Pinterest Craft Ideas (Edible Edition) and my 1st Link Up!

Yesterday, I shared some of the awesome Christmas crafts I've fallen in love with thanks to that pesky Pinterest. Today, I thought I'd share some more goodies but this time I'm going to focus on the edible! Without fail, the first thing I go to when I log-in to Pinterest is check out all the deliciousness on the Food & Drink page. I end up pinning a dozen things swearing I'll make them and when I do (which is maybe once out of every 10 recipes) they're amazing!

As you'll see shortly, I LOVE the combination of chocolate and peppermint! These flavors meld together is just such an absolutely perfect way. What I've never understand is society's insane instance on relegating peppermint goodness to the holidays! When I discovered that Coffee Mate had (finally) decided to sell their peppermint mocha coffee creamer year round I'm pretty sure I jumped up and down and giggled... a lot!

How could you not want to eat these?!?

These cookies look so amazing that I cannot wait to make a batch! Jaclyn over at Cooking Classy is the mastermind behind these Brownie Peppermint Cookies. The recipe is super simple and yields 3 dozen cookies.

Perfect for all of my cocoa loving co-workers!

I love the folks I work with but being a teacher means a lot of co-workers and a tight budget. That's why I love giving homemade gifts; I get to be crafty and thrifty at the same time! Plus, I've always thought there's something about a homemade present that is just so much more personal than running out and buying a bunch of random little trinkets. This peppermint hot cocoa recipe from My Recipes is just the ticket! And hello... how cute is it in a mason jar!

I. Want. These. Now!

I've been dying to make homemade marshmellows for awhile now but I keep finding myself supremely intimidated! Today I came across this recipe for homemade peppermint marshmellows at beantownbaker.com. Jen's recipe is straight forward and looks really easy to follow. Once I get my hands on a candy thermometer I will definitely take a crack at these bad boys. I can already imagine them melting away in a cup of hot cocoa!

Would eating a peppermint mocha cupcake while drinking a peppermint mocha be overkill?

A wise woman once said "You can't buy love but you can buy cupcakes and that's about the same thing". And with these peppermint mocha cupcakes I think love is right around the corner. Naomi at Bakers Royale (which I just discovered and am obsessed with) took her inspiration from my all time favorite Starbucks beverage. You get it all in this little powerhouse; coffee, chocolate, peppermint and frosting. Hello perfection!

These are too cute and I know they'd be delicious!

Apples are one of my favorite things in the world and as far as I'm concerned the world would be a better place if we all ate more apples. Now I realize apple drinks, especially warm apple drinks are associated more with Thanksgiving than Christmas but I'm a rebel and hopelessly devoted to apples.  To re-create these darling drinks you'll want to prepare your favorite apple cider; I love the idea of making a big batch in your crock pot and filling your home with that incredible smell. Then  you'll need to hollow out your apples, be careful with your knife and enjoy using a melon baller! Finally, fill the apple cups with your  apple cider concoction.  Thanks to Jamielyn at I {heart} Nap Time for tracking this gem down and sharing it with the world!

As a side note, stop by my awesome cousin Sarah's blog meetmeatthefence.blogspot.com for a fabulous Sunday Funday link up party! I'm going in for the very first time; I feel like a real life blogger!