Hot Artichoke and Crab Dip

This recipe is perfect if you are looking for an appetizer for New Year's which is just around the corner.  It is my grandmother's recipe, and we have this every year when my family gets together during the holidays.  We didn't visit my family this year, but I still made it because its one of my favorites and feels like home to me. 

8 oz. crab meat

8 oz. cream cheese at room temperature

1 cup mayonaise

1/3 cup chopped onion

1 14 oz can artichoke hearts drained and chopped

3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese

*I just use imitation crab meat because that's what my grandmother uses, but I'm sure you could use the lump crab meat also. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a bowl, blend cream cheese and mayo together until smooth.  Stir in the remaining ingredients and place into glass pie plate.  I save a little cheese to sprinkle on top too. 

Bake uncovered 15-18 minutes, until heated through and lightly browned.  Let cool 15- 20 minutes before serving. 

Serve with crackers.  Ritz are my favorite with this or you could try any others you like. 

*I mixed mine the day before and then baked it right before I was serving it and that worked really well.  You will just need to bake it a little longer to heat it through. 

Easy Pretzel Turtles

These are a super easy and yummy treat that I love year round, especially at Christmas time.  They don't take long to make and they pack well if you need something quick and easy to give to your neighbors.  

1 Bag of Rolos
Pretzels
Pecans

Optional- Red and green m&m's for Christmas

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.   Unwrap all the rolos.  Line baking sheet with foil.  Place pretzels in a single layer on foil and one rolo on top of each.

Bake in oven for 3-4 minutes until they get shiny and start melting.  Take them out of the oven and gently press your nuts onto the melted rolo. 

Allow to cool, and then they come off the foil easily.  And Enjoy!!

I added some m&m's for the kids, but the nuts are my favorite.  You can add your favorite nut or just leave them plain too. 

Cookie Monster

When my husband and I were newly married we used to eat pizza a lot.  And at one of our favorite pizza places we fell in love with one of their desserts called a Cookie Monster.  We would often just go there to get this dessert.  They place it in the middle of your table, everyone grabs a spoon and digs in.  Great for date nights with other couples or to share with the whole family!!

If you like the combination of hot chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven and vanilla ice cream just as its beginning to melt, then you are in luck.  Here is what you will need. 

Chocolate chip cookie dough

vanilla ice cream (softened a little)

can of whipped cream

caramel

hot fudge

I had some pre-made cookie dough and there was just under a pound of it.  It was perfect to press into my 8 pan about 1/4 inch thick.   Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes until cookie is done. 

After it is done let it set for a few minutes, so its not piping hot when you spread the ice cream on it.  Don't wait too long because you do want it hot.  

You have to work fast once you put the ice cream on it so I didn't get a picture, but you want the next layer to be about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick of ice cream.  I prefer vanilla ice cream for this, but use your favorite if you want. 

Then quickly spray some dollops of whipped cream on it all over and drizzle with hot fudge and caramel.  Be sure to have the spoons and everyone else waiting for you because you will want to eat this immediately.  And be warned it WILL make a mess.  There will be a soupy mess of melted ice cream in the bottom as you eat, but it is definitely worth it. 

*If you have small pans you could do individual size ones if you want.