Peppermint Truffle Pops

On Friday, I made Peppermint Truffle Pops for a holiday party.  They were amazing.  Rich. Dark. Spicy.  And, you only need one to completely satisfy even your most intense sweet craving.  

The best part about these is that they are very easy and use few ingredients.  Basically, I doubled this recipe and added two tablespoons of instant espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor.  To add the festive flair, I dipped them in crushed candy canes.  

Delightful, I say.

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Just Something I Whipped Up at The Girl Creative

Made by You Monday at Skip to My Lou
Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog
Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie

Spread the Cheer

I'm so excited to be participating in You + Me*'s Spread the Cheer gift exchange this season.  To sum, Spread the Cheer participants are sending handmade gifts (made by you or another) to three other lovely participants in the exchange at a value of approximately $15.  

If you have never visited You + Me*, head over now to check out their lovely blog for some inspiration and eye candy!

Recently, I've been eagerly making my handmade gifts. Here are a few teaser pictures.  I'm looking forward to sharing my tutorials with you, after my gifts safely arrive in the hands of their recipients.  

 

i wear my sunglasses...

Anyone know where I can find some todldler-sized aviators? I think the kiddo needs a new, more suitable pair of sunglasses.  He's finally taken a liking to wearing sunglasses; every morning he asks me "Is it a sunny day?"  

Awww, kids are just too cute.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

I don't know about you, but, for me, this time of year is when I seriously hunker down in the kitchen and bake up a storm at least a few times a week.  It's like an all out cookie, candied nut, and biscotti fest at my house from Thanksgiving until New Year's.  This year I've committed myself to trying new recipes and techniques to broaden my baking skills and to discover some new favorites.  

Today, I'm sharing these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies as part of Pretty Mommy's Holiday Recipe Exchange.  I can say with no hesitation that these cookies are simply delicious and I highly recommend them.  

If you are not already familiar with Smitten Kitchen, this is your introduction Deb's amazing from-scratch recipes and wonderful food photography.  SK is top on my list go-to sites for recipes and cooking inspiration.  For these cookies, I used this recipe she shared in 2007; however, I used only 1/2 cup of sugar, no peanut butter chips, and 3/4 c of chocolate chips. 

I've been quickly devouring these cookies.  I even took a bowl to the Great Day St. Louis (see my segment here) studio yesterday just to get them out of my house.  

If you would like to see what else has been cooked up this week for the recipe exchange visit the Go To Girls

for some warming Enchilada Soup and {civetta} for some always yummy deviled eggs.

On Friday, visit Sharon at I can totally make that to see what she's serving.

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Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

Little Boxes

This post from I Still Love You prompted me to wrap my own raisin boxes.  I put them under the wonderful flocked white tree (I can't wait to share it with you) in our dining room.  My son got a big kick out of opening one to find a tasty treat inside. 

This is the first Christmas that my son has actually been aware and I've been enjoying giving him a little surprise each day this December. 

If you'd like, click here for more 30 holiDAYS posts.

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Get Your Craft On at Today's Creative Blog