Fig & Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

These oatmeal bars are really yummy, and delicious with a glass of milk. Not to mention they are really easy to throw together. They got a stamp of approval from both the hubby and the toddler! I can’t wait to pack them for my family in their lunch bags tomorrow! You can make this recipe to suit your own tastes by adding your favorite jam in the middle. Have fun with it!

Fig & Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup of your favorite jam (I used Strawberry Fig Preserves.)

Preheat oven to 350. Line an 8×8 baking dish with foil and lightly grease.

Using a pastry cutter, two forks, or your hands, cut together everything but the jam. Don’t be afraid to get in there and get your hands dirty. Combine until you have a nice crumbly mixture without too many large chunks of butter.

Press 2 cups of the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spoon on the jam (if it is cold, it helps to microwave it to soften it up a bit) and spread to within 1/4 inch of the edge. Lightly press the remaining crust mixture over the top of the jam.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting. Unless you are like my husband…. he couldn’t wait.

Pretzel, Hershey Kiss, and M&M Bites

I am sharing this tried and true, simple candy recipe with you today, because before you know it Christmas will be here. I first had these little snacks years ago when a coworker brought them for a potluck at work. These little candy bites are perfect to give away as gifts or just as good to make and eat with your family around the holidays.

Helpful Hints: With all of the different kinds of Hershey Kisses and M&Ms that there are now, you can use any number of different flavor combinations with these. You can also use Rolo candies instead of Hershey Kisses, and there are plenty of other little chocolates/toppings that could be used in place of the kisses or M&Ms. And of course, with M&Ms, you can always coordinate the colors for a holiday or season.

Pretzel, Hershey Kiss, and M&M Bites

Pretzel snaps (or your favorite small pretzel)

Hershey Kisses

M&Ms

1. Place the pretzel squares on a baking sheet, and top each one with a Hershey Kiss.

2. Cook for 3 minutes in a 200 degree oven.

3. Press an M&M into the center of each Hershey Kiss. Refrigerate for approximately 15-20 minutes or until cool.

Just to show you how you can change up this recipe….Here is an awesome variation from Hersheys.com

KISSed Pretzel S’mores

• Miniature marshmallows
• Small pretzels(twisted)
• HERSHEY’S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil.

2. Place one pretzel for each pretzel s’more desired on prepared sheet. Top each pretzel with 3 marshmallows and another pretzel.

3. Bake 4 to 5 minutes or until marshmallows soften and begin to puff. Remove from oven and gently press chocolate on each top pretzel. Allow treats to sit several minutes in order for chocolate pieces to melt enough to adhere to pretzels and to soften slightly. Treats are best if eaten while chocolate piece is still soft.

You could also try doing this with M&M minis!

Pictures courtesy or Our Life in Food, and Hershey’s Kitchen.

S’mores Chocolate Bark

S’mores Chocolate Bark

6 ounces of milk chocolate
6 ounces of semi sweet chocolate
4 graham crackers broken into rough pieces
1 cup miniature marshmallows

Place a sheet of parchment or wax paper over a cookie sheet. Roughly chop the chocolate and place it in a double boiler or a glass bowl over a pot of water. Bring the water to a low boil and stir the chocolate until completely melted. Pour the melted chocolate over the parchment paper in a rough rectangle. Sprinkle the graham cracker pieces over the chocolate making sure to give each piece a little press. Do the same with the marshmallows and then leave the bark to set for at least two hours. You can also stick it in the fridge for about 30 minutes if you don’t want to wait 2 hours.

Photos and recipe courtesy of HIPPIE HIPPIE BAKES.