April 8, 2015 by Krista

10 of the Best Backyard BBQ Desserts

It’s that time… time to break out the basting brushes, marinades and seasonings. Time to take off that grill cover and refill the propane bottle or restock the charcoal supply. It’s backyard BBQ time!

I love a good barbecue and the weather keeps teasing me with a few amazingly perfect barbecue weather days here and there. I love when we can BBQ more times in a week than we cook indoors.

Who doesn’t love BBQ food? I know I do, but dessert is undeniably the best way to end a meal. Here’s 10 desserts that will totally rock your backyard BBQ!

BEST BACKYARD BBQ DISHES

Name: Bacon Ranch Chip Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 18
Ingredients: Sharp White Cheddar Chips (you can use any flavor, but this is our favorite); 1 Ranch Dip Powdered Mix; 1 16 oz tub Sour Cream; 1 bunch Green Onions; 2-3 oz Real Bacon Bits

You want a delicious dessert to finish off your BBQ on the right note? Well, look no further because the following 10 desserts will rock your taste buds!

Check out more scrumptious desserts by clicking on the links or that big yellow NEXT arrow below!

CAKES COOKIES BAR COOKIES & SUPER EASY COBBLER

Pages: 1 2 3 4

March 25, 2015 by Krista

The Perfect Popcorn: Snickers Peanut Butter Chocolate

Yesterday, I told you about the fight Mr Napping and I had in the middle of a mall not too long after we got married and how we have learned to prevent unnecessary arguments. I had intended to share this recipe with that post, but that post just kept creeping further and further down the page and the scroll bar was uncomfortably small. So, today we’re going to be delving into a deliciously tasty treat to share while you’re not fighting or in case you ever need a peace offering. This is pretty much perfection in a bowl. It’s movie-perfect popcorn and you don’t have to juggle it and your box of candy, it’s all right there in one convenient, incredibly delicious little perfect popcorn package. Seriously, this Snickers satisfies the munchies big time. And, really, can you go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter?

THE PERFECT POPCORN:
SNICKERS PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE

It says it takes 1 hour 10 mins of prep time. Actually it takes about 10 mins of prep time and about an hour of set time. But check out the notes if you’re too impatient to wait a whole hour. There are definitely ways to speed up the set process. And this makes a bunch, we’re talking my family of five can watch a movie with it and have our peanut butter chocolaty fill.

Print This Recipe

The Perfect Popcorn: Snickers Peanut Butter Chocolate

Prep time: 1 hour 10 mins

Total time: 1 hour 10 mins

Serves: Approximately 16 cups of popped popcorn

Fluffy popcorn drizzled with chocolate and peanut butter chips and topped off with pieces of Snickers Peanut Butter squares.

Ingredients

½ cup unpopped popcorn kernels
¼ cup peanut butter and chocolate chips - I found an 11oz bag of Toll House brand chips in the baking aisle at Wal-Mart and they were fabulous
4 Snickers Peanut Butter squares

Instructions

Pop the corn kernels and lay them out on a large cookie sheet in a single layer.
Chop the Snickers Peanut Butter squares into coarse pieces and set aside.
In a microwave-safe dish, melt the chips on high for 30 seconds. Stir the chips and melt in additional 15 second intervals until they are smooth and creamy.
Transfer the melted chips to a zip top bag. Push it all into one corner and snip off the tip of the bag.
Drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn. Let set for about an hour. You can speed up the setting process by putting the pan in the fridge or in a cold garage.
Once the chocolate is set, break the popcorn apart and transfer to a large bowl.
Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 14 days. I bet it won't last that long though. Enjoy!

And if you’re looking for an entertaining read to eat some popcorn with, don’t forget to check out the mall brawl from yesterday. Okay, okay, calling it a ‘brawl’ might get your hopes up… but it’s still a funny story.

March 20, 2015 by Krista

Easy No-Bake Easter Treats Bird’s Nest

It’s no secret around here than I have a love affair with chocolate. I love chocolate in pretty much any shape or form. No-bake cookies are some of my favorites when it comes to chocolate in cookies though. And really, why wouldn’t you love a cookie that you don’t have to spend the better part of an hour baking? With Easter coming up and Spring trying it’s darnedest to put Old Man Winter aside, I thought I’d make some fun, no-bake Easter treats. Chocolate always makes me happy, especially when you add Cadbury mini eggs to the mix too. I am pretty much floating on clouds, or in a river of chocolate. Either one sounds nice…

NO-BAKE EASTER TREATS
BIRD’S NEST COOKIES

Print This Recipe

Easy No-Bake Bird's Nest Easter Treats

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 7 mins

Total time: 22 mins

Serves: About 12 cookies

Ingredients

1 cube butter
2 cups sugar
½ cups milk
6 Tbsp cocoa
½ tsp salt
½ cup peanut butter (crunchy or creamy, your choice)
3 cups quick oats
Peeps Marshmallow Chicks (I used yellow, but blue ones would be really pretty too!)
Cadbury Mini Eggs

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, melt butter, sugar, milk, cocoa, and salt together. Bring to a roiling boil and boil for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Add peanut butter and mix until peanut butter is thoroughly combined.
Stir in quick oats a cup at a time. Mix until evenly coated by the chocolate mixture.
Drop approximately 2 inch balls onto wax paper. Let cool to the touch and then use your fingers to poke down the middle and shape the cookies into a nest shape. You don't want perfect, nests are messy! The less you can touch the cookies the better. Place Cadbury Mini Eggs in the nests and top with a Peep Chick
Let the cookies cool and set completely, usually between 1 and 2 hours. Serve.

I think these no bake Easter treats would be super fun (and edible!) table decor or place cards for your big Easter Sunday meal. Tie a small piece of paper around the Bird’s neck with the seating assignments written on it. Cute and delicious!

March 16, 2015 by Krista

Bacon Ranch Dip and Chips

In this house of boys, we have our share of sports fans. We have balls of every shape, size and sport scattered around our home. My boys are always “shooting baskets” with just about anything that can be tossed: garbage in the trash can, socks in the laundry basket, shoes in the closet. You get the idea. One of their favorites is snacks in their mouth and this Bacon Ranch Dip is a bug winner!

And it’s so, so easy. Seriously. It takes 10 minutes to put together. Perfect even for busy and last minute snacks or appetizers. Make this Bacon Ranch Dip tonight!

BACON RANCH CHIP DIP

Yield: Approx 18 servings

Bacon Ranch Chip Dip

The perfect tangy dip to compliment a fabulous chip. White Cheddar flavored chips recommended for a great flavor compliment.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

Sharp White Cheddar Chips (you can use any flavor, but this is our favorite)
1 Ranch Dip Powdered Mix
1 16 oz tub Sour Cream
1 bunch Green Onions
2-3 oz Real Bacon Bits

Instructions

Open and pour the ranch dip powder into the sour cream container. Mix thoroughly.
Pour in the bacon bits. You can use less, but really, why would you want to?! Feel free to use more. I'll totally understand.
Mix the dip well until the bacon bits are evenly distributed through out.
Slice up the green onions and garnish the top of the dip with them and a few more bacon bits.
Transfer dip to a bowl (if desired). Arrange the chips on a plate.
Store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 113Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 17mgSodium: 201mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 4g

BACON RANCH DIP IS PERFECT FOR… EVERYTHING!

This dip is awesome with a cheese flavored cracker. We REALLY like a white cheddar flavor and the ranch is the perfect compliment for that. So tasty! But, you can use any chip. My husband really likes it with his favorite tortilla chips.

This Bacon Ranch Dip does need to be kept refrigerated because of the sour cream in it. But, you can make it in a plastic container with a lid and throw it in a cooler with some ice and take with you – to the lake or camping or even just a backyard BBQ.

I love that it is really quick and you can make it up in advance if you’re going to be having a party and need ready to go foods. Make this up as much as 1-2 days in advance and just mix well before serving.

Also, it’s super yummy on potatoes. Just saying.

Making this a meal? For a delicious summery meal, pair it with:

March 13, 2015 by Krista

18 Delicious Pies You Need To Try & Engraved Pi Plate Giveaway

Do you know what tomorrow is? If you’re like me you might have to stop and think for a few seconds… “uhmmm, it’s Saturday, right?” you might think. And you would be correct. It is also the 14th. March 14th. And that is a magical day in math class. It’s Pi Day! If also a wonderful excuse to try one of these 20 delicious pies. Click the photos or the links below them to get the full recipe and rock Pi Day in the very best way possible. Make sure you scroll all the way down though, because there is a pretty awesome giveaway going on that you won’t want to miss out on!

18 AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS PIES YOU NEED TO TRY

Uh, thin mints and brownies. Need I say more? Maybe just YUM.
GET THE RECIPE

Peppermint Brownie Pie – Because peppermint is yummy all year long and now you’ve got something to do with all those broken candy canes you stashed away.
GET THE RECIPE (it’s gluten-free!)

Because, some times, you need pie for dinner…
GET THE RECIPE

Some times you want pie for dinner… quickly! A faster version of Chicken Pot Pie to the rescue.
GET THE RECIPE

Mr. Napping loves German Chocolate… this might be a new twist for his birthday cake next month.
GET THE RECIPE ON FAV FAMILY RECIPES

Chocolate Strawberry Oasis Pie
Chocolate and strawberries… I’m pretty sure that’s heaven in your mouth.
GET THE RECIPE AT LOVE AND OLIVE OIL

Strawberry Pie
This is gorgeous and perfect for summer time!
GET THE RECIPE AT A GRATEFUL PRAYER AND A THANKFUL HEART

Light and Fluffy. Green and minty. Hey, choose a different pie for today and save this one for St. Paddy’s Day. It’s just around the corner. And a delicious corner it could be.
GET THE RECIPE AT CONFESSIONS OF A COOKBOOK QUEEN

Because the only thing better than a Samoa Cookie would be a Samoa Cookie in pie form.
GET THE RECIPE AT AVERIE COOKS

I think my sweet tooth is about to hyperventilate. Rolos, M&M’s, Peanut Butter Cups… Oh MY!
GET THE RECIPE AT CRAZY FOR CRUST

Speaking of peanut butter… Oh, and I am absolutely positive that peanut butter and chocolate is heaven in your mouth. Omigosh, I want some of this!
GET THE RECIPE AT I WASH, YOU DRY

Now, you have no excuse to not celebrate Pi Day. 15 minutes. Oreo Pie. How can you say no to that?!
GET THE RECIPE ON MONEY SAVING MOM

S’more Brownie Pie.
I think I may have just drooled a little…
GET THE RECIPE AT SALLY’S BAKING ADDICTION

Mississippi Mud Pie.
Chocolate lovers unite! I think this might be my winner… This lady loves chocolate.
GET THE RECIPE ON COOKING CLASSY

This one might have to be my birthday cake this year. Birthday pie is good too. Especially Strawberry Lemonade Birthday Pie.
GET THE RECIPE AT THE COOKIE ROOKIE

Maple Bacon Breakfast Pie.
I’m not sure you can say no to a pie with bacon on it. I’m not sure it’s physically possible…
GET THE RECIPE ON TABLESPOON

Bacon Mac & Cheese Pie.
This is one pie that calls out to all of us. The mac & cheese (made with some delicious cheeses) and then topped with bacon. Refer to pie above for my bacon pie denial theory.
GET THE RECIPE ON BUZZFEED LIFE

Quick & Easy Whoopie Pies
Because some times the best pie isn’t really a pie at all.
GET THE RECIPE

Now that you are drooling over those amazingly delicious pies… what are you going to make it in? What about the rest of the delicious pies you make all year long? Don’t settle for just any old pie plate. How awesome would your pies look in this Pi Plate?

Pretty awesome. And, yes, I am speaking from experience. You can check out the Triple Chocolate Thin Mint Brownie Pie for an example of the awesome factor. And it’s not just for Pi day… any day can be Pie Day.

Who creates this awesomeness? I’m glad you asked. I’d like to introduce Amy, owner of GoneGirly on Etsy. She has some amazing etched glassware designs, and among my favorites are the pi plates. This is what Amy has to say about her work:

I distinctly remember a childhood Christmas gift – stickers with my name on them. It is the only gift I can remember from that year. I think we can all relate to that feeling of a special gift, one picked out just for you. That’s what we do at GoneGirly. Everything comes with full customization of images, fonts and text. Designer engraved bakeware is a great gift for someone just starting out while simultaneously an “AH-HA!” gift for that MIL who has everything. At gatherings, you’ll never argue over what dish belongs to whom. As one customer put it, “At thanksgiving this year my MIL will not be able steal my wife’s deep dish pie plates and send her home with the shallow ones as she has in the past..”

All our dishes are still oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe (HECK YEAH!). I do all the deign work myself and do not limit changes or re-workups – I’m not happy until you’re looking at exactly what you want. We are also fast! We ship within 5 days of your order – provided you’ve approved your design. Custom orders and ideas are always welcome.

With over 250 items listed in her shop, Amy is sure to have something that will fit everyone. And, if not, she has already invited you to make a custom order and get exactly what you want. I personally own several of Amy’s products and they are awesome. The cutting board below is sitting in my cutting board drawer right this very second. The quality is amazing, the customer service is awesome and she is FAST!

So, you want one right?! Well, guess what?! Amy has graciously agreed to give one of you lucky people your math-themed pie plate of choice! Use the rafflecopter form below to enter for you chance to win! Giveaway will close on March 29, 2015 at 11:59pm PDT. Winner will be randomly chosen with Rafflecopter and contacted on Monday, March 30. Winner has 24 hours to claim prize or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open worldwide, but international winners will need to cover shipping costs (approximately $32 USD).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This one is Mr. Napping’s favorite!