Sweeten up Valentine’s Day this year with MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix and HOT TAMALES® Cinnamon candy

Sweeten up Valentine’s Day this year with MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix and HOT TAMALES® Cinnamon candy.

 I have to admit one of my favorite candies is HOT TAMALES®. I was super excite to find a recipe using HOT TAMALES®. Can't wait to make them for Valentines Day.

HOT TAMALES® Snickerdoodles

Servings: 2 dozen

INGREDIENTS:

·         1/2 cup (4 oz) HOT TAMALES® Candies, coarsely chopped*

·         1/4 cup (2 oz) salted margarine, softened

·         1/4 cup (2 oz) shortening (I use Spectrum Organic)

·         3/4 cups (5.6 oz) granulated sugar

·         1 egg

·         1 1/2 cups (6.75 oz) all-purpose flour

·         1 teaspoon cream of tartar

·         1/2 teaspoon baking soda

·         pinch of salt (increase to 1/4 tsp if using unsalted margarine)

·         4 teaspoons granulated sugar

·         4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

*The candy is quite sticky so the best way to chop it is with a lightly oiled knife. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.       Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

2.       Using an electric mixer, cream together the margarine, shortening and ¾ cups sugar. 
Add the egg and beat until thoroughly combined.

3.       In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients 
(except the candy) into the creamed mixture and mix until just combined. Add the chopped 
candy and mix until the candy is evenly distributed, a few minutes more.

4.       Refrigerate the dough for at least 15 minutes (this makes it easier to handle).

5.       Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

6.       Combine the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.  Form dough into balls 
the size of small walnuts (I use a tablespoon cookie scoop). Roll the balls of cookie dough 
in the cinnamon sugar.

7.       Place the cookies two inches apart on the cookie sheets. Bake for 8 minutes, 
rotating the cookie sheets in the oven at the halfway point. They are done when they
 look puffed in the middle and slightly brown at the edges 
(the tops of the cookies will form cracks). Be careful not to overcook.

8.       Remove cookie sheet from the oven and let cookies sit on it for another minute 
or so before removing to cooling rack; cookies will flatten out as they cool.

9.       These cookies are best served warm, straight out of the oven, but they 
can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.

 Both candies come in a 5 oz box, and are the perfect addition to any Valentine’s Day gift. The MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix blend includes Paradise Punch, Strawberry, Grape and Cherry flavors. HOT TAMALES® special edition for Valentine’s Day is the classic Cinnamon flavor everyone loves and the box comes ready to gift with a tag fully integrated into the packaging! SRP for both 5oz boxes is $1.00 - $1.39 5oz HT Valetines Horizontal“There is nothing sweeter on Valentine’s Day than candy,” says Koren Ivie, Brand Manager for MIKE AND IKE® and HOT TAMALES® candy. “We are sure consumers will fall in love with MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix as well as HOT TAMALES® with Valentine’s Day packaging!” For more product varieties please visit www.mikeandike.com and www.hottamales.com.