RED VELVET SNOWBALLS-3RD HOLIDAY TREAT

The third treat for goodie bags this year is Red Velvet Snowballs. Mmmmm......
The first was Pretzel Kisses and the second was Oreo Bark and Peppermint Bark.


We don't get much snow in Phoenix, at least not that sticks. Last weekend we had enough snow on the ground that cars actually left tracks in the road. But this doesn't happen very often, so we have to get our snowballs other ways.


Only a few ingredients are needed, although you can decorate them with sprinkles or other holiday candies. Let me apologize right now for the first blurry pic. I didn't realize it was blurry until I was done cooking and then, well, it was too late. Because I promised to get this post up today, I didn't want to wait until I could purchase new ingredients to photograph.


Ingredients: 
1 Red Velvet Cake Mix (usually requires eggs, oil and water)
1 Can Cream Cheese Frosting (room temp)
1 lb Candy Coating or Almond Bark or Candy Melts

Make the cake mix according to directions. Let it cool completely.

Using your hands, crumble the cake into a bowl.

Microwave the can of frosting for 30 seconds, then mix in with the cake.

Use a cookie scoop to drop snowballs on a cookie sheet. (You can also use a spoon to scoop and roll it in your hands)

Put the candy coating (or melting chocolate or almond bark) in a bowl and melt in the microwave. Start with one minute and stir with a plastic knife. Microwave in 15 second increments, stirring each time, until it is completely melted.


Spread the candy coating over each cake ball, allowing it to collect at the bottom here or there. Lumpy and bumpy is okay, it makes it look more like a snowball.

If you want to put sprinkles on top, you will need to frost two and then sprinkle them. Frost two more and sprinkle them. If you wait longer than the time it takes to frost two, they will harden enough that the sprinkles will not stick.


These Red Velvet Snowballs are quite rich and oh, so good.
Merry Christmas!!

PRETZEL KISSES-FIRST OF HOLIDAY TREATS!

I know I usually post about healthy habits, including recipes, exercise, juicing etc. Don't be confused with this post. I still value and support a healthy lifestyle. But, it's the HOLIDAYS! And I just can't help but make treats. So I thought I'd share some of them.


There are always people we like to give a little something to. Heck, if I was independently wealthy I'd buy gifts for everyone I know! I love seeing the look of surprise and pleasure when someone receives something unexpectedly.


But, I digress...little holiday bags full of homemade goodies are  perfect for neighbors, co-workers, carpool buddies, mail carrier, music teacher...well, you get the idea. Goodie bags are great for everyone. It's a little piece of homemade love.


Here is the first item I made to fill my goodie bags. I call them Pretzel Kisses. They are so easy and so good!

PRETZEL KISSES
Preheat oven to 225* while preparing pretzels
Place pretzel squares or knots on cookie sheet
Place Hershey's Kiss centered on each pretzel

Put cookie sheet with pretzels and kisses in the 225* oven for 3-5 min. (You can test one by pressing M&M into it until you get the feel for  how they look when warmed completely.) If you heat them at higher temp they will melt and drip. Heating at low heat just warms and softens them.


When kisses are warmed through, remove from oven. Set M&M on top and gently press into kiss. I used plain and peanut M&M's. You could also use peanut butter M&M's.

Place cookie sheet in fridge for 30 minutes to let chocolate harden. Then you can throw them all into a plastic container for storage until you are ready to fill your goodie bags. I like to keep them in the fridge until giving them away.

Stay tuned for more goodies for holiday gifting or parties.
Merry Christmas Everyone!!