I am working with HireInfluence to create two delicious recipes featuring Southwest Airlines and Mondelez/Ritz Crackers. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

A few years ago, we relocated from South Louisiana to North Texas.  While we still visit Louisiana often, there’s something about living in Texas that one can truly appreciate:  comfort food that has a way of brightening your day. 

I love a nice plate of homemade macaroni & cheese or a warm bowl of chili during the winter months, but if you ask my children, they will tell you their favorite thing to eat in Texas is fruit!  (hands down)

I was given the challenge of creating two recipes to show you how we top our Ritz Crackers, so I did what any fantastic Mom would do… I let my children help!

Our first recipe was created by my 6 year old chef.  Blake loves to help in the kitchen, so we rummaged through the kitchen and he pulled his favorite items: peanut butter, Ritz Crackers and bananas.  My daughter gave the suggestion of adding a 4th item to the mix (honey), creating a recipe even Elvis would love in Tennessee!

ritz cracker snack

This is the perfect topping for your Ritz crackers because your child can make it in less than 5 minutes, and nearly all by himself!  

ritz snack

We simply spread peanut butter on a cracker, drizzled on a bit of honey, then added a slice of fresh banana!  Not only is it great for bringing a piece of Memphis, Tennessee into your home, it’s great for after-school snacks, too!

 

Our second snack was inspired by my daughter.  She has a love for anything that involves fresh fruit.  I tell her she must belong in a tropical state, and maybe we should travel to Orlando, Florida more often!

To top her Ritz Crackers, I brought her to the grocery store and let her pick out three favorite fruits.  While this was a hard choice, we talked about adding color to recipes to make them look appealing to the eye and mouth.  She decided to base today’s favorites on colors: green Kiwi, red cherries and bright oranges!

ritz snack

We were excited to spend this odd rainy day in the kitchen together.  I kept mentioning that it rains often in Florida, so the weather was perfect for today’s tropical inspired mini fruit tart snacks!

ritz snack

We gathered and prepped our ingredients, which included Ritz Crackers (we used the Hit of Salt variety), fresh sliced kiwi, a can of mandarin oranges (drained), cherries (drained) and cream cheese frosting (recipe below.)

Start by making the cream cheese frosting:
 Ingredients:
    4 oz cream cheese, softened
    4 oz unsalted butter, softened
    2 cups powdered sugar
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:    
    In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together with an electric mixer.
    On low speed, add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time until smooth and creamy.
    Scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure the sugar is all incorporated.
    Beat in the vanilla extract for 2-3 minutes.

 

To make the mini fruit tart snacks, lay out Ritz Crackers on a large serving platter.  Spread cream cheese frosting on each cracker, either with a plastic knife, spoon or piping bag.  Top with your favorite fruit toppings.

*Since the frosting contains cream cheese, make these 1 hour before serving or store in the refrigerator until guests arrive!

 

Both recipes are incredibly easy and ones that will bring you (and your children) to another Southwest destination – even if only for 10 minutes of the day!

Make sure you check back to hear which one of these recipes were my guests favorite!  I’ll be hosting a Ritz Cracker and Southwest party soon!

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