Mint Balls

We like to make Candy for Christmas.  These mint balls are our favorites.  They are so easy to make and so good. 

Recipe:
1 Package of Oreos crushed (with Centers Removed)
1 package of cream cheese
A box of Junior mints
Crushed Candy Canes
1 bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted)

Mix the Cream Cheese and crushed oreos together.  Form the mixture into a ball and put a junior mint in it.  Roll the ball into the melted chocolate. Sprinkle with crushed candy cane. Then refrigerate until hard.

I remember when growing up we would make candy at Christmas time.  We would make peanut butter cups, mellow cups.  I remember loving to help make the candy (and eating it). This year my kids helped a lot while making the candy.  They scraped the center out of the Oreos.  Helped roll the dough into balls and sprinkle on the candy canes.  It was a lot of delicious fun.

We had a family home evening lesson last week of finding Christ in Christmas.  We were looking at the symbols of Christmas and how they represented Christ.

Candy Cane
Represents shepherd's crook to keep sheep from straying. Reminds us we are our brother's keeper.
Bell
Rings out glad tidings of birth of Jesus. Also, sheep had a bell tied round neck so shepherd could hear where it was, and if in danger. Jesus always knows where we are and will help us when life gets difficult.
Tree:Remains green all year round and is a symbol of everlasting life.
Bow:Tied on gifts, shows we are all tied to each other with love as the family of mankind.
Gifts: Remembers the gifts given to Jesus by the wise men, and the gift of everlasting life given to the whole world through the atonement of Jesus Christ, and the gift of eternal life with our Heavenly Father, if we keep His commandments.   
Star:Like the bright star that shone at the time of Jesus' birth.
Wreath:Its circle shape shows that, just like love, it has no end, and never stops.
Candle: Gives light to a dark world. Jesus is the Light of the world. 
The Color Red: The first color of Christmas, symbolizing the Savior's sacrifice for all.

As we were making the candy, Garrett asks, "How does Candy represent Christmas?"  He thinks for a minute and then says, "Christmas is sweet and so is Candy."