Oven Peanut Butter S'mores Recipe

I love nothing better than a fun night out in the canyon with good friends.  Hot dogs cooked over an open fire pit, kids running around getting filthy, having to bum salt from the guys next to you cause ya'll forgot yours, and the s'mores!  Oh yes, the s'mores!  They weren't kidding when they named those beauties s'mores..cause you always want s'more!

Alas, you don't always find yourself in the canyon when the craving for a tasty, toasty, melty s'more arises.  So what do you do?!  Check this baby out and you'll never be hungry again!  Or at least you can curb a craving quickly and easily.

You will need Graham Crackers, Peanut Butter, Marshmallows, and Chocolate Chips (I used semi sweet)

Get your awesome and absolutely adorable helper to pitch in on this recipe.  Just have her slather those Grahams with Peanut Butter.  Excellent..that looks great!

Hey now!  what do you think you are doing?  Get back to work.

Next have your helper place a few Marshmallows on each graham.  Nicely done!

What?!  Wait!  This is a serious food blog..there is no room for tomfoolery!

Excellent, let's focus on the food!  Place a few chocolate chips here and there amongst the Mallows.

Place them on a parchment lined cookie sheet and put in the oven under a warm broiler...but be careful!  These cook up very quickly...usually in a minute or so.  Just keep your eyes peeled because one second they aren't done and the next they are darker than you want!

Enjoy..Just like my kids did!

Oven Peanut Butter S'mores Recipe

Graham Crackers
Peanut Butter
Marshmallows
Chocolate Chips

Pre-heat the oven's broiler.  Spread PB on the Grahams then top with Marshmallows and chocolate chips.  Place in oven on a parchment lined baking sheet... but watch very closely because these go from not done to over done very quickly.  Takes about a minute or so to toast the Mallows.

Enjoy!

Russian Tea Recipe

Contrary to the title, this recipe has absolutely no Tea in it and there is probably very little (if any) Russian influence.  But I love it!  I have been enjoying Russian Tea every winter since I was a little girl.  I have even convinced myself that Russian Tea has some healing properties.  No joke!  When I get a nasty cold..a hot cup of Russian Tea helps me feel just a little bit better.  Clears my sinuses a bit and soothes my achyness. 

This recipe makes a whole bunch so you and your family can enjoy the health..ahem...benefits all winter long.  Perhaps for more than one winter.  It's a little tart, a little sweet, and a little..clovey...clove-y..delicious!

You will need Ground Cloves, Ground Cinnamon, Sugar, Powdered Lemonade, and Powdered Tang. 

Now grab one of your best helpers..

Or two if you are lucky.

Add all of the ingredients into a large bowl.

Mix together thoroughly.  You want those flavors to blend and combine.

As a side note..the now empty containers are a great storage solution.

Grab a mug full of hot water.  Not burn your face off hot..just soothe your sore throat or warm you up after playing in the snow hot.  Add in 2-3 heaping teaspoons.  I usually go for 3.

Stir to mix and enjoy!

Russian Tea Recipe
Source:  My Mom

2 C Tang (I've also used generic and it works great)
8 scoops Lemonade Powder..or the amount needed to make 8 Quarts of Lemonade 
3/4 C Sugar
2 tsp Ground Cloves
2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together really well.  Add 2-3 heaping teaspoons to a mug of hot water and stir.  Enjoy!

Ham Roll Appetizer Recipe

Have I mentioned that I am less than 3 weeks away from having my third child!  This is so crazy to me.  I am so not ready...is it possible to request more time?  Although, with how uncomfortable I am maybe I am ready after all.  Such a shame that things get so crowded at the end of pregnancy.  I was remembering back to when I had my first child recently.  One of the funnier memories involves a delicious appetizer and my baby shower.

My Mom and sister threw me a very sweet baby shower and you should have seen the spread of food they prepared.  It was fantastic in every way.  There was so much amazing and delectable treats that it was hard to choose what to snack on.  They made on of my favorites..Ham Rolls!  They are always so yummy and a bonus they are pretty low calorie.  I must have gobbled down a dozen ham rolls, at least.  After the party was over I peeked in the fridge and found that the ham that I had bee consuming all afternoon had expired!!!  Not just by a day or two either.  It was horrible!  Luckily nobody got sick and my sister decided to always check the expiration date when shopping at the Walmart.  You should give these babies a try when you have a party to go to.  Perfect any time of year and in any setting. 

You will need Cream Cheese (the whipped kind spreads more easily), Ham, and Green Onions.

Grab a slice of Ham.

Spread the Cream Cheese almost to the edges of the Ham.

Slice the Green Onion up. 

Evenly sprinkle a little Green Onion over the meat.

Roll the ham up.

Slice into little rolls and Enjoy!

Ham Roll Appetizer Recipe

Ham
Cream Cheese
Green Onion

Evenly spread a TBSP or so of the Cream Cheese over the top of the Ham slice.  Chop the Green Onion up into little slices and sprinkle over the top of the Cream Cheese.  Roll the ham up and slice into mini rolls. 

Enjoy!

Nutter Butter Cookie Balls Recipe

Cookies!  Oh yeah..I said cookies!  Every year my sister and I put together a Christmas Cookie Exchange party.  It is so much fun and we get to sample all kinds of yummy cookies.  I like to try something new and exciting every year.  Some of my treats have been awesome..while others have been less than awesome.  But it's all in good fun so I don't mind the flops.  This year I was cruising the web and saw this little beauty and just had to give it a try.  Crumbled up cookies in a cookie!?  What could be tastier?

You will need Mini Nutter Butter Bites, Nutter Butter Cookies, Peanut Butter (I used creamy), Softened Cream Cheese (I used the diet stuff), and Almond Bark.

Put the regular Nutter Butter Cookies in a zip top bag and using your meat club crush those babies up.  I did this shortly after putting my children to bed and my crushing woke up my 2 year old.  Perhaps next time I'll crush more gently.

Mix together the soft Cream Cheese and crushed Nutter Butters.

It will come together in a kind of dry and slightly crumbly mixture.

Roll into little balls.  I got just over 2 dozen of them.  Refrigerate at least one hour.  I let them sit overnight.

Grab a handful or two of the Nutter Butter Bites and cut them in half.

In a microwave safe dish (I find a measuring cup works best) place the Almond Bark and Peanut Butter in the microwave.  At 50% power microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until everything is melted and combined.

Prepare your station.  Rolled balls on one sheet.  Melted PB goodness in the middle.  Clean sheet covered with parchment on the other side.  Cut up Mini Nutters close by.

Drop one ball at a time in the melted PB mixture.  Using a fork lightly tap on the dish to remove excess chocolatey goo.

Place the coated ball on the clean cookie sheet.

Top wit a mini Nutter.  Repeat until they are all coated and topped.  Allow plenty of time for coating to harden.  You can also place them in the fridge to hurry this process along.

Enjoy!

Nutter Butter Cookie Balls Recipe
Source:  Kraft Recipes

1 8oz package Softened Cream Cheese
24 Nutter Butter Cookies, crushed
3-6 Squares Almond Bark 
1/4 C Creamy Peanut Butter
Mini Nutter Butter Cookies cut in half
 
Mix together the crushed Nutter Butter Cookies and soft Cream Cheese to make a slightly crumbly dough.  Roll the dough into 1 inch balls.  I ended up with just over 2 dozen.  Place on a baking sheet covered with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.  

In a microwave safe dish mix, add the Peanut Butter and Almond bard.  Microwave in 30 second increments at 50% power until everything is melted and combined.  Make sure to stir after every 30 seconds.  Drop the Balls, one at a time, into the Melted PB mixture.  Using a fork, tap lightly on the dish to remove excess coating.  Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and top with one of the mini Nutter Butter halves.  Once all the balls are coated allow the coating to set.

Enjoy!  

Peanut Butter & White Chocolate Rice Krispies Treat Recipe

Have I got a yummy treat for you today.  I saw this little gem and just had to give it a try. Luckily for me my neighbor had just come home with her adorable new born baby and was in need of a tasty supper.  I whipped up a some delicious Chili Lime Enchiladas and a batch of these White Chocolate & Peanut Butter krispies for dessert.  Boy was I glad I tried these because they were amazing.  They came together quickly and easily and I only had to use my microwave to melt the chocolate.  Whip these up right away because you are going to love them.

You will need Mini Marshmallows, Mini Chocolate Chips, White Chocolate Chips, Peanut Butter, and Rice Krispies.

Slowly melt the chocolate in a microwave safe dish.  I started by lowering the power to 50% and went for 1 minute, stirred, and then nuked in 30 second increments.  Make sure to stir between each nuking. 

Add the Peanut Butter into the melted White Chocolate

and mix it all together well.  At this point you should probably enjoy a little taste..just to make sure it is as good as you imagine it is.

Add the Rice Krispies in with the White Chocolate/PB mixture.  This dish was too small so I actually moved it to a bigger dish when I realized that mixing without spilling was impossible.

Add in the Mini Mallows and the Mini Chocolate Chips and mix together well but gently.

Spray a 9x9 dish with non-stick spray.

Then add the mixture and gently press down.  No need to crush it..just press a bit.

Top with a few extra Mini Chocolate Chips and let it set up for an hour or two.  When the chocolate has hardened cut them up.

Make sure to take some to your neighbor who is in desperate need of a meal. 

Then you can enjoy one for yourself.

Peanut Butter & White Chocolate Rice Krsipies Treat Recipe
Source:  Cookies and Cups

12 oz Bag White Chocolate Chips
1/2 C Creamy Peanut Butter
3 C Rice Krispies Cereal
1 1/2 C Mini Marshmallows
1/4 C Mini Chocolate Chips plus a bit extra for Garnish

Lightly spray a 9x9 dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Using a microwave safe bowl melt the White Chocolate Chips in the microwave.  Set the power to 50% and start by setting the time to 1 minute.  Stir the Chocolate and stick back in continuing to use 50% power in 30 second increments until the Chocolate is fully melted.  Be careful to stir well between each use of the microwave.  You don't want to over melt the Chocolate or it will turn out hard and weird.

Once the Chips are fully melted add in the Peanut Butter and mix together really well.  In a large bowl add the Rice Krispies, Mini Chocolate Chips, and Mini Marshmallows.  If the Chocolate mix is really warm you may want to wait a few before you add in the highly meltables but I just threw them right in.  Mix everything together gently but thoroughly.

Transfer the Krsipies mixture to the dish and press it down gently.  No need to press too hard and crush everything together.  Sprinkle a TBSP or two of the Mini Chocolate Chips on top pressing them down a bit to make them look very pretty.  Allow them to cool for an hour or two. 

Cut into treats and Enjoy.

Peppermint Chex Mix Recipe

Guess who is back to Christmas again.  Yep..it's me.  Now I am doing Christmas in February.  Oh the shame.  But this was too yummy and easy to not post about.  For my Christmas cookie party I wanted a quick and easy snack for the ladies to munch on.  I found this yummy looking recipe and I was so glad I did.  Give it a try when you have a Christmas party and want something that whips up in minutes and can be made ahead.

You will need Crushed Candy Canes, Almond Bark, and Chex.  I tired it with both Rice and Corn Chex.

I had crushed candy canes that my sister gave me as a gift.

Put the Chex in a large bowl.

Place the Almond Bark in a microwave safe dish and melt following package directions.

Pour the melted Almond Bark over the Chex.

Add in the Crushed Candy Canes.

Slowly and carefully fold everything together. 

Transfer the Chex to a parchment covered baking sheet and spread out in a thin layer.

Sprinkle a little Crushed Candy Canes over the top.

Looking good but not done yet!

Drizzle a bit more of the melted Almond Bark over the top then give it a bit of time to harden.

Break up and Enjoy!

Peppermint Chex Mix Recipe
Source: Utah Deal Diva

6 C Rice Chex (also good with corn chex)
1 (12 oz) package of White Almond Bark
1/3 C Coarsely crushed Candy Canes

Place Chex in a large bowl.

Melt the White Almond Bark according to package instructions.  Pour melted Almond Bark and half of the Crushed Candy Canes on top of the Chex.  Carefully mix everything together.

Transfer from the bowl to a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.  Spread out into a thin layer and sprinkle the rest of the Crushed Candy Canes over the top.  Melt a little more Almond Bark and drizzle over the top.

Allow to set up at least 20 minutes.  Once set up break up into chunks.

Enjoy!