Giftable Goodies! Peppermint Bark and Turtles

These two Giftable Goodies are awesome, and pretty stinking easy to make. But they look so much more complicated than they are. And they're kinda pretty. Haha.

The first is Peppermint Bark. It's literally two ingredients and takes about 5 minutes to make, plus some chilling time in the fridge.

The second goodie is called Turtles. They kinda look like turtles, and they are typical "turtle" flavors, as far as caramel-y, chocolate-y, nutty goodness is concerned. I'm not talking about green reptillian creatures that mutated into ninjas. Sorry, I had to do it. Hehe. There are several ways to make these, and my method involves caramel chips and chocolate chips with pecan halves. My mom makes these with Rolos candies instead of the chips. Either way is fine...use what you can find at the store. :)

I usually make things like this, as simple as they are, and make them special with packaging. It's pretty amazing what a clear plastic bag and ribbon can do. I sometimes add tags, as well, and that makes it even more fun. Don't be limited by my examples...go for your own creative solutions! It's amazing the fun stuff you can find to package goodies in...cute printed tins, clear "paint buckets," special boxes made for goodies, and endless other possibilities.

But before you can package the goodies, you should probably make them, huh? So here we go!

Peppermint Bark (This makes approx. one 9 x 13 inch sheet of bark)
Ingredients
-2 packages white chocolate chips
-approx. 1 cup crushed peppermint candy (put the candy in a sturdy plastic zipper bag, and bang them with something hard until they smash into a million pieces. Good stress relief, but don't make the pieces too terribly small)

Directions:
Line a baking sheet with wax paper.

Melt the white chocolate chips, either in the microwave or with a double boiler. In the microwave...dump the chips into a large microwave safe bowl (I used my Pyrex glass mixing bowl). Heat the chips for 1 minute, then stir to get the chips all mixed up. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring after each time, until the chips are JUST melted. If you over heat the white chocolate, it will get nasty. I know this from experience. Be very careful. Haha. In a double boiler, heat the chips, stirring frequently, until just melted. Remove from the heat.

Once the white chocolate is melted, stir in most of the peppermint candy pieces, reserving about 1/4 cup to sprinkle on top. Spread the chocolate/peppermint mixture onto the wax paper lined baking sheet in an even, thin layer, approximately 1/4 inch (you don't have to be perfect...).

While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle the reserved peppermint candy on top.

Stick the whole shebang into the fridge for about 45 minutes to let the chocolate set and harden.

Once the chocolate is set, remove the baking sheet from the fridge. Gently break apart the sheet of pepperminty chocolate into chunks.

Place a few chunks together in your fun packaging and give away

...or serve for friends and family at Christmas get togethers. They'll think you're extremely talented in the treat making department. Haha. Enjoy this festive goodie!



Turtles (This makes approximately 100 turtles)
Ingredients:
-1 package mini pretzels
-1 package caramel bits or chips (2 cups)
-1 package semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (2 cups)
-2 bags pecan HALVES (NOT chopped pieces)

-Substitute 2 packages of Rolos candies (one Rolo per turtle) for the caramel and chocolate chips, if you'd rather. It's slightly less labor intensive.

Directions:
I make these in two batches of fifty each.

Line a baking sheet with foil or oven safe wax paper/parchment paper. Turn on your oven to the broiler setting.

Lay out the pretzels in a single layer, leaving a little room between them.

Place three caramel chips on the pretzels.

Continue by adding three chocolate chips to the pretzels.

Place under the preheated broiler for no more than a minute...you just want to the chips to melt a bit. Take the sheet out of the oven, and IMMEDIATELY start placing the pecan halves on top of the melted chips, so they'll stick.

Work quickly, because as the chips cool, the pecans will no longer stick to them. Place these in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes to set the caramel and chocolate.

When the caramel and chocolate are set, remove the sheet from the fridge. Repeat the process for the second batch of fifty. When all 100 are ready to go, melt some of the remaining chocolate chips. In the microwave...dump the chips into a microwave safe bowl (I used a Pyrex glass measuring cup). Heat the chips for 1 minute, then stir to get the chips all mixed up. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring after each time, until the chips are JUST melted. Be very careful not to overheat them. If using a double boiler, heat the chips, stirring frequently, until just melted. Remove from the heat.

Drizzle the melted chocolate over the turtles.

If the chocolate isn't "runny" enough, put it into a piping bag and use it like icing, drizzling the turtles that way. Return the sheet of turtles to the fridge to once again let the new chocolate set. When they're all set and ready to be packaged, place a few turtles in a cute package and gift to your favorite people.

These are also great snacks for holiday parties. Hope you enjoy!