Cinnamon Dessert Rollups

It seems like I have trouble coming up with desserts to go with Mexican food. While this could technically follow any meal, I think it's a great follow up to Mexican food. It's so easy and so yummy, you can't go wrong. Hope this spices up your next Mexican food night!

Ingredients:
-6 tortillas
-butter, for spreading on tortillas (maybe 1/4 cup at most?)
-cinnamon sugar, for sprinkling on tortillas (maybe 1/4-1/2 cup?)

Directions:
Cut tortillas in half.

Spread each tortilla half with a thin layer of butter.

Sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the butter.

Roll the tortilla tightly and secure with a toothpick. Place seam side down on a baking sheet. Repeat for all the the tortillas.

Spray the rolls with cooking spray, then bake at 400 for about 15 minutes, or until the tortillas are slightly browned and crispy. Remove from the oven and remove the toothpicks.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Yum.

Cream Cheese Strawberry Crescents

So recently I went to someone's house for a get together. I wanted to take something, but it was kind of last minute, so I needed to make do with what I had in the kitchen. Lucky for me, I had a roll of refrigerator crescent rolls. You can make so much with those things, seriously.

I then looked to see what I could find to stuff inside these lovely rolls. I found cream cheese and strawberry jelly. Perfection.

These were the result of the experiment. I will say they made a lovely sticky sugary mess on my baking sheet, so next time I might do things a little differently, but they were still good. You could do these with a full crescent roll instead of cutting them smaller like I did, too. I was just trying to make smaller treats. :)

Ingredients:
-refrigerator crescent rolls
-About 1/4 of a block of cream cheese
-About 1/3 cup jelly

Directions:
Preheat oven according to package directions.

Lay out the crescent roll dough on a baking sheet. If using the full rolls, just separate them. If cutting into smaller bits, cut and separate (I didn't separate very well, and it made it harder to roll them around the filling).

Spread a little cream cheese on each roll.

Spoon a little strawberry jelly over the cream cheese.

Roll the crescent dough around the filling and evenly space them on the baking sheet.

Bake according to package directions, until golden brown and yummy.

Remove from baking sheet before they cool, especially if the jelly oozed out and made a mess. Once it cools, it's almost impossible to get the rolls off without mangling them. Serve and enjoy.

Yum!

Giftable Goodies! Chocolate Dipped Cookies and "Stir-In" Spoons

Hooray for some more giftable goodies! Today's featured yummies are Chocolate dipped sandwich cookies (like Oreos), and "Stir-In" spoons. Basically it's a bunch of stuff dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with more sugary stuff. Haha.

These really are pretty easy to do, but be prepared to get slightly messy. It's amazing how melted chocolate seems to get everywhere. It wasn't too terrible, and most of it was on my hands, so it all worked out. ;)

The "stir-in" spoons are basically just spoons dipped in chocolate, and you stir them into either coffee or hot chocolate to flavor the hot drink. I did chocolate and white chocolate, but you can be creative. Caramel dipped spoons would be fun, and adding certain types of candy like peppermints can add another dimension of flavor (think peppermint mocha). The possibilities are endless.

So without further ado...giftable goodies!

Dipped Cookies
Ingredients:
-1 package sandwich cookies (like Oreos)
-1 package chocolate chips (you might need a little more than 1 package, depending on how many cookies you do)
-sprinkles, crushed candy, or whatever other topping you'd like (you could also melt some white chocolate and drizzle...)

Directions:
Melt the chocolate chips, either in the microwave or with a double boiler. In the microwave...dump the chips into a microwave safe bowl (I used my large 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. If you over heat the 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.

Dip one side of the cookie in the melted chocolate. Let the excess drip off.

Next, drop the whole cookie into the chocolate, non-dipped side down, so the already dipped side is facing up out of the chocolate.

Using a fork, make sure the bottom and sides of the cookie are covered in chocolate. Scoop the cookie out of the chocolate pool with the fork, letting the excess chocolate run off through the tines.

Place the dipped cookie on a waxpaper lined baking sheet.

While the chocolate is still wet, sprinkle with whatever sprinkle or crushed candy you have to decorate the tops.

When the cookie sheet is full of dipped cookies, place in the fridge for about 30 minutes to let the chocolate set. When the chocolate has set, package the cookies in whatever fun packaging idea you have, and give away! (If you can manage not to eat most of them yourself...)

I packaged mine in clear plastic bags with some pretty ribbon and a tag. :)



"Stir-In" Spoons
Ingredients:
-Plastic disposable spoons (you can use nicer non-disposable spoons if you want the gift to be a little nicer)
-1 package chocolate chips (I did some chocolate and some white chocolate), which will dip between 10 and 15 spoons, depending on how generous you are
-Fun sprinkles, crushed candy, etc for decorating/flavoring

Directions:
Melt the chocolate chips, either in the microwave or with a double boiler. In the microwave...dump the chips into a microwave safe bowl (I used my large 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. If you over heat the 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.

Dip each spoon into the chocolate, making sure to cover both sides well. Let the excess drip off, then set on a wax paper lined baking sheet.

While the chocolate it still wet, sprinkle with your decorative/flavoring fun stuff.

When the sheet is full,

place in the fridge for about 20 minutes to let the chocolate set up. When the chocolate is set, package the spoons for gifting!

I used some long, skinny clear plastic bags I got at a craft store. They were labeled pretzel bags, and I also use them for my dipped pretzel rods. They were the perfect size for this.

I will say that whatever packaging method you choose to use, they should probably be air-tight so the chocolate doesn't start to look odd. Sometimes as chocolate dries out, it starts to look spotty or weird. Not great for gifting.



Just as an aside, I'm posting pictures of my little goodie bags I'm giving away to friends. They include a Cookie Tower (a stack of three types of cookies in a clear plastic bag), my dipped pretzels, the stir-in spoons above, the dipped cookies above, previously posted peppermint bark and turtles, and a candy cane. I included a little Christmas card as well, so they know who it's all from and that we wish them a Merry Christmas! :)

Here's my table covered in goodies waiting to be packaged up,

and here is my table with all the goodies in cute little gift bags, ready to go!

And here's a look inside!

So excited to see how they are received. Enjoy your giftable goodies!

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!

In the Spirit of Christmas...Giftable Goodies!

Hello everyone. I'm sorry I haven't posted in a little while. Things have been a little crazy around here. But never fear! I'm about to post a bunch of super fun holiday snacks that are perfect for giving away.

To start us off, I'm linking you to some previous posts of things perfect for gifting...Chocolate Dipped Pretzels and Trail Mix! They are super fun, and everyone will think you are awesome for making these and giving them away. Look out soon for more giftable goodies!

Click here for Chocolate Dipped Pretzels!

Click here for Trail Mix!

"Pull-Aparts"

Sometimes known as "Monkey Bread," this little jewel was a childhood favorite of mine. My mom would make this occasionally for breakfast, and I was always disappointed when it was gone and I couldn't gorge myself anymore. It is so simple and so yummy. My husband always gets excited when I make this too. I guess you could technically eat this for dessert, but I've always had it for breakfast.

We called this "Pull-aparts" growing up, because, well, you pull apart the pieces to eat it. Haha. This is literally biscuit dough and cinnamon mixed with sugar, baked in a bundt pan. It can't get much simpler. I say kudos to you if you want to make biscuit dough from scratch for this, but I use refrigerator biscuits.

Just as a funny anecdote...when I was younger, I didn't know that cinnamon was a stick. It was brown powder that came in little jars or containers. I don't know how old I was, but it was incredible to me when I finally realized that cinnamon was actually a little stick, and you had to grind it up to make the powder. I know, easily amused. Haha. Anyway...I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:
-2 "rolls" of refrigerator biscuits
-approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar
-approximately 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat the oven according to biscuit package (or recipe) directions.

Mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.

Cut each refrigerator biscuit into quarters. I use a pair of clean kitchen shears, but you can use a sharp knife too. Drop the quarters of dough into the cinnamon sugar. Toss gently to coat.

Place the sugar coated biscuits in the non-stick or well greased bundt pan.

Continue with the rest of the biscuit dough, evenly distributing the pieces around the pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes, until the dough is cooked through and the top of the "pull aparts" are golden brown.

This next step is crucial. Immediately after you remove the pan from the oven, turn the pull aparts out onto a large plate (basically, just turn the bundt pan upside down over a plate and let the whole thing fall out onto the plate). If you don't do it immediately, the sugar will start to harden and make the whole thing stick annoyingly to the bundt pan. When it's hot, the sugar is semi-liquid and melted and will more easily let go of the pan.

This will make a cute little ring of pull aparts to serve.

And they will go quickly. Just warning you now. So yummy. I want some now. Just pull off a chunk and chow down. Haha.

Have fun and enjoy!

Bread Pudding

Ingredients:
-5 pieces of bread
-2 tablespoons butter
-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
-1/4 cup raisins
-3 eggs
-1/2 cup sugar
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1.5 cups milk

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut the bread into chunks and put into a large bowl.

Melt the butter and stir in the cinnamon.

Pour over the bread and stir to combine. Add the raisins and stir to incorporate.

Pour into a baking dish.

In a small bowl, beat the eggs. Add the vanilla, sugar, and salt and stir to combine.

Heat the milk up until it's hot, then add to the egg mixture.

Mix well, then pour over the bread mixture in the baking dish.

Bake for about 25 minutes, until the pudding has set and the whole thing is baked through.

Yum! Serve hot, room temp, or cold. Doesn't really matter.