Caramel Pecan Candies

I can't take credit for this recipe.  I wish I could, but I got this idea from a lovely little lady who owns the most amazing chocolate shop ever, Nouveau.  I saw them in her store, and I immediately became addicted. Being so kind, she told me how to make them, and I couldn't believe how little effort they took.  She also sells candy molds and chocolate wafers to make your own chocolates at home...totally worth the time!

Ingredients:

Pecan halves
Caramel squares (she recommended Nestle, but I actually just used the ones from the dollar store.  They worked wonderfully, too!)

First, unwrap all of your caramel squares.  (This is the most tedious part of the whole recipe but necessary.  Do yourself a favor and turn on your ipod.) Then, cute your caramel squares into thirds lengthways.  You'll want a pretty sharp knife, or if you're like me, kitchen scissors.  These are a lifesaver!

Next, take your newly cut caramel slices and smoosh them between two pecan halves.  Place them on a plate and microwave for about 15 seconds.  This is just to soften the caramel, not to melt it.


Once they are out of the microwave, give them another little smoosh just to make sure they hold together, let cool, and throw them into a bowl and watch them disappear!

Cheddar Crackers

If you're like me, you like to know exactly what is going into your tummy or the tummies of those around you.  I always prefer my kids eat things that I know what they are.  In other words, Blue Dye #4 isn't exactly my favorite ingredient for my kids to munch on.  That being said, I find myself loving to make snacks from scratch for them.  Here is a new favorite of mine and Isaiahs!

Ingredients:
1 stick of softened butter (you want REAL butter, and I use salted)
1 1/4 cups flour (try 1/2 white and 1/2 wheat flour for an even healthier snack!)
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp water

Put the softened butter and cheddar cheese in a blender, and blend until the cheese is broken up and the butter is mixed in well.  Add flour, salt, and pepper and blend again.  It should be pretty crumbly looking.  Add the water ad blend until it forms a ball.  Remove the dough and place it on a piece of plastic wrap.  Usng the plastic wrap, form the dough into a log about a foot long.  Freeze for half an hour.  Remove the frozen dough from the freezer and slice into 1/4 inch thick slices.  Place on a greased cookie sheet (they won't rise, so yo can put them pretty close together) and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Flip them, and bake for another 5 minutes.  They will come out beautiful, crunchy, and delicious!!

I love this recipe because you can really add anything.  Try different cheeses or herbs, and you can really make this recipe your own.  If you like them saltier, press some salt into the tops right before you bake!  Best of all, though, this is a great snack recipe that allows you to keep track of exactly what goes into all the precious tummies you care so much about!!