Muddy Buddies

This fun party food is also called 'Puppy Chow'.  Its very easy to make, and is always a great hit.

The original recipe only calls for 9 cups of chex; you can the original recipe here.

I modified the recipe to use a whole box of chex, which is about 13 cups.

Ingredients:
13 cups Chex cereal  (I prefer rice Chex)

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup creamy peanutbutter

3 Tablespoons butter

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups powdered sugar

1.) In a microwavable1-qt. bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter uncovered on high for 1 minute; stir.  Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth.  This may require stirring for several minutes.  Do NOT over cook.  Stir in vanilla

3.) Place cereal into a large bowl.  Pour chocolate mixture over cereal and stir until coated.

(Here I am stirring away!)


(The kids loved helping with this snack!)

4.) Pour the coated cereal into two gallon  zipper bags. Split the powdered sugar between the two bags.  Seal the bags well, then shake well until the sugar evenly coats the cereal.

For best taste store in refrigerator, and serve cold.
 26 servings (1/2 cup each)

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

I entered this recipe in a Delicious Dairy Dish 4-H contest this summer.  It won Grand Champion, giving me $50.  I was SO excited!  This is a recipe we usually make for New Year's Eve.  Its a favorite of mine.  Its sweet, with chocolate and cream cheese.  Served on Graham crackers

We happened to 4x this recipe because I am taking some to a friends' house and I guess we needed extra to eat?  It was a rather large batch, but worked out fine!

Ingredients:

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

2 Tablespoon brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

 1.) In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth.  Mix in confectioners' sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla.

2.) Leave the mixture in the bowl and closely cover it with plastic wrap.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

3.)  Wrap with plastic wrap, and shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. Refrigerate for at least 1 more hour.

4..) Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans before serving.
Serve on graham crackers.

One batch makes one ball, or two small logs.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

Ingredients:

1 19.5 oz. packaged brownie mix

2 eggs

1/3 cup cooking oil

1 14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Lightly grease a 13 x 9 in. baking pan.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, eggs, and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined.

Remove 1/2 of the brownie mixture and set aside.  Spread the remaining brownie mixture evenly into prepared pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter until smooth.  Spread evenly over the brownie mixture.

Flatten pieces of the remaining brownie mixture with your hands.  Then place them on top of the peanut butter mixture.

Bake at 350° F. for 20 - 25 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the top is set.  The middle will be very jiggly.

Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.  Cut into bars.  Makes 32 bars.

To store, layer bars between waxed paper in an airtight container.

Many thanks to Emily who took pictures for me!

~Samantha

Apple Dip
This recipe has a cream cheese base, and only takes 3 ingredients.  Its a great addition to apples, as an appetizer, or a quick snack.

Ingredients:

2 16-oz. packages cream cheese
2-1/3 cups brown sugar
2 Tablespoons vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl beat ingredients together until smooth, at least 10 minutes.  This will work best in a Bosch, or a Kitchen-Aid type mixer, but will work with a hand mixer also.

Serve cold, with sliced apples.  Store in the refridgerator.

~Samantha