White Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Food

WHITE CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT DROPS

Steps:

• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place one-third of the white chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted. Set aside to cool slightly. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the melted white chocolate until smooth, then beat in the egg and vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture in 2 batches and beat until combined. Beat in half of the remaining chopped white chocolate. Roll heaping tablespoonfuls of dough into balls and arrange about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake the cookies, switching the position of the pans halfway through, until the edges are slightly golden, about 15 minutes. Let cool 3 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Make the glaze: Microwave the remaining chopped white chocolate (you can use the same bowl as before) in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted; stir in the heavy cream, and peppermint extract to taste. Dip the tops of the cookies in the glaze and return to the rack. Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and let set, about 1 hour.
• Photograph by Johnny Miller

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CRUNCH

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Stir in butter and oil until blended. Stir in candies. Spread to desired thickness on prepared pan., Refrigerate until firm. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT CRUNCH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. Place graham crackers, sugared-side down, in a single layer on baking sheet with edges touching; set aside.
• Place butter, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt. Reduce heat and cook at a rapid simmer until mixture reduces and is bubbly and syrupy, about 2 minutes. Pour over graham crackers, using an offset spatula to spread if necessary.
• Transfer to oven and bake until bubbling, about 8 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool 3 to 4 minutes, and sprinkle with chopped chocolate. Let cool completely; refrigerate briefly if necessary to set chocolate. Break into pieces and serve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT POPCORN

Steps:

• Line 2 baking sheets with waxed paper.
• Place the peppermint candies in a large resealable plastic bag. Crush with a rolling pin until you have a mix of smaller chunks and crumbs. Set aside.
• Place the white chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in increments of 15 to 30 seconds (this will depend on your microwave), stirring after each, until completely melted and smooth.
• Place the kettle corn in a large bowl. Pour the white chocolate mixture over the popcorn and fold with a spatula until evenly coated. Transfer the popcorn to the lined baking sheets in a single layer. Working quickly, sprinkle the popcorn with the crushed peppermint candies, mini chocolate chips, red and green sprinkles and red and green sanding sugar. You can you use more or less of each topping based on what you like.
• Allow the popcorn to dry to the touch, about 15 minutes, before packing in bags as gifts or storing in an airtight container.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CRUNCH

Steps:

• Line a cookie sheet with foil. Place cereal in a large bowl.
• Microwave the baking chips, uncovered, about 1 minute and 30 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds. Once the chips can be stirred smooth, stir in half of the crushed candy canes.
• Pour the melted chips over the cereal and toss to coat evenly. Spread in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet. Sprinkle with the remaining crushed candy cane. Let stand about 20 minutes, or until set. Gently break up the cereal and store in an airtight container.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT FUDGE

Steps:

• Line a 9-in. square pan with foil. Grease the foil with 1-1/2 teaspoons butter; set aside. , In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, sour cream and remaining butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a rapid boil; cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 234° (soft-ball stage), about 5 minutes., Remove from the heat; stir in white chocolate and marshmallow creme until melted. Fold in peppermint candy and extract. Pour into prepared pan. Chill until firm. , Using foil, lift fudge out of pan. Gently peel off foil; cut fudge into 1-in. squares. Store in the refrigerator.

PEPPERMINT WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Bring cream and milk to a simmer in a large, heavy saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add white chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.
• Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract.
• Ladle hot chocolate into individual mugs and top with whipped cream and crushed candies. Garnish each mug with a small candy cane.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line an 11x17-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass bowl on 50% power for 3 minutes. Stir well until bowl is no longer warm. Heat for 3 minutes more; stir. Heat for 1 minute more and stir; repeat as necessary until chocolate is completely smooth.
• Stir candy canes and peppermint oil into the melted chocolate until well combined. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet. Smooth with a spatula. Refrigerate until set, 30 minutes to overnight. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CRUNCH COOKIES

Steps:

• Using a double boiler melt the almond bark.
• Meanwhile, use a food processor to crush the candies or candy canes.* Place the crushed candy onto a plate or shallow bowl.
• Dip the top of each wafer cookie into the almond bark or white chocolate.
• Immediately dip the top of the cookie into the crushed candies.
• Place the cookie on a waxed paper lined baking sheet. Allow to set.
• Store in an air-tight container for several days.
• *If you do not have a food processor, place the candies in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT CRUNCH COOKIE STARS

Steps:

• For the cookies: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or butter the baking sheets.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, sugar, dissolved coffee and vanilla extract until blended and smooth, about 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture, mixing until the flour is incorporated and the dough holds together. At first the dough will form fine crumbs; then it will come together in large clumps.
• Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a smooth ball. Place 1 piece of dough between 2 large pieces of wax paper and roll it out to slightly less than 1/4 inch thick. Remove the top piece of wax paper. Using a 2 1/2-inch star cutter, cut out cookies. Slide a thin metal spatula under each cookie to loosen it, and place the cookies about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake the cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until the tops feel firm and look dull rather than shiny, about 15 minutes. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the second piece of dough, and then press all of the dough scraps together to form a smooth ball. Repeat the rolling and cutting process.
• For the icing: Dip a fork in the melted white chocolate and drizzle it randomly and generously over the tops of the cooled cookies. Immediately sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy. The candy will stick to the warm chocolate.
• Let the cookies sit until the chocolate is firm. The cookies can be stored between layers of wax paper in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 4 days.