Filling Ingredients:

• 6 cups sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Topping Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup butter (cold, cubed)
• ¼ tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Toss apples with sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, flour, and lemon juice.
3. Mix topping ingredients until crumbly.
4. Spread apples in baking dish, top with crumble mix.
5. Bake 35-40 minutes until bubbly.

Don’t walk past the apples during your next shopping trip. Grab a few and get baking. Can you think of any other apple recipes?

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Food & Drink!

Supplies:

• Ninja SLUSHi Slushie Machine
• Clear Plastic Cup
• Sharpie

Ingredients:

• Orange Sherbet
• Orange Soda
• Whipped Topping
• Fun Sprinkles

Directions:

1. Pour in your Orange Soda.
2. Turn on and choose the Slush mode. 
3. Draw a fun pumpkin face on your clear cup.
4. Once the Slush cycle is complete, dispense into cup.
5. Add Whipped Topping.
6. Add sprinkles. 
7. Enjoy!

This installment of Operation Brain Freeze offers all the Treats and no Tricks for your favorite boys and ghouls! This run recipe will have your kiddos knocking on the kitchen door to get seconds for sure! We hope you had as much fun with this recipe as we did and look forward to bringing you even more fun next month!

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Food & Drink!

Supplies:

• Condiment Squeeze Bottle
• Pan

Ingredients:

• Your Favorite Pancake Mix

Cinnamon Filling:

• 1 Stick of Butter
• 1 Tablespoon of Cinnamon
• 12 Tablespoons of Light Brown Sugar

Powdered Sugar Glaze

• 1 Cup of Powdered Sugar
• 1 Tablespoon of Milk
• Splash of Vanilla

Directions:

• Make Pancakes per recipe on box.
• To make cinnamon filling combine brown sugar, melted butter, and cinnamon. I added mine to a condiment squeeze bottle.
• Cook the pancakes. When they start to bubble add cinnamon filling to pancake. You want to insert the squeeze bottle into the batter to ensure they don’t just spill over the top.
• Flip.
• To make powdered sugar glaze combine powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Mix until well combine.
• Add glaze.
• Enjoy!

Notes:

• If you don’t have a condiment squeeze bottle you can absolutely use a plastic bag and just cut a corner of the bag.
• I made a double batch of these pancakes so you could easily divide this recipe as needed. This made about 8 pancakes for us.
• Also, you can adjust the brown sugar to your desired consistency. I had to tweak mine a little bit because I didn’t want runny filling.

This recipe was such a delicious treat and basically felt like a snuggly flannel for your stomach. It doesn’t get much more fall than that! I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as we did. This is one that will continue to stay on our brunch rotation!

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Food & Drink!

Ingredients:

• Graham Crackers
• Melted butter
• Powdered Sugar
• Chocolate Candy Bar
• Marshmallows

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Crush graham crackers into crumbs and add to a mixing bowl.
3. Mix graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, and melted butter.
4. Divide the crumb mixture into greased muffin pan cups.
5. Press to form the cups.
6. Bake the cracker mixture for 5 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and place chocolate candy into each cup.
8. Place halved marshmallow on top of the chocolate candy in each cup.
9. Bake for 4 minutes or until marshmallows are softened. For a toasty marshmallow, set the oven to broil for 2 minutes.
10. Remove from the oven and cool before removing from the muffin pan.

Did you know that August 10th is National S’mores Day? What other creative variations of S’mores can you come up with? 

Be sure to follow along to see what the next recipe will be.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Muffin Mania!

Things to Do Before a Road Trip with Your Pet: 

• Plan your stops: If possible, map out your route to include pet friendly stops for potty breaks. Planning ahead for overnight stays is recommended as well since all hotels don’t accept pets. Keep in mind hotels may charge an additional fee for pets so you may need to budget a little extra money.
• Pack a pet travel bag: Pack a bag that includes all the essentials (leash, feeding/water bowls, toys, treats and poop bags). 
• Immunizations: Make sure your pet is up to date on all shots prior to leaving your duty station. If the need arises to board your pet, you may be required to show proof of vaccination.
• Prepare your vehicle: If you don’t already have one, it’s highly recommended to purchase a seat cover or large blanket to protect your car seats. Be sure to lock your windows and doors to avoid any issues while driving.
• Pet Identification: Ensure your pets contact information is up to date on their collar/tag just in case they get loose or wander off. 

Road trips can be so much fun. Plan a few stops to take in the sights and create memories along the way. This also gives everyone a chance to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. Did you know that some pets can experience motion sickness? 

Follow these tips for a stress free and exciting adventure. Can you think of any other ideas?

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Pets!

Mini Pies

Ingredients

• Pillsbury Funfetti® Frosting 
• Keebler Ready Crust Mini Graham Cracker Crusts
• Cool Whip

Directions

1. Combine the frosting and cool whip in a mixing bowl.
2. Fold in the cool whip and mix until frosting is light and airy.
3. Spoon frosting into graham cracker crusts and top with sprinkles.

Enjoy the warm weather this season. Get outside and hike, bike or maybe even start a garden. While you are indoors, hop into the kitchen and make this delicious treat that the whole family will just love.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Food & Drink!

If you’re planning a February escape, these three destinations deliver romance, culture, and unforgettable memories, many of them completely free.

Puerto Rico: Tropical, Adventurous, and Passport-Free

Puerto Rico is an ideal February destination for military couples who want warmth and adventure without the stress of international travel. While there, my husband and I explored El Yunque National Forest, ATV’d through the rainforest, and swam in the cool natural waters. It was one of those experiences that pulls you fully into the moment and reminds you how good it feels to step outside of routine. In Old San Juan, we shopped, walked cobblestone streets, and studied the historic culture and architecture that tell stories of resilience and history. February weather is sunny and comfortable, flights are often affordable, and no passport is required, making this destination especially military friendly.

New York City: Cold Weather, Cozy Love, and Free Experiences

We traveled to New York in February, and it quickly became one of our favorite trips. Winter slows the city down and makes it feel intimate. We visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, grabbed classic hot dogs, and walked through Central Park bundled up together. We rode bicycles over the Brooklyn Bridge, explored DUMBO for dope photos, and admired the stunning architecture inside Grand Central Terminal. So many of the best moments were completely free. February hotel rates and flights are often lower, making this a surprisingly affordable anniversary or Valentine’s trip.

New Orleans: Romance, Culture, and Mardi Gras Magic

February in New Orleans is electric. Mardi Gras season brings music, color, and celebration, and you don’t have to spend much to enjoy it. Couples can walk the French Quarter, listen to live street jazz, explore historic neighborhoods, and admire the architecture around Jackson Square. Parades, people-watching, and spontaneous moments fill the days, while boutique hotels and local food spots help keep costs reasonable. New Orleans proves that romance doesn’t have to be quiet. It can be joyful, cultural, and full of soul.

These destinations make sense for military life because they offer:

• Easy Logistics – Straightforward travel and minimal planning stress when leave days are limited.
• Flexible Budgets – Options for modest hotels, short stays, and flights that don’t require premium pricing to feel special.
• Plenty of Free or Low-Cost Experiences – Museums, architecture, parks, parades, culture, and nature are where the best moments don’t come with a price tag.
• Memories That Feel Intentional, Not Rushed – Space to slow down, reconnect, and be present together instead of chasing expensive activities.

Military couples understand that love is built in the moments in between. Leave days, quiet walks, and shared adventures. Sometimes love looks like rainforest trails and natural waters, sometimes it’s snowy city streets and warm food, and sometimes it’s music in the air and beads flying past. Wherever February takes you, choose the place that lets you pause, reconnect, and celebrate choosing each other again.

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Military Perks & Travel!

While decorating your family’s holiday houses, you can let the kiddos get creative and decorate their houses in their own special way! My daughter chose to decorate her house with purple and pink mini chocolates, and shiny pearl sugar beads. My husband, whose house is featured chose to decorate his with a “snowflake” theme in mine, blue and white!

 Ingredients

• 18 HONEY MAID Honey Grahams
• 1 cup ready-to-spread white frosting

Suggested decorations

Small candy canes, starlight mints or other holiday candies; holiday sprinkles; colored sugars; nonpareils; miniature marshmallows

Instructions

TRIM both corners off one end of each of 12 grahams for sloped roof of the house; reserve trimmed corners for later use.

DECORATE houses with frosting and suggested decorations as desired.

BREAK remaining grahams in half to get 12 graham squares. Stand 1 decorated house on each graham square, using 1 of the reserved trimmed corners for support and securing all pieces with some of the remaining frosting.

LET stand 1 hour or until frosting is firm.

Recipe Tips
Size Wise
Have fun with your kids making these holiday houses. As a bonus, they can also be used to help teach kids about portion control.

Mini Chalets
For each chalet, cut 2 graham crackers in half to get 4 graham squares. Stand 2 graham squares against each other in an inverted V-shape on parchment-covered baking sheet, attaching them at the top with frosting. Cut 2 corners off each of the remaining graham squares with serrated knife to fit the front and back of the chalet, securing pieces with frosting. Decorate with frosting, candy canes, other candies and sprinkles as desired. Let stand several hours or until frosting is firm.

Family Fun
Use decorating icing to write names on fronts of decorated houses, then use as name cards on your holiday table.

Looking for a fun dessert for your turkey day? Then look no further than these delicious and sweet Turkey Leg Rice Krispies Treats!

Ingredients:

• 6 Pretzel Rods
• 10 oz Mini Marshmallows
• 10 oz Baking Chocolate
• 1/2 cup Salted Butter
• 3 Tbsp. Cocoa Powder
• 8 cups Rice Krispies

Directions:

1 – Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2 – Cut Pretzel Rods in Half. Cut 12 mini marshmallows in half. Stick one 1/2 of mini marshmallow on the bottom uncut side of pretzel rod.

3 – Melt chocolate per instructions on package. Dip pretzels in marshmallow side down.
4 – Allow to dry on parchment paper lined cookie sheet in fridge.
5 – Once the pretzel rods are set. Dip again in chocolate.

6 – For the Rice Krispie treats, melt butter on low heat. Stir in cocoa powder.
7 – Add Marshmallows and stir until fully melted.
8 – Add in Rice Krispies and mix well. Remove from heat.

9 – Use slightly less than a cup of the Rice Krispies mixture and form into the shape of a turkey leg onto the pretzel rods.
10 – Enjoy!

We all enjoyed making these! Some things to note…You could use Cocoa Krispies but do know you will not get the rich dark brown color as shown. This is because the marshmallows add a white glaze to them. You can also use melting wafers instead, but I was only able to find baking chocolate. I hope your family enjoys these as much as mine did!

Find Out More with My Military Savings and Food & Drink!

Each Holiday season, my little family gathers with my parents, and along with my girls, my Mother and I make a Green Bean Casserole each year. Have you ever made a Green Bean Casserole with RITZ crackers as part of the ingredients?! It DELICIOUS! Another tradition…Gingerbread houses; they are a must in our household, decorating the house in our very own way!

OH, then there are cookies for Santa! Fresh homemade peanut butter cookies, snickerdoodles and a toothbrush for Santa! Yes, I said a toothbrush, my oldest daughter doesn’t want Santa getting cavities from all the sweet treats he will be eating! As you can see, each and every family holds their own traditions! Maybe you are looking for a NEW family tradition to bring in your household, below is yummy recipe from NABISCO!

Holiday Recipes: Peppermint Graham Breakaways

Ingredients:

• 12 HONEY MAID Honey Grahams
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup crushed candy canes (about 8 mini candy canes)

Instructions:

1. HEAT oven to 350°F.
2. ARRANGE grahams in single layer in 15x10x1-inch pan.
3. BRING butter and sugar to boil in medium saucepan on medium heat; cook 1 to 2 min. or until butter is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Pour over grahams; immediately spread to completely cover grahams.

BAKE 6 to 8 min. or until topping is lightly browned and bubbly. Top with chocolate chips; let stand 1 to 2 min. or until melted. Immediately spread chocolate over grahams. Sprinkle with candy; press lightly into chocolate with back of spoon. Cool completely before breaking into squares.

Recipe Tips:

Size Wise
Enjoy an occasional holiday treat while keeping portion size in mind.

Substitute
Prepare using white chocolate chips. Or, substitute 6 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate for the chocolate chips.

Substitute
Crush enough peppermint starlight candies to measure 1/4 cup. Use instead of the crushed candy canes.