Puppy Chow

INGREDIENTS
1 - 14oz box Chex (corn or rice)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar, divided in half

Special Equipment 
2 gallon-sized Ziploc bags
Very large (at least 4 quart) mixing bowl

PREPARATION
Pour cereal into very large mixing bowl, and set aside.

Place chocolate, peanut butter, and butter in a large microwavable bowl, microwave for 1 minute on high, then stir the mixture with a heatproof spoon or spatula until entirely melted and combined. (Alternatively, In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate, peanut butter, and butter. Heat the mixture, stirring constantly with a heatproof spoon or spatula).

Pour melted chocolate mixture over cereal in the large mixing bowl, and mix with a heatproof spoon or rubber spatula until all the cereal is coated with the chocolate mixture. Divide the cereal into two gallon-sized ziploc bags, and add half the powdered sugar to each (add more as desired). Seal the bags, and shake the mixtures until the powdered sugar evenly coats the cereal.

Open the bags and let the puppy chow cool completely.  It will keep for up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature.  But, we like to Freeze ours and it doesn't last a week, because my husband LOVES it and eats it all.  

{pictures to come soon}

Velata Peppermint Bark

So I don't know about you, but I LOVE Peppermint Bark.  I could eat it all year, in-fact, now that I know how easy it is to make, I just might!  

I knew I wanted to use dark chocolate, instead of milk.  I decided to try it with my Velata Belgium Dark & White Chocolate.  Every time I whip out the chocolate fondue for parties or gatherings, everyone always compliments the taste of it, so I had the *ding* moment, use it for Peppermint Bark!  The packages are the perfect portion sizes, so no measuring needed!

Ingredients:

• 6 oz Package of Velata Dark Chocolate
• 6 oz Package of Velata White Chocolate
• Velata Peppermint Mixable (not pictured)
• 3 Candy Canes
• Tin Foil
• Sandwich sized ziplock bag

Directions:

1.  Line the bottom and sides of a square pan with tin foil, and smooth it out as much as possible.

2.  Warm the Dark Chocolate in the microwave until melted. I put it in the microwave for :30 second intervals.  I did 3 of them, just keep an eye on it prevent any melting of package.

3.  Once melted, pour it into the tin foil wrapped dish.  With a spatula move chocolate to cover the bottom, touching the corners and sides.  I also added some Veleta peppermint mixin to give it more flavor.  

4.  Allow to cool in the fridge for about 20-30 minutes until hardened.

5.  While waiting for the chocolate to harden, un wrap your 3 candy canes and put into a ziplock bag.  This is your chance to get rid of any aggression you may be hiding.  Pound away using what you have available. I used the flat side of a meat hammer.

6.  Once dark chocolate is firm, it’s time to do the same with the white chocolate layer. While still melted, sprinkle the peppermint slivers. As much or as little as you want.

7. Put it back in the fridge for 25-30 minutes.

8.  Once hardened, break it apart.  Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cake Bars

Now that I got your attention!!  Who wouldn't want to try these amazingly delicious things!  Let me tell you, if you love Peanut Butter and Chocolate, then these are perfect for you!  They are to die for.

Now that you're drooling over the photo, let me get you how to make these scrumptious things!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
(Made with any brand Cake Mix)

2 eggs
1/3-cup water
¼ cup butter or margarine, softened (not melted)
1-cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1 package yellow cake mix
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate pieces

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Beat eggs, water, butter, peanut butter and half of the cake mix (dry) until smooth. Stir in remaining cake mix and the chocolate pieces. Spread dough in greased jellyroll pan (15 ½ x 10 ½ x 1 inch). Bake about 18 minutes (don’t over bake…. they are better a little gooey!) Cool and cut into bars. Can be frosted or not. Also, you can use a white or devils food cake mix AND you can substitute white chocolate chips or peanut butter chips. They are all good!