MIKE AND IKE and HOT TAMALES for Valentine’s Day

 

Share the passion of the season by surprising special loved ones in your life this Valentine’s Day with varieties from MIKE AND IKE® and HOT TAMALES® Brand candies.  MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix, and HOT TAMALES® Fierce Cinnamon in special packaging are hitting the shelves just in time for Valentine’s Day! 

MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix and HOT TAMALES® varieties both come in a 5oz 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.  The HOT TAMALES® special edition for Valentine’s Day includes the brand’s classic cinnamon flavor, but comes with a different look to its packaging. Designed with the feeling of love in mind, The HOT TAMALES® special edition box is the perfect candy for that spicy flame in your life. Both boxes come ready to gift with a tag fully integrated into the packaging!  SRP for both 5oz boxes is $1.00 - $1.39.

For more product varieties please visit www.mikeandike.com and www.hottamales.com.

Go the extra mile for your Valentine this year and create some tasty recipes featuring MIKE AND IKE® and HOT TAMALES® candies!  These recipes were created by Chef Jamie Geller as part of her recent alliance with the leading candy brands.  

BeJeweled MIKE AND IKE® Cookies

Prep Time: 15 min

Cook Time: 10 min

Ready Time: 25 min

Servings: 36

INGREDIENTS:

●      1 ½ Boxes of MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix

●      2/3 Cup margarine – cold

●      1 Cup Sugar

●      1 Egg

●      1 teaspoon vanilla

●      2 Cups flour

●      1 teaspoon Baking Soda

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. In a mixer bowl, put 2/3 C Margarine, 1 C Sugar, 1 Egg and 1 teaspoon Vanilla.

3. Mix until well creamed. 

4. Add in 2 C flour and 1 teaspoon Baking Soda.
5. Add in chopped up MIKE AND IKE® Passion Mix, mix into a dough (will be slightly sticky).

6. Roll into 1 inch balls. Place on cookie sheets lined with baking paper.
7. Bake for about 10 minutes or until edges are golden. Centers will be slightly soft.

8. Let cool.

HOT TAMALES® Snickerdoodles Servings: 2 dozen

INGREDIENTS:

●     1/2 cup (4oz) HOT TAMALES®Fierce Cinnamon, coarsely chopped*

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

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

●     3/4 cups (5.6oz) granulated sugar

●     1 egg

●     1 1/2 cups (6.75oz) 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 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.

My Thoughts 

My family is excited to see the Mike and Ike Valentine varieties have hit the scene.  We received a variety pack to try out, and my kids went crazy. Mike and Ike has all the chewy, juicy flavor we're used to, but now they feature love inspired designs that come in pink, purple and red. The flavors are paradise punch, strawberry, grape, and cherry. If you want to spice things up even more, try the Hot Tamales. These are hot cinnamon flavored treats that will set your mouth on fire with spicy flavor.

 You can find both Mike & Ikes and Hot Tamales in large boxes or mini bags, making them the perfect choice for school Valentine's or even to toss in lunches. You can find these fun new varieties in stores nationwide.  Stock up now because these lovable treats treats won't last long!