Cranberry-Pomegranate Soda

Happy festive foods week! Today is brought to you by the Cranberry!  

There are so many traditional holiday beverages - mulled wine, peppermint hot chocolate, whatever a hot toddy is - but today I thought we might need something cool, bright and refreshing. I also like carbonating things with my siphon.

Ortho Countdown

I'm so excited that I just had to share the news with all of you.  In a short four weeks I'm heading to the orthodontists office to have my braces removed! I can't believe that it's been almost two years since I made the decision to go through with the dentists suggestion and get braces.

I have to say, it hasn't been that bad of an experience! After the initial acclimatization period, it hasn't been that bad. In fact after I learned how to speak normally, I haven't had any problems or too many complaints. Though with that said, I have big plans for once my tooth prisons come off!  What plans you might ask?  Here are a few ideas...

- Buy a pack of gum - chew to my hearts content.  I've been very good the past two years and haven't had a single stick of gum. I need me some bubblegum!

- Make more taffy, in every flavor possible. Oh it's going to be so good!

- Get a big bag of popcorn from Zaro's in Penn station. Eat it like one of those obnoxious people on the train who eat popcorn when you're starving.

- Bite into an apple, a big crunchy one. It's just not the same when you have to cut an apple up to eat it.

- Smile bright and show off my new and improved pearly whites!

Before... Can't wait to post After!

Christmas Fudge

We're in the home stretch of the holiday season and it's time to bombard you with a few more festive recipes!  I think we're just about two weeks away from not wanting to see anything peppermint, pumpkin or cranberry related for another year. Until that time comes I'm going to revel in those flavors! Get ready for a holiday countdown of flavor!

Up first is some pretty amazing and easy peppermint and chocolate Christmas fudge.  It's not the holiday season to me until I order my first peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks.  This fudge is like a condensed, one inch square version of that drink.

I've made a few different varieties of fudge and I think I prefer this method to the classic boiled sugar method. No candy thermometer, no pot and no careful crystallization required. Just microwave, stir and pour. It's incredibly creamy and smooth. I made this batch of fudge for the boyfriends holiday office party and apparently it was gone in no time! I know I had a few pieces for myself.

One Year Ago: Eggnog Mallomars
Two Years Ago: Coconut Brownies

Three Years Ago: Dark Chocolate Hearts

Easy Christmas Fudge

A Wilde Original

1 (14-oz) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
3/4 cup vanilla chips
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 cup candy canes, crushed

Line an 8-inch pan with wax paper.

Combine 9 tablespoons (7 ounces) sweetened condensed milk with chocolate chips and cocoa powder.  Microwave on high for 1 minute.  Stir until the chocolate chips are melted and the mixture is smooth.  Pour into the prepared pan and smooth out.  Place in the fridge while you prepare the peppermint  layer.

Combine remaining sweetened condensed milk with vanilla chips.  Microwave for 1 minute, stir until mostly melted.  Add powdered sugar and peppermint extract and stir until smooth.  Pour over chocolate layer and smooth out.  Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and gently press in.  Place in the fridge for 2 hours to harden.

Cut slab of fudge into 25 squares.