White Chocolate Candy Popcorn

Well, I am back at college, with almost one week done of my first spring semester.  I think that the beginning of the semester is kind of the worst time.  Having to figure at what I need to do for all my classes, getting important due dates on my calendar, and all that kind of stuff is a bit overwhelming.  I would say that the beginning of this semester is a bit better than last, but it is still not fun.
I am pretty sure that I can say that my classes this semester are going to be a lot more challenging that last semester.

Anyways... to this white chocolate candy popcorn!

This is a recipe that I remember my mom making when I was really little... like pre-school and kindergarten age.  She would usually make it to give as little teacher gifts.

Well, before Christmas, I was super hungry for some yummy, sweet popcorn.  I remembered that my mom had this recipe, which we haven't had in a long time.  So, over Christmas break I made this white chocolate candy popcorn a couple times.  It is so good!

The hardest part is melting the white chocolate chips.  The first batch I made of this, I got the white chocolate chips to melt okay.  Overall it was pretty smooth, but there were some lumps in it.
The second time I made this popcorn, I had to use 2 bags of white chocolate chips.  I first bag that I tried melting just didn't turn out.  For the second bag, I tried to find a better method.  I ended up following the stovetop method on the bag... and it worked great!

White Chocolate Candy Popcorn

Popcorn*
1 bag white chocolate chips
Heath Toffee Chips or Skor Bits (without chocolate and you will probably only need 1/2 the bag)
Honey roasted peanuts

*The original recipe calls for 2 packets of popcorn (microwave).  I don't like to use microwave popcorn, so I have used already popped popcorn, such as Skinny Pop, or I would pop my own on the stovetop.  I am not sure how much popcorn is exactly in 2 bags of microwave popcorn, so I just kept adding popcorn to the melted white chocolate until it looked like I had a good ratio.  I ended up using about 12 cups of popcorn.  No matter what kind of popcorn you use, just make sure there are NO SEEDS in the mix.

Melt the white chocolate chips.  Place chips in double boiler over gently simmering (not boiling) water.  Stir chips constantly until melted.

Mix popcorn and chocolate and then sprinkle and mix with toffee pieces.  *I mixed the popcorn and chocolate in a big bowl and then laid the chocolate covered popcorn out in a single layer on a paper grocery bag that I had cut open.  Then I sprinkled the popcorn with health toffee chips.

Let cool.  Then break into pieces and mix with peanuts.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Well, I can't be home for Christmas break and not blog a recipe.  Actually, I am now back at college - I am just getting around to blogging this recipe now.  I got back this afternoon after a 3 week Christmas break.

It is always nice to be home.  But, I am glad to be back here at Iowa State University.  I am ready to get back into the routine of things.

This Christmas break was very relaxing.  A lot of days were spent with extra time in my pjs... days where I didn't go outside if there was no need to.  It has been so cold lately, so there is no reason why I would want to be out there.

Some days I didn't know what to do with myself, but others I kept busy with.  I knit, read a book (I am not a big reader, so completely reading a book - in less than a week - is a big deal!), watched movies, cooked, and of course baked!  I was able to try lots of new recipes, and found some new delicious favorites!

I have been making lots of peanut butter cookies lately... hoping to find my favorite.  I tried different recipes, different baking temperatures for those recipes, the difference in using the dough right away or if it should be refrigerated.  And, this is my favorite recipe.  They are thick, crisp around the edges, and chewy in the middle.  Refrigerating the dough results with excellent peanut butter cookies, but they are still wonderful if they are baked right away.  You can't go wrong with peanut butter anything!

These are made with my favorite peanut butter - Old Home All Natural Peanut Butter!

These cookies are perfect for making on any cold, winter day.

I made my cookies on the larger size and I really like the size they turned out to be.  I measured the dough out before rolling it into a ball - each ball was a scant 1/4 cup.

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder

Beat butter and peanut butter together for 30 seconds with mixer.  Add sugars, then eggs, and then vanilla.  Mix.  Add in the dry ingredients (I sift mine in) and mix.

If you have the time and patience, chill the dough in the refrigerator.

Shape into balls.  Roll in additional sugar.  Place on parchment lined cookie sheet.  Press a fork into balls to make a criss-cross.

Bake at 350 degrees.  If they are smaller to more medium-sized bake them for 9 - 11 minutes.  If they are larger (1/4 cup) bake 12 - 15 minutes.  If you have refrigerated the dough some, the cookies will probably need to bake an extra minute or so.  Just don't over bake these cookies.  They are better on the lesser-done side than on the over-done side.  After taking them out of the over, let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for a few minutes.  They will keep baking a little more then too.  Then you can remove to cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Enjoy and happy baking!!  I do have another recipe coming soon:)

Home for a Birthday

Us Iowa Staters get a nice long Christmas break... 3 weeks.  So, that means I was able to be home to help celebrate my little brother John's birthday.  Today, January 8th, John turned 14!  I can't believe he is 14!!!

 

 

I got up really early this morning and did a little decorating (I couldn't sleep).

The day ended up being a snow day from school.  So, it was spent relaxing and spending extra time in the pajamas:)

We celebrated with having a crab (one of John's favorite foods that he doesn't get to have too often), Pioneer Women rosemary potatoes, and a salad for supper.

 

John got to search for 14 one dollar bills in the dollar scavenger hunt.

 

Present opening.  

 

John has been waiting for a new book in a favorite series to come out.

 

And, John loves root beer!

 

I made an angel food cake.  I thought it turned out wonderful.

 

Happy 14th Birthday John!!!