chocolate

Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate

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Christmas Eve Hot ChocolateEvery year growing up we used to leave milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. That tradition is sure to continue with our little one. However, I don’t think Santa would mind ONE bit if we left him some of this hot chocolate instead of milk along with his cookies. In fact, I’m POSITIVE he would love it. 

Christmas Eve Hot ChocolateThis is a *super* rich and creamy version of hot chocolate that will leave your whole body warmed. Notice the sweetened condensed milk pouring into this pot of cream and whole milk…Yeah. It’s rich. In fact, I’d say it’s on a totally different planet than the “hot chocolate” packets that often pop up. Don’t get me wrong, I still use powdered hot cocoa and love it. But for Christmas Eve, this version is certainly a treat worth having. Santa will leave your house so, so happy. 

Christmas Eve Hot ChocolateThe only comparison I can come up with is the hot chocolate Travis and I had on our final night in Italy a few years ago. We were sitting in a cozy cafe near the leaning tower of Pisa. Stop right there. Picture that stunning image for a second…Okay, proceed. We wanted to treat ourselves to a little something and decided on hot chocolate. That was a genius idea. I think had the best hot chocolate of my life there. Now, this might not be an identical recipe, but it sure did bring me back to that little cafe. All the good feels came back real quick.

Christmas Eve Hot ChocolateChristmas Eve hot chocolate is almost like a pause button on life. With all the stress of Christmas – running around to see family, wrapping presents, making endless food, traffic, decorating, etc. – this hot chocolate will force you to sit and enjoy the little things of life. Even if just for a minute. And it will put a SMILE on your face! What more can you ask for?! Maybe some peppermint truffles to go with it?? Yeah. That’s what you can ask for 🙂

Christmas Eve Hot Chocolate
Serves 8
Rich and creamy hot chocolate recipe from scratch
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Prep Time
2 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
12 min
Prep Time
2 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
12 min
Ingredients
  1. 3 cups whole milk
  2. 2 cups heavy cream
  3. 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 ounces)
  4. 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted*
  5. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  6. pinch of salt
Instructions
  1. Whisk together milk, cream, and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until tiny bubbles just begin to form along the edges.
  2. Whisk in the melted chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and pinch of salt until evenly distributed.
  3. Serve warm with whipped cream, marshmallows, or your topping of choice!
Notes
  1. To melt the chocolate chips, you can either melt them over a double boiler or in the microwave. To microwave, heat in 30 second intervals, mixing each time, until the chocolate chips are melted.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Peppermint Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Truffles

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peppermint sandwich cookie truffleDecember is holiday time! Yay! When I think holidays (especially Christmas), I think peppermint. It’s just so festive and fun! You will definitely get your peppermint fill with these peppermint chocolate sandwich cookie truffles. OH. MY. YUM. If you’re confused what I mean by “chocolate sandwich cookie”, it’s just a very generic way of saying peppermint “Oreo” truffles. I decided not to play favorites because I did indeed use the generic brand that was labelled “chocolate sandwich cookies.” Guaranteed delicious no matter the brand. For reals.

peppermint sandwich cookie truffleI remember making chocolate sandwich cookie truffles in middle school home ec. class (Am I dating myself here? Do they still have that class??). In fact, I think that’s the only recipe I remember making in that class because, well, chocolate. You can’t forget a delicious chocolate recipe. Also, the original recipe literally has 3 ingredients…sandwich cookies, cream cheese, and chocolate chips. You don’t even really need a recipe for that. SCORE!

peppermint sandwich cookie truffleI used my homemade peppermint extract in this recipe. Amazing! Couple notes if you use a homemade extract…First of all, this isn’t baked so if you use an alcohol base in your extract, it will have a very small amount of alcohol in the final recipe (split over about 50 truffles). Also, I actually used a little extra extract than the recipe calls for (about 3 teaspoons instead of 2 teaspoons) because I find the homemade stuff isn’t quite as strong as store-bought. However, you also have peppermint candy cane dust to bring the peppermint flavor home so it’s not a huge deal if the extract isn’t super strong.

peppermint sandwich cookie truffleI love a strong peppermint flavor so you know for sure that something is peppermint. I ended up adding more and more peppermint to get the right flavor. I think I finally got there with this final recipe! Don’t forget a little candy cane garnish so everyone knows what deliciousness there is in that perfect little truffle!

peppermint sandwich cookie truffleIf you love a peppermint and chocolate combo, check out these chocolate mint crinkle cookies. You will not be disappointed. I plan on making them again this weekend because you can never have enough!

Peppermint Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Truffle
Yields 50
Mint and chocolate truffle
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Prep Time
30 min
Total Time
1 hr 45 min
Prep Time
30 min
Total Time
1 hr 45 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 package chocolate sandwich cookies (14.3-ounce, such as Oreos)
  2. 3 peppermint candy canes (plus 1-2 more for garnish)
  3. 8-ounce package of cream cheese
  4. 2 teaspoons peppermint extract
  5. 12-16 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips*
Instructions
  1. Crush the sandwich cookies with a rolling pin (or in a food processor) until they are a fine crumb. Set aside.
  2. Use a food processor to pulverize 3 candy canes into fine pieces. You are almost looking for a dust-like consistency but a few fine pieces are okay (you definitely don't want someone to bite down on a large chunk of candy cane).
  3. Using a stand mixer or a handheld mixer, beat together the cream cheese and peppermint extract until blended.
  4. Beat in the crushed cookies and candy cane.
  5. Form into 1" balls using a cookie scoop and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  7. While the truffles are cooling in the refrigerator, prep the peppermint garnish by crushing or food processing 1-2 candy canes into small pieces to sprinkle over the top.
  8. Right before the truffles are ready to come out of the refrigerator, melt the chocolate chips over a double boiler. Alternatively, you can melt the chocolate in a microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each increment.
  9. Dip each truffle into the chocolate using 2 spoons to help the excess chocolate drip off. Place truffles on a parchment-lined baking sheet and immediately top with the peppermint garnish.
  10. Let the chocolate set before storing in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
  1. I ended up using one 12-ounce bag of chocolate chips plus about another 1/4 cup. You might be able to make it with just the 1 bag, but I'd recommend having more handy, just in case.
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Almond Orange Biscotti

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Almond Orange BiscottiI keep a list of recipes I want to try and potentially post to the blog if they go well. I’ll be the first to admit that they don’t always go well. I burnt soup this weekend. One time I made mini pumpkin pies that turned into mini pumpkin blobs. I’ve made caramel filled rice cereal bars that were so chewy they could probably take out a filling. *Sigh*.

Almond Orange BiscottiAlmond Orange BiscottiI’ll end my pity party there because there are also those recipes that are SPOT ON the moment I try them and it makes my day. Sometimes my week…small victories, people. Small victories. Let’s talk almond orange biscotti. SPOT ON! I didn’t even really know I had any love of biscotti until I made these. Can I just say again how SPOT ON these are?! Okay, I think you all get it.

Almond Orange BiscottiA few of my favorite parts of these cookies are:

  1. They look super fancy and hard to make BUT they’re not. For reals.
  2. I’ve heard rumors that properly stored these guys can last like a few weeks or a month. I may never know if this is true.
  3. The almond orange biscotti are not overly sweet thanks to the nut and citrus flavors.
  4. Chocolate.
  5. Biscotti make it totally appropriate for adults to dunk their cookies. In fact, that’s what they’re made for!

This is a fairly traditional recipe for biscotti but let me tell you, I am psyched to try new combinations of flavors! Granted, most will probably involve dunking them in chocolate. I’m pretty sure most everyone will be okay with that.

Almond Orange BiscottiP.S. I don’t drink coffee because I’m weird like that. I dunked these in milk. YUM. 

Almond Orange Biscotti
Yields 24
A traditional biscotti, or twice baked cookie, that's perfect for dunking!
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Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
50 min
Total Time
1 hr 40 min
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
50 min
Total Time
1 hr 40 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  2. 1 cup sugar
  3. 2 teaspoons baking powder
  4. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  5. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  6. 4 eggs + 1 egg for egg wash
  7. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  8. 1 tablespoon orange zest (or zest from about 1 medium orange)
  9. 1 cup whole almonds, toasted*
  10. 1 tablespoon water
  11. chocolate chips, to dip biscotti (1-2 cups depending on how you dip them)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
  3. Beat in 4 eggs, vanilla, and orange zest until it forms a ball. It will start out looking rather crumbly so be patient!
  4. Stir in toasted almonds.
  5. With clean, damp hands form 2 logs on parchment-lined baking sheets. Each log should be about 4 inches wide and 3/4 inch tall.
  6. Whisk together remaining egg and water for egg wash. Brush each log with egg wash.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top, rotating pans at the halfway point.
  8. Transfer logs to a wire rack and let cool for about 20 minutes.
  9. Use a large serrated knife to cut 3/4 inch slices. I cut mine on the bias, or diagonal, but you can also cut straight across.
  10. Place the slices, standing up, on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  11. Bake for another 25 minutes.
  12. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
  13. Melt the chocolate chips (I used a double boiler but you could also microwave them, checking and stirring every 30 seconds). Dip* biscotti in chocolate and let cool on parchment paper.
  14. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
  1. *To toast the almonds, I just put the whole almonds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat and toasted them until they started to become fragrant
  2. *I dipped my biscotti in chocolate along the bottom edge but you could also dunk them in the chocolate (like you would dunk it into a drink). I've even seen some with drizzle on them. I like the bottom coated because you get a little chocolate in every bite but it doesn't cover up the cookie so you can still dunk it in your drink!
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/

Dirt Pudding

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Dirt PuddingDirt pudding is one of my guilty pleasures. It’s slightly addictive. And by slightly, I mean I purposefully put these in separate mason jars to stop me from sneaking a spoonful every time I passed the refrigerator. It’s a real life problem in my house. I mean, Oreos? Pudding? Cream cheese? Whipped topping? If you’re not with me there, I’m not sure we’re friends. Just kidding! Of course I’ll be your friend. But you WILL have some explaining to do.

Dirt PuddingI actually would usually make this dirt pudding layered in a large glass bowl. It’s beautiful to have the layers showing that way! It would certainly be just as delicious in a not-see-through serving dish but not nearly as pretty. And they say you eat with your eyes so I highly recommend making it pretty. PLUS, mason jars are perfect for desserts on the go! Bring this to a picnic and you’ll be the star.

Dirt PuddingTo be fair, pretty isn’t the same thing as perfect. The mason jars or a glass bowl might be pretty, but don’t get me wrong…I would call these less than perfect in execution. We’ll go with “rustic charm” or “homemade” for this one. It’s all in how you sell it. Yeah…

You could actually put the pudding mixture into a piping bag or zip top bag with the corner cut off and pipe it in the mason jars. That would have surely made less of a mess than what I made. Where’s the fun in that though??

Dirt PuddingRegardless of how “homemade” this pudding looks or what kind of container or bowl you serve it in, you will not be disappointed. This pudding is a sure win with any audience. Just be warned to hide it if you’re making it for yourself (or in my case for my husband and I). You may eat 10 days worth of calories in 1 sitting if you’re not careful. You think I jest? I wish! Just give it a try and see how serious I am.

Dirt Pudding
Serves 12
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Prep Time
20 min
Prep Time
20 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 small vanilla instant pudding boxes (3.4 ounce)
  2. 3 cups milk
  3. 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  4. 1 cup powdered sugar
  5. 1/4 cup butter, softened
  6. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  7. 12 ounces whipped topping
  8. 1 bag of Oreos, crushed
Instructions
  1. Whisk together the instant pudding and milk in a medium bowl for 2 minutes. Chill until set.
  2. Cream the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla together in a large bowl. It is important to have the cream cheese and butter at room temperature or it will not mix well.
  3. Fold the pudding mixture and whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture.
  4. Layer the pudding, cream cheese, and whipped topping mixture with the crushed Oreos.
Notes
  1. I made 6 pint-sized mason jars with this process, but you can make more if they are smaller mason jars. I have also used a large glass bowl and is just as pretty!
Adapted from Just a Pinch Recipes
Adapted from Just a Pinch Recipes
Flavor From Scratch https://www.flavorfromscratch.com/