Homemade Microwave Popcorn

DSCN6036 (640x480)-1Sunday night is popcorn night at our house!  When we started our journey to a more frugal and healthier life style, microwave popcorn was one of the first things to go.  I’d bought an air popper a while back (in a moment of nostalgia) but barely used it.  My husband didn’t like the air popper popcorn, and I had to agree.  For some reason it seemed soggy and wanted to melt between your teeth instead of having that nice crunch.  I thought we were stuck with soggy popcorn because I refused to buy the bags of chemicals again.  Then a friend told me that you can put popcorn in a paper bag and microwave it.  How brilliant!

DSCN6053 (640x480)-1This is sooooo much cheaper and healthier than store bought microwave popcorn, it has that wonderful crunch and you can control the amount of butter and salt it has on it.  I’m ditching my air popper, and freeing up some space in my cupboard!

All you need is a paper bag, 1/4 of a cup of popcorn kernels, butter, and salt or what ever seasonings you like.

DSCN6057 (640x480)-1Put 1/4 of a cup of popcorn kernels into a paper bag and fold down the top.  Place the bag right side up in a microwave for ABOUT 2 minutes.  I set the timer for 2 1/2 minutes and listen closely.  When the popping slows down to 3 to 4 seconds between pops I stop the microwave.  Microwaves are different so times will vary.  Pour your popped corn into a bowl and season (we like Parmesan cheese on ours).  You can use the same bag to pop more than one batch if you want more popcorn.  So simple, yummy, healthy, and cheap. 😀

Happy Popcorn Night!

Homemade Honey Whipped Cream Cheese

We have been making lots of muffins and quick breads lately.  What goes better with a nice warm muffin than cream cheese?  Honey whipped cream cheese of course!!

This is a great recipe to let the kids help with, it’s very simple.

All you need is an eight ounce package of cream cheese, softened and 3 to 4 tablespoons of honey (depending on how sweet you want it).  Whip the cream cheese in a mixing bowl (I used my KitchenAid).  When it’s nice and smooth gradually add the honey.  Keep whipping until it’s light and fluffy.

DSCN5571 (640x480)-1             This is honey whipped cream cheese on a Chocolate Chip Banana Muffin.

If you don’t want a sweet whipped cream cheese just substitute milk instead of honey.

DSCN5542 (640x475)-1This is Whipped Cream Cheese on Applesauce Raisin Quick Bread.

You can also use maple syrup instead of honey.  Either way this spreadable cream cheese makes any breakfast bread even yummier!  I was thinking of trying in on french toast next time?

This is a lot less expensive than a tub of whipped cream cheese at the store especially if you buy a generic brand package of cream cheese. 🙂

10th Birthday Cupcakes!

Little Chef turns 10 today and she decided to make cupcakes so she could take them to AWANA and share with all her friends.  So we got some super cute cupcake liners and found some yummy looking recipes at Your Cup of Cake.

DSCN4990 (480x640)-1This is why we call her “Little Chef”

DSCN5012 (480x640)-1She LOVES to cook and like her mama, she loves to eat!!

DSCN5021 (408x640)-1DSCN5023 (640x480)-1We are so thankful for our Little Chef and can’t believe how grown up she is!

Dipped Pretzels

Dipped pretzels are a holiday FAVORITE at our house.  They are not only yummy but extremely fun to make.  There are no limits on the varieties you can make, and they also make easy, inexpensive gifts!!  Here are some examples of what we have made so far this Christmas.

Jo’s Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
Little Chef’s vanilla pretzel rods

Dipped pretzels are a great idea for Christmas parties, kids can make them all by themselves and as you can see each pretzel is a masterpiece. 🙂

All you need to make these sweet, salty, crunchy goodies is:

Pretzels – Any shape or size and Almond Bark – Chocolate, Vanilla or both.

Melt the Almond bark in a microwave safe bowl following the directions on the package.  Don’t over heat it!!  You will end up with a HARD, over cooked mess and there will be no dipping and very sad faces (yes, I’m speaking from experience).  When you reach a nice, silky, smooth consistency start dipping, dunking and sprinkling!!  They will cool quickly, so sprinkle fast.  For easy clean up, place them on waxed paper to cool.

I hope your family enjoys these as much as ours does.  Be creative and have fun. 😛

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