My younger brother has an obsession with Tootsie Rolls.  Well, I'm not sure if it's still as huge now as it was when we were younger, but every time I see one I think of him.  So, when I found This Recipe at Taste of Home a couple years ago, I had to try it.  It was Christmastime when I found it, while scouring for yummy treats I could take and give as little gifts.  It was delicious!  When my brother's birthday came around this year, I decided to make it again, sans the M&M candies, and was just as pleased as last time.  It is very sweet, so a little goes a long way! 

I highly recommend you gather all of your ingredients, and have them measured and beside you as you do this.  You don't want to stop stirring to measure out 3&3/4 cups of powdered sugar!  It's a pain!  

Ingredients: 

• 1 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons butter, divided
• 2 cups Tootsie Rolls (about one bag's worth)
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 3&3/4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

1. Line a 9-inch square pan with foil and grease with 1 teaspoon of butter.  Set aside.
2. In a heavy saucepan, melt remaining butter, Tootsie Rolls and peanut butter over low heat, stirring constantly.  
3. Gradually stir in the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.  Mixture will be very thick.
4. Spread into prepared pan.  Let cool for a minute, then score with a knife into squares.  If desired, top with an M&M candy (this is particularly festive for holidays).  Cool.
5. Using foil, remove from pan and break into pieces.  Store in an airtight container.

  My daughter is a fan of chocolate.  What tweenager isn't?  Especially girl tweens.   When I broached the subject of what we should have for "dessert" on Christmas, she immediately popped up with FUDGE!  She's a big fan of fudge, too.  So, we did some research and found this recipe on Food.com.   She made it mostly herself, and it turned out spectacular.  If you like the mint and chocolate combination, you will love this.  It is super easy to make, too!

I didn't get a picture of what the fudge looked like when cut into squares. In all honesty, we cut it while everyone was here for Christmas dinner, and it was gone before I thought about taking a picture!!  It's that yummy!

  Ingredients:

• 1 12-oz bag of chocolate chips (about 2 cups worth)
• 1 14-oz can of sweetened condensed milk, divided
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 6 oz white candy coating
• 2-3 teaspoons peppermint extract
• green food coloring
• Assorted sprinkles, if desired

Directions:

1. Line an 8-inch square pan with wax paper, or with foil lightly greased with butter.
2. In a heavy saucepan, melt the chocolate chips with 1 cup of the sweetened condensed milk.   Stir until smooth and saucey!
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
4. Spread half the melted chocolate into the pan.  Chill for at least 10 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in another heavy saucepan, melt the white candy with the remaining sweetened condensed milk until smooth.  Stir in peppermint and add the food coloring until it is your desired shade.
6. Spread over the chilled chocolate layer.  Put back into the fridge for another 10 minutes, or until firm.
7. Warm the remaining chocolate mixture.  Spread over the chilled mint layer.  If decorating with sprinkles, add these now.
8. Chill for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
9. Cut into squares and devour!

I have not tried it, but I am betting that the white candy layer in this could be changed to any flavor and color to suit different palates or occasions.   I would like to try it again with red coloring and maybe a cherry flavoring, perhaps for Valentine's Day.