How to Make Mini Valentine Treat Boxes

Looking for the best candied pecans recipe? This easy sugared pecans recipe is a simple and tasty way to make candied nuts.

Cinnamon pecans or sugar coated pecans are a yummy sweet treat, especially around the holidays. I also love candied pecans for salad. It just brings a simple salad up a notch is taste and style. If you are looking for a simple DIY homemade food gift, you could package this sugar coated pecans in a mini mason jar or treat bag and tie with ribbon.

This recipe for candied pecans with brown sugar is so simple to make and requires just a few ingredients. If you are wondering how do you make candied pecans, this recipe shows just how easy it is to make sugared pecans on the stovetop.

You do need to make sure you watch and stir the glazed pecans nuts carefully as you are cooking them in the pan. You don’t want them to burn.

Easy Candied Pecans Ingredients

4 cups pecans
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch salt

How to Candy Pecans – Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

Add your brown sugar, butter, water, cinnamon and salt to a large sauté pan.

Mix your ingredients over medium-low heat and mix in your pecans.

Cook and toss for 15 minutes.

Pour onto a sheet on parchment paper to cool and enjoy your cinnamon roasted pecans.

I love how this simple recipe is just perfect for the holidays.

Looking for more Holiday recipes?

Grinch Fruit Kebobs Recipe 

Easy Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies Recipe 

Hot Chocolate Rudolph Reindeer Gifts Recipe 

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Candied Pecans - Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

Candied Pecans - Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

Ingredients

• 4 cups pecans
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch salt

Instructions

1. Add your brown sugar, butter, water, cinnamon and salt to a large sauté pan.
2. Mix your ingredients over medium-low heat and mix in your pecans.
3. Cook and toss for 15 minutes.
4. Pour onto a sheet on parchment paper to cool and enjoy.

This no-bake energy bites recipe is super simple to make and makes a great snack for kids and adults. It is made with just a few simple whole ingredients that are great even on the go. These oatmeal energy bites are best though stored in the refrigerator.

Even though they do have chocolate, they are still more healthy energy balls than those with processed ingredients.

You can see the full printable recipe for the chocolate date balls below.

Chocolate Date Balls Ingredients

1 cup pitted dates
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup instant oats
2 teaspoons coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
a pinch of salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Double Chocolate Energy Balls Recipe Directions

Chop up 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips and set aside.
Add dates to a food processor and blend until they become smooth paste/dough.
Add in the cocoa powder and coconut milk, pulse until combined.
Dump the date mixture into a large bowl, add the instant oasts and the pinch of salt.
Knead with the back of a spoon until combined.
Roll the mixture into small bite-sized balls.
Then roll each ball in the chopped chocolate chips.
Enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Looking for more no-bake treats?

Check out this no-bake pumpkin oatmeal cookie recipe.

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Easy Chocolate Date Balls

These chocolate date balls are so easy to make and are a great snack. This double chocolate energy balls recipe is great for adults and kids.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 cup instant oats
• 2 teaspoons coconut milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• a pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Chop up 1/2 cup of the chocolate chips and set aside.

      

2. Add dates to a food processor and blend until they become smooth paste/dough.

3. Add in the cocoa powder and coconut milk, pulse until combined.

4. Dump the date mixture into a large bowl, add the instant oasts and the pinch of salt. 

5. Knead with the back of a spoon until combined.

6. Roll the mixture into small bite-sized balls.

7. Then roll each ball in the chopped chocolate chips.

8. Enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

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No Bake Pumpkin Cookies Ingredients

Directions to Make No Bake Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Looking for fall treats? Check out the pumpkin recipes and more.

Pumpkin Parfait Recipe

Pumpkin Roll Recipe

Cinnamon Apple Chips Recipe

Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats

Harvest Trail Mix Recipe

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No Bake Pumpkin Cookies

These easy no-bake pumpkin cookies made with oatmeal and pumpkin are a perfect fall treat. Makes approximately 1.5 dozen cookies. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
• 1/2 cup 1 stick butter
• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups quick oats
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Line a cookie sheet with wax or parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, add the pumpkin purée, butter, peanut butter, milk and sugars.
3. Bring to a boil under medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Add the quick oats, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and salt to a large mixing bowl. Whisk to combine.
5. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the oats and mix well.
6. Shape into 2 inch cookies and place on the lined cookie sheet. 

7. Allow to cool completely and ENJOY!!

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Looking for an easy back to school treat? Be sure to check out this Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars Recipe. These PB&J bars are simple to make from scratch with just a few ingredients including, of course, everyone’s favorite….. peanut butter and jelly! We love that these easy peanut butter bars include your favorite jam or jelly. These chewy peanut butter bars are a satisfying after school treat or could be packed for lunch.  [Read more…]

Looking for an easy patriotic dessert for a Fourth of July or Memorial day party? Check out these cute marshmallow pops that will be a hit at your next event.

I am always on the lookout for easy recipes that look cute and are tasty. These patriotic marshmallow pops are just that. You need just a few ingredients and they can be made quickly. They are super cute and fun though and would be great at any Fourth of July party.

Easy Patriotic Dessert Marshmallow Pop Ingredients

Jumbo marshmallows
Blue candy melts
Red candy melts
White sugar pearls
Decorating bag
Lollipop sticks

The ingredient measurements and printable recipe are at the end of this article.

Gather up your ingredients and two small microwave-safe bowls. These marshmallow pops are so easy that kids can easily help you make them. Younger kids could add the marshmallows to the sticks and even dip the ends in the melted candy melts. Tweens and teens could easily make these whole marshmallow pops themselves.

These holiday marshmallow pops are decorated for Fourth of July. However, you can use the same instructions with different color candy melts for birthday parties, baby showers, Christmas and more. You are only limited by your imagination.

Easy Patriotic Dessert Marshmallow Pop Directions

The first step is to stick 3 jumbo marshmallows onto the end of each lollipop stick. Next, in two small microwave-safe bowls, heat 2 cups of each blue and red candy melts on 50% power for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.

Scoop your melted red candy melts in a decorating bag and cut a small tip off the end.

Dip the end of your marshmallow pop into the melted blue candy melts, making sure to cover the top marshmallow in the melted blue candy. Be sure to shake any excess candy melts off and place onto a piece of parchment paper.

You will then sprinkle some white candy pearls onto the melted blue candy melts.

Use your decorating bag to drizzle the red melted candy melts in stripes onto the other 2 marshmallows. Once complete, carefully transfer to the freezer for 15 minutes to harden.

Enjoy a tasty and easy patriotic dessert!

Looking for more patriotic treat and dessert recipes?

American Flag Pretzels

Easy Fourth of July Dessert – Berry  Tarts

Red, White and Blue Jello Stars

See the full Marshmallow pop recipe below.

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Easy Patriotic Dessert Marshmallow Pop

These cute marshmallow pops are perfect for a Fourth of July party.

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 30 Jumbo marshmallows
• 2 cups Blue candy melts
• 2 cups Red candy melts
• White sugar pearls
• 1 Decorating bag
• 10 Lollipop sticks

Instructions

1. Stick 3 jumbo marshmallows onto the end of each lollipop stick.
2. In two small microwave safe bowls, heat 2 cups of each blue and red candy melts on 50% power for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.
3. Scoop your melted red candy melts in a decorating bag and cut a small tip off the end.
4. Dip the end of your marshmallow pop into the melted blue candy melts, making sure to cover the top marshmallow in the melted blue candy.
5. Shake any excess candy melts off and place onto a piece of parchment paper.
6. Sprinkle some white candy pearls onto the melted blue candy melts.
7. Use your decorating bag to drizzle the red melted candy melts in stripes onto the other 2 marshmallows.
8. Carefully transfer to the freezer for 15 minutes to harden.

Here is the wonderful and easy 4th of July dessert recipe.

The fresh berries are perfect for any red, white and blue theme including Memorial Day and Fourth of July. These are so tasty though that they would be great for any get-together or party. This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients but still looks quite fancy. You can whip this up in no time at all and be out having fun in the sun with your friends. This would be easy to bring to a potluck as well. Be sure to scroll down for the full printable recipe. [Read more…]

This Sausage Asparagus Skillet Recipe with Quinoa is so quick and easy to prepare and an easy family favorite meal.

Looking for a healthy and easy meal? Check out this Sausage, Asparagus & Quinoa Meal Recipe. This meal is so simple to make but flavorful and sure to become a family favorite. We all love quinoa in my family and this is a great way to prepare it. My youngest requests it often.

Here are a few in process pictures but be sure to check out the full printable recipe below.

Sausage Asparagus Skillet Recipe with Quinoa Recipe Directions

• In a medium saucepan, bring the 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil.
• Add in the 1 cup of uncooked quinoa. Lower the heat and allow the quinoa to simmer, stirring occasionally, until cooked, about 10-15 minutes.
• In a separate pan, saute the fresh asparagus and smoked sausage on medium heat until the asparagus is tender, about 10-15 minutes. I’ve found I didn’t need to add any oil with the sausage.

• Next, add in the 2 cups of cooked quinoa and continue to saute 5-6 minutes
• Serve immediately. However, leftovers also reheat well.

This easy recipe is perfect for busy nights but still healthy and flavorful. You really can’t go wrong. If you are looking for a new way to try quinoa and asparagus, you really can’t go wrong with this recipe.

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Sausage, Asparagus & Quinoa Meal Recipe

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

Course: dinner

Servings: 4

Author: Melissa

Ingredients

• 1 C. uncooked quinoa makes 2 C. cooked
• 1 C. fresh asparagus washed and the ends cut off
• 8 oz smoked sausage cut into quarters
• 2 C. chicken broth
• salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the 2 cups of chicken broth to a boil.
2. Add in the 1 cup of uncooked quinoa. Lower the heat and allow the quinoa to simmer, stirring occasionally, until cooked, about 10-15 minutes.
3. In a separate pan, saute the fresh asparagus and smoked sausage on medium heat until the asparagus is tender, about 10-15 minutes. I've found I didn't need to add any oil with the sausage.
4. Add in the 2 cups of cooked quinoa and continue to saute 5-6 minutes.
5. Serve immediately.
6. Leftovers also reheat well.

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This Valentine Day Sugar Cookie Recipe is so easy to make but turns out so stinking cute. Conversation hearts are quintessential Valentine’s day to me and I love how each sugar cookie bear has their own conversation heart. Other than the basics for the sugar cookie recipe all you need extra is the bear cookie cutter and the conversation hearts. Kids would love to help make these in the kitchen. Be sure to scroll down for the printable recipe.

Valentine Day Sugar Cookie Recipe Ingredients

1 ¼ Cup Flour
¾ Cup Sugar
½ Stick Unsalted Butter
1 Egg
½ teas. Baking Powder
½ teas. Salt
½ teas. Vanilla
Conversation Candy Hearts

Teddy Bear Cookie Cutter

Parchment Paper

Valentine Day Sugar Cookie Recipe Directions

First Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.

Then in a medium size bowl, beat butter and sugar with mixer then add egg and vanilla. Mix until fluffy.

Next stir flour, baking powder, and salt together. Once mixed, add to wet mixture.Mix until dry ingredients are incorporated.
Take dough and roll into a ball and place on floured parchment paper. Take rolling pin and roll out until it’s about ¼ inch thick. If it’s sticking to rolling pin, add a little flour to top of dough

Cut out bears using the cookie cutter and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Place a conversation heart in the middle of the bear and bend its arms up to the heart. Then take a toothpick to poke the eyes and nose. Then place in oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges become golden brown.

Be sure to store cookies in an airtight container for maximum freshness. This recipe makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Be sure to check out more Valentine’s Day ideas.

Star Wars Printable Valentines

EOS DIY Printable Valentine

Valentine’s Day Mocktail

Pony Bag Toppers for Valentine’s Day

DIY Spa sock cupcake

No Candy Crafty Valentine Ideas For Kids

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Easy Valentine Day Sugar Cookie Recipe - Conversation Heart Bears

This easy and cute Valentine's Day sugar cookies are so fun with cut out bears and conversation hearts.

Servings: 2 dozen

Author: Melissa

Ingredients

• 1 ¼ Cup Flour
• ¾ Cup Sugar
• ½ Stick Unsalted Butter
• 1 Egg
• ½ teas. Baking Powder
• ½ teas. Salt
• ½ teas. Vanilla
• Conversation Candy Hearts
• Teddy Bear Cookie Cutter

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium size bowl, beat butter and sugar with mixer then add egg and vanilla. Mix until fluffy.
3. Stir flour, baking powder, and salt together. Add to wet mixture.
4. Mix until dry ingredients are incorporated.
5. Take dough and roll into a ball and place on floured parchment paper.
6. Take rolling pin and roll out until it’s about ¼ inch thick. If it’s sticking to rolling pin, add a little flour to top of dough
7. Cut out bears using the cookie cutter and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
8. Place a conversation heart in the middle of the bear and bend its arms up to the heart. Then take a toothpick to poke the eyes and nose.
9. Place in oven and bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges become golden brown.
10. Store in an airtight container. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

These adorable Rudolph Cookies are adorable, festive and so easy to make.

These Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies make a fun treat for kids (and adults) plus they are so easy to make that the kids can help. This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and you may have most of them on hand already! See the full printable recipe below.

I love that these are peanut butter easy reindeer cookies. Many Christmas cookies are sugar cookies so these have a whole different taste profile.

Peanut Butter Rudolph Cookies Recipe Ingredients

1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Egg
1 1/3 cup Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/2 tsp Salt
48 Red M&M’s
96 mini Chocolate Chips
Mini Twist Pretzels

Cream together peanut butter, butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth. Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.

Slowly add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, beating until incorporated. Roll into 1/2-3/4″ balls and place on cookie sheet several inches apart. Sprinkle with sugar and gently make an indentation slightly off the center of each cookie. Bake 12-14 minutes.

After you bake the Christmas Reindeer cookies, it is time to decorate! This is my favorite part.

• Place an M&M in the indentation of each cookie.
• Insert 2 mini chocolate chips (pointy side down) above the M&M to be the eyes.
• Insert 2 pretzel pieces to be the antlers.
• If the antlers won’t stick, place some chocolate chips in a sandwich bag and microwave 30 seconds and knead until soft. Clip the very tip of the corner and pipe onto cookie to act as glue.

Peanut Butter Rudolph Cookies Recipe

5 from 1 vote

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Easy Peanut Butter Rudolph Cookies Recipe

Author: Melissa

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Peanut Butter
• 1/2 cup Butter
• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1 Egg
• 1 1/3 cup Flour
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 48 Red M&M's
• 96 mini Chocolate Chips
• Mini Twist Pretzels

Instructions

1. Break pretzels into pieces to use as antlers.
2. Preheat oven to 350.
3. Cream together peanut butter, butter, sugar and brown sugar until smooth.
4. Add egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.
5. Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
6. Slowly add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, beating until incorporated.
7. Roll into 1/2-3/4" balls and place on cookie sheet several inches apart.
8. Sprinkle with sugar and gently make an indentation slightly off the center of each cookie.
9. Bake 12-14 minutes.
10. Place an M&M in the indentation of each cookie.
11. Insert 2 mini chocolate chips (pointy side down) above the M&M to be the eyes.
12. Insert 2 pretzel pieces to be the antlers.
13. If the antlers won't stick, place some chocolate chips in a sandwich bag and microwave 30 seconds and knead until soft. Clip the very tip of the corner and pipe onto cookie to act as glue.

Don’t forget to sign up for our emails below so you are notified of our next simple and tasty recipe (plus lots of other fun stuff!).

Want more easy and tasty recipes for Christmas?

Grinch Cookie Pops

Grinch Kebobs

Reindeer Hot Chocolate – Easy DIY Gift 

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Peppermint M0cha

Need Gift ideas? So so many unique gift ideas for everyone on your list.