Melted Snowman

It has become cold here all of a sudden. I know I shouldn't be surprised since I live in Maine but still it is cold. It is nice to have snow at Christmas time but I am wishing for warmer weather.

Since I have a snowman theme going, I decided to make melted snowman. When I saw this recipe, I figured it would be a fun especially for the kids. They loved it. I had to adapt the recipe since the original called for ingredients that I could not find.

Someone ate my arm!

Desfrosty the Snowman

1 (14 oz) package of white candy melts
60 mini chocolate chips
5 mini oreos
10 Rolo Caramels
4 orange gummy worms
10 pretzel sticks

Directions:

1. Prep each snowman: you will need 6 mini chocolate chips, 1 top of the oreo with no cream filling, 1 Rolo Caramel, 1 cut our nose from the gummy worm, 1 pretzel stick cut in half. Have ready since the candy melt will cool fast. 
2. Microwave the candy melts for one minute at a time in a microwave safe bowl. Stir between each interval and continue microwaving for 30 seconds until melted.
3. Spoon about 1 Tbsp of the candy melt onto wax paper. Spread into a puddle. 
4. Place the oreo piece on top. 
5. Add the mini chocolate chips making two eyes and a mouth.
6. Place the gummy worm nose in between the eyes.
7. Add the pretzel sticks for the arms. 
8. Take a little of the candy melt and dip onto the bottom of the Rolo.
9. Place the Rolo on top of the Oreo piece.
10. Let harden before serving.

Recipe adapted from yumsugar.

Did you already know..........
-In 1937, Rolo Caramels were first sold in the United Kingdom.
-Since 1969, Rolo Caramels have been licensed to Hershey in America from Nestle.
-The Rolo caramel in American are thick and chewy.
-The Rolo caramel in the United Kingdom are runny.

Potato Latkes

Our school system always have a winter concert. The music teacher introduces many different songs for the holiday. When my youngest daughter was in elementary school, she learned the Dreidel song. She would sing it all the time. 

My daughter also has loved potato pancakes. So, I figured it would be a good night to make up a batch. I like mine with sour cream but my daughter disagrees. She thinks they taste better with apple sauce.

Potato Latkes
5 russet potatoes, peeled
1/2 onion
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp salt
1/4-1/2 cup vegetable oil
salt for season

Directions

1. Add the potatoes with the onion to a food process and shred
2. Turn the potatoes onto a clean kitchen towel and wring all the excess water out.
3. Add the potatoes to a bowl.
4. Add the eggs, flour, and salt to the potatoes and mix well.
5. Heat about 1/8 of the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
6. Add a scoop of the potato mixture and allow to brown.
7. Flip the potato to the other side and allow to brown.
8. Remove from the skillet and place on a plate with paper towels on it.
9. Season with salt.
10. Serve with sour cream, apple sauce, or any other desired topping.

Source adapted from Epicurious.

Did you already know..........
-A dreidel is a spinning top with four sides.
-The dreidel game is played during the Hanukkah holiday.
-Each side of the dreidel has a Hebrew letter on it.  
-The object of the game is to bet which letter the dreidel will land on when it stops spinning.
-The word dreidel originated from the German word drehen which means to turn.

Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays!

Oreo Divinity

At Christmas time, my Dad always made Divinity. It was always one of my holiday favorites. I figured I would make it again and keep the tradition going. I also saved some to give to my Dad when I see him next. I think he will be surprised. 

Without Oreos

I remember when my Dad made this dessert, no kids were allowed in the kitchen. The syrup gets really hot. I should also warn you that my sister has burned out a mixer making this recipe. I think it is worth all of the trouble especially since I'm making it only once a year. If you are going to make this recipe, a dry day is idle since the humidity will affect the candy.

With Oreos

Oreo Divinity
2 2/3 cups sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water (on humid days use 1 Tbsp less of water)
2 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla
2/3 cup broken pecans 
1 cup crushed Oreos

Directions:

1. Stir sugar, corn syrup, and water over low heat. Continue stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2. Stop stirring and allow the syrup to reach 260 degrees on a candy thermometer.
3. In a mixer bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
4. Continue beating while pouring the hot syrup in a thin stream into the egg whites. 
5. Add the vanilla and beat until the mixture becomes slightly dull.
6. Fold in the nuts.
7. Drop the mixture onto wax paper from the tip of a greased spoon.
8. Let harden for about ten minutes.
9. Roll the divinity into the crushed Oreos.

Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker. 

My daughter's creation

Did you already know.......
-Divinity means a deity.
-Divinity also means the state of being divine.
-The Harvard Divinity School is a school of religious and theological studies.

White Chocolate Covered Oreos

Do you have all of your holiday shopping done? I have all of the kids gifts purchased. Are they wrapped? No. Do I have to wrap them? Can't I just stick bows on all of them and say surprise? I guess not. All of the presents will be wrapped by next week since they have to be. Presents from Santa always have Santa wrapping. The gifts from us have snowflakes and other cute designs. I am debating to wrap some of the presents that will say nice on them. Or should I use the wrapping that says naughty and tie some candy coal on top?

Do you like to give food as gifts? If so, this is a quick recipe to make. They are mostly homemade and the children can help. You can use any topping you like.

White Chocolate Covered Oreos
White candy melts
package of mini oreos
toppings of choice: mini chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, drizzle of chocolate, sprinkles, crushed candy bars, etc.

Directions:

1. Prepare the toppings of choice in little bowls.
2. In the microwave, melt the candy melts in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minutes.
3. Stir the candy melts and continue to microwave for 30 second intervals. Stir between each interval until the candy is all melted.
4. Dip the oreos into the candy melt and coat generously.
5. Top the oreo of the desired topping immediately will the candy melt is still warm. 
6. Let cool completely before serving or placing in little gift boxes. 

Recipe inspired by the chocolate covered Oreos sold in the stores. 

Did you already know..............
-In 1912, Nabisco developed the Oreo cookie. 
-Nabisco is part of Kraft Foods. 
-Over 20,000,000, Oreos are consumed daily.
-Oreos originally were available in two flavors; cream and lemon meringue.

Can I eat them now?

Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Cupcakes

Normally, I make children friendly recipes. This is an adult dessert. There is alcohol in the cake, filling, and frosting. My husband's work was having a holiday get together and I thought this would be a popular dessert to bring. My husband agreed.

I made sure the kids did not have one of these. I will remake these at a later date with no alcohol. I did ask my husband if he could taste the alcohol. He said no but then admitted he had a cold. I asked my favorite friend if she could taste the alcohol and she said yes. I hope you enjoy these cupcakes.

Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Cupcakes
Cupcakes:
1 box Dark Chocolate cake mix
1 cup skim milk/water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 Bourbon whiskey
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Filling:
3/4 cup heavy cream
6 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolates squares/chips
1/3 cup butter
3 Tbsp Godiva chocolate liqueur


Frosting:
1 1/2 sticks of butter, softened
 3-4 cups powdered sugar
3 Tbsp Godiva White Chocolate liqueur
1 tsp vanilla extract


Directions:
Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
3. Mix cake mix, milk, oil, bourbon, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Fill the cupcake liners about two-thirds full.
5. Bake about 20 minutes or until done.
6. Cool for about 10 minutes.

Filling:

1. Heat the heavy cream with the squares in a microwave safe bowl for about 1 minute. Stir and repeat in 30 minute increments until the chocolate is melted. Stir between increments.
2. Stir in the butter until melted and then add the liqueur.
3. Place in the refrigerator to cool.

Frosting:

1. Cream the butter with 2 cups of powdered sugar until fluffy. 
2. Add the liqueur and the vanilla. 
3. Combine and continue adding 1/2 cup of powdered sugar until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.

Assembly:

1. Cut off the top of the cupcake and place to the side. 
2. Cut a small hole in the center of the cupcake and set to the side. 
3. Add the filling into the center and on the top of the cut piece. 
4. Place the center and top of the cupcake back to its original place. 
5. Frost each cupcake top. 
6. Repeat process until all the cupcakes are frosted. 
7. Take the filling and heat in the microwave about 30 seconds. 
8. Stir and drizzle over the top of each cupcakes. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker website.

Did you already know.............
-In 1926, Joseph Draps founded Godiva Chocolatier in Brussels, Belgium.
-The company is named in honor of the Lady Godiva legend.
-Lady Godiva legend tells about an Anglo-Saxon Lady in the 12th century who was dared by her husband to ride through town naked. If she did it, he would lift his oppressive taxes on his people. She asked the town to stay inside and not peek. She accomplished the dare with only Tom peeking (Peeping Tom) and helped her people.

If you eat too many of these cupcakes, your world may become a little tilted. Please do not follow Lady Godiva's example.