Mason Jar, Amazon.com. Ribbon and über cute holiday gift tags, Target.
Happy, happiest new year! I’ve been quite MIA for the past couple of months, but I’m happy to report that I’ve survived my first holiday season at Amazon. We brought you the Penny-Pincher Sale (thank you, Huffington Post!), Hotspot Holidays, and most recently, the opportunity to win a new cell phone and $2,000 from AmazonWireless through our New Year, New Phone Sweepstakes. It’s been a super fun ride thus far, and the challenge has been rewarding.
However, I hate that I’ve neglected you. I’ve been a terrible internet friend. So, as a tribute to my Catholic upbringing, I will do my penance to repent my sin with… TWO DESSERT RECIPES!! That’s right, kiddos. I’m giving you a two for one offer you can’t refuse 
Christmas is one of my favorite holidays of the year. This (past) holiday, I whipped up these tasty treats with help of General Mills and my best friend’s aunt. You will not regret them.
Muddy Buddies (pictured above)
Makes ~12 one quart mason jars
+ 9 cups Chex cereal (honey, cinnamon, rice, corn, chocolate)
+ 4 tbsp. butter, softened
+ 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
+ 1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
+ 1 1/2 powered sugar
Melt butter, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and vanilla into a microwavable bowl for one minute, or until ingredients are melted.
Pour mixture and cereal into a gallon size ziploc bag. Shake, shake your booty. Once you feel confident the mixture has covered every bit, add powered sugar.
Shake, shake your booty until your muddies are buddied. Once cooled, pour them into one quart mason jars. Then, make pretty with a bow and/or cute holiday gift tag. Share with your friends and family, place them on your colleague’s desk, or like Steve, eat them while your girlfriend (or boyfriend) is still making them. Because nothing is better than a gift made with love.
Now, onto one of the easiest and TASTIEST desserts of all time.
Pecan Pie Bars
Serves 6 happy sweet tooth
+ 1/2 cup butter, softened
+ 1/2 cup sugar
+ 1 1/4 cup flour
+ 1 cup brown sugar
+ 2 cups pecans
+ 2 eggs, beaten
+ 1/4 cup flour
+ 1/4 tsp baking powder
+ 1 tbsp. maple syrup
Preheat oven to 350. Blend flour, sugar, butter, then press evenly into a bottom of 9×13 pan. Bake your crust for 15 minutes and start your filling. Mix all remaining ingredients and pour onto crust. Spread evenly and bake another 20-25 minutes. Let the pecan pie bars cool in pan before cutting into bars. I can’t promise they will help your new years resolutions, or will they?? Ten days into the new year, and I’m breaking the rules already. Such is life!
Forgive me?
