{ the last minute teacher/neighbor gift - peppermint theme }

Peppermint or Wintergreen? I usually pick Wintergreen, but when it's Christmas, there's nothing like good, old-fashioned, Peppermint.

Here's a few ideas for the last minute shoot-I-forgot-the-so-and-so's, brought to you by the Classic Christmas Flavor: Peppermint.

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Large Marshmallows

Hard Peppermint Candies

Powder Sugar

Milk

Hot Cocoa

Crush peppermint candies. Mix powder sugar and milk together until slightly runny. Dip half of the marshmallow in the 'frosting' then roll in crushed candies. Place on cookie sheet until dry.

Here's where you can get creative:

Place some hot cocoa powder in a Mason jar, then fill the remaining jar with Peppermint Mallows. {This would also be cute if you had the patience to dip mini marshmallows}

Place toothpicks inside the non-candied end of the marshmallow, then place in cellophane bags with individual packets of hot cocoa.

Or if you run out of cellophane bags halfway through, use a quart sized Ziploc, then place your Christmas card in an envelope and staple or tape it to the top to cover up the glorious blue zipper seal. You could also print and fold this over the top:

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And here's another recipe for all you peppermint lovers out there:

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1 16.5 oz package ready to bake sugar cookie dough

{or make your own}

1 cup mini marshmallows

1/3 cup white chocolate chips

1/3 cup crushed hard peppermint candies

1: Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9x9" baking pan with tin foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. 2: Press dough evenly into bottom of pan. 3: Bake 18-20 min. and remove from oven. Immediately sprinkle with marshmallows and chocolate chips. Bake 3-4 min. longer, or until marshmallows are puffed. Sprinkle with crushed candy and cool completely {about 1 hr} 4: To serve, lift foil with uncut bars from pan. Place on cutting board. Dip knife in hot water and cut into 9 large squares.

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And there you go! Just a couple simple ideas for the Holidays. Do you have a favorite peppermint recipe? I'd love to hear about it! And let me know of all the other cute ways you come up with to present these delicious treats!

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Here's to eating junk, but having great smelling breath!

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xoxo

jordan

PS: Yes, I too, have gained 12.5 pounds just by reading this. 'Tis the season, right? ;)