Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies (Grinch Cookies)

When I asked my son what kind of cookies he wanted to make for Santa this year, he immediately said Grinch cookies.  (I had pinned this recipe from The Hungry Dudes a while ago and told him about them.)  I thought these were appropriate because his favorite Christmas movie is How the Grinch Stole Christmas...and because I LOVE chocolate and mint together.  I mean, I REALLY love chocolate and mint...Junior Mints, York Peppermint Patties, Andes Mints, Mint Chocolate chip ice cream...Mmm, Mmm! If you love any of those, then you are going to LOVE these cookies too!!  They are super easy and taste delicious!!  You could make them for Christmas, or just make them because they are fantastic!! We will definitely be making these BEFORE next Christmas!

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Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies (Grinch Cookies)

1 pouch sugar cookie mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mint extract

6 to 8 drops green food color

1 egg

1 package Andes Mints

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, extract, food color, and egg until soft dough forms.

 Sorry, had to include a picture of my son making his best Grinch face!

 He was my little helper that day!

 Stir in chopped Andes Mints (they recommended using a huge knife and I would recommend this too...took no time at all to chop!) and chocolate chips.

 Using a small cookie scoop or teaspoon, drop dough 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 8 to 10 minutes.  Cool for about 3 minutes before moving cookies to a wire rack.  Store tightly covered at room temperature...before they disappear! :)

 Our elf, Haddy couldn't even stay away from these yummy cookies!!  Enjoy!  :)

Peppermint Bark

If you need an EASY, DELICIOUS treat to take to a holiday party this year (or just a yummy treat to have at home!), then this recipe is for you!  With only 2 ingredients, you can't go wrong!!  

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Peppermint Bark

2 bags (12 oz each) white chocolate chips

1 cup peppermint candies (I used 11 candy canes)

Place candy canes in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a meat mallet or heavy saucepan.  The meat mallet worked GREAT!

 Line a 15X10X1 inch baking pan with foil.  Coat with nonstick cooking spray.  Place chips in a large glass bowl.  Microwave for 1 minute.  Stir.  Repeat, stirring until smooth.  It only took 2 total minutes to melt mine.  Fold half the crushed candies into the melted chocolate.

 Pour onto prepared pan, spreading almost to edge of pan.

 Sprinkle top with remaining crushed candy canes.  Refrigerate until firm, about an hour.

 Break into pieces to serve...that is IT!!

This is seriously yummy stuff...and I will warn you, a little bit addicting!  Enjoy!  :)

Cream Cheese Christmas Tree!

I had to take a salty item to a Christmas party on Monday, and I of course turned to Pinterest to see what cute things I had pinned. I immediately decided to make this...I have taken this item to many Bunco nights, but fell in love when it is shaped like a tree! The best part is it takes about 2 minutes to prepare and it is PRECIOUS!

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Cream Cheese Christmas Tree

1 block cream cheese

1 bottle Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce (Fischer & Wieser is my favorite!!!)

1 green pepper

Cilantro or Parsley

Wheat Thins

Cut your cream cheese diagonally and put together as a triangle. Cut a star and a trunk out of your green pepper. Pour sauce over cream cheese and sprinkle cilantro or parsley over the top. Done!

Isn't that fun?!? I just loved the way it looked on a red plate too! It also tastes fabulous and gets devoured very quickly. Enjoy! :)