Peanut Butter Canes*

[Printable Recipe]

*Typically these are called Buckeyes, however, Matt saw the recipe sitting on the counter, and told me that I was not allowed to call them that. See Matt is not a fan of Ohio State because of  the 2002 Championship game where there was a blown call which cost Miami the win(or something like that). So now we don't like them. So I named them Canes in honor of the Miami Hurricanes. (My boss called them Terp Turds since I am a UMD grad, which is funny, but I can't eat something with turd in the name :-D)

These are really easy to make and were a big hit. I gave them away as gifts and took them to New Years party and everyone loved them. These will be my go to from now on.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1 stick butter, room temp
2 1/2 c. powdered sugar ( maybe a little more or less)
Chocolate Flavored Almond Bark (or any other dipping chocolate)

Directions:
Mix the peanut butter, butter and sugar together. Dough will be very thick and stiff. (shouldn't be crumbly or sticky- if crumbly add peanutbutter, if sticky add sugar)

Roll into 1" balls and set on cookiesheet

Store in freezer until firm - the more frozen they are the easier it is to dip
Melt Chocolate 30 seconds at a time stirring until all melted and smooth

Using a toothpick, dip them in the melted chocolate, leave a little bit of the peanut butter showing at the top.

Place back in the freezer.
When the balls get too soft put pack in the freezer to refirm up.

Store in fridge.

I bet you can't just have one!

UPDATE: I am linking this up to Bake at 350's Flavor of the Month link party.

To Weigh or Not to Weigh?

Alton Brown always says that you should weigh your ingredients when baking. I don't though, but only because I don't have a scale. I have never felt it important enough to spend the money on right now. Maybe one day I will. OR I CAN WIN IT! One of my favorite blogs Brown Eyed Baker is giving away a kitchen scale. You should totally go check it out and if you must, try to win it for yourself (or win it and give it to me ::GRIN:: )

ALSO, Don't forget about my giveaway! Leave a comment and try to win!

Goodbye 2009! Hello 2010 and a Giveaway!

[Printable Recipe]

I am not quite done blogging all of my holiday treats, but I wanted to get this up today. Last night we went to a New Years Eve party. I offered to bring something to the party. I decided to use the coupons for free Pillsbury crescents that they went me and let my blog readers decide what I should take!

The winner of the poll was Crescent Bacon-Cheese Tartlets.

I made 2 different versions and made some changes. I will link to the original recipe so you can have it. Below is my take on it.

Ingredients:
Bacon and cheddar version:
1 can of Pillsbury crescent seamless dough sheet
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
chopped green onion
1 egg
3 tbsp whipping cream

Mushroom and garlic version:
1 can Pillsbury crescent seamless dough sheet
1/4 tsp minced garlic
1 tbsp butter
Mushrooms (sorry I didn't measure - it was about 2 palm fulls)
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
chopped green onion
1 egg
3 tbsp whipping cream


Saute the mushroom, garlic and butter or fry your bacon.

 

Unroll your dough and cut into 12 pieces.

Place 1 in each greased mini muffin cup

 

Put cheese in the cup

Top with onion, bacon or mushroom mixture.

 

 

Mix whipping cream and egg with a whisk and then put about 1tbsp of mixture on each tartlet

 

Bake at 375 for about 15 mins.

 

I didn't get a chance to taste before we went, so I was a little nervous to serve something I haven't tasted. They were served at room temp, because we had to travel to DC and they cooled on the ride. Well - within 1 min of the foil being off, half the mushroom was gone. People were freaking out about them. One guy had 4! The bacon went a little slower, but not because they weren't as good, but more because of people's diet preferences at the party. These didn't last long, next time I make them for a party, I will probably make double.
This recipe was really easy to make and didn't take much time at all. I highly recommend it!

How would you like to get 2 coupons for free crescents and 3 little serving platters?

Well, Pillsbury sent them to me, and also said I could offer 1 reader their own. So - leave a comment with your favorite Pillsbury recipe, or one you would like to try from their website by Sat Jan 9 and Sunday Jan 10 I will use random.org and pick a winner! You can submit 1 recipe a day for more chances to win!


**This blog giveaway was provided by Pillsbury through MyBlogSpark

Chocolate Mint Polka Dot Cookies

[Printable Recipe]

I first saw this recipe from Baked Perfection and went on a MASSIVE hunt for Guittard Green Mint Chips. I went to every World Market around me (about 4) I finally found them and it made my day. What didn't make my day was a few months later I walked into Safeway and in the holiday baking section there they sat. SIGH.

These cookies were very, very good. Matt described it as a combination York peppermint patty and a Thin Mint.  Sounds good to me!!

Ingredients:
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips ( I used milk chocolate because it was what I had)
1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
3 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups Guittard Green Mint Chips

Directions:
Preheat oven 350
Melt chocolate chips and butter - set aside to cool.

 

Combine flour, baking soda and salt.
In mixer beat eggs, sugar and vanilla until light.

Blend in melted chocolate then the dry ingredients.

Stir in green chips and chill for 15 mins
Scoop onto cookie sheets

Bake 8-10 mins.

I doubled this batch and made TONS.

I was a little disapointed that a lot of the green chips didn't show up as much as I thought they would, but the cookies were still great. I am sad I didn't get to share these at the cookie exchange - they would have been a huge hit!

I am linking this up with Bake at 350's Flavor of the Month - which happens to be COOKIES :-D

Peanut Butter Kisses Cookie

[Printable Recipe]

This pic the cookies were rolled in sugar in the raw - I didn't take one of the in regular sugar :(

This recipe comes from Matt's mom by way of his grandma. This is also the one cookie that I can't not eat. All the other cookies I can ignore and walk right by, but these are so good I have to really try hard not to have 4 or 5 a day! :-D At least I am running 12-13 miles a week and can run off those extra cookies.

These cookies are super easy, and very good. I recommend you try them. They would be great if you have little helpers who can stick the Hershey kiss in the middle.

Ingredients:

1 c. butter

1 c. crunchy peanut butter ( we only had creamy this time - no difference in my opinion)

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

Hershey Kisses

Directions:
Unwrap a bunch of Hershey Kisses(or have your assistant take a break from playing hockey and do it :-D )

With mixer on medium speed beat first 6 (RED) ingredents until fluffy.

 

On low speed add last 4 (GREEN)
Shape into balls and roll in sugar.

 

Place 2 inches apart and bake at 350 for 12 mins.

Immediately add kisses

This recipe makes a lot - about 40 depending on how big you make your cookies. I also experimented with rolling one batch in sugar in the raw, but I didn't like it. It made them harder, regular sugar you don't even notice is on the cookie.

You have to try these! I promise they will be great!!!


Also - Don't forget to vote for the recipe you want to see - I am taking it to a New Years Eve party!