Trail Mix Rice Krispies Treats

Today's recipe is definitely one my dad would greatly appreciate and enjoy! I'll have to make it for him when I visit in July. I'm just sorry that I didn't box a few up and send them his way. Growing up, my dad always enjoyed a sweet treat with his morning coffee. He would literally wait to drink his coffee until he could scrounge up something tasty to go along with it. My mom would stock the pantry with the little 99 cent wafer cookies or the ones that were fudge drizzled with the hole on the center that perfectly fit on my tiny fingers. So I just know, that this treat would go nicely with his morning up of joe. 

If you hadn't guessed, I inherited my love for all things sweet from him. My appreciation for pies, cakes, cookies, and most of all donuts can be attributed to the vast array of treats my father introduced me to. But to be honest he totally deserved every single one. My dad is literally the most hardworking man that you will ever know. He gives a 110% every single day. He gets up before the sun, comes home late and never complains. He was always active in his job as an arborist, climbing trees, mowing lawns, and planting trees. He inspired me to be in a job that kept me active and healthy. I'll admit, partly to support my sugar habit. And this recipe will satisfy any sweet tooth. It is super versatile, using whatever you have in your pantry. Simply take the traditional rice krispies recipe and scale down the amount of cereal and then up the add ins. 

Trail Mix Rice Krispie Treats

5 cups Rice Krispies cereal

1- 10.5 oz bag of mini marshmallows

3 Tbsp. butter

1 cup pretzel sticks, broken in half

1/3 cup Peanut Butter M&M's (or your favorite!) 

1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted

In a large microwave safe bowl, combine marshmallows and butter. Microwave for 1 minute, stir then microwave an additional 30 seconds-1 minute or until butter is completely melted and combined with marshmallows (use a silicon spatula so the marshmallow doesn't stick!). Once melted, add cereal, pretzels, and M&M's stirring until combined. Press mixture into a 9x13 pan (I use wax paper to press evenly down). Freeze for 15 minutes. Place chocolate chips in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, stir, then microwave for additional 30 seconds. Once the treats are ready, cut into squares. Then dip the top of the squares into the melted chocolate. Keep refrigerated for best results! 

I only put chocolate on half of the treats and left the other half "plain". They were equally delicious! I packed them up for a quick hike around my favorite trail to enjoy with friends. You could use any candy in place of the M&M's (chopped Snickers, Kit Kat, or Reese's would work). I like the added pretzels because it gives the treat a sweet & salty taste. These were addicting and didn't last long. I had to bring them into work or else I would have been guilty of eating the entire pan. 

Currently, I am meal prepping for the week and there is a blackberry pie that I'm dying to share with you! First, I must have a slice to taste test. I wouldn't dare share a recipe that wasn't first verified with a taste. Be on the look out! 

I hope you all are enjoying your Father's Day and celebrating those you love most today. Dad, if you read this have a very Happy Day! I miss you and love you to pieces! 

Cherry Cheese Danishes

It's February, which means most people have abandoned their new year's resolutions and Valentine's Day is around the corner. I talked a lot about my goals and wishes for the new year in my last post but I didn't lay them out. One of my goals is to whittle down my credit card debt. And so far, I have been sticking to my guns. Part of that means I need to be much more frugal with my entertainment and food budget. You would really be surprised how much one person can spend on food in a month. Seriously, it's a lot! So I'm trying to be creative with the contents of my pantry and really try to use as much of it as I can. As I survey the contents, what is staring straight back at me but a can of light cherry pie filling. Now why may you ask is that in my pantry?? I'm not particularly fond of cherry pie and it's not an ingredient I use often. I had purchased it to use in my grandmother's holiday squares recipe but opted for a can of blueberry pie filling instead. So what to do with the filling?? After a few minutes on Pinterest the idea of a cherry cheese danish came to mind. This is a super easy and semi-homemade recipe.  

 With very little effort you will have the perfect Valentine's Day good morning treat.

Cherry Cheese Danishes

1 tube crescent rolls

1/2 block (4 oz.) of softened light cream cheese

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. lemon juice 

1/2 can light cherry pie filling (reduced sugar) 

egg wash (1 egg whisked with 2 tbsp. water for brushing) 

Preheat oven to 375 degree oven or follow directions on tube of rolls. On a parchment paper lined cookie sheet unroll and separate crescent rolls. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Using a small spatula, spread cheese mixture evenly over the crescent rolls until completely used up. At the wide end of the roll, place about 1 heaping tsp. of cherry filling. Continue with the rest of the rolls. Holding the wide end of the roll, take the narrow end over top the filling and around. Note: this will not seal the filling in, you will still see some cherry filling on each side. Brush assembled danishes with egg wash. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until danishes are golden brown. 

I hope you all are off to enjoy the Superbowl! Go Seahawks!! Don't forget to follow my blog if you like what you see!