Try Something New it’s #whatsfordinner – Musselman’s Apple Butter Giveaway

If you couldn’t tell by the name of my blog, I LOVE football. Sometimes I don’t always WRITE about it here because, well, the Steelers aren’t exactly playing in the Big Game this weekend…..

But that doesn’t mean I am not SYKED for some football. And there are TONS of things going on around the city that can get you in the mood whether you particularly like football or not. But, let’s get back to the big day – even if you’re not hosting a super bowl party, use the event to try out some new treats on the family. There is nothing better than curling up on a cold night to watch some football – or the commercials in between. And that means you need some snacks.

Musselman’s reached out and asked if I would be interested to try some of their new recipes that use Apple Butter – and I was intrigued. I feel like as a mom, you TRY to be healthy, and tasty – and you get stuck in this rut. You end up steaming some fresh broccoli or baking some fish with lemons. Yawn.  So of course I was up to the challenge. Here are the two I attempted, and WARNING. The pizza didn’t last 10 minutes! Delicious!

Caramelized Onion Bacon Pizza

– 2 teaspoons olive oil

– 2 teaspoons unsalted butter

– 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced

– pinch of salt

– 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

– 1 unbaked pizza crust (or try this recipe for HOMEMADE dough!)

– 1 cup Musselman’s Apple Butter

– Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

– 6 strips cooked bacon, roughly chopped

– 1 1/2 cups shredded Gouda cheese

– 1/3 cup pecans, roughly chopped

– About 2 cups baby Arugula to finish

1. Preheat over to 450 degrees.

2. In a medium skillet or cast iron skillet, heat olive oil and melt butter over medium heat. Add onions. Toss onions to coat. Let onions cook, without stirring, for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, give the onions a stir and add a pinch of salt. Let onions cooke for another 5 to 7 minutes, without stirring. Remove from heat, and add balsamic vinegar. Stir to incorporate.

3. Add skillet back to heat and continue cooking until onions are caramelized and broken down. (about another 10 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside until ready to build pizza.

4. Place unbaked pizza crust on a cookie sheet or pizza stone and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven.

5. Evenly spread Musselman’s Apple Butter over crust and sprinkle a pinch of red pepper flakes over the apple butter. Spread carmelized onions over apple butter, and then sprinkle chopped bacon and pecans evenly over the onions. Tops with shredded Gouda.

6. Place in oven (still at 450) and bake for an additional 8 to 12 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and browning. Remove from oven and let sit for about 5 minutes before slicing.

7. Slice pizza and top each slice with fresh baby arugula to finish.

Obviously it comes highly recommended in this house – Claudio wasted no time digging in.

Then of course I had to try a dessert.

Peanut Butter Apple Bites

*this recipe makes a small amount, so if you want to take a large batch to a party, double the ingredients. 

– 1/3 cup peanut butter

– 1/2 cup Musselman’s Apple Butter

– 1 tablespoon of caramel (dulce de leche!)

– 1 cup of finely ground graham cracker crumbs

– 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts

1. Stir together peanut butter, apple butter, and optional caramel in a medium sized bowl. Mix cinnamon into the graham cracker crumbs, and add to the apple butter mixture. Combine well.

2. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

3. Scoop tablespoon size balls of the mixture onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet (dough will be soft). Roll into uniformed sized balls. Place chopped peanuts in a small bowl and roll the balls in them to coat. Store in refrigerator.

Want more recipes? Check out musselmans.com

Want to try them yourself? Enter here to win a game day gift package  GrillWare Pizza Tray, Mussleman’s Apple Butter and the recipe card to make the Caramelized Onion Bacon Pizza!

a Rafflecopter giveaway