Candy Cane Peppermint Truffles

Peppermint seems to be one of the ultimate Christmas flavors, and with red and white spiraled candy canes used as decorations for the yard to the tree, the humble candy cane shines as a sweet tradition of the season.  While I adore looking at the canes, peeling the wrapper off and eating one is not my thing.  Too sweet and a sticky mess, I find them better left on the tree than in my hand.  That being said, a candy cane or peppermint candy crushed and used in a recipe has become one of my favorite holiday ingredients.

Two years ago, Wendy of the Weekend Gourmet, and I discovered a recipe for Peppermint Truffles floating around the web.  I've since forgotten where I saw the original post, however the inspiration comes from a recipe on the Kraft website called Easy Oreo Truffles.

Wendy and I have both adapted our versions to suit our tastes, with my favorite featuring Trader Joe's holiday ingredients.  Though the recipe is simple enough, the dipping part can take a bit of time. With an elf to help you, though (mine is named Liv), and a few time saving tips, we'll have you looking a hero in no time.

Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe Joe's provide the base the these fabulous treats, and we use a block of low fat cream cheese as a binder.  My favorite part is the addition of the crushed candy cane or hard peppermint candy.  Bringing an ever so slight crunch to the creamy truffle, the peppermint candies leave the truffles simply bursting with holiday flavor.

Now a tradition in our holiday season, I'd say you can't go wrong with these Candy Cane Peppermint Truffles.  Perfect on your holiday cookie tray, a welcomed personal hostess gift or simply as a nibble before breakfast, I can't get enough of these holiday confections.

Mauna Loa Macadamia Brittle

The last few day have brought so much rain that I nearly began building my own ark.  Branches and leaves are covering the roads, drainage ditches are swollen and overflowing, and the ocean has been a swirling angry mass.  Today however, it's a new world!  We woke to a brilliant sunshine with stunning clear blue skies.

Sending my son outside with a rake, Liv and I headed back to the kitchen for a little more treat making.  With our swaying palms looking so tropical and glistening in the sun, we chose a Hawaiian themed Macadamia Nut Brittle.  Studded with a chopped mac nuts the perfectly crisp toffee-like candy only takes half of an hour start to finish (well...except for the cleaning the dishes part!).

With the leaves raked and bagged my hungry 14 year old son returned to the house and immediately smiled as he reached for a chunk of the toffee.  Leaning back in his chair with a satisfied grin he said, "Ahhh... I knew you loved me!"  Watching him reach for a second piece, I know all is good...  Happy Holidays my friends!