Damn this candy will knock your socks off! Only 120 calories. The only problem is that I don’t want to stop with one

Amazon, Skinny Cow Dreamy Clusters

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The food on Pinterest, you guys, it’s just not good if you are trying to lose weight.  Just letting you know that now… Enter at your own risk.

1. Sandwich Cookies
2. Cake Batter Pie
3. Lasagna Cups
4. Cake Batter Bark
5. Egg McMuffins
6. Grill Packets
7. Chocolate Chunk Skillet Cookie
8. Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
9. Chocolate Chip Stuffed Raspberries
10. Muddy Buddies

What recipes have you drooled over lately?

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So I gave y’all some ideas for Girly Stocking Stuffers yesterday.  Here’s my version of the dude edition.

1. Lotto Tickets-What man would not get excited about the possibility of winning a ton of money?!
2. iPod Shuffle, Apple-These are only $49!
3. Hanes Crew Socks, Amazon-Men are always losing socks. They will always need more.
4. J&D’s Bacon Salt, Amazon-I love the tagline on this… “Everything should taste like bacon”.
5. iTunes Gift Card, Amazon-Music! Books! Whichever!
6. Penguin Mints, Think Geek-Caffeinated mints for those late night work crunches.
7. Magwear Magnetic Wristband, Uncommon Goods-I gave these a few years ago and they were a huge hit!

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We thought we’d do a little series on what each of us routinely makes or has made for us (ha!) at the holidays in the form of treats.  I mean these are items that, if not made, would mean it just isn’t Christmas.

First up: Fantasy Fudge.  This is the marshmallow creme type of fudge. I could literally eat the entire pan.

Fantasy Fudge

3 cups sugar
3/4 cup margarine
2/3 cup evaporated milk
1 12-oz. (340 g) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 7-oz. (198 g) jar Kraft Marshmallow creme
1 cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine sugar, margarine and milk in heavy 2-1/2 quart saucepan; bring to full rolling bail, stirring constantly. Continue boiling 5 minutes over medium heat, stirring. Remove from heat, stir in chocolate till melted. Add marshmallow creme, nuts & vanilla beat till blended. Pour into greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Let cool and cut into 1-inch squares. Eat entire pan.

recipe courtesy of Kraft Marshmallow Creme jar.  picture courtesy of kraftrecipes.com

Next is Leche Quemada, which is a cinnamon candy that is similar in texture to a praline.  I have never made this on my own because it’s actually pretty tough to make (lots of arm breaking stirring), so generally my mom and I will make this together and take turns with the stirring.  Then when it’s time to drop these on wax paper it definitely takes two to get them out before the mixture hardens up.  But OH SO WORTH IT.  Again, I could make myself sick from these.

Leche Quemada

12 oz. cans evaporated milk
2 12 oz. cans water
5 cups sugar
6 cinnamon sticks

Mix the first three (3) ingredients together in a large pot until the sugar has dissolved. Add the cinnamon sticks and place over low heat. For a creamier consistency start with a low heat and gradually raise to a medium heat. Stir constantly until mixture boils. Boil until candy reaches soft ball stage (234-240 degrees). As candy reaches soft ball stage it will need to be watched carefully and stirred. At this stage you should also remove the cinnamon sticks. Remove from heat and beat until candy around the edge of the pan begins to lose it’s gloss. Quickly drop by teaspoon onto waxed paper. A pecan half may be added if desired.

recipe courtesy of my great aunt. picture courtesy of abnormal-psychology.info

My final treat is Wedding Ring Cookies or Rosquitas. These are also sorta time consuming, but oh so yummy.  The picture shows crescents but we make them into rings. They are very light cookies and again you can eat about eleventh billion.

Rosquitas

1/2 c water
2 3″ cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
1/4 t. anise seed
4 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 t. salt
1/8 t. baking powder
1/2 c. lightly salted butter or margarine, at room temperature
1/2 c. vegetable shortening at room temperature
1/2 c. granulated sugar
About 1 cup confectioners’ sugar

In a small saucepan bring water, cinnamon and anise to a simmer over moderate heat. Let simmer 12 to 15 minutes, until 1/4 cup liquid remains. Let cool and then strain; discard seeds and cinnamon. Sift flour with salt and baking powder. In a large bowl beat butter with shortening and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add flour mixture 1 cup at a time, alternating with the cooled, spiced water. Mix to a smooth, stiff dough. (If dough is not quite pliable enough to shape, work in 2 or 3 tablespoons water.)

To shape cookies: Take 1/4 teaspoon of the dough and roll into small, rope-like strips in the palm of your hand. Then twist the strips around your little finger and fasten ends. Place rings of dough about 1/2 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake cookies 7 – 10 minutes, until lightly browned on bottom. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Put confectioners’ sugar in a paper bag, add a batch of the cookies and shake to coat. Tip them into a strainer to remove excess sugar.

recipe courtesy of Grace Whitt by way of Redbook Magazine. picture courtesy of dexknows.com

So what do you make each year?

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Are you the type that buys your Halloween early to get the best selection and then you end up eating most of it yourself and have to go buy more to actually hand out to the kids?  Yeah we are too.  These are our favorite Halloween candies, or just what we want to be eating right here right now!

1. Melis-Brach’s Mellocreme Pumpkin-I love these things. Yes, they are pretty much just sugar and food coloring in the shape of a pumpkin but for some reason my tastebuds cannot get enough. Its probably a good thing they aren’t available year round.
2. AK-Jelly Belly Sour Cherry Jelly Beans-I honestly don’t have a specific halloween candy so much as just a favorite candy genre.  That genre would include anything that is sour.  And last week I read a tweet about jelly beans and haven’t been able to stop thinking about these.
3. Sarah-Caramel Apple Tootsie Pops-I was introduced to these suckers in high school, or maybe junior high…anyway, LOVE them (and the funny thing is that I hate real candied apples, and apples in general)…these bad boys are only available at Halloween, so every year I have to stock up!
4. Court-Runts-Man I love these.  However; PICK OUT THE BANANAS and put all the apples in my belly.

What is going in your belly this Halloween?

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Have you ever made candy in a crockpot? I had heard rumors, hearsay, unconfirmed reports, allegations that this sort of thing was possible, but I had never tried.  So here’s the recipe that I tried:

• 24oz Dry Roasted Peanuts, lightly salted
• 4oz German’s sweet chocolate
• 12oz bag of Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 2lbs White Almond Bark

In a 4qt crock pot, pour in the peanuts, then German’s sweet chocolate, then chocolate chips, then almond bark. Turn on Low for 3 hours.  Don’t touch it during that time.  When the 3 hours is up, stir it up really good.  This is the point where I looked at it and it was all still looking like it was in its block form and I was thinking SON OF A BITCH this is gonna be hard to stir! It’s not. Trust me.  Then simply spoon it into regular cupcake holders or mini depending on what size candies you want.  Let them harden and then remove them from the holders.  They’ll look sorta Reese’s Cup-ish on the bottom but they taste more like HEAVEN!

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Nothing is more important in this world than all these baby mammas.  Either you have one, know one, or are one yourself.  Its that time again and I’ve rounded up a few things that I think would be too cool to honor them for all they are:  BADASS.

1. Personalized Mom M&Ms - my boyfriend Ben did this for his dad’s 60th birthday and ever since then, I just think it is the neatest thing–especially for a mom.  Chocolate + personalized for mom’s day= eaten.
2. Locket on Etsy – when in time did I decide that lockets weren’t cool anymore???  As far as I’m concerned, as locket with your baby’s pic inside is one of the most touching things.  And your mom is sure to look retro wearing it.
3. House Slippers  on Etsy- any time Mommy says got get her slippers, she means it.  These really command attention.
4. Jewelry Box - every girl, every mom needs one or ANOTHER one of  these.  But it has to be beautifulness !
5. Zale’s Stackable Birthstone Bands - how cute would it be to get mom a band for one or all of her kids?   I loooove this.   Mostly for myself.  One for mom, one for me  Also, women love jewels.
6. Mamma’s Marg Glass – a happy Mom = happy house.  ’nough said.
7. Mothers day wine glasses on Etsy – these are hand painted and just plane creative.  A little piece of change to spend, but I think every mom I know out there is worth it.

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When I crack open those plastic Easter eggs on Easter morning, this is what I hope I find!

1. Amazon, Sour Patch Jelly Beans-Der gave me the heads up on these because she knows I’m a huge addict fan of Sour Patch kids and man o man are these good!
2. Amazon, Reeses Peanut Butter Egg-One of these has been in my Easter basket every year of my life.  Easter would not be the same without one.
3. Amazon, Cherry Sours-nope not even remotely Easter but its a Cherry Sour?! Who is going to turn one away.  You do need candy to put in some of those other plastic eggs-COME ON?! And yes that link is to a 10lb case. What.
4. Candy Warehouse, SweeTarts Chicks Ducks Bunnies-SweeTarts are right up there in my fav category and I love when I see a little SweeTart bunny!!
5. Amazon, Cadbury Eggs-My all time favorite of these would be the Cadbury Chocolate Creme Filled Egg but I haven’t seen one in any store in TWO YEARS.  What happened? Are they not making the chocolate creme filled anymore???

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If you decide to treat me with something sweet this Valentines day, please remember I’m not a huge lover of sweets and only have a select few faves!

1. Candy Apples: Granted, I’m not a fan of the apples, but LOVE eating the good stuff off of them!
2. Chocolate Covered Strawberries: This would be labeled a romantic gift…I think…
3. Dum Dums: Yes, I could be thought of as a 7 year old for loving these so much.
4. Cherry Sours: Sour and sweet is a great combo!
5. Twizzlers Pull n’ Peel: Please don’t judge…
6. Reeses Peanut Butter Heart: I’ll take the giant one please.

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Dare I say it?? I’m not a chocolate loving girl. Fine. It’s out in the open. Judge if you wish. BUT, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy sugary treats on Valentine’s Day!  Here are some non-chocolate options for those girls who dare to live on the wild side.

1. Sweettart’s, Gummy Hearts
2. Sour Peachy Hearts
3. Jelly Belly, Sour Petite Hearts
4. Mike and Ike’s, Valentine’s Medley
5. Jelly Belly, Conversation Beans

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