Cooking Thursday: Homemade Twix Bars

 

Hello lovely Friends☀️💛

Thank you so much for all of the lovely comments of support and prayers for my Mom. It will be a long haul, but she is remaining positive and doing all the right things to take care of herself. She has been feeling less sore, thankfully, and I think it will just take a little healing everyday to get her back on track. And the extra prayers sure help too! So again, thank you so very much. 🙏🏻

The weekend is right around the corner - yay! My Dad and step Mom are back from AZ for the summer. So we are looking forward to spending some time with them this weekend. 

I'm guessing you are a lot like me in that summer feels too short and we're always trying to pack in all the fun activities, time with family, outdoor fun etc. And a lot of the fun and gatherings involves food...especially yummy treats! So today I thought I'd share one of our family favorite treat bars that I'm not sure I've shared before? 

They are bars that are twix-like because they have a caramel in the middle of crunchy salty crackers (that act like the cookie in a twix) and are then covered in chocolate. No matter what you want to call them, what's not to like, right? 😋 I made them recently when Aaron and Jill were up per Annie's request that weekend. It's a recipe I found a long time ago at the site jamiecooksitup.net

They have always been a hit when I've brought them for potlucks and my kids request them almost yearly at some point. 

They involve lining club crackers in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Making an easy homemade caramel on the stove and pouring it over the crackers. Then adding another layer of crackers on top. Chilling for a brief time. 

And then melting chocolate chips in the microwave and spreading all over the top like frosting. Chill a little more and then cut into bars. 

HOMEMADE TWIX BARS

48 club crackers

1 c. crushed graham crackers (I buy already crushed in the box)

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. white sugar

1/3 c. milk

1/2 c. butter

3 c. chocolate chips (milk, semi sweet or combo of chips you like)

Directions: Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Lay 24 crackers over the bottom of the pan. In a saucepan on the stove pour in the graham cracker crumbs. Add the brown and white sugar, milk, and butter. Melt all over medium high heat and bring to a boil. Boil for about 5 minutes stirring constantly (don't let it burn). Then carefully pour the melted caramel over the crackers. Grab another 24 crackers and gently place over the top of the caramel and bottom crackers...pushing into it a little. Put the pan in the fridge and chill for about 30 minutes to set the caramel. Then melt the chocolate chips in a big bowl - stirring and checking every 30 seconds until melted and smooth when you stir. Pour over the top of the cracker caramel mixture and spread out with offset spatula. Place back in the fridge and chill for another 20 to 30 minutes and take out to cut into bars (don't leave in the fridge too long or the caramel will get hard). I store them out on the counter in a covered pan....well at least for the short time they last! Lol

If you try I hope you enjoy! 

Wishing you a great weekend. 

xoxo

Homemade Twix Bars

Hello Friends! 

I ended up more pressed for time today, but I still wanted to pop in quickly and share the homemade twix bar recipe I use at the holidays time of year. It's easy and SO yummy! Definitely a favorite with my kiddos. It's from a recipe I pinned on one of my pinterest boards. I didn't take any photos when I made them this year - so I'm just going to share what I have from pinterest. 

As you can see it's a recipe from the blog Jamie Cooks it Up, and here is the recipe:

Easy Homemade Twix Bars 48 Club Crackers (about half a 13 ounce box) 1 C crushed graham crackers 3/4 C brown sugar 1/3 C white sugar 1/3 C milk 1/2 C butter 3 C milk chocolate chips (or 1 1/2 C milk chocolate chips &  1 1/2 C white chocolate chips) 1. Spay a 9x13 pan with cooking spray and grab a box of Club Crackers. 2. Lay 24 crackers over the bottom of the pan. 3. Into a gallon sized Ziploc bag place about 10 whole graham crackers. Close the bag securely and crush the crackers into fine crumbs. Pour 1 cup of the crushed graham crackers into a medium-sized sauce pan. 4. Add 3/4 C brown sugar, 1/3 C white sugar, 1/3 C milk and 1/2 C butter. 5. Get it to the stove top and bring it to a boil over medium high heat.  Allow it to boil fo 5 minutes while you stir constantly. 6. Carefully pour the hot caramel over the top of the crackers. 7. Gently place 24 more Club Crackers over the top of the caramel.  Press them into the caramel just a bit. Pop the pan into the fridge for at least  30 minutes so the caramel has the chance to set up a bit. 8. Place 3 cups milk chocolate chips (or 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips and  1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips) in a bowl. Pop it into the microwave for 30 seconds,  then stir. Repeat heating the chips in 30 second intervals until they are smooth and melted. 9. Pour the chocolate over the top of the crackers. Then smooth it out.  Pop it back into the fridge for about 20 minutes to let the chocolate set up. 10. Cut them into bars before they are all the way set up.  You don't want to leave the pan in the fridge for too long,  lest the caramel layer turns too hard. Serve and enjoy! And you can find the link to my board called  SWEET TREATS here.

July 4th Goodies

Well time is ticking down to the big July 4th weekend! I've been trying to decide what I want to make and I think I've decided on some dishes. 

First of all we'll be spending tomorrow (Friday) at my brother and sister-in-law's house. They live on a lake and always have a big July 4th party every year. They average probably 50-60 family members and friends! They're having it tomorrow instead of Saturday as that's when their lake shoots off their fireworks this year.

Here are some photos from several years ago. There's always lots of water sports, some volleyball and other games, fun food and fireworks. My SIL usually keeps the main food easy like sub platters, or pulled pork from a local restaurant and then it's a big potluck where everyone brings side dishes, appetizers and desserts. 

I'm planning to make my chicken pasta salad.  It's a lot like my veggie pasta salad, however I just use the rotini pasta with chicken, grapes, carrots and broccoli in it (no peas or cheese cubes). 

 

For dessert I'm thinking summer berry poke cupcakes. Just like the recipe for poke cake but in cupcake form. So pretty with all the red white and blue and fresh berries.

I'm also thinking I may make a pan of these homemade twix bars. 

This is a recipe I have pinned on my "sweet treats" pinterest board.  My son loves them and has been requesting them. And for an appetizer I want to make these bacon and brown sugar crackers.

photo credit: plain chicken

They are also something I pinned and can be found on my "appetizers" pinterest board.

Then Saturday morning (on the actual 4th of July) our city always has a local parade that we go watch.

A little group of us family and friends bring our lawn chairs and watch local groups and floats go by, candy is thrown to kiddos, and I love when the military groups and bag pipers (in their kilts!) walk by. Everyone in the crowd on both sides of the road stand and cheer for them as they march and pays them proper respect. Gets me choked up every time.

Often in the evening we'll have a little BBQ at our house with some friends and shoot off some little fireworks and light sparklers on the hill. And we'll sit by our fire pit and enjoy the evening on the bay. I'll probably grill basic summer stuff: burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob and we'll have chips and watermelon and lemonade.

Looking forward to another year's Independence holiday weekend where we God bless America and enjoy all my favorite "F's" : family, friends, food, fun and fireworks!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Monday Friends! 

And Happy New Year 2017!! I can't believe another year has FLOWN by already. But I'm really excited about this new one ahead. I'm ready to fill it up with wonderful moments and memories all its own. We had a lovely New Year's weekend over here.  First of all on Friday, I had my girlfriends over for our post Xmas gathering we do every year. We've been doing this since we were in high school folks! Yep, 28 years and counting. I'm SO blessed!! We had a ball sipping on hot toddy's, munching lots of good nibbles, gabbing away, and enjoying our ugly sweaters (part of our theme this year - see photos later in post). 

Then Hubby & I had friends over for NYE and played games and ate and drank a bit too much and just soaked up the last of 2016 for all it was worth! Lol  Then we totally lounged and lazied it up yesterday just as a family. Grazed on leftovers all day. Watched some movies and some football. Stayed in pj's. Just pure heaven. My kiddos don't go back to school until tomorrow....so we have one more day of fun before back to reality. Annie and I plan to go run around and do a bit of shopping with my Mom later. We're going to use some gift cards and see what post holiday deals we can find and just have some girlie fun! 

It's been such a lovely holiday season and I hate to see it end. However, I'm excited about jumping into 2017 with both feet and tackling some things I want to accomplish! Bring it on!! 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Gray and cloudy and looks like it's going to snow. Milder temps now, but supposed to get really cold again later in the week.

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING:

Peanut butter & honey toast with cinnamon and a cup of coffee.

RIGHT NOW I AM:

Listening to Eva Cassidy radio on Pandora (missing Xmas music already - Lol)    

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:

We got a little bit of new snow and I can see some on the trees outside my office window.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE:

I did some laundry and need to throw the dishes in the dishwasher, but otherwise not too bad around here.

ON TODAY'S TO DO LIST:

Dishes, some tidying up, and go have fun with my girls doing some shopping. Then snuggle in with my family tonight for a nice meal before my kiddos head back to school tomorrow. 

I'm also thinking about my new year's plans for myself. I don't really do "resolutions" so to speak, but I like having a guideline and motivational word or thoughts that help me get excited about the time ahead. This year I'm thinking along the lines of the word "Do" - and specifically I'm thinking of this: 

"Love what you do" and "Do what you love" 

For example: For love what I DO - I want to work towards health -just being healthier as a rule, setting an example for my kiddos etc. I also want to be an even better wife and Mom. Get my house more organized...you get the idea. But I want to do it all with some love and joy in my heart. Sometimes those areas can get difficult, but I want to think in the terms of loving whatever it is I am doing. Finding the joy & blessings & grateful heart in it all. 

Also, to go DO what I love. To get out and embrace the new endeavors for myself. Since I"m not caregiving this year like I was - I have more freedom to "DO" in different ways that I get to choose. Like opening an Etsy store, volunteering in hospice etc. I'm so excited about this part of my "DO" philosophy this year!! 

 

CURRENTLY READING:

Currently reading a fun Debbie Macomber book called Dashing Through the Snow. (still finishing this book)

ON THE TV TODAY:

I still have some movies and cooking shows taped. I haven't really looked at what's taped from our regular series we tape. Most of them have been on a break due to the holidays.

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY: leftovers from New Years (BBQ shredded chick sandwiches, mac & cheese, veggies, fruit, chips & dip, homemade twix bars, cookies, pie)

TUESDAY: breakfast for dinner

WEDNESDAY: baked stuffed pork chops (froze & didn't make them last week), veggie pasta salad 

THURSDAY: son's hockey game - probably easy food out 

But doing a belated Xmas/New Year's tea luncheon with my Mom and Aunt this day. Menu will be chicken salad croissant sandwiches and chicken wild rice soup, veggies, fruit salad, chips, almond bars, and a frozen ice cream/pound cake recipe I plan to try.

FRIDAY: homemade pizza, salad 

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT:

I'm working on a wreath for my daughter's room that will match her new bedspread. I'll share in the near future. (I'm actually finally putting this together this week!)

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

I can share homemade twix bars recipe from new years.  I also made toffee apple dip for the girlfriend gathering & shared that on my instagram, but could share that again too.  And I may make a new cake recipe for the belated Xmas/New year's tea luncheon with my Mom & Aunt.

TIP OF THE WEEK:

I think I've shared this before, but it works so well I'll share it again. If you're going to serve apple slices (like with dip) or for anything else... toss them in a bit of pineapple juice first. The juice will evaporate and dry off them quickly. It won't change the flavor of the apples and they WILL NOT turn brown! Works like a charm every time. 

 

FROM THE CAMERA:

pretty sunset on New Year's Eve night

Funny ugly sweaters from our girlfriend Xmas night. We said we had to wear ugly sweaters this year.  Our gift theme (we bring one gift to the party with that theme and we all pass one to the left and exchange that way) was "Christmas lights" and so I took that to heart when I picked out my ugly sweater too and made sure it could light up. Plus, I brought Jesus to the party of course. So I found a nativity one that was quite "ugly" in that Jesus looked like an elf, Joseph had a santa hat on, the wisemen were penguins and there was a rudolph with light up nose enjoying the proceedings. Lol  

These have been my besties (& one friend missing as she lives in California now) for MANY years and I love and treasure them all! We called our friend in California during the party so she could be part of the fun too.

Apples and toffee dip from the girlfriend party. 

On New Year's day Annie was sledding on our hill with her buddy and then Ruby and I went out to enjoy the sunset. Some really pretty ones this weekend on the bay.

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:

Happy shiny brand new year from the Northwoods my dear sweet Friends!! 

I'm linking with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hi Friends and happy afternoon to you ~

It's been a while, do you remember me?? ;)  I did a little post over the weekend while out of town for hockey (just from my phone) and I see the photos didn't load right so I fixed that now if you want to check it out. Annie's team won in the tourney (yay!) and Ad and I have always loved antiques and we fit some antiquing in where we were for tourney.  But I'm finally back for my favorite Monday check in with you all after a nice long summer break. It's been truly wonderful just enjoying around here, bonding with my kiddos and as a family, visits with relatives and friends, outings, and even just having a few lazy days of summer in general. 

Now I'm trying to get my mind a bit more scheduled and focused. School starts for my kiddos next week and I often think of August as pre-Fall. Geese have been doing some trial runs over our bay already, we've done some back-to-school shopping, preseason football is on....all signs people that it's right around the corner. I hope you've been enjoying your fleeting summer days as well. 

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

In the 60's cooler and it's been cloudy and gray all day. Little sprinkles but looks like may rain later. Looks like 70's and 80's rest of week with another chance of rain on Friday

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING

Since it's afternoon I'll share what I had for lunch: naan bread brushed with lemon olive oil,  and topped with a bit of italian seasonings, some sundried tomato, & parm and mozzarella cheese before being baked a bit. Some grapes.   V8 splash juice with passion fruit st. croix mineral water mixed in

RIGHT NOW I AM:

Listening to George Ezra radio and chatting with my son a bit as he's hanging out working on his computer too

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

It makes me feel sleepy as it's that gray rainy look out there. I kind of want to curl up and take nap ;) 

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE:

I love that I see some blown up balloons on the floor leftover from our son's 18th birthday. They were taken down from being up as decorations and we like to kick and hit them around and play games like "keep off the floor" with them a while before throwing them away. 

I can't believe we have another adult in the house. Heaven help us! And how can that be when my hubby and I were practically just looking at colleges yesterday ourselves, right?? :P

ON THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST:

Annie ortho appt, Annie and I have hair appts, final school shopping things, groceries,  trying to fit in a beach with picnic day before back to school, meal for FIL, visit MIL,volunteer time at hospice house, 

 

CURRENTLY READING

mainly magazines right now (even some Fall ones) - don't judge

ON THE TV TODAY:

 America's Got Talent, Big Brother, The Profit, Great British Baking Show, Deadliest Catch, Forged in Fire, some movies taped

 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY: creamy cheese & spinach chicken, roasted red potatoes with garlic and rosemary & sauteed green beans (all from the garden)

TUESDAY: Breakfast for dinner - english muffin breakfast sandwiches and fruit

WEDNESDAY: taco pizza roll ups, veggies & dip

THURSDAY: grilled BBQ glazed sausage & pepper kabobs, corn on the cob, grilled peaches kabobs with cinnamon honey syrup over ice cream

FRIDAY: slow cooker sweet & sour meatballs over rice 

*Also going to make some homemade twix bars for our son Aaron. He asked for the for his birthday and because we were gone for hockey I told him I'd make them this week. If we go to beach/picnic this week I'll make some fun snacks and treats for that too

SOMETHING INTERESTING I WATCHED 

This bit of audio from youtube that a church choir caught on tape gives me goosebumps. You can click on the link here. There was a small group (I think less than 10) practicing their songs and what they caught when they played it back sounds like the most amazing huge heavenly choir of angels. 

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT

Working on lots of projects - back and forth from one to another. Feeds my ADHD I guess. Scrapbook catch up, gift project, etsy things etc

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

spinach chicken is new and grilled peaches kabobs

TIP OF THE WEEK:

I haven't tried this but sound like it could be tasty

FROM THE CAMERA:

Coach Daddy and Annie's rapid fire team won the combat cup championship. Woo hoo!

Aaron requested homemade twix bars for his bday but I didn't have time before leaving for hockey so Annie and I picked out this cake for him. We thought it was funny, and kinda cute, because it's something he would have liked as a little kiddo. I told him it was only yesterday he was playing with trucks like this - and now he drives one! (insert loud mom sigh here)

We got more mini golf in this summer too

I've been enjoying lots of walks along the bay with Ruby

And lovely nights out on our deck looking at the water still like a mirror

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:


I'm linking with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.