PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP SNACK CAKE

Pumpkin Chocolate-Chip Snack Cake
Not very sweet!  We liked!  This came from Melissa Bahen (Lulu the Baker - 4th ward)

2 cups flour
1 Tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 Tablespoons butter
1 1/4 cups sugar (did the 1/4 c brown sugar)
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 large egg
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup milk chocolate chips (dark chocolate chips good too)

Preheat the oven to 350°F; grease a 9 x 13 baking pan with nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg, and beat until smooth. Beat in pumpkin puree, then add dry ingredients and mix just until smooth. Fold in milk chocolate chips. Spread batter evenly in pan and bake 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool before cutting and serving. Serve plain or topped with whipped cream or sprinkled with powdered sugar.

APPLE DIP

APPLE DIP
This is found in the 2nd McCleve pg 19.  Nancy Barnes called me one day asking about this recipe.  Lisa use to bring it to YW when they worked together. The girls always really liked it.  I had some butterscotch chips I needed to use.  We loved it!  Wow!  So easy to make and taste great!

1 can Eagle Brand milk (sweetened condensed)
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 cup butterscotch chips (Guittard is the best!)
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Heat in microwave for 50 seconds.  Stir.  Heat for 50 seconds more until smooth.  Serve with sliced apples.  Would be good with bananas, grapes, pound cake or crackers as well.

APPLE CINNAMON OATMEAL COOKIES

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/10/03/apple-cinnamon-oatmeal-cookies/

APPLE CINNAMON OATEMAL COOKIES
These were very very tasty!  A perfect after school snack on a rainy day.  I liked how I could make the batter early in day and then take our to bake right before kids get home.  Plan on waiting to eat them probably 20 minutes or so after frosting.  It was messy when we tried to eat before it had hardened.  I think next time I might trying adding only 1/2 cup of each on the sugar.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups (170g) old-fashioned whole rolled oats
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice (or an extra tsp cinnamon)
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1/2 cup (90g) unsweetened applesauce
• 3/4 cup (150g) packed dark or light brown sugar (I prefer dark here)
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup finely diced apple (about 1/2 of a large apple)
• optional: 1/2 cup (63g) walnuts (didnt' add but it would be very good)

Maple Icing

• 1 and 1/2 cups (180g) confectioners' sugar
• 2 Tablespoons (30ml) pure maple syrup
• 2 Tablespoons (30ml) milk

Directions:

1. Some readers have found that these cookies spread a little too much without chilling the cookie dough first-- I haven't run into that problem, but feel free to chill this cookie dough for 1-2 hours after step 4--before rolling and baking. Enjoy!
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. (Always recommended for cookies.) Set aside.
3. Whisk the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and apple pie spice (if using) together in a large bowl.
4. Whisk the butter, applesauce, brown sugar, and white sugar together until combined. Then whisk in the egg and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined. Fold in the apples and walnuts. The cookie dough will be thick and sticky.
5. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop cookie dough into balls (about 2 Tbsp of dough each) and place 3 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Slightly flatten the balls out-- see picture above-- as the cookies won't spread much unless you help out first!
6. Bake for 14-15 minutes or until lightly browned and set on the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes on the cookie sheet before icing.
7. Make the icing: Whisk all of the ingredients together and drizzle over cookies. You may have a little icing leftover. Drizzle more on each... it's so good!

Make ahead tip: Iced cookies stay fresh covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Their flavor is even better on day 2! You can make the cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow to come to room temperature then continue with step 4. Baked cookies freeze well for up to 3 months. Unbaked cookie dough balls freeze well for up to 3 months. Bake frozen cookie dough balls for an extra minute, no need to thaw. Click here for my tips and tricks on freezing cookie dough.

CHEESECAKE BITES

CHEESECAKE BITES
These were good but didn't like them as well as the peanut butter balls.  Would be a good choice to take somewhere if you were worried about peanut allergies.  Took a while to make due to the fridge time.  Abagail chose these for FHE treat from Pinterest.  These are a great gift idea to give someone.

Mix:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
4 T butter, softened

Add:
1/2 cup crushed graham crackers (worked perfect in Vitamix - approx 3 full crackers)

Add 1 cup at a time
4 cups powdered sugar

Cover and chill overnight or at least 1 hour

Scoop into balls

Put in fridge 10-20 minutes on cookie sheet covered with parchment or wax paper.

Melt 10 oz chocolate (I like to mix 60/40 ratio of semi sweet to dark chocolate)

Dip

Return to fridge or freezer

SNACK MIXES 3

BUNNY BAIT

Kambria sent this to me thinking we might like it.  Um yeah!  It is highly addictive.  So, so good.  Makes a full cookie sheet.  I made it to take to Primary but they ended up not needing it so we took to play with us Charlie and Chocolate Factory (Pleasant Hill Theater).  Everyone liked it.  Good without M&M too. I could eat a gallon size bag of this stuff.  Easy to double.

2 cups pretzels
1 bag popped white popcorn
1 package Almond Bark white melting chocolate
1 bag of festive M&M’s
2 cups of Chex cereal
1 container of sprinkles
Spread pretzels , popcorn and Chex on an foil covered bakinig sheet and drizzle white chocolate over the mixture ... Gently stir to coat evenly ... Add sprinkles but don’t stir it anymore or the sprinkles will be coated with chocolate and turn white ... Let harden on cookie sheets and then break apart and add M&M’s to the finished mixture ...

The ideas for packaging are endless , cute bags to give away as favors or just put it in a big bowl and it will be a hit !! 

BACON FLUFFERNUTTER PUPPY CHOW

I made this summer 2016 - camping and our Arizona trip.  We really liked it. 

http://breadboozebacon.com/bacon-fluffernutter-puppy-chow/

• ¼ cup unsalted butter
• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• ¼ cup marshmallow cream/fluff
• 1 cup peanut butter chips
• 8 cups rice cereal squares (like Chex)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 5 strips bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
• 
  

1. Add the butter, peanut butter, marshmallow cream, and peanut butter chips to a microwave safe bowl.
2. Heat the bowl for 1 minute in your microwave. Carefully remove the bowl and stir until the chips begin to melt. Heat for another 45 seconds. Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the peanut butter mixture until smooth. (You'll have a few lumps from the marshmallow, that's okay.)
3. Add the rice cereal to a large mixing bowl. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal. Use a spoon or spatula to stir the cereal until it is completely coated in the peanut butter.
4. Transfer the cereal to a gallon-sized Ziploc bag.
5. Add powdered sugar and bacon to the Ziploc bag. Seal the bag and shake vigorously until the cereal is completely coated in the sugar.
6. Transfer to a serving bowl, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

For a little extra marshmallow flavor, add 1 cup of mini marshmallows to the Ziploc bag before shaking!

Sugared Corn Pops Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 quarts

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/sugared-corn-pops-recipe/

This is really good, but sweet.  You find the corn pops in chip isle.  The bag I got was 2 quarts (measured at home) so I halved the recipe.  Would be fun to make and hand out for holiday gifts for friends etc.

Ingredients

• 3 quarts corn pops (found in chip isle)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, cut into chunks
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200 degress. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or use a silicone baking mat. Measure out the corn pops and place them in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat sugar, butter, corn syrup and water over medium heat until it begins to bubble, stirring regularly. Then boil for 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
3. Pour the syrup mixture over the corn pops and stir gently for a few minutes to coat. Transfer corn pops to the prepared baking sheet and spread them out evenly. Bake for 10 minutes.
4. Let cool, then break apart the pieces and serve.

Notes

This recipe doubles nicely!

BREAKFAST BUNDT CAKE

BREAKFAST BUNDT CAKE

We liked this.  Scott wouldn't try it because he thought it was weird with the blueberries.  I told him fine..more for us :-)  It taste like a doughnut.  We  liked it better cold.  Kept in fridge.

1 box white cake mix
4 eggs
2/3 cup melted butter, cooled
¾ cup buttermilk or milk
1 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 3.4- to 3.9-oz. pkg. vanilla or white chocolate instant pudding mix
1 ½ cups blueberries

Maple Glaze

2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon maple flavoring
2–4 tablespoons milk
Decoration
5 pieces of bacon, cooked and chopped for decoration


1.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a Bundt pan.

2.   Sift cake mix into a small bowl to remove any lumps; set aside.

3.   In a large bowl, combine eggs, butter, buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla extract.

4.   Add cake mix, cinnamon, and instant pudding mix; stir until combined.

5.   Fold in blueberries.

6.   Dump batter into prepared Bundt pan and spread evenly.

7.   Bake for 38–50 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

8.   Let cool in pan, then turn out.

9.   Maple Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, butter, maple flavoring, and 2 tablespoons milk together until smooth. If too thick to pour, add more milk.

10.  Pour glaze over cooled cake and top with chopped bacon. 

MAPLE ALMOND BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

Maple Almond Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies

http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/01/22/maple-almond-butter-chocolate-chunk-cookies/

yield: 12 COOKIES

prep time: 10 MINUTES

cook time: 10 MINUTES

total time: 30 MINUTES, PLUS COOLING

PRINT RECIPE

These are very, very good.  Any chocolate chips would be good.  Was super easy if the almond butter is already made.   Liked that it only made one cookie sheet (less for me to eat :-))  Used brown sugar.  Want to go to Trader Joe's to get some coconut sugar.  Could easily get away with using less chocolate chips if wanted.  I did do the sea salt (just a little sprinkle) was good, but would be good without it too.  Will definitely make these again.

UPDATE: Tried these with different chocolate chips.  Didn't like it like I thought I would.  From now on will stick to what is listed in recipe.  One my last batch I didn't have quite enough almond butter so I used some of the powder peanut butter.  They were still really good.  WinCo has coconut sugar in bulk.

Chewy, soft, completely irresistible 5 ingredient healthier chocolate chip cookies made with maple almond butter, dark chocolate, and not much else!

Ingredients:

• 1 large Eggland's Best egg
• 1 cup (250g) maple almond butter, at room temperature or cold (not warm)1
• 1/3 cup coconut sugar (or light/dark brown sugar or even maple sugar)2
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 cup (140g) chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips
• sea salt for sprinkling

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg until beaten. Mix in the almond butter, coconut sugar, and baking soda. Mix everything together very well. Depending how thick and/or cold your almond butter is, you'll have to use some arm muscles. Fold in the chocolate chunks until combined-- save a couple for step 3.
3. Scoop the dough, about 1.5 Tablespoons each, onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently press down on the dough mounds with the back of a spoon. If you find the cookie dough balls are a little oily from your almond butter-- mine usually are-- blot each with a paper towel. Press a couple chunks onto the tops of each cookie dough mound (this is just for looks and those pools of melted chocolate on top!).
4. Bake for 10 minutes. The cookies will look very soft-- that's ok! For crispier cookies, bake up to 12 minutes. Sprinkle each cookie with sea salt immediately after coming out of the oven. Allow the cookies to cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cover leftover cookies tightly and store at room temperature for up to 7 days.
5. Make ahead tip: Cookies freeze well up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Additional Notes:

1. I encourage you to use my homemade maple almond butter. If not, you can use commercial almond butter (Justin's brand makes a tasty maple almond butter!). However, the type of almond butter you use will alter the cookies texture slightly. Be sure to stir in any excess oil on top of the natural brands, and get it completely mixed in. Otherwise, your cookies will spread too much. An equal amount of peanut butter or other nut butter can be used instead of almond butter.
2. Instead of coconut sugar, you can use light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, or maple sugar. Do not use a liquid sweetener like maple syrup, honey, or agave.

CHOCOLATE CHIP APPLESAUCE SNACK CAKE

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/chocolate-chip-applesauce-snack-cake/
We really liked this.  Perfect "snack cake".

Chocolate Chip Applesauce Snack Cake

YIELD: MAKES A 9X13-INCH PAN

This recipe works great with whole wheat flour although I highly recommend using soft or hard white wheat (hard red wheat will give it a denser/coarser texture). I've used a 50% whole wheat/50% all-purpose flour mix as well as making it a couple times with 100% white whole wheat flour. Delicious either way, especially if you are used to the taste and texture of whole wheat in your baked goods.

Just like the ingredient list suggests, the topping is optional but adds a delightful texture to the top of the cake and of course, a tad more chocolate.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups no-sugar added applesauce
• 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil or butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (3.75 ounces) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (3.75 ounces) lightly packed brown sugar
• 2 cups (10 ounces) flour, all-purpose or whole wheat (see note above)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup (3 ounces) chocolate chips (used butterscotch)
Optional Topping:
• 2 tablespoons lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (3 ounces) chocolate chips
• nuts, optional (add chopped pecans to 1/2 of it)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan (preheat to 325 degrees if using a glass pan).
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, coconut oil (or butter), eggs, vanilla, granulated and brown sugar.
3. Add the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and chocolate chips (adding the chocolate chips with the dry ingredients helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom while baking). Stir until just combined. Don't overmix.
4. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the brown sugar and chocolate chips for the topping (if using) evenly across the top.
5. Bake for 28-30 minutes until the top springs back lightly to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (although a smidgeon of melted chocolate is just fine).
6. This cake keeps for several days well-covered at room temperature.

LUMPS OF COAL

LUMPS OF COAL
Scott saw this recipe on Facebook and wanted to try it.  We had it for FHE.  They were pretty good and easy to make.

16 oz Oreos
5 cups large marshmallows (small would work too)
4 T butter, cubed or sliced

Crush Oreos in food processor.  Microwave butter and marshmallows for 1 1/2 minutes.  Mix in crushed oreos.  Put in a 8x8 lined with tin foil pan.

COPYCAT MUFFINS

COPYCAT MUFFINS

We have been making way too many muffins lately, but it has been fun.  They are quick to put together so if I get off work early enough I can make a batch right before the kids get home.  Great after school snack.  Need to experiment and try to hide some veggies/fruit in them.

SEE BELOW FOR DIFFERENT VARIATIONS

1 (18 oz) box cake mix (Duncan Hines is the best - usually best price at Wal-Mart) - I think they turn out better if you shift the cake mix
2 T flour
3 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable or coconut oil
1 tsp baking powder

Mix all together.  Spoon into prepared muffin cups.  Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or tops are lightly browned.

ALMOND POPPY SEED: use a white cake mix, add 2 tsp poppy seeds and 1 tsp almond extract.

CHOCOLATE MUFFINS: use a chocolate cake mix and stir in 1 1/2 cup chocolate chips. (our favorite mixture is 3/4 c cinnamon chips, 3/4 c mini chocolate chips)


Other suggestions:.

1. + French vanilla cake mix and fresh raspberries.
2. + Lemon cake mix and poppyseed.
3. + Spice cake mix with cinnamon/sugar topping.
4. 
   

FANCY INDOOR S'MORES

FANCY INDOOR S'MORES

This recipe came with a shipment I got from zulily.  We had it New Year's Eve 2014.  Yum!  Would be a great special after school snack or a FHE treat.  Made it in our individual little cookie pan.  I lined the bottom of each pan with parchment paper (tin foil would work too).  We had a huge (bigger than king size) Hershey bar.  We put two squares that were broken up and about 1/8-1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Then about 1-2T nutella on top of that.  Then we cut up 4 big marshmallows (into 4 sections) per pan.  Could have put more marshmallows.  Could either dip with graham crackers or Ritz crackers.  Abagail didn't like it with the crackers - she ate it with a spoon.  Only cooked about 4 minutes - so watch it.

1 bag of chocolate chips
8 large marshmallows
a jar of Nutella
a box of graham crackers - Ritz crackers good too


Here is the original recipe.

Preheat oven to 450.

Cover the bottom of a 6" skillet with chocolate chips and drop spoonfuls of Nutella on top of the chocolate chips.

Cut marshmallows in half and place over chocolate chips until mixture is completely covered.

Bake for 6-8 minutes until marshmallows are golden brown on top.

Scoop out gooey s'mores with graham crackers.

APPLE DIP (HEALTHY)

APPLE DIP

I was subbing at River Bend and the kindergarten teacher (Mrs. Page) was eating this.  It looked so yummy.  The kids didn't really like it, but I did.

2 T greek yogurt
1 T peanut butter
little bit maple syrup
cinnamon or nutmeg or other spices

MICROWAVE SALTED CARAMEL POPCORN

MICROWAVE SALTED CARAMEL POPCORN

http://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/2014/10/microwave-salted-caramel-popcorn/

Love, love, love this popcorn.  It was so easy.  Next time I would just my air popper to pop it (a lot of kernels didn't pop or do 6 min).  I added 1/4-1/2 cup (just poured didn't measure) peanuts.

Ingredients

• 1 c. popcorn kernels (don't pop more than 1 cup)
• 1/2 c. butter
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1/4 c. corn syrup
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• peanuts

Instructions

• Place popcorn kernels in large paper grocery bag.
• Microwave on high for about 4 minutes (microwave times may vary). Set aside.
• Place butter, sugar and corn syrup in a microwave-safe measuring cup or bowl.
• Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute, until butter is melted and mixture is bubbly.
• Add baking soda, vanilla and kosher salt. Stir until foamy.
• Pour caramel mixture over popped popcorn in bag.
• Stir to combine.
• Microwave for 1 minute.
• Remove from microwave and eat up!

SINLESS COOKIES

SINLESS COOKIES
We really liked these (even Scott!)  Perfect for an afternoon snack.  They are super easy to make.  I make one big cookie on the round stone, but next time I think they would cook better as individual cookies.

2 ripe bananas
1 cup quick oats
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1 T heaping peanut butter

Mix ingredients.  Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

LEMON BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

LEMON TEA MUFFINS
Taste of Home Contest Winning 2006 pg. 150.

These were a really good afterschool snack for the kids. Made normal size but next time would do mini.  They are very lemony.  Quite a few steps so it was nice making them in the afternoon instead of morning.

LEMON BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
These are super easy to make and yummy!  Loved the topping.  Would like trying to substitute the 1/2 the sour cream with yogurt.  Found in taste of home cookbook annual recipes 2010 pg 144.

UPDATE: Liked these even better the next day.  Super Yummy!

Ingredients

• 2 cups biscuit/baking mix

• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided

• 1 egg

• 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (see note below)

• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

Nutritional Facts

1 muffin (prepared with reduced-fat baking mix and reduced-fat sour cream) equals 154 calories, 3 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 24 mg cholesterol, 251 mg sodium, 28 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1/2 fat.

In a large bow, combine biscuit mix and 1/2 cup sugar.  Whisk egg and sour cream; stir ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in blueberries.

Fill muffin cups.

Combine lemon peel and remaining sugar (2 T) and sprinkle over batter.

Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.  Let set 5 minutes before removing.

If using frozen blueberries, use without thawing to avoid discoloring the batter.