almond coffee skillet cake

This is great because you probably have all of the ingredients in your cupboard without having to go to the store :). I got this from my Cash sister-in-law.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 c sugar
• 3/4 c butter, melted
• 1 tsp almond extract
• pinch of salt
• 1/8 c slivered almonds
• sprinkle of sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Mix all ingredients in bowl.
3. Line skillet in aluminium. Pour in mixture and sprinkle almonds and sugar on top. Fold foil over the top to cover.
4. Bake for 45 minutes and then uncover and bake about 15 minutes more until golden brown.

peppermint pretzels

bowl of peppermint pretzels

After a coworker brought these to the office I had to try making them myself because they were so delicious! Getting the candy cane pieces to stick to the pretzels seems tricky at first, but just remember they can be "artistic" :-)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb "nibblers" pretzels
• 15 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cake paraffin
• 1 package (about 12) candy canes
• hammer
• wax or parchment paper

Instructions:

1. Melt the chocolate chips and paraffin in a metal mixing bowl over a pot of boiling water.
2. While the chocolate is melting, chip up the candy canes by putting a few at a time into a zip top baggie lined with parchment paper and then lightly tapping them with a hammer. Pour onto a small plate to use later.
3. Prepare a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper next to the stove top.
4. Using tongs or cooking chopsticks (my favorite - they are extra long to keep your hands out of the steam), dip each nibbler into the chocolate to coat it completely and let the excess drip off back into the bowl. Then roll the still warm pretzel in the crushed candy canes and then place on the cookie sheet to let it cool and let the chocolate harden.
5. Store in refrigerator.