Crock Pot Coffee Cake

Having a baby means sometimes you wake up at 4 am. Since I used to wake up for the day at 5 am, after I've fed, changed and rocked Logan back to sleep, there's a good chance I'm up for the day (only to crash in a nap at 10 am, but that's neither here nor there). So if I'm going to be awake, I'd like to be productive and though making breakfast would be beneficial. It's been quite a while since I made banana bread in a crock pot and I've been toying with the idea of cake in the crock pot for a while. It's just so wild. So I got up one morning, quickly got a batter and struesel topping together and put this is the crock pot. By the time normal people wake up, it was ready and a nice treat for breakfast. The cake is tender, not soggy, sweet and perfectly adorned with struesel. The edges get a nice edge, but can easily get crusty so don't cook too long!

Soft Pretzel Bites

Sometimes you just need a snack that's salty, soft and pairs well with mustard. Enter these soft pretzel bites. They make the perfect appetizer, game day treat, or really just an excuse to eat salty pretzels. You could easily turn this recipe into regular full size pretzel twists, but I made them into bites when I took them to two different parties and they were a big hit. Just the right size to have a few but not be committed to a huge pretzel. Although I probably popped enough of these delicious and doughy snacks to qualify for a huge pretzel, but that's not the point and really who's counting? As bites, these do take a bit more time, but they certainly aren't complicated. And the dough is super easy to make. Get ready for New Year's Eve or playoff football with these awesome treats.

Holiday Muddy Buddies

Surprisingly, I've never actually made muddy buddies. Or puppy chow as it is sometimes referred. But I have some friends who love it and I thought I'd give it a try for a party recently. So glad I did because this holiday version is amazing! It's got all kinds of fun flavor and a twist on the original because instead of peanut butter, this recipe uses chocolate-hazelnut spread (yup, Nutella). Add in M&Ms, yogurt covered raisins and sprinkles, then toss it all powdered sugar and you've got a deliciously messy sweet snack that's a little bit festive.

Homemade Sweet and Salty Snack Mix

A few weeks ago I made Snack Mix Cookies using the M&M Sweet and Salty Snack mix and last year I made rice krispie treats using the mix and a salted caramel swirl.  I love that snack mix so much, but it's not cheap.  As I looked at the combination of mini cookies, mini pretzels, peanuts and M&Ms, I couldn't help but think I could mix together something similar.  The trick was finding the right replacements, particularly the right sized pretzels and a mini cookie.  A bit of trial and error later, and I've come up with a pretty tasty alternative to the store bought version, yielding about twice as much mix for just about the same cost.  And I kind of like this version a little better because I think my mini cookie substitute has a lot more flavor to bring to the party.

Pomegranate Chipotle Pretzels

A little sweet with a spicy finish, these pretzels are super fun and really tasty.  They were a crowd pleaser during a recent get-together with friends.  And Dave enjoyed the leftovers for afternoon munchies. The flavors are really interesting, starting out as a sweet, almost candy coated pretzel and then finishing with a flavorful heat that's just a touch spicy, but not overly seasoned and hot.

Buffalo Pretzels

I've been wanting to make flavored pretzels for a while.  I snack on pretzels all the time--more than potato chips and I grew up in a serious potato chip house.  So I finally got around to trying these buffalo flavored pretzels for a recent party.  They are delicious.  A little spicy with a kick of heat at the end, these pretzels are great for snacking with a beer during the game, any game.  Or just while watching TV.

Texas Trash

Have I got a week of food ready for you.  It's a week's worth of tailgate and football food with some delicious items that will double as football snacks or full on meals perfect for eating while watching the game.  And I'm starting off with a simple party mix with an awesome name that will completely kick the booty of whatever snack mix you've been enjoying up until now.  Smoky flavor with a spicy kick, this Texas Trash snack mix is delicious and hearty with tons of different textures and delicious goodies.  Pretzels, nuts, cereal and corn chips all serve as the delivery mechanism for a lovely mix of seasonings and spices, perfect for munching while drinking a beer and watching the game.  Although it's pretty tasty for movie night, too.