Cinnamon Sugar Walnuts

This year, my neighbor and I exchanged kitchen "treat" gifts with one another.  

While she gushed over my plate of molasses cookies and toffee bars, I have to say that her cute, simply decorated jar of cinnamon sugar walnuts, were insanely more delicious than my cookies, not to mention addicting. I've eaten nearly the entire jar myself! 

Realizing that the jar is almost empty makes me very disappointed. So, I've decided it's a recipe I must have. ☺ After all, there are worse things a person could snack on, right? (Walnuts are actually prostate and breast cancer reducers, and promote heart and brain health, among a few other positive benefits recent studies have revealed. Now, that makes them worth snacking on!) 

Rice Krispie Treats Anyone?

I don't think I've EVER asked this question and gotten a "No, thank you!"

Always the perfect, versatile stand by favorite treat!

Recipe:

1/2 stick of butter

1 10 oz. bag of large or mini marshmallows

6 c. of Rice Krispies

1 bag of peanut/regular M&M's, gummy bears, or other candy of choice

Butter/grease a 13x9 baking dish. In a large pot, melt butter. Add marshmallows and melt over medium heat, stirring constantly. Shut off heat. Add Rice Krispies and stir until coated completely with melted marshmallows. Turn into the buttered baking dish. Using a small piece of buttered wax paper, press the rice krispie mixture evenly down into the dish, making a flat top over all. Press candies into top, if desired. Let cool. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Homemade Fruit Snack

Homemade Fruit Snack

Ingredients:

2/3 cup fresh lemon juice or fresh orange juice (if you don’t like sour go with orange!)
2/3 cup frozen or fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries, strawberries are all great.)
1 – 2 Tbs honey
5 Tbs gelatin

Directions:
1. Pour juice and berries into a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until berries become tender and begin to soften.
2. Add honey and stir until completely incorporated. You will want the fruit to dissolve quite a bit until you have a compote.
3. Puree mixture using a immersion blender or small blender (my magic bullet works great for this!)
4. Let sit, off heat, for 5 – 10 minutes.
5. Whisk in gelatin, one tablespoon at a time. Whisk vigorously until completely incorporated, mixing the gelatin in very gradually to avoid lumps. (If you do get lumps, just run the mixture through your blender again or you can put it back on the heat to help dissolve the gelatin.)
6. Pour into a 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 glass dish. Refrigerate until set (30 minutes to an hour). Cut in small squares. 

Recipe Credit