Almond Butter

I've been wanting to try some of these other "peanut butters."  You know, the kind made with nuts OTHER than peanuts?  Ya, those.  Pecan butter is on the list...but I went with almond butter for my first attempt.  Holy cow was it easy!  It certainly satisfied my nut/butter love.  Let me say this though: it is not nearly as creamy as store bought peanut butter.  It was really thick.  I added some honey (not much) to mine at the end to try and cream it up a bit which helped.  The flavor was really, really good.  I have heard some people add things like chocolate chips or even maple syrup to theirs too.  Go ahead and try it.  Its ridiculously easy!

Ingredients:
Almonds (as much as you want.  I did a little over one cup) (Roasted/unsalted)
Honey (I used about a teaspoon)

Directions:
*Pour your almonds into a food processor.

*Press the button to turn it on.  I kept turning mine off and on because I didn't want to overdo the motor.  It wouldn't be the first kitchen gadget I've broken because of leaving it on too long (R.I.P hand mixer...).  It will first crush the almonds into medium pieces, then smaller pieces, then as the oils start to get mushed up it begins to get creamier and creamier.  I don't know if it would have been really creamy if I kept mixing it but I was too hungry to wait.  I ate mine at a thick consistency and it was amazing!  :)

*Once you get to the consistency you want, drizzle the honey on it, then press it on to mix it up again.  The whole thing takes less than 10 minutes!

Cooper felt the need to take my picture.  Yum!  :)

I was interested in finding out if almond butter or peanut butter was better for you.  I knew they both were high in fat being nuts and all, but I did learn some surprising info.  Look at this:

Boozed Up Watermelon

So good, worth a try!

Ingredients:
1 Slice of watermelon
1/3 Capful of tequila
Kosher salt

Directions:
*Cut your watermelon into slices.

*Take a fork and poke some holes into the watermelon (be careful not to go all the way through it though).

*I used Jose Cuervo Especial tequila, but you can use any tequila you have.

*Pour some tequila into the bottlles lid/cap.

*Slowly pour about 1/3 of the cap onto the watermelon.  It does NOT take much tequila at all.

*Take your coarse kosher salt and sprinkle it on top.

*Eat it up.  Its amazing.  I don't like tequila and I loved this one!

Banana Roll-Ups

Cooper has been in a really "munchy" mood lately.  He wants to eat all the time.  I'm sick of grabbing crackers or a plain old banana for him.  I came up with this as a fun way for him to get a little extra "umph" in his snack...and to hopefully keep him full a little bit longer!

Ingredients:
1 Tortilla
1 Scoop peanut butter
1 Banana

Directions:
*Lay your tortilla down.

*Spread the peanut butter on it (would work better with smooth peanut butter...but Cooper ate all of it this past week so crunchy had to be used!)

*Put the peeled banana onto one side edge of the tortilla and roll it up.

Here is Cooper's "this is a crazy snack" face  :)

White Trash Dip

This...Stuff...Is...Awesome!!!  It is so incredibly easy to make too!!!

Ingredients:
1 lb hot/spicy ground Italian sausage
1 Can rotel in juice (do not drain the juices)
1 Pkg cream cheese

Directions:
*In a pan on the stove, cook the sausage until cooked.  Drain fat/liquid.

*Empty the rotel and juice and the cream cheese into the meat.  Mix well.

*Heat the mixture through.  Serve with chips.  SO EASY!!!

(NOTE: We put ours into a small crockpot to keep it warm.  No need to cover it, and it doesn't get ridiculously hot like you would expect.  You want it served warm.)

Trail Mix (AKA Middleton Mix)

This is a recipe that my husbands family has been making for years.  We love it because its only 3 ingredients, but anyone who tries it can't stop eating it and ALWAYS asks for the recipe!  We brought a bag up to Canada with us on vacation and it was gone as soon as we put it out.  Its so good!!

Ingredients:
1 Bag on plain M & M's
1 Tub Raisins
1 Canister dry roasted peanuts

Directions:
*Mix all together.

*Yes, it's that easy.  And its even yummier, so go ahead and make yourself some!  :)

Peanut Butter Cups

Reese's has nothing on these puppies  :)   Well...let me take that back.  If you want to snack on something, these are not for you.  One of these is like a full dessert!  They will melt in your fingers if you hold them, so they are best served with a fork or spoon and after a meal.  These would be AMAZING broken up over ice cream, or in a banana split!  We really liked them.

Ingredients:
1 Pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 Cup peanut butter (I used crunchy peanut butter)
1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar

Directions:
*Cut 9 paper muffin liners in half (so they aren't as tall).  Now put them into muffin pans that have been sprayed down with cooking spray.

*In a microwave safe dish, melt half the bag of chocolate.  Start with one minute, then stir the chocolate, then continue to cook another 30 seconds.  Make sure you don't overcook them and that you stop it to stir because it will burn in the microwave if not!

*Take the chocolate once it is melted and put a scoopful into each muffin liner.  Now using a spoon or spatula, drag chocolate up each side (make sure you drag enough chocolate up because if its just a thin amount they will not come out of the muffin liners later.

*Now put your muffin tray in your fridge for one hour.

*An hour later, mix your peanut butter and powdered sugar together.

*Scoop the peanut butter into the muffin centers.

*Melt the rest of the chocolate chips the way you did the first set of chocolate chips.

*Pour the melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter cups and layer if so that all the tops are fairly flat and all the peanut butter is covered.

*Put back into the fridge for another hour of so until they are fully hardened.

*When you are ready to eat them, gently pull the wrappers off.  Try not to touch the chocolate because it will melt.  Annoying, I know...sorry.  Now eat them however you would like (and win bonus points from everyone you serve them too for being "soooooooo creative").

Chocolate Pretzel Sticks

These are too good not to make!

Ingredients:
20 Large pretzel sticks
2 Cups semi-sweet chocolate chips OR semi-sweet bakers chocolate
Any fun toppings you want (sprinkles, mini M&M's, toffee pieces, peanut pieces, coconut...)

Directions:
*If you have a double boiler use that (the pot that has a pot insidde of it...so you put water in the bottle pot and the chocolate in the top pot).  If not, you can cook it in a glass dish in your microwave.  JUST BE CAREFUL TO STIR OFTEN (if will burn if you don't!).  So, melt your chocolate.

*Put a piece of waxed or parchement paper on a baking sheet and set aside.

*Once your chocolate is melted, dip your pretzel sticks halfway in and roll them.  I usually dip them twice, but you don't have too.

*Do all of the pretzels quickly and before they dry sprinkle whichever toppings you  want onto the wet chocolate.  Let the pretzels dry fully.  (I sometimes put the baking sheet in the fridge to cool them faster...)

Pretzel Hugs

This is so easy its silly!  Perfect for having as munchies for sports games at your house or to bring over to family/friends house.  Sweet + Salty = Amazingly good!

(Sorry, this picture was taken before they completely dried...We ate them all before I had a chance to take a "finished" picture!)

Ingredients:
25 Pretzels
25 Hershey's Hugs (or kisses.  Do not use the caramel one's though...they don't melt right in the oven)
50 M&M's

Directions:
*Put a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet.

*Preheat your oven to 200*F (you don't want it any warmer, I promise!)

*Put all of your pretzels on the parchment paper.  Now unwrap all the Hugs and place one hug on top of each pretzel.

*Place the pretzels and Hugs into the oven and bake for 8 minutes

*Take the baking sheet out and put 2 M&M's on each of the pretzel/Hug mix.

*Let cool for HOURS (Or put in the fridge once the baking sheet has cooled off).

Ritz Cracker Pizza Snackers

Cooper LOVES "tiny pizza things" (lunchables pizza's).  One day he wanted one, and I didn't have any lunchables at home.  SO...I created my own for him!  So easy, and the kiddo's love them.

 

Ingredients:

Ritz Crackers (as many as you want to eat)

Spaghetti sauce

Shredded Cheese

Directions:

*Put a bit of spaghetti sauce on top of each ritz cracker.  Now add  shredded cheese to the top.  Your kids will think your a genius!

Chex Muddy Buddies

I got this recipe from...you guessed it...the Chex cereal box!

Super close-up!

Ingredients:
8 Cups Chex Cereal (Any type, I prefer corn flavored)
1 Cup Semi-sweet Chocolate chips
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
1/4 Cup butter
1 - 1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar

 Directions:
 *In a microwave safe bowl, put the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter.  Melt in microwave (about 1-2 mins)  (Be careful not to burn it...stir halfway through)

*In a large bowl, measure out the Chex.

*Pour peanut butter mixture over the chex and stir well.

*Pour the powdered sugar on top of the cereal and mix well.

*Pour the chex onto waxed paper and let cool.

*Store in an airtight container in the fridge.