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Hi, everyone!

I know it’s Thursday—not my typical day to blog. But, when you’ve got something adorable to share, you just can’t wait! Last year—right after the holidays—I saw an idea for reindeer ornaments on Pinterest. I was so bummed I didn’t find it before the holidays, but Christmas comes every year...and it's Christmastime again. Time for my ornaments!

Do you see the colorful ornaments on and under the tree? We just dipped our cookies in some colorful chocolate and added some decorations. I think they look great. Here’s the complete recipe for you...this is also on the You're Home with Jill recipe page.

Ingredients:

Colorful Ornaments:

• Assorted pearls/balls/snowflakes


• Large package of Nutter Butter cookies


• Ball of red/white baker's twine


• Food spray paint (Duff brand) or 8 oz each colored dipping chocolate discs


• 1 egg + 2 Tbsp water, for egg wash

Reindeer Ornaments:

• Large package of Nutter Butter cookies


• Ball of red/white baker's twine


• 8 oz dark chocolate, for melting


• Small chocolate curls


• White candy "eyes"


• Red candy balls


• Pretzels

Equipment:

• Metal screen-type cooling rack


• Small clean paint brush

Preparation:

1. To make the colorful ornaments, divide the assorted pearls, balls, and snowflakes in separate bowls.


2. Place the twine around the perimeter of the cookies and leave 6–8" excess for a hanging loop. Tie the twine in a knot and then tie the excess twine in another knot to create the hanging loop.


3. Lay the cookies on top of the cooling rack and spray with the colored food spray paint. Allow the cookies to dry for 15 minutes. OR, melt the colored chocolate discs in glass or ceramic bowls in the microwave 50 seconds at a time until melted. Hold the strung cookies by the hanging loop and dip each cookie in the melted chocolate. (Be careful not to get the chocolate on the loop.) Gently lay each cookie down on the screen cooling rack. Let them cool for 1 hour.


4. Whisk the egg and water together in a small bowl. Brush the egg wash over the front of the chocolate-dipped cookie with a paintbrush and then "glue" on the pearls, balls, ornaments, or other decorations. Brush each cookie again with egg wash to seal the decorations onto the cookie. Let them dry for an additional hour. Ready to hang!

1. To make reindeer ornaments, divide the curls, eyes, and red balls in separate bowls.


2. Tie the twine around each cookie, as directed above.


3. Melt the dark chocolate in glass or ceramic bowl in the microwave 50 seconds at a time until melted. Dip the strung cookies into the melted chocolate. Place two pretzels on the back of the cookie for "antlers."


4. Gently lay the cookie down on screen cooling rack. Place 2 eyes near the cookie-top, the red nose near the bottom, and chocolate curls in the middle. Let cool for 1–2 hours before hanging.

If you plan to keep these cookies as decoration, follow the instructions above to the “t.” If you think the kids may eat a “decoration” or two, or you would prefer to make these edible ornaments, you’ll want to dip the cookies in chocolate and stick your decorations on while the cookies are still wet.

Flashback Friday blog coming tomorrow…have a great night!

From my home to yours,
—Jill

P.S. It's National Cookie Day! I hearted some of my favorite cooking-baking items on QVC's toGather(R). Check out my collection!