by | December 30, 2010 · 8:19 am

Peanut Butter Snowball Mix

If you are headed off to a New Year’s Eve party this year cannot figure out what to bring, think about putting together this yummy Peanut Butter Snowball Mix. This mix has been a staple in my family for as long as I can remember. It is cheap, easy and very addicting. You only need four ingredients:

Ingredients:
1 box Peanut Butter Capt’n Crunch cereal
1 bag mini marshmallows
1 1/2 C dry roasted peanuts
20 oz. white almond bark

In two 9×12 sized pans, mix together first three ingredients. Melt almond bark on stovetop or microwave according to directions. (Make sure to constantly stir or you will end up with a mess!) When it is completely melted, pour over both pans and stir the mix until all ingredients are coated. Continue to stir intermittently for the next 10-15 minutes or until the mix is dry. The mix should cluster.

Place in a serving bowl and enjoy! This is great mix to make a few days ahead of time or right before a party in a pinch.

Thank you for sharing in our fun this past year. We look forward to bringing you some haute new ideas in 2011! If there is something you are dying to see on our site or have any questions for us, please feel free to email us anytime at hauteapplepie@hotmail.com.

Happy New Year!

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by | December 29, 2010 · 8:24 am

Mini Apricot Tarts

With New Year’s Eve parties just around the corner, everyone is scrambling for an appetizer recipe that will please a crowd. This recipe for Mini Apricot Tarts uses refrigerated crescent dough and creates a unique flavor combination with pepper jack cheese and apricot preserves.


Mini Apricot Tarts

2 cans refrigerated crescent roll sheets (or regular dough if you are unable to find the sheet)
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
¼ cup apricot preserves
¼ cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 24 cup mini muffin tin with cooking spray and set aside.

Unroll your crescent roll sheet. If you are using traditional crescent dough with the perferations, lay flat and press dough together to eliminate seperation marks.

Slice crosswise into 12 strips, each about 1 inch thick, and separate the dough.  Press each into a greased muffin tin, being sure to cover the bottom and all of the sides with the dough. Continue with the other crescent roll sheet until each of the 24 muffin tins are filled with dough.

Next, add 2 teaspoons of shredded jack cheese. Cover the cheese with ½ teaspoon of apricot preserves and ½ teaspoon of chopped pecans.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned and bubbly.


These are best if eaten warm, so if you are bringing them to a party, I suggest assembling at home and baking them once you get to your location.

Recipe adapted from pillsbury.

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by | December 27, 2010 · 8:01 am

Interactive Crostini Bar

Mix things up with your New Year’s appetizers this year with an “interactive” crostini bar. My sister brought this fun appetizer over for Christmas and the DIY aspect of it made not just tasty but conversation piece as well.

Pre-slice the cheese and meats and dish out any spreads or toppings in a set of small bowls so that guests can create their own combinations. Thinly sliced baguettes and a variety of sturdy crackers make the best bases.
crostini bar
Some of my favorite combos are:
(clockwise from top left)
1. Warm Brie, Prosciutto & Arugula
2. Roasted Red Pepper Hummus & Green Onions
3. Stone Ground Mustard & Applewood Smoked Wisconsin Cheddar
4. Widmer’s Brick Cheese Spread & Prosciutto
5. Smoked Ham & Baby Swiss
6. Bruschetta with Shaved Parmesan

bruschetta crostini
The nice part about the crostini bar is that it requires very little prep time since you can pick up most of the ingredients pre-made from the store. However, if you’re feeling adventurous and have extra time, you could make homemade bruschetta topping or hummus for even fresher flavors.
prosciutto and cheese crostini
Happy New Year!

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by | December 23, 2010 · 9:52 am

{Free Download} Christmas Typography Sign

Only one more sleep ’til Christmas Eve, have you finished your shopping? If you are struggling for a last-minute gift or looking to add a little Christmas cheer to your house, we may just have a solution for you.

I’ve been inspired by the many signs I’ve seen in store and online showcasing the wonderful art of typography. Artistic subway signs always seem to catch my eye. So this Christmas, I decided to make one for myself using all of my favorite Christmastime phrases. And now you can have it to…for free!

To showcase this in your house or to assemble it and give it as a gift, simply download the PDF file here. Print it at home or at your neighborhood printer. You can purchase or create your own mat. I bought a red and white mat at Michaels and inserted it into a simple white metal frame. It found its perfect place propped up on my leaning bookshelf amongst some Christmas nesting dolls.

Wishing all of you a very blessed Christmas, from our haute homes, to yours.

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by | December 22, 2010 · 9:23 am

Orange, Cranberry and Chocolate Chip Cookies

If you are anything like me, then most of the cookies you made for the holidays have already been eaten by your family and you are now wondering what you will offer your guests.  Time to whip up another batch of cookies!  I honestly  need to hide these orange, cranberry and chocolate chip cookies from my husband or he will eat them all in one day.  The hint of orange is subtle, but works perfectly with the cranberries and chocolate.  They are a great addition to any cookie platter.

Orange, Cranberry and Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
2-3 tsp orange zest
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a small bowl.

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar together for about 2 minutes or until well combined.  Next beat in egg and orange zest.  Slowly add the flour mixture until fully incorporated.  Finally, add the chocolate chips and cranberries.

Drop the dough onto a cookie sheet into tablespoon sized balls.  Bake for 9 – 12 minutes.

Don’t forget to save some for your guests!

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by | December 20, 2010 · 8:18 am

Salty-Sweet Popcorn & Pretzels

The ever-popular combo of salty & sweet is perfect for holiday entertaining. These two treats are pretty enough to bring to a party but are super easy and can be made at the last minute.  Feel free to get creative with the decorations or chocolate  dipping/drizzling combos for either option.  Dried fruit, candies or other nuts would be tasty additions to the popcorn mix as well!
dipped pretzels
Dipped Pretzels
almond bark or chocolate chips
pretzel rods
sprinkles or non-pareils

Microwave: Place bark/chips in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 90 sec, stir and heat for another 15 seconds. Reheat as needed.
Stove: Place bark/chips in a small saucepan over low heat until melted.
Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper or parchment paper. Dip pretzels in melted chocolate and swirl to coat one end. Let excess run off. Hold the pretzel over the cookie sheet and coat with non-pareils or sprinkles and rotate. Let cool for 30 minutes.

chunky chocolate popcorn

Chunky Chocolate Popcorn
1 bag microwave popcorn
1/2 C peanuts
3/4 pkg of peanut butter & milk chocolate chip mix

Lay out a large piece of wax paper or parchment paper. Pop popcorn and mix with peanuts on top of wax paper. Melt chocolate/peanut butter chip mix (see directions above). Use a spoon or spatula to drizzle chocolate over popcorn mix. Let chocolate harden for about 30 minutes. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

sweet & salty popcorn

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by | December 17, 2010 · 7:53 am

Holiday Wrap Up: Unique Gift Wrapping Ideas

This Christmas, it’s time to get creative with your wrapping. Regular old paper wrapping can be quite pretty and is no doubt fun to tear off a big old box, but why not spice it up a bit? You might even be able to regift some of those Christmas items you’ve never used on top of giving the fabulous gift you purchased.

A bottle of wine or champagne is a staple gift for a hostess at the holidays or any time of year. This year, ditch the curly ribbon or the brown paper bag it came it and cozy up the bottle with a Christmas sock. Simply slip the wine bottle inside of a holiday sock and use craft ribbon to secure a tag in place around the neck of the bottle. Feel free to bring the extra sock along, or double it up, to give to the hostess the matching pair.

*Used socks need not apply.

Have a smaller box or oddly shaped gift to wrap? Use a holiday tea towel or dish towel for a unique unveiling experience. Just wrap the gift and either knot the towel or use craft ribbon to keep it from unfolding. It is a bonus two gift in one!

If traditional wrapping paper is more your thing, there are lots of tricks you can use to mix it up a bit. This year I decided to buy all solid color wrapping and accessorize with ribbons and other extras.

I love scrapbook paper. It is pretty, cheap, and adds color and patterns in a no fuss kind of way. Using holiday scrapbook paper, add an extra piece of paper around the middle of the box to give it some dimension. Using sparkly ribbon, tie a little something extra on the top like a jingle bell or an ornament.

If you have horrible handwriting like I do, I do everything I can to skirt around writing tags. Try cutting scrapbook paper into the recipients initial and tying it on with a ribbon. You can also print homemade tags on the computer.

And last but not least, if you are saving stamps this Christmas and not sending out a Christmas card, why not make and print a few on your printer at home and attach them to the top of your gift?

All together now…awwwww!

There is nothing wrong with regular wrapping paper and a sticky bow (most likely I will have a few of those too)! But it makes the chore of wrapping gifts a little more fun when you throw some creativity into it.

What do you to do spice up your gifts?

Happy Wrapping!

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by | December 15, 2010 · 8:36 am

Cranberry and Toasted Pecan Cheese Ball

It is the time of the year when holiday parties are in high demand and we are all finding ourselves asking, “what can I bring?”  This cheese ball recipe might just be the perfect appetizer.  You can whip it up in no time and it is very easy to transport.  Best of all, you can make it ahead of time so you are not rushing out the door.


Cranberry and Toasted Pecan Cheese Ball

1, 8 oz brick of cream cheese, softened
1, 4 oz log of goat cheese
3/4 cup sweetened, dried cranberries, chopped
1 cup pecans, shelled

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.  Place pecans on a baking sheet and cook about 3-6 minutes or until aromatic.  Watch carefully, as they tend to burn once they really start cooking. Take them out of the oven and let cool.

In a large bowl, mix softened cream cheese and goat cheese until smooth.  Add chopped cranberries and mix until well combined.  Take mixture of of the bowl and, with your hands, shape into a large ball.  Cover and refrigerate for about an hour.

Once pecans are cooled, run your knife through them until they are coarsely chopped.  When the cheese ball is done chilling, unwrap it and roll in the chopped pecans, being sure to coat the entire ball.

Wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to serve.  I served mine with whole grain crackers.

The dried cranberries make this recipe slightly sweet.  If you are looking for more of a savory flavor, try adding some fresh chopped herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice to offset the sweetness of the cranberries.  Don’t like pecans? Try walnuts or pine nuts instead or swap Gorgonzola for the Goat Cheese.   Go ahead and get creative with this recipe and let us know what combination you like the best!

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by | December 13, 2010 · 9:34 am

Quilled Paper Ornaments

My family is big on ornaments. Growing up our tree was a hodge-podge of vacation finds from around the world, antique pieces and homemade treasures. But for as long as I can remember, these little paper snowflakes made an appearance on my parent’s tree. I’ve always liked the look of them but never knew where they came from until a few years ago.


The History
Turns out, my mom had made these “paper quilling” ornaments when she was first married. With my dad in grad school and my mom a teacher, funds were tight but she still wanted a pretty tree. While only a few are left, they’re now a sweet reminder of the fact that beauty doesn’t have to cost much. Romantic, right?

According to my brief research, paper quilling – or paper filigree – has been an artform for over 500 years. Long ago it was done as a way of embellishing religious documents and later, in the 18th century and Victorian eras, as a suitable artform for proper young ladies(1).

How To:
Paper quilling is fairly easy and mindless, although it can be time-consuming. It’s a good thing to do while watching TV. Basically you just roll the strips of paper into shapes and glue them together. Different shape combos of circles, scrolls, teardrops and such make up different snowflake patterns.

You’ll Need:
1/4″ strips of paper (or a quilling kit)
school glue
a tiny paintbrush, darning needle or something similarly sized

I would recommend buying a kit or two online to get started. They come with instructions, paper and design templates. After you get the hang of it you could make up your own designs.

Bonus Idea!
I’ve also decorated a few of this year’s gifts with my quilled ornaments, which is a fun way to pretty up your gift wrap and give an extra little present at the same time.

(1) Sources: Custom Quilling, Gem State Quilling.

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by | December 10, 2010 · 7:50 am

{Decorative} Christmas Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

There is no cookie I love more than a huge bakery sugar cookie with royal icing in the shape of something whimsical, like Elmo or the Cubs logo. It is a great cookie for the holidays, or any time of the year, just pick your shape! Have kids patiently awaiting Santa’s visit? Decorate these cookies and make some to leave for the big guy.

Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Sugar Cookie Ingredients

7 TBSP butter
1/3 C. shortening
1 C. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 C. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, shortening and sugar. Mix in eggs and vanilla. Blend well. Mix in flour, baking powder and salt. Divide dough into 2 balls and wrap with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough about 1/4 inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut shapes and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Royal Icing Ingredients

3 TBSP meringue powder (I purchased mine at Michaels)
6 TBSP warm water
1 tsp vanilla
4 C. powdered sugar
1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Using a whisk attachment on a stand mixer, mix meringue powder and warm water. Blend well. Add vanilla. Slowly add powdered sugar and cream of tartar. Beat on low-speed until glossy and stiff peaks form.

Divide frosting into dishes and add food coloring. Spread on cookies using frosting knife.

Frosting can be put in airtight container and keep for a week or so. Bring it to room temperature before icing.

We hope you’ve enjoyed HAP Holiday Cookie Week! We encourage you to send your favorite cookie recipes our way. If you nothing this week fit your fancy, try one of the other HAP cookie recipes from times past.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Black Pepper Shortbread
PB Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Christmas Mice & Others
Classic Shortbread
Gilded Lavender Butter Cookies

Happy Holidays!

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