School has started, or just about to, and soon you’ll hear those familiar after school words….”Mom, I want a snack”. Instead of reaching for the usual goodies, try some of these tasty snacks that will definitely be a winner with your child.
Cheesecake Yummies
(courtesy of Disney Family)
Ingredients:
- 6 whole graham crackers – split in half
- 4 ounces low fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup strawberry or other all-fruit spread
- sliced fresh fruit, optional
How To:
- Combine cream cheese and fruit spread and stir until smooth.
- Spread on graham cracker halves and top with fresh sliced fruit if desired.
- Refrigerate for up to 1 hour, lightly covered.
Apple Smiles
(courtesy of Disney Family)
Ingredients:
- smooth peanut butter
- 1 red apple, cored and sliced into eighths
- squeeze of lemon juice
- miniature marshmallows
How To:
- Spread peanut butter on one side of each apple slice (squeeze a little lemon juice over the apple if not serving immediately).
- Place four miniature marshmallows on one apple slice and then lay another apple slice, peanut butter side down, on top.
Mini Caramel Apples
(courtesy of Disney Family Fun)
Ingredients:
- 4-inch lollipop sticks
- Melon baller
- Granny Smith apples (one apple makes about 8 mini apples)
- Butterscotch or peanut butter chips
- Chopped nuts, nonpareils, sprinkles, shredded coconut (optional)
- Small paper candy cups
How To:
- First, cut the lollipop sticks in half at an angle (the pointy end will go into the apple pieces easier). With the melon baller, scoop little balls out of the apple. Each ball should have a section of apple peel.
- Push half of a lollipop stick into the peel of each ball. Pat the apple pieces dry.
- Melt the chips according to the package directions. Dip and swirl the mini apples in the melted chips, then roll the apples in nuts, sprinkles, nonpareils, or coconut, if desired. Place the mini apples in paper candy cups to set.
Crazy Fruit
Ingredients:
- Any kind of fruit of relatively the same size (ex. apples, pears, oranges)
How To:
Slice two pieces of fruit that are relatively the same size and alternately stack the pieces, as shown.
Snack Cones
Ingredients:
- 3 cups popcorn
- 2 cups multigrain cereal
- 1 cup dried fruit bits
- 24 wafer ice-cream cones
How To:
- Combine the popcorn, cereal, and dried fruit bits.
- Scoop the mix into wafer ice-cream cones (you should have enough to fill about two dozen). To keep them from spilling in transit, cover each cone with plastic wrap held in place with a rubber band.
Chocolate Banana Pocket
Ingredients:
- Pat of butter
- One banana, thinly sliced
- Handful chocolate chips
- Two flour tortillas
- Powdered sugar for dusting
How To:
- Melt butter in nonstick pan.
- Arrange banana slices over one tortilla and mash them in very lightly with a fork. Dot with chocolate chips and place second tortilla on top.
- Slide into frying pan and cook for a few minutes on each side, until brown and golden at the edges. Let cool for a minute or two, then slice into wedges and serve dusted with powdered sugar, if desired.
Neapolitan Crispy Bars Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 package (10 ounces) large marshmallows, divided
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 2 cups chocolate-flavored crisp rice cereal
- 1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
- 4 cups crisp rice cereal, divided
- 1/2 cup strawberry preserves
- 5 drops red food coloring, optional
How To:
- In a large saucepan, combine a third of the marshmallows (about 2 cups) and 1 tablespoon butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate-flavored cereal and chocolate chips. Press into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. dish.
- In a large saucepan, combine a third of the marshmallows and 1 tablespoon butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from the heat; stir in 2 cups rice cereal. Press into dish over chocolate layer.
- In a large saucepan, combine remaining marshmallows and butter. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Remove from the heat; stir in preserves and food coloring if desired. Stir in remaining cereal. Press into the dish. Cool. Cut into bars.
