4th of July Preparations!!!

Love this idea - super easy, too!!! Found this via Tastykitchen and the Pioneer Woman/Steamy Kitchen

Grape Salad

Grape Salad

I can't remember where I first had this salad. In fact, I'd forgotten all about this salad until my niece requested it for her graduation luncheon. I'm really glad she did!

1 lb seedless green grapes

1 lb seedless purple or black grapes

1 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1 7 oz marshmallow creme

1 6 oz slivered almonds

I like to cut my grapes in half if they are very large.

Mix cream cheese and marshmallow together. Fold in grapes and almonds. Refrigerate for 1 hour for best texture.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

from Raelene

Since there really isn't a RECIPE for these, I am posting a couple of videos on how to create these very yummy treats . . .

Maria's Version

Decorating Tips

Chef Arsenii

Hey - Raelene, if you see this, tell us what type of chocolate you used . . .

Strawberry/Raspberry Trifle

from Carrie

Angel food cake - Cut up in squares

2 pints whipping cream, prepared

2 small boxes instant cheesecake pudding, prepared

Fold the two together.

Fresh strawberries and/or raspberries, sprinkled with sugar

Layer in a glass bowl just before serving.

Puffed Hearts

or Strawberry Heart Pillows

from Michelle

1 pkg frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed

1/3 c strawberry jam

1 c thawed cool whip

4 large strawberries, each cut into 4 slices

1 square Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolate, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unfold pastry. Cut into 16 hearts with heart shaped cookie cutter. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Cool completely.

Cut each heart horizontally in half. Spread on a teaspoon of the jam onto bottom half of each heart. Top with one Tbsp cool whip and a strawberry slice. Cover with tops of heart pastries. Drizzle with chocolate. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to one hour.

FYI - those of you at the Sweet Swap - Michelle used an extra small cookie cutter. Normally you would use a regular size.

Toffee Apple Dip

1 8 oz package cream cheese
1/2 c brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 package Heath Toffee Chips

Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla together until fluffy. Stir in toffee chips by hand. Serve with sliced apples.

To keep pre-sliced apples from going brown, store them in pineapple juice.