Dec 10, 2012

Christmas Cookie Exchange and Homemade Snickers Recipe


I love blogging for many reasons, 
but the one that was the most unexpected
 is all of the wonderful friends I've made through blogging!  
I mean, my thought process when I started a blog was, okay, I moved to a different state, 
I think I'll blog so I can keep in touch with my out-of-state family and friends.

It's turned into so much more!
It has enriched my life,

and I'm hopeful that it may have enriched someone else's too!

So one of the ways I was enriched by blogging this week was being invited to a 
fab Christmas cookie exchange by Laura of Pink Cake Plate!
I haven't been to a cookie exchange in YEARS!
I was really excited to go and it was super fun!

In fact, I was having so much fun that, as usual, I didn't take enough pictures!
You should have seen the treat table!
You'll just have to take my word for it....
it was loaded with goodies from all the gals
and everything was DEE-LISH!!!

Here's just part of what I came home with!



 Here's everything I came home with!  I know, I had to make three trips to my car!!!


                            


 We also had a $10 Pinterest-inspired/ Favorite Things gift exchange.
We swapped white-elephant style and
I was lucky enough to end up with Vanessa of See Vanessa Craft's bag!
She made this adorable jute covered bottle with a felt poinsettia, a lovely mustard-colored mug{her favorite color}, two boxes of Christmas tea, and this amaaaaazing hand-made soap {on her blog}!

Here's the little basket I gave...
Several handmade gift tags, a couple of my favorite ornaments that I have on my own tree {Target},
and a couple Christmas treats.



Our host, Laura, spoiled us rotten!
We got these adorable decorated boxes filled with 7 layers of sin bars {I freakin LOVE those!}...


...a set of Dove chocolate entertaining books...


...and an oven mitt filled with baking goodies!  Wow!!!



Soooooooo, guess who's treat was voted Numero Uno?
Yup, ME!
WooHoo!!

So I was given this darling prize!  I love it!!!




Since my homemade snickers were so popular at the party, I thought you might like it too!

Here ya go!
Make two pans.
Cuz if you don't, you'll totally wish you had!!!
You're welcome!



Chocolate Caramel Candy

BASE LAYER:
1 cup (6 oz) milk chocolate chips
¼ cup butterscotch chips
¼ cup creamy peanut butter

FILLING:
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
¼ cup evaporated milk
1 ½ cups marshmallow crème
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup toffee chips
1 ½ cups chopped salted peanuts
CARAMEL LAYER:
1 package (14 oz) caramels
¼ cup whipping cream

ICING:
1 cup (6 oz) milk chocolate chips
¼ cup butterscotch chips
¼ cup creamy peanut butter


●LINE A 9 X 13 PAN WITH FOIL; BUTTER THE FOIL AND SET ASIDE.  Combine The first three ingredients in a small saucepan; stir over low heat until melted and smooth.  Spread into prepared pan.  Refrigerate until set. 
●For filling, melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add sugar and milk; bring to a gentle boil, Reduce heat to medium low; boil and stir for 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat; stir in the marshmallow crème, peanut butter and vanilla.  Add peanuts.  Spread over first layer.  Refrigerate until set. 
●Combine the caramels and cream in a saucepan; stir over low heat until melted and smooth.  Cook and stir 4 minutes longer.  Spread over the filling.  Refrigerate until set. 
●In another saucepan, combine chips and peanut butter; stir over low heat until melted and smooth.  Pour over the caramel layer.  
●Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.  Remove from the refrigerator 20 minutes before cutting. 
●Remove from pan and cut into 1 inch squares.  Yield: about 8 dozen. (I wrap them in waxed paper like candy)



Look at these yummy ingredients!

Butter the foil-lined pan, you'll thank yourself later!

First layer, chocolaty peanut butter goodness!

Second layer, peanut nougat made with marshmallow cream goodness!

Third layer, caramel and whipping cream!

Top layer, more chocolaty peanut butter goodness!

After it cools for several hours, it pops right out of the pan.
Peel the foil down off the sides.

Look at those layers!!!!!!!  OHMYGOSH!  You know you want that!!!

I cut it into squares....

...then wrapped it up like candy in wax paper.  

Makes about 8 dozen.
Not nearly enough!


Happy Cookie and Candy season to you!!!!!!!










7 comments:

  1. Cindy your awesome!! Thank you so much for coming!! It was so much fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This sounds so yummy, and the cookie exchange: how fun!

    Well, I'm going to try this kind of a party! Thanks for the tip!
    pinning!

    hugs x
    Crystelle

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just dropping by!! Your homemade snickers look absolutely delicious! -The Six Sisters

    ReplyDelete
  4. These were delish! I had fun at the Cookie Exchange, so glad you were there with those yummy treats ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, this looks like it was SO much fun. Would love to be involved in a cookie exchange next year. Thanks for sharing it with us. And I will be trying your recipe sometime soon!
    Happy new year to one of my favorite bloggers!

    Warmly, Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  6. These look amazing! Pinned them! Can't wait to try this recipe

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have made this recipe for the past couple of years and believe me.....it is better than any store bought candy bar! Beware, when you trim the edges, you can't just throw it out and it's way too easy to just nibble it down. ;)

    ReplyDelete

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