Santa's Tired of Cookies

I know it is hard to believe that after thousands of years and millions of homes around the world, that Santa might be tired of eating cookies, but it's true.  In fact, he left us a note two Christmases ago telling us this was the case.

It is important to keep Santa happy, so last year we made my top secret, amazing, stupendous, everything-a-red-velvet-should-be, Red Velvet Cupcakes.  You know, the real ones?  Where the red hue is caused by a chemical reaction between the cocoa and the buttermilk?  Yep, those.

Santa was quite pleased.

So, if you want to stay on the nice list (not that the naughty list isn't fun at times), I suggest you spice things up this year.  Make brownies.  Make truffles.  Make whatever you (or your husband) like best!

If you want to make my Red Velvet Cupcakes, there are a couple of things you should know.

1.  They aren't really mine.  The recipe belongs to Ellen Sternau and Beth Pilar owners of How Sweet It Is Bakery in Manhattan.  It was published in Runner's World Magazine.  They are geniuses and it is sublime.

Tell me these aren't beautiful!

 2.  Please pipe your frosting.  I cannot tell you what a difference this one step can make in your overall look. I can, however, show you...

Adorable, right?

For these I did a double star. One star crisscrossing on top of another. I like the haphazard look. If you prefer more uniformity, go for swirls, or perpendicular lines.  Throw on a few sprinkles.  Perfection.

Whatever you choose, I promise, Santa will be pleased.

Ho! Ho! Ho!