Crispix Popcorn Snack Mix - Munchkin Snack Mix

I made this Crispix Popcorn Snack Mix for a "Wizard of Oz" party, so gave it a new name:

Munchkin Snack Mix 

 

I didn't have peanuts, so used cashews. I am certain that peanuts would be better.  But, you know what???!! I just realized that the recipe doesn't even have nuts in it!!  Ha ha!! Where did I get "nuts" from? Who knows!  Well, I suppose I just added a new ingredient :). 

1 12 oz. box Crispix cereal
7 cups popped popcorn 
2 sticks butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 PLUS 1 Tablespoon light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Optional: Peanuts or cashews....1 cup

Mix cereal, popped corn and peanuts in large pan.(I used my roaster, made it easy to stir)

Bring to a boil the butter, brown sugar and syrup. Boil about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and baking soda. Stir quickly as soda makes it foam.

Pour over cereal mixture and mix well. Bake 225* for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread out on foil,(I use freezer paper because it is bigger) break apart and let cool. Enjoy!
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Let It Snow! Snowman Snacks

With the windchill in single digits, you'd think we could at least get a few snow flurries, but apparently it's not in the forecast for today! Maybe tomorrow, but until then here are a few cute snowman snacks for you to enjoy.

This first one is Snowman Donuts or Snowmen on a Stick was sent to me by a blog reader who knows I like cute things! :)  (Thanks, Marsha!) It's from a blog called Dukes & Duchesses. Click HERE for the instructions.

If you've seen the movie, "Frozen", then most likely you've fallen head over heals for the adorable snowman in the movie, named Olaf.  This snack, from SheKnows is just as adorable as Olaf, himself! Click HERE for that post.

These Nutter Butter Snowmen are so cute and illustrated well in this photo from the blog, "The Wilson World". Click HERE for instructions.

And finally, if you're looking for a healthier snowman snack, this one is a perfect idea!  I like the idea of having the kids assemble their own on their plate. They could get pretty creative "building" their snowman.  Click HERE for this blog post over at Home Grown Friends.

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Spa Lady Cheese Ball

Isn't this the cutest cheese ball you've ever seen?  This was a snack at our ladies' retreat last weekend!  It tasted delicious, too!

Here's a link for directions on making this lovely snack: http://www.hungryhappenings.com/2011/08/spa-party-appetizer-clever-way-to-serve.html

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Oven Roasted Marshmallows

This isn't a recipe, but just an idea my mom told us about when she was visiting recently.

When you can't have a real fire, you can still enjoy roasted marshmallows right from your oven! Just simply put big marshmallows out on a baking sheet and broil them in the oven.  Watch closely to get them browned or burned to your liking!  Quick, easy, and yummy!
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Cinnamon Pretzels

I had been seeing this recipe on Pinterest for a while and finally had an opportunity to make them yesterday.  The first batch I used the big pretzel twists, but then did the small ones.  The smaller ones are better.  More of the cinnamon/sugar mixture sticks to them.  These are simple to make and would be great for homemade Christmas gifts!

Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels 

1 (16 oz) bag pretzel twists 

⅔ cup vegetable oil 

½ cup sugar (I used homemade vanilla sugar.)

2 tsp cinnamon 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Pour pretzels into a roasting pan. In a medium sized bowl mix together vegetable oil, cinnamon and sugar. Pour over pretzels and stir to coat. Place in oven on top rack and bake for 30 minutes, removing twice to stir.

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Homemade Tortillas

In his Spanish class last week, my son and his classmates were having a "Fiesta" meal.  He decided to make tortillas and searched online for a recipe.  He made it once to try it out and really liked it.  So, for the Fiesta, he made them again.  They are delicious!

HERE is the recipe, from "What's Cooking America".

Thanks, Zachary, for finding this great new recipe for us!  I look forward to you making them again really soon.....for us! :)
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Acorn Donut Hole Snacks

Last weekend at the ladies retreat, one of my friends made this cut acorn snacks.  They were cute and tasted good, too!  Here are the instructions, per Bridget:  Take a donut hole, dip one end into Nutella and roll it in toffee bits.  Stick a pretzel stick in the end and you have an acorn snack!  Perfect for fall!

This recipe was found by Bridget on Pinterest.  Thanks to whomever was the original creator of this recipe!  Great idea!

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Fiery Furnace S'More Snack Craft

Posted by Lori:

If you're looking for a VBS or Bible class snack craft for the "Fiery Furnace" Bible story (Daniel 3), this one is GREAT!  I found it online, but can't remember where right now (maybe Danielle's Place??).   For VBS, I bought a small toaster oven so that I could make the snacks in the classroom.  The students thought it was great making them and eating them, of course!

Here's what is needed for each snack:

1 graham cracker square

Approximately 10 chocolate chips

8 small marshmallows

4 Teddy Grahams (leave one off when cooking)

On top of graham cracker square, put the chocolate chips, marshmallows, and 3 Teddy Grahams.  Toast in 350 degree oven for 5 minutes, or until marshmallows are browned.  The Teddy Grahams should not burn......making them just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the Fiery Furnace story.

One more person was in the fiery furnace and it looked like an "angel" or a "son of God".  When the s'more is done, remove the snack to a plate and place the 4th Teddy Graham on top.  This is the 4th person from the story (sent by God) and the one who saved the men from being burned. 

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Daniel in the Lions' Den Snack

Posted by Lori:

When one of the Vacation Bible School lessons is Daniel in the Lions' Den, you must have a lion snack, right?  Of course!  

Food crafts help create lasting memories of the story in the minds of children, so that is the main reason I like to do them.  The children are always ready for a little snack after the lesson and activities, anyway.

For this lion use the following ingredients:

1 round cracker

Peanut butter ( if allergic, just leave off)

Chow mein noodles (they had a choice of these or pretzel sticks)

Reeses Pieces (or if allergic used chocolate chips)

Chocolate licorice for whiskers and ears

Enjoy!

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Seasoned Crackers

Posted by Donna:

I've been teaching piano ever since I retired from teaching. One of the students brought me these treats at Halloween. They were so good. She told me how she made them--I think this is basically what she said. They were so good.

Seasoned Crackers

1 1/3 cup canola
1 Packet dry ranch dressing mix
4 sleeves crackers
(Of course, this can be adjusted for the amount to be made.)

**1 T. each of red pepper flakes and cayenne can also be added for more spice. I'm sure you can adjust this and do any kind of seasonings that you prefer.

I've read where some people mix all the ingredients together first, then add the crackers to coat. I can't remember which way my student said she and her family did theirs--just the oil on the crackers first, then dry ingredients or mixed.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 - 15 minutes.
Store in an air-tight container.

I haven't made these yet, but I want to ask about spraying the crackers with canola--then coating the crackers with the seasoning. I think that would work also. I can see me making a big mess the other way.

I've read where some people use these crackers in place of chips to dip in various dips. It sounds really good. Pin It Now!

Cucumber Salsa

Posted by Lori:

When I spoke at the  Waynoka church last Saturday, the ladies gave me one of their cookbooks they had put together last year.  It has some great recipes I can't wait to try!  This is one of them.  It just sounds really good, doesn't it?

CUCUMBER SALSA

1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
1 cucumber, chopped
1 package dry ranch dressing mix

Mix together and eat! Refrigerate any left-over portions.

How simple is that!!
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New Snacks to Try

Posted by Lori:

Here are some Pinterest-found snacks I want to try.  I'm not sure of the original origin of these recipes, but am listing a site where I think it might have come from:

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies: http://veryculinary.com/2011/03/22/oreo-stuffed-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Frozen Yogurt Bites: http://www.simplesavingsecrets.net/2012/03/recipe-frozen-yogurt-bites.html

What new things are you trying? 

Have a great weekend!

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Funfetti Birthday Cake Dip

Posted by Lori:

I've been seeing this recipe a lot on the web and can't wait to try it!  It's such a cute recipe, too!  I've seen it served with animal crackers and vanilla wafers.  Sounds yummy!

Funfetti Birthday Cake Dip
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted and cooled
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon sprinkles

Melt butter in microwave and set aside to cool.  Beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and cake mix together for  two minutes with an electric mixer. Add the vanilla and slowly beat in the cooled butter and beat for another two minutes. Stir in the sprinkles. Pour into a serving bowl and refrigerate.  Garnish with additional sprinkles, if desired. Serve with animal crackers or vanilla wafers or your choice of dippers!

After being refrigerated it gets hard, so let it soften about 15 minutes before serving.
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Almond Cookie Crisp

Posted by Lori:

I shared my sister-in-law's Indian Tea recipe with you last week.  This is another great recipe of hers.  Each little cookie crisp has only 25 calories!  They are delicious!

I've added a note from Deborah about the change she makes from the recipe below:  The only change I made to the cookie recipe was I didn't put almond slices - I ground up my almonds and mixed them into the batter. (You really put a very small amount on the parchment paper. )

Almond Cookie Crisp: (Adopted from Agnes Chang’s Baking Made Easy)

Makes 42 to 45 cookies (depending on the size)

2 large egg whites, room temperature
a pinch of kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons castor sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup almond slices
2 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven 325F. Line baking sheet with silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk egg white, salt, vanilla extract and sugar until foamy. Whisk until sugar is completely dissolved. Whisk in flour until no lumps. Then, gently fold in almond slices and butter.

Spoon 1 to teaspoon of batter onto prepared baking sheet and spread batter into a 2 to 3-inch circle. Make sure the almonds flakes are not overlapping each other. Spoon the rest of the batter on baking sheet with each cookie at least 1-inch apart. Might need to bake cookies in batches.

Bake 9 to 12 minutes depending on their size, rotate baking sheet once during baking. Bake until slightly golden brown. Remove from baking sheet and cool completely on wire rack. Cookies will crisp up once completely cool.

*Do not over bake them because they tend to turn a little more golden brown after they're out of the oven. Pin It Now!

Berry Parfaits

Posted by Lori:

Have you tried the small little parfaits from McDonalds?  They are YUMMY!  I get them when I'm trying to eat healthier and say NO to the French fries! :)  They really are good and make you feel like you're getting a special treat!

These are my copy kat version of the Mickey D Parfaits.  I made a lot of them for the annual "Back to School Breakfast" that will be served to the Tipton faculty tomorrow morning.  It will be a healthy alternative to some of the other things that will be served!

Berry Parfaits

Vanilla flavored yogurt

Sliced and whole strawberries

Blueberries

Granola

In small dishes, spoon a layer of vanilla yogurt in bottom of each dish.  Add a layer of sliced strawberries and some blueberries.  Top with more yogurt and fruit as a garnish.  I will serve granola in a bowl on the side, but it could be layered in the dishes when preparing them. (I didn't want it to get soggy.)

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Brownie S'mores

Posted by Lori:

Sometimes recipes come from trying something simple in a new way.  Tonight we tried Brownie S'mores.  YUM!

Brownie S'mores
2 graham cracker squares
1 square brownie
1 large or 2 flat (Kraft has "stackers" now!) marshmallows

Place one graham cracker square on a microwave safe place, followed by brownie square, and marshmallow(s).  Top with other graham cracker square.  Microwave until marshmallow is melted.  Enjoy!
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Hard Cooked Eggs in the Oven

Posted by Lori:

At Easter, a friend put on Facebook that she cooked her eggs in the oven.  I had never heard of it, but thought it sounded great to be able to cook them for a certain amount of time and not have to watch for the water to boil on the stove and then time the cooking process.  The oven-baked method worked wonderfully! 

Here's how you do it:

Place desired amount of uncooked eggs directly on rack in the oven (rack should be in the center).  Place cookie sheet or foil on bottom oven rack - just in case one cracks or has a small, unseen crack. Set oven to bake and 325 degrees.  Bake for 30 minutes.  After baking, place eggs in ice water.  Allow to cool for a few minutes then peel.  At that point you can either continue to cool them in the water, cool then in the water, or eat them!
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Baked Nachos (Low Fat)

Posted by Lori:

Mom has posted a recipe similar to this, but this one is a little different.  I made it for a quick lunch for my oldest two children last week.  They really liked them!  They're healthy, too!

Baked Nachos (Low Fat)
1 package Baked Tostito Scoops
1 can fat free refried beans
Shredded Cheddar cheese (regular or reduced fat)

Place whole scoops (some of ours were broken) on foil-lined cookie sheet.  Spoon refried beans into the scoops and top with cheddar cheese.  Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes, or until cheese melts.
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Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins

Posted by Lori:

My daughter made these muffins for us to snack on tonight.  They are soooooo good!  Much, much better than the boxed variety we typically eat.  She used frozen blueberries instead of fresh and they worked just fine.

Blueberry Sour Cream Muffins

1/3 cup soft butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup fresh blueberries (or frozen)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cream first 4 ingredients.  In a separate bowl, sift flour and baking powder together.  Add to creamed mixture alternately with milk and sour cream.  Fold in blueberries.  Spoon into greased muffin tin and sprinkle with crumb topping. (recipe below)

Crumb topping:
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix together in small bowl.  Sprinkle on muffins as directed.  Bake 20 - 25 minutes.

This post is linked to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday.
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Southwestern Egg Rolls

Posted by Kimberly:

As I stated in my previous post for the Greek Turkey Burgers, I have been receiving daily emails from SparkPeople.com that have healthy recipes. One email that I received a couple of weeks ago was titled "10 Favorite Restaurant Meals Made Healthier". They had asked their members to make over their favorite restaurant meals by cutting the fat, sodium and calories while keeping the flavor. The winning recipe was "Southwestern Egg Rolls". I, personally, have never ordered southwestern egg rolls at a restaurant. The recipe sounded really good, so I decided to give it a try. I am going to post the recipe as it was emailed to me. Following the original recipe, I will tell you the changes that I made to it.

Southwestern Egg Rolls

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, pounded flat

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp. chopped bell pepper (red or green)

2 tbsp. chopped green onion

2 tbsp. chopped fresh jalapeno pepper

3/4 cup black beans, rinsed (1/2 of a 15 oz. can)

3/4 cup whole kernel corn, rinsed (1/2 of a 15 oz. can)

2 tbsp. chopped, frozen spinach

1/4 tsp. dried parsley

1/2 tsp. ground cumin

1/2 tsp. chili powder

dash cayenne pepper

salt to taste

4 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or Pepper Jack for a little extra kick)

5 whole wheat tortillas, 8 inch

1 medium avocado

Broil the chicken breast until the juices run clear. Set aside to cool. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the bell pepper, green onion and jalapeno pepper. Saute a few minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Shred the chicken breast. Add the chicken, black beans, corn, spinach, and spices to the skillet and mix well. Cook for a few more minutes on low, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted. Heat each tortilla and add 1/5 of the mixture. Fold the tortilla so it is completely closed. Place on a cookie sheet folded side down. When all five are filled, put cookie sheet in the broiler and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side of the egg roll or until the tortilla is crispy and golden brown. Cut each egg roll diagonally and serve with mashed avocado. If made in advance and frozen for later, bake the egg roll 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees and then broil each side for 2-3 minutes to get the crispy shell.

Now for the changes that I made to the recipe....

Instead of broiling the chicken in the oven, I had some leftover "Chicken Fajita" meat that I had done in the crockpot last week and frozen. (See the July 2010 archives for the recipe I posted for this super easy chicken fajita meat.) Since I had two chicken breasts worth of meat leftover and because I wanted to have enough for leftovers, I doubled the recipe. I omitted the green pepper and fresh jalapeno pepper and only sauteed the green onions. Since the leftover chicken fajita meat was already flavored, I omitted the chili powder, cayenne pepper, and salt, and only added the dried parsley and cumin. If you are following the recipe and broil your chicken breast, you will definitely want to add the spices (to your taste) to give it flavor. We chose to dip our egg rolls in "Chipotle Cream Sauce". I posted this recipe a week or two ago within my "Fish Tacos" recipe. (If you have not tried this sauce, you are really missing out! It is sooooo good!!!) You will definitely want something (chipotle cream sauce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, etc.) to dip them in or spread over the top or inside to give them some moisture.

These southwestern egg rolls were a big hit. My husband and I loved them! I think you will too!!!

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