Getting Closer

I made some good progress on my day one of baking. Now if I can keep all the male paws in this house out of my freezer, I just may have some left for Christmas!  I started with some super easy bars and candies today for which I have included the recipe or link for the recipe.  If you have a question about the goodies, please feel free to leave it as a comment and I will try to answer it asap.

This a family favourite....not mine, but everyone else's lol

Peanut Butter Squares
So easy to make and if you are going with a pastel theme for your holiday decorating, this treat will fit right in

Peanut Butter Squares

1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cup peanut butter
1 12 oz package of butterscotch chips (aprox. 1 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 packages of mini colored marshmallows (aprox. 4-6 cups)
1 cup of coconut

Line a 9x11 baking pan with foil making sure foil extends over sides of pan
Melt butter, vanilla, peanut butter, and butterscotch chips in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy.
Transfer to large bowl and cool in fridge for about 3-5 mins.
Once cooled, add marshmallows and coconut and mix well, transfer to foil lined baking pan, set in fridge to cool for about 1-2 hours.
Remove from pan, cut into squares, can be frozen for about 2 months


This simple to make treat is probably the most requested for me every year---Almond Bark

Almond Bark

1 1/2 cups of almonds
5 cups of white chocolate dipping wafers
1/4 cup of milk chocolate dipping wafers

Roast almonds on cookie sheet for about 10 mins at 350 degrees
Melt chocolate in microwave on auto defrost or defrost if you have in your settings ( I find this helps prevent burning) for about five minutes, checking every two mins and giving a quick stir.
Once melted and smooth, pour white chocolate over your almonds coating well and evenly
In small bowl, microwave the milk chocolate for about two mins.
Drizzle the milk chocolate over the white chocolate, using a toothpick or pointy knife, lightly drag it over the drizzled chocolate one way, then back, and then another way to create the marbling.
Allow to cool in fridge for about an hour, break into pieces and store in fridge or freezer.

I use white chocolate dipping wafers because they are much more inexpensive than baker's chocolate and honestly everybody loves it just the same.  The wafers are the least expensive in the big chain grocery stores, they are about .58 cents/100 grams at Superstore.

I did a little more decorating with some odds and ends around the house

Made a little Joy banner, not sure where to put it but I'm sure I'll find a spot