Day 14 - Microwave Fudge

Making fudge doesn't have to be an all day affair.

Make a quick batch in the microwave and enjoy it right away!

Microwave Fudge

1 pound confectioners sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup baking soda

1 Tablespoon vanilla

Mix everything together in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, remove and stir well. Line an 8x8 pan with wax paper, then spray with cooking spray. Pour mixture into pan and chill in fridge until firm (about 2 hours). Cut into squares and enjoy!

Day 18 - Marshmallow Pops

Rex pretty much made these by himself, with a little help in the melting department. Good news for those of you trying to occupy your 5 year old and knock off things on your to-do list...

Marshmallow Pops

What you need:

Large Marshmallows

Melting Chocolate (either bark or Wilton chips work best)

Sprinkles
Small Popsicle Sticks

What you do:

 In a small bowl, melt chocolate according to package directions. Put 1 marshmallow on each popsicle stick. Dip marshmallow into chocolate, being sure to remove excess chocolate by gently tapping stick on the side of the bowl. Pour desired amount of sprinkles in a small bowl. Gently roll coated marshmallow in sprinkles and place directly onto waxed paper to set.

Package using sucker wrappers (found at any craft store)
and tie with ribbon.

Day 19 - Oreo Truffles

I made these a few years back for a Christmas party at Turbo's work. Everyone loved them, and they were dubbed Ky-lobites by my wonderful husband and his office buds. I still have no idea why they were named after me and some fossils, but considering how easy and delicious they are I have no problem making a batch when they ask.

Oreo Truffles

1 package Oreo cookies, crushed

1 8 oz. pack of cream cheese, softened

1 package of semi-sweet chocolate, melted

1 package of white chocolate, melted

sprinkles for decorating

Mix 3 cups of the cookie crumbs and cream cheese until well blended. Shape into 1-inch balls.

Dip each ball into chocolate and place on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Quickly garnish with sprinkles or cookie crumbs. Refrigerate at least 1 hour to let chocolate set.

Store in refrigerator.

Day 23 - Microwave Peanut Brittle

Like the peppermint bark, peanut brittle is a holiday candy staple at our house. This easy version allows you to have all of the yummy, with none of the fuss!

Microwave Peanut Brittle

1 1/2 cup raw peanuts

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 cup sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1 tsp butter

1 tsp vanilla

Combine peanuts, corn syrup, sugar and salt in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once in the middle and again at the end. Add butter and vanilla, mixing well, then heat for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir in baking soda.

Pour mixture onto greased baking sheet and let cool. Break into small pieces.

Day 28 - Puppy Chow

I think every mom has a copy of this recipe, simply because it is the perfect way to keep your kids busy for 20 minutes (not to mention the end result tastes fabulous). In case you don't, here's one of the easiest, tastiest, kid friendly treats around...

Puppy Chow

1 stick Butter

1 cup Peanut Butter

12 oz. bag Chocolate Chips

1 box Rice Chex cereal

2 cups Powder Sugar

Melt butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips in large pan. Add cereal. Mix well. Place powdered sugar in large paper bag. Add cereal mix, shake until coated. Store in airtight container in fridge for up to two weeks.

If you like the recipe, try this...

* Package Puppy Chow in a dog treat jar (both plastic and metal versions are available almost anywhere). Attach a copy of the recipe with ribbon for a quick gift.

* Skip the rice krispies and fill small bags of this treat for your kids holiday party. Add a handful of red & green M&M's to make it extra festive.  

DAY 35 - Zucchini Bread

If I know we're coming up on a long stretch of hectic days (like Thanksgiving and Black Friday weekend) I like to make several batches of 'quick' breads. They are perfect grab and go snack for a busy morning, a long car ride, or even some worn out shoppers.

Nutty Zucchini Bread

3 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tsp Baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 cup chopped walnuts

4 eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 cups shredded zucchini

1 tsp vanilla

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 loaf pans with cooking spray.

Combine flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and walnuts in a large bowl. Make a large well in the center of the flour mix.

In a different bowl, whisk eggs, oil, zucchini, and vanilla. Pour egg mixture into well in dry ingredients, stir until evenly moistened. Divide between pans and bake for 40 minutes or until pick comes out clean.

Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan to continue cooling.

These make perfect gifts!

Try this...

*Wrap a loaf of bread in waxed paper, then add a strip of colored tissue paper and a ribbon around the middle. Place the wrapped bread in a new loaf pan and give with a copy of the recipe.

*Instead of a large loaf, make a batch of mini breads.

*Make some Honey Walnut Butter by mixing 1 stick of butter, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 tablespoon of finely ground walnuts. Chill the butter for at least one hour, then scoop into a pretty container to give with a basket of mini breads.

Day 36 - Peppermint Bark

Creamy chocolate. Sweet peppermint. Doesn't it just sound delicious? Don't you want some right now?

Peppermint Bark

3 crushed candy canes

1 lb white chocolate

(If you can, opt for the block form of chocolate found in the baking aisle of most stores. I find it melts better than the chips.)

Melt chocolate according to package instructions. Add crushed candy canes to melted chocolate and stir.

 Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with waxed paper. Pour chocolate mixture over paper. Place in fridge to set, about 1 hour.

Remove bark from pan and break into pieces.

Giving it as a gift?

Try this...

* Package bark in a white candy box lined with red striped paper. To make it even sweeter, wrap a ribbon around the box, secure with a bow and add a homemade label.

* Like chocolate? Add a layer of melted chocolate to the lined pan. Cool 15 minutes, then pour the peppermint mix over the top and proceed as directed above.

* Like almonds? Forget the candy canes and add 1-2 cups of chopped, toasted almonds to white or milk chocolate. Proceed as directed above.

Day 38 - Hot Cocoa Mix

Making gifts out of  holiday snacks doesn't have to only include food. Drinks like hot chocolate, coffee, apple cider, and tea also make great gifts. This quick cocoa mix is one of my favorite!

Hot Cocoa Mix

(recipe from all you magazine, 12/2008)

In a large bowl mix 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/4 cups sugar, 3 cups of powdered milk, and a dash of salt. Scoop mix into cellophane bags (this mix will fill two 3 1/2 x 8 bags).

Include a tag with these instructions:

To make cocoa add 3 Tbsp. mix to 6 oz. of hot water and stir.

Want to give this as a gift?

Try this...

* Make your own labels by cutting a piece of card stock 2 inches tall and as wide as your bag. Fold it in half horizontally, then decorate. Fold the top of the bag down, place your label over the fold and staple to secure.

* Use disposable cake decorating bags (available at any WalMart or Michaels) instead of plain cellophane bags for a cocoa cone. Tie the top with a ribbon and add a chocolate Santa or candy cane for a quick gift for your child's bus driver.  

* Add a layer of crushed candy canes, chocolate chips, or mini marshmallows for a fun treat.