Our Peppermint Dusted Brownie Bites are super easy to make and kid friendly.
Growing up I just loved the holidays. Christmas was one of my favorite holiday because not only was I going to be out of school for a few weeks, but I was also going to be getting new gifts, items that I may have probably wanted all year long. Another reason I just loved the holidays was the fact that my mom would cook up a storm in the kitchen. In the Caribbean there was no such thing as Thanksgiving, so everyone looked forward to Christmas. Christmas was our Thanksgiving rolled into one. It was the time that family and friends would get together and eat and be merry. From the traditional curry goat to rum fruit cake, that was mostly rum and could get you drunk, it was a tradition that I love and still miss to this day. Don’t get me wrong, I still do a mini version of the Caribbean holidays here in my house, and while my children are all Americans, I want my children to learn a little about their culture. Today I want to share with you my Peppermint Dusted Brownie Bites. I am not the best baker, so I love to do things that are simple. I also have a 4yr old who just loves to help out in the kitchen, whether it be by helping to add the ingredients or mixing it together, she wants to be part of the entire process. I have to admit that I am also one of those person who likes to scramble around at the very last minute, getting things together, and I am pretty sure that I am not alone.
I recently saw this Entertaining Guide from Sams Club and they nailed it right on the head. I am truly the Last-Minute Merry Maker! How did they know? When you have a household of 4 children and a husband who who isn’t that much help in the kitchen, I’d much rather get in and get out as quickly as possible and with something that everyone will love. While they all love my main dishes, they are also really big fans of sweets, especially brownies. Now I have never been one to make the perfect brownie, but they can all tell you that they come out moist and delicious! Whenever I’m shopping or preparing for any big holiday, I always make a stop to Sams Club. For me it just makes absolute sense. If I’m going big, I need bigger packages of items and with a family of 6 that’s already big, but when you’re catering to guests, you need to go bigger. On my recent run I found the Betty Crocker Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Mix. This package contains 4 packages of brownie mix instead of your usual one.
Now Madison just LOVES to help out in the kitchen. I couldn’t have asked for a better helper. Whenever I’m in the kitchen she’s always close by, willing to help. Whether it’s by adding the ingredients to a recipe, or even mixing it together, she dons her apron and gets to work. When I decided on making my brownies, she of course wanted to mix. How could I deny help? I however decided that instead of making the usual brownie bars, I was going to make brownie bites. I’ve gained quite a few pounds since leaving the military and I’ve been trying to lose it without much success. With my brownie bites, I’m able to do portion control and who said smaller isn’t better?
I originally decided to make them muffin size and they were a disaster. I’m going to admit that I’m not the perfect Suzy Homemaker. I’m just the average mom with little time to spend doing the million of things that is needed around the house. I’m just like you and the less time I can spend in the kitchen the better. I’d much rather spend my time with my family, but my food still need to be edible. Doing things from scratch is all fine and dandy, but sometimes you need a bit of help, that’s why I just LOVE the Betty Crocker Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Mix. I was able to mess up and still had more packages available to do a second batch without having to run back out to the supermarket. Who has time for that?
Now our Peppermint Dusted Brownie Bites are so easy that you don’t even need instructions, and when I say that it’s easy, I truly mean easy. Here’s what you’ll need:
Items:
1 Box of Betty Crocker Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Mix
Candy Canes
Mini muffin pan
Cooking Spray
Directions:
Make your brownies according to the directions on the box. Be sure to liberally spray your mini muffin pan with your cooking spray to ensure that your brownies come out easier.
While your brownies are in the oven crush up your peppermint candy canes into as fine pieces as you can. I used the smooth side of a meat tenderizer. I like to jokingly call it Candy Crush! You want it to look like dust although you can expect a few chunks as well.
When your brownies are done, sprinkle your candy cane dust on your brownie while they are warm and allow them to cool. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
Get the kids and/or family involved and make it a holiday tradition. Our brownies came out moist and delicious, and just ask Madison, she couldn’t wait to get her hands on them. Remember, the holidays is all about family and spending as much time as you can with them. If I could back a few years and spend the last Christmas with my mom before she passed I’d do it. You never know how much time you have with your loved ones, so spend that time with them, tell them you love them and create long lasting memories that they’ll cherish forever!
Looking for more recipes? Be sure to check out Sam’s Club Holiday Recipes section!
Let’s discuss: Which entertaining type are you?