Pretzel Turtles

from real mom kitchen


•50 pretzels from a bag of waffle type pretzels like Snyder’s of Hanover Butter Snaps or Rold Gold Butter Checkers
•1 (11 oz) bag of Rolos, unwrapped (the is around 50 in a bag)
•50 Halved Pecans or M&Ms
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2.If using pecans, spread the pecan halves on a baking sheet and bake for 4 minutes. Give them a stir and cook them for another 4 minutes.
3.Place pretzels on another baking sheet. Top each pretzel with 1 rolo candy, place it right in the center of each pretzel.
4.Place in oven and bake for 3 minutes. You want the candies to soften but not completely melt.
5.Remove from oven and immediately place a pecan half (or candy) on top of each candy and lightly press. You want to flatten the candy to cover all of the pretzel except to outer outline and secure the candy on top.
6.Allow to cool. Makes 50 turtle candies.

Chocolate Peppermint Ganache Cupcakes

3 eggs

½ C water

¼ C milk

½ C oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 box devil’s food cake mix

1 C sour cream
Peppermint Ganache:

1/2 C butter

5 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa

6 Tbsp buttermilk (or 5 ½ T milk, ½ T lemon juice)

3 C powdered sugar

½ tsp peppermint extract
Peppermint Buttercream:

8 oz cream cheese

½ C butter, softened

2 C powdered sugar

½- 1 tsp peppermint extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the eggs, water, milk, oil and vanilla together. Add in cake cake mix and sour cream until well blended.

Fill cupcake liner ¾ full and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While cupcakes are baking, make the peppermint ganache.

In a bowl, sift 3 cups powdered sugar. In a small pan, melt butter and add cocoa and buttermilk and bring to a boil. Pour mixture over powdered sugar and, add peppermint extract and stir until smooth.

Dip the tops of the warm cupcakes into the warm ganache and let cool before frosting. You can also poke a hole in the middle of the cupcake with a wooden spoon and fill the whole with ganache. So good!! Extra ganache will keep fine in the refrigerator.

Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar. Add extra sugar if needed for right consistency. Add peppermint extract and beat again.

Pipe frosting onto cupcake and then top with candy cane kisses, crushed candy cane or even mint M & M’s.