Cookie Exchange Made Easy With Betty Crocker and Pillsbury

Did you agree to be in a holiday cookie exchange and now you're panicking because you need 8 dozen cookies by tomorrow? Well friends, let me help you out...

We're all busy. We have kids, and jobs, and hobbies, and obligations, and then there's the whole need to sleep thing. Sometimes you just don't have time to be... well, Betty Crocker. So thank goodness Betty is around and can make things simple for you! Not a great baker? Betty can Help! Short on time? Betty can help! And you know who else can help you churn out yummy treats in no time? That adorable Pillsbury Dough Boy! Pillsbury Slice and Bake? Easy peasy!

Betty Crocker has some great cookie mixes that you can customize with nuts, extracts, frostings and sprinkles. No one has to know you didn't bake from "scratch". And Pillsbury refrigerated cookie doughs can be customized too! Who knew right? I found this decadent looking recipe for Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies in the Christmas section on lifemadedelicious.ca and whipped them up in no time using Pillsbury Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are ridiculously good. I'm sending this batch into work with my husband tonight. Those boys are going to love them!

Want to go the extra mile since you saved so much time with baking?  There are so many cute ways to package up your cookies! I found all these adorable bags and boxes at my local Dollarama and the tins are from Independent (PC). Add a bit of curly ribbon and voilà.

My Book Club is having our annual cookie exchange soon and I'll be sharing some quick creations using Betty and Pillsbury, less time baking means more time for me! Bring on the Christmas movies, hot toddies and slipper socks!

*This is a Sponsored Post, however my words and my opinions are my own. To read more about my relationship with General Mills Canada please visit my disclosure page.
 

Review - Betty Crocker Ultimate Chocolate Cupcakes

I got a box of Christmas cheer delivered to my door, courtesy of my good friends at General Mills Canada. My kids were jumping up and down at what was inside. Candy canes, snowman cupcake liners, and best of all, Chocolate Cupcakes!

Of COURSE we had to make the cupcakes right away. They're chocolate cake, and chocolate frosting, basically the perfect after school snack. 

I'd like to say my kids devoured them, but that would be a lie. They each had one... and then I had one.... and I claimed the rest for myself. I had eight cupcakes in 16 hours! I can't even say I was ashamed, they were THAT good. The cake was so soft and delicate and the frosting had a fudgey taste and was very smooth. The kids were quite disappointed when they came home from school the next day to find the plate empty. What can I say, I'm a chocoholic. I'll have to get another box and make it up to them... and hopefully exercise a bit more self-control!

*This is a Sponsored Post, however my words and my opinions are my own. To read more about my relationship with General Mills Canada please visit my disclosure page.
 

Christmas Tree Roll-Ups

We never have a holiday party because I'm never organized enough to have my house presentable and party supplies bought AND all the gifts bought and wrapped. Something has to give! But we do get invited to a few parties and I hate to show up empty-handed. How cute are these easy little appetizers from Life Made Delicious? I can whip these little bites up in no time and still have time to put on something sparkly!

Christmas Tree Roll-Ups
makes 64

1 pkg (250 g) cream cheese, softened 
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped drained roasted red bell peppers (from 7.25-oz jar)
1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped ripe olives 
1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh basil leaves  
1/4 cup (50 mL) shredded Parmesan cheese
4 spinach-flavour flour tortillas (8 to 10 inches in diameter) 
Ripe olive pieces 

Instructions:

1. In medium bowl, mix all ingredients except tortillas and olive pieces. Divide mixture among tortillas, spreading to edges of tortillas. Roll up tightly. Press each tortilla roll into triangle shape, using fingers. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
2. To serve, cut rolls into 1/2-inch slices. Place olive piece at bottom of each triangle to look like tree trunk; secure with toothpick.

Tip: If you don't have time to press this appetizer into the shape of Christmas trees, just prepare the filling as directed, spread on tortillas and roll up. Refrigerate 2 hours, and cut into slices.

Tip: This recipe is easy to cut in half for a smaller group. 

*This is a Sponsored Post, however my words and my opinions are my own. To read more about my relationship with General Mills Canada please visit my disclosure page.