Showing teacher appreciation with food

Last week was Teacher Appreciation week at my son's preschool. For the teacher's luncheon I signed up for a bread and a dessert. The bread part was easy - I decided to make Watkins Rosemary Bread with Sea Salt.



Oh yeah, baby.



The recipe for this is super simple. Just add 2 Tbsp of Rosemary and 1 Tbsp of Parsley to the Good Tastings bread mix, then follow the directions on the back of the package. When you take it out of the oven, sprinkle it was Sea Salt and a little Garlic Powder and you are done!

It makes a delicious loaf of savory bread.



For dessert, I decided to make my favorite type of candy.

Peanut Butter Cornflake squares

Ummmm..

Want to see how I make them? Here, I'll show you!

Start with these simple ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light karo syrup
1 tsp Watkins Double Strength Vanilla
1 cup peanut butter
4 cups Cornflakes
2 cups shredded coconut



In a large mixing bowl combine the coconut and cornflakes.



Give 'em a quick stir and set 'em aside.



In a sauce pan bring the Karo to boil over medium high heat.



Add the sugar



And stir it around with the syrup.



You really should use a candy thermometer for this next part, but I've been making this candy since I was in the womb, so I just use the old eyeball it method. You want the sugar mixture to get to the soft ball stage. Here is a good explanation about that.

Like I said, I just eyeball it.



See my soft ball? Yep, it's done. Take it off the heat, quick!



When you remove it from the heat, add the vanilla. And be sure to drip the vanilla all over the spatula and get it good and messy. PS - no, I do not sell Pampered Chef products. I just own a whole bunch of their stuff.



Stir that vanilla around and then add the peanut butter. I like chunky. You might like smooth. Your choice.



Look at that oooey goooeyness. Ummmm.



Here, get a closer look. Are you drooling yet?



Ok, now go spray a pan with some Watkins cooking spray because this is about to get sticky. I used this disposable pan since it was going to the teacher's luncheon at school.



Pour your oooey goooey peanut butter mixture over the bowl full of cornflakes and coconut.



And then stir stir stir until you feel like your arm might fall off. The mixture should be really thick and stringy like taffy.



Then pour it all into your pan, and try to smooth it out a little on the top.



And if you are really smart, you will make a double batch so that you can have some for yourself at home. Trust me--this stuff is SO GOOD, you will be glad you saved some for yourself.



Enjoy!

PS- this also makes great candy to give away at Christmas time! Or Halloween! Or anytime random Wednesday.