Valentine's Chocolate Bark

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I thought this would make another nice post for Valentines! I adapted the recipe a little bit, but got it from here. 
If you like white chocolate or maybe your kids or Sweetheart does (like mine ♥)  Then this post is for you. ツ 

This is a easy and quick recipe. I changed it up a little bit to use what I had on hand, and it still worked out good! 

I have a couple of tips after the recipe so be sure to look ..... learn from me ツ 

Here is what you need:

I used Nestle's Milk Chocolate,Chocolate Morsels (either semi sweet or milk choc.) The Chocolate Candy Melts were recommended, You can buy them at Walmart.
I used Nestle's White Chocolate Morsels. The White Candy Melts were recommended, you can but them at Walmart also.
I used about  1/4 of a bar of Paraffin, split between the two chocolates (see Figure 1, below )
I used Gel Food Coloring. Recommended was a oil based food coloring I found this on Wilton's site. I don't know if you can get these at Walmart or not?
Sprinkles
M & M's (Valentine M & M's) I just had regular M & M's, so I picked out just the red ones ツ
Parchment Paper
I used a  9 x 13 cookie sheet, but you could double the recipe and use a normal size cookie sheet.

(Figure 1)  -- cut off 1/4 block of Paraffin

Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper and put it aside.

In a double broiler (I just use two pans,1 bigger, 1 smaller) melt the chocolate morsels and half of the wax. (you can microwave to melt, but I prefer to use the double broiler,if you choose to do it the microwave, make sure not to burn the chocolate) check and stir it often.
Once all of it is melted and smooth, pour into the lined cookie sheet and spread it thin with either a spatula or a rubber bowl scraper.

After its spread out in a thin layer place it in the refrigerator until set (about 15 to 30 min.) Meanwhile...after at least 15 min. has gone by, start melting your White Chocolate Morsels,Wax and Food Coloring.

Once melted and smooth, pour it onto the chocolate layer and spread it out to cover chocolate layer.  Add your M & M's and your sprinkles.

Return the cookie sheet to the refrigerator and let it set another 15 to 30 min.Once its set, break into pieces. 

Tips:
* Press your M &M's in a little bit, mine were  popping out when I was breaking up the bark. Same with the sprinkles. Kinda throw your sprinkles at it so it digs in deeper! lol
* Oil based food coloring is recommended, but I used the Betty Crocker  Neon Gel and it worked okay, it looked a little polka dottie :) and maybe didn't blend in together as well as the oil based? You can't tell on the finished Candy though, so that's good!



Happy Valentines Day!!
♥║║
╚══╝

Ps. This could be used for any occasion, just change the color of the food coloring! 

Homemade Hot Chocolate

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Its about that time of year again to break out the Hot Chocolate. (except in my house its a year round thing!) I think my husband is a connoisseur of hot chocolate, its his "coffee" in the morning.... with LOTS of marshmallows!!!!  Mmmm Ooey Gooey melted Marshmallows in some Hot Chocolate!   He loves Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate, and nothing else will do. ¯\(°_o)/¯  I buy the 30 pack from Walmart because I have to use two packets at a time (he's so darn picky lol) and if I change something up (¬_¬)  believe me he knows!!! (ಠ_ಠ) Just ask the kids ... hehehe

I thought I'd try to make some homemade Hot Chocolate and told him I was thinking about it, and he said "Just make a small batch to see if I like it." I showed him all of the ingredients and he said "Oh, go a head and make a whole batch, that kinda looks good" LOL!! I need to make those homemade marshmallows to, but he goes through them so fast! Probably not worth it. Plus there is a certain brand he likes too (told you he's picky) at least it's a store brand. The way he goes through hot chocolate, this might be a treat a few times a year.

This is very rich!! And if you like milk chocolate, then you might not like this, as its more of a dark chocolate flavor. I think next time I will look for a different cocoa.... 

This recipe makes about 20 servings

Here is what you need

3 Cups Non Fat Dry Milk
2 Cups Powdered Sugar (I'm sure you could use regular sugar also)
1 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 1/2 Cup White Chocolate Chips
1/4 Cup Salt


In a large bowl make a mess stir ingredients, to combine. 

Stir....

Pour half of the mixture into the bowl of a food processor and process until the white chocolate is finely ground. 

Transfer mix to an airtight container, then repeat with the remaining. (I have a mini processor so I had to split it up more) Store in the airtight container for up to 3 months.

To make the hot chocolate, mix 1/3 cup of the cocoa mix with 1 cup hot milk, or water, which ever you prefer. I tried half milk, half water and it wasn't very good. I think all milk was the best!

Try to stay warm....