Holiday Pretzel Treats

Ingredients

Bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels
Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug
M&M Candy (I used mint M&Ms)

Heat the oven to 170F. Set a number of bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels (one for each treat) in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug.
Bake for 4 to 6 minutes (the white chocolate will melt more quickly), until the chocolates feel soft when touched with a wooden spoon. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and quickly press an M&M's candy into the center of each Kiss. Allow the treats to cool for a few minutes, then place them in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes.
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Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Cupcakes

Yield: 32 cupcakes

Ingredients

For the crust:
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
3 tbsp. sugar

For the raspberry swirl:
6 oz. fresh raspberries
2 tbsp. sugar

                                                                      For the filling:
                                                                      2 lbs. cream cheese, at room temperature
                                                                      1½ cups sugar
                                                                      Pinch of salt
                                                                      1 tsp. vanilla extract
                                                                      4 large eggs, at room temperature

Directions

* Preheat the oven to 325˚ F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners. In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and sugar. Stir together with a fork until well blended and all the dry ingredients are moistened. Press 1 tablespoon of the mixture into the bottom of each cupcake liner. (I like to use a small drinking glass to easily and evenly press the crumbs down. One of Andrew’s sippy cups works wonderfully.) Bake until just set, 5 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack.

* To make the raspberry puree, combine the raspberries and sugar in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth, then pour through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds.

* To make the cheesecake, beat the cream cheese on medium-high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer until fluffy. Blend in the sugar until smooth. Mix in the salt and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. ( I added Green food coloring!)

* To assemble, spoon 3 tablespoons of the cheesecake batter over the crust in each cupcake liner. Dot a ½ teaspoon of the raspberry puree in a few dots over the cheesecake filling. Use a toothpick or a wooden skewer to lightly swirl and create a marbled effect.

* Bake until the filling is set, about 22 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking. (They will look quite puffed initially but will return to normal quickly.) Transfer to a wire cooling rack and let cool to room temperature. Transfer to the refrigerator and let chill for at least 4 hours before serving.
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1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1 pkg. (16.6 oz.) OREO Cookies, finely crushed (about 4-1/4 cups), divided

2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted

* MIX cream cheese and 3 cups cookie crumbs until well blended.
* SHAPE into 48 (1-inch) balls. Dip in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.
* REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator.
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Man has it been crazy around here! Taking car of Aubree and Talon, Shopping, decorating and getting ready for Christmas! Planning what sweets I'm going to make, cleaning, watching the Broncos do amazing, Planning Aubree's 3 birthday! Talk about some crazy months! The other night Brent took me on a amazing surprise date and it was so nice to have a few hour break from my kiddos even though I missed them very much! We went to a fancy restaurant called Prima Ristorante! The food was amazing and it was nice to just talk to him and everything! We then went and saw the Nutcracker ballet! It was amazing I love every moment and it was the best romantic date. He is the bast guy in the world ♥! Now we have the Holidays and then a New Year! Its going to be great! I love my life and everyone in it! I'm so blessed! I hope everyone has a amazing Christmas spend lots of time with family and eat as many sweets as possible!!!