Tag: Peppermint

Red Velvet Peppermint Whoopie Pies

I’m having a little bit of a red velvet takeover on this blog. After making the Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies, I knew I wanted to make a Whoopie Pie version perfect for the holidays, specifically Red Velvet Peppermint Whoopie Pies! In case you don’t know what a whoopie pie is, they are cake-like cookies with creamy goodness sandwiched in between. They are quite popular in the Philadelphia area due to the influence of the Pennsylvania Dutch. In fact, I had whoopie pies at my wedding (along with cannolis and cupcakes)!

Whoopie pies are a lot easier to make than they look (I promise). These little guys are filled with a peppermint cream cheese filling, so they will get you right in the holiday spirit in no time!

Ingredients (makes 12 whoopie pies):

Red Velvet Cookies (makes 24 cookies):

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (0.67 oz) tube gel red food coloring, about 1 tablespoon
  • 2 cups flour
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Peppermint Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3 cups confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

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White Chocolate Peppermint Covered Pretzel Balls

Philadelphia has so many wonderful winter holiday events and traditions. Some of my favorites include the Christmas Light Show at Macy’s (originally Wanamaker’s), seeing the neighborhood lights in South Philly, checking out the Holiday Railroad at Reading Terminal, and of course, going to Christmas Village.

Source: Russ Brown Photography

Every year my husband and I make sure to pick up a new ornament for our tree at Käthe Wohlfahrt or at one of the other amazing Christmas Ornament vendors.

This year, the Christmas Village has moved back to City Hall. The open-air German market is one of the largest in the country. Every year, I love walking through the stands to see the eighty international and local merchants and artists.

Source: Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Naturally there are quite a few food stands as well as stations to pick up hot mulled wine and other beverages served in a snazzy 2016 Collectors Mug.

This year, the Village also as a Carousel that you can purchase tickets to ride. (Check out my Instagram feed to see video of me enjoying the carousel maybe a little too much.)

Source: Christmas Village in Philadelphia

While walking around the Christmas Village, I snacked on Pretzelphoria’s Peppermint Party, which are pretzel balls coated in white chocolate and crushed candy canes.

The peppermint coated pretzel balls were an awesome combination of minty, sweet, and salty. I wanted to make my own spin at home!

Ingredients:

  • 2 (12 oz) bags of white chocolate chips (I used mini)
  • 1 tablespoon peppermint extract
  • 1 (8 oz) bag mini pretzel balls

Note: You’ll need a few tools to make this recipe: double boiler (or a metal bowl on top of a pot with some boiling water in it), wax paper, cookie sheet

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Chocolate Bark

Bark is one of my favorite holiday treats to make. Why? Because it is so darn simple. And people LOVE it. It is basically melted chocolate with some other deliciousness thrown in. Candy, pretzels, nuts.. whatever makes you happy. I wanted to make some bark to supplement my cookies this year and found this fantastic recipe from Baked Bree. Bree included some Rice Krispies cereal in between the layers to add a little bit of extra crunch to the bark, brilliant! The red and green M&Ms and candy canes make this the perfect holiday treat.

 

Ingredients (adapted from BakedBree.com)

  • 16 oz package dark chocolate chips
  • 16 oz package white chocolate chips
  • 1 cup Rice Krispies
  • 4 candy canes
  • 1 bag red and green M&Ms

Note: this will make one cookie sheet worth of bark. I suggest making 2-3 sheets so you have plenty to share!

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