Chocolate Saltine Brittle

Here’s a delectable candy recipe that plays so well on your taste buds with that salty-sweet combo that everyone loves.  You’ll be tempted to devour them all up by yourself, but don’t be a Grinch.  These travel wonderfully, so divvy them up in little baggies to give to your friends and neighbors or bring them to your next Christmas gathering.  They’re sure to be a hit!

Ingredients

42 saltine crackers

1 cup butter

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Festive sprinkles or finely chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375.

Prepare your baking sheet by covering it with foil and lightly misting it with non-stick cooking spray.  Line your saltines down on the prepared baking sheet in six even rows with seven crackers in each.

In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and sugar together for 2 minutes, stirring at 30 second intervals.  Pour the sugar mixture over your saltines and bake for 15-19 minutes.  The sugar will bubble, but don’t let it burn.  As soon as it comes out of the oven, evenly sprinkle the chocolate chips over your brittle.  Let the chocolate melt slightly (about two minutes) before spreading the chocolate out with a spatula. If you’re using festive confections and/or nuts, immediately sprinkle them over your chocolate before it hardens too much.  Let your chocolate brittle set for an hour in the fridge.

Cut or break into manageable pieces and voila!!

Enjoy!

Not-so-terrible 2's

My daughter turns two today. Can you believe it?! Because I absolutely cannot wrap my head around where the last two years have gone. Time sure does fly. As I look at her…sigh…the tears start welling up. She looks at life with incredible amazement and endless curiosity, approaching all new things with such child-like wonder. She’s a bright little spit-fire with a huge heart and a wonderful sense of humor. But I’ve heard from several well-meaning mothers who warn me of the “terrible two’s” – a year of chaos, mayhem and migraines. Well, this ain’t my first rodeo. My son just turned three (yes, my children are 14 months apart). So, I’m going into this year through my daughter’s eyes. That’s my goal anyway…or at least that’s what I have to remind myself at the precise moment I’m about to blow a gasket. This is the time God has given to me, such precious time with my beautiful children. This year may be tumultuous oftentimes, terrific always, but terrible never.

So, because this is her day, I’ve made Mady her most favorite snack for breakfast– Apple Dippers. It’s an easy snack, and really the only way I can get her to eat anything healthy without a fight. There are endless variations – Gala, Honey Crisp, Red Delicious…caramel, yogurt, honey. Today, I’m using all her favorites – Granny Smith apples, peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. Simply peel, core and slice the apples. Dollop a spoonful of peanut butter and marshmallow into a bowl and let her at it! The apple slices are perfect for maximum peanut butter & fluff scooping pleasure.

Happy Birthday to my sweet girl :)

Enjoy!

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