Everything Is Better Homemade

08/28/14

     I have been a puppy chow fan for ages because it has the best sweet and salty flavor... oh and because it is so easy. However, I think puppy chow has met it's match. Justin and I found a recipe that was pretty much a homemade Twix bar and ever since we've made it, we've been hooked! It is SO easy and tastes like a mix of a Twix and those cute little koala yummies. If you have a labor day party to attend this weekend, you should bring these! I originally made these for Ravinia last weekend as a birthday treat for my Mom because she loves chocolate and caramel =). They are awesome in the form of bars, or you can mash them up into little pieces and throw them in the freezer- my personal preference. I hope everyone has a lovely labor day weekend with family and friends, Cheers!

Homemade Twix Bar

Ingredients:

2 Sheets of Whole Wheat Crackers

Caramel:

1/2 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Dark Brown Sugar

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

3 Tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream

Chocolate Topping:

2 Cups Dark Chocolate

2 Tbsp Butter

1 Tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream

Directions:

1. Line up one layer of crackers side by side in a baking dish on top of parchment paper.

2. Add sugar and 3 Tbsp of cream into a stovetop pan and mix until the cream is dissolved.

3. Turn stove to medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.

4. Let the mixture boil for about 5 minutes (you will notice it start to thicken into a heavy caramel consistency).

5. Add the vanilla extract and butter to the mixture.

6. Once everything is evenly combined, spread the caramel mixture over the crackers.

7. While the caramel is still warm, place another layer of crackers on top.

8. Next, place all of the chocolate topping ingredients in a bowl and microwave for about 1 minute and 15 seconds until completely melted.

9. Evenly spread the chocolate mixture over the crackers so that it is fully coated and no crackers are showing.

10. Finish by topping the bars with a sprinkle of brown sugar and set in the refrigerator to cool.

11. After about an hour, remove the pan from the refrigerator and slice into little bars.

12. Enjoy!

*Depending on how much caramel you like, you can add another layer on top of the second cracker layer followed by the dark chocolate. (I wish I would have done that, but ours was still AWESOME!)

Coco-"nuts" for Granola

08/12/14

     Lately as I have been walking up and down the cereal and breakfast aisles of the grocery store, I've noticed that granola has become pretty expensive. Originally I believed it was because it contained almonds, but there actually aren't that many in a bag of granola. I had been wanting to make my own for quite a while, and now that I have, I've realized how simple and cheap it is! The best thing about making your own granola is that you can control the ingredients and how much oil you add to your mixture. This granola is great on yogurt, in cereals, and even just by itself. I must warn you...it is fairly addicting! (Probably because I added chocolate chips). Enjoy =)

Homemade Chocolate Chip Coconut Granola

Ingredients:

3-4 Cups Plain Oats
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
5 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Honey
3-4 Tsp Cinnamon
Sprinkle of Salt
Handful of Almonds
1/4 Cup Coconut Flakes

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 250F.
2. Add brown sugar, coconut oil, and honey to a pan and place on stove over medium-low heat until melted.

3. Combine oats, cinnamon, salt, almonds, and half of the coconut flakes in a bowl.

4. Slowly pour your melted mixture over the dry ingredients until they begin sticking together. Try and avoid pouring too much of the melted mixture because you do not want them fully coated, just enough to become sticky.

5. Spray non-stick cooking spray onto a baking sheet and spread granola evenly onto the pan.
6. Bake for a total of 45 minutes and take out of the oven in 15 minute intervals to flip the granola.
7. When the granola is golden brown (and your place smells divine), take it out of the oven and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Right after, place granola in the refrigerator (This will allow the chocolate chips to adhere to the granola but still stay in chip-form).
8. Once granola has cooled, remove it from the refrigerator and break it up into pieces. Add an extra sprinkle of chocolate chips or coconut flakes and dig in!

What's a party without cake pops?

8/4/14

     I don't think there's anything cuter than cake pops (ok, maybe my cats), buy anyways, I love whoever decided to form cake into pops and cover them in chocolate. GENIUS. So, when my friend from work asked me to make some for her parents' anniversary party, I decided to give them a try! Cake pops are pretty simple and fun to make. There are so many varieties since you can switch up the cake, frosting, and coating flavors. For this party, the theme was silver and blue. I used some fancy silver sprinkles and blue mini cupcake liners to keep things festive. For all of you still making boring boxed cake, switch things up and try these beautiful cake pops! Enjoy =)

Ingredients:

1 Box Devils Food Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Package Vanilla Almond Bark
1/2 Tub Vanilla Frosting
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 Container Sprinkles
40-50 Mini Cupcake Liners
40-50 Pop Sticks

Directions:

1. Preheat oven and bake chocolate cake according to the directions on package.

2. Once the cake is done, let cool. Using a fork, break up the cake into crumbs.

3. Add half of frosting from the container into a bowl with the cake crumbs. Form the frosting and cake mixture into 11/2 inch balls and place them on a cookie sheet.

4. Refrigerate the cake balls for at least an hour.

5. Melt 1 block of the vanilla almond bark in a microwavable bowl for 1 minute. Take your cake pop sticks and dip them in the almond bark and place them in the center of each cake pop. This is done so that it becomes easier to dip the whole cake pop later on.

6. Once all of the cake pop sticks are on the cake balls, melt a large bowl of vanilla almond bark. Dip each cake ball in the almond bark. Finish by immediately adding sprinkles on top. Place cake pop back on cookie sheet.

7. Allow all cake pops to cool and then place them in the mini cupcake liners. Voila! Party time =)