Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Peppermint Brownie Fudge Trifle


I made this dessert for Christmas Day this year, and it was a big hit! 
And the leftovers the next day did not disappoint. If you're looking for pretty dessert that tastes yummy and serves a crowd, give this recipe a try! 
(recipe adapted from here)

Peppermint Brownie Fudge Trifle

Ingredients:
2 boxes brownies (I used Ghirardelli Double Chocolate)
(2 eggs, 2/3 cups of cooking oil, 1/2 water needed for brownies)

2 packages Hershey's Special Dark instant pudding
3 cups Milk

6oz Hot Fudge Topping (I used half a jar of Smucker's)

1 cup Crushed Candy Canes (12-15)

1/2 tsp Peppermint Extract
2 cups Heavy Cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
When I made this dessert, I made everything in advance, refrigerating the pudding and whipped topping overnight, and then saved the laying for the day-of. If I'm making multiple things for guests, I like to have some items prepped in advance to save on time, and this dessert works well for that!

Mix brownies according to package directions, cooking both packages together for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick sticks through the center and comes out almost clean (you don't want batter, but you want the brownies to be soft and slightly undercooked so they're soft and chewy).

Set brownies aside to cool. (You can stick in the refrigerator if you need them to cool quickly). Cut brownies into cubes once cooled.

Blend pudding mix and milk until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Crush candy canes using a food processor or finely crush by hand (a baggie and the flat side of a meat tenderizer works well).

In a large mixing bowl, combine heavy cream, peppermint extract, and powdered sugar. Mix on medium-high speed for 2+ minutes until high peaks start to form. If peaks are not forming, turn mixer up higher and continue to mix until peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Right before layering the trifle, heat fudge in microwave so that it will pour easily.

Layering the Trifle:
Layer 1/3 brownie cubes on the bottom of the trifle bowl. Cover with 1/3 pudding. Drizzle with 1/3 hot fudge. Spread 1/3 whipped topping. Sprinkle 1/3 crushed candy canes. Repeat steps 3 times. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.


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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Christmas Recap!


We spent Christmas morning at our house and then went to Matt's parents' house and my sister's house to spend the day with each of our families. We are so thankful to have our families close by so that we can see them both on special occasions!

Matt and I were so excited to wake up Christmas morning. Christmas with kids is just the best. Watching Ryan open up his gifts and play with them was exactly how we pictured it. He loved looking through his new books and playing with his new toys!

Cookies for Santa! And he took a bite! :)

Tal loved his stocking ;)

And Ryan loved his T-Ball set!

Mimi and Papa's House:
Ryan loved his legos from Mimi and Papa!

Matt made a framed collage of memories from the trip that he and his dad took to the National Championship game in 2014. His dad loved it!
And this tunnel from Ryan's Great Nanna and Great Grandpa was a big hit!

Off to the next house!

We got Noah a nurf gun set that came with a vest and when he saw the vest he gave a fist pump. It was amazing.
Love these boys!

Sweet Maddox made each of us ornaments for our tree- a tennis ball for Matt and a Clemson paw for me!
Cool dude. ;)

Ryan opening up his bubble mower from Aunt Gigi, Uncle Jeremy, Noah and Maddox!

He loved his first bike from Nonna and Papa!


Christmas Round 2
Since Karen and Jay were in Wisconsin with Jay's family on Christmas Day, we celebrated Christmas again with them on the 28th. It was a Christmas Round 2 and we treated it just like the real day!

These two loved dancing with the musical elves!

And putting bows on each other...
...and taking turns with the baby doll and stroller. :)

Ryan loved his new golf set from Aunt KK!

Our attempt at a picture of the three littles in their pjs. Haha- we tried!

That's a little better! :)

Hope you guys had a Merry Christmas too!!

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