Sweet Pennies from Heaven

Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce Little Smokies

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welcome

 

grape jelly and bbq sauce little smokies

I’m so glad you’ve stopped by!

You’re needing a super quick and easy appetizer that you can whip up in no time, right?! This Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce Little Smokies recipe is JUST what you need!

They’re always the first thing GONE at all of our parties! They’re gonna be the first thing gone at YOURS too! Guaranteed!!

You’ll love them so much – that you’re going to want to add them to your weekly menu plan when you’re having family game night, or when you’re having ANY kind of get together!

Need to take the stress and guess out of “What’s for Dinner”?!

Get my FREE printable & reusable Weekly Menu Planner to stick on your fridge!!! Just click below to get yours and I’ll deliver it INSTANTLY!


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grape jelly and bbq sauce little smokiesClick NEXT button below to get the recipe Right NOW! 

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Bacon Wrapped Parmesan Crackers

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bacon wrapped parmesan crackers

Bacon Wrapped Parmesan Crackers

Everybody needs a little bacon in their life, right?! My neice introduced me to these bacon wrapped parmesan crackers a few years ago. Actually, her mother in law made them all the time and every chance I got – I’d swine a handful or two. Or three. They were always THE appetizer of all the family gatherings and since it’s New Year’s Eve I figured what the heck. I’ll make up a batch. They’re way too good not to share.

So I’m sharing the love.

And the fat.

And the calories.

P.S. The printable recipe is further down below if you’d like to print it off to stick in your recipe box. Now…..after I write this up, I have to go swat my husband’s hand out of these before they’re all gone!!!

 

Ingredients:

  • buttery crackers, we used Ritz
  • package of thin sliced bacon
  • parmesan cheese

 

Directions:

Lay crackers out on a baking rack that has slits in it, to allow bacon grease to drip. We used a broiler pan. You can use a cooling rack on top of a regular cookie sheet if needed. Just make sure the grease has something to drip on while in the oven.

 

bacon wrapped parmesan crackers

Dump a teaspoon of parmesan cheese over each cracker. Some will fall off, that’s okay.

Slice bacon in half, right down the middle of the package.

 

bacon wrapped parmesan crackers

Now’s the tricky part. Peel off a slice of bacon, then carefully pick up a cracker making sure not to lose too much cheese off the top. Just lay the bacon across the top of the cheese and wrap each end around the backside of the cracker. The ends of the bacon should meet. Just snugly press the ends together and then lay back down on the baking sheet.

Bake in a 250 degree pre-heated oven, for 2 hours. Take a peek around 1 hour and 45 minutes though to see if they’re done. Depending on how thin the bacon is, they could be done a little sooner.

DO NOT use thick sliced bacon. The end result is still okay, but they turn out more chewy than crisp.

Bacon Wrapped Parmesan Crackers
Author: Jenni
Ingredients
  • buttery crackers, we used Ritz
  • package of thin sliced bacon
  • parmesan cheese
Instructions
  1. Lay crackers out on a baking rack that has slits in it, to allow bacon grease to drip. We used a broiler pan. You can use a cooling rack on top of a regular cookie sheet if needed. Just make sure the grease has something to drip on while in the oven.
  2. Dump a teaspoon of parmesan cheese over each cracker. Some will fall off, that’s okay.
  3. Slice bacon in half, right down the middle of the package.
  4. Peel off a slice of bacon, then carefully pick up a cracker making sure not to lose too much cheese off the top. Just lay the bacon across the top of the cheese and wrap each end around the backside of the cracker. The ends of the bacon should meet. Just snugly press the ends together and then lay back down on the baking sheet.
  5. Bake in a 250 degree pre-heated oven, for 2 hours. Take a peek around 1 hour and 45 minutes though to see if they’re done. Depending on how thin the bacon is, they could be done a little sooner.
  6. ***DO NOT use thick sliced bacon. The end result is still okay, but they turn out more chewy than crisp.

 

More fan favorite appetizer recipes below:

pecan bacon and ranch cheeseballPecan Bacon and Ranch Cheeseball

caprese bites appetizerCaprese Bites

What are your favorite appetizers?

 

Simple and Tasty Caprese Bites Appetizer Recipe

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caprese bites appetizer

Caprese Bites – A healthier appetizer or snack!

Caprese. Such a fancy word. I always lick my chops though when I see “caprese” recipes on Pinterest. Mozzarella, tomato, and basil. YUM! I didn’t know though, that this recipe was made to resemble the Italian flag (red, green and white), did you?

I’m all about easy recipes and I love appetizers – especially during “game day” season! I really love that this is a healthier appetizer. Although chunks of cheese are involved, it’s still not laden with grease and meat and cheese. Ohh, shoot. I forgot it is laden with cheese. Oh well. Carry on! These caprese bites are seriously so good you guys, I could not stop eating them! Sigh.

 

caprese bites

Ingredients:

  • fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • fresh basil leaves
  • cherry tomatoes
  • toasted baguette, sliced
  • balsamic vinaigrette or vinegar (whichever you like)
  • toothpicks

 

Directions:

  • Use day old crusty bread, if you have some on hand. Otherwise, toast a french baguette or something similar and slice. Then cut each slice in half or in 1/4 so they’re actually “bite size”.
  • Fold a basil leaf and place on top of the bread.
  • Then add a chunk of fresh mozzarella (big enough to sit nicely on the leaf/bread).
  • Add a cherry tomato on top.
  • Skewer a wooden toothpick through to hold together.
  • Drizzle a bit with some balsamic vinegar.
  • Then INHALE these babies!!

caprese bites

Simple and Tasty Caprese Bites Appetizer Recipe
Author: Jenni
Ingredients
  • fresh mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • fresh basil leaves
  • cherry tomatoes
  • toasted baguette, sliced
  • balsamic vinaigrette or vinegar (whichever you like)
  • toothpicks
Instructions
  1. Use day old crusty bread, if you have some on hand. Otherwise, toast a french baguette or something similar and slice. Then cut each slice in half or in 1/4 so they’re actually “bite size”.
  2. Fold a basil leaf and place on top of the bread.
  3. Then add a chunk of fresh mozzarella (big enough to sit nicely on the leaf/bread).
  4. Add a cherry tomato on top.
  5. Stick a wooden toothpick through to hold together.
  6. Drizzle each bite with a little balsamic vinegar.
  7. Serve and enjoy!
  8. *Refrigerate any leftovers

Here’s another fun fan favorite appetizer…

pecan bacon and ranch cheeseball
Pecan Bacon and Ranch Cheeseball

 

What are your favorite appetizers?

 

Slow Cooker Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce Meatballs Plus Bonus Cooking Hacks

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This post brought to you by Farm Rich. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Sweet Pennies From Heaven.

grape jelly and bbq sauce meatballs

The closer the holidays get, the more family get togethers we have. Just makes sense, you know, to spend time with the ones you love. What makes even MORE sense, is to spend time eating with those you love! Food = Love. Okay, not really…but it sounds good. One of our family favorites to bring to our get togethers is a giant pot of grape jelly and BBQ sauce meatballs! Because I honestly hate slaving over a stove, I sooooo take the easy way out with this one!

Basically I just throw 3 things in the slow cooker and let it do it’s “thang”. That just gives me more time to spend with family, instead of staying in the kitchen cooking while they’re all talking, playing games or watching the big game on the TV. Farm Rich Snacks comes to the rescue every time for this recipe. I just prefer the flavor over other brands.

 

grape jelly and bbq sauce meatballs

Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce Meatballs Ingredients (there’s only 3, folks!)

  • Grape Jelly – 18-20 oz. bottle
  • BBQ Sauce (any flavor you like) 18 oz. bottle
  • 28 oz. bag frozen meatballs (we use Farm Rich), apprx. 50+ meatballs

 

Instructions:

Pour grape jelly and BBQ sauce into slow cooker and stir to combine. Drop in the whole bag of frozen meatballs and mix with the sauce until all of the meatballs are covered. Cook on high in slow cooker for 3-4 hours. I usually turn the slow cooker down to warm the last hour so it will thicken the sauce up a little.

(The printable recipe is further down below if you want to print and put in your recipe box!)

 

farm rich meatballs grape jelly and bbq sauce meatballs

More about Farm Rich…

  • They’re made with quality ingredients like 100% real mozzarella.
  • Most of their snacks are an excellent source of protein and calcium.
  • Their foods have zero trans fats.
  • Their foods are ready in minutes.
  • All of their snacks, appetizers and breakfast foods are quick-frozen so the flavor is sealed in.
  • Their meatballs are gluten free.

 

They have so many amazing products. Their loaded potato skins and their pepperoni pizzeria bites are DELISH!! You can find their products at most any of your local grocery stores. You can check their Farm Rich Product Finder to find out if their products are near you! Be sure to print this coupon to get $1.50 off 2 Farm Rich snacks!

I just love that they give me an “out” so to speak. I can still make delicious foods for my family without spending forever and a day in the kitchen. Speaking of more time….here are some of the bonus cooking hacks I promised! These will save you lots of time in the kitchen through the holidays or ANY time for that matter.

Slow Cooker Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce Meatballs Plus Bonus Cooking Hacks
Author: Jenni
Ingredients
  • Grape Jelly 18-20 oz. bottle
  • BBQ Sauce (any variety) 18 oz. bottle
  • 28 oz. frozen meatballs (we use Farm Rich), approx. 50+ meatballs
Instructions
  1. Pour grape jelly and BBQ sauce into slow cooker and stir until combined.
  2. Pour bag of frozen meatballs in and mix until all meatballs are coated.
  3. Cook on high in slow cooker for 3-4 hours.
  4. *Optional – Turn slow cooker down to the warm setting for the last hour to allow the sauce to thicken.

 

 

Time-Saving Cooking Hacks:

1. Quickly shred chicken for salads in your KitchenAid or other stand mixers! Works like a charm!

2. Whip store bought frosting with your mixer to make it go farther. It can double in size!

3. Use an apple slicer to cut potatoes before boiling. This saves so much time! Just please, be careful! Those apple slicers can be dangerous! I know. I knowwww. I’m sounding like your mother!

4. Use dental floss to smoothly slice cake, cheese and even frozen cookie dough!

 

Do you have any cooking hacks that you use all the time?!
We’d love to hear them! Leave us a comment.

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Spicy Southwest Dip and Chips

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spicy southwest dip and chips

Spicy Southwest Dip and Chips recipe

We’ve been watching lots of basketball games lately and we tend to do a lot of snacking. I know we’re not the only ones. A ginormous plate of chips and dip in front of the TV is the perfect night for me!! Summer is on the way too, and I know everyone loves finding new recipes to make for parties so I wanted to share this Spicy Southwest Dip and Chips recipe! The printable recipe is below too, in case you’d like to print it and put back in your recipe box!
spicy southwest dip and chips
  • Tortillas (any flour tortillas cut into triangles)
  • Heat 1-2 inches of cooking oil over medium heat.
  • **Hint oil is ready when one droplet of water from your finger “dances” on the top of the oil**
  • Fry each triangle for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

spicy southwest dip and chips

  • Remove from pan and sprinkle seasoning on immediately to both sides. Recipe below for the seasoning.
  • Place on paper towel to soak up extra oil.
spicy southwest dip and chips
Tortilla Seasoning:

1 Tsp. garlic powder

1 Tsp. taco seasoning

1 Tsp. ranch seasoning

1/4 Tsp. Salt

1/4 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper (optional)

Southwest Dip
1 C. Chopped tomatoes
1 medium onion chopped
1 C. shredded taco cheese
1 C. Sour Cream
4 oz. Cream Cheese
1 T. Taco Seasoning
1 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Fold together until well blended.
Spicy Southwest Dip and Chips
Author: Jenni
Ingredients
  • Tortilla Seasoning:
  • 1 Tsp. garlic powder
  • 1 Tsp. taco seasoning
  • 1 Tsp. ranch seasoning
  • 1/4 Tsp. Salt
  • 1/4 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper (optional)
  • Southwest Dip
  • 1 C. Chopped tomatoes
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 1 C. shredded taco cheese
  • 1 C. Sour Cream
  • 4 oz. Cream Cheese
  • 1 T. Taco Seasoning
  • 1 Tsp. Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Instructions
  1. Tortillas (any flour tortillas cut into triangles)
  2. -2 inches of oil over medium heat.
  3. **Hint oil is ready when one droplet of water from your finger “dances” on the top of the oil**
  4. Fry each triangle for 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
  5. Remove from pan and sprinkle seasoning on immediately to both sides.
  6. Place on paper towel to soak up extra oil.
  7. For Dip:
  8. Fold together until well blended.

the chick behind this blog! I'm your ordinary, everyday wife and mom to an incredible pair of stinky guys! I am a self diagnosed coffee addict with a ginormous sweet tooth, preferably baked goods!! My hope is to help you, teach you, and entertain you on your way to a more thrifty and frugal lifestyle! Along the way, you'll find awesome recipes, great tips, and tons of randomness! We have loads of fun, so ya'll come back now, ya hear?!

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