Holloween: Candy Corn Cookie Bark

Candy Corn Cookie Bark!

Not only is it bright and colorful but it is yummy too!

The sweetness of the Oreos, white chocolate, and candy corn is a great combination with the saltiness of the pretzels.

The first step is to spread your broken up Oreos (I used the Halloween ones with the orange filling), pretzels and candy corn on a wax paper lined cookie sheet.

Melt your white chocolate (I prefer to use the round melting discs you can buy in the bulk food section.  I found them at Winco or  use Almond Bark) and pour over the top of the cookie mixture.  Spread with a spatula if needed to get it all covered.

I used my spatula to push the outer edges in toward the middle.

While the chocolate is still wet sprinkle remaining candy corn and brown and orange colored sprinkles over the top!

Let the chocolate set.  You may place in the refrigerator if needed.

Gently break bark into small pieces for serving and munching!

Store in an airtight container.

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

Ice Cream Sandwich Cake

A quick easy and yummy dessert!

You can Line your pan with foil, or not works both ways!
Also, feel free to use different flavored sundae toppings and different candies. You can also add fruit. Below is our favorite combination.

24 ice cream sandwiches
16 ounces of cool whip
1 jar caramel sundae topping
1 bag of your favorite candy, coarsely chopped Reeses peanut butter cups 
This great recipe (and many others!) can be found in our cookbook.

Yep, that's it.

Lay half of the ice cream sandwiches (whole) in the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch pan, trimming the last couple to get complete coverage. Top with half of the cool whip, half of the caramel sundae topping and half of the candy. Lay down another layer of ice cream sandwiches. Top with remaining cool whip and spread out evenly with a knife, making a lip around the edge so the sundae topping won't run out and over the edges. Top with remaining candy, cover and freeze for several hours (or overnight) before serving.


Depending on how cold your freezer is, you may need to thaw it on the counter for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

Homemade Jewelry Cleaner

NEVER BUY JEWELRY CLEANER AGAIN!

1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon dish detergent
1 cup water
1 piece aluminum foil

Directions:

1. Heat water in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes.
2. Cut a piece of aluminum foil that roughly covers the bottom of a small bowl (like a cereal bowl).
3. Pour hot water into bowl. Place salt, soda, and dishwashing liquid into bowl. Place jewelry on top of foil and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse jewelry in cool water and dry jewelry completely with soft cloth. Discard solution after use and make a new batch next time.
4. According to wire-sculpture.com, "this works well for gold-filled, brass, german (nickel) silver, and sterling silver. I have even cleaned jewelry with freshwater pearls, shell cameos and mother of pearl with no problem.".

Homemade Fabric Softener

What you will need:
2 cups of your favorite scented conditioner
3 cups of white vinegar
6 cups of water hot
A container to mix the ingredients and hold the softener in

Mix all ingredients together. You can use a pitcher to mix them all together and then just pour it into an empty containter.
It takes a minute of stirring, but do it until no more conditioner clumps. Don't shake it.
Use 1/4 cup per load and it works great!

Healthy Ice Cream Sandwich

**Healthy Ice Cream Sandwich**

-Ingredients-

-gram crackers
-cool whip
-strawberries

Directions

1. Blend cool whip and strawberries
2. Apply a thick coat to gram crackers and make sandwich
3. Freeze, and enjoy!

Doritos Chicken Casserole Recipe

Doritos  Chicken Casserole Recipe

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (divided)
1 (10 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can Ro-tel tomatoes (drained)
1/2 packet taco seasoning
1 large bag Doritos
Shredded lettuce (optional)
diced tomato (optional)


Step 1: Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl mix together shredded chicken, 1 cup of cheese, cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, Ro-tel tomatoes, and taco seasoning. Mix well.

Step 2: Grease a 2-quart casserole dish, and add a layer of crushed Doritos across the bottom. Top with a layer of the chicken mixture. Add another layer of crushed Doritos, and then add another layer of the chicken mixture. Top with remaining cheese. You can add more crushed Doritos on top as well if you wish.

Step 3: Cover and place into the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 30-25 minutes until bubbling hot. Remove from the oven and top with lettuce and tomato if you choose.
(Makes 4 Servings)

Fail-Proof Pizza Dough and Cheesy Garlic Bread Sticks

Fail-Proof Pizza Dough and Cheesy Garlic Bread Sticks {just like in restaurants!}
You will never need another pizza dough recipe after this one!

INGREDIENTS:
for the pizza dough-
1 cup warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 tablespoon honey {or sugar}
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
3 cups bread flour {give or take 1/2 cup...depending on the heat & humidity}

for the cheesy garlic bread sticks-
1/2 recipe Fail-Proof Pizza Dough from above
2 tablespoons softened salted butter
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese {use the real stuff!}
1/4 pound grated mozzarella cheese
{salt & pepper, if desired}

DIRECTIONS:
For the pizza dough--In a large mixing bowl, preferably that of a stand mixer, stir yeast and honey into warm water. Sit for 5-10 minutes or until bubbles form and mixture starts to foam. This tells you that the yeast is alive and kicking. Pour in salt, oil and half the flour and mix. Once that flour is incorporated, start adding flour in bit by bit until you get the pizza dough to the consistency you want: slightly tacky, but when you touch it it doesn't stick to your hands. Once you reach this stage, knead for 6 minutes. Turn a timer on and walk away! Resist the temptation to stop earlier than 6 minutes! That seems to be the magical number. It should look something like this when it's done! The dough should be smooth and easy to work with. And the bowl should be clean! Lightly grease the bowl & the dough so it doesn't dry out, cover with plastic wrap and let it rise 1-2 hours. That's it! Use as desired.

For the Cheesy Garlic Bread Sticks- Preheat oven to 500 degrees with pizza stone inside. {If you don't have a pizza stone, use an upside down cookie sheet...a tip I got from Natalie!}
Mix butter and garlic in a small bowl and set aside.
Spread pizza dough out into a 12-inch circle on parchment paper. {This makes it easier to transfer to the pizza stone.}
Spread the butter and garlic mixture over dough and top with parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Top with a light sprinkling of salt and pepper, if desired. {That step is totally optional!}