Christmas Gift Guide #2 12-1-16

2016 Christmas Gift Guide LOOK INSIDE FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS

GET THEM WHAT THEY REALLY WANT THIS YEAR

PLAY THE

TRIVIA CONTEST ON PAGE 6 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO

$

WIN 20

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THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2016

DEC. 1-7, 2016

DEC. 1-7, 2016

THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2016

Alpine Mint Hot Chocolate Prep Time Total Time Servings

20 MIN 20 MIN 10

You'll warm right up with this minty white chocolate drink.

Ingredients 1cup whipping cream2tablespoons powdered sugar1tablespoon unsweetened baking cocoa1/4teaspoon peppermint extract6cups milk3cups white vanilla baking chips1/2teaspoon peppermint extractCandy cane or crushed hard peppermint candy, if desired

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Vanilla Sweet Potatoes INGREDIENTS 10small sweet potatoes 1 1/2cups maple syrup 16-inch vanilla bean 1teaspoon whole cloves 1/2teaspoon kosher salt DIRECTIONS Scrub the sweet potatoes, pierce each with a fork, and place in oven directly on the rack with the turkey (or in a preheated 350Âş F oven). Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until fork-tender.

Meanwhile, combine the maple syrup, vanilla bean, and cloves in a glass measuring cup and microwave 5 minutes. Or heat the syrup, vanilla bean, and cloves in a small saucepan and simmer 5 minutes. (The syrup can be made up to 2 days ahead.)

Remove the potatoes from the oven and cut each lengthwise into 4 wedges. Arrange on a serving dish, sprinkle with the salt, and pour the scented syrup (without the cloves and vanilla bean) over them.

Cider-Roasted Vegetables

Directions 1 In chilled small bowl, mix whipping cream, powdered sugar, cocoa and 1/ 4 teaspoon peppermint extract with electric mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form. Cover and refrigerate until serving time.

2 In 2-quart saucepan, heat milk just to simmering over medium-low heat do not boil. Reduce heat to low. Add baking chips; stir constantly with wire whisk until melted and smooth. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract.

3 Pour hot chocolate into cups or mugs. Top each serving with whipped cream. Garnish with candy cane for stirring, or sprinkle with crushed candies.

INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds beets (1 bunch), peeled and cut into wedges 1 1/2 pounds parsnips, peeled and cut into 2inch chunks 1 1/2 pounds baby carrots, peeled (or 1 1/2 pounds carrots cut into 2-inch chunks) 4 tablespoons brown sugar 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 pound shiitake or cremini mushrooms, cleaned and stemmed DIRECTIONS Heat oven to 450° F. Place the vegetables in two small roasting pans.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, oil, and vinegar. Pour over the vegetables and toss to coat well.

Cook until tender, about 1 hour, stirring halfway. Add the mushrooms during the last 10 minutes, toss to coat well, and finish roasting. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.

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THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2016

DEC. 1-7, 2016

North Pole Strawberry Smoothie Prep Time5 MIN Total Time5 MIN Servings2Ho, ho, ho! Fix this strawberry and yogurt smoothie as an extraspecial treat after the excitement of opening presents from Santa.

Ingredients 1package (10 ounces) frozen strawberries in syrup, partially thawed and undrained1/4cup water 2cups vanilla frozen yogurt2tablespoons vanilla reduced-fat yogurt1strawberry-flavored or peppermint candy cane, about 6 inches long, finely crushedBetty Crocker™ green decorating gel

Christmas Tree Cake Directions 1 Place strawberries and water in blender. Cover and blend on mediumhigh speed until slushy. Blend on medium speed until smooth. Transfer to 2-cup measure.

2 Wash and dry blender. Place frozen yogurt and reduced-fat yogurt in blender. Cover and blend on medium speed until smooth.

3 Place crushed candy cane on small plate. Pipe decorating gel around rim of two 12-ounce glasses. Dip rims into crushed candy.

4 Carefully pour yogurt mixture and strawberries at the same time into glasses, creating a half-and-half design. Serve with large drinking straws if desired.

Prep Time Total Time Servings

30 MIN 4 HR 20 MIN 12

Turn an ordinary rectangular cake into a festive Christmas memory.

You’ll find few cakes that are easier to decorate!

INGREDIENTS 1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ cake mix (any flavor*) Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box Tray or piece of cardboard covered with foil 2 containers Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting 3 candy canes, broken to remove curved ends Green colored sugar Assorted small gumdrops, if desired DIRECTIONS 1 Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan).

Make and bake cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan.

Cool 10 minutes. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. For easier handling, refrigerate or freeze cake 30 to 60 minutes or until firm.

2 Using serrated knife, cut rounded top off cake to level surface; place cut side down. From the middle of one short side, make a diagonal cut to each corner on opposite side, making 3 triangular pieces. (See diagram below in Expert Tips.) Make tree shape by arranging 2 outer pieces with straight 13-inch sides together on foil-covered tray; frost top. Place remaining center piece on top.

3 Spread a thin layer of frosting over top and sides to seal in crumbs. Refrigerate or freeze cake 30 to 60 minutes to set frosting. Frost entire cake with remaining frosting. Press candy cane pieces in end of tree to make trunk. Sprinkle with colored sugar to look like boughs. Arrange gumdrops on cake to look like lights or ornaments. Store loosely covered.

2016 Christmas Gift Guide LOOK INSIDE FOR GREAT GIFT IDEAS

Christmas Surprise Sugar Cookies Prep Time Total Time Servings

1 HR 15 MIN 2 HR 45 MIN 48

Easy cookie mix jump-starts holiday cookie baking. Surprise family and friends with these sweet treasures.

INGREDIENTS 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix, 1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened, 1 egg, 2 tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour, Red and green food colors, 16 thin rectangular crème de menthe candies, cut into thirds, Assorted Betty Crocker™ colored sprinkles, sugars, decors and decorating gels DIRECTIONS 1 Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, egg and flour until dough forms. Divide dough into thirds. Tint one-third red and one-third green with food colors; leave one-third plain. Keep dough covered tightly until ready to use.

Easy Holiday Cutout Cookies Prep Time Total Time Servings

20 MIN 1 HR 30 MIN 24

Take a shortcut to a classic rolled sugar cookie by using a sweet and easy cookie mix.

INGREDIENTS 1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker™ sugar cookie mix 1 tablespoon Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened 1 egg 1 1/4 cups Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (from 12-oz container) Betty Crocker™ decorating icing (assorted colors, as desired) Betty Crocker™ decorating gels (assorted colors, as desired) Betty Crocker™ green and yellow decorating sugars Directions 1 Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, flour, softened butter and egg until soft dough forms.

Roll dough on floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut with cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

2 Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until light golden brown around edges. Cool 1 minute before removing from cookie sheet; cool completely.

3 Spread frosting on cooled cookies.

Decorate as desired with remaining ingredients.

2 On floured surface, roll each third of dough until 1/8 inch thick.

For round cookies, cut with 1 1/ 2-inch cookie cutter; for square cookies, cut into 1 1/2-inch squares using sharp knife. (Dip cutter or knife in flour for easier cutting.)

3 On ungreased cookie sheet, place half the cookies 1 inch apart. Place 1 candy piece on center of each cookie; top with another cookie. Gently press edges together to seal, using tines of fork. To decorate before baking, sprinkle cookies with colored sprinkles, sugars or decors as desired.

4 Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are light brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. Decorate with gels as desired.

THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2016

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DEC. 1-7, 2016

Christmas Gift Guide #2 2016 Trivia Contest Play to Win $20 HOLIDAY CASH! HERE’S HOW TO WIN: Simply fill in the answers on the trivia Name ___________________________ contest entry form. Answers can be Address _________________________ found in the Christmas Gift Guide inserted in this week’s Thrifty Nickel.

City/State/Zip _____________________ Mail or drop off at your friendly THRIFTY NICKEL at 999 N. Congress Phone __________________________ Ave., Evansville, IN 47715. Deadline for Trivia #2 is Tuesday, December Rules: Must Be 18 years of age and older to play. 6. All 4 Weeks of Winners will be Employees and relatives of Thrifty Nickel are not announced in the December 22, 2016 issue of the THRIFTY NICKEL. eligible. One entry per person.

1. Where is the ugly Christmas sweater party? ______________________ 2. Who said carve your own path? _______________________________ 3. Who has Captian Black for $41.99 and $4.39? ____________________ 4. Who has 25% OFF a chain? __________________________________

Christmas Butter Cookie Cutouts Prep Time Total Time Servings

5. Where can you find the holidays right around the corner? ____________ _________________________________________________________ 6. Where can you get 24 hour credit approval? ______________________

1 HR 30 MIN 2 HR 30 MIN 32

A Christmas classic! Royal icing is piped onto tender butter cookies for a timeless treat.

INGREDIENTS Cookies 3/4 cup butter, softened , 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 egg, 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon peel, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt Royal Icing 3 cups powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons meringue powder, 5 teaspoons lemon juice, 4 to 5 tablespoons water DECORATIONS Betty Crocker™ colored sugars, Betty Crocker™ candy sprinkles DIRECTIONS 1 In large bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy. On low speed, beat in egg, lemon peel and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt until well blended.

2 Divide dough into 4 parts; flatten each part into 1/2-inch-thick round. Wrap each in waxed paper or plastic wrap; refrigerate 30 minutes.

3 Heat oven to 350°F. Remove 1 round of dough at a time from refrigerator.

Between sheets of floured waxed paper

7. Who has staircase bunk beds for $595? _________________________ 8. Who has New Year’s Eve lane rentals? __________________________ 9. Whose phone number is 812-422-2605? ________________________ or plastic wrap, roll dough until 1/4 to 3/ 8 inch thick. Cut with 3-inch cookie cutters in various shapes. On ungreased cookie sheets, place cutouts 1 inch apart.

4 Bake 10 to 12 minutes or just until edges are golden. Cool on cookie sheets about 1 minute before removing to cooling rack. To make cookies for hanging, using a toothpick or end of plastic straw, carefully poke a hole in the top of each cookie while cookies are still hot. Cool 10 to 15 minutes before frosting.

5 In medium bowl, stir together powdered sugar and meringue powder. Stir in 5 teaspoons lemon juice and enough of the 4 to 5 tablespoons water to make a thin icing. Transfer 1/2 cup of the icing into small bowl; set aside. Using a flexible pastry brush, paint cookies to the edges with icing. Place on cooling rack to dry completely, about 30 minutes.

6 Beat reserved icing with electric mixer on high speed 5 to 7 minutes or until peaks form. Place in small resealable food-storage plastic bag; cut a very small hole in the bottom of the bag with the plain white icing. Squeeze icing onto glazed cookies. Before icing dries, sprinkle with decorations, and tap off excess. Dry thoroughly on cooling rack.

Thread cookies with narrow ribbon for hanging.

10. Who has 2 great stores at 1 location? __________________________ 11. Who has over 200 knives in stock? ____________________________ 12. Where can you by 5 gift certificates and get 1 free? _______________ _________________________________________________________ 13. Who is located at 2418 First Avenue? __________________________ 14. Who has lunch specials for $7 with drink included? _______________ 15. Whose phone number is 812-402-6500? _______________________ 16. Where can you get $10 off food with a party of 15 or more? _________ _________________________________________________________ 17. Who was voted best Mexican restaurant for the past 5 years? ________ _________________________________________________________

No-Bake Christmas Wreath Cookies Prep Time Total Time Servings

25 MIN 40 MIN 14

Our new twist on this old classic boasts whole grain goodness and the perfect marshmallow to crunch ratio—all thanks to Total cereal.

INGREDIENTS 1/2 cup butter,1 package (10 oz) miniature marshmallows, 20 drops green liquid food color, 3/4 cup white vanilla baking chips, 5 cups Whole Grain Total™ cereal, 56 red cinnamon candies DIRECTIONS 1 In large microwavable bowl, microwave butter uncovered on High 30 seconds to 1 minute or until melted. Add marshmallows; toss to coat. Microwave uncovered on High 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is well blended.

2 Stir in green food color to desired shade of green. Add white vanilla baking chips to marshmallow mixture, and stir until melted, microwaving an additional 30 seconds if necessary.

3 Stir in cereal until evenly coated.

4 Drop 1/3 cup of cereal mixture on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet. Use greased hands to form into wreath shape.

Place 4 red cinnamon candies on wreath to decorate. Repeat with remaining cereal mixture and candies. Refrigerate 15 minutes before serving.

DEC. 1-7, 2016

Got someone on your list that is hard to buy for?

Stuff their stocking with a gift certificate from one of these

local retailers!

THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2016

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THRIFTY NICKEL WANTS ADS CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE 2016

DEC. 1-7, 2016