Thursday, January 6, 2011

S'mores In A Jar

My SIL, Christy, gave this to me as part of my Christmas present. Is this not the cutest idea? The possibilities are endless! You can do this for any holiday. Just get the seasonal appropriate Peeps and m&m's, and, voila! The yummy dessert bars it makes are worth "ruining" your cute jar too.

Ingredients:
1 canning jar, quart-size with lid and ring
1 sleeve graham crackers (about 10 crackers or 1-1/2 cups of crushed crackers)
1 large package seasonal Peeps brand marshmallow candies
1/3 c. brown sugar, packed
1-1/4 c. chocolate chips or seasonal m&ms brand milk chocolate candies

Instructions:
1. Place graham crackers in a zipper freezer food storage bag. Use a rolling pin or meat tenderizer to crush crackers into crumbs. (You'll need about 1-1/2 cup of crushed crumbs: one "sleeve" of graham crackers, or about 10 whole crackers equals 1-1/2 cup when crushed.)
2. Place graham cracker crumbs into quart-sized canning jar. Use a meat tenderizer to pack crumbs tightly into the bottom of the jar.
3. Place Peeps candies against the glass on all sides of the canning jar. Press lightly to create a well in the center of the jar. (You'll use approximately 2/3rds of the package)
4. Add brown sugar to the space in the center of the Peeps, pressing gently to pack.
5. Gently add chocolate chips or M&Ms to the top of the canning jar. Seal jar with lid and sealer ring.
6. Embellish jar with fabric circle, ribbon or raffia.
7. Add gift tag with baking instructions:

Empty jar into large bowl. Remove marshmallows and combine remaining ingredients, mixing well.
Snip marshmallows into small pieces with scissors. Return to bowl; stir into dry mix.
Melt 1/2 cup butter, and add melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Mix well.
Press lightly into greased 9-by-9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Let cool for a few minutes and cut into bars.
Enjoy!

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