Stuffed Dates with almonds

Updated recipe.

This was a first try and it was easy.  Hubby loves  dates so I figured I'd give the dates a whirl and stuff them with a few almonds.

I did almost but not exactly as the recipe below says and I remember my Mom doing it the same way. 

Hubby said they tasted delicious so I think I'll serve some for Christmas.

Very easy to do with great results. 

Pitted dates 

Whole almonds( choose smaller size almonds)

Confectionery (powdered sugar)

 



Here's the recipe I followed.

Preheat an oven to 350°F.

1. 
   
   Place the nuts on a baking pan in the middle rack of the oven. Bake
2. 
   
   for 15 minutes stirring frequently.
3. 
   
   Cool for 10 minutes before use.
4. 
   
   Place one almond inside the date. Roll in powdered sugar if
5. 
   
   desired. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Enjoy!  Easy peasy!

12/3/14 original 

Courtesy Food.com

Peanut Butter Fudge made with Organic Peanut Butter

 Today’s peanut butter fudge.  I used Jif peanut butter. 6/15/2024

I've posted this recipe before so it's for those who haven't had the chance to copy the recipe.  Please do!  It's my pleasure!!:)It is updated!

Update:  the above fudge was made with Jif peanut butter…
Delicious!

It's a very rainy day so "Let's make fudge"!!

My girlfriend Cheryl would make this wonderful easy fudge when a few of us would get together with our families.  She would use chunky peanut butter for her recipe. Now her recipe is a family favorite!  Hint:  This fudge is a BIG hit when you bring some to a picnic or also a Bake sale!  We have sold out immediately when someone realizes there is HOMEMADE FUDGE! :)

I used organic smooth peanut butter(regular is fine) because the kiddo's aren't fond of peanuts,  Costco's (Kirkland Brand). Feel free to use your peanut butter of choice.  It does not have to be organic.

Note: Store in airtight container in refrigerator preferably.  I store in layers using wax paper in between layers. 


It is really raining in buckets so what a better day to stay inside (I do have to go and pick up my grandson) but after that I'm in for the duration of this miserable rain. This easy fudge is the answer to my sweet tooth craving.  I ate a few pieces.  Perfect!  It really was wonderful and it takes very little time and effort to put together.

  It sets very quickly so make sure you have your pyrex dish all buttered and ready to go. 

Note: I've bought Costco's Organic peanut butter before and it is very good.  You  must stir it well (oil settles on top).  It did just fine with this fudge recipe and with 2 cups of sugar in this recipe cutting back a little bit on sugar is a good thing.  It is plenty sweet.  Jif, ( is the peanut butter I usually use) is sweeter, but we are using plenty of sugar in this recipe so I am confident this will do fine. Yummy!!!!


2 cups sugar
1/2  cup milk( I used whole milk)
Bring above to a rapid (full boil)stirring constantly for **exactly 3 minutes..(you should use a timer)no less!

Remove from stove add 1- 12 oz. chunky or regular peanut butter (organic works out fine) and 1- 7 oz. jar marshmallow cream.  Stir really well with a large spoon until blended and then quickly place in a buttered dish.  (I used a 8 x8 glass dish).  Refrigerate.  Cut after completely cooled.  About 1 hour.  Note:  After reading the ingredients on back on Kirklands organic peanut butter  label.  I found it to be much much lower in salt and lower in sugar and fat than regular Jif.
 p.s. I'd definitely use this peanut butter again.

Happy Baking and Cooking from my kitchen to yours,
 

M.J.

So good!  Satisfied my sweet tooth..Big time!

First I folded in peanut butter then marshmallow

Today I made the fudge using Jiff Peanut Butter.  Same amounts, same results.  I decided a dark chocolate drizzle would definitely be a nice change.  Who doesn't like peanut butter and chocolate? YUM ** For the drizzle a small amount(maybe 1/4 cup) semi sweet chocolate morsels melted slowly and stirring (30 second intervals) in microwave until soft.

Spread mixture quickly into well buttered pan..Refrigerate until completely cooled and then cut into pieces.

Note:  I added a drizzle to some today.  I used semi sweet chocolate morsels melted slowly in microwave until soft.

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Updated 10/25/2020

12/6/12 original 
7/10/13 
10/22/15
3/22/16
3/23/17

Caramel Puffed Corn

Who can resist Caramel Corn?  So light with just the right amount of light sugary coating to snack on.  Whether it is watching a football game or having a few friends over to visit this is one great snack! I first tasted this caramel delight when visiting a friend and I couldn't wait to get home to make it.!   Happy Snacking!!!!

After I took it out of the oven I dried it on parchment paper to avoid a mess on my cookie sheet..

I managed to get the recipe from my friend and  today I went and bought all that was needed to make this snack..I plan of giving some containers as small tokens of appreciation to several of my friends...Note:  For those of us who can't eat nuts or regular pop corn this is a great alternative!!!

 Puffed Corn (Hull less) Butter

1 1/2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar 
1 1/2 cups dark Karo syrup
pinch of salt
8 oz. or more salted peanuts (optional)

2 1/2 bags large Puffed Corn (Butter) not cheddar

Heat all the above ingredients except the corn..until a slow boil.

Using a large roasting pan(or disposable aluminum roasting pan) pour melted ingredients over corn and stir so that most of corn is covered with syrup mixture...Toss well..Bake approx. 50 minutes at 225 degrees..stirring every 10 minutes..


Dump corn mixture onto a large cookie sheet when baking is complete to cool..


When totally cool, break apart and store in air tight container..





12/8/11
12/12/13
11/30/15

Bagel pizza

My version of a pizza bagel.

6 large bagels cut in half (12 half slices)
I jar pizza sauce or marinara sauce
1/2 lb sliced American cheese
4oz.  Shredded mozzarella
Sliced pepperoni, Chopped cooked sausage or topping of your choice.

Bake 400 degrees In toaster oven until cheese melts.  Approximately 5 to 7 minutes.

Peanut butter chocolate krispie bars

Snack attack.  Home by my lonesome craving sweets so I had all the ingredients to make some peanut butter, chocolate rice krispie treats.  No grands around so I guess it'll be me to dig into them and give some to the neighbors.  

Enjoy my friends!

3 Tablespoons Butter

1 (10 ounce) bag Marshmallows

¼  Cup Peanut Butter(2 heaping tablespoons)

5 Cups Rice  Krispy Cereal

4 regular size Hershey Bars 

Optional**1¼ Cups Chocolate Chips (semi-sweet, milk, or dark) (melted) I did not top my bars but you certainly could easily.

Line an 8-inch × 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil and spray it with non-stick cooking spray.

Melt the butter over low heat in a large saucepan. Add the marshmallows and stir until they're completely melted. Stir in the peanut butter and mix until it's smooth.

Add the cereal to the marshmallow mixture and stir until it's completely combined. Working quickly, (use a little butter or cooking spray on your hands) to press half of the cereal mixture into your prepared baking pan.

Arrange the Hershey Bars on top of the cereal layer in a 4×4 grid. Add the remaining half of the cereal mixture over the peanut butter cups and press (use butter on your hands or cooking spray so you fingers won't stick to mixture) it into an even layer.

Pour the melted chocolate on top of the cereal and use a spatula to spread it into an even layer. Place the pan in the refrigerator until the chocolate is set, about 1 hour.

Once set, remove the treats from the pan and cut them into individual squares. Store in an airtight container.

Snacks: Easy chex mix

My grandchildren love this and whether it's back to school time or the holidays this is a great easy to eat snack.  I have even made it as a back to school treat surprising them when I went to visit.

Enjoy!

9 cups Corn chex or Chocolate rice chex cereal
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups confectioner sugar

In large bowl, measure cereal, set aside

In microwaveable bowl..microwave choc, chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on high..one minute
Microwave additional 30 seconds so mixture can be stirred smooth..Stir in vanilla  Pour mixture over cereal.stirring until evenly coated.  Pour into 2 gallon resealable food storage bag..Add powdered sugar..Seal bag; shake until well coated..Spread on waxed paper to cool..Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Happy Baking!

From my kitchen to yours,

Mini Pretzel Snacks!

Great snacks for everyone.

Top these pretzels with anything you like.  I even added a few cashew halves to them.
4/27/17

Mini Rolo's, chopped pecans and snaps

Two of these were done with mini peanut butter pretzel sandwiches.  The third was done with a snap pretzel and a junior mint.  The mint one doesn't look too good but it tasted great!

Mini Hershey piece and mini peanut butter pretzel sandwich

Mini Rolo and mini peanut butter pretzel sandwich

After placing mini rolo on top of pretzel bake in 300 degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from oven and top with whole pecan, chopped pecans or a whole cashew and gently push pecan/ cashew into the caramel. Cool completely before storing.

Happy Easy Baking from my kitchen to yours,

9/5/12
12/4/12
12/12/13
12/3/15
3/21/16

Spiced Pecans: Mom's recipe

Great recipe for your nut loving family and friends.

Hint:  Thanksgiving and Christmas.


I wasn't going to do a thing today in the kitchen but I just couldn't resist making some wonderful toasty pecans that everyone loves!   Mom made these every year and she couldn't make them fast enough. You can't eat just one! if you know what I mean.  Everyone loves them!  They are also wonderful to make for the holidays AND  they STORE WELL IN COOKIE TINS.  I doubled the recipe and made 2 lbs..

I love to give containers mixed with these pecans and trail mix that I make especially during the holidays.  You can find cute little containers at the Dollar Store.

Happy Baking from my kitchen to yours,

1 egg white slightly beaten
1 tablespoon water
1 lb. pecan halves
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt or to taste
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves (optional)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg or 1/2 tsp. allspice

All toasted and just out of the oven..Yummy!

Stir after 20 minutes and put back in oven for 10 minutes more..

Mix together sugar, salt and all spices..

In a Medium bowl whisk egg white and water, stir in pecans until all surfaces are moistened. Sprinkle above sugar/ spice mixture to coat all pecans.  Mix well until all pecans are covered with sugar mixture...

Spread pecans on a lightly greased cookie sheet and bake in a pre heated oven 300 degrees for 30 minutes..stirring once after 20 minutes then put back in oven and bake remaining 10 minutes. Cool and store.

11/18/12 original

11/23/13