Taco Soup and Twix bars

Have you seen that quote on the internet that says: Why buy it for $7 when you can make it yourself with $92 of craft supplies?  Isn't that funny?  Sometimes baking is like that, especially with small town grocery store prices.  But you can't put a price tag on the experience, right? :)  

I have been trying to "break up" with sugar, but Isabel isn't and was "craving" a Twix candy bar and thought it would be a great idea to make some.  So off to the grocery store we went and as the price increased, so did her smile of anticipation.  So here's the recipe for homemade Twix candy bars.  

Ingredients

• 48 Club Crackers

Caramel Filling

• 1 cup Graham Crackers, crushed
• ¾ cup Brown Sugar,packed
• ⅓ cup White Sugar
• ⅓ cup Milk
• ½ cup Butter or Margarine

Icing

• ⅔ cup Peanut Butter
• 1 cup Milk Chocolate Chips

Instructions:

1. Begin my putting a layer of Club Crackers in a 13 x 9 pan.
2. In a saucepan on the stove, combine the caramel filling ingredients.
3. Bring to a boil, continue to stir and boil for approximately 5 minutes. The mixture will be caramel like and pull away from the sides of the pan.
4. Pour over the crackers.
5. Immediately top with another layer of Club Crackers, pressing down slightly
6. Place in fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes

Icing

1. Combine peanut butter and chocolate chips in small bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, stir well (cook a little longer if needed) and frost crackers. 

Credit: http://hoosierhomemade.com/twix-bars/

But before making those, you might like a Boggs family favorite (this one is tried and true, while the Twix recipe has only been tested once :)).  BEFORE you get started with the taco soup though, I added another recipe on the bottom for homemade taco seasoning.  It's all we ever use, the kids help me make a HUGE batch of it.  It not only tastes more flavorful, it's preservative free.  (I have also given out jars of it at Christmas too.)

Slow Cooker Taco Soup:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) can chili beans, with liquid
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans with liquid
• 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, with liquid

• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2 cups water
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans peeled and diced tomatoes
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chile peppers (again, we're too whimply for these :))
• 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

1.  In a skillet, cook the ground beef until browned over medium heat. Drain, and set aside.
2. Place the ground beef, onion, chili beans, kidney beans, corn, tomato sauce, water, diced tomatoes, green chile peppers (not us :)) and taco seasoning mix in a slow cooker. Mix to blend, and cook on Low setting for 8 hours

Credit: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/16678/slow-cooker-taco-soup/

Taco Seasoning Ingredients: (I take this recipe x8 for a nice amount)

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (I don't add these :))
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Credit: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/46653/taco-seasoning-i/