Christmas Morning Crunch!

 aka Dark Chocolate Peppermint Chex Mix

by Jaelyn Penner 

One more recipe for all of you mint-o-holics out there!  OK, I went outside of the “natural, healthy” realm for this treat.  In reality, this recipe has no redeeming nutritional value.  But it’s good!  And, since most of us indulge freely over the Christmas break (which is ok every once in a while!), this becomes, through the magic of Christmas, the perfect Christmas morning snack!  I mean, cereal for breakfast– mint for the morning breath – chocolate for the energy and Christmas cheer – enjoy with a strong coffee for the perfect 6am “mommy-we-just-can’t-wait-to-unwrap-presents” instant perk-up!

You won’t need a ton of this stuff.  It’s heavy on the chocolate and really more of a candy than a “mix.”  But it’s super easy to make and totally worth it for the novelty and decadence.

Ingredients:

5 cups Corn Chex (you can use Rice Chex, but they aren’t as uniformly shaped so won’t look quite as nice)

¾ cup Nestle dark chocolate and mint chips (I believe you can only find these during the holidays– can substitute with same amount of Andes chips, which are available year-round)

¾ cup Nestle semi-sweet chips

1/8 tsp. peppermint extract

Crushed candy cane or other peppermint candy for garnish

How-to:

1.        Put Chex in a large mixing bowl.  Line a baking sheet with foil.

2.       In glass measuring cup, heat the chocolate in the microwave on High for 1 ½ minutes.  Stir thoroughly.  Heat for 1 minute intervals, stirring between, until smooth when stirred. 

3.       Add peppermint extract to the melted chocolate, stir well.

4.       Pour chocolate over Chex and stir to coat, being careful not to break the Chex while stirring.

5.       Pour onto baking sheet in single layer, again, be careful not to break the Chex.  Top with crushed peppermint candy while still warm.

6.       Cool until hard (7 minutes in fridge or 20-30 minutes at room temperature).

7.       Break candy with your hands into desired size chunks, place in gorgeous container, and enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha

by Jaelyn Penner

It’s December – and that means one thing… Peppermint!   If you love this wintertime favorite flavor as much as I do, be sure to subscribe to our updates (on the right side of the screen, just under the menu buttons), so you don’t miss a thing.  We’ll have peppermint recipes and info all month long!

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Mocha

The rich decadence of delicious dark chocolate combined with the refreshing chill of peppermint is, to me, the very essence of winter in dessert form.  

I have to tell you, this is my new favorite drink.  Rich.  Peppermint-y.  Caffeinated.  I am sipping it right now, and each mouthful makes me feel like I am sitting in my flannel PJ’s (I’m not) in front of a fireplace (which my home doesn’t have) during a snowstorm in Vail.  Ahhhh… bliss. 

And it’s so easy!

P.S. Do NOT tell any chocolatiers that I told you to microwave dark chocolate.  They would probably hunt me down and force me to eat cocoa until I was stuffed like a truffle.  But seriously, microwaving chocolate in beverages actually works great! :-D

Ingredients:

• 1 c. milk (I use 1% organic milk, but you can use whatever you normally have around the house!  More fat = creamier flavor.  Less fat = stronger flavor)
• 1 oz. 60% dark chocolate (usually is 2 squares of a normal sized bar)
• ½ tsp. sugar (or more, to taste.  I like mine minimally sweetened.)
• 1 shot espresso OR 1 tsp. freeze-dried espresso OR 1 tsp good quality instant coffee
• Generous 1/8 tsp. Peppermint Extract

In a microwave safe mug, heat the milk 3 minutes on 50% heat.  While the milk is heating, place the chocolate in a plastic sandwich bag and break into tiny pieces with a mallet.  When the milk is done warming, add the chocolate and stir.  Place back in the microwave for 1 minute intervals on 50% heat until chocolate dissolves when stirred.  Be careful not to bring to full boil.  Add the sugar, espresso and peppermint extract, stir and ENJOY!

Serving Suggestions:  Use a vegetable peeler to shave some chocolate on top, and toss in a marshmallow or two.  Divine!

Merry Minting!