Holiday Treats

This year, some friends of mine had the annual "Ugly Christmas Sweater" party.  Ugly Christmas Sweaters... when did you become a thing?  Although enjoyable, I think these sweaters are best when they have tangible decorations on them like extra fuzzy mittens, actual beads as garlands on the christmas tree, or little bells on the reindeer's antlers.  oooo! Our group this year only had a few good sweaters, but I personally think we played enough embarassing charade like games to make up for the lack of embarassment in our clothing. 

Anyway, Christmas party!  I took it as a perfect excuse to make a massive amount of paper snowflakes and an unhealthy amount of holiday treats!  Those that made the list this year?  A revisit to Oreo Truffles, Chocolate Fudge, and get this... Maple Bacon Kettle Corn!!!!! 

For the Oreo Truffles, I made them the same as before, but for half the batch I used Mint Oreos and added a little Peppermint extract to both the oreo mixture and the melted chocolate.  The regular ones I sprinkled with some rainbow sprinkes, and the mint ones with crushed candy canes. 

 

I love a good fudge.  Who doesn't?  It really doesn't come around often enough.  I used a Max Brenner recipe for Sweet Dreams Chocolate Fudge Candy.  I poured some of it in heart shaped Ice Trays and got heart shaped fudge!

And the star... Maple Bacon Kettle Corn.

First of all, Kettle Corn is a beautiful thing.  Get me a bag from the farmers market and I'll probably eat the giant size in one sitting.  I'd do as my mother taught me:  put some in a cup so I don't eat too much.  But with Kettle Corn, I just keep filling that dang cup up, no questions asked, and definitely no shame... at least until I realize it's all gone.  This story is all too familiar...
BUT cook the kettle corn in bacon fat?  Add some crispy bacon drizzled in maple syrup?  Bacon + Kettle Corn? ....I die. 

 

The pictures don't do it justice.  But believe me, this kettle corn is definitely holiday party worthy.  Turns out popcorn plus bacon is a winning combination.  I found this recipe on Joy the Baker who I've started to fall completely in love with.

Happy Holidays!