Cinnamon Bun White Chocolate Rice Krispie Squares

Remember like 15 years ago when they made Rice Krispie treat cereal? I don't know why, but as soon as I found out about this cereal, I knew I had to have it. I begged. In fact, I think my siblings got in on it too. We had to have it. Well, good luck convincing my mom. The answer was no. Not healthy. Too expensive.

One morning, though, we woke up to homemade (that's right, homemade) Rice Krispie treat cereal. My mom had woken up early, made a big batch or Rice Krispie Squares, broke it up into bite size pieces and let us eat it as cereal. It was the best ever. I don't really remember if it actually tasted that good, or if I just thought my mom was the awesomest.

Well, now that Kraft makes these new cinnamon bun marshmallows (I know, right!), how could they not be tasty as Rice Krispie squares? I added some whit chocolate morsels for good measure.

I was actually not going to blog about this, because it's hardly a recipe, but my hubby went crazy for them, and told me that if I didn't post it, he would. So here it is, people. Let's call it breakfast.

Cinnamon Bun White Chocolate Rice Krispie Squares

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 1 package (250 grams) cinnamon bun marshmallows
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 6 cups Rice Krispies
• 1 cup white chocolate morsels

In microwaveable bowl, melt the butter and marshmallows for 1 minute. Stir, and zap again for 1 more minute, or until the marshmallows are really puffy.

Add the Rice Krispies and mix until combined. Add the white chocolate.

Press into 9x13 casserole dish and leave for at least 15 minutes (if you can wait that long).

-Jessica



Creamsicle Cookies

Remember my citrus problem? I have an unhealthy obsession with all things citrus. Lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit. I guess my obsession isn't really that unhealthy. It's better than, say, a chocolate obsession (because I definitely don't have one of those) or a chips and salsa obsession (we'll leave that to my husband).

I found the recipe for these cookies and they pretty much consumed my mind until I broke down and made them. We are moving in about a week, and I was trying really hard not to use my oven. I already cleaned it, and although I do enjoy cleaning most things, an oven is definitely not one of them. I wanted it to stay shiny, thank you very much. But in all seriousness, I could not stop thinking about these.

Yesterday after dinner I seized the moment, the boys were playing Wii Sports (their new obsession- at least it doesn't involve food) and Matt was playing with the baby. These were super quick and easy to throw together, and the house smelled deliciously orangey for the rest of the night.

As a Valentine's day gift to myself  my scale, I sent most of them to work with Matt. But not after having a few. And then a few more.

Creamsicle Cookies

    from this blog.

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Zest of 2 oranges
• 1 3/4 cups white chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars together until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla until thoroughly incorporated. Gradually beat in flour mixture, being careful not to over-mix. Lastly, mix in orange zest and white chocolate chips.

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into balls, and bake for 8 minutes or until just golden around the edges. Let cool on wire rack.

Triple Chip Cookies

Here in Victoria, we have a Christmas tradition. My family, along with our church, put on an outdoor Christmas Nativity Pageant for the community. We bundle up (and I mean bundle- it can be cold!) and dress up in costumes to put on  the story of Jesus' birth. This year marks the 25th anniversary, and I can say that I have been in it for at least 20 of those 25. My favourite year was when the hubs and I were Mary and Joseph and our middle son was the baby Jesus. Check it out at www.christmasnativity.ca

This year I was asked to make cookies for the performers. There are 4 shows a night, so in between shows, there is a little tent with hot chocolate and cookies for the cast and crew. My favourite chocolate chip cookie recipe is the one we grew up on, from good old Betty Crocker. But Leah had a brainwave to add butterscotch and white morsels to it, just to punch it up a bit. It is genius, really. Leah has made these a ton, so really it's her recipe and I'm just the one posting it. Team effort, right? I like them best right out of the oven, but cookies are cookies, so they're good anytime. Even at 11:30 at night, when you should be in bed, but your husband asks you to stay up and watch him play Zelda.

Triple Chip Chip Cookies

3/4 cup granulated sugar                                      

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
2  1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts (I ommitted)
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup butterscotch chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
                                                                                                                          
    
- Heat oven to 375ºF.

-  Mix sugars, butter and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt.

- Stir in nuts (if using) and chocolate chips.

- Drop  by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.

- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft).

- Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet.

- Cool on wire rack.

-Jessica

Peppermint Dark and White Chocolate Bark

Once, a few years ago, my sister-in-law and I were all set to do some Christmas baking. Aprons on, oven on, Christmas music on. Ready, set, go. She has an out-of-this-world candy cane cookie recipe. We had the dough mixed up, ready for the candy. So, I opened the box of candy canes, rolling pin in hand, ready to smash them all to bits. Which I did. For some reason, I love smashing things. Like in Super Smash Brothers. But that's a different story.

Anyhoo, during the candy cane smashing process, some candy wound up in my mouth. I don't really know how it happened. BUT- it wasn't peppermint. They sure looked like candy canes, the box definitely said peppermint on it. but there was no flavour. It was just sugar. No mint. I tasted another cane. No mint. The whole box was like this. It was bizarre, I suppose they just forgot to add the flavouring. I wonder how many boxed turned out that that. So now, out of habit I suppose, I always check my candy canes before using them. These ones are definitely peppermint. Make sure yours are too!

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces dark chcolate, chopped
12 ounces white chocolate, chopped
1 box peppermint candy canes, crushed

-Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil
-In a double boiler, melt dark chocolate. Mix in about half of the candy canes. Spread in bottom of the pan. Let chocolate cool until not quite hardened. If you're in a hurry, stick in the fridge, or outside if it's cold enough. I put mine on the deck.

-Melt white chocolate. Pour over the dark. Sprinkle with remaining candy canes. Run a butter knife over top to create a marbled effect. Let harden completely. Break into pieces.

-Jessica