My two little guys can’t get enough of this sweet-and-salty snack, which uses just three ingredients and is ready to eat in 15 minutes. The boys like to drizzle on the melted chocolate, too. Sometimes we replace the potato chips with apple slices. —Jami Geittmann, Greendale, Wisconsin Get Recipe
This is an easy, versatile party appetizer that everyone loves. If you can’t find chorizo, ground beef or ground chicken are wonderful, too. Top with anything you like! —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin
Chocolate lovers will go crazy over these cookies that feature loads of chocolate! When friends ask me to make “those cookies,” I know exactly what recipe they mean. —Rebecca Jendry, Spring Branch, Texas
I was trying to create an appetizer that could be served at my teenaged daughters birthday party that the kids would love but that would appear elegant enough for the adults to be interested as well. These are made with simple ingredients yet yield a sophisticated result. Feel free to get creative with the flavors. Try shredded white cheddar in place of mozzarella or thyme instead of the rosemary. Take it up another notch by topping the rounds with smoked fish. —Amanda Digges, South Windsor, Connecticut
My guests say they can’t stop eating my caramel corn! For our basketball party I fix enough to fill a big red tin with our team’s logo. The delectable syrup coats the popcorn well but isn’t sticky. —Sharon Landeen, Tucson, Arizona
Give your pie a Southwest twist when you slather on the taco sauce and top with black beans, green chilies and kicked-up chicken strips. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I try to get as many fruits and veggies into our menus as possible. A smoothie is a great way to load up on nutrients. This banana one is a favorite! —Tiffany Van Zee, Pella, Iowa
My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado
I love to make recipes with nuts. These are chocolaty with a hint of coffee—elegant and addictive! I give them away as gifts; I’ve even made them for wedding favors. —Annette Scholz, Medaryville, Indiana
This fun dip recipe uses ingredients I always have in the fridge, so it’s easy to throw together on short notice. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska
It’s so much fun to surprise people with the crushed popcorn in these yummy cookies. They’re definitely a distinctive cookie on the holiday tray.—Leigh Anne Preston, Palmyra, Indiana
Who says cheese and sausage get to have all the fun? Make this a party go-to with any fruits that are in season. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
I’m on a gluten-restricted diet. I came up with this snack mix one day when I wanted something fast and easy that tasted like lemon bars. It makes a great gift, and folks love the light and fresh citrus flavor. —Patricia Sensenich, Olanthe, Kansas
For New Year’s, I used to make beef and cheddar pigs in a blanket, but now I like apple and Gouda for an even better flavor celebration. —Megan Weiss, Menomonie, Wisconsin
You’ll discover why the treat is so popular in San Francisco. It’s snack heaven…ice cream, delicious oatmeal cookies and a touch of chocolate. Swap out the vanilla for your favorite flavor, such as chocolate, caramel or cherry. — Jacyn Siebert, San Francisco, California
Our town is known as Pretzel City—even our local sports teams are known as The Pretzels. I came up with this recipe for an annual local recipe contest. People couldn’t believe that this delicious bread had pretzels in the mix! For variety, try using different flavors of pretzels. —Andrea Johnson, Freeport, Illinois
This quick and fun snack is similar to the mustard pretzels you can buy at the store, but you can make it for a fraction of the price. It’s a killer recipe for all kinds of parties and football gatherings. —Sarah Mathews, Ava Missouri
Everyone loves ice cream, but we all know it doesn’t make a great after-school snack. Until this! With its sweet banana-almond flavor and chunky texture, this appealing banana peanut butter “ice cream” is a crowd-pleaser. People who ask me for the recipe can’t believe how easy it is to make. —Kristen Bloom, Okinawa, Japan
My salsa is sweet and colorful, with just a little bit of a bite from jalapeno peppers. I use fresh strawberries and my own home-grown vegetables, but you can also use produce available year round. It’s delicious with tortilla chips or even as a garnish to grill chicken or pork. — Dianna Wara, Washington, Illinois
In Amish and Mennonite homes, home cooking is guaranteed delicious. So when I found this recipe in an Amish cookbook, I knew I had to try it. It’s become a favorite of our family as well as the folks at our church fellowship. —Jori Schellenberger, Everett, Washington
I bring together two all-time favorites with this recipe: pizza and BLT sandwiches. I brought this fun mashup to a ladies lunch and was met with “oohs” and “ahhs.” —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin
I wrote a book called “20 New Ways to Enjoy Popcorn.” When I poll friends, they favor this recipe, a delicious treat for after-dinner coffee. — Polly Brunning, Thaxton, Virginia
Kid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Reveals Jeanette Grantstein of Wichita, Kansas, “This crisp snack mix is a mouthwatering combination of sweet and spicy. I’ve taken it to numerous gatherings. Make a bowlful when the munchies hit.”—Jeanette Grantstein, Wichita, Kansas
My husband absolutely loves ice cream sandwiches and snickerdoodles, so I combined them into one fun treat. Here’s how we build this cool dessert. —Heather Pilon, Winslow, Maine
I created this deep-friend mac and cheese recipe for my husband, who loves mac & cheese. He describes this recipe as “unbelievably delicious” because of the crispy deep-fried coating and the creamy richness on the inside. —Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, Florida
These rich, fudgy cookies are chewy and studded with tangy dried cherries. It’s a good thing the recipe makes only a small batch, because we eat them all in one night! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
My brother calls this combo of popcorn, marshmallows, peanuts and pretzels the “perfect popcorn.” The taste is reminiscent of a Big Hunk candy bar. —Julie Perez, Idaho Falls, Idaho
This is one of those dishes that sounds so wrong but tastes so right! Trust me—barbecue chicken leftovers are fantastic with the fries. We like it with lettuce, tomato and pickle, but you can add almost any toppings you like. —Janet Telleen, Russell, Iowa
These big country cookies are made to travel—in fact, I came up with this recipe while trying to match a commercial cookie that was good, but too crumbly to carry. —Jamie Hirsch, Powell, Wyoming
It’s sunshine in a smoothie! This one’s a true California treat, sweet and tangy from start to finish. —Sonya Labbe, West Hollywood, California
I grew up on a farm where we hand-milked cows and had plenty of milk and cream to use for cooking. Sometimes we’d substitute light cream for the evaporated milk in this recipe. We’d rarely let these cookies cool before sampling them, and a batch never lasted a day! —Denise Marnell, Hereford, Texas
I learned how to roast pumpkin seeds from my mother, who learned it from her mother. Keep an eye on the seeds so they don’t scorch. —Margaret Drye, Plainfield, New Hampshire
This sugar cookie dates back to a Swedish woman born in 1877! Her daughter, Esther Davis, shared the recipe with me and she came up with all the exact measurements, since the original cookies were mixed by feel and taste. These are my favorite cookies and I hope they’ll become yours as well. —Helen Wallis, Vancouver, Washington
My husband and two grown sons really enjoy these fun nachos—they can devour a platter of them in no time. They’re also fun to make when friends come over. —Debra Morgan, Idaho Falls, Idaho
These gooey grilled cheese sandwiches taste great for lunch with sliced apples. And they’re really fast to whip up, too. Here’s how to make grilled cheese the right way. —Kathy Norris, Streator, Illinois
Unless you plan to make two, don’t count on leftovers. As an appetizer or side, this cheesy flatbread will be devoured in less time than it takes to bake. And that’s not long! —Suzanne Zick, Maiden, North Carolina
Bananas Foster is one of my favorite desserts. So I thought that a crunchy, snackable version would be a hit. It is heated in the microwave and takes just a few minutes to make. —David Dahlman, Chatsworth, California
You’ll know this snack is a hit at your next gathering when you come home with an empty pan! —Denise Smith, Lusk, Wyoming
Use these spiced nuts as a snack, in a salad or as a coating for fish. They’re a smart ingredient to keep on hand. —Angie Thanopoulos, Arlington Heights, Illinois
What’s game day without can’t-stop-munching nachos? Featuring layers of crunchy tortilla chips, black beans and a creamy, smoky chicken mixture, this appetizer will disappear before the second quarter. —Whitney Smith, Winterhen, Florida
Pretzels are a great snack food. I love this recipe because it is sweet as well as spicy, but not too spicy. It’s a great combination for munching. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Cool off with a thick and rich treat that will remind you of a malt shoppe! Nothing can beat this strawberry shake recipe. —Kathryn Conrad, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I never thought of using waffle-cut fries as a scoop for dip until a friend of mine did at a baby shower. They’re ideal for my cheesy bacon and chive dip, which tastes just like a baked potato topper. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Everyone loves hummus, but I enjoy the garlic and onion types so much that I decided to let them shine in this homemade version. I get so many compliments when I serve it! —Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, Oregon
When serving a crowd, double or quadruple this guacamole. The onion, tomato and mango can be chopped in advance. Add avocado just before serving. —Diana Nienberg, McComb, Ohio
Roasted pumpkin seeds are a classic fall snack. Kick them up a notch with instant coffee and cocoa powder for a mix that’s mocha genius at any time of year. —Rebekah Beyer, Sabetha, Kansas
I’m all about the sweeter side of dips, and this brownie-batter variety fits in with my life’s philosophy: Chocolate makes anything better. Grab some fruit, cookies or salty snacks and start dunking. —Mel Gunnell, Boise, Idaho
Why buy a pricey bagged snack mix when you can easily make a better-tasting one at home? Create a Southwestern sensation with chili powder, cayenne pepper and a twist of lime. —Julie Beckwith, Crete, Illinois
A spicy mix of crisp cereal, soft marshmallows and rum extract make this a delicious treat to nosh on with friends, while studying or when watching a movie. —Susan Tite, China, Michigan
Cheddar cheese, red peppers and pitted ripe olives make a tasty, rustic appetizer when marinated overnight and served with decorative toothpicks. —Polly Brunning, Thaxton, Virginia
Lots of holiday treats are sweet. For a change of pace, I fill goodie bags with my cheese crackers. The recipe has a large yield, but you can freeze the dough logs to bake later. —Heather Necessary, Shamokin Dan, Pennsylvania
I’ve had the pleasure of introducing many of my friends and family to chutney, that sweet and savory fruit sauce. Make the spread even faster by using chive-flavored whipped cream cheese. —Michelle Torkelson, Ham Lake, Minnesota
My husband and I like to munch on this while watching TV. The nacho flavoring is a zesty alternative to butter and salt. —Linda Boehme, Fairmont, Minnesota
These homemade crackers are decidedly light and crispy. An addictive snack on their own, they also pair well with a sharp white cheddar. —Jessica Wirth, Charlotte, North Carolina
