7 layer bars are also known as Magic Bars but no matter what you call them they are really good! I made these as a Thank You for a friend but both Jim and I tried them too. I will most definitely be making more of these not just for friends and family but for us too!

INGREDIENTS

2 cups graham cracker crumbs. (15 full size crackers)
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
3/4 pecans, chopped
1 cup sweetened condensed milk

DIRECTIONS

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper or non stick aluminum foil, the bars can be sticky so this is important.

Mix the graham cracker crumbs with the melted butter and mix well so the crumbs are evenly moistened. Press the crumb mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan pressing firmly.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the crumb crust. Sprinkle the pecans evenly over the chocolate chip layer and finally sprinkle the coconut evenly over the top.
Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk all over the top of the layers.

Bake for 25 minutes or u til the edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely before slicing.

Enjoy!

I love a one pan dish! This was so easy and fast to put together. The honey mustard sauce gave a nice sweet and savory flavor. We all enjoyed this simple dish, adding the green beans later into the cook time keeps them with a little crispy bite while the potatoes are crisp and tender.

INGREDIENTS

3 Chicken breasts, cut in half and pounded to the same thickness
1 pound of green beans, trimmed
1 pound of small potatoes, cut into even sizes
3 Tablespoons of olive oil, divided
Pinch of salt
Pinch of pepper

HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE

1/3 cup of honey
3 Tablespoons of yellow mustard
3 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 Teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 Teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon thyme

DIRECTIONS

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and spray lightly with non stick spray. Set aside.
Cut the small potatoes into halves or similar size and place on prepared pan. Cut your chicken in half and pound to the same thickness. Place the chicken on the sheet pan next to the potatoes. Leave some room on the sheet pan for the green beans. Drizzle the potatoes and chicken with 2 Tablespoons of olive oil add salt and pepper.

To make the sauce- add all of the honey mustard sauce ingredients together in a small bowl and mix well. Pour the honey mustard sauce over the chicken. Bake the chicken and potatoes for 20 minutes. Meanwhile prepare the sheen beans. Trim beans if needed and add them into a bowl. Drizzle 1 Tablespoon of olive oil over the beans and season with salt and pepper.

After the first 20 minute cooking time add the green beans and cook for another 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove from oven and serve warm.

Enjoy!

This candy recipe was an all time favorite food gift for everyone we shared them with over the holidays. I made several batches of the candy trying to get the proper pan size and the amounts just right. I also made two versions one with whiskey and one without. The candies were shared on holiday gift plates, with friends, family, fire department friends, military friends even a group of Military Generals! Each and every one came back to tell us how much they enjoyed them including the Generals!

This is a make ahead candy that needs to be in the freezer for 2 hours so plan ahead!

Makes 32 squares

INGREDIENTS

11 Oz. Bags of caramel bits (I buy them at Walmart, Kraft brand)
2 Tablespoons water
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup chopped up pretzels
1 1/2 Tablespoons whiskey(can omit)
10 ounce package of chocolate flavored melting wafers such as ghirardelli
Course sea salt

I used a disposable tin pan that I found at the grocery store size 7 15/16 x 6 7/16 x 1 13/16 or
a 5 1/2 x 9 baking dish also works.

I also used 5×5 squares of wax wrapping papers. You can easily cut wax paper to the proper size.

I also used Non stick aluminum foil and non stick spray

DIRECTIONS

Line your baking dish or aluminum tin with non stick foil, be sure to have the aluminum foil go up two of the sides of the dish. Spray with non stick spray. Set aside.

In a microwave safe bowl add the caramel bits and the 2 Tablespoons of water. Microwave for 2 minutes stirring occasionally. Once melted remove from the microwave and add the chopped pecans, chopped pretzels and whiskey. Stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Place your baking dish into the freezer for 2 hours.

Remove from the freezer taking the caramel out of the baking dish using the aluminum foil wings. Remove the caramel from the aluminum foil and using a sharp knife cut the caramel into 32 equal pieces.

Line a baking sheet with non stick foil and set aside.

Melt your baking chips in a microwave safe dish. Microwave for 2 minutes stirring occasionally until completely melted. Remove from the microwave and dip your caramel pieces into the chocolate a couple at a time and place them on the foil lined baking sheet. Add a small pinch of sea salt directly after dipping them and continue this until all of your candy is coated in chocolate.

Let the chocolate firm in the refrigerator. Once firm remove from fridge and wrap in wax paper.

Enjoy!

This apple crisp dish comes from “Mamma Knows Gluten Free”. I have found a number of recipes from her on Pinterest that we really love. Jim and I are not gluten free but still really enjoy many of her recipes and this recipe is exactly that.

INGREDIENTS
FOR THE TOPPING

1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour, I used Bob’s red mill 1 for 1, that includes xanthan gum
1/2 cup gluten free quick Oats
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon gluten free baking powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup butter, diced into small cubes, I used earth balance

FOR THE FILLING

4 cups of apples, peeled and chopped. I used both granny smith and honey crisp apples
3 Tablespoons melted butter , I used earth balance
2 Tablespoons gluten free flour with xanthan gum
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
3 Tablespoons dairy free milk, unsweetened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS

Pre heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray an 8×8 baking dish with a gluten free non stick cooking spray.
To make the topping-
In a medium size bowl combine the crumb topping ingredients and mix with a fork until it resembles chunky crumbs, refrigerate while you prepare the apple filling.

Add the peeled and chopped apples to a large bowl. Add the lemon juice, milk, melted butter, vanilla extract, packed brown sugar, ground cinnamon, gluten free flour and salt. Stir until fully combined.

Pour the apple mixture into the greased baking dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over the top of the apples. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Some foods just don’t picture well and these meatballs are one of those foods! The good news is these meatballs have great flavor. You can make larger meatballs for a main course or small to have as an appetizer, these can also be served over buttered noodles or over mashed potatoes. The day we had these we simple ate them as is and they did not last the day in fact they were gone before Robby could even try them. My batch made about 18 medium size meatballs.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE MEATBALLS

1 Lb. ground beef
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon thyme
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/4 cup whole milk (I used fare life)
1/2 cup crushed tortilla chips

FOR THE GRAVY

2 Tablespoons butter or dairy free butter
2 Tablespoons flour, I used a gluten free flour
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups beef stock, can use more if you want a thinner gravy
1 Tablespoon minced onion
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Parsley to garnish if desired

DIRECTIONS

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees.
Grease 2 baking sheets with non stick spray and set aside.
Combine all of the meatball ingredients in a large bowl and mix until combined.
Form meatball mixture to your desired size. I made them into about 1 1/2 inch balls. Place the meatballs on your prepared baking sheets. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and put them in the gravy to finish cooking through if needed.

To make the gravy add the butter into a large skillet. When the butter is melted add the flour and whisk constantly for about 30 seconds. Add in the beef stock and whisk until combined. Add the Worcestershire sauce and all of the seasonings except the parsley.
Allow the gravy to simmer until thickened, just a couple minutes. Add your meatballs and let simmer for another five minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired.

Enjoy!

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