White Chocolate Marshmallow Pops

I volunteered to bring treats for my daughter's Halloween party at school yesterday, and these were a huge hit! Just change up the sprinkles to make a festive treat for any holiday throughout the year. I have a feeling I'll be making these again at Christmas!

White Chocolate Marshmallow Pops
Yield: 4 dozen

Ingredients

• 48 braided pretzel twists*
• 48 large marshmallows
• 24 oz package white almond bark
• holiday sprinkles

*Braided pretzels twists are preferred since they are sturdier than pretzel sticks, but less bulky than pretzel rods. They're right in that sweet spot!

Directions

1. Push one pretzel through the center of each marshmallow until it just reaches the other end of the marshmallow but doesn't quite go through the other side.
2. Line kitchen counter with parchment paper.
3. Heat almond bark according to package directions.
4. Dip each marshmallow into almond bark. (Make sure to cover up to the point where the pretzel is inserted into the marshmallow; this will help "glue" them together!)
5. Immediately decorate with sprinkles, then stand up on parchment paper to dry.
6. Once almond bark is set, store pops in airtight container at room temperature.

Crispy Peanut Butter Toffee Truffles

Don't wait until the holidays to make this delicious treat! No-bake truffles are perfect for the summer when you don't want to turn on your oven and heat up the house. I made these for my husband's work potluck this evening and came home with an empty dish. I literally lost count of the number of people asking for the recipe... so here it is!

Crispy Peanut Butter Toffee Truffles
Yield: 4 dozen

Ingredients
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 Tbsp butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz package Heath Milk Chocolate Toffee Bits
1 cup crisped rice cereal (I use Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice)
16 oz package chocolate Candiquik
1/3 cup (from 8 oz package) Heath Bits o' Brickle Toffee Bits

Directions
1. In stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream peanut butter and butter.
2. Add powdered sugar and mix well.
3. Gently stir in entire package of milk chocolate toffee bits and cereal.
4. Refrigerate dough at least one hour (maybe longer) to reduce stickiness.
5. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Scoop 1/2 Tbsp of dough into palm of hand and roll into ball. Place on lined pan.
6. Refrigerate rolled balls one hour (or more).
7. When ready to dip in chocolate, line second cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pour plain toffee bits into small bowl. Melt Candiquik according to package directions. One at a time, coat entire ball in chocolate, place on lined pan, and quickly sprinkle with 1/4 tsp (or a pinch) of plain toffee bits from small bowl.
8. To help truffles retain their shape, store in refrigerator until ready to serve.

Recipe adapted from Lemon Tree Dwelling.

White Ambrosia {Snack Mix}

This is one of my mom's tried-and-true recipes that dates back to my childhood! In those days, we weren't concerned with gluten so the original recipe called for Golden Grahams and Crispix. I've experimented with different gluten free options to achieve a similar sweetness and texture that those two cereals brought to the mix. Feel free to customize the recipe by changing up the proportions to accommodate your own cereal and taste preferences!

White Ambrosia {Snack Mix}
Yield: serving size varies

Ingredients
24 oz package white almond bark
4 cups Honey Nut Cheerios
3 cups Rice Chex
2 cups gluten free pretzels (I use twist shape)
2 cups crisped rice cereal (I use Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice)
11.4 oz bag M&M’s milk chocolate candies*

Directions
1. Line two baking sheets with parchment or wax paper; set aside.
2. Put almond bark in glass bowl and follow melting directions on package. Once completely melted and smooth, add cereals and pretzels to bowl. Gently stir to evenly coat. (Be careful not to crush the Chex cereal!)
3. Add M&M’s and gently stir to evenly distribute.
4. Pour and/or scoop mixture onto lined baking sheets. Let mixture cool for about 1 hour. Once almond bark has set up (i.e. hardened - it will lose its shiny appearance), break mixture into smaller pieces and store in airtight container(s) at room temperature.

Notes
* Holiday-colored candies make this the perfect gift for teachers, coaches, neighbors, or anyone else you want to acknowledge!
* Feel free to substitute a different variety of M&M's for the milk chocolate candies. Choose whichever flavor is your favorite: peanut, caramel, almond, peanut butter, mint, candy corn, etc.

Almond Bark Cookies

This recipe holds a tremendous amount of sentimental value for me. When I was in junior high, I regularly babysat for our neighbors across the street who had two little boys. The parents went to a number of holiday parties every winter, and Mrs. Rickert made the most delicious Christmas sweets! These cookies were by far my most favorite treat of hers. One day my mom told her how much I loved these cookies. From then on, she made sure to have some for me every time I would go over to her house to babysit! She was such a thoughtful woman. Thankfully she shared the recipe with my mom because we moved out of state a couple years later. Now I think of her, the boys, and all our fun babysitting memories every Christmas when I make these cookies!

Almond Bark Cookies
Yield: depends on how large or small you make them!

Ingredients
24 oz package white almond bark
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 cups peanuts (I use lightly salted)
3 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups crisped rice cereal (I use Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice)

Directions
1. Put almond bark in glass bowl and follow melting directions on package.
2. Add peanut butter. Stir until smooth.
3. Add peanuts, marshmallows, and cereal. Stir until evenly coated.
4. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper. Chill to set.
5. Store in refrigerator.