Advent is a time of glorious expectation, but we are often so overwhelmed with Christmas activities that we miss out on the beauty of the season.
I’m sharing today at Life of a Homeschool Mom about ways we can reclaim our joy and celebrate the season with peace and delight. Join me there for Advent for the Weary Homeschool Mom and be sure to grab the fun quilled paper handicraft!
Since we are already discussing Advent for weary moms, we want to invite you to a slow and lovely Advent with us! We would love to have you join us for A Homespun Hallelujah: Advent Reflections for Busy Moms this year.
The Scripture journal, handicrafts, art lessons, and reflection time are made to help you, yes you, mom, to slow down and experience Advent and all the joy and peace it has to offer.
Making Gifts to Settle in for the Season
Since making gifts is such a fun and frugal way to spread cheer, we are sharing some of our favorite recipes to help you get started on your gifts to brighten the Advent season for your fellow homeschool mom friends.
Easy Instant Pot Apple Butter for Gifting
Apple butter is such a delightful treat all year, but with the yummy spices it makes a wonderful addition to holiday tables. Now, not everyone likes there apple butter as well spiced as we do, but if you’re a lover of all things holiday spice then please add 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg and 1/4 teaspoon of cloves to this recipe for a real treat! And making it in your Instant Pot is super simple.
Recipe:
Ingredients
4 pounds fuji apples, cored and sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup water
Directions:
- Place all ingredients in your electric pressure cooker and toss together.
- Cover with the lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on “pressure cook” or “manual” for 8 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes before a quick release.
- Remove lid and use an immersion blender to puree the apples. OR, carefully place apples in a blender and blend until pureed.
- Transfer your apple butter into 8oz jelly jars and close the lids up, decorate with a ribbon and gift tag, and you’re ready to give them away.
- If you do not “waterbath can” the apple butter, it will need to be refrigerated when it has cooled and used within 2 weeks.
Iced Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Oatmeal cookies are a delightful and semi-healthy treat! These are packed with sweet spices, yummy pumpkin, and topped with a simple and yummy icing. Box them up in a brown paper box tied with red and white twine with a gift tag to delight your friends and family!
Ingredients:
2 1/2 C old fashioned oats
2 1/3 C flour
1 TBSP baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
3/4 C sweet cream unsalted butter
(melted)
1/3 C pumpkin puree
1 1/2 C sugar
1 TBSP molasses
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
Cinnamon Icing Ingredients:
2 C powdered sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
4 TBSP water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line the cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Cookie Directions:
Add the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to a medium bowl.
Whisk to blend all ingredients.
Set aside.
Add the butter, pumpkin puree, sugar, molasses, and vanilla in a large
bowl. Whisk to combine.
Continue whisking while adding the eggs until all of the ingredients are
smooth.
Slowly begin to add in the oat mixture. Stirring until completely combined.
Using the cookie/ ice cream scoop, drop the dough onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Rotate the cookie sheet after 5-6 minutes.
When the cookies are done they will be brown.
Allow the cookie to cool on the cookie sheets for about 5 min.
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool for an additional 5 min.
Icing Directions:
Whisk the powdered sugar, cinnamon, water and vanilla together into a small bowl until smooth.
Frost each cookie.
Set aside for the glaze to harden completely.
Store the remaining cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
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