Peppermint Bark



Before

After cooled - cut into pieces 

This recipe was taken out of a newspaper years ago in Canada before it was being sold everywhere! Don't you buy it . . . . it is SO easy and Quick to make and give as gifts :)

2 pkg white chocolate chips

12 large candy canes - 1 cup crushed  (put them in a plastic bag and crush)

*I decided this year (to help you all) to measure the candy canes that I crushed, because some candy canes are thicker than others.

3 tsp peppermint extract
Line a 11 x 17" baking sheet with parchment, and set aside.

Again, I melt my chocolate in the microwave - Put in bowl and microwave 1 minute - stir - back in for 1 minute and you are finished!

Add all but a hand full of crushed peppermint into bowl with peppermint extract and stir.  While still hot pour onto parchment and spread out to desired thickness. Sprinkle remaining crushed peppermint ontop and lightly press. Let cool.  With a long sharp knife cut into bit size pieces. ENJOY ♥ and share with others.

OPTION 2: can also use this recipe to make mini cupcake size bites with chocolate on the bottom. Just line 24 mini cupcake pans with the cups. Melt 1 bag of semi sweet chocolate chips - fill cups 1/2 filled and then top off with the peppermint. Before cooled, sprinkle some additional crushed peppermint candy canes on top! ENJOY
(if you have left over chocolate, just pour onto parchment and make additional bark)

Fantasy Fudge - using Microwave

I really don't have much luck in making candy. I have tried many times and most of the time have been really frustrated with the results (and usually throw them out) - but NOT with this fudge! My favorite thing about it is that it is made in the microwave, so not the contant stirring that is required on the stove.

This year I was lucky to have a helper in the kitchen while baking .... so my daughter got to make the fudge for the first time! AND much to her happiness - it turned out "just like Mom's"

As you will see on the recipe, I will give you alot of hopefully "helpful hints"  to make your candy making a success ♥

3/4 c butter

3 c white sugar

2/3 c evaporated milk

2 c semi sweet chocolate chips

1 jar - 7 oz kraft marshmallow creme

1 tsp vanilla ext.

WARNING - the mixture gets VERY hot in microwave! I use oven mitts when handling the bowl in and out of microwave:) In large microwave bowl (it does boil up pretty high, so don't use too small of a bowl) - melt butter on HI 1 minute or until melted. Add sugar and milk. Microwave 5 mins or until boils. *stirring after 3 minutes, stir well - back in for another 2 mins. stir well, scraping down sides. Microwave 5 1/2 mins. *stirring after 3 mins. -back for 2 1/2 mins. Stir well and scape down sides. **this is important** Let stand for 2 minutes! why you ask? If you add the chocolate too soon, it will burn and once it burns it gets stiff and there is nothing you can do about it. While stirring, add chocolate chips and stir until melted - do this quickly to prevent burning as well. Add marshmallow fluff and vanilla and mix well. Pour into buttered 9 x 13 pan. ENJOY♥ and share with others!

Autumn Treats

Here's a fun and fast treat!

Square pretzels

Rolos

Candy corn

Line a cookie sheet with foil.  Lay out square pretzels onto foil.  Top with one Rolo.  Bake in 300 degree oven for 2 minutes! Let rest on tray for 1 minute and lightly press candy corn on top of the Rolo. Let cool so the chocolate will set, before moving to a plate. ENJOY ♥

Almond Buttercrunch

 I was pleasantly surprised how easy these were to make!  I am making them for gifts.  Of course I won't eat all of this, but if it was in the house I would.  I'm dividing up this batch into 6-7 baggies.

1 c butter

1 1/2 c sugar

3 T water

1 T light corn syrup

Bring to a boil, gently over medium heat. Heat until hard-crack (300degrees F). The mixture will suddenly darken (at least 10 minutes).

While this is cookies, get your pan prepared. I used a small cookie sheet with sides. I put foil onto and greased it with butter.  I sprinkled about 1 c of sliced almonds ontop of buttered foil.

When syrup is ready, pour it quickly over the nuts and spread out to edges.

Immediately add 2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips on top. Let melt and then spread with a knife

sprinkle with 1 cup or more of sliced almonds and gently press into the chocolate while it is soft.  Chill for several hours until completely cooled.  Cut with a knife into bite size pieces.  ENJOY and SHARE with others ♥