Cheerful Summer Treat (contains gluten)

I made these white-chocolate dipped pretzels for an end-of-school party for my daughter and they were a huge hit with the parents and the kids! Super easy to make...Just melt the candy melts in the microwave, dip your pretzels and lay on wax paper while sprinkling decorations. That's it! They harden in a couple of hours and are good to go! The hardest part was actually finding bags of pretzel rods at the store that hadn't been mashed. These would be fun for all of the holidays as well with different colors and sprinkles...Endless possibilities! (I am still on the hunt for gluten free pretzel rods!)

UPDATE: I made these for the 4th of July and they were very festive!

Gluten Free Coconut Macaroons

This recipe is from Ina Garten, whom I love! Even though most of her recipes contain gluten, there are a few gluten free gems in her cookbook. These macaroons are so easy to make and are chewy and gooey. Delish.

Ina Garten's recipe for Coconut Macaroons

14 oz. sweetened shredded coconut

14 oz. sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2 extra large egg whites, at room temp.

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

Combine

Coconut, condensed milk and vanilla in large bowl

Whip

Egg whites and salt on high speed in separate bowl until med. peaks form

Fold

Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture

Drop

Batter onto parchment lined baking sheets in about 2 tsp. scoops

Bake

25-30 minutes at 325 degrees until golden brown

Cool and Serve!

Also can be dipped in chocolate...

Gluten Free Coconut Key Lime Pie

Key lime pie has always been a favorite of ours, but once we became a gluten free household, it was something we had to say goodbye to. I always knew I could probably whip up some graham crackers from scratch...Yeah right. So when I finally found GF graham crackers online I ordered 4 boxes right away. Kinickkinick foods...You are my hero. These graham crackers are pretty good as a cracker. But crumbled up and combined with coconut, butter, sugar and almond flour for a crust...Divine.

Recipe for GF Key Lime Pie

Crust:

Crumble or mash one box of GF graham crackers, or about 1 cup

1/4 cup almond flour

1/4 cup chopped coconut

1/4 cup sugar

6T melted butter

Stir all together and pat into tart pan or pie dish

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes-allow to cool several min. before pouring filling in

Filling: (From the Nellie and Joe's lime juice bottle)

1/2 cup key lime juice

3 egg yolks

1 can sweetened condensed milk

Mix well with beaters and pour into baked crust

Bake at 350 for 15 minutes

Chill several hours or overnight before serving