A's Top 12 Recipes of 2017

Last year my son, A, put together a post with his top recipes from the year and he's back at it again this year! A is 10 years old and as you will see he's not a big fan of sweets.  Little sister is all about the sweets though so one day I'm sure she will be putting together a post that consists of desserts only! We had fun going through my blog and seeing what he loved most! I was actually surprised by a few of his choices but could have picked several of them with no help at all! So here it is, his top 12 recipes:

1. Taco Crescent Cups 

 

2. Grilled Chicken Pitas  

3. Cheeseburger Meatball Sandwiches


4. Basic Waffles 


5. Crock Pot Brown Sugar BBQ Chicken Sandwiches


6. Grilled Ranch Red Potatoes


7. BBQ Meatloaf


8. Crock Pot Sticky Chicken Legs


9. One Hour Skillet Focaccia Bread


10. Grilled Balsamic Garlic Pork Tenderloin


11. Sloppy Joe Sliders


12.Greasy Rice

My Top 12 of 2017

It's hard to believe that 2017 is coming to a close. I can't say that I hate to see this year ending. There have been many wonderful moments but many hard ones too. I have a feeling 2018 is going to be a great year for our family and I'm excited! Now here are my top 12 recipes from 2017!

1. Almond Raspberry Thumbprints

 

2. White Queso Dip  

3. Margherita Pizza Grilled Cheese


4. Magic 5 Cookies


5. Greek Meatballs over Lemon Dill Risotto


6. Strawberry Cream Cheese Puff Pastry


7. Orange Rosemary Salmon


8. Bruschetta Pizza 


9.  Sour Cream Coffee Cake Muffins


10. Apple Brie and Honey Grilled Cheese


11. Quick and Easy Chicken Lo Mein 


12. Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes

Cinnamon Chip Scones

I love scones. I love anything cinnamon flavored. And these little cinnamon chips, while hard to find, are awesome. These scones were the perfect for a snowy Saturday morning.

3 1/4 cups flour
1/3 cup sugar plus 2 tbsp for sprinkling
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup cold butter
1 cup buttermilk
1 package cinnamon chips

Heart oven to 425. In a large bowl combine the flour, 1/3 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in the butter until the mixture resembles a coarse sand mixture. Stir in the buttermilk then the cinnamon chips. On a floured surface, knead the dough several times. Divide in half and form two circles. Sprinkle with sugar and gently press into the dough. Cut each circle into 6 triangles. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes.

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

This fudge is so simple to make and is absolutely delicious. I made it then took it to small group last night and everyone went crazy over it! It was the perfect treat to make with my younger who is 3, she could easily help me stir the butter and peanut butter. The process was also super quick so she didn't get distracted or frustrated.

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar

Line an 8x8 pan with parchment or wax paper. Place the butter and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl. Heat in 30 second increments until it is melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.  Whisk the powdered sugar to break it up then stir it into the peanut butter mixture.  Keep stirring until it all comes together into one ball. Press into the pan and chill for 2 hours in the refrigerator. Cut and store in the fridge.

White Chocolate Cinnamon Pretzels

I made a double batch of these pretzels then put them in snowman cellophane gift bags to pass out to our neighbors and they turned out so cute! I also took some to small group and everyone loved them! They have that salty sweet thing going on and are absolutely addicting. This recipe is from Life In The Lofthouse.

16oz pretzel twists
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup of cinnamon sugar mixture for sprinkling
1 bag white chocolate chips

Whisk together the vegetable oil, sugar and cinnamon. Place the pretzels in a large microwave safe bowl then toss with the vegetable oil mixture. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute then stir and heat for another 45 seconds. Spread out over parchment or wax paper. Sprinkle with the cinnamon sugar mixture. Melt the white chocolate in the microwave, in 30 second increments, stirring in between until fully melted. Drizzle over the pretzels and let sit until the white chocolate has set.

Almond Raspberry Thumbprints

These cookies are amazing. Like the best. I had to pass some of these along to our neighbors so that I didn't eat every single one. They were also way easier to make than I anticipated. This recipe is adapted from Cooking Classy.

Cookies:
2 cups plus 2 tbsp flour
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter (cold and cut into 1 tbsp pieces)
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 cup raspberry jam

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-4 tsp water

In a bowl whisk together flour and salt. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer combine the butter and sugar using the paddle attachment. Scrap the bowl down. Mix in the almond extract then add the flour mixture. Shape the dough into 1 inch balls and place 2 inches apart on an ungreased baking sheet. Carefully make a small indention with your finger. Fill each indention with raspberry jam. Chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. While the cookies are chilling, preheat the oven to 350. Bake in the oven for 14-18 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheet for 4-5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool. Once the cookies are cooled make the glaze. Whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract and water until it's smooth and easy to drizzle. Place the glaze in a small ziplock bag and cut the tip of the bag off. Drizzle the glaze over the cookies. 

Dilly Ranch Crackers

This crackers will forever make me think of my childhood and Christmastime. My mom would make these for a big Christmas party my parents hosted for years and years.  I would love eating these after their party was over and I got to munch on all the yummy leftovers! These are super easy and make a great gift in a cute little tin.

1 box oyster crackers
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 pkg ranch seasoning mix
3/4 dried dill weed
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Mix the oyster crackers with vegetable oil.  Add the seasonings and mix until all the crackers are coated well.