Salted Chocolate and Caramel Popcorn

1 bag popped popcorn

2 ½ cups mini pretzels, broken into pieces

1 cup pecans

½ cup salted butter

1 cup firmly packed light-brown sugar

½ cup light-corn syrup

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp baking soda

1 cup milk chocolate chips

½ cup mini marshmallows

Put popcorn into a very large bowl.  Be sure to remove any un-popped kernels.  Add in crushed pretzels, marshmallows and pecans and gently fold mixture together, set aside.  In an large microwave safe bowl, melt butter, it should take about 50 seconds.  Stir in brown sugar, light corn syrup and salt.  Mix well.  Microwave mixture for 2 minutes, then stir and immediately return to microwave and cook 2 more minutes.  Remove from microwave, add in vanilla and baking soda and stir until frothy, about 10 seconds (don’t be tempted to dip your finger in and taste test, it is HOT).  Pour caramel over popcorn mixture and gently stir until evenly coated.  Pour caramel coated popcorn mixture onto a parchment or wax paper covered cookie sheet. Melt milk chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, on 50% power in 30 second intervals stirring after each interval until melted and smooth.  Pour melted chocolate into a piping bag or ziploc bag and cut the tip off and drizzle melted chocolate over popcorn. Place chocolate covered popcorn in refrigerator until chocolate hardens, about 20-30 minutes.  Remove from refrigerator and break popcorn into pieces.  Store popcorn in an airtight container.

Recipe and Photo Source:  http://www.cookingclassy.blogspot.com/search/label/popcorn

Pepperoni Pizza Puffs

3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 cup whole milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
4 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
1/2-3/4 cup pepperoni, chopped
1/2 cup pizza sauce

Preheat the oven to 375°. Grease a 24-cup mini-muffin pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder and baking powder; whisk in the milk and egg. Stir in the mozzarella and pepperoni; let stand for 10 minutes. Stir the batter and divide among the mini-muffin cups. Bake until puffed and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Meanwhile, microwave the pizza sauce until warmed through. Serve the puffs with the pizza sauce for dipping.

 

Recipe and Photo Source: http://www.plainchicken.com/2011/02/sausage-pepperoni-pizza-puffs.html#more

Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Cute Caramel Apple Snowmen!

Source: Pinterest

Muddy Buddies

Muddy Buddies Recipe                         9 cups Rice Chex 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/4 cup butter 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar                                                                            Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon Ziploc bag. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chex-muddy-buddies/92e4756c-abc1-452a-9b2c-dd124d858050   Source: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/chex-muddy-buddies/92e4756c-abc1-452a-9b2c-dd124d858050

Lemon Buddies

Are you looking for a  kid friendly and easy to make snack? Then this is for you! I am always looking for new flavors to introduce to my kids but served in a way that they will actually want to try.

I love snacks we can eat together while watching a TV show or movie. Tonight's movie is...Despicable Me. Tonight's flavor is..... lemon.

Lemon Buddies  - Photo taken by Cami

Tonight's snack is....Lemon Buddies! They are like Muddy Buddies but lemon flavored! The recipe posted here includes my changes.

Lemon Buddies

9 cups Rice Chex cereal

1 1/4 cup white chocolate chips

1/4 cup butter or margarine

Zest of 1 lemon

Juice from 1 lemon

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Measure cereal into a large mixing bowl and set aside.  In a microwaveable bowl, microwave chips, butter, lemon peel and juice uncovered on high for 1 minute; stir.  Microwave about 30 more seconds or until mixture can be stirred smooth.  Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.  Pour into a 2-gallon resealable food storage plastic bag.  Add powdered sugar, seal bag and shake until all the cereal is well-coated.

Fruitful Finds Source: http://smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com/2010/12/party-food-chex-lemon-buddies.html