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Chocolate Poke Cake

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Chocolate Poke Cake is a delicious dessert made with a simple box cake mix, pudding, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips and a chocolate whipped cream frosting. 

I know I have been posting A LOT of desserts lately but I cannot help it. Spring is here, Easter is coming and we are planning so many warmer weather activities already like grill outs and gatherings. This Chocolate Poke Cake is perfect to make for all these events and also a big hit. 

What is a “poke” cake? 

A poke cake is typically a box cake mix baked in a 13 x 9 inch pan. Once cooled, you poke holes in the cake using the back of a wooden spoon. Whip up a batch of pudding or jello, then pour that over the top of the cake. Let cool and set up and then do a layer of frosting. Voilà. You just made a yourself a truly delicious cake. This chocolate version is so decadent and moist that any chocolate lover will be in love. 

Chocolate Poke Cake

Chocolate Poke Cake is so super chocolatey (that’s a word, right?) with multiple layers of chocolate goodness. My favorite layer is the light whipped cream frosting. Although, still made with chocolate, this frosting layer makes the entire dessert a fluffier and airy. 

How to make the chocolate whipped cream frosting

It only takes 3 ingredients to make this luscious frosting : heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder and confectioners sugar. Before beginning, place the beaters and mixing bowl into the freezer to get nice and cool. Once cooled, remove from freezer and put together your hand or stand mixer with the chilled beaters. Combine all your ingredients into the cold bowl and beat fro 3-5 minutes. The frosting is done when you reach that firm peak where the frosting will stand straight up with a slight curl when the beaters are lifted. 

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Chocolate Poke Cake

Chocolate Poke Cake is a delicious dessert made with a simple box cake mix, pudding, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips and a chocolate whipped cream frosting. 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword chocolate
Servings 12 servings
Author Amber

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

  • 1 box chocolate cake mix
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened

Chocolate Pudding

  • 3.9 ounce chocolate pudding powder
  • 2 cups cold whole milk

Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Garnish

  • 1 cup mini chocolate chips
  • chocolate syrup

Instructions

Chocolate Cake

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees. 
  • Use a hand or stand mixer to beat the softened butter until creamy. Add the remaining cake ingredients (milk, cake mix and eggs) and lightly beat until you have a nice, consistent batter. 
  • Spray the 13 x 9 inch pan with non-stick spray and pour batter into it. 
  • Bake for 28- 30 minutes. 
  • Remove from oven and let cool. 
  • Once cooled,  use the bottom of a wooden spoon to gently poke holes throughout the cake. 
  • Make your pudding. Add a box of chocolate pudding powder to cold milk and stir until it begin to set up. Immediately pour the pudding over cake. Smooth out the top. 
  • Set the cake in fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill. 

Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting

  • As the cake is chilling, place the beaters and a mixing bowl into freezer. 
  • Once the beaters and bowl are chilled, assemble the hand or stand mixer and start the frosting. Beat the heavy whipping cream, cocoa powder and confectioners sugar for 3-5 minutes. You want a stiff peak to form where when you lift the beaters, the frosting will stand straight up with a slight curl. 

Finishing Touch

  • Frost the cake. 
  • Decorate the top with chocolate syrup and mini chocolate chips. 
  • Cut into 12 portions and serve. Note that you can get more portions out of this to serve more people. 

Notes

You can follow the instructions on your cake box to make the chocolate cake batter if you prefer. 

A family gathering? A birthday party? A pot luck at work? What will you be bringing this decadent Chocolate Poke Cake dessert to this season? Let me know in the comments below. 

 

Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies are deliciously chewy cookies made perfectly with just basic baking ingredients.

Remember that Magnolia Lemon Pie with Candied Lemon Slices inspired by Joanna Gaines recently? It was too good to not try another Magnolia Table recipe ASAP and these chocolate chip cookies did not disappoint. There is no crazy secret ingredient or special process- just a simple, homemade cookie that is soft and satisfying. Exactly what we need some days.

Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies

Honestly, I have never been a huge fan of crisp cookies and could live without them. Chewy cookies on the other hand are my jam.

JUST. CAN’T. STOP. EATING. THEM.

These Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies are those chewy type cookies that stay good and soft for days and completely addicting!

Tips & Tricks

How to Bring Butter to Room Temperature Quickly

So, I may be slightly impatient. I hate waiting for butter to soften enough to use for baking but you can easily and quickly soften your stick of butter in the microwave.

  1. Leaving the wrapper on, place the butter in the microwave on it’s side.
  2.  Heat for 5 seconds.
  3. Rotate the butter onto another side. Heat another 5 seconds.
  4. Repeat this for all 4 sides and the butter should be soft enough to work with.

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Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies

Magnolia Table Chocolate Chip Cookies are deliciously chewy cookies made perfectly with just basic baking ingredients. 
Course Dessert
Keyword chocolate, cookies
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
chill 30 minutes
Total Time 21 minutes
Servings 2 dozen
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 8 Tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • 2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda heaping
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips semi-sweet

Instructions

  • Place room temperature butter and brown sugar in mixing bowl. Beat with a hand or stand mixer until smooth. 
  • Add eggs. Beat again. 
  • Add vanilla extract, baking soda, salt and 1 cup of flour. Beat again. 
  • Slowly add in the remainder of the flour and beat until thoroughly mix. 
  • Stir in chocolate chips. 
  • Place batter in refrigerator for 30 minutes. 
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Drop cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet giving each a little space. 
  • Bake for 11 minutes and then cool on a baking rack. 


Have you tried any recipes from Magnolia Table/ Joanna Gaines? Maybe you have even visited her restaurant or bakery! Let me know in the comments below and seriously, does this women ever sleep between books, tv shows, a home decor line, appearances and restaurants?

OREO Funfetti Cookies

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OREO Funfetti Cookies are made with basic baking ingredients, sprinkles, Golden OREO Cookies and white chocolate chip cookies for a fun and colorful family treat.

Living with a three year old consists of a lot of dolls, talk about rainbows, unicorns, stuffed animals and loving anything super colorful. These OREO Funfetti Cookies are a big hit for the little one and tasty enough for the rest of the family to enjoy!

What is Funfetti?

Funfetti refers to those little rainbow sprinkles that everyone loves and it happens to just be a fun word. These rainbow sprinkles are made of sugar (duh) in bright artificial colors. A look back in history reveals that Pillsbury started the whole Funfetti movement back in the 1980’s when they introduced rainbow sprinkles in a cake mix and we have never looked back!

Source: New York Times

OREO Funfetti Cookies

OREO Funfetti Cookies take my favorite cookie batter base and adds in some white chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles and Golden OREO cookies. You can absolutely swap white chocolate chips for milk chocolate and Golden OREO’s for regular OREO cookies depending on what you have on hand or at your local grocery.

Find what you need on Amazon


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OREO Funfetti Cookies

OREO Funfetti Cookies are made with basic baking ingredients, sprinkles, Golden OREO Cookies and white chocolate chip cookies for a fun and colorful family treat. 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons hot water
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup sprinkles
  • 1 cup Golden OREO Cookies chopped

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, add softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together. Use a hand or stand mixer to beat until creamy and smooth.
  • Add the vanilla extract and eggs. Beat again.
  • Add salt. 
  • Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water and add to batter. Use a hand or stand mixer to beat while slowly adding in the flour.
  • Chop about 8 OREOS and fold into batter along with the sprinkles and white chocolate chips. 
  • Place dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Use a cookie scoop to place batter onto baking sheet giving space between each cookie. You can also add a few more sprinkles and cookie pieces on top before baking. 
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  • Let cool on a cooling rack.

What will make these delicious OREO Funfetti Cookies for? A birthday party? An after school treat? A fun surprise? Let me know in the comments below.

 

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream is a cocoa made with white chocolate chips, whole milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract on the stove-top or in the slow cooker topped with an easy whipped cream made of heavy cream, strawberry Jello and confectioners sugar.

School was cancelled today because of the freezing cold temperatures outside. Like many places at the moment- Cincinnati is experiencing some serious low temperatures so what do we do? Drink hot chocolate, duh! We didn’t want any hot chocolate though so we made it special today with a strawberry whipped cream topping and Valentine’s Day sprinkles and it is just what we needed on a day like this.

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream

White Hot Chocolate can easily be made in the handy crock-pot or quickly on the stove top.

White Hot Chocolate Instructions

  • Stove Top: Add the chocolate chips, heavy cream , milk and vanilla extract to a saucepan or pot. Cook on a medium heat and whisk frequently until you reach a low simmer. Serve.
  • Crock Pot: Add your ingredients to a crock-pot and cook on low for 3 hours. Serve.

Strawberry Whipped Cream

Time for that special touch of strawberry whipped cream. This tastes like a normal fluffy, slightly sweet whipped cream but with the added bonus of strawberry flavor! Plus, it is really easy to make. Before beginning, place a metal bowl and the beaters into the freezer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes is up, add the heavy cream, confectioners sugar, and a little bit of Jello gelatin powder in strawberry flavor to the cold bowl. Beat for 4-5 minutes you get a stiff peak – meaning it will hold firm but still look soft and fluffy.

Think of all the delicious desserts you can use this strawberry whipped cream on! YUM. 

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White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream is a cocoa made with white chocolate chips, whole milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract on the stove-top or in the slow cooker topped with an easy whipped cream made of heavy cream, strawberry Jello and confectioners sugar. 
Recipe inspired by The First Year Blog
Course desssert, drink
Keyword strawberry
Servings 4 people
Author Amber

Ingredients

White Hot Chocolate

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces white chocolate chips

Strawberry Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons Jello gelatin powder strawberry

Instructions

  • Place a metal bowl and beaters into freezer for 15 minutes. 
  • Add 2 cups heavy cream , 1/2 cup confectioners sugar and 4 Tablespoons Jello gelatin powder into the metal bowl and beat for 4-5 minutes or until a stiff peak forms. Store in fridge. 
  • In a pot or saucepan, add the chocolate chips, 2 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Cook on a medium heat stirring often as you bring it to a low simmer. 
  • Serve the hot chocolate in a mug with some strawberry whipped cream on top and add some sprinkles for fun!

After making this strawberry whipped cream for our white hot chocolate, I am thinking of all kinds of fun flavors and ways to eat whipped cream! Do you have any amazing flavor ideas? Let me know in the comments below.

Red Velvet OREO Truffles

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Red Velvet OREO Truffles are a yummy no-bake dessert made with Red Velvet OREOS, cream cheese and white chocolate topped with sprinkles or crushed OREO cookies.

OREO Truffles are one of those recipes that everyone needs to know how to make for those moments you want a simple dessert that everyone loves. If you need a dessert for a work pot luck or something sweet to bring to a family function- these always work and are always delicious!

Red Velvet OREO Truffles

Red Velvet OREO Truffles are just a spin-off of a regular OREO Truffle so feel feel to use original OREO’s or another fun OREO flavor like these Red Velvet ones as a swap. All you need to do is toss some OREO’s into the food processor with cream cheese and blend until the cream cheese is thoroughly mixed in. Now, use a cookie scoop and your hands to help form the truffle balls and place onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. Place these truffle balls into the freezer for 30 minutes to chill.

Once the truffle balls are chilled, melt your white chocolate down according to package instructions. This is typically cooking in the microwave for 30 second increments and stirring between. I recommend using a coffee mug to melt chocolate because it is microwave safe and stays hot so the chocolate stays melted for longer.

Time to dip these truffles in chocolate! I use the fork technique and place the ball on the fork, dip into the chocolate until it is fully immersed, bring it up and gently tap off excess chocolate on the side of the mug. Place it onto parchment paper with assistance of another fork. Decorate immediately and then served when the chocolate has set up. For decoration, you can use some festive sprinkles or crunch up an OREO cookie to sprinkle over top.


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Red Velvet OREO Truffles

Red Velvet OREO Truffles are a yummy no-bake dessert made with Red Velvet OREOS, cream cheese and white chocolate topped with sprinkles or crushed OREO cookies. 
Course Dessert
Keyword chocolate, dessert, OREOS, truffle
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cooling time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 28 truffles
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 36 OREOS Red Velvet 1+ packs
  • 10 ounces white chocolate for melting
  • sprinkles
  • crushed OREO Red Velvet cookies

Instructions

  • Place OREOS and cream cheese into food processor. Blend until cream cheese is fully incorporated into mixture. 
  • Roll into 28 balls (give or take a few). I like to use a cookie scoop so my truffles are all the same size. 
  • Place the balls onto a parchment covered cookie sheet and put into freezer for 30 minutes. Do not skip this step. You want them cold when dipping into the chocolate. 
  • Melt the chocolate in 30 second increments in a microwave safe container/bowl/cup stirring between until chocolate is melted. I use a coffee mug as my container. 
  • Dip each ball into chocolate, place onto parchment paper to dry and place sprinkles or crushed OREO on top. I use a fork for dipping these truffles and just lightly tap excess chocolate off the fork on the side of the mug. Use another fork to assist you in placing the truffle onto the parchment paper. 
  • Let the chocolate set up before serving and store in fridge. 

What will you be whipping up these no-bake Red Velvet OREO truffles for?? Let me know in the comments below.

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Chocolate Waffles

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Chocolate Waffles are made with basic baking ingredients, cocoa powder and chunks of milk chocolate. Top with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for a special breakfast.

I have Valentine’s Day on the mind- it is only a few weeks away! I like to make something special every year for my family. It may be a big breakfast or a delicious cake… maybe just a fancy steak dinner. While a stuffed animal and a few heart-shaped chocolates are fun… there is something about baking or cooking for your loved ones that gives you all the good feels. This year, my homemade treat are these Chocolate Waffles! Let’s be honest though- do we really need a holiday to make these yummy waffles? Probably not.

Chocolate Waffles

Chocolate Waffles are really easy to make. Everything except for the egg whites and chopped chocolate go into a big mixing bowl to be whisked together. The egg whites are beaten until they come to peak, meaning they turn into a white foam, then they are folded into the waffle batter. A chocolate bar is chopped up and also folded into the batter for extra chocolate flavor.

**Make sure to read the instructions on your waffle maker because each will have a slightly different recommended cook time. 


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Chocolate Waffles

Chocolate Waffles are made with basic baking ingredients, cocoa powder and chunks of milk chocolate. Top with fresh strawberries and whipped cream for a special breakfast. 
Course Breakfast, brunch
Keyword chocolate, waffles
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 8 waffles
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 3 Tablespoons confectioners sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 ounces milk or dark chocolate chopped
  • 2 egg whites
  • non-stick cooking spray
  • strawberries sliced
  • whipped cream
  • chocolate syrup

Instructions

  • Add the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and whisk together. Dry ingredients are flour, cocoa powder, confectioners sugar, and salt. 
  • Add the vegetable oil, milk and vanilla extract. Whisk together. 
  • In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites to a peak where the egg is like a stiff foam. Fold in the egg whites into the batter. 
  • Chop up a chocolate bar and fold into batter. You can use any baking chocolate you like - dark or milk. 
  • Heat up your waffle iron. 
  • Spray iron with non-stick spray. Add 1/2 cup batter (for a single waffle maker) and use a spatula to spread out the batter. 
  • Cook each waffle for 3 minutes or per waffle iron recommended cooking time. 
  • Top with chocolate syrup drizzle, sliced strawberries and whipped cream. 

Do you make your family anything special for Valentine’s Day? Let me know about it in the comments below.

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls are an easy no-bake dessert made with crunchy peanut butter, rice cereal, butter, confectioners sugar and chocolate.

Here in Ohio, we love our buckeyes with chocolate covered creamy peanut butter balls. These Crispy Peanut Butter Balls are a spin off of Ohio’s favorite made just for my crunchy peanut butter lovers.

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls are super easy to make but a little bit of work to mix the ingredients together and roll each ball and then dip each in chocolate. The work is well worth it though! These little peanut butter balls are delicious.

You can make these Crispy Peanut Butter Balls for any holiday or gathering… just switch up the sprinkles! For myself, peanut butter balls have always been a Christmas food. My mom would make a batch every year for Christmas Day dinner and has always been a family favorite so I hope your family loves them just as much as mine does.

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Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls are an easy no-bake dessert made with crunchy peanut butter, rice cereal, butter, confectioners sugar and chocolate.
Course Dessert
Keyword chocolate, crispy peanut butter balls, crunchy peanut butter balls, dessert, peanut butter, peanut butter balls
Servings 30 Peanut Butter Balls
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups crunchy peanut butter
  • 2 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
  • 10 ounces chocolate melting wafers
  • 4 teaspoons shortening
  • sprinkles

Instructions

  • Add softened butter and peanut butter into a microwave safe bowl. Cook in microwave for 1 minute and stir well. 
  • Slowly add in confectioners sugar mixing the ingredients into a dough. Use a spatula or even a your hands to thoroughly mix. 
  • Add crispy rice cereal. Stir well. 
  • Roll 1 inch balls and place onto a parchment covered cookie sheet. It helps to use press the ingredients together into a ball with your hands.
  • Place peanut butter balls into freezer for 15 minutes. 
  • Place the chocolate wafers and shortening into a microwave safe bowl. Cook in 30 second increments, stirring between, until chocolate is fully melted. 
  • Dip each peanut butter ball into melted chocolate and place back onto parchment paper. I like to use a toothpick to dip but a fork also works well or whichever method you prefer. Add sprinkles immediately. 
  • Serve when chocolate has hardened. 

Are you team creamy peanut butter or team crunchy peanut butter? Let me know in the comments below.

Candy Cane White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Candy Cane White Chocolate Chip Cookies

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Candy Cane White Chocolate Chip Cookies are made with basic baking ingredients, white chocolate chips and crushed candy cane bits for a festive treat even Santa wants to sneak in this holiday season.

Cookies are made a lot in my home this time of year! Between the holidays and gatherings with co-workers or friends and cookie exchanges and treats for the kids- a whole lot of cookies are being baked. These Candy Cane White Chocolate Chip Cookies are perfect for any holiday occasion but we especially love these for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Candy Cane White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Candy Cane White Chocolate Chip Cookies are everything you love in a cookie. These are soft and chewy with chocolate bites and the added candy cane on top give them another layer of flavor and extra color to brighten up your holiday.

Let’s get baking!

Start by crushing the candy canes into bits. I do this by placing the candy into a storage bag and paddling them with a rolling pin. Set them to the side while you mix the cookie dough.

In a large mixing bowl, add softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together. Use a hand or stand mixer to beat until creamy and smooth. Add the vanilla extract and eggs. Beat again and then add salt.

Dissolve the baking soda in some hot water and add to batter. Beat while slowly adding in the flour. Once you have a good consistency, fold in the chocolate chips and place the cookie dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a cookie scoop to place batter onto baking sheet giving space between each cookie. Place candy cane bits on the top of each cookie. I like to just dunk the top of the cookie into the bag of crushed candy canes and place back onto cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let cool on a cooling rack and serve. Make sure to place the cookie dough back in the refrigerator between batches to stay cool.

Candy Cane White Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Candy Cane White Chocolate Chip Cookies are made with basic baking ingredients, white chocolate chips and crushed candy cane bits for a festive treat even Santa wants to sneak in this holiday season. 

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • .5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons hot water
  • 11 ounce bag white chocolate chips
  • 5 candy canes
  1. Place candy canes into a storage bag. Use a rolling pin or something similar to crush the candy canes into bits.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together. Use a hand or stand mixer to beat until creamy and smooth.
  3. Add the vanilla extract and eggs. Beat again.
  4. Add salt.
  5. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water and add to batter. Use a hand or stand mixer to beat while slowly adding in the flour.
  6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  7. Place dough in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  9. Use a cookie scoop to place batter onto baking sheet giving space between each cookie.
  10. Place candy cane bits on the top of each cookie. I like to just dunk the top of the cookie into the bag of crushed candy canes and place back onto cookie sheet.
  11. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  12. Let cool on a cooling rack.

What are you go-to cookies for Santa? Let me know in the comments below!


Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies

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Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies are the perfect way to use up a chunk of that leftover Halloween candy made from your favorite bite sized candy bars and basic baking ingredients like flour, butter and sugar.

I there a household at the moment (especially with kids) that isn’t drowning in Halloween candy? Typically, whatever Halloween candy sin’t eaten within 2 weeks after the holiday, I just toss in the garbage but I also hate waste so these Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies are a great way to get rid the candy. Send some to work with my husband… gift to neighbors (like they don’t have enough sugar in their homes too, haha)… or just make a fun treat for the family.

Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies

Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies are just a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe I have had around for awhile but we are swapping those chocolate chips for whatever chocolate candies are still around. Pick the chocolates that won’t get eaten or do a mix of your favorites. Totally up to you. Some candies will stick more than others so keep that in mind. Butterfingers for example are super sticky when baked so I did just a sprinkle of Butterfingers on the top.

Candies to include: 

  • Snickers
  • M&M’s
  • Milkyway
  • Butterfingers (can stick to pan a bit so sprinkle on top of dough before baking is best)
  • Reeses
  • Hershey’s chocolate bars
  • 3 Musketeers

Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies
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Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies, what to do with leftover candy, simple cookie recipe

Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies are the perfect way to use up a chunk of that leftover Halloween candy made from your favorite bite sized candy bars and basic baking ingredients like flour, butter and sugar. 

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • .5 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons hot water
  • 2.5 cups chopped Halloween chocolate candies
  • Non-stick cooking spray
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Chop 2.5 worth of Halloween chocolate candies. Pick your favorites- M&M's, Snicker's and Reeses work well. Set to the side.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, add softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar together. Use a hand or stand mixer to beat until creamy and smooth.
  4. Add the vanilla extract and eggs. Beat again.
  5. Add salt.
  6. Dissolve the baking soda in the hot water and add to batter. Use a hand or stand mixer to beat while slowly adding in the flour.
  7. Fold in Halloween candy.
  8. Use non-stick spray on the baking sheet.
  9. Use a cookie scoop to place batter onto baking sheet giving space between each cookie.
  10. Bake for 10 minutes.
  11. Let cool on a cooling rack.


Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #BlackBoxWines #CollectiveBias

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs are made with fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate and decorated to look like mini footballs for game day to perfectly paired with Black Box Wines.

Football season is starting back up (finally!), which means it is back to hosting friends on Sundays. Black Box Wines is my new game day drink choice for this season, and let me tell you why!

  • Black Box Wines come in recyclable material and stays fresh 6 weeks after opening.
  • Portable without a corkscrew required when we want to take the party out of the home and tailgate.
  • Black Box Wines offers 12 varieties in the 3L box including Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay to make all my guests happy.
  • Costs 40% less than comparable wines, which saves me money to put towards important things like more chips and dip.
  • Black Box Wines has over 50 Gold Medals for quality in wine competitions nationwide.
  • Offers great tasting varieties from the best wine regions harvested in California, Chile and Argentina.

Visit Black Box Wines and follow on social media for great hosting ideas and more!

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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs

Black Box Wines pairs with all of our favorite game day foods from cheese balls, fruit trays, chips, dips and more! How about chocolate covered strawberries that look like footballs? Yea, Black Box Wines pairs perfectly with those too. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs require only 3 ingredients and are really simple to make. Start with chocolate wafers or blocks meant for melting in dark chocolate and white chocolate, plus some fresh strawberries!

Wash and dry the strawberries well. It is important for the strawberries to be completely dry before dipping or the chocolate may not stick. Once the strawberries are dry, lay them out on a parchment covered baking sheet and place them in the freezer for 30 minutes. Placing the strawberries into the freezer makes dipping much easier and allows the chocolate to dry quicker.

Melt the chocolate in coffee mugs- one for dark chocolate and one for the white chocolate. Simply place in the microwave for 30-second increments, stirring in between until completely melted. Set the white chocolate to the side while you dip the strawberries in the dark chocolate. Great Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs start with good dipping techniques and the only one that is important is patience! Patience counts as a technique, right? Hold the strawberry by the stem, dip into the melted chocolate and then let the chocolate run off before flipping it over and letting the chocolate set up at least half-way before placing on the parchment paper to dry completely.

Once the strawberries are all dipped in chocolate, go back to the white chocolate, which has now had some time to set up. If the chocolate is too hot, it will just run everywhere and be a big mess. Place the white chocolate into a pastry bag with a small tip. I used a #3 tip, and an even smaller one could be used if you have it. Make your football design on each strawberry. Between strawberries, I like to wipe the tip clean on the parchment paper just for better handling and so chocolate doesn’t build up on that tip.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs
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Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs are made with fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate and decorated to look like mini footballs for game day to pair perfectly with Black Box Wines.

  • 8 ounces melting chocolate, dark chocolate
  • 4 ounces melting chocolate, white chocolate
  • 1 pound fresh strawberries
  1. Wash and dry strawberries.
  2. Once strawberries are dry, place on a parchment covered cookie sheet and put into freezer for 20 minutes.
  3. Remove strawberries from freezer.
  4. Heat up chocolate. Using coffee mug, place chocolate inside and heat in microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between. Make one mug for dark chocolate and one mug for the white chocolate.
  5. Dip each strawberry into the dark chocolate one at a time. For best results, go slow with each strawberry. Hold by the stem and dip, let the chocolate run off, then flip over and let dry before placing on parchment paper. Repeat until strawberries are covered.
  6. As you dip the strawberries, have the white chocolate rest. Then, place into a pastry bag with a small tip. I used a #3 but you can go smaller.
  7. Decorate each strawberry like a football with the white chocolate with a line towards the top, a line down the middle and small horizontal lines. Clean the tip of the pastry by wiping it on the parchment paper between each.
  8. Serve with Black Box Cabernet Sauvignon or Black Box Chardonnay.

How do you see yourself using Black Box Wines this football season? Do you enjoy tailgating before game time or hosting within your home? Maybe you have a friend that does the hosting and you supply drinks! Let me know in the comments below.