Recipe: Reindeer Tracks

Don't let the name fool you; these treats are not just for the holidays.  The great thing about these little chocolate and caramel covered pretzel bites (besides the fact they're amazing and I'm completely addicted) is they're so basic that my two year old can easily help me prepare these treats for our friends and family (after we make a batch for ourselves, of course).

Ingredients:
Rolos
Mini pretzel twists
Pecan halves 

Step 1:
Preheat oven to 300 F

Step 2:
Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper to protect it from any dripping bits of caramel. Unwrap each of the Rolos.

Step 3:  
On the baking sheet, layout a single layer of mini pretzels.  Add one Rolos to the top of each pretzel.  

Step 4:
Place in the oven for 5-7 minutes, until chocolate and caramel have softened.  Remove from oven and firmly press a pecan half on each pretzel/Rolos.  

Step 5: 
Allow finished reindeer tracks to cool before eating.

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Easy Holiday Appetizer

This is my favorite appetizer for parties, office gatherings, and last minute visitors.  Its your basic cream cheese bar topped with spicy red pepper jelly.  The only thing I change for the holidays is its shape.  It doesn't get any easier than this folks.  

Ingredients: 
2 8oz cream cheese bars
Red pepper jelly 
Cling wrap 
Crackers 

Directions: 
1) Set out the cream cheese bars and let them soften at room temperature.  
2) Place softened bars on a large sheet of cling wrap with the short ends of the cheese touching, making one long bar.  
3) Fold the cling wrap over the top of the cream cheese.  This will allow you to roll and mold the cream cheese without it sticking to your hands.  Roll the cream cheese into one log and shape into a candy cane.  
4) Keep the cream cheese wrapped in cling wrap and place in the refrigerator until firm and ready to serve. 
5) When ready to serve, remove the cream cheese from the cling wrap and place on a platter.  
6) Using a spoon, spread the red pepper jelly over the cream cheese in diagonal stripes to mimic a candy cane.  
Serve with crackers and enjoy!

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Recipe: 'Bears at the Beach' Gelatin Cups

These sweet little bear snacks were the perfect addition to my son's nautical birthday party.  Not only were they a tasty hit with the kids, but they also were incredibly easy to make.  I have to say, what I liked the most was that I could make the Jello cups several days in advance and assemble them right before the party.  I always seem to be scrambling at the last minute before events, so I'm turning more and more to recipes that can be made in advance.  Overall, these were my favorite snacks on the menu: yummy, easy, and a time saver.

Ingredients:
Blue Jello 
Teddy Grahams 
Gummy Savers 
Honey Graham Crackers (optional) 
Small cups or shot glasses (I used 2 oz. plastic cups)

Step 1: 
Prepare Jello according to the directions on the box.  Fill your cups 3/4 full with the prepared Jello mixture and place in the refrigerator until Jello is set.  

Step 2: 
Sort through the Teddy Grahams and set aside the bears with their arms up and feet together.  These bears are ideal for sliding on the   gummy "beach floats".  Use your finger to gently stretch the middle hole of the gummy Life Savors and slide onto the Teddy Grahams, feet first.  Repeat for the remaining bears. This step can also be done in advance.  After you attach the gummy Life Savors, simply store bears in an air tight bag and add to the Jello cups before serving.

Step 3: 
Place the feet of each bear into the individual Jello cups and serve. 

Optional: Make edible "sand"
Crush honey graham crackers with a food processor or place crackers in a sealed bag, place on a sturdy surface, and pound with a mallet (I don't own a mallet so I actually use a super heavy ice cream scoop). Spread cracker crumbs on a serving dish and place the Jello cups on top.

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Witches' Hats Recipe for Halloween

I've wanted to make these adorable witch hat treats for years and finally decided to put my non-baking skills to the test.  They were surprisingly easy but I did burn myself a few times with the chocolate melts (mostly due to my clumsiness and not the chocolate painting technique itself).  Determined to make these little suckers, I powered through and I'm glad that I did. I love how they turned out and the best part is that you can make these several days in advance and add the decorations the day of the party.

Ingredients:
Sugar cones
Chocolate candy melts 
Chocolate wafer cookies 
Orange icing (I used store bought premade icing with attachable decorting tips) 
Jolly Rancher Chews (or any square chewy candy available)
Other materials needed: pastry brush

Step 1:  
Melt chocolate melts according to the package directions.  

Step 2:
Once chocolate is melted, use a pastry brush to paint the melted chocolate onto the sugar cone.  Paint a generous amount of chocolate on the bottom rim and adhere a chocolate wafer cookie to the bottom of the cone.  Repeat process with the remaining cones.  Allow cones to sit until the chocolate has thoroughly hardened.

Step 3:
Open icing and attach decorating tip.  Apply a thin line of icing around the base of the cone just above the cookie base.  I added an additional line of icing to make the hat band thicker.  Cut candy to make a smaller square for the "buckle" and attach to the middle of the orange icing band. If transporting the hats, allow the icing to harden first. Otherwise, serve and bask in the oooos and ahhhhs.

Looking for more Halloween party ideas? Check out the Eat Before You Treat tablescape and these simple Halloween banners.

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Swamp Water Punch

Looking for a quick punch that's fun for the kids?  Mix the ingredients below, add some slithering snakes and floating frogs, and you'll have a bowl of "swamp water" that the kids will love!

Ingredients:
1 gal. green berry punch 
1 liter lemon lime soda 
64 oz. white grape juice or white cranberry juice 
green food coloring (optional)

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Recipe: Easy Chocolate Mint Brownies

This is the recipe I keep tucked away for occasions when I have to bring a dish at the last minute, the boys haven't napped, the house is trashed, and the last thing I want to do is run to the store to pick up 15 ingredients to bake a dessert from scratch.  I'm almost embarrassed to share this recipe since it's that unbelievably easy.

These brownies were perfect for our game day table. Check it out here

Ingredients:

1 box of brownie mix + any additional ingredients listed on the box

1 box of crème de menthe chocolates

Directions:

Bake brownies according to the directions on the box. 

When brownies are done baking, remove from oven.

Roughly chop chocolate mints and sprinkle on top of brownies.  The heat from the just baked brownies will melt the chocolate and form a harder layer once cooled.

Enjoy!

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