Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

I made these last year and they were a fan favorite.  I didn't have enough chocolate however, so I used butterscotch chips to deep the rest of the pretzel bites in.  I also had enough butterscotch left over to drizzle over all of the bites.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites
http://twotinykitchens.com/2011/02/23/peanut-butter-pretzel-bites/

Chocolate Cherry Marshmallow Crunch Bars

I don't know what to say about this one.  It's tasty but confusing at the same time.  The different layers are so different.

Chocolate Cherry Marshmallow Crunch Bars
http://www.momontimeout.com/2013/02/chocolate-cherry-marshmallow-crunch-bars/

Annalise's 4th Birthday Party

We had a ton of fun this past weekend celebrating my daughter's 4th birthday.  It was Hello Kitty and winter themed.  Oh, and did I mention everything had to be pink! The candy, the cake, the decor....lets just say it was a pink nightmare.  But for my girl, anything goes.  Hope you enjoy and maybe you'll get some ideas for your pink lover.

Christmas Cookie Extraviganza...Coffee Cake Cookies

Every year my mom and I make as few as 40 different kinds of cookies and then put together cookie boxes for our friends and family.   This year is no different however, I decided to post the cookies I'm making and the websites from which them came.  I'll post one each day until all are complete.  Enjoy!

Coffee Cake Cookies
http://www.ohbiteit.com/2013/01/coffee-cake-cookies.html


These cookies were super easy and the Hubby really enjoyed them.

Twice Baked Meat Lovers Potato Pizza!

This ones a mouth full, not only to say but they are hard to put down.  Be prepared to spend some time in the kitchen because this recipe is a bit time consuming but it's worth it.  Enjoy!

Twice Baked Meat Lovers Potato Pizza!

10 russet potatoes
1/2 lb. chorizo or Italian sausage
1 c. finely chopped honey ham
1 c. finely chopped pepperoni
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbs. butter
1 c. sour cream
1/3 c. heavy whipping cream
2 c. mozzarella
2-3 c. pizza sauce
10 slices provolone

Preheat oven to 350.  Wash potatoes and poke holes in them with a fork.  Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour or until potato skins start to crinkle.  Meanwhile, ground and brown sausage until completely cooked.  Once the potatoes are finished, let cook for 5-10 minutes.  Cut them in half and scoop out potato into a large bowl.  Place skins back onto the baking sheet.  Melt butter and garlic pour over potatoes.  Then add whipping cream and sour cream.  Beat on low speed until well incorporated.  Mix in sausage, ham, pepperoni and mozzarella.  Fill up the potato skins with potato mixture.  Top off with pizza sauce.  Cut provolone slices in half and place them on top of sauce.  Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until cheese in completely mielted.

Beer Cheese Soup

I took a bit of a vacation from blogging but now I'm back!  It is currently snowing and starting to stick.  That means it's soup tonight. I made beer cheese soup tonight and then gathered some more ingredients to thicken it up a bit. But I'll give you the base of the soup.

Beer Cheese Soup 

2 c. heavy whipping cream
2 c. sharp cheddar
12 oz. beer (I used Sam Adams Winter Lager)
3 c. chicken broth
paprika, salt and pepper for taste.

optional:
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb ground sausage
1 c. spinach, finely chopped
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes

Bring 2 c. heavy whipping cream to a boil in a large pot.  Stir in cheddar until completely melted.  Add broth and beer. Stir in paprika, salt and pepper for taste.  Cover and let simmer for about 20 minutes.  Now if you would like to add a little more, saute'onions and garlic with the sausage until  meat is fully cooked.  Add mixture to cheese soup, as well as spinach and tomatoes.

Cheddar Broccoli Soup

I'm going back to my roots on this one.  I loved soups growing up and my family always made homemade soups and grilled sandwiches during the cold weather season.  Let me tell you, it's 45 degrees here and dang it, I want my comfort food.  Yummy cheddar broccoli soup, paired with a tuna melt.  Enjoy!

Cheddar Broccoli Soup

2 Tbs olive oil
1 bunch on broccoli, cooked and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c. heavy cream
2 1/2 c. cheddar cheese
3 c. vegetable or chicken broth
dash of pepper, sea salt and paprika for taste.

In a saute pan, saute olive oil broccoli, onion and garlic for about 5 minutes or until onions are translucent.  Meanwhile, in a large pot bring the heavy cream to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and add cheddar cheese.  Stir until completely melted.  Add in broccoli mixture, broth, and seasonings.  Cover and continue to simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.