Peppermint kiss cookies and oreo truffles

Peppermint cookies and truffles..

These are some of things we cooked up over the holidays. We made this last year and our friends loved them so much we made them again. 

Peppermint kiss cookies are sugar cookies that have peppermint extract so the cookie itself tastes like peppermint. The kiss on top just adds to the flavor. The recipe for them can be found here.

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We also made more oreo truffles. One of my friends loved them so much she requested a batch for herself. Since it was the holidays I had to oblige. We used red wilton candy coating to be festive. It also comes in a ton of other colors and can usually be found at Michaels. This recipe can be found here.

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Toffee

Toffee

Toffee is the perfect thing to make during the holiday season or anytime at all. It is quick to make, however it takes a watchful eye. This is a simple toffee recipe that can be prepared within minutes. This toffee also sets rather quickly.

Normally it is recommend that you use a candy thermometer to achieve the proper temperature when cooking the toffee. However if you keep a close eye while it is cooking and take it off of the heat as soon as the color is a dark amber then you can get away with not having to run to the store and buy one.

Recipe:

2 C butter

2 C white sugar

1/4 tsp salt

3 C chocolate chips 

1 C chopped almonds 

Directions:

1. In a heavy duty saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, and salt. 

2. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil

3. Cook over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Allow it to cook until it becomes a dark amber color or the temperature has reached 285 degrees F. If you over cook it, it will come out tasting like burnt marshmallows. 

4. When the toffee reaches the proper temperature, pour it onto the aluminum foil. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over it. Wait a minute and then smear the chocolate chips over the toffee once it is melted. Sprinkle the almonds over the chocolate. 

5. Place in the refrigerator to let set. Then break apart and enjoy. 

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Nutella Hot Chocolate

Nutella Hot Chocolate

I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I think nutella is one of the most amazing things on earth. Its like the child of a jar of peanut butter and a chocolate bar. Well I also have a love for hot chocolate. Since I'm running out of hot cocoa mix, but still have two jars of nutella, I decided to use it to make my night time drink.

It's almost easier to make hot cocoa with nutella then with pre-made mix. The drink comes out much creamy as well. 

Recipe:

1 C milk (or an entire mug full)

1-2 tablespoons nutella

Directions:

Microwave the milk for at least a minute or until steaming. Then simply stir in the nutella. You can add more or less depending on how sweet you want the cocoa to be. If the nutella doesn't completely disolve, return the cup to the microwave for another minute and stir. Serve and enjoy immediately. 

This could also be made with water instead of milk. 

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Caramel

Homemade Caramel 

This is the best caramel ever. I swear whenever I buy caramel candies, they are so hard, their goal is to break off a piece of my tooth. That is why I don't buy them and instead make them. 

Homemade caramel is so much better. It is softer and has a more distinct vanilla taste. 

I can give you three reasons why you should make your own caramel.

A. Its cheaper

B. Its faster then going to the store and buying it

C. It tastes sooo much better

Just look at it, just sweet enough to make you want to eat a piece, then go back and eat another. This is the type of caramel that when you bite into it, it has those gooey strands that come off. AKA the best kind. 

Recipe:

1/2 cup butter melted

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Have everything in ready before you begin this recipe. Seven minutes goes by really fast.

1. Line an 8-by-8-inch pan with aluminum foil, generously spray with cooking spray
2. In a large glass or microwave-safe bowl completely melt the butter
3. Add the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, corn syrup, sweetened condensed milk, and stir until smooth.
4. Place bowl in the microwave and heat on high power for 3 minutes and 30 seconds 

5. Remove the bowl from the microwave and scrape down the sides with a wet paper towel to get off the sugar, you may not see it but it is there and will effect the overall product if not removed. Im in organic chemistry lab right now, trust me I know what I'm doing. 

6. Microwave the bowl for another 3 1/2 minuets. Watch the mixture closely because it will bubble a lot during the last minutes of cooking.
7. Remove the bowl from the microwave and add the vanilla extract. Be careful because the mixture will still be very hot

8. Pour the hot caramel into the prepared pan and cover it with another sheet of aluminum foil. Allow it to cool in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight.
9. Slice and enjoy! Flip the pan onto a parchment or waxed line surface and cut with a sharp knife. You can melt chocolate and dip the caramel to make homemade chocolates or you can add this puppies to any other recipes that call for caramel squares.

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