Sweet & Salty Chocolate-Peanut Butter Popcorn

I went on a little adventure to Ireland at the beginning of the month. It all feels a bit hazy. Like a dream that felt real but wasn't. This was the first trip I've taken that kept me away from my little ones and my husband for more than 2 or 3 nights. I have a lot to say about that trip, but I'm saving it for an Ireland-only post. For now, let me just say this: if you ever get the chance to go to Ireland, do it.

Do. It.

Now that I'm back from my travels, I'm embracing my favorite season. Fall is just about the best thing ever and it is even better when your excitement over its arrival bubbles over to your kids! #sorrynotsorry  

We had a rather chilly evening a few days ago and that seemed like the perfect excuse to watch a movie and eat popcorn as a family. So, we cued up Curious Geoge and the Halloween Boo Fest (as requested by the 4 year old) and I made this delicious popcorn. Riley actually wanted candy corn, but I just can't. I can't. So instead, I bought some peanut butter candies that have no artificial coloring and taste like actual things people should eat. 😬 

And how could I not add chocolate? Dark chocolate drizzle, peanut butter candy, and salty popcorn? Perfection. The leaves can officially change colors because in the Set the Table house, we are ready for all things fall! 

Sweet & Salty Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn  

makes 8 servings  

• 1 bag Skinny Pop popcorn
• 1 bag dark chocolate chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 bag of your favorite peanut butter candy, roughly chopped 
• 1 cup salted roasted pepitas  
• sea salt  

1. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment and spread the popcorn on the sheet in an even layer. 
2. Place a heat proof bowl over a pot with 1 inch of simmering water. add the chocolate chips to the bowl and stir until melted and smooth. Remove from the heat, add the cinnamon and stir to combine. 
3. Using a spoon, drizzle about 1/3 of the chocolate over the popcorn, then sprinkle 1/3 of the candy, followed by 1/3 of the pepitas. Repeat until all of the toppings are used up.  
4. Place the sheet pan in the fridge until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes- 1 hour. Then, break the popcorn into chunks and enjoy! If making ahead, store in a large airtight container for up to 3 days. 

Raspberry Gingersnap Parfaits

I’ve partnered with the wonderful folks at Tillamook to bring you this post. I love, love, LOVE their products and am always happy to bring you delicious new ideas to put them to use! Now that their yogurts are more widely available in the Denver area, I hope my Colorado readers will get out there and give this creamy, healthy snack a try!

I want to talk about this Raspberry Ginger Snap Parfait but can we first acknowledge the fact that we just moved? Three weeks ago we were just starting our second round of house-hunting and the very first open house we attended was the (completely unexpected) winner. And now we live here. Holy goodness gracious we are insane.

The 11 month old has been confined to the pack and play for most of his days, and the 4 year old is excited but loopy-tired and experimenting with his...um...emotional expressions. Needless to say, we are all exhausted and tired and worn out and drained and sleepy. Yep. All of those things. Because one word isn’t enough.

In the midst of all the packing, diaper changing, and time out-giving, it has been tricky to find a way to feed myself. Literally. But, lucky for me, I always have a stockpile of Tillamook Farmstyle Greek Yogurt in my refrigerator. My husband doesn’t even have to ask what brand of yogurt (or ice cream and cheese, for that matter) to buy for me because he knows I’ll always say Tillamook.

Here are a few of the reasons why I love Tillamook Farmstyle Greek Yogurt:

• Tillamook Farmstyle Greek Yogurt is less tart than other Greek yogurts (mom, if you’re reading this, this one’s for you!) because it’s made the farmstyle way. The combination of the farm fresh dairy ingredients and use of seven active yogurt and buttermilk cultures is what makes Tillamook’s Greek yogurt “farmstyle,” yielding a creamier, extra thick Greek yogurt.

• Tillamook’s authentically-strained, fat-free Greek yogurt is layered on top of sweet, ripe fruits sourced from the Pacific Northwest or mixed with other high quality ingredients like Pacific Northwest honey, giving it a satisfying taste that is uniquely Tillamook.

• Tillamook Farmstyle Greek Yogurt is made with only natural ingredients, which means they don’t use artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup. One of my least favorite ‘surprises’ is reading an ingredient list on a container of yogurt and finding high fructose corn syrup. Yuck.

• Tillamook Farmstyle Greek Yogurt also provides 14g of protein, making it the perfect snack for busy days!

And one more thing: this yogurt is so delicious that it can pass as a dessert! I’ve layered their Washington Raspberry 2% Farmstyle Greek Yogurt with zingy crushed gingersnaps and candied ginger for a holiday-ready dessert. Or if you’re not into yogurt for the dessert, this will feel like having dessert for breakfast! The layers of decadently creamy yogurt, chewy candied ginger, and crunchy ginger snaps are made even more beautiful and delicious with the addition of a few fresh raspberries.

If you’re having guests stay with you in the next couple of weeks, this is a perfect a make-ahead, healthier dessert option. An added bonus is that the kids can help assemble them!

If you’re sugared out, I would recommend that you head to the store for Tillamook’s Plain and Simple 2% Farmstyle Greek Yogurt so you can make this beautiful, stupid easy Roasted Carrot Soup. The yogurt makes the perfect topping and gives the soup a creamy flavor without the insane fat content of heavy cream. I also love swapping the topping for these sweet potato waffles with Tillamook’s Oregon Marionberry 0% Farmstyle Greek Yogurt. Breakfast perfection!

Here’s to a happy, healthy, easy holiday season!

If you’re in the Denver area and want to check out Tillamook Farmstyle Greek Yogurt, head to any of these fine establishments:

• King Soopers

• Walmart

• Safeway

• Albertsons

Raspberry Gingersnap Parfaits

Makes 4 parfaits

• 4 single-serving yogurt cups Washington Raspberry 2% Tillamook Farmstyle Greek Yogurt

• 12 gingersnap cookies, crushed

• 1/4 cup roughly chopped candied ginger

• 1/2 cup fresh raspberries

1. Scoop 1/4 cup yogurt into the bottom of four small jars or glasses.

2. Sprinkle some of the crushed gingersnaps over the yogurt, followed by a small amount of the candied ginger. Continue with another layer of yogurt, gingersnaps, and ginger, finishing with a layer of yogurt.

3. Top the final layer of yogurt with fresh raspberries and a final sprinkle of crushed gingersnaps and serve!

*Note: These can be made a few hours ahead of time, but the gingersnaps will soften. This isn’t a bad thing (in fact, I love them that way), but I thought some of you would like a heads up