Gourmet Cookie Bouquets Recipe Blog

Archive for February, 2010

Are you looking for a way to spice up your snacking?  Snack mixes with savory ingredients is the perfect way!  Nutty, crunchy and crispy ingredients blend with spices for a taste explosion!

Snack mixes are perfect for the big game, family gatherings, snack baskets, or any time you're looking for a good snack.

Savory Reindeer Mix

INGREDIENTS

* 2 cups Bugles®
* 2 cups square-shaped cheese flavored crackers
* 2 cups pretzel sticks
* 1 cup Corn Chex® cereal
* 1 cup bite-size shredded wheat
* 1 cup pecan halves
* 1/2 cup butter, melted
* 1 tablespoon maple syrup
* 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
* 3/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, combine the butter, syrup, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning and cayenne; pour over cereal mixture and toss to coat.
2. Transfer to an ungreased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 250 degrees F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Super Snack Mix

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup canola oil
* 1 jar Orville Redenbacher Butter oil
* 2 packages dry ranch dressing mix
* 1 box Cheez-Its
* 2 bags oyster crackers
* 1 bags chow mein noodles
* 1 box Ritz mini cheese & crackers
* 1 bag crunchy Cheetos
* 2 cans mixed nuts
* 1 can cashews
* 1 box Crispix cereal

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients in a large garbage bag. Bake at 250 degrees for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. We use a huge roaster pan but you can also spread out the snack mix on cookie sheets (which shortens baking time). Store in ziploc bags, makes a huge batch (about 4 gallon size ziploc bags).

For more delicious snacking recipes, check out these Quick And Delicious Chex Mix Recipes!

Snack mixes are a great "throw together" treat for any occasion.  You can also put your favorite snack mix in a decorative jar or tin for that perfect just because gift.

Below are my 2 favorite sweet snack mixes that will have you hooked after the first handful!

Fritos Sweet Snack Mix

INGREDIENTS

*2 cups brown sugar
*2 sticks butter
*1/2 cup Karo® syrup
*1 box rice Chex®
*1 bag Fritos®
*1 can peanuts or mixed nuts (I used peanuts)
*1 bag M&M's®

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients (minus the M&M's).
2. Bring sugar, butter and syrup to a boil.
3. Pour caramel mixture over the mix and stir.
4. Spread in two 9x13 cake pans.
5. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes, stir and bake another 8 minutes.
6. Pour in brown paper bag to cool, mixing every so often to keep from clumping together. 7. Once totally cool, add M&M's.

Puppy Chow

INGREDIENTS

*9 cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
*1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
*1/2 cup peanut butter
*1/4 cup butter or margarine
*1 teaspoon vanilla
*1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.
3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

If you love this recipe, you'll really enjoy this article on the Top 10 Snack Mix Recipes.

Have you been hit by Spring Fever yet?  Here's a delicious trifle dessert that is bursting with sweet, juicy fruit basket flavor along with a creamy texture.

Ingredients:

* 4 cups fresh ripe peaches (about 5 large or 7 medium peaches)
* 3 Tbsp sugar
* 1 - 16 oz loaf of frozen pound cake, thawed and cut into 1 inch cubes
* 1 - 12 oz container Cool Whip, thawed
* 2 (3.9 oz) packages of instant vanilla pudding
* 3 cups of milk
* 1/4 cup slivered almonds

Directions:

1. Peel the peaches and slice into segments. Put in glass bowl and sprinkle them with sugar. Toss and let stand for 20 minutes or until juicy.

2. Prepare pudding by putting the mixes in a bowl and adding the 3 cups of milk. Beat on low speed for about 2 minutes or until it starts to thicken slightly.

3. Place 1/2 of the cubed pound cake in the bottom of the trifle bowl. Then 1/2 of the vanilla pudding spreading to make a nice layer. Then put in 1/2 of the peach slices (we don't use all the juice). Then 1/2 of the Cool Whip. Be sure to use a spatula to even out each layer. Repeat the process again adding the rest of the cake, then pudding, then peaches , then cool whip.

4. Cover the trifle and chill in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. Sprinkle the top with the slivered almonds just prior to serving.

Want more trifle recipes? Give these a whirl:

• Chocolate and Fruit Trifle Recipe
• Strawberry Valentine Trifle Recipe
• Chocolate Brownie Trifle

Here's another fun and delicious way to make cookies for Valentine's Day!  The center each heart shaped cookie is a sparkling red heart-shaped "window".   This amazing cookie is easy to make and the results are breath-taking.

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/3 cup crushed clear red hard candy (Life Savers or Jolly Ranchers)

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a 4-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter dipped in flour. Cut out centers with a 1-1/4-in. heart-shaped cookie cutter; set aside to re-roll. Place cookies 1 in. apart on lightly greased foil-lined baking sheets. Fill centers with crushed candy.

Bake at 375  for 7-9 minutes or until candy is melted and edges of cookies begin to brown. Cool completely on baking sheets. Carefully peel cookies off foil.

Want more Valentine's Day recipes? Try these Valentine Food Gift Ideas.