Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies

I'm baaaaack! I have taken a rather long hiatus from blogging. And I might take another hiatus after this post, but I'm feeling very Christmas-y at the moment. One thing that is an essential part of my holiday season is baking and treat making. I made these cookies today, and I couldn't wait to share the recipe!

If you know me at all, you know I enjoy choose-your-own-adventure type recipes; that is, recipes that are easily changed and adapted. As such, I will post a few alternatives to this recipe below. The dough is my favorite for chocolate cookies, and you can enjoy so many different versions depending on what you add: different flavored baking chips, candy, nuts...I love all the possibilities!

Chocolate and mint is kind of a hit-or-miss combination for me. I don't always love it, and in the past I haven't been a big fan of peppermint bark. It just wasn't my cup of tea. However, I find that this year I love those flavors together! I don't know what it is, but I can't get enough. And thus these cookies were born.

I used Andes Peppermint Crunch baking chips, but you can use any peppermint bark you like for this recipe. Just chop it up and toss it in the bowl. One 10 ounce bag was just slightly less than 2 cups. You could also use Dove Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark Promises or Hershey's Candy Cane bars, for example. You could even chop up homemade peppermint bark! I have a couple more options at the bottom of the post. (See what I mean about the choose-your-own-adventure stuff?)

I garnished my cookies with some White Peppermint M&Ms, but that is optional.

The red and white M&Ms make these look like Santa Claus cookies to me, and I almost named them that. They are so cute and tasty! I happened to find this Santa Claus plate in my mom's Christmas box (thanks mom!):

It was too perfect for these cookies! I hope you enjoy them too :-)


Chocolate Peppermint Bark Cookies (Printable Recipe)
recipe by Sara (stuff-by-sara.blogspot.com)

1 cup butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cups cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups coarsely chopped peppermint bark
1 bag White Peppermint M&Ms (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Start by creaming together the butter and sugar with a mixer. Add eggs and vanilla and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour dry ingredients into the creamed mixture and mix to combine. Add chopped peppermint bark and gently mix.

Scoop dough by large spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet (I used a cookie scoop). Press a few M&Ms onto each cookie if desired.

Bake for 8-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

Enjoy!

Alternate versions

Candy Cane Kiss Cookies: Make dough as directed, but leave out the peppermint bark. Scoop cookies onto the cookie sheet and bake as directed (leaving off the M&Ms). While cookies are still warm after baking, press an unwrapped Hershey's Candy Cane Kiss into each one. You could also use Mint Truffle kisses for a slightly different chocolate/mint flavor. For that matter, you could use really any flavor kiss you like (double chocolate kiss cookies, anyone?).

Chocolate Peppermint Chip Cookies: Substitute 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup crushed candy canes for the peppermint bark. Omit M&Ms. Make cookies as directed.

Turtle Cookies: Omit peppermint bark and M&Ms. Add 1 cup chopped pecans to dough. Unwrap 3 dozen Rolo candies. Measure 2 Tbsp of cookie dough. Place a Rolo in the center and cover with dough. Bake as directed.

Chocolate Cherry Chip Cookies: Instead of peppermint bark, add 1 cup cherry baking chips (like these or similar) and 1 cup white chocolate chips. Omit M&Ms. Bake as directed.


You can certainly use this dough with any number of other combinations. Have fun with it, and maybe try something new!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas 

from Sara & Hamilton (my house plant)

I hope your Christmas is filled with hugs, love, and all-around goodness.

Christmas Tunes

I love listening to Christmas music! Here's a peek at my playlist:

"White Christmas" - The Drifters

I played this for my niece a week or so ago. We danced and bounced around. The little darling giggled and giggled like she was having the time of her life.

"We Need a Little Christmas" - Glee Cast

I love how upbeat this song is. I need a little Christmas, right this very minute!

"One More Sleep 'Til Christmas" - Kermit the Frog

This is from "The Muppet Christmas Carol." Such a sweet song.
There's magic in the air this evening, magic in the air.

"Snoopy's Christmas" - The Royal Guardsmen

This song is just fun. If you want to hear part 1 of the story, look up "Snoopy vs. The Red Baron."

"Christmas Day" - She & Him

I'll never outgrow the thrill of Christmas day, either.

"All I Want for Christmas is You" - Michael Bublé

I just discovered this song this year. How long have I been living without Michael Bublé singing that he wants me for Christmas?

I hope these jams make your holidays a little brighter :-)

The Pioneer Woman Review & Next Month's Book

Welcome back to SBC! I hope you had a chance to read The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels—A Love Story by Ree Drummond. It's a good one.

Before I start in with my review, I'd just like to say that I pretty much love The Pioneer Woman. She’s just so down-to-earth and funny and spunky. (see this post where she uses Cheez Whiz. I can’t say that I enjoy Cheez Whiz, but I like that she does and she owns it.) She is unapologetically herself with just the right amount of humor.

Now, for the book. It is a sweet love story with a healthy dose of reality (the funny, the embarrassing, and the tragic) added in.

I love the way the author describes her Marlboro Man. "He was a man who had a thought and acted on it immediately....He spent no time at all calculating moves; he had better things to do with his time." Even though he's a cowboy, "He wasn't a country bumpkin. He was poised, gentlemanly, intelligent. And he was no mere man—at least no man the likes of whom I'd ever known. He was different. Strikingly different....He'd taught me that when you love someone, you say it—and that when it comes to matters of the heart, games are for pimply sixteen-year-olds."

Descriptions like these make it easy to see why Ree fell in love.

When she writes about her parents' separation, the heart wrenching reality of it tore at me: "Tears of pain and confusion dampened my pillow as everything I'd ever understood about stability and commitment melted away. And for the first time in weeks—for the first time since Marlboro Man and I shared our first beautiful kiss—love was suddenly the last thing I wanted."

One thing I didn't really love was the constant references to "passion." It was in every other sentence for a while there. Of course, there are also subtle reassurances that Ree and her Marlboro Man maintained their chastity. I just didn't care for it. This is my personal bias coming into play. I think that passion/chemistry/whatever-you-want-to-call-it is important to a relationship, but it's secondary to all the rest: caring, selflessness, conflict resolution, moral character, etc. Citing passion as the foundation for a relationship cheapens the parts that are real and meaningful. But again, that is my opinion.

In her defense, I suppose, she does mention that in times of disappointment and confusion, the passion is what got her through.

I enjoy the way the author writes about how her life changed after meeting and dating Marlboro Man. "He held my heart entirely in his hands, this cowboy, and for the first time in my life, despite everything I'd ever believed about independence and feminism and emotional autonomy, I knew I'd be utterly incomplete without him. Talk about a terrifying moment."

I know my own life has gone drastically away from my chosen plan. That’s a big part of why I relate to Ree, the “accidental country girl.” There are some situations that I never dreamed I would face, and I reacted differently than I ever thought I would. But here's the best part: Somehow, it's okay. It's better than it would have been, in fact. That's what I get from The Pioneer Woman. I'm not going to say this book is on the same literary level as others I've read, but the author writes things that are true for her, and some of those things resonate with me.

And now that you’ve delved into my soulful self, I give you my pick for December:

A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens

I thought that A Christmas Carol would be appropriate for the holiday season. I have heard retellings of this story since I was a child, the first being Mickey's Christmas Carol. I love it every time.

But I have a confession. I have never read the real thing: the original book by Charles Dickens. I intend to remedy that this year. I hope you join me!

From Goodreads: Cruel miser Ebeneezer Scrooge has never met a shilling he doesn’t like...and hardly a man he does. And he hates Christmas most of all. When Scrooge is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, he learns eternal lessons of charity, kindness, and goodwill. Experience a true Victorian Christmas!

From Amazon: Charles Dickens’ masterfully crafted Christmas fable tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a man with wealth to match the coldness of his heart. On a mystical Christmas Eve, a visitation with spirits forces Scrooge to make a choice: change, or perish.

This Christmas classic gets an average rating of 3.97 stars on Goodreads, 4.7 stars on Amazon, and 4.5 stars at Barnes & Noble.

Get in the Christmas spirit by reading A Christmas Carol with me.

See you next month!

Grandma's Pumpkin Pie

I always get a little nostalgic around the holidays. I think about the traditions I loved as a kid. One thing that really brings back memories is the taste of pumpkin pie. Without pumpkin pie, it just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving.

In my mom's recipe file, there is a handwritten recipe for pumpkin pie--a recipe created by my mother's mother, my grandmother. It is my favorite recipe. I love the thick, custardy texture of the baked pie and the spicy, sweet flavor. This is one recipe that will live on year after year.

Luckily we transcribed Grandma's recipe (with her edits) before it looked like this.

Grandma's Pumpkin Pie 
Recipe by Sara's Grandma (stuff-by-sara.blogspot.com)

Small batch
1 small can pumpkin
1 small can warm milk
2/3 cup sugar
3 eggs
¼ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
¾ tsp ginger
1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Large batch 
1 large can pumpkin
1 large can warm milk
1 cup sugar
6 eggs
½ tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Mix spices, salt, and sugar; add to warm milk and beaten eggs. Blend in pumpkin. Mix well. Pour into prepared pie crusts. Cook 15 minutes at 400º, then 45 minutes at 350º. Makes 2-4 pies.

Let cool. Serve with whipped cream, if desired.

Pumpkin pie is one of my holiday favorites, and I hope you enjoy it too!

Costuming

Halloween is right around the corner! If you are doing the last minute scramble, don't fret. As long as you are willing to get creative, a great costume is at your fingertips.

First, consider what you already have. Quite a few of my costumes have been comprised of stuff I found in my apartment.

Example 1: I was a Greek Goddess three years running. (I move a lot: new place/new people...it's like it was a whole new costume.) I found a bed sheet in my room and paired it with a bit of leaf garland that was adorning my apartment.

Rad every time. 

Example 2: Some time ago, I got a hand-me-down green organza skirt. I knew I wanted to wear it in some capacity for Halloween. So I brainstormed. I came up with a few ideas, but I ended up going with Mother Nature. I wore the green floor-length skirt and wrapped myself in some leaf garland (leaf garland sure comes in handy). I topped off my look with green glamour eyes.

Not a flattering pic, but you get the idea.

Second, think about what you can borrow and who you can borrow from. My costume two years ago was made up of clothes I borrowed from someone else. Was it a bit awkward asking a boy if I could wear his pants? Yes. But sooo worth it. Didn't cost me a cent, and it turns out he was more than willing to loan me his clothes.

The result:

What you don't see is our awesome gum-wrapper grills. Can't touch this.

Here is another borrowed costume from years' past:

I know what you are thinking: Best. Costume. Ever.

Borrowing is boss.

Third, take a look at thrift stores. Thrift stores tend to have awesome finds for cheap. Don't be afraid to venture into sections you normally wouldn't. A male friend of mine found a purple blazer in the women's section that perfectly completed his rocker outfit. I also found a great 80s-style dress at a thrift store for the low low price of $8. I might even wear it to one of the Halloween shindigs I attend this year. What an investment.

We. Are. Hot. 

Fourth, make an impact with make-up and accessories. Last year I didn't really dress up, but I had fun make-up-ing. The right make-up can really enhance any look.

Happy Owl-o-ween!

Or sometimes it's just a matter of finding the right accessory. 

Found this lurking in my closet.

Add an eyepatch, and you've got a costume, matey. Honestly, you don't need an elaborate get-up to get your point across. A few key pieces (like a hat and eyepatch), and no one will ask the dreaded question: "What are you supposed to be?" 

If you are still coming up empty, get punny. Clever costumes are memorable. In high school, I dressed as a cereal (serial) killer for the annual Boo Ball. I glued plastic knives to mini boxes of cereal, then attached the boxes to myself. A little corny, but it was definitely unique.

My personal favorite:

The point is to have fun. Don't be too hard on yourself.  If all else fails, I suppose you can go buy a costume. But where's the fun in that?

Happy Mommy Day! (French Silk Pie Edition)

This is my present to my Mom this Mother’s Day: 

Just a small portion of my efforts.
The ♥ is because it was a labor of love.

I chopped, packaged, and froze approximately 6 pounds of onions. Weird gift? Maybe. But not if you know my dear Madre. My Mom despises fresh onions, or so she says. In reality, my Mom likes cooking with onions and does so frequently. What she hates is cutting them up--they make her eyes water terribly.

The aftermath. 

I would sympathize, but somehow I have the super-human ability not to tear up around fresh onion. And thus my somewhat odd Mother’s Day gift.

Anyways. Enough about onion.

Instead, let's talk about dinner. On Sundays my Mother hosts family dinner (including all of my siblings+spouses+children), and we invite 2 missionaries from our church. Lately, that means 10 people (11 if you count my niece, but she can't eat solid food yet).

This is sometimes stressful on my Mamacita, so my older brother and I decided we’d make dinner this week.  We're having a smorgasbord of butterfly shrimp, fresh spring rolls, quinoa salad, cantaloupe, cucumber, and a few other oddities added in. (We’re about pleasing people here, not making cohesive meals).

For dessert, I decided to make one of my specialties: French Silk Pie.

Mmm. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water (literally). My Mom looooves chocolate, so I thought this pie would fit nicely with our Mother’s Day dinner. French Silk Pie is a chocolate mousse pie that has a light and silky texture but rich, decadent flavor. It is a favorite of mine, for sure. This recipe in particular suits my mom because you cook the eggs, which isn't very common in this type of pie.

It takes some extra time and TLC to make this award-winning dessert, but the result is worth the effort. If you want to make it yourself, here is the recipe:

French Silk Pie 
Recipe adapted from Taste of Home

1 prepared pie crust*
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 tsp vanilla
1/3 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp powdered sugar
whipped cream (optional)
your choice of garnish (optional)

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and eggs. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches 160°. Remove from heat; add chopped chocolate and vanilla. Cool to 90°, stirring occasionally.   (This will take a little while, so go watch an episode of The Big Bang Theory. Or read a chapter of Fablehaven).

In a bowl, cream butter. Add cooled chocolate mixture and beat on high for 5 minutes.

In another bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add powdered sugar and continue to beat until stiff. Gently fold whipped cream into chocolate mixture. Once combined, spread into prepared crust. Refrigerate for 6 hours before serving (I usually shoot for overnight, if possible).

My unadorned pie

If you want to stop there and start eating, that is fine and dandy.

However, I like to top this with whipped cream because it looks pretty, and it counterbalances the richness of the filling. If I'm in the mood, I pipe the whipped cream on the pie with a fancy-dancy star tip. If I'm not in the mood, I just smear it on with a spatula.

I'm always in the mood for a little extra garnish, though. I think it gives this pie a little extra somethin' somethin'. Garnishes I have used in the past include miniature chocolate chips, chocolate jimmies, chocolate shavings (made using a chocolate bar and a vegetable peeler), and a chocolate drizzle. You can use whatever you like. My choice usually stems from what is already in my pantry.

whipped cream and chocolate curls

*You can use whatever kind of crust floats your boat. In the past I have used graham cracker, shortbread, chocolate wafer, and traditional pastry crust. You can even buy a pre-made pie crust if that makes you happy. This time around, I used a homemade traditional pastry crust. 

Lucky Leprechaun Punch

I know this is a bit late, but things have been crazy around my house lately! My darling sister gave birth to a beautiful baby, so I've been a little distracted.

isn't she sweet?

Even in the midst of baby-excitement, my family found a way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. My family likes to celebrate St. Pat's in style. We go all out with corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, and lots of green food to accompany the traditional Irish fare.

This year, I concocted what I like to call "Lucky Leprechaun Punch." My brother-in-law said he would drink it everyday, so don't think you have to save this for next St. Patty's Day. You can break out this tasty beverage anytime you want! I think that kiddos would be especially excited over a vibrantly green refreshing drink.

Lucky Leprechaun Punch
Recipe by stuff-by-sara.blogspot.com

1 packet lemon-lime drink mix  (I used Kool-Aid)
1 can frozen limeade concentrate
3/4 cup sugar
1 quart water
2 liters lemon-lime soda (Sprite, 7-Up, Sierra Mist--whatever tickles your fancy)
1-2 cups ice

Combine all ingredients in a punch bowl or gallon-size pitcher. Stir to combine. Enjoy!

Chocolate-Raspberry XOX Cookies

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I thought it was time to get creative in the kitchen! These cookies fit the bill for a romantic (and scrumptious) treat. And with their striped centers, they are cute to boot.

This recipe starts with a rich chocolate cookie dough studded with miniature chocolate chips. Raspberry Hugs seal the deal with extra special flavor and a pop of color. Bake them up, and see if you can't get some Xs and Os from your sweetie.

Chocolate-Raspberry XOX Cookies
Recipe adapted from Our Best Bites

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 c. flour
6 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 (10 ounce) bag mini chocolate chips
1 (10 ounce) bag Hershey’s Raspberry Hugs, unwrapped

Cream together shortening, butter, and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, blend well.

In a separate bowl, combine baking powder, baking soda, salt, flour, and cocoa powder. Whisk together until the mixture is uniform in color.

Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar/egg mixture. Combine well. Stir in chocolate chips. Refrigerate the dough for about an hour.

Heat oven to 350º. Spray your cookie sheet(s) with cooking spray. Roll chilled dough into balls, or portion out using a cookie scoop (I opted for the cookie scoop here). You want about a tablespoon per cookie. Bake for 9 minutes.

While still on the sheet pan, press a Raspberry Hug in the center of each cookie. Carefully transfer cookies to a cooling rack. Give these cookies plenty of time to cool. If the Hugs are having a hard time re-solidifying, feel free to refrigerate them. (I like to eat them when the Hug is still soft, but they're harder to package that way).

Enjoy with your sweetheart :-)

Note: I ran out of Raspberry Hugs before I ran out of dough. Of course, I didn't have a problem eating a few a few double-chocolate cookies. heh heh.

Christmas Ornaments

It absolutely made my day to see this on Facebook!

I made that beautiful ornament for some newlywed friends of mine. I found the idea on this website, and I loved those monogrammed ornaments as soon as I saw them. I thought they would make an excellent gift for newly married couples sharing their first Christmas together. I got my ornaments and letter stickers from Hobby Lobby, then I simply put them all together!

I should have taken pictures before I sent them out for Christmas, but I guess my oversight was corrected when my friend posted the picture she took on Facebook :-)

Halloweening

This year for Halloween, I totally copped out on my costume. I wore an owl t-shirt sporting the phrase "Happy Owl O' Ween." I did spent some time doing owl-ish makeup, however, so maybe that makes up for my lack of costumage?

(Makeup somewhat inspired by this tutorial)


I also had some fun making Halloween lanterns for my li'l sis.

So cute, right? I found the idea on Our Best Bites.


I hope you have as much fun in your Halloweening!