Chocolate Peppermint Trifle

There are certain times when you should go all out when making a dessert and then there are times when cutting corners is a very good thing. I always think that if you can save time and still come up with an amazing dessert you should go for it. This Chocolate Peppermint Trifle is the perfect example of using mixes instead of made from scratch in order to save time....and who doesn't like to save time during the holidays? I'm bringing this to a PTSA holiday party and I can't wait to see the ladies dig into this yummy dessert.

Ingredients
1 Chocolate Cake Mix plus 1 tsp Peppermint Extract
1 Large Tub Cool Whip
1 Large Boxes Jell-O Chocolate Pudding
6 c Milk
Crushed Candy Canes
Andes Mints, finely chopped
1 Chocolate Candy Bar

Mix cake mix according to box with the addition of peppermint extract. Follow all box directions and bake in a 9x13 pan. Let cool and then cut into small squares. Crush candy canes in a food processor or place in a large Ziploc and take a hammer to the bag, add crushed candy to Cool Whip. Make pudding according to box directions and chill in fridge until ready.

Assembly
To assemble the trifle, take a trifle bowl or other pretty glass bowl and place a small amount of pudding on the bottom, next add a layer of cut up chocolate cake. Sprinkle cake layer with chopped Andes mints; next add candy cane Cool Whip. Repeat 3 times or until you are out of ingredients or your trifle bowl is full. I always finish with a layer of Cool Whip. Take the chocolate candy bar and make small curls using a vegetable peeler; I do this over the top of the finished dessert and it makes it look amazing!
Served immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.

Ingredients

Crush the candy in a food processor

Mix into Cool Whip

Start with a small amount of pudding

Add cake

Chopped Andes mints

Pudding

Candy Cane Cool Whip..repeat

Enjoy!

Quick and Easy Meatball Sliders

I had an interesting experience this weekend, I attended a party where a lifelong vegetarian decided to start eating meat. The host had everyone bring some type of meat dish, there was bacon wrapped everything plus ham, ribs, chicken, fried grasshoppers, fish and much much more! I decided to play it safe (trying to protect the poor guy's stomach) and made some yummy Meatball Sliders. They were a huge hit and were gobbled up quickly. You can make your own meatballs, but for this version I'm going to advise using store bought ones, just because it truly makes it a quick and easy meal!

Ingredients
1 large bag small All Beef Meatballs (from the freezer section at store)
1 large bottle Pasta Sauce
2-3 dozen Hawaiian Rolls (small rolls)
Provolone cheese, sliced into fourths

Heat meatballs and sauce in a large pan or for a few hours in a crock pot. Slice rolls and place a fourth of a slice of provolone cheese on bottom half of roll, place a meatball with sauce on top of cheese and firmly place top of roll back on. Served immediately!

I prepared these after I got to the party, I didn't want them to sit and the prep time is so quick. (I brought pre-heated meatballs and sauce)

Enjoy! 

TIme to make the RUM BALLS!

Today I'm making one of my favorite holiday treats, Rum Balls. I've been making these and giving them out to friends and neighbors for years and they are always heavily requested. I posted about them last year but thought you'd like another chance to see how they are made. You can also roll them in powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar for a different look. 

Remember, these are for adults only!!

Rum Balls 

Enjoy!

Let The Christmas Baking Begin!

Christmas means baking season and I'd like to highlight a few of my favorite cookie recipes.
 I make all these every year and they never disappoint.  They are super simple and freeze nicely.

Orange Chocolate Log Cookies

Another great recipe is the Perfect Florida Christmas Cookie, these are so yummy you'll gobble them up, so make a double batch! 

Perfect Florida Christmas Cookie

Last but not least is my favorite Sugar Cookie recipe. These cookies are so popular every year my girlfriend makes them with me and then takes them to Alabama for the holidays. You can never have too many "good" sugar cookie recipes. 

Best Sugar Cookie Recipe

Christmas Treats

I can't believe it's been a year since I started this fun food blog journey! I've made so many new friends, who would have thought that would happen? Thanks so much for everyone's support, it's meant so much to me!!


 Here is one of my favorite and easy treats to make during the holidays!!

Follow this link and make some for you and your friends!!

Enjoy!