Share Our Strength Bake Sale

I have to start out this post by saying how much I love the St. Louis blogger scene.  We've lived in St. Louis now for about two months and as many of you who have moved around a lot know, it can be difficult to meet new friends in a new city.  I was lucky enough to stop by Denise's blog at Eat Laugh Love where she did a post to promote the Share Our Strength Blogger Bake Sale.  Share Our Strength is a national nonprofit with the goal to end childhood hunger by the year 2015.  It's scary to think that children in our own neighborhoods aren't getting enough food and nutrients to live a healthy life.  When I heard about the opportunity to contribute, I really wanted to get involved.  I thought I had missed the bake sale but through a couple of comments and emails, I found out I could still get in on it!  I had a great time baking for this event and it was lucky to meet some fabulous ladies (and gents!) in the process.  I'm looking forward to attending future blogger events and getting to know all of these lovely St. Louis bloggers!

The amazing Stef of Cupcake Project, Kimberly of Rhubarb and Honey and Andrew of Andrew Mark Veety (check out his awesome homemade pretzels - people went nuts over these!) organized the event which was held at Sappington Farmers' Market.  Even with the unseasonably cold, dreary weather, the St. Louis foodies came out in full force to support the cause (and feed their sugar cravings!).  All in all, the event raised over $800!!

Since I only had a couple days to prepare for the bake sale, I wanted to make something I had already tried and succeeded at before.  I also wanted to do at least one child friendly treat.  I ended up going with Loaded Rice Krispie Treats and a twist on the classic Ohio State Chocolate Buckeyes Candy - YUM!  Here are the recipes.

Loaded Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients:
2 recipes classic Rice Krispie Treats
2/3 c. M&M's
2/3 c. sprinkles
2/3 c. white chocolate chips
plus a handful of each to put on top
*Choose any candy you would like.  I would like to try crushed pretzels and bits of heath bars next time!

Place rice krispies and candy in a large bowl. 

I would like to go swimming in a pool filled with this!

Follow directions for making a double batch of rice krispie treats.  You can make a single batch but I like mine extra thick.  Once butter and marshmallows are melted, pour mixture over rice krispies and candy and mix together.  Working quickly, press mixture into a greased 9x13 pan and press extra candy into the top. 

 Allow to cool and cut into 12 squares.  Watch kids go crazy when they see them at a bake sale!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Ingredients
1 1/2 c. creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 stick butter, softened
1 lb. powdered sugar
9 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp. Crisco
pretzels (I used the square-shaped "waffle" ones but any small kind will work.)

Mix peanut butter, vanilla, butter and powdered sugar.  Roll into little balls and press between two pretzels.  Put on wax paper or a silpat and freeze until firm. 

Melt chocolate chips and Crisco in a small bowl.  I melted mine in the microwave in 30 second bursts until it was smooth, about a minute.  Dip each peanut butter pretzel bite halfway into the chocolate.  Return to wax paper and freeze until chocolate sets.  Delicious!

 

 

I hope you enjoy these super simple, super delicious recipes!  If you would like to give to the cause, you can donate over at Share Our Strength.

What is your favorite bake sale treat?  I'm a sucker for anything with bright colors!