Baked Brie with Plum Preserves and Spiced Pecans

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Walkers Shortbread sent me the most amazing box full of goodies. This time not only did they send me a large selection of their fantasic cookies, for this shipment Walkers Shortbread partnered with Bonne Maman. Bonne Maman is the creator of gourmet, all-natural, preserves and jellies produced in France. Their preserves and jellies are made without the use of preservatives, artificial coloring, or high fructose corn syrup. I have been a long time fan of Bonne Maman's wonderful products. I adore the little jars, with their iconic red gingham lids that the preserves come in almost as much as I love the preserves and jellies themselves. So cute and delicious!! Anyway I was so excited about all the great products Walkers sent in this box. 

The theme for this shipment is Festive Recipes for Autumn and Holiday Entertaining. Walkers Shortbread included their Highland Oatcakes in this box. The oatcakes are a savory oat cracker, and like all Walkers products are made from all-natural ingredients. I had never tried Walkers oatcakes before. They have now become my go-to cracker for any cheese platter. The oatcakes have a wonderful nutty flavor from the oats that pairs beautifully with cheeses. 

The holiday season is busy so I decided to share this really simple but beautiful and delicious baked brie recipe. It takes very few ingredients and can be put together in matter of minutes. Perfect for the busy holiday season! 

Make the spiced pecans ahead of time and store them in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks. Try not to eat all of the spiced pecans beforehand (it will be really tempting!) and you can throw this baked brie together in under 15 minutes! 

Peanut Butter and Vanilla Greek Yogurt Dip

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So I can't believe it but school starts NEXT week! Where did this summer go? It seems to gone by in record speed this year. Anyway, Walkers Shortbread send me another box of cookies. This time I got to sample a variety of their cookies in mini bite-sized form! They come in small resealable bags, so convenient to grab and go. These cookies are the perfectly sized for lunch on the go. Great for busy moms needing an easy, delicious school lunch snack that the kiddos will love.
The mini's are wonderful, just like all of Walkers Shortbread cookies. These are sized just right for easy mouth pop-ability! The newest addition to the minis line, and my personal favorite, are the crunchy oatmeal cookies. Made with ingredients like; whole wheat flour, butter and oats, these cookies are a treat you can feel good about giving to your family.

School lunches can get monotonous. So here's an easy, very healthy vanilla Greek yogurt and peanut butter dip that will jazz up any lunch box. This dip is a perfect accompaniment for apple slices, a banana, or a handful of Walkers crunchy oatmeal mini cookies!

Ok this one is sooo easy, you can let the kids make it...I say that makes this dip perfect for school lunches!

Peanut Butter and Vanilla Greek Yogurt Dip

1 5-6 ounce container of vanilla Greek yogurt, about a half a cup ( I used the Oikos 0% fat vanilla from the four pack)
1 tablespoon or so,  natural peanut butter (the kind you have to stir)
1 teaspoon honey (if you are not using a natural peanut butter you probably won't need any extra sweetness)

Mix it all together and start dipping

All ready for back to school! My sweet friend at Beatrice and Lulu makes the cute lunch bags in this post!

Walkers is once again offering a great deal for Half Baked readers. Order any two Walkers mini cookies and get one free!  Just go to the Walkers site here and use the promo code: HBBSCHOOL when you check out. This offer is only good until August 16th, so don't miss out! 

Leave a comment on this post and one lucky reader will win all four flavors of the Walkers Shortbread Minis! 

Walkers Scottie Shortbread and Honey Sea Salt Ice Cream

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Walkers recently sent me a box of these adorable shortbread cookies shaped like Scottie dogs! How cute are they? The Chocolate Scottie Dog Shortbread is Walkers newest shortbread cookie. These delicious and adorable cookies along with the pure butter Scottie Dog Shortbread are among the best selling cookies Walkers offers. Walkers donates part of the proceeds from every purchase of either flavor of the Scottie Dog Shortbread to the ASPCA. When you buy these you get not only get a  great shortbread cookie but also help raise money for the ASPCA. What could be better?!

The Chocolate Scottie Shortbread cookies are very tasty but I have to admit the pure butter one are my favorite but only because I  have a West Highland White Terrier. Her name is Maisy and she kindly allows me the privilege of being her owner. If you've ever owned a Westie, then you know what I'm talking about! Anyway the Pure Butter Scotties remind me of Maisy so I couldn't help falling for them!

Westie love!

What's the best way to enjoy these cookies?? Well it's officially summertime so I say time to break out those ice cream makers! This honey sea salt ice cream is sooo easy to make and tastes positively divine! It's the perfect accompaniment to either the Pure Butter Scottie or the Chocolate Scottie Shortbread.

Honey Sea Salt Ice Cream
Makes 1½ quarts
Source: adapted from Cuisinart 

1 cup whole milk, cold
½ cup honey
2 cups heavy cream, cold
2 teaspoons vanilla paste or extract
pinch of sea salt

Mix the milk and honey together in a medium bowl until the honey is fully mixed in.Stir in the cream, salt and the vanilla.
Pour the mixture into the frozen bowl of an ice cream maker and churn the mixture until thickened, about 30 minutes. Place churned ice cream in another freezer safe container and freeze for several hours, preferably over night before serving. For serving: drizzle the top of the scooped ice cream with a little honey and add a tiny pinch of sea salt...heaven!

These Walkers Scottie Shortbread Cookies are also perfect with a cup of hot tea!

GIVEAWAY!
Walkers is offering you a chance WIN a Scottie Dog Tin filled with Scottie dog shortbread cookies! One  reader win be given a tartan tin filled with 18 Scottie Dog shortbread cookies. Just leave a comment below and your entered to win!!

For Extra Entries:

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This giveaway will end at midnight Friday June 28, 2013. One lucky reader will be notified by email so be sure to leave an email address with you comment. This giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only.

PROMO CODE: Free shipping for Half Baked readers!!

Until June 28, you can receive FREE SHIPPING on any Walkers orders of $25 or more. Additionally, when you purchase the Scottie dog cookies or tin during this time frame, Walkers will also donate an extra dollar to the ASPCA. Just go to the Walkers site here and use the promo code HBBSCOTTIES
**UPDATE** Walkers has kindly extended free shipping on all orders of $25. or more to all Hal Baked Readers  until July, 5!! Don't miss out!