Making Christmas Sweeter

I've got Christmas goodies on the brain this week-- will be sharing two links tomorrow for easy goodies you can make. This week I am hoping to get into Christmas baking after clearing off my to-do list enough to do so. I want to make some old faves and new ones, too. On the list will be peanut butter bars and M&M cookies and peppermint bark. And I think I might have to make the Vanilla Peppermint cake pictured above, inspired by Southern Lady magazine. The peppermint glaze recipe is listed below but I am going to do a different, easier vanilla cake, probably from the pages of my Cake Mix Doctor cookbook.

But seriously, isn't that so pretty? I think pulling this out for dessert after dinner one night would make Christmastime even sweeter. Does anyone else just love this time of year??

Here's the glaze:

PEPPERMINT GLAZE
Makes approximately 1 1/2 cups

1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
3 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

1. In a small bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar, milk, and peppermint extract until smooth. Use immediately.

PS. I made the cake last night-- I made chocolate chocolate chip cake and topped it with the peppermint glaze and crushed peppermint chips. I served it with a scoop of Edy's Peppermint ice cream on the side. I ate my slice while watching one of my favorite Christmas movies-- ahhh.