Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow

Oh Target- how do you do it?  I enter with a short list: facewash, socks, contact solution. I leave with face wash, socks, a mini Christmas tree, mini ornaments for the mini Christmas tree, a winter hat (that I'll probably never wear) and a bag a Chex Mix Peppermint Bark Muddy Buddies. And no contact solution.

I can not enter that store without dropping at least $50.  It's a disease.....a wonderful, cute accessory and unnecessary goody filled disease.

However, the latest trek did provide inspiration for my latest creation- Peppermint Bark Puppy Chow.  The muddy buddies I bought were great, but they didn't quite meet up to my expectations.  In my mind, peppermint bark should be the lovely marriage of white AND dark chocolate with the addition of peppermint.  The muddy buddies totally skipped over that dark chocolate part.

I, of course, had to correct this and make a proper peppermint bark puppy chow.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Truffles

It's no secret that I'm slightly caffeine dependent  And my slightly, I mean if you try to take away my coffee or diet coke, I will turn into a caffeine-deprived Sarah-zombie.

OK- I probably won't turn into an actually zombie. I am, however, very likely to glare at you really passive-aggressively and then fall asleep.

But like everything else- too much of a good thing isn't necessarily the best for you. Which is why no matter how much coffee I consume throughout the day, I have to cut myself off by mid-afternoon. Otherwise I'm up at 2am watching the "Chaz Dean for Wen" infomercial for the 32nd time. 

So what is a girl to do when it's a cold, rainy night and all she wants is a cup of joe to warm her up yet doesn't need to be told once again that she's been shampooing incorrectly her whole life? Unfortunately my options are kind of limited.  I refuse to drink decaf - I think it tastes different and I feel like I'm cheating on my full-leaded true love.  And I'm not really a fan of tea.  I know it's the trendy, anti-oxidant filled thing to do, but it just isn't my thing.

The answer to my woes? Hot cocoa.  But this isn't just any old package of mix powder. No my friends- this is a rich, velvety, minty hot chocolate bomb that slowly melts into a warm cup of awesome.

P.S. If you do use Wen, I'm sure it works wonders. I mean- Alyssa Milano uses it..... I'm just too cheap to spend $60 a month on shampoo.

Cookies & Cocktails

 

In my world, nothing says Christmas like cocktails and cookies, both enjoyed liberally. 
Not necessarily together, but if that’s how you roll- feel free.  Who am I to judge?

My cocktail tastes are simple. Vodka-tonic with a little bit of lime and I’m a happy girl.  Throw in some cranberry if I’m in a festive mood.  Jack and Diet if I’m feeling crazy.  In need a “sweet escape”?  Vanilla Absolut and I are good friends.

 

However, sometimes you gotta kick it up a notch.  Sometimes you gotta put on your big girl apron (the kitchen equivalent of big girl pants if you weren’t aware…) and get out the blender.  Then you need it introduce it to some old buddies of mine- vanilla AND mint chip ice cream.  Oh, and peppermint schnapps can come too. That’s a must.

As for the cookies- TO. DIE. FOR.  You know those sickening sweet, store-bought sugar cookies? You know the ones.  Awesomely soft and loaded up with frosting.  These are those. But better.  Seriously.  

  
What’s your favorite “adult beverage” of choice? 


Now, if you'll excuse me, it's time to load up the car with plenty of wine and cookies (and Max of course) and hit the road.  I'm off to sunny South Carolina to spend Christmas with the coolest uncle and aunt a girl could ask for. And some pretty fantastic cousins too. There will be much cheesecake and banana bread and Wii dancing.  It will be great.


Oh right- Hi Mom and Dad, you'll be there too :-P

Chocolate Peppermint Bark



I'm OBSESSED with all things mint chocolate.  No. Seriously.  It honestly might be my favorite part of the Christmas season- all the minty chocolately things come out to play.

In the past week, I've had mint M&Ms, Mrs. Field's Peppermint Sticks, a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha and a chocolate mint crinkle cookie from Panera.  While my breathe may have benefitted, not so sure my waistline has....eh- it's the holidays. Calories don't count, right?

But anyways.....yeah, I'm a fan of mint chocolate.  However, I've NEVER EVR made peppermint bark.  I have no clue why not.  Especially because it's SO. FRICKEN. EASY.  5 ingredients, no oven, mint heaven.

I split the recipe in half- the first half got poured into candy molds and the rest into an 8x8 pan.

What's your favorite Christmas treat?

 

Adapted from this recipe

What You'll Need:

• 1 bag Milk Chocolate Chips
• 1 bag White Chocolate Chips
• 4 tsp Shortening, divided
• 1 tsp Peppermint Extract, divided
• Candy Canes, crushed into pieces

 What To Do:

1. Place candy canes into a ziploc bag and crush into small pieces using a rolling pin.  If you have a mesh strainer available, sift the candies to remove any peppermint "dust".  DO NOT use a food processor- I did think and got sticky, nasty, peppermint clumps....not cool....
2. Prepare your molds and/or pans.  If using silicon molds, I don't think you'll need to do anything.  I used plastic candy molds, so I sprayed them with Pam just to be safe.  I lined my 8x8 with parchment paper.
3. In a microwave safe bowl, combine milk chocolate, 2 tsp of shortening, and 1/2 tsp peppermint extract.  Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring as you go, until melted and smooth.  Pour into molds/pan.  Jiggle them a little to spread everything else.  Add a few small peppermint pieces on top of the milk chocolate.  Cool in fridge for at least an hour.
4. Once hardened, repeat with white chocolate. I kept my final ones in the molds overnight before I set them free, but a couple hours should be more than enough.