Don't Forget Palmer Christmas Candy for Filling Stockings and Baking w/ this Christmas (Review and Recipes Included)

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor to help facilitate my review and to use in creating fun recipes with the kids.  All views shared, however, are mine and mine alone.

"R.M. Palmer Company has been “Making Candy Fun! TM” since 1948 with their seasonally-branded and Everyday candy creations"

I have been lucky enough to participate in a couple R.M. Palmer Company campaigns this year, in which I was sent a sampling of their holiday candies, and asked to come up with fun ways to use them, besides eating them.  I had a blast creating fun edible arts and crafts products with the kids, and getting them excited to experiment with candy in creating fun tasty cookies and other delectable treats in the kitchen.

Look what arrived at our door yesterday:

 

Savannah was quick to ask for a taste test, and grabbed the double crisp Merry Christmas Reindeer chocolate bar.  For someone who is a picky eater, she had no problem taking "big girl bites" as she said, out of the chocolate bar.  I had told her to take a few bites, and that we would save the rest.  But, with her "big girl bites," she handed me back half the bar. Bella, the dainty one, at first didn't want to bite Santa and hurt him.  But, after I showed it was OK, and that the chocolate bar tasted good.  Once she took a bite, she agreed. :-)

 This could explain why the girls were up late, running laps around the kitchen. :-)

I ended up stashing the "Took Kit" and "Makeup Kit" chocolate candy to put in the girls' stockings and surprise my niece and nephew with. 

I also plan to give one to my dad as a joke, as we call him the handyman in the house, even though he is far from it. :-)  I just think these kits are the coolest things.  They are so detailed, and make enjoying Palmer's signature chocolate that much more fun!

Usually I would wait until the weekend to do baking with the girls, as it turns into a whole afternoon affair, with a messy cleanup.  But, the girls have been asking for sugar cookies since last week, so I thought now was a better time to try out incorporating the R.M. Palmer Company candy into a cookie recipe.  While you can always pick up a sugar cookie dough at the market if you are pressed for time, I find that making it from scratch tastes even better.  And, you can make a large batch and freeze some dough for future use.  Here is the sugar cookie recipe that my family has been  using for years, which was passed down from my grandmother --

-- Nana's Sugar Cookies --

Ingredients:

2 1/2 Cups sifted all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 egg, beaten

2 tsp. vanilla

2 Tbsp. white vinegar

1 Cup butter

1 Cup sugar

Instructions:

1. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.  

2.  In a separate bowl, mix together the beaten egg, white vinegar and vanilla, and then set aside.

3.  Cream butter and sugar together in another bowl. 

4.  Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter/sugar mixture, alternating with the egg mixture.  Stir well to combine.

5. Drop by spoonfuls on an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes, or until golden.

 

"Sure to be your new seasonal favorite, these chocolaty cups feature a cool white mint crème center and a candy crunch holiday visitors will enjoy."

Sure to be your new seasonal favorite, these chocolaty cups feature a cool white mint crème center and a candy crunch holiday visitors will enjoy. - See more at: http://www.rmpalmer.com/christmas/christmas-candy/#prod-new

I decided to use the R.M. Palmer Company Candy Cane Cups to add a fun twist on plain sugar cookies.  And, making these "stuffed cookies" were easy, and one the girls loved helping me out with.

After you have your sugar cookie, or even chocolate chip cookie dough made.  Take tablespoon scoops and roll into a ball. Then, flatten between the palms of your hand.  Then, take a Candy Cane Cup from Palmer's (making sure to remove the wrapper), and place in the center.  Gather up the cookie dough to form a pie like crust around it. 

You will also want to make sure that you are forming the cookie around the candy cane cup that the bottom is flat and no chocolate is showing.  This will allow the cookie to lay flat on the cookie tray and flatten as it cooks.  

The candy cane cup will remain in the center of the cookie once bakes, and melts down into a chocolatey goodness treat. :-)

It was a sweet surprise for those who had one of these cookies yesterday, as the addition of the candy cane chocolate cup not only made the house smell good as they baked, but left you in a festive spirit (and the girls a little hyper) because of the fresh candy cane taste we associate with the holidays.

 

"Satisfy your holiday peppermint cravings with a solid white, milk flavored candy bar featuring a refreshing peppermint crunch. The perfect snack to accompany a cup of hot cocoa!" 

This weekend, I plan to make popcorn balls and melt down the new Peppermint Bark Bar from Palmer's to drizzle all over the balls once formed.  Then, I will bag up in a holiday cello bag with a twisty, and bring to a family holiday party we will be attending.  The kids will love the popcorn treat, as will parents, who will remember enjoying popcorn balls as a child.   I wonder what else I can make with the Christmas themed chocolates that Palmer Company so graciously sent my way. :-)  Stay tuned!

But, in the meantime, why not check out the new "Christmas Candy" website that R.M. Palmer Company recently launched to offer consumers the latest information on new products, promotions, Palmer-inspired recipes and crafts, plus holiday décor ideas – just in time for the merriest of holidays.  You can get out the website here: http://www.rmpalmer.com/christmas/.

 


Having trouble finding a retailer in your area who carries Palmer candy? Not to worry?  Just use "The Candy Finder," which helps Palmer candy lovers locate nearby retailers (more than 100,000) carrying their Christmas products, including the new Peppermint Bark Bar and Candy Cane Cups.  

 

Besides FUN recipe and craft ideas, Palmer is also offering an exclusive Christmas Coupon to anyone who signs up for Palmer Perks: http://www.rmpalmer.com/christmas/palmer-perks-signup/



ABOUT RM PALMER COMPANY 

R.M. Palmer Company has been crafting fun, seasonal chocolate novelties since 1948. Today, the R.M. Palmer Company is considered one of the top 75 confectioners in the world. From their headquarters in West Reading, PA, Palmer’s 850 dedicated employees design, produce, package and ship more than 500 unique items to nearly 100,000 retail locations in North America - making it one of America’s largest and most innovative confectioners. For more information about R.M. Palmer Company, visit www.rmpalmer.com.


Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor to help facilitate my review and to use in creating fun recipes with the kids.  All views shared, however, are mine and mine alone.