Soft Pretzel Bites

1 1/2 C. warm water
2 Tbsp. light brown sugar
1 pkg. active dry yeast
3 oz. unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
4 1/2-5 C. flour
vegetable oil
3 qts. water
3/4 C. baking soda
1 whole egg, beaten with 1 Tbsp. cold water
coarse sea salt

In a bowl of a stand mixer, combine the water, sugar, yeast, and butter and mix with the dough hook until combined.  Let sit for 5 minutes.  Add the salt and flour and mix on low speed until combined.  Increase the speed to medium and knead until smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, about 4 minutes.  Remove the dough from the bowl, place on a flat surface and knead into a ball.  Oil a bowl with vegetable oil, add the dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm spot until  the dough doubles in size, about 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 425. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot over high heat and add the baking soda.
Remove the dough from the bowl and place on a flat surface. divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into long rope measuring about 22 inches.  Cut the dough into one inch pieces. In small batches (about 15 at a time), boil the pretzel bites in the water solution for 30 seconds.  Remove with a slotted spoon and place pretzel bites on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Make sure they are not touching.  Brush the tops with the egg wash and season with coarse sea salt.  Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.  Remove to a baking rack and let rest for 5 minutes.  These are best warm, and served the day they're made.  Yummy dipped in Nacho cheese sauce!

Dole Pineapple Whips

There are only a few places in the world where you can get these: Disneyland, Disney World, 1 other Disney park, the Dole plantation in Hawaii, and here! So, I don't know for sure if its the actual recipe...but it's good!!

Dole Pineapple Whips
2 20 oz. cans Dole crushed pineapple with juice
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. lime juice
1/3 C. sugar
1 1/2 C. heavy whipping cream, whipped

Drain pineapple; reserve 2 tbsp. juice. Place pineapple, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and reserved pineapple juice in blender. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour into two 1 qt. freezer zipped bags and store bags flat in freezer. Freeze 1 1/2 hours or until slushy. Stir pineapple slush gently into whipped cream until slightly blended, in a large bowl. Return to freezer until completely frozen, about 1 hour and serve.

Fishing in the kitchen??

My kids did this with Grandma last weekend while she was babysitting.... It was a hit... we had it for snack time today at home!!

Items Needed:
plate
Nutella (or peanut butter)
Pretzel sticks
Goldfish crackers (we used chocolate, vanilla, and graham flavored)

Spread the fish across the plate. Dab a little Nutella on the side. To fish, use your pretzel stick as your rod, dip it in the nutella and catch your fish and eat it. Be careful, sometimes those fish like to get away!

Fun side dish or after school snack

I got this from kraftfoods.com!
Bears on Cloud-Nine
2 cups boiling water
2 pkg. (3 oz each) flavored gelatin (I used strawberry!)
4 C. ice cubes
1/3 C. gummy bears

Add boiling water to gelatin mixes in medium bowl; stir 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add ice; stir 2-3 minutes or until gelatin is slightly thickened. Remove any unmelted ice.
pour all but 3/4 C. of gelatin into 12 (5 oz) plastic cups. Beat remaining gelatin with mixer on high speed 30 second or until fluffy and doubled in volume. Spoon over gelatin in cups.
Refrigerate 30 min. or until firm. Top with a few gummy bears.

I got this recipe from my Neighbor, Peggy. My kids request these often!

Honey Oatmeal Granola Bars
1/4 c. butter
1/4 C. oil
1 lb. mini marshmallows
Melt in a large saucepan and stir until smooth.
Add: 1/3 C. peanut butter
1/3 c. honey
Stir until smooth.
In a large bowl combine:
5 C. oatmeal
4 1/2 C. Rice Krispies
1 C. chopped peanuts
1 C. crushed graham cracker crumbs
1 C. coconut
mini chocolate chips and/or M&M's

Pour marshmallow mixture over oatmeal mixture and mix until combined. Press into a greased jelly roll pan. Press firmly with rolling pin. Cut into bars and wrap each in plastic wrap.

Yummy snack --- anytime!!

I'm making a batch of this granola tomorrow to take on vacation with us! It is good on yogurt too, but we like to eat it by itself!

Granola
5 C. Oats
1 C. craisins
1 C. raisins
1 C. shredded coconut
1 C. slivered almonds
Mix with 1 C. honey
and 1/2 C. oil

Spread thin on a cookie sheet. Bake at 250 for 20 minutes. Then at 350 for 5 minutes. Then broil for 30 seconds. Let cool.