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Christmas Recipes: Rice Krispie Treats, Oatmeal Cookies, Hot Chocolate

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.

Crock Pot Candy

• 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.

NorthEscambia.com Teams With NORAD To Track Santa Live

NorthEscambia.com is teaming up with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to track the progress of Santa Claus around the world.

Merry Christmas from NorthEscambia.com to you and your entire family.

Christmas Gas Prices Are The Lowest In Two Years

Christmas came early for millions of Americans hitting the road for the holidays with gas prices at a two-year low.

Gas prices are 10 cents less than the average on Christmas Day 2017. The statewide average was $2.26 per gallon, but many Florida locations are at or near the $2 mark.

On average, Florida drivers are paying nearly $10 less for a full tank of gas, compared to when prices peaked last summer. During the past 10 weeks, pump prices plunged an average total of 56 cents.

In Escambia County, the average price was $2.19 per gallon, down from $2.56 a month ago and $2.33 one year ago. In the North Escambia area, prices ranged from $2.02 at several stations in Cantonment to $2.29 in Century.

Santa Claus Visits Cantonment Senior Dining Site

Santa Claus recently stopped by the Council of Aging of West Florida’s senior dining site in Cantonment. He visited and distributed Christmas gifts. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

One Injured In Pine Forest Road Rollover Crash

One person was injured in a two vehicle crash Sunday night on Pine Forest Road near Wilde Lake Boulevard.

The victim was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS.

The collision is under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

The Bellview and Ensley stations of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.

Videos: Twas The Night Before Christmas From Escambia County Employees

Twas The Night Before Christmas, as told by Escambia County employees.

Increasing Clouds Tonight, Partly Sunny For Christmas Day

Merry Christmas from NorthEscambia.com! Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

Tonight: Increasing clouds, with a low around 42. Calm wind.

Christmas Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 65. East wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 55. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 69. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 64. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Friday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 71. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 59. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 67. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 57. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Sunday: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Sunday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Monday: A 50 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.

ECUA Holiday Garbage Collection Schedule

For the holiday season, ECUA collections will be as follows:

Escambia County

All of the ECUA sanitation collections in Escambia County (garbage, recycling an yard trash) will be made one day later than normally scheduled during the weeks of Christmas and New Year’s.

Santa Rosa County

There will be no collections on Tuesday, December 25 or Tuesday, January 1. Tuesday recycling collections for our Santa Rosa County customers will be made on Wednesday, December 26 and January 2, 2019, respectively for each holiday week.

Christmas tree Collections in Escambia and Santa Rosa

ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties may place real wreaths and Christmas trees at the curb with their regular yard waste collection. Customers are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations from their trees before placing them at the curb, and to ensure that trees, or portions thereof, are no more than 6 feet in length. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash and should not be placed in the recycling cans or green garbage containers.

For more information, call ECUA Customer Service at (850) 476-0480.

Escambia County Christmas Closures

Below is a listing of Escambia County offices and departments closed Monday, Dec. 24, Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1 in observance of Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners — All departments, including:
West Florida Public Libraries (All locations)
Escambia County Property Appraiser
Escambia County Tax Collector
Escambia County Supervisor of Elections office
Escambia County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office

Escambia County Exceptions:

ECAT buses will not operate Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1. Buses will operate on a modified holiday schedule Monday, Dec. 24 and Monday, Jan. 31, with Route 59X running service until 6 p.m. Route 64 will not run service. There will be no UWF Trolley or Express Shuttle service from Friday, Dec. 14 to Friday, Jan. 4. UWF service will resume Saturday, Jan. 5. For more information about ECAT schedules visit goecat.com.

The Perdido Landfill will be open Monday, Dec. 24, but will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1.

ECUA

ECUA offices will be closed Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday, and on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. The Customer Service office and walk-in payment area ONLY will be closed on Monday, December 31. All other ECUA offices and the drive-thru window will be open on this day.

Sanitation Collections, Escambia County:
All of the ECUA Sanitation Collections in Escambia County (Garbage, Recycling & Yard Trash) during these two weeks will be made one day later than normally scheduled.

Sanitation Collections, Santa Rosa County:
There will be NO collections on Tuesday, December 25 and January 1. Tuesday recycling collections for our Santa Rosa County customers will be made on Wednesday, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2, 2019, respectively for each holiday week.

Christmas tree Collections in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties:
ECUA customers in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties may place real wreaths and Christmas trees at the curb for pickup with their regular yard waste collection. Customers are asked to remove all tinsel and decorations from their trees before placing them at the curb, and to ensure that trees, or portions thereof, are no more than 6 feet in length. Trees can be placed at the curb with other yard trash, and should not be placed in the recycling cans or green garbage containers.

For more information, please call ECUA Customer Service at 476-0480.

Christmas Recipes: Apples, Sweet Potatoes And A Quick Breakfast Brunch

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. Serve 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.

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