No Bake Caramel Apple Cracker Bites Seasonal Recipe

Momma Told Me: It came from the microwave.

Momma didn't care much for the decorating aspect of the holidays, when I was a child- She was much more content whipping up some seasonal treat in the kitchen while my father silently cursed over the assembly of our artificial tree to the background tune of Mannheim Steamroller. Yes, they're the things my childhood holiday memories are made of. One year, Momma found herself low on energy and time, and decided to bring back a simple snack her own family had enjoyed, growing up. Most commonly known ad 'holiday bark,' or 'Christmas Crack,' a plate full of Saltine crackers covered in caramel chunks and chocolate chip cookies, melted, made for the perfect tradition. It was something so simple and delicious, Momma made it on demand every year after.

The crispy crunch of the cracker covered in gooey caramel, topped with smooth melted chocolate has stuck with me my entire adult life. I'm a sucker for the contrast of salty and sweet- and who doesn't love simple holiday snacking solutions? So, in homage, I devised these similar Caramel Apple Cracker Bites with just a touch of modern styling and food sophistication. While some of my guests call them 'cookies' they really rely on ready-made ingredients, so I have a hard time taking credit for their amazing texture and flavor.

Start with some round butter crackers and your favorite caramel sauce. I typically use a salted caramel jarred sundae sauce- just make sure you've either chilled your sauce, or are beginning with a thick/slow flow sauce that will not just run off your cracker. Drizzle or scoop a heaping teaspoon of caramel onto one side of your cracker 'sandwich,' place a pretzel stick in the caramel, sticking out, as your 'stem' and top with the other cracker half.

You'll want to chill your cracker apple creations a bit before dipping them, as the hot, or even warm, dipping chocolate will make the caramel want to run. I place my tray in the freezer for about 40 minutes, prior to dipping. Choose a chocolate dipping base that is sufficiently cut/thinned with coconut oil or shortening, but not too thin, to allow for quick and even coating. If possible remove your meting chocolate from the heat source before dipping.

Dip chilled cracker 'apples' with a quick 'flip' style roll in the melting chocolate. Here I've used Caramel Apple flavored Wilton chocolate baking melts, but you can also use any white chocolate tinted green. Once they are dipped, place them on a piece of parchment, on a cookie sheet, and immediately return them to the fridge or freezer. Be careful not to freeze the caramel, you simply want it chilled in a solid state for consumption!

When I first served these my guests were expecting dipped OREO cookies- since I'd made seasonal bats and pumpkins from OREOs a few weeks prior. They were certainly surprised to pick up this lighter treat with an addictive, crispy crunch. They were an instant hit with the perfect balance of salt, caramel, and chocolate. We specially love that they aren't overly sweet, and won't 'weigh' one down when grazing through a holiday spread! Have you ever served crackers in a sweet recipe such as this?

What Daughter Says:  There's no doubt, home cooked is best-not everything can take hours to make, though!

Traditions Give Back Through Hickory Farms + No Kid Hungry

Momma Told Me: We do it because it's tradition.

What is tradition?

I like to argue that a tradition isn't the act of doing something, it's a feeling.

The best traditions are not just repeated in ceremony year in and out. and, while some can be tasted, and others heard, the very best of traditions are meant to be shared, and are always felt. It's that stirring inside that generates warm tidings and cheer, the excitement over an event that marks the dawn of another valued memory, the passing of time, and the importance of honoring this moment now, and every moment before it. Yes, my favorite traditions vary from our own little family, to generations back, yet all are worthy of being shared.

One of our traditions, gifting Hickory Farms, signifies the start of a season, the end of a year, and the flavors that unite a family from clear across the country. Enjoying my father's Hickory Farms Summer Sausage Christmas afternoon while talking on the telephone with my grandparents in Massachusetts, is a tradition that highlights my childhood holiday memories. No matter where I was, or where they were, we always had a Hickory Farms gift box under our tree come Christmas morning. Whether it was the satisfying crisp of delicious crackers and cheese, or gourmet confections and nuts, the holiday flavors simply would not be the same without Hickory Farms and our family.

Hickory Farms understands this, and the importance of tradition, which is why they give back year round with companion efforts for No Kid Hungry, and a commitment to our armed forces. The company not only provides year-round free shipping to any active military address, worldwide, but has also contributed more than $4 Million dollars to the No Kid Hungry organization. (Visit www.hickoryfarms.com for details.) In addition to raising awareness and collecting donations directly on behalf of the charity, Hickory Farms also donates a percentage of profits from specially marked products. Right now you can gift a Hickory Farms Signature Party Planner gift box and $5 of the purchase will be donated to No Kid Hungry. I absolutely love giving gifts that go beyond the moment, to continue giving to those in need!

The Signature Party Planner gift box is precisely the type of gift we would've chosen from the catalog to gift to my grandparents, across country, as a young girl. The company has always been committed to quality and freshness in their products so it is a natural pairing for the company to support No Kid Hungry, an amazing organization that fights to ensure every U.S. child can have a healthy, fresh, meal. Just $1 donated can help feed a hungry child up to 10 meals- that's a potential of 50 meals donated with a single gift purchase this holiday season!

As we practice and discuss our own family traditions, here in our house, giving back is at the top of our priorities. In fact, the very first thing I do when I begin seeing seasonal merchandise hit shelves is ask around and research where the local canned goods and toy drive collections will be for the year. For us giving back is more than a seasonal tradition, it's a year-round tradition. I begin collecting gifts and food for donations the very day after I drop I current collections off! It's not only something I am personally passionate about, it's a tradition that is contagious- and I love to see the new generations taking charge and getting involved too!

Whether your family has, or starts, their own Hickory Farm tradition, why not discuss the importance of giving with those who matter most? Even a discussion can help put the wheels in motion for something amazing. And, in this season of giving, isn't that really what it's all about? How do you or your loved ones like to give back during the holidays or year round? Is there an exciting program in your community that inspires you to give?

What Daughter Says: Give back this holiday season and help your traditions feel even more meaningful.

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Hickory Farms via MomTrends. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review and to facilitate a giveaway.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hickory Farms. #HickoryTradition

The Definition Of Tradition- And Hickory Farms #Giveaway~ 11/30

Momma Told Me: Some traditions are full of flavor.

Tradition. Without it the holidays just wouldn't be the same.

Whether your family follows a strict ritual of gatherings, food, and entertainment, or enjoys a more relaxed and casual season, there's bound to be at least a few things that continue to return year-after-year. For example, every year since 1986 (and you can check their butt tags) our family has brought our a pair of beanbag reindeer in red flannel pajamas. They're small, handheld, plush characters I truly don't know much about, other than that they were added to our family's heirlooms the year I was born.

It may seem like such a small tradition, these little floppy reindeer, but they have been kept in impeccable condition, and they have made an appearance every year regardless of the situation. The year I spent the holidays with my grandparents back East, the year my mother boldly wore a bald head to Thanksgiving dinner just weeks after chemotherapy, the year I returned home after college, the year no other decoration went up or came out- those tiny reindeer sat on our couch a strong reminder of the love and memories we all have shared. It's such a silly thing, really, they do nothing more than sit there, and yet, it wouldn't be the holidays without them. I one day hope they will appear on my children's couch for their children to admire.

Tradition is a funny thing.

At the holidays, it is so often rooted deep in food. A special fruit salad your Great Aunt might make, the cookie recipe you first watched your grandmother make, the tradition of tho gets to carve the turkey. Why? Because food is such an easy way to connect. We come together at holiday celebrations and share life's triumphs, pain, and strangeness (there is a LOT of strangeness in my family, we like to have fun,) over delicious food made with love.

Growing up half of my family was always clear across the country. We tried to celebrate twice, but rarely was everyone all together at once. One way we shared memories and traditions across the miles was through Hickory Farms holiday gifts. Every year, early November the holiday Summer Sausages and seasonal gift boxes would appear in grocery and department store displays. Momma was always sure to grab a Summer Sausage for my father's stocking, and I would help pick out the perfect bundle of delicious Hickory Farms food to send to my grandparents in Massachusetts. Come Christmas morning I'd munch on some of dad's delicious treats; cheese slices on rich buttery crackers, while we listened to our family across the country open their presents in excitement. Grandpa never failed to feign surprise as he opened his Hickory Farms gifts!

The past few years in our family the holidays have been far from traditional, so it has been especially important to keep the traditions, flavors, and symbols of our family's traditions alive and present no matter the circumstance. My cousin is now married, and has begun a family of her own, and my nieces and nephews have moves several states away. I'll admit, sometimes I get a little sad to know that things are changing. However, I am confident in knowing that change can, while scary, can e great. One day soon I will be forging my own family traditions, and I know we will all reunite again as the big family my late grandmother so loved.

This year, for Thanksgiving, I will actually be traveling to spend the holiday with Momma. It will be the first holiday we're shared in a decade. I am, understandably, excited. It will also be my first holiday outside of Southern California in quite some time, and I am told I might even get to see snow- another first much long past a decade overdue! And, while the passing of time, and the reflection of memories might make me feel old, or even melancholy, when I look back at the years I've enjoyed so far, I am most excited about the years that lie ahead.

So, as I pack my suitcase to leave tomorrow I'm tucking a gift box of Hickory Farms favorites carefully into the bottom. Sure, Momma and I may be enjoying our favorites over wine, instead of milk, but the flavors and traditions remain rich and very much alive thanks to a brand that has been in our family since my own parents were children. Hickory Farms gift selection are available Holiday Market locations nationwide and online at HickoryFarms.com. Now, tell me, what are one of the first signs that the holidays have arrived for your family?

What Daughter Says: It's not the food that makes the memories flavorful, it's the people with which you share them.

Disclaimer: Compensation and products for review were provided by Hickory Farms via MomTrends. I received a free sample of the product for the purpose of this review and to facilitate a giveaway.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of Hickory Farms. #HickoryTradition

Hickory Farms

Holiday Gherkins, Homemade SugarCubes, and Instant Ornaments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MakeItMerrier #CollectiveBias

Momma Told Me: I need my liquid motivation.

The holidays are exhausting.

It's okay, you can say it.

Anything awesome usually takes a bit of effort, and this season is one giant example. From the sparkling eyes of bushy tailed children on December 25th, to the good eats and great memories created among beloved family and friends. I begin holiday shopping in January, hit the 'test' kitchen around March, and host several small local events leading up to the season to help hone my plan of attack for the upcoming month. There are nights I crawl into bed with cocoa shellacked to my hairline and industrial sized rolls of wrapping paper as makeshift carpeting. And I'd be half the holiday powerhouse of a woman I am if it weren't for my bottomless tumbler of liquid motivation.

Growing up, Momma was always a bit of a grinch- There, I said it. But she, self admittedly, does not care for the energy and hassle that comes with entertaining in-laws and meticulously planning outdoor light shows. It's ironic, really, because she DOES love the chance to wake up at 2 AM on Black Friday and the day after Christmas to comb through sales and buy seasonal decor at massive discounts. It was a running joke in our household that Momma must have loved the holidays because it was one of the few times she really got to put my father to work. Every December 26th Momma and I would return home from 'after holiday' closeouts with a car chocked full of last season's merriment. And every November Momma would furrow her brown and throw her hands up in the air as she insisted it was my father and I's job to put up all the decorations SHE bought!

Of course I'm well into adulthood now, and run my own household- but I tend to like to micro-manage so much I could never sit back and direct while someone else takes all the guts and glory. I'm a hands on holiday enthusiast, and every year I institute a new tradition or two to the family lineup. A few years back, when we moved into the condo I adopted the 'Holiday Gherkin' tradition of hiding a glass pickle ornament on the (massive 10') tree. I like the tradition mainly because 1.) it's kitschy, 2.) it was long associated with my German heritage, despite and real connection, and 3.) who doesn't want to find a hidden pickle in hopes of receiving a reward?

This year, inspired by Momma's sentiments that 'anything is made better with a cup of coffee,' I've decided to integrate one of my favorite coffee house brands into our entertaining and celebrations. Last year we kept the Keurig out at a coffee station, where guests could serve themselves as they wished. It was something that worked well, but required guests to leave the action, and retire to the kitchen, to brew their after dinner beverage. This year I'll be keeping an electric kettle on coffee and dining tables, and I'll be adding a special touch to our holiday tree with Starbucks VIA and Instant selections in handmade Instant Ornaments.

Since our massive tree is the first thing you see when walking into our home it's the focal point of many seasonal gatherings. I've made these adorable little seasonal tags to tie to Starbucks VIA and Instant selections and hang on the tree. It's as simple as choosing warm beverage favorites such as Starbucks VIA Instant Pike Place Roast or Starbucks VIA Instant Caramel Latte packets, doubling over a piece of scotch tape across the top, and punching a hole through. Next, string a piece of decorative package twine through our labels and the makeshift hanger, and display on the tree for guests to take. This not only helps spark conversation over the decorations and ornaments on your tree, but also gets guests in the seasonal spirit! Grab the free Instant Ornaments Printable Tags here!

Of course, even in SoCal, I rely on the flavors (okay, and most of the time caffeine) of warm beverages to keep me energized, motivated, and going this season. Our house is constantly stocked with our favorite warm beverage selections, from Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa K-Cups to the Starbucks Anniversary Blend ground coffee I love to brew in my French Press. One thing they all have in common? Flavor! And one of the season's biggest flavors? Pumpkin Spice- which is exactly why I whipped up my own Pumpkin Spice flavoring, and was further inspired to make my own artisan sugar cubes for holiday gifts this year.

If creating pumpkin spice magic sounds complicated to you, fear not- anything with a basic spice rack can whip up this flavor in seconds. Just combine 1 TBS ground cinnamon, 3/4 TSP Ground Ginger, 3/4 TSP Ground Nutmeg, 1/4 TSP Ground Cloves, and 1/4 TSP of All Spice. To make Pumpkin Spice Sugar cubes add the mixture to 1 C of white granulated sugar. Next, add 2 TBS of purified water and combine with a fork until fluffy, but gritty. Pack your sugar mixture into baking dish to about 1" height and allow the sugar brick to air dry overnight. Remove your flavored sugar brick and carefully cut into cubes, or break apart for a more rustic presentation. (Some people like that '2 sugar cubes' kinda thing, ya know?)

Because the process is so simple I played around with a few sugar cube variations. For one batch I added peppermint candy crumbles. For another I added fresh vanilla bean and lemon extract. For the final I combined fresh minced mint and vanilla bean (this was the most delicious but has a short shelf life due to the fresh/moist mint.) To make multiple batches at once I packed them all into a mini loaf pan with 8 individual compartments. This also made it easier to remove the loafs one at a time, rather than a giant sheet/brick of sugar.

For seasonal gifting I tied some Starbucks K-Cups together, or bundled Starbucks VIA Instant and Hot Cocoa varieties with a nice mug, tea spoon, fine linen napkin and a jar of my homemade sugar cubes. I was able to find all of my 'at home' and on the go Starbucks selections at our local Vons, though you'll also find Starbucks selections at stores such as Target and Walmart, too. I was tickled to discover there were so many delicious varieties and formats of my favorite Starbucks beverages. I dare say I picked up more than enough selections to fill my gift bundles and my own cupboards! There's even an exclusive promotion right now where you can claim a $5 Starbucks Card e-gift when you buy 3 participating Starbucks products at any retailer!

It may feel like the season is just beginning- but we've had our tree up for a week already- we always celebrate two Christmas gatherings (one in December and one on Thanksgiving when the East Coast family is in town.) For me, the season is in full swing, and I am more than prepared.  If any crotchety Bah Humbugs cross my way I'll be sure to point them toward the tree with a mug in their hand, where they're sure to find their own liquid smiles. I know I won't be letting my seasonal secret (tumbler) far from my hands as I play the doting host!  Discover more seasonal hosting ideas and festive serving ideas on the Starbucks Instagram page.

However you plan to tackle the holiday season, whatever your family's unique traditions, take a little inspiration from Jay and when the going gets tough, just 'Sip And Bear It.' And yes, that is his genuine reaction to having a fresh mug of coffee placed in his hand. Aren't I a wonderful woman? We just might have to look at switching him to caffeine free, or make him sign a waiver if he's planning on consuming more drinks this season! Ah, heck, you only live once, right? There's no turning back now- what are some of your tips and tricks to pull off the perfect holiday?

Get a $5 Starbucks Card e-gift when you purchase 3 or more qualifying Starbucks products.

What Daughter Says: Fuel the holidays with delicious beverages and delightful guests.