Peppermint Popcorn

This holiday popcorn is extremely easy, extremely delicious and SO festive!!! I am so excited to share the recipe with you!! I have already made two huge batches and I plan to take two more huge batches to our family Christmas parties this weekend!!! I hope you love it!!! :)

Peppermint Popcorn

Ingredients

1 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
1 lb vanilla almond bark
2 tsp peppermint extract
1 pkg "bobs" regular sized peppermint candy canes (you could totally use another brand, I just used bob's because they were the cheapest!!)
1/2 bag milk chocolate chips

Pop the popcorn and put in a VERY large bowl-or two regular large bowls.  Crush the candy canes until they are in small pieces (you don't want them to be crushed into peppermint sand....just really small pieces.) I used my ninja food processor, but a meat mallet or rolling pin could work just fine as well if you put them in a ziplock bag. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over your bowl of dry popcorn. Melt the almond bark.  I melted mine in a double boiler on the stove, but this can be done in 30 second increments in the microwave as well.  Once it is all the way melted, add peppermint extract (the extract may look like it is crystalizing, but it will even out the more you stir it in).  Once mixed I added a few drops of red food coloring to make it a little more "festive" :) pour evenly over your popcorn and mix until each piece is coated evenly.  Lay out a large piece of wax paper, enough that you can pour the entire bowl of popcorn to make a large single layer on the counter. (I used tin foil because we were out of wax paper, and it worked just fine)  Melt your chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second increments.  Using a fork drizzle the popcorn with the chocolate.  Let the popcorn set and dry for about an hour-2 hours before using (it tastes heavenly when it is fresh on the counter, but it would not be the right consistency to serve in a bowl at a party....so taste away, but consider waiting the full amount of time before presenting it to your family-you could also put the wax paper on cookie sheets and put the popcorn in the freezer to hustle the process :) ) Once dry, break into chunks and serve in your favorite holiday bowl!!!

I hope you enjoy this as much as we did!!!! :) 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

{this holiday goodness was brought to you by Ashley}

Cheese Ball

This is the best cheese ball in the world and it only takes 5-10 minutes!
So easy but so good!  We make it for every party and it is gone fast!

You will need:
1 8 oz pack cream cheese softened
1/2 cup mayonaise
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 oz. packet of dry ranch dips
1 cupish cheddar cheese

Mix cream cheese, mayo, buttermilk, ranch in a bowl then add cheese
Shape to desire. Sprinkle more cheese on top. Chill in fridge to mix the flavors. ( not needed but tastes better when colder)
Made by Lindsay and Rachel

Luscious Banana Pie

So I realize that we have not posted for a while.  So sorry about that.....it has been a crazy few weeks!!!! 


This banana pie is not very traditional...in fact, its not really a banana cream pie....even though there are banana's and cream in the recipe.  It is a twist on the original....and quite possibly the most wonderful twist ever invented.  Hope you enjoy!!!


Luscious Banana Pie 
{I also forgot to take pics the pie......but just trust me...its amazing!!!!}


Ingredients


3 bananas, sliced
1 tin of sweetened condensed milk
2 cups whipping cream, whipped until there are peaks (add powdered sugar and vanilla for a blissfully sweet taste!)
1 package graham crackers
1 stick of butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 small bar of chocolate {i used a few hershey kisses that I had in the cupboard}


Your first step can be done way ahead of time (at least hours but can be as much as months before). Remove the label on the condensed milk and submerge the unopened can in pot of water. Cover and boil for 2.5 hours. Warning: Be sure to keep the can covered by water at all times!!After the time has passed, take pot off the stove and allow the can to cool.

To make the crust 

• Grind up graham crackers in food processor.
• Melt stick of butter in microwave and pour into crumb mixture.
• Blend until you have a moist sand mixture.
• Smooth wet crumbs into pie plate to make a crust.
• Bake at 350F for 10 minutes.
• Set aside to cool.
• Cut up bananas into slices and lay into your crust. It doesn't matter how you arrange them. 
• Open the can of sweetened condensed milk (now a caramel sauce) (WARNING: It will splatter when you open the can, so do it in a sink!!!) 
• Spread whipped cream over the pie. 
• Grate chocolate on top (optional)
• Put in fridge to set for at least 1 hour

{this recipe was brought to you by Ashley who adapted the recipe from www.brooklynlimestone.com :) }