Sweet Homemade Gifts

Guys, I'm kind of in denial about Christmas. It's always a bittersweet time for me, and this year is especially difficult. I'm just not feeling it. But last night I managed to muster enough Christimas spirit to bake and package homemade gifts for some of our co-workers and friends.

I made a big batch of Barefoot Contessa's Outrageous Chocolate Brownies, which I doctored with 2 tablespoons of Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon. (Only the best for the best.) I topped half the batch with candied pecans and marshmallows, and broiled the mess until it was perfectly melty and toasty. (By the way, the marshmallows are from Chicago Soydairy and are the best ever. Plus, they're vegan, i.e., they contain no animal gelatin, which is grosssss.)

I also made three batches of peanut butter cookies (classic, chocolate chunk and peanut butter cup) and several mini loaves of pumpkin bread. I packaged everything in clear cello bags adorned with cookie cutters and green raffia ribbon. The gifts couldn't have been easier or more economical to make, and it felt great to see the smiles -- and chocolate -- on the recipients' faces. Aren't homemade gifts the best?

I also managed to bake a Christmas turd.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!