Peppermint Bark Candy-Make simple Peppermint Bark

Tis the season to make and eat peppermint bark candy! This time of year I go crazy for peppermint, especially peppermint cany that I can make and give out. I always thought making candy from scratch was something was going to be difficult and complex, but not all candies are. This recipe for peppermint bark is so easy and only has 2 ingredients! Plus, it's so pretty and elegant, a great gift to give to anyone. So get ready to make some peppermint bark candy!

Peppermint Bark
1 (12 ounce) package white morsels
24 hard peppermint candies ( I use candy canes-1 box of 12)

Line baking sheet with wax paper.

Microwave morsels in medium, microwave safe bowl on medium-high power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10 to 20 second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Place peppermint candies in heavy duty plastic bag. Crush candies using rolling pin or other heavy object. While holding strainer over melted morsels, pour crushed candy into strainer. Shake to release all small candy pieces; reserve larger candy pieces. Stir morsel peppermint mixture.

Spread mixture to desired thickness on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with reserved candy pieces; press in lightly. Let stand for about 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Note: For a more gourmet candy, melt dark chocolate morsels and spread on baking sheet first. Let cool just until it's to the point when the chocolates won't mix and then pour and spread the white chocolate-peppermint mixture on top and let cool.

Butter Cookies - Easy holiday Butter Cookies

These butter cookies are so easy and simple to make, plus they are so yummy! The holidays are upon us and it is a family tradition in my house to make Christmas cookies of all kinds and pass them out to friends, families, co-workers and they are even our dessert we take when we go to holiday parties. Every year we make the same cookies, plus some new ones and the ones that are good and turn out get added to the list of cookies we make year after year. Well let me tell you that this recipe for butter cookies will definitely be staying on the list indefinitely!

Butter Cookies
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup(1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg yolk

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl; set aside.

Combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and egg yolk in medium bowl; beat until well blended.  Add flour mixture; beat until well blended. Cover; refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough on lightly floured surface with lightly floured rolling pin to 1/4 inch thickness; cut into desired shapes with floured cookie cutters. Place on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets; transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Makes 2 dozen cookies

Note: For a more holiday look, brush unbaked cookies with beaten egg white and sprinkle with colored sugar before baking. Also, since this recipe only makes 2 dozen cookies, I doubled it and they turned wonderful and delicious and got twice the cookies. For cookie cutters, I used round scalloped edge cutters for a more simple and understated cookie.