Brown Butter Marshmallow Popcorn Bars

  We used to host annual Oscars parties, back when we had consistent company/friends that cared about such things.  I remember one occasion when my little sister and I decided to get all "dressed up" for the red carpet.  This consisted of a horrendous amount of cherry-red (and scented) lip gloss, sparkly blue dresses a couple sizes too big, and plastic heels.  The ladies who came lent us their feather-y boas.  We were a couple of very happy and doted upon girls.

Maple Rum Walnut Pralines

  There used to be a little candy/nut shop in our local mall, and it wasn't there nearly long enough.  No matter what time of year it was, I went by that place and felt fall.  Something about the aroma of roasting pecans does that.

  I loved walking through there, just enjoying the smells.  It was a trip usually done with my papa, who always got me just a little something.  Lollipops, jelly beans, chocolates, caramels...and don't forget the salt water taffy.  Never forget salt water taffy.

Kettle Corn

  Kettle corn.

  Kettle corn occupies your hands and face, all the better to innocently stroll with the cute boy at the farmer's market

  Kettle corn is caramel apples, fudge, and autumn leaves.

  Kettle corn is comfort to a rejected soul.

  Kettle corn's scent brings forth the memory of a friendly vendor's smile.

  Kettle corn is spending the rest of your day with toothpicks.

Salted Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

  Seems like I've been on a peanut butter and chocolate kick lately.

  Seems like that's entirely ok with me.

  This recipe is so simple you'll freak, and so addictive you might need to get to know your neighbors.  Like, right now.  Whoever thought of this is seriously an evil genius, and is probably thoroughly enjoying their five minutes of blog fame, thanks to Pinterest.

  Oh!  On a very unrelated note, I'm on vacation this week.  No biggie, I'm just gone up north Thursday-Sunday, so don't freak if I don't answer your pressing comment or email.  I'm not gone for too long!  I've got some scheduled posts for you, so don't feel too abandoned.

  Anyway!

  The method:

Oreo Truffles

  I'm sort of the last one to get on this oreo truffle bandwagon, but whatevs!  Here they are.  Eat them and love them.

Caramel Corn

  Caramel corn.  My first caramel.  One of the first recipes I did by myself.  You know that cookbook I'm so gleefully holding in the About Ellen page?  My first caramel corn recipe was in there.

  All through my younger youth days I did it exactly as the instructions said, except for one time when I added a bit too much salt...and then came a time where I decided that it wasn't caramel-y enough.  Something was lacking.  I doubled the caramel portion of the recipe for a single pan of popcorn, and it was so ooey gooey and wonderful.  But it still wasn't quite right, there had to be something more.  This was something I thought about as I got older, it just seemed way too basic for my maturing taste.

Vanilla Bean Caramels

  As much as I love making food, there are surprisingly very few kinds that I have no problem greedily stuffing my face with.  This is for two reasons: 1) I was always the kid who made sure everybody got their fair share, especially when it came to food.  I would run around the house with the last cookie, making sure everyone had gotten one, I would distribute much-appreciated treats that my dad brought home...stuff like that.  That's still a part of me, I guess.  2) I'm sorta picky.  I really am...but in the best of ways.  To quote the food critic from Ratatouille, "I don't like food, I love it.  If I don't love it, I don't swallow."  I'm definitely not that picky (or rude), but everyone likes food, duh.  I just happen to like it a bit more.

Peanut Butter Fudge

  Okay, this is a recipe that can really save you when you remember the night before a gathering that you need to bring something.  Store's closed, you're tired, and it's way too late to let butter properly come to room temp.  Oh, and your electric mixer's bowl is dirty.  And your family is watching a movie, and you want to enjoy Christmas vacation.


Totally hypothetical.


  But anyway, give this 15 minutes or so and you'll have a lovely 8x8 pan of fudge cooling in your fridge.  You've got 64 pieces, you bring those to the family gathering and generously leave some when you depart.  Then you take the rest to a (New Year's) party, leaving any remnants behind.  Guilt-free!  Unless you happened to stuff your face rather ungraciously at the party.

Peanut Brittle (Crispy Bites of Heaven)

  I don't know why I avoided peanut brittle for so long...I guess in contrast to so many other favorite goodies it was often overlooked.  Brittle?  There's nothing appetizing about brittle, at all.  I like peanuts, I like crumbly, I like chewy...but brittle?  Whatever, I don't know who decided to name it such, but it kept me from becoming a fan for too long.