Casner Family Blog

The cinnamon rolls are rising, the white chocolate is ready to be melted, and I am ready to sneak back to bed for a few minutes before the house is awake. But first, if you need a quick item to take to family and friends today, another recipe.

Peppermint Bark

12 oz Bakers white chocolate squares

7 oz. Ghirardelli 60% Bittersweet chocolate

6 Tbsp. heavy cream

1/4 tsp. peppermint extract

8-10 crushed peppermint candies 

1. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper or foil. (I added tape around  a few of the edges of the parchment paper to help keep in place.)

2. Melt the bittersweet chocolate, heavy cream and peppermint extract in a microwave safe dish or on the stove. (You can put it in a metal bowl and set it over a  saucepan of barely simmering water.)  I used the microwave and would stop and stir the chocolate every 20 seconds to make sure it wouldn’t burn. As you stir, more will melt.

3. Pour the chocolate mixture into the bottom of the the 9×13 pan and spread it around with an offset spatula. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.

4. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave or on the stove as above.

5. Pour the melted white chocolate over the cooled bittersweet chocolate mixture and spread around with a offset spatula. (Make sure you cleaned off all the dark chocolate before spreading the white chocolate).

6. Quickly spread your crushed peppermint candies around the top of the white chocolate. Refrigerate for another 25 minutes.

7. Remove from the refrigerator and lift the parchment paper or foil out of  your dish. Using a sharp knife, cut your peppermint bark into pieces. (I think I cut it into 30ish pieces.)

Serve immediately or as you cut the pieces, place them on waxed paper and cover. Refrigerate  until ready to serve. The peppermint bark should last for up to 2 weeks. I put mine in a ziplock bag after placing onto the wax paper to keep the peppermint flavor to itself.

Enjoy! In case your local stores are closed like I think ours our, you can try chocolate substitutes for the bittersweet, you can use semi-sweet, and then omit the cream.

If you have noticed, I have been posting less and less. Most days I have  lots of thoughts running through my head of what I would love to post about, but by time I sit at the computer someone is asking me for something-or lots of things, someone else is requesting a spot on my lap to help, or an argument is beginning in the background. (It is a lot like trying to talk on the telephone…) And if none of that is happening, I am too tired to complete a thought, so another day passes… For instance, the kids have been saying a ton of one liners that I think would be great to share, and there is the constant “Mom, what does _ _ _ _  spell??” And Hannah has gotten glasses for reading and look some treatment for Asthma which has really been helping him feel better.

 So I am going to take a break. So, I’ll leave you with a recipe that I have been whipping up quite a bit lately. Very quick and seems to be good enough for everyone to enjoy. Some cinnamon cookies. Have a wonderful Christmas!

told by 4 & 5 year olds, with the help of Mrs. P and Mrs. B. Lizzie played Mary in the program. Even though this was my 3rd child to have the opportunity to participate, it was just as great this year.

When I am in the kitchen, Lizzie usually has this spot. The day of this photo she is helping me make ginger snaps. It doesn’t matter what we are making, she goes and gets the chair, and joins me. Sometimes, this can be messy and frustrating, but I try to take a deep breath and go with it. One of these days, she will be doing it without the help of a chair or me.

and  pneumonia. Let’s say this last week has been very busy.

(photo courtesy of Matheau. )

 Last week we had Thanksgiving and celebrated Christmas with my family, then headed home to get ready for Michael and Amanda’s wedding. And late last night, Luke was diagnosed with pneumonia. I think today will be a Magic School Bus marathon and some cooking/baking for me.  Oh, we also had our first snow.

More photos on Facebook here and here.