Easy Chocolate Truffles

I am still amazed at how easy and incredibly delicious these little buggers are.  And they only have 3 ingredients!  Easy, delicious and only 3 ingredients?  Can you guess what will end up on the goodie trays my friends and neighbors will be getting in a couple weeks?  These Easy Chocolate Truffles. 

2 (11.5 ounce) bags milk chocolate chips
1 (8 ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed
12 chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos), crushed (I used mint filled Oreos.  YUM!!!)

Place chocolate chips in a large microwave safe bowl.  Heat in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each 30 seconds, until chocolate chips are melted.  Let the chocolate cool for 5 minutes, then stir in the whipped topping until smooth and well combined.  Place mixture in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.  Roll the chocolate mixture into small balls and roll in the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies.

It's easiest to have a little helper when rolling the balls.  One to roll the chocolate mixture and one to roll them in the crumbs.  It's not hard to do both alone, just a little easier with a little helper.

Recipe from The Royal Cook - an original!

Linked on Sweet as Sugar Cookies, Tatertots and Jello and Show Me What Ya Got!

Christmas Muffins

I can't believe it's almost December!  Christmas is quickly on it's way and the end of the year is on it's tail.  I hope you all take a little time to slow down and enjoy the wonderful season.  The smells, the sounds, the lights, the spirit.  Happy holidays!

I always get excited for fresh cranberries.  Fresh cranberries always mean Christmas Muffins.  I kinda like LOVE these Christmas muffins.  They are full of fruit and spices and are delicious!  Now if only I could get the kids to like cranberries......

¾ cup brown sugar

¾ cup white sugar

3 cups flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon sat

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 cup butter, melted

½ teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon ginger

2 eggs

1 ¼ cups milk

1 ½ cups cranberries, chopped

1 ½ cups apple, chopped

Mix together sugars, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger.  Make a well in the center, add the melted butter, milk and eggs, mix until smooth.  Stir in cranberries and apples.  Spoon batter into muffin pan until cups ¾ full.  Bake at 375 for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Recipe from???

Linked on Sweet as Sugar Cookies and Tatertots and Jello.

Crazy Good Crispy Rice Treats

I've never been the biggest fan of crispy rice treats.  I'd eat one here and there, but never have a second.  Until I had one at Bunko.  And then a second.  I couldn't believe how good they were and asked the hostess what her secret was.  She laughed and told me it was an insane amount of butter.  I played around with them and come to find out, she was right.  Lots of butter makes some Crazy Good Crispy Rice Treats!

1 (10.5 ounce) bag marshmallows
1/2 cup butter
4 cups crispy rice cereal

Combine marshmallows and butter in a large microwave safe bowl.  Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each 30 seconds, until marshmallows and butter are melted; about 2 minutes total.  Once marshmallows are melted, add crispy rice cereal and mix until thoroughly combined.  Pour mixture into a greased 8 x 8 inch pan and press down (I grease my hands and use my hands).  Let sit for at least 1 hour before cutting.

Recipe from They Royal Cook - an original!

Linked on Sweet as Sugar Cookies.

Soft Sugar Cookies

I don't think the holidays would be complete without Soft Sugar Cookies.  From Valentines to Christmas, Soft Sugar Cookies are a must!  These Soft Sugar Cookies are perfect for cutting out festive shapes (or not so festive shapes). The dough is easy to work with and the cookies come out soft and delicious.

1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
6-7 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons baking powder

Cream butter and sugar.  Beat in eggs, vanilla and sour cream.  Combine with dry ingredients and mix well.  Roll out to about 1/4 inch thick and cut.  Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 8 to 10 minutes.



Recipe from The Royal Cook - an original!


Linked on Sweet as Sugar Cookies.

Corn Chowder

I'm not a fan of the cold.  The kids get stir crazy, which drives me crazy and makes me grumpy.  And it's cold.  I really, really don't like to be cold.  When I start to shiver I really shiver.  It takes, what seems like, forever to warm up and then my body aches because of the shivers. 

On the bright side, cold weather is a great excuse to make soups, stews, and chilies.  Like this Corn Chowder.  I was surprised how well it went over with the kids.  Most of them had seconds!

8 ounces bacon
6 cups diced onions 
6 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
12 cups chicken stock
6 cups diced potatoes
3 (16 ounce) packages frozen corn kernels
2 cups half-and-half
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and crumble; save for garnish. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions and butter to the bacon fat, cook for about 10 minutes until the onions are tender and translucent. Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and turmeric and cook for 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in chicken stock. Add potatoes, bring to a boil, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender. Add the corn to the soup. Next add the half-and-half and cheddar. Cook for 5 more minutes or until the cheese is melted (do not boil!). Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve topped with bacon.

Recipe adapted from Skip to my Lou.

Pumpkin, Pumpkin, Pumpkin!

I have a serious thing for pumpkin.  Love the stuff and still can't seem to get enough!  If you're a fan of pumpkin too, this is for you.  Here are my 5 most viewed pumpkin recipes.

Pumpkin Poppers - A cross between and muffin and a doughnut hole. 

Kneaders Pumpkin Bread (with chocolate chips) - Enough said.

Pumpkin Pancakes - A perfect pair with real maple syrup.

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Caramel Frosting - Almost too good to be true.  Almost.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice - I love DIY mixes!!

Linked on Sweet as Sugar Cookies.

Ricotta Gnocchi

I've never made my own pasta before, but this Ricotta Gnocchi was so simple!  Not only was it easy, it was delicious.  After cooking the Ricotta Gnocchi, I fried it in butter and sprinkled it with Parmesan cheese.  It was good, very good!  It would also be fantastic in soup or with a pasta sauce. 

1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
1 egg
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl, except flour, and mix well.  Add 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough is soft and sticky.  Pour the dough out on a floured surface and knead in remaining 1/2 cup flour until the dough no longer sticks to your hands.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Divide dough into 6 pieces.  Roll each piece into a rope that is about 1/2 inch thick.  Slice into 1 inch pieces.  When the water is boiling, drop the gnocchi into the water.  When the gnocchi is all floating, cook for 30 more seconds.  Remove gnocchi from the pot with a slotted spoon and drain in a colander.

Recipe from Budget Bytes.