Chewy M&M Cookies

M&Ms have always been one of Connor's favorite candies! These easy cookies, adapted from here, did not disappoint!

Chewy M&M Cookies

1 c. sugar

1 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. flour
M&M's chopped and whole, separated

Cream together sugars, butter and oil.
Add eggs and beat until fluffy.
Add dry ingredients as well as vanilla.
Mix in chopped M&Ms (however many you want).
Place in balls on greased pan, insert 3-5 M&Ms on top.
Bake at 350°F for 7-8 minutes.

Chubby Hubby Clusters

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I really wanted to make some sort of candy this year for Christmas... I saw these online, and they intrigued me... and did not disappoint!  The whole family loves them!


Chubby Hubby Clusters

Serves: 30

1½ c. semi sweet chocolate chips
1 c. peanut butter chips
½ c. butter, cut into pieces
¼ c. peanut butter
2 c. pretzel sticks, roughly chopped (I broke them in half)
1 c. salted peanuts

In a large bowl, mix together chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butter, and peanut butter. Microwave on high for 45 seconds, stir, and microwave again for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth (if it isn't completely melted, return to the microwave for 20 second intervals, stirring after each time).

Add pretzels and peanuts to the melted chocolate mixture and stir until they are completely coated in chocolate.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until firm.

Optional: drizzle with melted peanut butter.

Store leftovers in an airtight container.

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

A friend (that's you, Hayley!) pointed me to this little recipe... and it is beyond delicious!  I made it as part of our Christmas goodies this year, and I'm having to use some serious willpower to stay out of it.  That is, until I'm done typing this post!  One batch makes quite a bit, and it packs and keeps really well... if I wasn't so greedy this year, I'd send some over to the neighbors!  ;)  This yummy treat will definitely be included in our Christmas goodie-making each year to come!  (As seen on Our Best Bites.)

Peppermint Bark Popcorn

16 c. popped popcorn (fresh, or about 2 bags microwave unbuttered, natural/salted popcorn)
1 lb. almond bark
1 6-oz. box candy canes (12-ct.), crushed (about 1 generous c., Bob’s brand are best!)
1/4 tsp. peppermint oil or 2 tsp. peppermint extract*
3/4 c. semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips

* Flavored oils (for candy making) will combine best with the almond bark, if you can find them.  Otherwise, if using extract, the almond bark will seize or go lumpy - just stir quickly and pour quickly on the popcorn.  Once mixed in it will be fine.

Place popcorn in a very large mixing bowl.

Melt almond bark according to package instructions.  (I melted mine on the stove in just a few minutes.)

When completely melted, add extract or peppermint oil. 

Pour the bark mixture over the popcorn and pour crushed candy canes on top.  Stir to evenly coat. 

Spread popcorn mix onto waxed paper to cool.

Melt chocolate chips slowly in the microwave (follow the bag instructions).

Drizzle over popcorn mixture. 

Let mixture dry completely until chocolate and almond bark are hardened. (Close to the end of this process, I packed mine up and put it in the refrigerator to help it solidify faster.)

Once mixture is solid, break it apart into chunks, and enjoy!

Everything Cookies

I made these cookies a couple of weeks ago... the recipe is a conglomeration of 5-6 different "monster" cookies I found online.  We really enjoyed these cookies - even took some to the neighbors... they're still talking to us, so the cookies must have been good to them, too!

Everything Cookies

2 sticks (1/2 lb.) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c. white sugar
1.5 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. vanilla
1.5 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1.5 c. oats
3/4 c. M&Ms
1 c. chocolate chips (I mixed milk & semi-sweet)
1/2 c. peanut butter chips
2.5 c. Rice Krispies

Preheat oven to 375F.

Cream butter and sugars until fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well.  Add vanilla and beat.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add to butter mixture and mix until combined.

Add in remaining ingredients - oats, M&Ms, chocolate and peanut butter chips.

Add Rice Krispies last, and mix only until just combined.  Be careful to not overmix.

Use a cookie scoop to create balls of dough for the cookie sheet.  Bake about 10 minutes, until golden brown, and then cool them on a rack.

Makes ~5 dozen.

Easy Pretzel Turtles

Made some of these for the recent family birthday celebration. They were all gone by the time everyone left... I'd say they were a hit!  Including them here, so I don't forget about them!  (As seen on Our Best Bites.)

Easy Pretzel Turtles

small pretzels (I like squares)
Rolo candies - one bag has about 55 candies
Topper – pecan halves, peanuts, cashews, M&Ms
Optional:  almond bark or white chocolate for drizzling

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Place pretzels on a lined baking sheet (foil, parchment, silpat).
Unwrap your Rolo candies and place one on top of each pretzel like a cute little hat.

Place pan in the oven for 2-3 minutes. (Any longer is probably too long. You just want the chocolate on the outside to look glossy and melty, but they should still hold their shape.) 
Remove pan from oven and take your topper and gently press it right into the center of the chocolate candy.

Optional:  If you want to get fancy you can give them a little drizzle of almond bark or white chocolate. Just melt some in a plastic baggie and nip the corner off to drizzle. (A little goes a long way - half a square of almond bark for half a batch of candies, and there will be plenty left over.)

Margene's Buckeyes Candy

Margene's Buckeyes Candy

1 lb. butter or margarine, softened
3 lb. powdered sugar
2 lb. creamy peanut butter
24 oz. chocolate chips (2 pkgs.)

Mix butter, sugar, & peanut butter well.
Shape into balls.
Chill or freeze.

Melt chocolate over hot water in double boiler.  (Do not let water boil.)
Use toothpick to stick ball into chocolate, leaving small part of peanut butter ball exposed.
Place on wax paper.
Chill or freeze.

Makes 180-200 balls.