Caramel Toffee Fruit Dip

1 8-oz. package cream cheese (you can use light cream cheese)

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla (you can add more to taste)

Toffee bits (look by the chocolate chips and try and find the chocolate covered ones if you can! Your dip won’t be pretty, but it will sure taste good!)

Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature. With an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, brown sugar, and vanilla. When ready to serve, stir in about 1/2 a bag of toffee bits. Serve with fruit.

Marshmallow Popcorn

1 package microwave popcorn popped (we used 2 bags for 1 recipe of sauce)
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup or honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla
12 large marshmallows

Pop popcorn until done, remove any unpopped kernels.  Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.  Add brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla and marshmallows.  Turn heat to medium and stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and stir in until popcorn is evenly coated.  Store in an airtight container.

(From http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/05/caramel-marshmallow-popcorn/)

Grape Salad

2 lbs. red and/or green grapes

1 (8oz.) pkg. of cream cheese

1 (8oz.) container of sour cream

1/2 cup of sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

chopped walnuts/pecans {optional}

brown sugar {optional}

Combine cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, & sugar in a large bowl and beat together with mixer. Wash your grapes and remove from the stems.  Fold into the cream cheese mix until well coated.  Chill before eating.

(From http://pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com/2011/04/salad-thats-not-on-your-diet.html)

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

1 roll refrigerated pizza dough (or make your own)
marinara/pizza sauce
2 T grated Parmesan cheese
1 T olive oil or melted butter
1/2 t garlic powder
1  t dried Italian seasoning
mozzerella cheese, diced or grated
Pizza toppings of your choice: ie, ham and pineapple, pepperoni slices, sausage, etc.

Preheat oven to heat specified on pizza dough package.  Usually it's 400 degrees.  If you make your own dough, 400 is usually a good heat as well.

Unroll your pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Pat or roll the dough so it's about 12" by 8".  You're going to want to cut it into 24 squares, so just eyeball it if you need to.  Use a pizza cutter to slice the dough into 24 squares.

Place cheese and desired toppings on each square.  (Note that you're not putting the marinara sauce on the dough- it's for dipping after).  You just need to be able to enclose the toppings in the dough so keep that in mind.

When all of your dough squares have cheese and toppings on them, carefully lift up each square and wrap the dough around the toppings.  Pinch to make sure each ball is sealed shut and then place them seam side down in a lightly sprayed pie pan (or similar sized dish).

Brush the tops of the dough balls with olive oil or melted butter (I've used both and there's not much difference in result) and then sprinkle with the garlic and Italian seasoning and top with Parmesan cheese. 

Cook them in the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top.  Keep an eye on them! Doughs vary, so I'd check them after even 10 minutes.

Serve warm with warmed marinara sauce on the side for dipping. 


(From ourbestbites.com...a great kid food!)

Tortilla Roll-Ups

Tortillas
Cream cheese
Mayonnaise
Sandwich meat
Lettuce
Green onions
Shredded cheese

Spread a layer of cream cheese over the tortilla and spread a really thin layer of mayonnaise over the cream cheese (this just helps to keep the cream cheese from drying out).  Lay slices of sandwich meat over mayo, making sure not to over lap the pieces of meat (so there aren't tiny pieces of meat when you cut the slices).  Cover meat with lettuce.  Sprinkle a few green onions down the center of the tortilla and then sprinkle cheese across the whole tortilla.  Roll up tortilla like a burrito, making sure it stays rolled really tight.  Wrap tightly in saran wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.  When ready to serve, cut off ends, then cut remainder of wrap in 1-2" slices.

(From Vicki S. and served at Maren and Jake's reception)

Marinated Cheese

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup white wine vinegar     

1 small jar of pimentos or 2 marinated roasted red peppers - chopped small

1 bunch of green onions - chopped

1 Tbsp. fresh basil - chopped in small ribbons

1/2 tsp. dried parsley

2 tsp. sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese

1 - 8 oz. package sharp cheddar cheese  

Combine all the above ingredients except the cheeses in a jar or large measuring bowl. Let sit for a few hours so the flavors combine. Meanwhile, in a shallow dish place alternating slices of cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese in a decorative pattern. Refrigerate. About an hour or two before serving pour marinade over the cheese. Serve with premium quality crackers.  

*Some hints on how to cut and arrange the cheese in pretty rows from Sister B.  "I cut the sharp cheddar first by slicing it long ways in 3 even bars and then cutting each long bar into small slices. Do all the cheddar first. Then for the cream cheese keep it as cold as possible until ready to slice it. I put it in the freezer while I am cutting the other cheese and then do the same thing by cutting it long ways into 3 bars and then cut each one into small slices. I also find that if you cut one small slice of cream cheese and then touch the cheddar it sort of sticks to the cream cheese slice -then cut the next piece of cream cheese and touch a piece of cheddar with it and so on. I do about 3 or 4 of each and then set it on the tray. Repeat! "

(From Carrie B. and served at Maren and Jake's reception)

Cream Cheese Wontons

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
2 green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (14 ounce) package small wonton wrappers
3 cups vegetable oil for frying
(We added lemon juice and chili powder as well)

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, green onions, paprika and ground black pepper. Place about 1 teaspoon of filling into the won ton skin and seal corner to corner forming a triangle.  In a large skillet, heat oil to a high temperature. Fry the won tons until they are browned on both sides. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
 
(Our version of a recipe from allrecipes.com)

Fruit Dip

8 oz cream cheese, softened
7 oz marshmallow cream

Combine in mixer and serve cold with strawberries, apples, grapes, etc.

Mom's Salsa

1 (28-oz.) can whole, peeled tomatoes (not stewed and you can substitute 1 can of tomatillos for green salsa)
1-2 fresh jalapeños
1 T. minced garlic
4 T. real lemon juice
salt to taste (not too little or it will taste gross)
1 bunch green onions
1 bunch cilantro water for desired consistency

Put all together in food processor. Pulse to desired consistency. Enjoy!!

Note: This is only an approximation of ingredient amounts. Add/subtract to desired taste and heat level. If salsa ends up too hot, add lemon juice to tame it down. You may also use lime juice instead of lemon juice, if preferred.

Bean Dip

1 large (3 lbs) can refried beans
1 4-oz can chopped ripe olives
1 4-oz can salsa
Guacamole
16 oz sour cream
1 c. grated cheese.

Layer in given order, chill and serve with tortilla chips.

Cheese Ball

1 8-oz cream cheese
2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. Worchestershire sauce
¼ c. celery
¼ c. chopped pecans

Make into a ball and roll in chili powder or parsley flakes and chill. Serve with crackers.

Nutty Buddies Chex Party Mix

1 c. chocolate chips
½ c. peanut butter
¼ c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
9 c. plain Chex cereal
1 ½ c. powdered sugar

Microwave everything first three ingredients for 2 minutes. Stir, cook for 1-2 more minutes, or until smooth. Stir in vanilla and Chex until the cereal is completely covered. Put mixture in a large plastic bag. Pour powdered sugar into bag and shake. Put on wax paper to cool.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ c. real butter, softened
¼ tsp. vanilla
¾ c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. brown sugar
¾ c. mini chocolate chips
¾ c. chopped pecans

Beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars and beat just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Put mixture on a plastic sheet and shape into a ball. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Before serving, roll in pecans. Serve with chocolate or regular graham crackers.