Snack Time with Reese’s Spreads!

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.
As always, all opinions are mine alone. 

In my house we love our snacks. My husband has a sweet tooth so whenever he heads to the store he ends up picking up Reese’s cups, his favorite candy. While I love candy I also love chewy snacks with a bit of saltiness to them. One of my favorite things is the sweet and salty combination of granola bars. Last week I was at Walmart and I happened to attend a live demo sharing a new product, Reese’s Spreads. At the live demo there was a taste test with the Reese’s Spreads over sliced apples. Such an easy snack, but think of the classic flavors of peanut butter and chocolate that are in the Reese’s Peanut Butter cups. Now imagine those same flavors in a delicious spreadable form. Do you see where I’m going with this? Heaven! Oh, I can just envision the possibilities. Seriously, Reese’s Spreads can make #AnySnackPerfect!

In reality, when I opened up this jar, all I wanted to do was stick a spoon in and enjoy. And that I did. Thankfully, I contained myself enough to make some pretty amazing (and easy) snacks with it! After I ran to the store for another jar, that is. Can you blame me?

My first thought was to make some granola bars with it. With Reese’s Spreads IN the bars, and drizzled on top too. I chose pecans and toasted coconut with white chocolate chips to compliment the flavors, but really you could add any other combination of mix-ins. Once I got started on the granola bars, I couldn’t help myself by making another recipe, this time with popcorn. I had some dried cranberries left over from another recipe, so I chose to add those in with some honey roasted peanuts. Super easy popcorn balls.

Both of these snacks look and taste like so much more though went into them, thanks to the Reese’s Spreads. But just like my husband grabs that candy at the checkout line, these recipes were like second nature. They’re perfect to serve to your teens as an afterschool snack or to pack in their lunch. They’re also fancy enough to include on your appetizer table over the holidays!

Ingredients for Reese’s Spreads No-Bake Granola Bars:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup PLUS 1/2 tablespoon Reese’s Spread *divided
• 2.5 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut, toasted
• 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Ingredients for Reese’s Spreads Popcorn Balls:

• 1 bag buttered popcorn, popped and cooled
• 1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1 (10 ounce) bag mini marshmallows
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup Reese’s Spreads

Directions:

Begin with the granola bars.

In a medium, no stick saucepan heat the butter and honey over medium/low heat until butter has melted and the mixture begins to froth, stirring often with a whisk.
Turn heat off, then add 1/2 cup of the Reese’s Spread and stir well. Pour oats into the saucepan, stir well and let cool.

Once cool, add the pecans, coconut and white chocolate chips. Stir well and pour into an 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper, allowing some paper on each side of the pan to remove the bars once done.

Carefully press the ingredients down into the pan, being sure to apply even pressure in corners. Let cool, or refrigerate until the mixture has set.

Once the bars have set, after about 15-20 minutes, remove the parchment paper from the pan and carefully set it down on a cutting board. Cut bars in half, then cut the opposite way creating five bars.

Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a small saucepan, double boiler, or in the microwave. Once melted, stir in the additional 1/2 tablespoon of Reese’s Spreads. Drizzle over cut bars. Alternatively, you can leave the drizzle off and wrap in colorful tissue paper and tie with twine. They are delicious either way!

The popcorn balls are even easier! Begin by popping the popcorn and separating the kernels that didn’t pop from the popped kernels. Place them in a bowl with the dried cranberries and peanuts.

In another medium nonstick saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows, stirring often. Once melted, stir in the Reese’s Spreads.

Pour the melted mixture into the bowl over the popcorn, nuts, and dried fruit. Stir until well combined.

Grab a small handful of the mixture once it has cooled a little, and form it into little balls. You can spray non stick cooking spray on your hands or use gloves if you like, it does get a bit messy.

Once the balls are formed, place them on a cooling rack.

You get a little bit of every flavor in each bite.

Serve in cupcake liners for an easy display.

These are both super easy snacks that are delicious with the great taste of Peanut butter and Chocolate Reese’s Spreads in every bite!

#AnySnackPerfect | #CollectiveBias

You can find Reese’s Spreads in the peanut butter aisle at your local Walmart! Go get yourself some and get to snacking!

What kind of snacks would you create with Reese’s Spreads?

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