Holiday Cracker Candy

Ingredients

  • 1 sleeve Saltine crackers
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 bag (10 ounces) milk chocolate chips
  • Sprinkles or other cookie decorations

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Line a large baking sheet (up to 11″ x 17″) with nonstick aluminum foil or heavy duty foil coated with nonstick spray, making sure it covers the bottom and sides of the pan.
  3. Lay the crackers, edge to edge, in a single layer on the foil.
  4. In a medium saucepan, heat the brown sugar, butter and salt, stirring frequently until the butter melts. Continue cooking and stirring for another 3 to 5 minutes, just until the mixture comes to a boil and starts to darken.
  5. Remove the brown sugar mixture from the heat and stir in vanilla.
  6. Pour the hot brown sugar mixture over the crackers, spreading evenly to coat them all.
  7. Place the pan in the preheated oven for 5 minutes until the toffee is bubbly.
  8. Remove the pan from the oven, quickly rearrange any crackers that may have shifted and allow to cool for exactly 1 minute.
  9. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the toffee and crackers, and let stand for about 2 minutes until they begin melting.
  10. Using a rubber scraper, butter knife or the back of a spoon, spread the chocolate chips to cover the entire layer of toffee and crackers.
  11. Top with sprinkles or other desired toppings.
  12. Let the candy cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for about 3 hours or until the candy is hardened.
  13. Once set, peel away the foil and begin breaking the candy into snack-sized pieces by hand or with a knife.
  14. Enjoy! Store candy in an airtight container in the fridge.

Chicken (White) Chili

Ingredients

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups chicken, cooked and diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 small yellow or orange bell pepper, diced
  • 3 cans (15 ounces each) white beans (Navy, Great Northern, Cannellini, etc.), rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (11 ounces) corn, drained
  • 2 cans (4 ounces each) diced green chiles
  • 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Adobo seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Sauté onion and garlic in oil until tender.
  2. Add the chicken, broth and mushrooms, then bring to a boil.
  3. Add the beans and return to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat and add bell pepper, corn, chiles, Alfredo sauce, sour cream and spices.
  5. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
  6. Stir in cheeses until melted and creamy.
  7. Serve with crackers or bread.

Everything Cheese Ball

Ingredients

  • 1 block (8 ounces) of cream cheese, softened
  • 1 block (8 ounces) white extra sharp cheddar, grated
  • 3/4 cup green onion, diced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 tablespoons Everything Bagel Seasoning, divided

Instructions

  1. Combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, Worcestershire sauce and 1.5 tablespoons of everything seasoning in a large bowl.
  2. Form the mixture into a ball.
  3. Pour the remaining everything seasoning onto a plate.
  4. Roll the cheese ball in the seasoning until it’s coated.
  5. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  6. Serve with a cheese knife and your favorite crackers.

The original recipe for this cheese ball can be found here.