I’m sharing three easy recipes today! Broccoli salad, coffee brownies with mocha buttercream frosting, and no-bake cherry chocolate peanut butter cookie dough balls. This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Kraft. The opinions and text are all mine.

When my kids are home on Christmas break I do not want to waste one minute I don’t need to in the kitchen. 9 times out of 10 they are in there with me. They are always hungry and the price of eating whenever they please is giving me a hand making some easy recipes when I need it.  From mixing brownie batter to chopping broccoli, rolling cookie dough balls to spreading icing, they are just the right age to help with minimal intervention on my part.

I think it is important to teach them how to do a few things for themselves. Cooking and sharing food treats with others are high on my list.  Saving money and learning how to keep a budget when shopping for groceries is another.

I live fairly close to a Target, so needless to say I go there a lot.  I can get just about everything I need there and I recently discovered the Cartwheel app. Savings stacks up when you use coupons like those available right now from Kraft in conjunction with deals shared on Cartwheel.

Kraft is offering coupons that are exclusive to Target valued at up to $20 in savings. Like my kids help in me in the kitchen, so is Kraft helping us all save a bit of money for the holidays.

In my book that is a good thing.

Get your coupons here that can be used exclusively at Target. Otherwise known as my happy place ????

I hope you enjoy these easy recipes!

Broccoli Salad

Ingredients
1 1/2 C Kraft mayonnaise 
2 TB + 2 tsp sugar
3 TB vinegar (I used red wine)
6-8 C broccoli florets
6 slices of bacon, cooked drained and crumbled
1 small red onion, chopped (this is good with shallots too)
3/4 C Craisins
1/2 C unsalted shelled sunflower seeds
pinch of salt/pepper to taste

Instructions
Mix mayo, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl.  Add the remaining ingredients and toss to mix. This is not a ‘saucy salad’ which is why my kids love it so much.

Cherry Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites

Ingredients

1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup Planters Cherry Chocolate peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions
Cream together the butter, peanut butter and sugars until smooth and the sugars have mostly dissolved.
Beat in the flour and salt until the cookie dough is crumbly but is an even consistency.
Mix in the chocolate chips.
Roll the cookie dough into 1 inch balls. Place on parchment paper or wax paper and place in the refrigerator to chill. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to one week.

Coffee Infused Brownies

Ingredients
1/2 cup ground coffee, I used Gevalia Chocolate Mocha
1/2 cup boiling water
4 1/2 squares unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped, I used Ghiradelli 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour, I used King Arthur Flour

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300°F. Line a 9-inch square pan with foil or grease with butter.
In a large bowl, stir ground coffee and water together. Add chocolate and butter. Microwave uncovered on High  power for 2 1/2 – 4 minutes, stirring every 40-60 seconds until melted. Stir in sugar and salt. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour until well mixed. Transfer to the prepared pan.
Bake for 50-55 minutes or until sides begin to pull away and toothpick inserted in center comes out  clean. Cool completely before icing.

Mocha Buttercream Icing

Ingredients

6 C powdered sugar
1 C unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 C of strong coffee, cooled (I used leftover Gevalia Chocolate Mocha from the morning)

Instructions

Using a blender, mix ingredients until a smooth consistency. Smooth on top of cooled brownies.  You may have a bit leftover.

From shopping for gifts to planning family dinners, it’s hard to keep up with all your holiday to-do’s. This year, Kraft is helping out with great weeknight meals and entertaining ideas to make the season a little bit easier. Plus, Kraft is offering up to $20 in coupons, redeemable exclusively at Target, to make food shopping easier and to help you have a happy holiday season.