Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

Mint and Chocolate

I think that is one perfect combination

 These cookies are so easy (are you noticing a recurring theme here lately?)

and so delicious

especially if you get one right out of the oven when it's still gooey

It's impossible to just eat three

the base is a boxed brownie mix so the cookies are extra fudgy and soft

How could you not leave one of these out for Santa?

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

1 (19.9 ounce) box brownie mix

1 large egg

1 tbsp plus 2 tsp water 

1 tsp peppermint extract

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup crushed candy canes

Preheat oven to 375 ºF. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Combine brownie mix, egg, water, peppermint extract and oil in large bowl. Stir until well blended. Scoop a Tablespoon of dough for each cookie and place about 2 inches apart onto the cookie sheet. Top each cookie with crushed candy cane pieces.

Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until cookies are just set in the center. Cool for 3 minutes before removing to cooling rack. Allow the cookies to cool completely.

White Chocolate Pistachio Cranberry Bark

 

Here is another really easy and festive addition to your Christmas Cookie tins- and it's even Christmas-y colors too!

White Chocolate Pistachio Cranberry Bark

here's how I made mine:

Melt some white chocolate over a double boiler, spread it out with an offset spatula on a large wax paper lined cookie sheet and then sprinkle it with chopped pistachios and dried cranberries (I used pomegranate infused ones) press the nuts and cranberries down slightly to make sure they stick and then let it set

Once it is solid break it into hunks and snack away!

Chocolate Christmas Pretzels

 I am fully aware that these are not gourmet, fancy or difficult in any way, but I still adore them.

Sweet and Salty is my favorite flavor combo and these give me just that.

And they're pretty cute too!

I found these adorable holly and Christmas tree sprinkles in the dollar bins at Target and used them to decorate the quick and easy treat

What a cheerful addition to your Christmas cookie platter!

Eggnog Brigadeiros

Yesterday I spent most of the day in pajamas, drinking eggnog flavored coffee, listening to Christmas music and baking, cooking and candy making. 

In short; I was in heaven.

When planning what I was going to include in my Christmas goodie boxes I came across this recipe and had to give it a shot.

A Brazilian candy made of sweetened condensed milk, butter and spiced rum...seriously how could something with that ingredient list not be good?!

You start out with the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, butter and freshly grated nutmeg in a heavy saucepan and cook it on medium low heat constantly stirring. And stirring. And still stirring.

I may have wimped out during the constant stirring and asked Louis to take a turn at the stove.

Twice

After they are ready you chill it, scoop it into small balls and roll it in a coating

I chose a mix of grated white chocolate and colorful sprinkles to roll mine in

They are sticky and sweet and include rum

Do you really need any more convincing to try them?! 

Next time I think I will try the chocolate version and add frangelico at the end to do a Nutella spin on them!

Eggnog Brigadeiro Recipe

What is your favorite Holiday treat to hand out?

It's never a bad time for a cupcake

Things have been crazy around here, as I'm sure it has been for everyone with Christmas right around the corner. Unfortunately I haven't had the time to blog as often as I'd like but I just wanted to share something sweet that I made recently

These sunny and bright cupcakes were made for a sweet family friend of ours to celebrate her birthday. Almond cake with Almond Cream Cheese Icing
a deliciously simple combo!