Category: Dips & Spreads

Peanut Butter Toffee Dip

Like so many people out there, I consider January a time of renewal, of new beginnings. The hustle and excitement of the holiday season is over, and I try to return to what I consider a less-stress, healthier lifestyle. For me, that means finding a little bit of quiet time each week to do something I enjoy (knitting, blogging, reading), getting organized so that my to-do list doesn’t become out of control, walking outside (when it’s nice out), and cooking more.

With a baby and a toddler, it’s difficult for me to find the time to work out as consistently as I’d like (although I had been walking every weekend until the past week’s cold weather and Snowzilla), so instead, I’ve been focusing on healthier eating. I’ve been trying to menu plan and cook more often than not, and have made sure to have lots of healthy snacks on hand to deter me from the unhealthy snacks at work. Fresh fruit and veggies to into my lunchbox while I stock protein-packed nuts and dried fruit in my desk at work. And since we host friends for board games, knit nights, and assorted other activities almost once a week, I’ve been looking for easy, more health-conscious recipes to make for easy entertaining.

Peanut Butter Toffee Dip

Some of my go-t0, easy snacks for entertaining are dips. They take just minutes to throw together and can be paired with just about anything – from super healthy fruits and veggies to more indulgent crackers, cookies, and chips. Some of our favorites are homemade salsa, guacamole and chips; Mediterranean layer dip with pitas, a savory spinach or onion dip with bread and/or veggies; or a sweet dip (like this coconut cream dip) with fresh fruit.

Anyway, this week, I have made for you a peanut butter toffee dip. It’s a little bit savory and a little bit sweet. Packed with protein from the cream cheese and peanut butter, I paired it was apple slices for a healthy(ish) snack. It was thoroughly enjoyed by the adults and children alike. 🙂

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Peanut Butter Toffee Dip

Peanut Butter Toffee Dip

Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Author Liz

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese softened
  • 1 c. light brown brown sugar
  • 1/2 c. natural creamy peanut butter
  • 1 Tbs. vanilla extract
  • 1 c. toffee pieces

Instructions

  1. Using a hand mixer or a rubber spatula, mix cream cheese, brown sugar, peanut butter, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Fold in most of the toffee pieces, reserving a few to sprinkle on top. Transfer to a serving dish and top with remaining toffee.
  2. Serve with apple slices, graham crackers, or munchie of your choice.

This recipe was adapted from Oh, Sweet Basil.

Peanut Butter Toffee Dip

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Mini Cheese Balls: Two Ways #SundaySupper

Personal-sized Cranberry-Pistachio Cheese Balls and Everything Bagel Cheese Balls are hugely flavorful and easy to make (and make ahead!). These mini cheeseballs are hits for entertaining, especially around the holidays.

Mini Cheese Balls

I love entertaining. I love having friends and family over, any time of year, any occasion – whether it’s a holiday or simply a Sunday. When people ask what they can bring, I usually tell them their appetite and a smile.

But as much as I love to entertain, making new recipes and old favorites, I recognize that entertaining can be a lot of work. Now with two kids under the age of three, I feel that more than ever. Over the past several months, I’ve been trying to simplify what I make – keeping the flavor but eliminating some of the time in the kitchen. I make whatever I can ahead so that I can enjoy my time with my family and friends.

These mini-cheese balls quickly became a hit in my house, and a line on my upcoming holiday menus. They’re easy and quick to throw together and can be combined well in advance. The spread has a slight heat from the addition of the cayenne, but being able to customize the coating to our tastes really made this a winner. Last time I made them, I went with a combination of salty-sweet with the pistachios and cranberries, and savory, mimicking an everything bagel. But the combinations are endless.

Check out the recipes at the end of this post, compliments of the Sunday Supper tastemakers, for more easy entertaining ideas. And please, leave a comment with your favorite easy holiday entertaining recipe!

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Personal-sized Cranberry-Pistachio Cheese Balls and Everything Bagel Cheese Balls are hugely flavorful and easy to make (and make ahead!). These mini cheeseballs are hits for entertaining, especially around the holidays.

Mini Cheese Balls: Cranberry-Pistachio and "Everything"

Personal-sized Cranberry-Pistachio Cheese Balls and Everything Bagel Cheese Balls are hugely flavorful and easy to make (and make ahead!). These mini cheeseballs are hits for entertaining, especially around the holidays.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 24 Mini Cheeseballs
Author Liz

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Cheese Balls:

  • 4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 a bunch of chives chopped finely
  • 8 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Ingredients for the Cranberry-Pistachio Coating:

  • 2 Tbs. dried cranberries roughly chopped
  • 3 Tbs. shelled pistachios roughly chopped

Ingredients for the "Everything" Coating:

  • 2 tsp. poppy seeds
  • 2 tsp. sesame seeds toasted, if desired
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. onion flakes

Instructions

  1. Mix coatings in small dishes. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients for the cheese balls. Use a mixer to thoroughly combine, if needed. Use a small cookie scoop (mine is a 2-tsp. cookie scoop) to portion out cheese mixture. Roll in prepared toppings and set on a serving dish.
  3. Serve at room temperature with your choice of crackers.

Recipe Notes

I used a ratio of 1:1.5, cranberries-pistachios, for the coating. The above quantities are based on a 1/2 batch of cheese balls with this coating.

I used a ration of 1:.5 for the Everything coating - half the salt and onion. The above quantities are based on a 1/2 batch of cheese balls with this coating.

Make Ahead: Cheeseballs can be made and stored in the fridge, covered, for up to 3 days.

Base recipe adapted from Sweet and Savory, coating by Books n’ Cooks

Mini Cheese Balls - Two Ways

 

Check out more easy, stress-free entertaining ideas from the Sunday Supper tastemakers.

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Sunday Supper MovementJoin the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Restaurant-Style Salsa

No need to visit your favorite Mexican restaurant for that irresistible Restaurant-Style Salsa – now you can make it at home! 

side view of restaurant style salsa being poured into a bowl

In honor of Cinco de Mayo next week, I’m sharing a recipe that’s been on my to-make list for years. I’ve been bookmarking recipes for Restaurant Style Salsa for what seems like ever. After all, the best part of going to a Mexican restaurant is the chips and salsa. Well, that and the margaritas, but I can’t indulge in those quite yet. I’ve got to tell you, I’m kicking myself for waiting so long to make this myself. It was super easy and just as additive as the stuff they serve at the restaurants.

Continue reading “Restaurant-Style Salsa”

Coconut Cream Fruit Dip

A sweet and creamy dip topped with toasted coconut, this Coconut Cream Fruit Dip is like a big bowl of summer – perfect for BBQs and cookouts or days by the pool.

Coconut Cream Dip: A sweet and creamy dip topped with toasted coconut, this Coconut Cream Fruit Dip is like a big bowl of summer - perfect for BBQs and cookouts or days by the pool.

I know a lot of people aren’t fans of coconut, but I absolutely love it. The minute I saw this recipe, I started looking for an excuse to make it.

Let me tell you, I was not disappointed. This coconut cream fruit dip was a fabulous. The dip came together in about 5 minutes and was made completely in advance of Hazelnut’s first birthday party – an Alphabet-themed party. I’m still eating it, 3 days later, and it tastes as good as it did on day one. I upped the coconut flavor and added a bit of texture and garnish with some toasted coconut but you could leave it out if you prefer a smoother dip. Serve with your favorite fresh fruit (I used grapes, strawberries, mango and watermelon) for a healthy snack, light appetizer, or when the weather gets warmer, great addition to a BBQ, cookout, or lazy day by the pool.

 

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A sweet and creamy dip topped with toasted coconut, this Coconut Cream Fruit Dip is like a big bowl of summer – perfect for BBQs and cookouts or days by the pool.

Coconut Cream Fruit Dip

A sweet and creamy dip topped with toasted coconut, this Coconut Cream Fruit Dip is like a big bowl of summer – perfect for BBQs and cookouts or days by the pool.

Course Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Author Liz

Ingredients

  • 1-8 oz. package Neufchatel cream cheese at room temperature
  • 12 oz. cream of coconut
  • 6 oz. Cool Whip thawed
  • 1 c. shredded coconut lightly toasted

Instructions

  1. Whip cream cheese using a handheld mixer or stand mixer until smooth. Scrape down sides of bowl and add cream of coconut, mixing until completely combined. Fold in cool whip and almost all of the toasted coconut (reserve a couple tablespoons). Store in the fridge, and garnish with remaining toasted coconut right before serving.

Recipe adapted from My Baking Heart

Note: Cream of coconut can be found in your regular grocery store, near the drinks and mixers.