You guys know that I am all about easy recipes and treats.  I am a busy mama and I do not have time to sit down and prepare a 5 course meal.  Desserts I can handle because most of those you can put in the oven and walk away.  Even better if it’s no bake and I can make it, store it and put it aside.  This easy 4th of July treat will take you 5 minutes to make!  And yes, I totally cheated.

All you need to make these yummy treats are pre-packaged Rice Krispie Treats (gasp!), white chocolate melts and patriotic M&Ms (found mine at Wal-mart).

So yes…I cheated.  I used pre-packaged Rice Krispies.  To be perfectly honest, every time I have attempted to make them myself they have turned out horribly.  Like as in, not edible.  To save everyone from gagging and me from losing my sanity, I cheated.

Unwrap all of the Rice Krispie Treats and set aside.  Next comes the semi-tedious part.  I dumped all of the Patriotic M&Ms into a bowl and separated out the white ones (since I was using white chocolate melts).  Basically you just wanted the blue and red ones.

Next, you are going to melt the white chocolate wafers in the microwave according to the directions on the bag.  Remember to stir between each increment of microwaving.

I decided to make it extra fun by adding some colorful straws.  Food is more fun on a stick, right?!  Simply stab the straw through the bottom of the Rice Krispie Treat.

Now you are going to dip the other end of the Rice Krispie Treat into the melted white chocolate.

Now for a warning…

Do not attempt to dip the white chocolate coated Rice Krispie treat into the M&M bowl.  This will cause clumped up M&Ms in a bowl.  It doesn’t work.  They are too heavy.

Simply place the M&Ms onto the chocolate dipped end of the Rice Krispie Treat.  Allow them time to dry on some wax or parchment paper.  Add sprinkles and you are all done!!

The chocolate combined with the marshmallow-y goodness of the Rice Krispies tastes like s’mores!!  They are delicious!  Plus they are the perfect little patriotic treat for your 4th of July celebration!

Store in an air tight container and these will keep for a couple of days! You can make these Dipped Rice Krispie Treats ahead of time!

Click HERE to see more amazing recipes!

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I LOVE strawberries!  They are one of my favorite foods.  I could eat them all day long and not think a thing of it.  To me, strawberries are the flavor of summer.  The best part?  They are WW friendly and only 2 points!

 Ingredients:

Angel food cake mix

Strawberries

Reddi Whip

Wooden skewers

These are so much fun to make!  Start by grabbing a box of your favorite angel food cake mix.  Follow the directions on the box to prepare.  I used a non-stick  mini cupcake pan to bake these little puffs of angelic goodness.  I used my cookie scooper and put a scoop in each cupcake form.  I wanted the outside to be golden brown so I did NOT use cupcake liners.  Bake for 17-18 minutes.  Allow them about 15 minutes to cool before removing from the pan.  I was able to get 72 mini cupcakes from one mix!

Next, slice up your strawberries.  Now you are ready to assemble!

For parties, I found it easiest to create a kabob station.  Simply set out a bowl of sliced strawberries, a basket of angel food mini cupcakes, some Reddi Whip and wooden skewers.

Assembly is super easy too!  Angel food cupcake, whipped cream, strawberry – or whatever order you want!

Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs Yields – 36 kabobs

And ONLY 2 WW points!!

Do you have a favorite strawberry recipe?  I’d love to hear it!  Stop by and share on Facebook!

The post Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs appeared first on Create Craft Love.

Charcuterie boards continue to be all the craze. Not only can they be customized for ANY occasion, holiday or event, but they look pretty too!

Keys to a Patriotic Charcuterie Board

1. Make it festive and add some red, white and blue by using seasonal fruit.
2. Offer a variety of foods and textures. Some may go for a dessert only board but a true charcuterie board includes meat, cheese, sweet and savory additions and crackers. Again, you can get creative here and even use colored tortilla chips depending on the occasion.
3. Keep it simple and keep your guests in mind! If you’re feeding a crowd of foodies, it’s perfectly safe to break out fancier meats and cheeses. But if kids are going to be at your party, cater to their tastes! Better yet – make two separate boards if needed!

These bloggers have knocked the Patriotic Charcuterie Boards out of the park! Check out some of these boards for more inspiration!

As always, please pin from the original source!

Tasty Oven

Amanda’s Cookin’

Jennifer Maune

Hungry Couple NYC

Urban Bliss Life

Kara’s Party Ideas

Reluctant Entertainer

Snowflakes and Coffeecakes

The Delicious Life

Diary of a Debutante

Life by Leanna

Leigh Anne Wilkes

Fashionable Hostess

Number 2 Pencil

Eat Yourself Skinny

Scrambled Chefs

Dance Around the Kitchen

Damn Delicious

Whitney Rife

Plays Well with Butter

Now how is that for some Patriotic Charcuterie Board Ideas and inspiration? I can’t decide how I want to make our board for the 4th of July this year! Maybe I’ll add my American Flag Dipped Pretzels!

What’s your favorite way to style a charcuterie board? So many options and I’d love to hear your ideas! Head over to Facebook and tell us!

The post Patriotic Charcuterie Board Ideas appeared first on Create Craft Love.

Candy Dipped Oreos

These dipped Oreos remind of petit fours. I always loved those little cookie cakes. I changed it up by substituting Oreos. I’ve only ever made them with classic Oreos but they would be delicious with Golden Oreos as well!

Three simple ingredients to make Candy Dipped Oreos

• Classic Oreos (chocolate or golden)
• White chocolate candy melts
• Festive sprinkles

How to Make Candy Dipped Oreos

1. Simply, melt the white chocolate candy melts in the microwave per the instructions on the bag.  
2. When the candy is properly melted, “glue” two cookies together with a dab of white chocolate.  
3. Allow the chocolate to cool and dry before attempting to dip them in the remainder of the white chocolate.
4. Once the double decker cookies are dry, begin dipping them in the white chocolate. I use this Wilton candy dipping spoon to help.
5. Place on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper.  Lightly dust the sprinkles on the top of the freshly dipped cookies.
6. Allow about 30 minutes for the chocolate candy melt to cool and dry.
7. Place in cupcake liners for presentation purposes. Store in an airtight container.

How easy is that?! These are great because you can make them ahead of time. Add them to your dessert board this 4th of July!

These are delicious! Such a fun and festive treat for any occasion.

 The best part?  You can totally adapt this to whatever theme or holiday you want, just change up the sprinkles! Give them a try!  I promise you won’t be disappointed!

And, if you are looking for more fun Oreo recipes, here are some other favorites:

• Oreo Cookie Mummies
• Lemon Oreo Ice Cream Cake
• Reese’s Stuffed Dark Chocolate Oreo Cookies
• Peppermint Oreo Truffles
• Cinnamon Bun Oreo Balls

If you give this recipe a try, snap a pic and share to our Facebook page! I’d love to see all of the variations on this fun treat!

The post Candy Dipped Oreos appeared first on Create Craft Love.

There is nothing better than a juicy, flavorful burger when you go to a cookout.  And the cool thing is everyone has a different take on how they are prepared.  One of the best burgers I have ever eaten in SW MO is at a restaurant called Black Sheep.  The burgers are TO DIE FOR!  Any of these ground beef patties are sure to satisfy!

The BEST Burger Recipes for Summer Grilling

As always, please pin from the original source!  Click the link below the picture for the recipe!

Wisconsin Butter Burger Recipe from The Cookie Rookie

Fully Loaded Burger Bowls from Family Fresh Meals

Tailgating Burgers from 4 Sons R Us

Juicy Lucy Burger from The Hungry Bluebird

Stuffed Jalapeno Cheeseburgers from Kitchen Dreaming

Jack Daniels Burgers from Host the Toast

Cowboy Burgers from Mommy Evolution

Bacon Wrapped Pineapple Burger from Tip Hero

The Ultimate Southern Burger from Grits and Pinecones

Mexican Chorizo + Garlic Shrimp Burger from Lady and Pups

Chili Cheese Burger from The Burger Artist

In and Out Burger from Dinner, Then Dessert

Korean BBQ Burger with Kimchi Slaw from The Cozy Apron

Sweet Onion Mushroom Swiss Burger from Little Spice Jar

French Dip Burger from The Suburban Soapbox

Grilled Chili Whiskey Onion Burger from Sweet C’s Designs

Taco Burger from Gimme Some Grilling

Bourbon Burger from She Knows

Grilled Burgers with Bacon Tomato Jam and Smoked Gouda from From a Chef’s Kitchen

Bacon Double Cheeseburger and Caramelized Onions from Foodie Crush

Beef Bourguignon Burger with Horseradish Creme Fraiche from The Suburban Soapbox

Mojo Beef Burgers with Tequila Lime Aioli from Striped Spatula

Big Mac Sliders from Home.Made.Interest.

Jameson Whiskey Blue Cheese Burger with Guinness Cheese Sauce from Half Baked Harvest

Candied Maple Bacon Cheddar Burgers from Cookies and Cups

Grilled Cheese Burgers from Cinnamon-Spice and Everything Nice

Gorgonzola Burger from Springlane

I am drooling over that gorgonzola burger!!  What are some of your favorite burger recipes?  Share them over on my Facebook page!

Check out some of our other Summer Cookout Recipes!

The post The BEST Burger Recipes for Summer Grilling appeared first on Create Craft Love.

This post originally appeared on The 36th Avenue on May 30, 2015.

I love easy last minute ideas!  Just about as much as I love chocolate covered pretzels. And as a bonus, they can be made up ahead of time!

You can pick up almost any color in candy melts from Wal-mart or Michaels.  All you need is red, white and blue candy melts, some pretzels rods and white sprinkles.

I started with the white melts.  Melt in the microwave according to package directions.  Dip two thirds of the pretzel rod in the white candy melts.  Lay the pretzels out to dry on parchment paper or cooling rack with wax paper underneath.

Allow them to dry completely.

Next you will melt the blue candy melts.  Dip the top third of the white section of the pretzel in the blue candy melts.  While it is the blue section is still wet, sprinkle with the white sprinkles.  Again, allow to dry.

Finally, melt the red candy melts.  Pour the melted red candy into a plastic baggie.  Cut the corner of the baggie and drizzle the candy melts over the white section.

After the pretzels dry, you have the perfect patriotic treat for your party! Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to break out for your party!

 Display your American Flag Dipped Pretzels on a party tray or in mason jars as pictured above! Your guests are sure to love them!

The post American Flag Dipped Pretzels appeared first on Create Craft Love.

As always, please pin from the original source!

Red, White and Blue Dessert Kabobs

Firecracker Bundt Cake

Vanilla Bean Doughnuts

Snow Cone Cupcakes

4th of July Sugar Cookie Bars

Red, White and Blue Fudge Stars

4th of July Fruit Pizza

Firecracker Cakelette Recipe

Patriotic Hand Pies

Red, White and Blue Pinwheel Icebox Cookies

Raspberry, White Chocolate and Blueberry Tart

Red, White and Blue Cheesecake Cake

4th of July Rice Krispies

4th of July Strawberries

Red, White and Blue Ooey Gooey Bars

Patriotic Oreo Pops

Chocolate Dipped Banana Splits

Firecracker Popcorn

Patriotic Chocolate Dipped Oreos

Simple Cheesecake Tart

Fresh Fruit and Watermelon Cake 

Red, White and Blue Jello

Red, White and Blue Cupcake Cones

4th of July Cupcakes

Red, White and Blue Cheesecake Yogurt Cupcakes

4th of July Panna Cotta and Raspberry Parfaits

Red, White and Blue Star Cookies

Red, White and Blue Ice Cream Sandwiches

Fruit Sparklers

Cupcakes in a Jar

Red, White and Blue Cookie Bark

4th of July Firecracker Jello Cups

Red, White and Blue Meringues

Berry Cream Cheese Pastries

4th of July Marshmallow Pops

4th of July No Bake Cheesecake

4th of July Slab Pie

Strawberry Blueberry Yogurt Pops

Jello Pudding Pops

4th of July Milkshake

4th of July Sparkler Cake

 Red, White and Blueberry Cookie Tarts

4th of July Rice Krispy Balls

Shortbread Sparklers

American Flag Pie

Sugar Cookie Pie

Red, White and Blue Candy Apples

Red, White and Blue Funfetti Sandwich Cookies

4th of July Marshmallow Pinwheels

Red Velvet 4th of July Cupcakes

Red, White and Blueberry Ice Cream Cake

4th of July Snack Mix

Star Spangled Gumdrops

4th of July Faux Petit Fours

Aren’t those fabulous?!  The red, white and blue just screams summer!  Which is your favorite?

The post Red, White and Blue Desserts appeared first on Create Craft Love.

This week’s features include wreaths, printables, and yummy treats that are sure to inspire you this summer! So many fun ideas to choose from!

Just a friendly reminder: Please pin from the original source!

Fourth of July Onesie from Girl Loves Glam

How to Photograph Fireworks from Kleinworth and Co.

Mini Fourth of July Wreath from Design Dining and Diapers

Fireworks Mini Quilt from Windsor and Main

Patriotic Mason Jar Lanterns from The Happy Scraps

Star Spangled Table Runner from The Cards We Drew

Patriotic Bunting from The NY Melrose Family

Red, White and Blue Giant Marshmallows from Pint Sized Baker

Stars and Stripes Wreath from The Cards We Drew

Fourth of July Chalkboard Printable from I Should Be Mopping the Floor

Patriotic Windsock from Ribbons and Glue

USA Wood Letters from The Happy Scraps

Red, White and Blue Cookie Cups from Shaken Together Life

Stars and Stripes Wreath from My Subconscious Ramblings

Fourth of July Pinwheels from Crafty Lumberjacks

Rocket Party Favors from A Bright and Beautiful Life

Firecracker Decor from I Gotta Try That

Which is your favorite of these All American Ideas and Treats? I can’t decide between the pinwheels and the adorable wreath! You ladies knocked it out of the park this week! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for next week’s party!

There is still time to link up to the party!  You definitely don’t want to miss out on that!

Thanks for joining us week after week! You can find more 4th of July ideas here!

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