Ham & Cheese Tater Tot Casserole

My oldest asked for Tater Tot Casserole last week and I went on a little crazy themed week and found several different versions to try. The tried and true version was the winner but I liked this one. I tried to make this as healthy as I could. I found this recipe on This Mama Loves.

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I used Red Fat Cheese)
8 oz. package diced ham
32 oz. bag of tater tots (I use crowns they are half the size and bake nicer)
1 cup sour cream (I used Red Fat)
1-10.75 oz. can of cream of chicken soup (I used red fat)
3 tsp. yellow mustard
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt 
(I added in Corn)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease a 9×13 pan with butter.
3. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until well mixed and everything is evenly distributed.
4. Place mixture in prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes until heated through and top is golden brown.
5. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes before serving. 

  
I know I'm late save for next year .. lol

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Red, White and Blue Fruit Skewers

My amazing friend came over the night before the fourth to help me decorate the cookies. She brought along the dish she wanted to bring out to the party so we could prep them. She wanted to make Red, White and Blue Fruit Skewers. I've sen them on several different sites but I'll link to my favorite Skinnytaste.

For the skewers:

• 14 oz angel foods cake, cut about 1-inch cubes
• 72-84 medium strawberries (about 3.5 lbs) stems removed
• 1 pint blueberries
• 24 to 28 skewers

Thread 3 strawberries and 2 cubes of cake onto each skewer, alternating between strawberries and cake. Finish each skewers with 3 blueberries. Place finished skewers on a platter and refrigerate until ready to eat.

 Alexis Notes: We did a pattern of all 3 fruit together.

 I know I'm late save for next year .. lol

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Cake Batter Dip

Next on the Fourth of July party menu was a Cake Batter Dip. Ok people this is a warning this stuff is so sweet but so good you may sit there with a spoon and it may not make it to the party. Just saying, not that this happened at my house .. lol!! You can use different sprinkle colors depending on theme or holiday. I found this super simple recipe on Sugar and Soul.

 Ingredients

• 8 oz whipped cream cheese
• 4 oz cool whip, thawed
• 1 cup white cake mix, dry
• ½ cup sprinkles

Instructions

1. Beat or stir together the cream cheese, cool whip, and cake mix until fully combined. Stir in the majority of the sprinkles. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with remaining sprinkles. Serve with fruit, crackers, or cookies.

I know I'm late save for next year .. lol

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Another easy treat

I love rice krispy treats they can be made into any theme. For the Fourth of July I made red, white and blue. WELL I totally messed up the colors but it's still the right colors just not in the right order ... lol. You can make these with the kids which is fun and easy!

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 package 10 oz. Marshmallows or 4 cups Miniature Marshmallows
• 6 cups Rice Krispy Cereal

Directions

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add Rice Krispies cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.

Note

-For best results, use fresh marshmallows.
-1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.
-Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.
-Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container.
-To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

 

For this theme I used Red and blue food coloring (my favorite to use is AmeriColor Gel Food Coloring). I did a double batch and split it into 3 pots, one I dyed red and one I dyed blue and one I left normal for the white layer. You can do this with many different colors to fit any theme or holiday. ALEXIS NOTE: I spray pam (or butter spray) on wax paper and push them down, this I found to be the easiest and less messy way to do this.

Let sit and then cut into squares and let the fun begin!!

I know I'm late save for next year .. lol

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.

Firework Cookies

I know this a day late and a dollar short but these cookies turned out so awesome I had to share. Save for next year or other colors for a different season. I've seen where you drag the toothpick one way and then another way to make look like a poinsettia ... hmmm idea!!!!

 

 

I found these awesome idea on Making it with Danielle I've make other cookies she has done and they all amazing!

 

 

What you Need:

 

Sugar Cookies (I use my go to recipe here)

Royal Icing (I use my go to recipe here)

Red Gel Food Coloring (I use AmeriColor)

Blue Gel Food Coloring (I use AmeriColor)

Toothpick

 

NOW most people pipe the white on the cookie, I found a while back on Pinterest the dunk  and tap way. You place the cookie in the royal icing and tap off the extra, I then put on the table and tap again so no bubbles. I colored 2 batches of royal icing with Red and Blue. Pipe rings on the white like a bulls-eye. Red, Blue, Red and then blue dot in the middle. Take a toothpick from the center blue dot pull out to the tip of each cookie. I used a similar cookie cutter of hers that had scallops on the ends. Let the cookies set up and serve, I found the best is to make these a day ahead so they have several hours to harden. NOW I LIKE thick cookies and my royal icing is a bit thicker than the normal person. So it takes longer to dry!

 

 Cookies and Skewers Made!

I know I'm late save for next year .. lol

Don't forget to see the parties I link up to HERE.