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Mini Caramel Apples Recipe

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Mini Caramel Apples Recipe

Yesterday with the kids we made this Mini Caramel Apples Recipe and had so much fun doing it! The best part is checking out my total Pinterest Fail with the first batch we made. Didn’t change the taste at all and they were eaten super fast no matter what they looked like.

Mini Caramel Apples Recipe Ingredients


The Mini Caramel Apples Recipe Ingredients are super easy. Same as you would need for full sized caramel apples, you just need some cake pop sticks and a melon baller.

Mini Caramel Apples Recipe 2

With the melon baller just scoop out ball sections of the apple. The scooped out apple was fought over by my kids! They actually were coming up with awesome ideas of things to do with it.

Mini Caramel Apples Recipe 3

This was about 4 large apples scooped. Use a hard, crisp apple when making these. I think green is the best.

Mini Caramel Apples Recipe 4

When they were all scooped I placed them on a cookie sheet with wax paper and stuck cake pop/sucker sticks in them. This is a good job for a kid.

Mini Caramel Apples Recipe 5

Then my older girls melted the caramel. We followed the directions on the package of Kraft caramels. Mini Caramel Apples Recipe 6

Then you dip them in the caramel. I placed mine back on a greased sheet of wax paper.

Mini Caramel Apples Recipe 7

Our first batch did not turn out real well… All the caramel completely dripped off the apples. This was after I had even held them for a while rotating them and letting them cool before I put them on the sheet.

Here are a few tips for getting the caramel to stick: 

  • Let the caramel cool BEFORE you dip the apples. It has to thicken a little and not be so hot.
  • Apples should be room temperature.
  • If there is still skin on the apple, make sure the waxy skin is gone. OR boil the apples whole for about 30 seconds to get the wax off, then scoop them out.

We had MUCH better luck after doing the first 2 tips. 

Also, don’t store them in the fridge, they tend to “sweat” and the caramel can come off. These were so fun to make and so cute when they were done, that we are making more for their teachers but this time with chocolate and nuts as well!

Mini Caramel Apples 2

:: Items Used :: 

Caramel Sheets – These work the best! I found these just recently!

Melon Baller – Prices Vary

Sucker Sticks

Double Boiler – The T-Fal one is on sale cheap!

Wilton Silicone Spatula

Silpat Mat

 

 

Easy Crock Pot Macaroni & Cheese!

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https://mylitter.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Crock-Pot-Mac-Cheese-Recipe.png

If you’re looking for another dish to add to your “Crocktober” list then why not add some easy Mac & Cheese to the meal tonight! We all love our crockpots right? Now it’s time for it to make our lives easier!

The cool thing is that you can use this as a side dish on holiday’s or times when your kitchen is full. Being able to put side dishes in a crock pot is a huge time and space saver. You can make this and bake it in a 9×13 until heated through and the cheese is melted.


You will need:

  • 8oz Cooked Macaroni
  • 8oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 8oz Pepper Jack Cheese
  • 8oz Velveeta
  • 1cup Milk

Instructions:

  1. Cut all the cheese into cubes (this makes it easier to melt and faster!)
  2. Spray your slow cooker with non stick spray (this makes clean up wayyyy faster)
  3. Pour macaroni into the bottom of the slow cooker
  4. Spread cheese cubes around on top of the macaroni
  5. Pour milk on top
  6. Cook on low for about 3 hours
Easy Crock Pot Macaroni & Cheese!
Recipe Type: Side Dish
Author: Tiffany Ivanovsky
Ingredients
  • 8 oz Macaroni cooked
  • 8 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 8 oz Pepper Jack Cheese
  • 8 oz Velvetta
  • 1 cup milk
Instructions
  1. Cut all the cheese into cubes.
  2. Spray Slow cooker with non-stick spray.
  3. Pour macaroni in bottom of slow cooker.
  4. spread the cheese cubes around on top of the macaroni.
  5. Pour milk over contents.
  6. Cook on low for about 3 hours (optionally stirring halfway through).

 

 

Starbucks Secret Menu – Harry Potters ButterBeer Recipe!

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A couple of years ago I had a Starbucks ButterBeer and things might not be the same for me again! My kids are often invited to Starbucks to hang out with their friends. They typically order hot chocolate or a Vanilla Bean Frapp as they have no coffee in them. But the other day my son came home with a different drink. Curious to what he would spend hard earned money on I asked for a drink and was surprised at how much I liked it! He explained to me that it was on the Starbucks secret menu and that you have to ask for it, and be prepared to tell them how to make it. They call this one the “Harry Potter” or “ButterBeer” and it is wonderful!



Not so much secret I guess, you just have to be able to order the drink and be prepared to tell them how to make it if they have not heard of it.

Cold Butterbeer Frappucino:

  • A Creme Frappuccino base. “Don’t skimp on the fat by asking for skim or 2% milk as whole milk is required for the right consistency.”
  • Add 3 pumps of caramel syrup.
  • Add 3 pumps of toffee nut syrup.
  • Top with caramel drizzle.

But sadly they can only make ButterBeer during the Holiday’s as they don’t carry Toffee Nut syrup all year long. (Some Starbucks readers have told us that Starbucks DOES carry the Toffee Nut year round so it may vary by location) You can also get a hot version.

Hot Version:

  • Whole milk steamer
  • Add caramel syrup (2 for tall, 3 for grande, 4 for venti)
  • Add toffee nut syrup (2 for tall, 3 for grande, 4 for venti)
  • Add cinnamon dolce syrup (2 for tall, 3 for grande, 4 for venti)
  • Whipped cream and salted caramel bits on top
  • Optional if you prefer to add a coffee taste: Add a shot of espresso (2 for a grande or venti)
  • Thank you PopWatch!

:: Homemade Butterbeer Frappuccino ::
1 cup milk 2% milk
2 tablespoons sugar
pinch of salt
16 ice cubes
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1 1/2 Tablespoon Caramel Syrup
1 1/2 Tablespoon Toffee Nut Syrup

Starbucks Secret Menu – Harry Potters ButterBeer Recipe!
Recipe Type: Beverage
Author: Tiffany Ivanovsky
Ingredients
  • 1 cup milk 2% milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 16 ice cubes
  • 1 tablespoon corn syrup
  • 1½ Tablespoon Caramel Syrup
  • 1½ Tablespoon Toffee Nut Syrup
Instructions
  1. Put into blender and blend until no ice chunks can be heard!

 

Game Day Guacamole

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Game Day Guacamole
If you are looking for a new twist on game day favorite, grab an oval dish and whip up some guacamole, garnish, and go. If you don’t have an oval dish read to the end for an idea to use a rectangle instead.

Guacamole is quick to make and easy to serve and because the lime juice helps to inhibit the browning, you can make it the night before and store it in an air tight container, or store leftovers for lunch the next day.

Game Day Guac ingredients


 

Game Day Guacamole

—————————————————————

Ingredients

  • 1 Ripe Avocado
  • 1/4 Large Tomato – or 1 Roma Tomato
  • 1/2 Lime, room temperature
  • 1 Garlic Clove
  • Sea Salt to Taste
  • Sour Cream for garnish
  • Tortilla Chips

Directions

Use your knife or Avocado Tool to remove avocado from skin. Squeeze lime juice from your 1/2 a lime by hand or use a Citrus Reemer. Mince the garlic and add sea salt. Add all items to your bowl and use the Avocado Tool to mash and mix until you get the desired smoothness. Add the diced tomato after mashing and stir it in.

Spread the mixture on to your oval platter. Use your piping bag to draw the football lines with sour cream. (If you don’t have a piping bag, put the sour cream in a Ziploc bag and slit the corner with scissors to help you draw the lines.)

Garnish with mini tortilla rounds or other chips along the edge for a stadium feel.

Don’t have an oval dish?

Use a rectangle and draw lines with sour cream to resemble a football field instead!

Mini Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies

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mini fall leaves

These Mini Autumn Leaf Cookies are a super cute, delicious and fun way to serve up a classic dessert! They will add a fabulous splash of color to your holiday table centerpiece as well as satisfy those salivating taste buds! Please beware, there are several steps and processes to these cookies. However, do not let that turn you away from giving them a shot. They are really not that complicated to make and are totally worth the effort to make them from scratch.

Mini Autumn Leaf Cookies

Let’s start out with the ingredients and directions for the delicious sugar cookie! I highly recommend measuring and prepping things in advance so the steps are easier to manage.  Some great additions in your kitchen for making these mini autumn leaf cookies and other iced sugar cookies are a simple cake decorating kit with all the tips for designs you need, and some wire racks to cool the cookies on.



Ingredients: 5 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs

Directions: 

  1. Cream the soft butter with the sugar until the combination is smooth and not grainy to the touch.  A stand mixer or hand mixer is perfect for this.
  2. Nex you will add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until smooth.
  3. Sift the four, baking powder, and salt together then add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Continue mixing to make sure all ingredients are thoroughly blended.
  4. Make the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap covering all the dough and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight.  Dough should be firm.
  5. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  6. Remove the cookie dough from the refrigerator and allow to sit on counter for around a half hour to soften.  Flour your counter or cutting board lightly.  You may want to dust your cutting board and the top of the dough lightly wih flour as well.
  7. Roll the dough out on the cutting board and using your mini  leaf cookie cutter begin to make your cookies.  Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using a metal spatula move the cut cookie  to the parchment lined cookie sheet.
  8. Bake at 325 degrees for 8 minutes.  Check to see if the cookies are thoroughly baked. Take the cookies off of the cookie sheet and put on a wire rack to cool completely.  (About 10 minutes).

Now to make the tasty Royal Icing!

Ingredients:

2 egg whites
1 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Orange, brown, red and gold yellow gel food coloring

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients except food coloring into a mixing bowl mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes.  If icing is not stiff enough add an extra 1/4 cup powdered sugar. Divide icing into 4 small bowls to use for
  2. Bowl #1 , add several drops of brown gel food coloring stirring well until all of the color is blended. Bowl #2, add several drops of orange gel food coloring stirring well until all of the color is blended. Bowl #3, add several drops of red gel food coloring stirring well until all of the color is blended.  Bowl#4, add several drops of yellow gold gel food coloring stirring well until all of the color is blended.
  3. Spoon each of the icings into individual  frosting bags with a #5 tips…. twist the open end of the bag to push the icing to the tip.

mini fall leaf cookies

Constructing the Mini Autumn Leaves!

  1. First step for each of the leaf cookies outline it in the color you prefer.  Doing this in an assembly method will make it go much faster.  Allow the icing outline at least  30 seconds to dry before filling the  body of the cookie in with the other the rest of the icing. (After outlining all of these leaf cookies you can push some the remaining icing into a bowl and add the 1 tsp of water and mix well to get the right consistency.) Leave some of the icing in the frosting bag for additional accent work on each of the leaves. Using a butter knife to spread it from the outlined part inwards to the center.
  2. Repeat this process with each color.
  3. Set these aside and allow to completely dry about 4 hours.

These mini autum leaf cookies and a fun and tasty iced sugar cookie choice everyone will love at your holiday gatherings.

Check out our other favorite cookie and holiday treat recipes!

Mini Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

How To Decorate Christmas Stocking Sugar Cookies

Ooey Gooey Butter Cookies

Cherry Kiss Cookies

Hasselback Apples with Pecans

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hasselback apples

Fall means pumpkin and apple recipes galore!  If you are looking to try something easy, quick and delicious, Hasselback Apples are for you.  They taste like apple pie but look a little more unique, would be great to serve when  guests are visiting, and could easily be made gluten-free.  I served my apples with homemade whipped cream, but ice cream or caramel sauce would also go well with these Hasselback apples.

hassel back apple 0

Start by peeling the apples (something I let my 4 year old do), then cut in half and remove the core.   (There are some really neat tools available to help you with this!)  Place the apples flat side down in the greased pan and then put slices all around the apples, being careful not to completely cut through them.  I accidentally did on a couple and just pushed them together when I was done.

hassel back apple 1

Mix together the sugar, butter, cinnamon and brush evenly on the apples. Put foil over the pan and bake at 400.  While those are baking, mix together the oatmeal, sugar, butter and flour (omit the flour for gluten-free and add extra oats), and finely chop the pecans.  Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the apples are soft.  Pull them out and let them cool for a few minutes.  Once they have cooled, add the topping into the sliced part of the apple.  Bake them for another 10 minutes, and then if you’re crazy enough make homemade whip cream or test taste your ice cream for quality control.  After 10 minutes, turn the broiler on and toast everything for about 2 minutes.  Super easy.

hasselback apple and whip cream

Pull them out, let them cool a little, top with whipped cream and enjoy a fairly healthy, delicious autumn snack.  I would definitely do more than just 2 apples next time-they were SO good that I almost ate all of them by myself.

Other things that would be good on top include raisins, walnuts, caramel sauce, and chocolate chips.  Get creative!

Hasselback Apples

Ingredients:

2 large apples, peeled, cored, and cut in half
3 tbsp butter, melted and divided
4.5 tbsp of brown sugar, divided
¾ tsp ground cinnamon, divided
2 tbsp finely chopped pecans
3 tbsp old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp flour
1 1/2 cups whipped cream

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Peel, then cut apples in half, removing the core. Slice almost all the way through the apples at about 1/8 inch intervals. Place apples flat side down in a greased 8×8 baking dish. Mix 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp butter and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon together and put evenly over the apple halves. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, bake for 10 more minutes or until the apples are tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Combine the remaining sugar, butter, cinnamon, oats, flour and salt. Gently open the apple slices and spoon the topping onto the apples. Top with pecans. Bake uncovered for 10 minutes, then broil on high for 2 minutes. Remove from oven and serve with whipped cream.

Hassle back Apples

Apple Peeler

Stone-wear 8×8 Dish

Apple Corer

KitchenAid Knives

Bamboo Cutting Board

White Chicken Chili

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Easy White Chicken Chili

We love chili and we love easy and this White Chicken Chili is both!

It’s also cheap and delicious.  It’s going to feed your family for around $10 with some left over.  This is a great chili variation when you’re looking for something different than the traditional ground beef.  It takes only a few minutes to throw together and it’s ready to eat in less than 30 minutes.  I’ve tried several white chicken chili recipes but this is my take and my family’s favorite.  It heats up well so don’t hesitate to make a double batch for lunches or even to freeze for another time.



For this recipe you can make it on the stove top using your large stock pot or my favorite put all of the ingredients in your Ninja 3-in-1 Cooking System (or Crock-Pot ).

White Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

  • 1 large 48 oz jar Great Northern White Beans
  • 1 8 oz bag shredded white cheese
  • 1 24 oz jar of salsa
  • 2 cans of chunk chicken breast

White Chicken Chili

Instructions:

Pour the white beans and salsa into a large stock pot over medium heat.

Use a fork to separate the chicken, shredding it into smaller chunks and pieces.  Add to the beans and salsa.

White Chicken Chili Recipe

When the chicken and beans have reached a low boil, stir in the shredded cheese.

Reduce heat and simmer until cheese is melted, stirring frequently.

You can also add all the ingredients to the crock pot and set to low heat.  Just be sure to stir occasionally.

We really like to serve this with tortilla chips but you could serve with dinner rolls and a side salad too!

White Chicken Chili
Recipe Type: Main Meal
Author: Tiffany
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
Easy White Chicken Chili is quick, cheap, and delicious! You’ll love how easy it comes together.
Ingredients
  • 1 large jar Great Northern White Beans
  • 1 bag shredded white cheese
  • 1 jar of salsa
  • 2 cans of chunk chicken breast
Instructions
  1. Pour the white beans and salsa into a large stock pot over medium heat.
  2. Use a fork to separate the chicken, shredding it into smaller chunks and pieces. Add to the beans and salsa.
  3. When the chicken and beans have reached a low boil, stir in the shredded cheese.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer until cheese is melted, stirring frequently.

More Tasty Recipes:

Quinoa Chili Recipe 

Wendy’s Copycat Chili Recipe

Fiesta Chicken Crockpot Recipe

Fall Treats – Scarecrow Bars

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Fall isn’t all that far away and I’ve had Fall Treats on my mind lately.  These Scarecrow Bars are sure to be a hit with the family or for fall get togethers.  They are a great mix of sweet and salty.  I think they would be so great with a cup of hot apple cider!  Oh how I love fall! Plus there is a really cool printable version of this recipe so you can print it and save it for later!

Fall Treats - Scarecrow Bars

Scarecrow Bars




You will need:
1 box Yellow Cake Mix
1/2 cup softened Butter
2 Eggs
3 cup Mini Marshmallows
1/2 cup Corn Syrup
1/4 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
1 tsp Vanilla
2 cup Crisp Rice Cereal
2 cup Salted Peanuts
1 cup Candy Corn

scarecrow bars ingredients

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350.

Beat cake mix and butter until combined. 

Add egg and beat until well mixed.

scarecrow bars prep

Press into the bottom of ungreased 13×9 baking pan. 

scarecrow bars crust

Bake until it sets and the edges are lightly browned (about 15 minutes).

Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle marshmallows over hot crust. 

Bake another couple of minutes until marshmallows puff up.

Remove from oven.

Combine corn syrup, sugar and brown sugar in saucepan. 

Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly.

Remove from heat.

Add in peanut butter and vanilla and stir until smooth. 

Stir in cereal and peanuts. 

Spoon over marshmallow topped base and spread to cover.

Sprinkle candy corn over mixture evenly and grently press in.

Cool  and cut into bars.

Scarecrow Bars
Recipe Type: dessert
Author: Tiffany
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
This fun dessert is perfect for fall parties or any time!
Ingredients
  • 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
  • 1/2 cup softened Butter
  • 2 Eggs
  • 3 cup Mini Marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup Corn Syrup
  • 1/4 cup Sugar
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 2 cup Crisp Rice Cereal
  • 2 cup Salted Peanuts
  • 1 cup Candy Corn
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Beat cake mix and butter until combined.
  3. Add egg and beat until well mixed.
  4. Press into the bottom of ungreased 13×9 baking pan.
  5. Bake until it sets and the edges are lightly browned (about 15 minutes).
  6. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle marshmallows over hot crust.
  7. Bake another couple of minutes until marshmallows puff up.
  8. Remove from oven.
  9. Combine corn syrup, sugar and brown sugar in saucepan.
  10. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly.
  11. Remove from heat.
  12. Add in peanut butter and vanilla and stir until smooth.
  13. Stir in cereal and peanuts.
  14. Spoon over marshmallow topped base and spread to cover.
  15. Sprinkle candy corn over mixture evenly and grently press in.
  16. Cool and cut into bars.

Do you have a variation on Scarecrow Bars that can be made for any season?  What’s your family’s favorite fall treat?

11 Yummy Fall Treat Recipes!

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fall recipes collection
Most of the kids have gone back to school or will be going back to school next week. Time to start thinking about all things autumn and all the yummy baking that goes on during the fall season. Here at My Litter, we’ve done quite a bit of fall baking and have a great selection of autumn recipes. Here are 11 of our best ones, in case you missed them before. 

As always, don’t forget to plan ahead and try to stack coupons and sales to get the best deals on baking items. Now is the time of year when this stuff will be really discounted at many stores and you can stockpile.

 

Cowabunga! TMNT Jell-o Snacks for #BacktoSchool Lunches!

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tmnt 1

Back to school can be tough so make sure your child has a friend in his/her lunch box to brighten their day!  My kids LOVE these and I’m known as the cool mom that makes fun lunches.  These are made super fast and are super fun!

What will you need?

  • Green Jell-0 Snack Cups
  • Googly Eyes from the Dollar Store
  • Glue
  • Different color electrical tape or strips of construction paper and clear tape.
  • Sharpie

Directions:

  • If you are using construction tape cut strips of different colors to use, attach with clear tape. We used different colored electrical tape because we had it, but you can use washi tape, or whatever you have at home.
  • Glue Googly eyes with glue
  • Draw smile or sneer 😀

trio tmnt

 

 

 

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