Ingredients

• 2 boxes of sugar cookies
• 1 brick of cream cheese (room temperature)
• 2 bags of white chocolate chips
• Small “sparkles” candies for decoration

Necessary Equipment

• Cake pop sticks
• Stand mixer
• Bowls
• Parchment paper

Instructions

1. Cake Pop Base Preparation

1. Mix the cookies and cream cheese: Place the sugar cookies and the brick of cream cheese into the bowl of the stand mixer. Use the paddle attachment to crush the cookies and mix the ingredients until a homogeneous and malleable dough is formed. If necessary, stop the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.

2. Forming the Balls

1. Form the balls: Take a small amount of dough and roll it between your hands to form a ball about 1 inch in diameter. Place the balls on a tray lined with parchment paper. If the dough sticks too much, you can slightly wet your hands or coat them with a bit of butter.
2. Insert the sticks: Gently insert a stick into each cake ball, making sure not to push it all the way through.
3. Freeze: Place the balls in the freezer for at least 2 hours to firm up quickly. This step ensures the balls are firm enough to be coated in chocolate without falling apart.

3. Chocolate Coating

1. Melt the chocolate: Pour the white chocolate chips into a bowl and melt them in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is smooth.
2. Coat the cake pops: Dip each cake pop into the melted chocolate, ensuring the entire surface is covered. Gently tap the stick on the edge of the bowl to remove excess chocolate.
3. Decorate: Before the chocolate sets, sprinkle the cake pops with small “sparkles” candies to decorate.
4. Let harden: Place the cake pops standing up in a stand or on parchment paper to let the chocolate harden. You can put them back in the freezer to speed up the process, but be careful not to leave them too long to avoid them becoming too hard.

Your cake pops are now ready to be enjoyed! They are perfect for a festive snack or as a gourmet gift.

1. Bake It

One of the best ways to use leftover Easter chocolate is to bake it into brownies, cookies, baked goods, or cakes. You can use chocolate chips or chop up the chocolate into small pieces and mix it into your batter. The melted chocolate will add an extra richness to your baked goods, making them even more decadent and delicious. Plus, you can share your baked goods with friends and family, which will help you get rid of the leftover chocolate faster.

2. Melt It

Another way to use leftover Easter chocolate is to melt it down and create a fun chocolate fondue. You can dip fruit, pretzels, cookies, or any other treat that you like into the melted chocolate. It’s an excellent way to use up your chocolate while also creating a fun and interactive dessert. Plus, it’s a great activity to do with your family or friends.

To make the fondue, simply melt the chocolate in a bowl over a pot of simmering water or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. You can also add a little bit of heavy cream to the melted chocolate to make it smoother and creamier.

3. Arrange It as a “Chocolate Platter”

A fun and unique way to use leftover Easter chocolate is to arrange it as a “chocolate platter” – just like a charcuterie board but with chocolate. You can use a variety of chocolates, such as dark, milk, and white, and pair them with different treats, such as fruits, nuts, and crackers.

Arrange the chocolates on a large platter and add the treats around them. You can also add some decorative elements, such as fresh flowers or greenery, to make the platter look even more impressive.

4. Shave It Off into Your Coffee

Finally, you can use your leftover Easter chocolate to make delicious mochas at home. Simply shave some of the chocolate off with a grater or a sharp knife and add it to your coffee. You can also add a little bit of whipped cream and sprinkle some chocolate shavings on top.

There are many ways to use leftover Easter chocolate creatively. Whether you bake it, melt it, arrange it as a “chocolate platter,” or shave it off into your coffee, you can turn your leftover chocolate into something delicious and fun. So, don’t let your Easter chocolate go to waste – get creative and enjoy it in a new and exciting way!

Ingredients:

• Easter chocolates (such as Cadbury eggs, chocolate bunnies, and Reese’s eggs)
• Easter candy (such as jelly beans, Peeps, and malted milk eggs)
• Various nuts (such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts)
• Dried fruit (such as apricots, cranberries, and raisins)
• Fresh fruit (such as strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries)
• Crackers or pretzels (for some savory options)

Instructions:

1. Start by selecting a board or platter. A wooden cutting board or slate platter work great for this. Make sure it’s large enough to fit all of your ingredients.
2. Arrange your chocolates and candy in small piles around the board. Mix and match different types of candy for a colorful display.
3. Fill in any gaps between the candy piles with nuts, dried fruit, and fresh fruit. This adds some texture and variety to the board.
4. If you want to add some savory options, place some crackers or pretzels on the board. This can be a nice contrast to all the sweetness.
5. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your display. You can arrange the candy and fruit in patterns or shapes to make it even more fun.

Tips and Tricks:

• Make sure to include a variety of candy and chocolate. This will make the board more interesting and ensure there’s something for everyone.
• If you’re worried about the candy melting or getting too soft, keep the board in a cool, dry place until it’s time to serve.
• Don’t be afraid to mix and match different types of candy. For example, you can combine jelly beans with malted milk eggs for a colorful display.
• If you have any leftover candy, use it to decorate cupcakes or cookies for an extra special Easter treat.

Overall, an Easter candy board is a fun and festive way to add some sweetness to your holiday celebration. With a little bit of creativity, you can create a beautiful display that everyone will enjoy.

The holidays aren’t only the most wonderful time of the year because of pretty decorations, presents, and parties. If you’re anything like us, one of the things you’ve been looking forward to the most are the endless goodies and treats you get to enjoy guilt-free, well… because it’s the holidays!  Baking holiday cookies is an essential part of getting in the holiday spirit. They are an easy dessert to enjoy at family gatherings, a way to add a festive touch at tea time and they are great for giving as delicious gifts to your friends. And remember, if you have little ones don’t forget that you’ll need some cookies to leave out for a particular cookie aficionado on Christmas Eve!

This season, why not get festive by baking a favorite holiday cookie with a twist.  Here we will share with you a few recipe ideas that have fun, colorful and tasty spins on festive classics that will be sure to please your loved ones year after year.

One thing we can promise, these cookies will make a tasty surprise and have everyone feeling the joy of the holiday season! As always, we have everything you need for all your Holiday baking needs.

Let the baking begin!

Cranberry Orange Shortbread Cookies

The irresistible buttery taste of melt in your mouth shortbread cookies are a holiday baking staple. This delectable spin on a classic shortbread brings out the best in the most festive fruits; cranberry and oranges. The tang of citrus and touch of bitter-sweet berries will bring your enjoyment of this charming holiday classic to the next level.

Ingredients

• ½ cup of dried cranberries
• ¾ cup of sugar
• 2½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, cold and cubed
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 4 tablespoons of orange zest, grated
• 1- 2 tablespoon of fresh orange juice (optional)
• 1 cup additional sugar to coat cookies before baking (optional)

Preparation

1. Line the cookie pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Combine cranberries and ¼ cup of sugar in the food chopper. Processes until the cranberries are broken down into smaller pieces. Set aside.
3. Combine flour and remaining ½ cup of sugar in a deep mixing bowl (5L).
4. Use a blender (available in store only) to cut in butter.
5. Stir in the almond extract, cranberry-sugar mixture, orange zest and orange juice.
6. Use your hands to knead the dough until it is smooth and holds its shape.
7. Shape dough into a log about two inches in a diameter and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for two hours or up to 72 hours.
8. Preheat oven to 325ºF.
9. Cut slices of cookie dough about ¼ inches thick.
10. Place half a cup of sugar in a bowl and coat the cookie slices with sugar (optional).
11. Place cookies on the cookie pan and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
12. Let cookies cool for several minutes on baking sheet before removing to cooling rack.

Caramel Stuffed Soft Gingerbread cookies

Give your cookie lovers a surprise when they bite into your mouth-wateringly warm caramel stuffed soft gingerbread cookies. This chewy new take on the molasses and ginger holiday tradition will leave your loved ones speechless, while they munch on the caramel-filled delight. Add this recipe to your Christmas cookie platter and watch them disappear.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 24 Kraft caramels

Preparation

1. In the bowl of your thinkkitchen Promix Stand Mixer, cream together the softened butter and sugar until smooth.
2. Add the molasses and mix thoroughly.
3. Crack in the eggs, mixing in one at a time, scraping down the sides as you go with a spatula.
4. Mix in the vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
5. Add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt, and mix until combined.
6. Cover and chill in the fridge for 30-40 minutes.
7. Preheat your oven to 350ºF and line three sheet pans with parchment paper.
8. Taking about 1/2-1 tablespoon of dough, roll into a ball.
9. Place two balls of dough on either side of a caramel, press them together and pinch the edges firmly to cover the caramel completely, and then roll into a ball. Repeat.
10. Set balls of dough on cookie pan 2 inches apart.
11. Bake for 9-10 minutes, until flattened, but puffy.
12. Allow to cool for 5 min on the baking sheet before removing, to avoid having the caramels melt through the bottom on the cooling racks.
13. Serve while the cookies are still warm to be sure the caramel does not harden, or warm in the microwave before serving.

Peppermint Sugar Cookies

Sugar cookies are the official cookie of merry cut-outs and festive frosting. Give this authentic holiday cookie a taste of excitement by adding crushed peppermint candy to the equation. Crunching into this enticing take on a sweet classic will bring a burst of flavor into the season of giving.

Ingredients

• 3¾ cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups butter, room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup finely ground candy canes or round peppermint candies
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 egg yolk

Preparation

1. Mix together flour and salt in a deep mixing bowl (5L).
2. Using food processor grind peppermint candy to fine sugar consistency.
3. In a separate bowl, using a hand mixer, beat butter, sugar, and ground peppermint together until blended.
4. Add eggs and vanilla extract, use hand mixer to mix thoroughly.
5. Add the flour and salt mixture gradually to the combined butter, sugar and ground peppermint.
6. Separate into 2 pieces, wrap in plastic and let chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 350ºF and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
8. Spread flour on your work surface, and roll dough with our non-stick rolling pin to ¼ inch thickness.
9. Flour your cookie cutters before cutting shapes from dough.
10. Place on cookie pan and bake at 350ºF for 8-10 minutes or until the edges start to brown.
11. Let cool completely before decorating.

Once your cookie tray is filled and your cookies are ready to be gobbled up, brew yourself a hot cocoa or tea, and use our milk frother to make it extra special. Your warm drink will be extra jolly in our Festive Mug.

Helping you make sure you and your loved ones enjoy every bite of the holiday season this year,

Ingredients:

2 Ounces of Strawberry vodka
2 Ounces vodka
1 Ounce of St. Germain
1 lemon wedge, 2
Whole strawberries
1 sliced strawberry
1 Sprig fresh thyme ＋ 1 to garnish

Here’s how to make it:

– Add the strawberry vodka, regular vodka, St. Germain, one sprig of fresh thyme, juice from a lemon wedge, and the wedge to a  cocktail shaker & shake vigorously.
– Strain into your Cosmopolitan Glass & add the remaining sprig of fresh thyme and sliced strawberry for garnish.  Sip and enjoy!
We promised there wouldn’t be any more cheesy puns in the rest of this post, and we’re sticking by what we said! In fact, there’s no cheese in our Valentine’s Day setup this year. Valentine’s Day is about chocolate (especially the sales on chocolate the next day), so our idea is to skip the cheese boards and build a chocolate board instead! 

On a beautiful cheese board, place 2 small bowls filled with chocolate, you can have 2 bowls of melted chocolate (dark and milk) like we did, or you can fill one with melted chocolate and the other with chocolate candies.

Now that you’ve got your chocolate in the centre, build around them using anything you’d like! This is where you can have fun with it and get creative. Pastries, fruits, cookies, marshmallows, it’s totally up to you. If you want to forego the accompaniments and just dive into the bowls of chocolate with a spoon, that’s fine too, it’s Valentine’s Day and we’re not judging.
These were some creative ways you could elevate your Valentine’s Day at home. We wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day full of lots of love. Share your V-Day Celebrations with us on social media by using the hashtag #StokesMoments and tag us Instagram @stokesstores.

Enjoy!