoes if preparing the night before. Combine potato mixture, eggs, ham, 1 cup tomato, salt and black pepper in a large bowl; stir well. Pour mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Bake, uncovered at 325 for 40 minutes or until golden. Top with remaining 1/4 cup green pepper and 1/4 cup tomato. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake 5 more minutes until cheese melts.
Apple Caramel Pudding
by Janet Smith
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cups chopped peeled apples
Combine first five ingredients; then add apples and milk. Blend thoroughly and pour into 8″ square pan.
Combine:
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup boiling water
Mix sugar, boiling water and butter and pour over the batter already in pan. Bake
at 375 degree oven for 45 minutes. Seeve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Very simple but rich dessert. Serves 4 to 6
Sweet Tater Cheesecake
- 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 cup whipping cream (cool whip will work if no cream handy)
- 1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, mashed (NOT CANNED)
Graham Cracker-Pecan Crust
- 2 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
- Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 425°.
Crust:
Combine crust ingredients thoroughly; press into a 10-inch springform pan.
Beat cream cheese, sugar, and eggs until smooth; beat in flour, cinnamon, and ginger. Beat cream and well-mashed sweet potatoes in on medium speed of a hand held mixer just until well-combined. Pour the batter into the prepared crust. Bake at 425° for 15 minutes; lower heat to 275° and bake 1 hour longer. Turn heat off and leave in the oven to cool for several hours, or cool on a wire rack. Serve with sweetened whipped cream or caramel sauce.
Lewis Max Dreadin
December 23, 2012
Lewis Max Dreadin, 74 of Atmore, passed away December 15, 2012, in Atmore. He was retired from the United States Army. He was born December 22, 1937, in Escambia County (AL) to the late Alva and Betty Dorriety Dreadin. He is preceded in death by his wife, June Dreadin; and three brothers, Raymond Dreadin, Gladden Dreadin and Don Dreadin.
He is survived by his son, Lewis “Randy” Dreadin of Tacoma, WA; sister, Polly Smith of Monroeville; two nieces, Delores Watkins and Sherry Wallace; six nephews, Jack, Robby,
Donnie, Robert, Eddie Dreadin and T.J. Wallace.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 22, 2012, at the Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Billy Hodges. Burial was in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
Cemetery with full military honors.
Johnson-Quimby Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Aleene Ruth (Dunsford) (Carr) Reeves
December 23, 2012
Aleene Ruth (Dunsford) (Carr) Reeves, age 94 of Jay, passed from this earth into the arms of her Lord and Savior on December 22, 2012.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father Lidge and Addy Dunsford; her first husband Hubert James Carr; one son, Junior Carr, who died at the age of three and three brothers Willie, Hillary and Eugene Dunsford. Aleene and Hubert shared 58 happy years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her second husband, Clifford Reeves to whom she was married for 17 wonderful years.
She is survived by nieces, nephews and many friends that will miss her gentle ways and always welcoming smile. She never met a stranger and loved to talk. She was the last surviving founding member of Brownsdale Baptist Church. A church that was, along with her family, the center of her life.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, December 24, 2012, at Brownsdale Baptist Church with Brother Jeff Leake officiating .
A visitation will be from noon until 1 p.m. Burial will follow at Cora Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Ryan Lowry, Jacob Lowry, Tyler Odom, Seth Dunsford, Sean Dunsford, Brandon Chambless, Jeff Hawthorne and Sam Cleaver.
Jay Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.