Gluten Free Pretzel Chicks Recipe

Saw these today, when another customer of our local meat CSA brought them to our farmers as an Easter treat.  They are so cute!  Quick and simple, easy and delicious!

Aren't they just so cute!  Here's one, close up.

So, before I tell you how I made them myself, I have to tell you that the other nice customer lady said she used a recipe/how-to.  I don't know the source.  This was not originally my idea, just my take on what I saw today.  They were too cute, and looked too good, not to try!

You will need:
small twist pretzels (I use Glutino brand which are gluten free, but you can use regular ones, too)
Wilton yellow Candy Melt disks for the bodies
Nestle mini chocolate chips for the eyes
Orange mini MnM's for the little beaks

Preheat your oven to 350.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, and lay pretzels on the sheet in a single layer.  Cut candy disks in half, and place them on the pretzels, with the round side matching the round side of the pretzel.  Bake for about 5-ish minutes.  You want the candy to get spreadable, but not completely melted.  Remove from oven and CAREFULLY spread the candy with the tip of a knife or a spoon.  You can also melt the candy separately, then spread it on the pretzels.  While candy is still soft, add one mini chip to make the eye and one MnM (sideways and upright) to make the beak.  Allow to cool, then enjoy!

Just a side note here:  MnM minis come in a bag with many colors.  A GREAT activity for littles is to sort the MnM's by color into separate containers.  This teaches colors, and one-to-one correspondence.  Wow, what's one-to-one correspondence?!  One MnM goes in one container.  It's actually one of the earliest math concepts because if you don't understand what "one" means and is, you won't be able to count.  Also, one candy piece on each pretzel, one chip on each pretzel, and one MnM one each pretzel reinforce this concept as well.

For the not-quite-so-littles, cutting the disks in half is a great way to introduce/practice fractions. The pretzels are also divided roughly in thirds.  Math and science are so much more fun and interesting when you get to eat the results!

Now, I have to warn you - MAKE A BUNCH!  These will disappear probably before they are entirely cooled!

Have a blessed Easter, and I will see you again on Monday!

Gluten Free Sweet and Salty Caramel Corn Recipe

Today is National Popcorn Day!

Do you remember back in December when we did our Twenty Five Days of Treats, one of the recipes was my mom's infamous Caramel Corn?  Well, today, we are going to put a fun, but grown-up taste, twist on this classic.

To the original recipe linked above, add about 8 oz. mini pretzel twists.  Eyeball it.  It's caramel corn, not rocket fuel.  I use Glutino brand to keep it gluten free, but you can use whatever brand you choose.  Want more pretzels, feel free to add more.

When you put your popcorn into the big baking pan, mix in the pretzels.  Be aware that they tend to stick together like 13-year-old girls, and they like to sink to the bottom of the pan.  I mixed them in with my hands.  Pour on the caramel sauce and stir well.  Follow the directions given to finish the recipe, allow to cool, and enjoy.

Follow the instructions as given, and allow to cool.  Eat and enjoy!

Maybe you're not into that whole sweet-and-salty thing, but you want to jazz things up a bit.  Ok, add almonds.  Or pecans.  Or both.  Why not cashews, or macadamia nuts.  Or mini M-n-M's.  Drizzle your finished product with melted chocolate - regular, dark or white.  Or use white and the color(s)-of-your-choice melting disks.

The possibilities are endless.

Check out some other popcorn recipes at the National Popcorn Board.

So enjoy your popcorn - it's a great source of fiber and fun!