Peppermint White Chocolate Haystacks

So, if you know me, you probably know that I love peppermint hot cocoa, peppermint white mochas, and peppermint just about anything.  So, when I was whipping up some more goodies to give as gifts, I thought I could do more peppermint bark but then I thought....hm...let's do haystacks!  My maternal grandfather would always make quite an assortment of candies and goodies each year before Christmas and give everyone a tray.  (Well, I don't know for a fact he gave any out to people other  than my family actually...but I'm pretty confident he did. :)  So these are kind of a tribute to him.  Although truly he always made his haystacks out of white chocolate, milk chocolate or butterscotch...

Peppermint White Chocolate Haystacks

What you'll need:

2 bags Chow Mein

1 bag CandyQuik or Almond Bark in Vanilla

Crushed Peppermint Candy Canes

Chocolate for drizzle, optional

In a very large bowl pour the bags of chow mein noodles in and spread them out.  Melt the vanilla flavored candyquik and stir until smooth.  (I use the instructions on the package.)  Then pour the candyquik over the noodles and gently stir to coat.  Once they are evenly coated, use two spoons to make them into haystack or nest shapes on parchment or wax paper.  Then sprinkle crushed candy canes on the tops and drizzle with chocolate to finish!  Let set for a few hours at room temp or 30 minutes in the fridge.  Then package and/or enjoy!  Easy, peasy and yummy!

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies

Do you love Chocolate and Peppermint together as much as I do?  I feel like it's one of those things that just tastes like Christmas...  Anyway these are a pretty standard Chocolate Chip Cookie with a little less sugar since we have more sugary add-ins than normal.  And they are just enough pepperminty to be Christmasy but not over the top at all! :)  (So, I guess what I'm saying is that you could get away with them year round! :)

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies:
1 c. Shortening
1-1/3 c. Sugar (I used all white but I suppose you could still do half white and half brown here)
1/2 t. Salt
1 t. Vanilla
1 t. Baking Soda
2 Eggs
3 c. Flour (all-purpose)
1 c. Chocolate Chips (I prefer semi-sweet in my cookies, but you could use your preference!)
1/2 c. Peppermint Candy Canes, crushed (or peppermint candies)

Instructions:
Cream shortening and sugar until well blended.  Mix in salt, vanilla, baking soda and eggs until combined.  Add flour 1 cup at a time until just combined.  Then stir in chocolate chips and crushed peppermint candy canes.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Then using a cookie scoop (or whatever you like to use) place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet about 3" apart.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden.

Makes 4+ dozen cookies.

Peppermint Bark

I've made a lot of peppermint bark over the last few years.  I sometimes layer dark and white chocolate, or just do one or the other.  I've decided this is probably the easiest and best way to do it though, so I made a little video.  Let me know what you think of it!

What you'll need:

White Chocolate or CandyQuik
Dark Chocolate or Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Candy Canes
Parchment Paper