Muddy Buddies

One of my daughter Katrina's favorite "snacks" is Muddy Buddies.   So since I have a nice break from my classes I thought this would be a perfect time to make these.  My daughter Hannah was my kitchen assistant today.

Muddy Buddies

9 Cups Chex cereal

1 Cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Measure cereal and place in a large bowl...set aside.

Melt chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter for 1 minute in the microwave.  Stir.  Microwave for 30 seconds longer or until melted.  Stir in vanilla.

Pour chocolate mixture over cereal and stir to coat all pieces well.  Add powdered sugar and stir until completely coated.  Spread out on waxed paper for a few minutes.  Store in an airtight containter.

This stuff is SO good.  I had to hide it so hubby can have some later.  LOL!  ENJOY!

Old Fashioned Sponge Candy

This is the easiest candy to make!  It is my Dad's favorite candy.  But it is so expensive to purchase in the stores.

Old Fashioned Sponge Candy

1 Cup sugar

1 cup dark corn syrup (I used light)

1 Tablespoon cider vinegar

1 Tablespoon baking soda

1 bag of chocolate chips

Heat sugar, corn syrup, and vinegar to a boil in 2 quart pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. 

Boil without stirring, until candy thermometer registers 300F. 

Remove pan from the heat; stir in baking soda quickly and mix thoroughly.

Pour mixture in ungreased 13 x 9 baking pan.  Do not spread out.

Let cool and break into pieces.  Coat with melted chocolate.

I did coat a few of the candy completely in chocolate.

But since I don't really care for chocolate, I only did half this way.  This makes a lot of candy.  ENJOY!

Homemade Peppermint Patties

I LOVE peppermint patties.  Although I do not like chocolate the mint flavor really covers up the chocolate.  When I was looking through some of my Taste of Home books I found this one.  It looked too complicated for me...well not complicated, but too much work.  I don't like to work for my food!!  Especially my treats.  So I changed it a little.  You can see the original HERE.

Peppermint Patties

3 3/4 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons softened butter

3 teaspoons peppermint extract (or less if you don't like a lot of mint)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 cup evaporated milk

2 cups chocolate chips

2 tablespoons shortening

In a large bowl combine sugar, butter, peppermint extract and vanilla mix well.  Add milk stir until combined.  Spread onto a cookie sheet covered with wax paper.  Place in the freezer until firm.

Melt half of the chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon of shortening in the microwave.  I did 30 seconds and stirred.  I did this until the chips were all melted.  Spread over the mint layer and pop back in the freezer until firm.

Melt remaining chips and shortening the same as above.  Flip the chocolate and mint layers over.  Spread melted chocolate on mint layer.  Pop back in the freezer until firm.  Let set out at room temperature and cut into sizes you like.

Cooking Thursday~~Peppermint Bark

This recipe is one I've seen many times, but I often shy away from recipes that "sound" too complicated.  I mean come on it's candy...It HAS to be difficult to make.  This could not be any easier!!

Peppermint Bark

1 bag of white chocolate chips

1 tablespoon shortening (you don't have to use this but I find the chocolate melts better)

10 or more candy canes

Place white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.  Microwave for 30 seconds...stir.  Microwave for another 30 seconds...stir again.  Repeat until white chocolate is melted.

Crush candy canes (I think most of you know to unwrap them first right?!).  Leave some big pieces.  I then place the candy cane pieces in a metal strainer and shake the candy cane dust into melted white chocolate.

Line a cookie sheet (jelly roll pan) with wax paper.  Pour the white chocolate onto cookie sheet...I tap the sheet on the counter a few times to make it smooth on top.  Sprinkle the remaining candy cane pieces on top of the white chocolate.

Place in the refrigerator until firm.  Break into chunks. 

To see more recipes go on over to Diary of a SAHM.

Cooking Thursday~Old Fashioned Sponge Candy

This is my dad's favorite candy!  It has become so expensive but not that bad cost wise to make.

Old Fashioned Sponge Candy

1 cup sugar

1 cup dark corn syrup

1 Tbsp cider vinegar

1 Tbsp baking soda

Heat sugar, corn syrup, and vinegar to boiling in sauce pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Boil without stirring, until candy thermometer registers 300F. Remove from heat; stir in baking soda quickly and thoroughly. Pour mixture in ungreased baking pan,13x9x2 inches. Do not spread. Cool; break candy into pieces. Dip into melted chocolate.

Visit Diary of a SAHM for more recipes.