Magical Milk + Cereal Cups

Remember those milk and cereal bars? They were almost like a rice krispies treat and were made with all types of kids cereals and my favorite part was the white chocolatey bottom portion. It was sweet and delicious and far from healthy. These were certainly classified under the "special treat" category in our house and I loved every bite.

Saint Patrick's Day gave me the perfect excuse to introduce my little ones to Lucky Charms. I cannot remember the last time I had them and I'm here to say that they taste the same as they did in the 1980s. I'm also certain that my kids will never want to snack on a healthier cereal again. If I had to pick my favorite kids cereal, Lucky Charms wins every time. And if I had to pick a regret during my pregnancies, it would be that I didn't eat enough kids cereals. Seriously! 

I've been on a homemade nut butter cup kick the past week or so. It turns out making homemade Reese's cups are dangerously easy and the options are endless. Saint Patrick's day inspired me to make this Lucky Charms version for Will and Kate and they totally bought into the festiveness of them. If I'm being honest here, these cups are suuuuuper sweet but I am a dark chocolate lover forever. If you like white chocolate, you will LOVE these. A few bites and I was good but of course the tiny humans gobbled these up in no time. The crunchy-ness of the cereal works perfect at the bottom of the cup and since the chocolate is warm when you fill the cereal lined cups, the cereal kind of soaks up all of that white chocolatey goodness- just like my beloved milk and cereal bars. 

The best part of this process? Pulling out all of the marshmallows that I could. It was like my childhood dream come true- a giant bowl of Lucky Charms Marshmallows. When we were younger, my sisters and I would always eat around the marshmallows and save them to the very end. 

Gold sprinkles are optional, but also totally necessary. Enjoy!

Magical Milk + Cereal Cups

One 10oz. bag white chocolate chips
1/4 cup coconut oil
Lucky Charms cereal (or cereal of your choice)

Line a muffin tin with liners and make room for the tray in your fridge. Sprinkle cereal on the bottom of each liner. I covered the entire bottom. 

In a heat-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips. I like to use a double boiler, but you can also melt in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring well in between. Once the chocolate is mostly melted, add the coconut oil and stir well until it's completely melted and combined. 

Pour melted chocolate over the top of the cereal until each is completely covered. Top with the Lucky Charms marshmallows and sprinkles if you are using them! Chill in the fridge to harden for 1-2 hours.

Handmade Holiday Cheer: White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn

I spent last Saturday in the kitchen with our sweet neighbors trying out some new Christmas recipes. We made three types of cookies, cake batter bark and this White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn that has already seemed to make its way out of the kitchen and into our bellies in less than a week. Santa isn't the only one with a bowl full of jelly at this time of year. Ha!

A lot of sweet, a slight dusting of salt and peppermint crunch in every bite, this festive popcorn is a guaranteed holiday hit. Serve it in festive bowls at a Christmas party or package it up and deliver Christmas happys to your family and friends. Or, you can always enjoy it Moore style: grabbing a handful every time you pass through the kitchen.

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn

recipe from Plain Chicken

2 bags microwave popcorn (no butter, slightly salted is best)

1 6 oz. box of candy canes, crushed

1 package Almond Bark

1 tsp. peppermint extract

Pour popcorn in the largest bowl that you have. You may also divide it in half, creating two batches if you don't have a bowl large enough. Pour crushed candy canes over the top of the popcorn. Melt almond bark on the stove, using a double boiler or double boiling method. While almond bark is melting, clear off counter space and line with parchment paper. Once the bark has fully melted, add peppermint extract. Pour the minty mixture over the popcorn and stir until all of the popcorn is kissed with chocolate. Dump popcorn onto the parchment paper and allow to harden.