No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars

I wasn't planning on sharing this granola bar recipe with you all quite yet BUT my boyfriend keeps telling me how good they are. He actually said that we are never buying store granola bars again. I take that as a complement but that also means more time in the kitchen for me. I'm not complaining, I love being in the kitchen it's just why can't he make them himself? They're an easy EASY snack to make. 

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1/3 cup peanut butter

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 and 1/2 cups quick oats

1 cup Rice Krispies

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1/8 cup peanut butter chips

Directions

Line an 8 x 8 inch pan with parcement paper; set aside. In a medium sized saucepan combine butter, honey, sugar, and peanut butter . On medium heat bring to a bubble and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Once sugar is dissolved remove from heat and stir in vanilla (be careful, it will spit at you). After you stir in the vanilla add the quick oats and Rice Krispies to the mixture. Stir until well combined. Pour mixture in lined pan and press down evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the peanut butter and mini chocolate chips evenly over granola bars. Gently press the chips down with the bottom of a measuring cup or your hands (careful it's hot!). Place in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes or until cool. (You want to do this because the chips will completely melt if you don't.) Cut into 12 equal sized bars and enjoy!

* For a tasty wake me up granola bar, keep bars in the refrigerator. Taking a bite into the cold, soft granola bar will surely get you going in the morning.

No Bake Biscoff Cinnamon Roll Granola Bars

Well that was a mouth full... As a full time college student there really isn't time to sit and eat lunch everyday. Granola bars can get expensive and you get tired of the same old flavors day after day. After you try these granola bars you'll never want another store bought one again!

Ingredients 
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup Biscoff cookie spread
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 and 1/2 cup quick oats
1 cup Rice Krispies
1/8 cup cinnamon chips
1/8 cup white chocolate chips

Directions 
Line an 8 x 8 inch pan with parcement paper; set aside. In a medium sized saucepan combine butter, honey, sugar, Biscoff spread, and cinnamon. On medium heat bring to a bubble and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Once sugar is dissolved remove from heat and stir in vanilla (be careful, it will spit at you). After you stir in the vanilla add the quick oats and Rice Krispies to the mixture. Stir until well combined. Pour mixture in lined pan and press down evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the white chocolate and cinnamon chips evenly over granola bars. Gently press the chips down with the bottom of a measuring cup or your hands (careful it's hot!). Place in the refrigerator for approximately 15 minutes or until cool. (You want to do this because the chips will completely melt if you don't.) Cut into 12 equal sized bars and enjoy!

Pot Of Gold Puppy Chow

It has been one hectic week. Spring break officially starts tomorrow after the close of classes. I can not wait to relax for a week. I will not be going anywhere extravagant over break, but I will be going to my hometown to spend time with my loving family. Come back next week to see some of my family's favorite recipes. Enjoy!

Ingredients

10 cups rice Chex cereal 

2 cups peanut butter flavored candy wafer melts

4 tbs. margarine

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar

4 tbs. french vanilla pudding mix (powder)

Directions

Measure out the 10 cups of rice Chex cereal. Place the cereal in a large bowl and set aside. In a microwave safe bowl place the peanut butter wafers and margarine. Melt the peanut butter cups and margarine (takes approximately 1 minute). Stir peanut butter mixture until smooth, then stir in vanilla. Pour over rice cereal and gently fold until covered. In a separate bowl mix together the powdered sugar and vanilla pudding powder. Once mixed thoroughly pour over coated cereal and stir gently. One evenly mixed enjoy! 

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Apple Cinnamon Puppy Chow

My favorite thing to do as a child was to make the Easter Bunny a snack. I didn't feel like it was fair that Santa always got cookies and the Easter Bunny got nothing. Last night I was thinking about what I cook make for my blog today and this came to mind. Let's just say this is the best idea I have come up with so far and the Easter Bunny would probably love it just as much as I do. This puppy chow is amazing! The refreshing taste of apple and cinnamon will brighten up your day. I seriously suggest you go out and buy the ingredients to make this right now!

Ingredients

10 cups rice Chex cereal

1 (12oz.) bag of Nestle white chocolate chips

1/4 cup margarine

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 tbs. Jolly Rancher green apple gelatin, powder

1 tsp. cinnamon 

Directions

Measure out the 10 cups of rice Chex. Place the cereal in a large bowl and set aside. In a microwave safe bowl place the white chocolate chips and margarine. Melt the chocolate and margarine (takes approximately 1 minute plus addition 30 seconds stirring in between). Stir chocolate mixture until smooth, then stir in vanilla. Pour over rice cereal and gently fold until covered. In a separate bowl mix together the powdered sugar, gelatin, and cinnamon. Once mixed thoroughly pour over coated cereal and gently stir. Once evenly mixed enjoy! 

Happy Easter!

Biscoff Popcorn

The weather's getting warmer! 

The icicles are melting off of our room and we can see green grass peeking through in the yard.

The temperature is still reading 34 degrees so I'm not getting too excited yet! 

As I wait for warmer weather I will be snuggling up on the couch enjoying this delicious Biscoff popcorn. There's nothing better than the sweet taste of cinnamon and coffee on a cold evening and this popcorn has both. So sit down and relax. Enjoy your favorite movie with a warming popcorn treat!

Doesn't it look so dreamy???

Ingredients

1 cup creamy Biscoff spread, melted

12 cups air popped popcorn

2 pkg. Biscoff cookies, crushed

Directions

Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Pop your popcorn and then spread evenly on cookie sheet. Melt Biscoff spread in the microwave for one minute stirring at 15 second intervals. Once it's nice and melted drizzle evenly over popcorn on the cookie sheet. Sprinkle popcorn with crushed Biscoff cookies. Wait about a half hour before eating (I know it's really hard) so the spread has time to harden. Enjoy!

French Vanilla Oreo Pudding Dip

There's nothing better than strawberries, pudding & oreos... so why not combine them? This simple and delicious snack will have you falling in love all over again.

Ingredients

1 small box french vanilla pudding

1 1/2 cups milk

6 oreos

strawberries

Directions

Prepare pudding by mixing together the mix and milk with a whisk. Let set in the refrigerator for approximately 5 minutes. Sprinkle crushed oreos over top of the pudding and enjoy! 

Jello Apples

Growing up my absolute favorite snack my mom made was Jello apples. What I didn't realize until recently is not everyone knows what Jello apples are. This snack is so simple and delicious. You will be upset that you missed out on it all this time. With Valentine's day coming up surprise your little ones with this snack using a red colored Jello powder.

Ingredients (1 serving)

1 large apple (Granny Smith or Red Delicious)

1 small box Jello any flavor  (I have found strawberry, raspberry and orange to be the best)

Directions

Wash and cut up apple into slices. Sprinkle Jello powder over the apples (amount depends on personal preference). Enjoy!

Note: Jello powder will temporarily dye your fingers.