Oreo Balls

Ok, so, these are A-mazing!  My sister made them for our family Christmas fun day and I am pretty sure they were all gone in like 2 minutes.  And when she told me how easy they were to make I knew I had to make them asap.  Seriously make these for your next gathering.

Ingredients:

1 pkg. oreos
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 pkg. chocolate bark

Directions:

-  Put all the oreos in a large baggie and crush.  There should not be any large pieces left.
-  Pour into and bowl and mix in cream cheese until combined well.  It should be cookie batter like in consistency.
-  Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
-  Remove from refrigerator and roll into 1 inch sized balls.
-  Return the balls to the refrigerator until ready to coat in chocolate.
-  In a medium size bowl, melt chocolate in the microwave.
-  Dip oreo balls in the chocolate and let harden on wax paper before serving or storing.

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Nothing screams winter more than hot cocoa.  This recipe is so easy, makes a ton and is really really good.  I found it here and because my husband and I are the only people drinking it I halved the recipe and I still think we will have enough to make it through the rest of the cold winter days this season.

Ingredients:

8 c. powdered milk
1 lb. 8 oz. box Nestle quik
4 c. powdered sugar
2 (8 oz.) jar flavored coffee creamer (in powder form) (the flavor you pick will be the flavor of your cocoa, i.e. peppermint coffee creamer will make your cocoa have a peppermint flavor)
11 oz. container regular coffee creamer (in powder form)
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:

-  In a LARGE bowl combine all ingredients.
-  Store in an air tight container.
-  To serve mix 1/4 c. of cocoa mix with 1 c. hot water.

North Pole Cupcakes

Could these be any cuter?!?!  Another lovely Pinterest find.  I had everything I needed for these in my pantry so it was a quick and easy treat to make!

Ingredients:

Box of white cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 c. oil
1 1/4 c. water
Vanilla icing
candy canes
red m&m's

Directions:

-  Follow the directions on the back of the cake box mixing the cake mix, eggs, water and oil.
-  Pour batter into lined cup cake tins and bake according to the box.
-  Let cupcakes cool completely before icing them.
-  Use icing to attach North Pole sign and m&m to the candy cane.
-  Insert candy cane into top of cupcake and enjoy!

Sweet Santa Hats

Thank you Pinterest for such cute, easy and fun Christmas ideas this year.  I loved these and they took about 1 minute to make.  My son ate them up and he doesn't like anything!

Ingredients:

Store bought brownie bites
Strawberries with the leaves cut off
Can of whipped cream

Directions:

-  Top each brownie bite with a squirt of whipped cream
-  Place strawberry on top, flat side down
-  Squirt whipped cream on the point of the strawberry
-  Enjoy!

Candy Cane Cake

I got this recipe from Brittney and thought it was just too cute not to make during Christmas. Cole LOVES it and I think it is so pretty!Ingredients:

One box of super moist white cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg whites that are called for on the box
1/2 tsp red food coloring
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Frosting:

1 c. powdered sugar
1 tbls. milk or water
1/2 tsp vanilla, if desired

Decoration:

Crushed candy canes or peppermints

Directions:

- Preheat oven to 325 degrees and generously grease your bundt pan.
- Mix cake according to directions on the box.
- Pour about 2 cups of the cake mix into your bundt pan. In a small bowl mix about 3/4 cup of the batter and the red food coloring and peppermint extract.
- Carefully pour red batter over white batter in the pan.
- Pour remaining white batter over the red batter.
- Bake according to directions on the box or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Invert onto serving platter and let it cool completely.
- In a small bowl mix the frosting ingredients together and with a spoon or fork, drizzle over cake.
- Top with crushed candy canes and serve!

Cracker Cookies

These babies are ALWAYS made during the holidays. They are one of my favorite things on earth and it would not be Christmas with out them. They are beyond easy and beyond tasty!!!Ingredients:

1 box Ritz crackers
1 jar creamy peanut butter
2 pkg. milk chocolate almond bark {or candiquik chocolate}

Directions:

- Make peanut butter and cracker sandwiches.
- Melt chocolate in a large bowl in the microwave in one minute increments until completely melted.
- Using a fork dip sandwiches in chocolate until coated. Remove with fork letting the excess chocolate drip through the fork and place on wax paper to cool.
- The cookies are finished when the chocolate is hard on the outside.

White Trash

Not a very nice name but oh.so.good. Yet another Christmas tradition.Ingredients:

4 c. rice chex
4 c. corn chex
3/4 bag of pretzels
1 bag red and green m&m's
1 can mixed nuts
1 can cashews
2 pkg. white chocolate almond bark or candiquik

Directions:

- Dump everything but the white chocolate in the biggest bowl you have and gently mix.
- In a separate bowl melt white chocolate in the microwave.
- Pour melted chocolate over mixture and gently combine until everything is coated.
- Pour onto wax paper.
- When chocolate has hardened break into chunks and serve!

Brownie Cheesecake Peppermint Bars

Oh.My.Word. I saw a lady make these on Good Morning America earlier this week and new I had to try them. They are awesome and just might make an appearance at any Christmas function I attend this year. They are easy and oh so good!

{That very first corner piece you cut just never looks pretty}

Ingredients:

1 tube of refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 box brownie mix

2 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

2 1/2 c. white chocolate chips

2 tsp. peppermint extract, divided

4 candy canes, crushed

Directions:

- Make brownies according to the directions on the box and add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract.

- Bake brownies according to the directions on the box. Set aside to cool.

- Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and press cookie dough evenly on the bottom.

- Bake dough at 350 degrees until lightly brown on top. Set aside to cool.

- Once brownies have cooled, remove all edges. Scrape the rest of the baked brownies into a large bowl.

- Combine brownies with cream cheese and mix until thoroughly combined.

- Spread mixture evenly over cooled baked cookie dough.

- Over a double broiler, melt white chocolate and gently stir in 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract.

- Spread melted chocolate over brownie mix and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

- Once chocolate has hardened cut into bars and enjoy!