S'mores d'oeuvre

My favorite part of having a bonfire is the S'mores. I'm sure it's everyone's favorite! Well here is a simple way to eat your favorite summer snack! My mother in law made these when we went home on vacation and they did not last very long at all! Did I mention their so easy to make?!

*Sorry for the blurry picture!*

Ingredients

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips (We just used 2 cups of whatever chocolate chips we had on hand.) 
• 1 tbs shortening
• marshmallows
• graham cracker crumbs (We used graham crackers and put them in a zip lock bag and just used a rolling pin to smash up the graham crackers.)

Instructions

1. First off you want to take both chocolate chips and shortening and melt the chocolate mix in a bowl. I did it in the microwave and every 25 seconds I took it out and stirred it. You can do on the stove totally up to you!
2. In another bowl put in your graham cracker crumbs.
3. Once chocolate is melted, you will take one marshmallow and dip it into the chocolate, then sprinkle some graham crackers on top of the chocolate mixture until it is coated. I used a spoon to pour the graham cracker mix over the marshmallow.
4. Repeat steps until you run out of marshmallows or chocolate!
5. Then lay the dipped marshmallow onto wax paper. Allow to fully dry and store in an air tight container.

 

Cake Mix Cookie Bars!

So here is another huge hit that everyone loved! These cookie bars you will have people fighting over the last one. Kind of reminds me of that crescent Pillsbury commercial where the two guys were fighting over what half they get. It will be exactly like that but they wont want to share! Definitely going to make these again!

Cake mix cookie bars

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 Box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker)
1 Small box instant vanilla pudding
1/4 Cup water
3/4 Cup vegetable oil
2 Eggs
1 Cup chocolate chips. I used 1/2 cup holiday mini M&M's and 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips.

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Combine cake mix, pudding, water, vegetable oil, eggs and chips or M&M's in large bowl.
Pour the batter (it's going to be thick) into a greased 10x13 baking dish. I sprayed my dish with nonstick cooking spray which worked well.
Bake your bars for 20-30 minutes (I took mine out at 25.)
It may look sort of raw in the middle but if the edges are just golden and starting to get crispy, it's probably perfect.

Triple Peanut Butter Monster Cookie Bars

 

So New Year's Eve I had to work a long shift from 5-2 a.m but didn't get out till almost 4 am!! Luckily, we had a Junk food day at work where we brought in dips, cookies, sweets, etc! And this is one of the recipes that was a hit. I ended up having to double the recipe due to not having a 8x8 pan. Looks like I know what I will add to my Christmas list next year! lol But here is the recipe.

 

Yield: one 8x8 pan, 9 to 12 generous squares

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
1 large egg
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
heaping 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (use Jif, Skippy, etc.; don't use homemade or natural - too runny)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup Peanut Butter M&Ms (or Peanut, Plain, or favorite variety)
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks, or a combination
1/2 cup Reese's Peanut Butter Chips
1/3 cup Heath Bar Toffee Bits (I used some other kind of candy instead of Heath bar bits.)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
3. Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don't scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, and whisk until smooth.
4. Add the peanut butter and whisk or stir until smooth and incorporated.
5. Add the flour and stir until just combined, don't overmix.
6. Add all remaining add-ins and fold to incorporate.
7. Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula. I like to strategically place a few M&Ms on the top of the batter for a nice visual effect.
8. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until top is set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Allow bars to cool in pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.

 

 

Found this recipe via pinterest!

 

They were so delicious!!