cookies and cream

A confession – while I love to bake, I’ve never ever made the infamous Puppy Chow. You know, that Chex Mix that is coated in chocolate, peanut butter and some powdered sugar? I’ve been on a mission to make it and the perfect occasion finally happened – baking with Nicole!

I’ve been hearing a lot about the Red Velvet Oreo cookies and when I finally found them at Target (don’t worry, I went into Target to buy a “few things” and left with a cart full – EVERY TIME), I couldn’t wait to buy them. They came in a smaller-than-typical Oreo box, meaning I used the whole box in the recipe and wasn’t left with leftovers .. okay, besides the 2-3 that I had to try first.

not my photo – but this is what they look like!

I am not a big Oreo fan – sorry, I just am not. But I do love cream cheese frosting and when I heard the Red Velvet OREOS weren’t as chocolatey and had a cream cheese type frosting, I knew I had to buy a box. And of course bake with them. Want an excuse to try the Red Velvet OREOs? Here you go!

red velvet oreo puppy chow chex mix for valentine's day

Red Velvet OREO Puppy Chow

(I added in Valentine’s M&Ms and sent a bag of this to my brother for Valentine’s Day feel free to make it any time of year you can find these OREOs though! – modified from Sally’s Baking Addiction)

Here’s what you need:

20 Red Velvet OREOs, finely crushed into crumbs (divided into two halves)
1 c. powdered sugar (divided into half)
10 cups Rice Chex cereal (divided into two halves – 5 c. + 5 c.)
1 1/4 c. white chocolate melting wafers
1 1/4 c. milk chocolate melting wafers
Extra OREOs, roughly chopped (I used probably 4-5)
1/2 c. M&Ms – I used the Valentine’s ones

Here’s what you do:

Measure out powdered sugar and crushed Oreos and mix together. Divide mixture in half – you’ll use half for the white Rice Chex and half for the chocolate Rice Chex.
Measure out half the Rice Chex – about 5 cups. Pour into a large bowl or tupperware with a lid.
Melt white chocolate on low, in a microwave. Stir throughout to make sure you don’t burn chocolate. Pour melted white chocolate over Rice Chex and store until cereal is covered.
Pour half powdered sugar/OREO mixture over white chocolate Chex. Put lid on tupperware and shake until cereal is coated with sugar and OREO mixture.
Repeat the above steps with the chocolate Chex. Melt chocolate on low, pour over remaining 5 c. Rice Chex and coat, pour remaining powdered sugar/OREO mixture over chocolate Chex and shake to coat.
Combine cooled white chocolate and chocolate Chex mix. Add in extra chopped OREOs and M&M. Share with a loved one or friend!

red velvet oreo puppy chow for valentine's day

Yum! What’s your favorite kind of Chex Mix or Puppy Chow?

Today is the Tribe Home Opener! I’m super excited that baseball season is back and am looking forward to walking to many games this spring and summer. Last summer, my friend Devin and I had a friendly competition going to see who could see the most games, and though we both lost count, I’m proud to say that B and I probably hit up at least 15 games.

In honor of Opening Day, last year I shared a list of some of my favorite baseball desserts – so this year I decided to share a new one: Cookies and Cream Truffles! Just buy a red edible color marker and these can easily become baseballs for any Opening Day or Home Opener celebrations.

Indians baseball cookies and cream truffles_labeled

Baseball Home Opener Dessert: Cookies and Cream Truffles

Here’s what you need:

1 (16 0z) package of regular Oreos (don’t be tempted by the double stuff ones – I hear they don’t work as well)
1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese, room temperature (aka nice and soft)
Chocolate for melting – I used vanilla candy melts but you can probably use chocolate chips as well. These would be good with vanilla or regular/dark chocolate.

Here’s what you do:

Put all the Oreos in your food processor. I may have eaten a few (quality control) so all 16 oz didn’t actually go into the food processor … but you get it. Blend them well until they are very fine crumbs.
Add the cream cheese, one quarter at a time, into the food processor with the crumbs. Mix well until you have a dark mushy (but delicious) blog in the food processor. When that happens, roll the mixture into small one-inch balls. Place the balls on parchment paper and freeze for approximately 1 hour or so, or until hardened.
After the balls are hard, melt your chocolate and then dip the little balls. I like to use a fork and tap it against the side of the bowl to remove the excess chocolate.
Place the dipped balls back on the parchment paper and let cool/dry.
Enjoy!

Feel free to decorate (while wet) with sprinkles or Oreo cookie crumbs. I waited until mine were dry and then drew baseball stitching in honor of the Indians Home Opener. Go Tribe!