Ziploc Holiday Prints & Colors Review and Recipes (& Giveaway Ends 12/17)

ABOUT:

To get into the holiday spirit Ziploc has come out with Ziploc Holiday Bags and Containers.  The trusted Ziploc® seal lets you feel confident your treats will stay fresh, while the festive designs and colors add an extra touch of holiday sparkle.

Holiday designs are available on:

• Ziploc® Brand Containers with the Smart Snap™ Seal
• Ziploc® Brand Twist ’n Loc® Containers
• Ziploc® Brand Storage and Freezer Bags with the Smart Zip™ Seal
• Ziploc® Brand Slider Storage Bags with the Smart Zip™ Seal

MY THOUGHTS:

I got the chance to review a few festive Ziploc products and they are great for so many occasions.  The bags and containers are great for sending snacks or leftovers, transporting cookies or other sweets, handing out goodies to teachers and more!  The larger container is perfect for a fruit cake or just stacking lots of treats inside, then I am going to put a ribbon around it and send it off!  The Ziploc bags have been going to school with my son for snacktime and I plan on sending a few treats for his teachers and classmates in them for Christmas.  I really love to how the bags have a To/From label imprinted on them, which makes it perfect for quickly handing out!

Here are two great recipes developed by Robin Miller for Ziploc Brand to make and store in your Ziploc products!

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Swirled White & Milk Chocolate Mint Bark

Serving Size:

• Makes 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup red (peppermint) or green (spearmint) round candies
• 8 ounces white chocolate, such as Baker’s, coarsely chopped
• 8 ounces milk chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract, divided

Directions:

1.     Place mint candies in a quart or gallon-size Ziploc^® Brand Freezer Bag with the Smart Zip™ Seal and mash with a rolling pin, meat mallet or bottom of a heavy skillet until coarsely crushed (1/8-1/4-inch pieces).  Set aside.

2.     Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.  Set aside.

3.     Melt chocolates separately in the top of a double boiler or glass bowls resting in saucepans over simmering water (bowls shouldn’t be touching water, just sitting above it)*.

4.     Remove from heat and stir 1/4 teaspoon of the peppermint extract into each of the chocolates.

5.     Pour half of the white chocolate crosswise (side to side) on prepared baking sheet.

6.     Pour half of the milk chocolate next to white chocolate.

7.     Repeat with remaining white and milk chocolates, making a 4-stripe pattern.

8.     Using a wooden pick, swirl the white and milk chocolates together and spread out to 1/4-inch thickness (chocolate will not reach sides of pan).

9.     Arrange crushed mints over the top and push gently into chocolate.

10.  Cool until hard (refrigerate to speed up cooling).

11.  Break bark into pieces and store until ready to serve.

*You can also melt the chocolates in separate microwave-safe bowls, stirring and checking every 30 seconds.

Tip: Create a festive hostess gift or holiday treat for your kids’ teachers by placing the Swirled White & Milk Chocolate Mint Bark in Ziploc^® Brand Holiday Containers with the Smart Snap™ Seal.

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Dark Chocolate Almond Bark

Serving Size:

• Makes 3 cups

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, such as Baker’s, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds

Directions:

1.     Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.  Set aside.

2.     Melt chocolate in the top of a double boiler or in a glass bowl resting in a saucepan over simmering water (bowl shouldn’t be touching water, just sitting above it)*.

3.     Pour melted chocolate on prepared baking sheet and spread out to 1/4-inch thickness (chocolate will not reach sides of pan).

4.     Arrange almonds all over the top and push gently into chocolate.

5.     Cool until hard (refrigerate to speed up cooling).

6.     Break bark into pieces and store until ready to serve.

*You can also melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring and checking every 30 seconds.

Tip: Package your Dark Chocolate Almond Bark in Ziploc^® Brand Holiday Sandwich Bags for the perfect stocking stuffers!

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BUY IT: Look for Ziploc® Holiday Bags and Containers everywhere you’d normally find Ziploc® Brand products. This includes grocery stores and drug stores.

WIN IT: (1) US winner will receive an assortment of Ziploc Holiday Prints & Colors Products!

TO ENTER:  Leave a comment on what you use Ziploc products for the most!

Extra Entries (Only valid after you answer Main Entry above and Please leave a comment for each):
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#GIVEAWAY: Win a Ziploc Holiday Pack Assortment! @mamasmoney (Ends 12/17) http://bit.ly/i3Ijhp
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~ Enter any of my other giveaways or tell me how you heard about this giveaway!

Please leave me a comment for EACH entry. This contest ends December 17, 2010. Thanks everyone and good luck! Also, if you just put a generic comment like “I want to Win” then I will have to disqualify you. Once per household please.

Mama’s Money Savers Disclosure: I was sent a few products to review but my opinion remains my own. Please see my Disclosure Policy.