Peppermint Please!

Mmmmm...peppermint. If there is ONE flavor that's associated with this glorious time of year, this would have to be it! Three of my favorite peppermint flavored things...Nestle Peppermint Mocha Creamer, Blue Bunny Peppermint Stick Ice Cream, and my mom's peppermint candy she used to make every Christmas.

Let me back up a little.

I used to HATE coffee. My two lovely friends here loved it, which made it no fun for me when I felt like an outsider every time someone mentioned a coffee shop! A little insight into my sweet friends...one time they did everything they could to convince me to try Tiramisu and PROMISED me that I would love it. I don't remember how they did it, but they did. They tricked me, and despite my hesitations I fell for their deception to try Tiramisu! WORST.dessert.EVER Needless to say they got a good laugh at the face I made and I never forgave them :) Just kidding. But they do still enjoy teasing me about it today.

I eventually found a love for Chai which sufficed for my lack of love for coffee and gave me a small glimmer of hope for the future (and something to make me not feel completely like a loser when I walked into a coffee shop!). And then I met Peppermint Mocha. The perfect combination of flavor--mocha, peppermint, and coffee--who knew?! I now enjoy a variety of coffee flavors (thanks to this guy!), but nothing will ever take the place of my sweet Peppermint Mocha.

And then there's peppermint ice cream. Ohhh, Baskin Robbins has THE BEST!! You have to go try it. I know it's hard to pull yourself out of your house when it's this cold outside (especially to go get ice cream!), but trust me it's worth it. Plus, this time of year they have it in cartons, so there's no excuse to not go and get some and take it home when you can savor it while wrapped in a warm blanket or sitting cozily next to the fire. If you can't get to Baskin Robbins, Blue Bunny Peppermint Stick will do...

And last, but not least, my mom's peppermint candy. Always looked forward to it. She doesn't make it anymore, and part of the reason is that she used to get the ingredients from a specialty candy shop.

Here's the basics:
-Ingredients: peppermints (or candy canes) and almond bark.
-Simply break up the peppermints into pieces (mom said just put it in a paper bag and hammer the poor things to death!)
-Then melt the almond bark, pour over a sheet pan (aluminum foil helps here) and sprinkle the mint pieces into it and wait for it to harden.
-After it's hardened, break the almond bark into pieces, and there you have it folks--peppermint candy!

It's yummy and so festive looking with white, red, and green! I have never made it and wish I could get specialty ingredients from a candy store (maybe I can....anyone have any suggestions?!), but I am sure it is still good nonetheless.

Hope I've tickled your taste buds :) Go enjoy some peppermint peeps!