Nuts-n-Bolts

Real prep time: 8 minutes
Cook time: 2 hours
Serves: A party!
Side dish suggestions: none

Supplies:
Large Roasting Pan
Mixing Spoon
Tablespoon Measuring Spoon
1/2 Tablespoon Measuring Spoon
1 Cup Measuring Cup

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
2 lbs Mixed Salted Nuts
6 1/2 oz Corn Chex
10 1/2 oz Box Cheerios
6 1/2 oz Rice Chex
6 1/2 oz Wheat Chex
1 Package Pretzel Sticks
1 Cup Salad Oil
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 T. Garlic Salt
1/2 T. Seasoned Salt

Preparation:
Mix all ingredients together in roasting pan. Bake at 250 for 2 hours, stirring every 15 minutes. Have fun!

Extra info...
Such a great party mix!

Homemade Granola Bars

Real prep time: 5-7 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes + Roughly 2 hours cooling and freezer time
Serves: 16 bars
Side dish suggestions: none

Supplies:
9x9 glass pan
Foil
Mixing Bowl
Mixing Spoon
Small Spatula
Large Knife
Cutting Board

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
2 Cups (plus some extra) Rolled Oats
1/2 Cup Wheat Germ
1/2 Cup (plus some extra) Mini Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup (plus some extra) Dried Cranberries or Cherries
1 Can (14oz) Sweetened Condensed Milk

(1 Cup Sliced Almonds)

Preparation:
1. Adjust oven rack to lower middle position and preheat oven to 325.
2. Line 9x9 pan with foil (leaving extra on each end to lift out later).
3. Grease foil with cooking spray.
4. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Turn into pan and pat down until firmly packed.
5. Bake until golden brown-about 30 mins.
6. Cool to room temp. and put pan in freezer until firm.
7. Use foil ends to remove from pan. Remove foil and use large knife to cut into 16 1x4 inch bars.
8. Can be stored in airtight container for up to 1 week or frozen.

Extra info...
Adapted from threemanycooks.com *They also have a gluten free version

Their version uses the sliced almonds and doesn't add the little bit of extra oats, chocolate chips, and dried fruit. I have a child who can't have nuts so I put a few extras in and omit the almonds and they are really great!

Fruit Pizza

Real prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves: 8-10
Side dish suggestions: none

Supplies:
Large Pizza Pan
Medium Saucepan
Mixing Spoon
Hand Mixer
Mixing Bowl

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
1 T. Cornstarch
3/4 Cup Sugar-separated
1 t. Vanilla

Fresh Ingredients:
1 Package Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Dough
1 T. Lemon Juice
1/2 Cup Orange Juice
8 oz Softened Cream Cheese
Assorted Fruits

Preparation:
1. Prepare different fruits to place on pizza-cut strawberries into slices (without hulls), wash and dry blueberries, rince and pat dry mandarine orange slices, etc.
2. Roll out sugar cookie dough on the pizza pan. Cook at 350 for 10 mins. Cool Completely.
3. Glaze-add oj, cornstarch, lemon juice, 1/4 cup. sugar to a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until thick and clear. Let cool but not too cool or it will start to solidify.
4. Spread-Whip up cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla.
5. Assemble-Spread cream cheese mixture on cooled crust. Arrange sliced fruit to cover cream cheese layer. Cover with cooled glaze. Cover all fruit completely and seal outer edges.
6. Chill and enjoy!

Extra info...
Make sure the fruit is dry otherwise the glaze will not stay. It will slide off and not seal the pizza.
The original recipe had the glaze ingredients doubled but it was way too much for me so I have adjusted to a reasonable amount. If it doesn't work for you go back to the original doubled amount.

Addie Mae's Cobbler

Real prep time: 8-10 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6-9
Side dish suggestions: A good vanilla ice cream

Supplies:
8x8 glass pan
Mixing spoon

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
1 Cup Flour
1 Cup Sugar
2 t. Baking Powder
Cooking Spray

Fresh Ingredients:
1 Cup Milk
1/2 Stick Melted Butter
2 Cups Berries (your favorites)

Preparation:
Spray pan with cooking spray. Combine all ingredients but the berries in the pan and mix well. Spread berries evenly on top-DO NOT MIX! Bake at 350 for 30 mins or until golden brown. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy!

Extra info...

Aunt Nancy's Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Real prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10-12 minutes
Serves: Many
Side dish suggestions: A good meal beforehand! :)

Supplies:
Mixer
Mixing Bowl
1/2 Measuring Cup
1 Measuring Teaspoon
Jelly Roll Pan

From the freezer:


From the pantry:
2 Cups Flour
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
1 t. Baking Soda
1 t. Salt
1/2 Cup Shortening
1/2 Cup + 4 t. Brown Sugar
1/2 Cup + 4 t. White Sugar
1 t. Vanilla

Fresh Ingredients:
1/2 Cup Butter-softened
2 Eggs

Preparation:
Cream shortening, butter, brown and white sugars, vanilla, and eggs. In a seperate bowl mix flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix with creamed ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Spread into jelly roll pan. Bake at 375 for 10-12 mins or until golden brown and no longer puffy. Cut into squares or "bars". YUM!

Extra info...
Watch the cooking time to make sure it's not under cooked or over cooked. It's a fine art! :)

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Real prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40-50 minutes
Serves: 10
Side dish suggestions: A tall glass of milk

Supplies:

• 2 bowls
• 9x5 inch loaf pan
• Measuring cups & spoons

From the pantry:

• 1 3/4 c. flour
• 2 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1 t. cinnamon
• pinch nutmeg
• 1/8 t. sea salt
• 1/2 c. maple syrup
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 1 T. canola oil
• 1/3 c. chocolate chips

Fresh:

• 1 c. very ripe banana, mashed (about 2 bananas)
• 1/2 c. milk (use soy or almond milk for a dairy-free bread)

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients. Mix well.
3. In a separate bowl, combine mashed banana with maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
4. Add banana mixture to dry ingredients. Add canola oil just as the mixture starts to come together. Mix until just combined (do not overmix).
5. Pour into a lightly oiled 9x5 inch loaf pan and bake for 40-50 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

This may be the tastiest banana bread you've ever made. You could leave out the chocolate chips, but why would you?! The bread can easily be made dairy-free by using soy or almond milk and dairy-free chocolate chips.

(Adapted from The Everyday Vegan, by Dreena Burton.)

Snickers Brand Surprise Cookies

Real Prep Time: 45 minutes + at least 30 minutes for dough to chill
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Servings: 2 dozen
Do Ahead: set out 2 sticks of butter to soften

Ingredients:

2 sticks of butter (softened)
1 c. creamy peanut butter
1 c. light brown sugar
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
3 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
1 t. baking soda
1 pkg. Snickers miniatures

Directions:

1. Combine butter, peanut butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy
2. Slowly add eggs and vanilla until thoroughly combined
3. Mix in flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix until dough comes together
4. Cover and chill for 2-3 hours
Note: I have GREATLY reduced this time and they've turned out fine
5. While dough is chilling, unwrap Snickers. This is a fun task for the kids!
6. Divide dough into 1 T. pieces and flatten.
7. Place 1 Snickers in center of each. Form dough into a ball around each Snickers.
Note: I usually roll the ball, flatten the dough and hand it to my kids. They love to roll the dough around the Snickers.
8. Place on greased cookie sheet.
9. Bake at 325 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
Note: I like to cook them for the full 12 minutes in order to get the Snickers to melt.