What? You think I sit around all day just eating bon-bons?

Well, you're wrong...I *make* them, not *eat* them!

Peanut butter bon-bons, to be specific. From an old, family recipe for peanut butter Easter eggs, of all things. Hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

Well, I thought I'd share this gem of a recipe with you, too. Make some, share them, ENJOY them!

Great Grandma Susie's Peanut Butter Bon-Bons

Ingredients

• 1 pound (approx. 3½ cups) of 10x sugar
• 2 Tbsp. evaporated milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• ½ cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1½ bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 Tbsp. vegetable shortening

Instructions

1. Line 2 large cookie sheets with wax paper.
2. Mix the 10x sugar, evaporated milk, vanilla, butter, and peanut butter until well-blended.
3. Roll the mixture into 48 1-inch balls and space evenly between the cookie sheets.
4. Place the balls in the freezer to set while melting the chocolate.
5. Using a double boiler melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips and vegetable shortening, stirring frequently to prevent scorching.
6. Using a fork, or kebab skewers, dip each ball into the chocolate quickly, coating completely.
7. Place the coated candy back on the cookie sheet.
8. Repeate steps 6 & & until all 4 dozen balls are coated with chocolate.
9. Allow to set up completely.
10. Store in an airtight container.

It's BAKING SEASON!!!

I love this time of year. As soon as Thanksgiving is finished I hit the baking aisle of the grocery store and set to work. I used to give out Christmas treat baskets of my goodies, but I have a house full of almost grown males, now. Nowadays, if you want some of my baked goods, you'd better watch for a tweet, Facebook status update, or blog post, grab your GPS, and beat tracks! Regardless, I love baking. I love my kitchen and house, by extension, smelling of chocolate, peanut butter, and mint. I love watching the hubby and boys come in sniffing the air to find out what I made that day. I just love everything about it!

This morning I kicked off my month of chocolaty goodness with a batch of Peppermint Bark. As I'm not a huge fan of plain white chocolate I layer mine. The recipe follows. If you try it out make sure and comment and let me know if you liked it, what you changed, etc. The best part about baking is sharing ideas to make newer, better things!

Peppermint Bark a la Bragg

Ingredients

• 12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 12 oz. bag of white chocolate chips
• 2 teaspoons of vegetable shortening, divided
• ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract, divided
• 12 candy canes, broken into small pieces

Instructions

1. Line a 9-inch x 9-inch pan with wax paper or aluminum foil.
2. Using a double boiler melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon of the vegetable shortening, stirring frequently to prevent the chocolate from scorching.
3. When almost melted add ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract and continue stirring frequently until all of the chips are melted and smooth.
4. Immediately pour the melted semi-sweet chocolate into the lined pan and spread evenly.
5. Top with ½ of the broken candy canes and place in the refrigerator until the white chocolate is ready to pour.
6. Repeat steps 2-4 with the white chocolate chips.
7. Top with the remaining broken candy canes and refrigerate one hour, or until set.
8. Remove candy from pan by turning it upside down onto a hard surface.
9. Carefully peel the wax paper or foil from the candy and break from the bottom into the desired sized pieces.
10. Store in an airtight container.

Sinful/Blissful - there is no difference!

I've never been much of a sweets eater. Especially in the ice cream department. My dad worked as a truck driver/delivery guy for a dairy as I was growing up and we had ice cream all the time. I guess I just got tired of it.

Fast forward to now. The "diet era" as I call it. I suddenly find that I crave sweets! Most likely because I'm supposed to refrain and - weak human that I am - I always want what I'm not supposed to have. I've found a few of the 100 Calorie Snack Pack desserts that are okay, but none of them ever made me feel like I was satisfying the craving. Then came nirvana in the freezer section!

I found these little gems on Sunday, and now my life is complete! They are delicious, make me feel like I've indulged in something, and only 2 Weight Watcher's points a bar!!