Peppermint Pretzel Pops

These little tasty treats are so easy to make but so yummy!  Both of my kiddos helped me make them for a cookie party this past weekend!  Seriously....so good!

What you'll need:

Pretzel snaps

Hershey kisses (we used the candy cane kisses and regular milk chocolate)

Red & green M&Ms

Directions:

Preheat oven to 175 degrees.

Place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper on a cookie sheet and lay out your pretzel snaps.

Top each pretzel with a hershey kiss.

Bake in oven for about 5-6 minutes but keep a close eye on them.  After the first batch I found that the ones in the back were way more melted than the ones in the front so I started rotating my pan about 3-4 minutes into the baking.  

After about 5-6 minutes remove from the oven and place an M&M on top of each kiss.

Cool in the freezer for about 10 minutes and you're ready to go!!

Happy baking!!

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Kid Approved Chicken Nuggets

I pinned these chicken nuggets on Pinterest a long time ago and kept meaning to make them for my kiddos.  I'm not sure what took me so long...but I'm really glad I finally made them.  And my kids are really glad I finally made them.

They have definitely been quite a hit in our house.  My kids love chicken nuggets but we rarely have them since they contain so much processed foods.  

I love that I know exactly what is in these chicken nuggets.  

They were really easy to make; there were just a few steps involved (boiling chicken, grinding the cooked chicken, forming shapes, baking).  An older kid could definitely help out after the boiling and grinding stages.

I used two pounds of chicken, which made quite a bit.  I froze most of them and they seem to reheat without any problem!

Here's what they looked like prior to baking.

I used some of my heart and flower shaped cookie cutters to make cute little shapes.  

And I did drizzle a little bit of butter over the top to help them brown.

Yum!  They are a hit in our house!!

Click here for the full recipe!

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Chocolate Truffle Brownies

Over the years, I've collected no fewer than five outstanding brownie recipes that I've made, adored, and would use again in a heartbeat. Yet I find myself on a never ending quest to try new variations on a beloved theme. This quest recently led me to Chocolate Truffle Brownies.

These are a basic brownie with walnuts topped off with a layer of beautiful, rich ganache. This particular recipe is an ideal match for people who don't like cloyingly sweet desserts. The use of bittersweet chocolate, especially in the ganache layer, makes these treats feel more sophisticated than most. When all else fails, you really can't go wrong with ganache.

Make sure you leave plenty of time to make these. The preparation itself isn't lengthy, but there is cooling time required for both the brownies and the ganache. These can be made up to a day ahead of time; just cover and store at room temperature.

Chocolate Truffle Brownies
Adapted from Bon Appetit
Makes about 2 dozen
Printable Recipe

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
12 ounces bittersweet chocolate (do not exceed 61% cacao), chopped, divided
11 tablespoons (1 stick plus 3 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 cup walnuts, toasted, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 9 x 9 x 2-inch metal baking pan with foil, leaving overhang. Spray foil with nonstick vegetable oil spray. Combine 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate and butter in medium metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water and stir until chocolate and butter are melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water and cool chocolate mixture until lukewarm, 5 to 10 minutes.

2. Whisk sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt in large bowl to blend. Whisk in chocolate mixture. Stir in flour, then chopped toasted walnuts. Transfer batter to prepared baking pan. Bake brownies until tester inserted into center comes out with moist crumbs attached, 26 to 28 minutes. Transfer pan to cooling rack and let brownies cool completely.

3. Bring cream to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat. Add remaining 6 ounces chocolate to hot cream and let stand 5 minutes to soften, then whisk until melted and smooth. Pour chocolate ganache over brownie sheet in pan and spread to cover completely. Let stand at cool room temperature until topping is set, about 4 hours.

4. Using foil as aid, lift brownie sheet from pan. Fold down foil edges. Using large sharp knife, cut brownie sheet into 25 squares, wiping knife with hot moist cloth after each cut. Arrange brownies on platter and serve.

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