Fun recipes to do with the kids

candy cane hot chocolate

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

* 4 cups milk

* 3 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped

* 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed

* 1 cup whipped cream

* 4 small peppermint candy canes

DIRECTIONS

1. In a saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in the chocolate and the crushed peppermint candies until melted and smooth. Pour hot cocoa into four mugs, and garnish with whipped cream. Serve each with a candy cane stirring stick.

peanut butter ant hills

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 1 large stalk celery, cut into 3 pieces

• 3 tablespoons peanut butter

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons raisins

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the celery pieces on a clean surface, hollow part facing up, and sprinkle evenly with cinnamon. Spoon peanut butter into the hollow, and arrange raisins on top.

no bake cinnamon rolls

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 2 slices white bread, crusts removed

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar

• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar

• 1/8 teaspoon water, or as needed

DIRECTIONS

1. Roll the bread slices until very flat. Butter the bread, and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Starting on one side, roll up the bread slice until tight. Repeat with the second bread slice. Cut the bread rolls into 1 inch slices.
2. Mix the confectioners’ sugar with the water in a small bowl to make a thin frosting. Drizzle frosting over the bread slices, and serve.

pita pizza

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 6 pita breads

• 1 (6.5 ounce) can tomato sauce

• 1 (4 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained

• 1 ounce diced pimento peppers, drained

• 2 small tomatoes, thinly sliced

• 4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

• 4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

• 1 pinch dried basil

• 1 pinch dried oregano

• 1 pinch crushed coriander seed

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Warm pitas in the preheated oven or in a microwave for 1 minute, or until soft. Spread lightly with tomato sauce, pressing to flatten while spreading. Sprinkle with black olives, pimento peppers, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, blue cheese, basil, oregano and coriander. Spread the pitas on a large baking sheet and place in the preheated oven 8 minutes, or until the pita bread has reached desired crispness. Serve whole, or cut into slices.

apple ladybugs

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 2 red apples

• 1/4 cup raisins

• 1 tablespoon peanut butter

• 8 thin pretzel sticks

DIRECTIONS

1. Slice apples in half from top to bottom and scoop out the cores using a knife or melon baller. If you have an apple corer, core them first, then slice. Place each apple half flat side down on a small plate.

2. Dab peanut butter on to the back of the ‘lady bug’, then stick raisins onto the dabs for spots. Use this method to make eyes too. Stick one end of each pretzel stick into a raisin, then press the other end into the apples to make antennae.

mac and cheese with a kick

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

• 2 tablespoons dried onion flakes

• 2 (7.25 ounce) packages dry macaroni and cheese

• 15 ounces nacho cheese dip

• 1 cup medium salsa

• 1 (7 ounce) can diced green chiles

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef with onion flakes until beef is browned. Drain. In a large saucepan, cook the macaroni and cheese according to package directions. Stir in the meat and onion mixture, nacho cheese dip, salsa and green chiles. Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes, or until heated through.

graveyard cupcakes

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

* 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix

* 2 (16 ounce) packages vanilla frosting

* 3/4 cup chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs

* 24 chocolate covered graham cracker cookies

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions for cupcakes.

2. In a medium bowl stir 1 package of frosting with the cookie crumbs. Frost cooled cupcakes.

3. Fill a pastry bag, fitted with a plain tip, with remaining white frosting. Write R.I.P. on each chocolate covered graham cracker cookie. Stand a decorated cookie on top of each cupcake so that it looks like a tombstone. Place the cupcakes on a large cookie sheet that has been covered with green paper. Place paper ghosts and bats randomly through the graveyard. Serve!

simple play dough recipe

Play Dough

2 cups of flour (plain / all purpose)

4 tbsp cream of tartar

2 tbsp oil (I use canola)

1 cup cooking salt (a lot I know, but its very inexpensive)

2 cups water

food coloring

1. Add flour, cream of tartar and salt into a large saucepan, stir to combine. Add the oil.

2. Add the food coloring to the water in a jug then pour into saucepan with the other ingredients.

3. Cook on medium high heat, stirring constantly until mixture congeals and is the constancy of strong bread dough.

4. Let cool and enjoy.

magic milkshake

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)* 1 quart milk
* 1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Brand Gelatin, any flavor
* 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream, softenedDIRECTIONS1. Place milk, gelatin and ice cream in large pitcher with tight-fitting lid; cover. Shake vigorously 1 minute or until well blended. Pour into 4 glasses. Serve immediately.

breakfast kabobs

Breakfast Kabobs

• 4 bagels

• Cream cheese

• 8 strawberries

• 4 bananas

• 8 skewers

1. Toast the bagels and spread with cream cheese. Cut each half into quarters. Halve the strawberries and cut the bananas into fourths. Thread on to skewers and enjoy!

hot dog dude

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)* 8 hot dogs
* 8 slices bread
* 8 slices American cheese
* ketchup and mustard to tasteDIRECTIONS1. Make a slit down the middle of one end of each hot dog; this will be the legs. At the other end, make a small slit each side; these will be the arms. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil, and add the hot dogs. Boil for about 5 minutes until the slits open up.
2. Place slices of cheese onto slices of bread. Set the hot dog men on top. Use ketchup and mustard to make a face, hair and clothes or buttons.

a froggy sherbert

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
	Lime sherbet
	Green decorators’ gel
	Junior Mints
	Green gummy ring candy

1. To make one, set a scoop of lime sherbet on a small green paper plate (trim the plate to resemble a lily pad first, if you like).2. Cut one green gummy ring candy into quarters and place the four pieces under the sherbet scoop for feet.3. Set a Junior Mint candy and half a gummy ring in place for each eye. Finally, add a green decorators’ gel mouth and nostrils.

worms in the dirt

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cold milk

• 1 4-serving size package instant chocolate pudding

• 8 oz. frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed

• 1-1/2 cups crushed sandwich cookies (such as Oreos)

• 20 gummy worms

Preparation:

1. Whisk together milk and instant pudding for two minutes, until pudding is completely dissolved and. Let stand 5 minutes to thicken.

1. Stir in frozen whipped topping and 1/2 cup of the crushed cookies.

1. Spoon into 10 cups.

1. Sprinkle remaining crushed cookies over the pudding mixture. Top with 2 gummy worms.

1. Chill until ready to serve.

Makes 10 servings.

peanut butter stuffed french toast

French Toast Recipe

This stuffed French toast recipe is a real favorite among the kids. For the best results, use day-old, slightly-stale Italian bread or Challah.

Ingredients:

• 8 slices day-old Italian bread or Challah

• 8 Tbsp. peanut butter

• 6 large eggs

• 2 cups half and half or whole milk

• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt

• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

• 1 cup crushed cornflakes

• 2-4 Tbsp. butter

Preparation:

1. Spread one tablespoon of peanut butter on one side of each slice of bread. Press bread together to make four sandwiches. Place in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Set aside.

1. Place eggs, half and half, yogurt, cinnamon and vanilla in a blender. Pulse until smooth. Pour over peanut butter sandwiches, turning to coat well.

1. Preheat an electric griddle to 350 degrees or heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add butter.

1. Spread cornflakes in a shallow dish.

1. Dip sandwiches in cornflakes, then transfer to griddle. Cook 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Flip, and cook another 2-4 minutes until cooked through.

Serve immediately with syrup, powdered sugar or sliced bananas.

Makes 4 servings.

fresh fruit pizza

Ingredients:

• 18 oz. Refrigerated Cookie Dough (sugar cookie or chocolate chip are best)

• 8 oz. package Cream Cheese, softened

• 1/3 cup Sugar (or the equivalent in Splenda)

• Roughly 4 cups Assorted Fruit (We prefer blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and kiwi for aesthetics and flavor, but try peaches, bananas dipped in lemon juice, apples, or any other fruit you fancy.)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Take cream cheese out of the refrigerator to soften.

3. Place cookie dough on center of baking stone or nonstick cookie sheet (We usually set aside about ¼ of the dough for a future use to help the cookie fit our 14″ baking stone without overflowing.)

4. Flatten with your hand.

5. Roll the dough out, using a lightly floured roller, to almost cover the pan.

6. Bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. (Do not over bake.)

7. Wash and Slice fruit while cookie is baking. (Note: The Pampered Chef egg slicer is perfect for slicing strawberries and kiwi.)

8. Cool 10 minutes.

9. Loosen cookie with a long, serrated knife.

10. Cool completely.

11. While cookie is cooling, combine cream cheese and sugar in a small bowl until smooth.

12. Spread mixture on top of the cooled cookie.

13. Arrange fruit slices and pieces in a circular (or any) pattern on top of cream cheese mixture.

14. Slice using a pizza cutter.

15. Enjoy.

Notes: This sugar cookie fruit pizza can be made with Crescent Roll Dough substitute for the Cookie Dough, making it a little less sweet. For theme parties or holidays, try shaping the cookie into something other than a circle. For instance, this is a perfect 4th of July treat , with a rectangular cookie and red, white, and blue fruits to form an American flag. A giant oval Easter egg, a red and white striped candy cane (leave fruit off for the white stripes (let me know if you find a white fruit!) for Christmas, or a holiday wreath can all work beautifully.
Serves 12-16

corn dogs

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

* 1 cup yellow cornmeal

* 1 cup all-purpose flour

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

* 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

* 1/4 cup white sugar

* 4 teaspoons baking powder

* 1 egg

* 1 cup milk

* 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

* 2 (16 ounce) packages beef frankfurters

* 16 wooden skewers

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, sugar and baking powder. Stir in eggs and milk.

2. Preheat oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat. Insert wooden skewers into frankfurters. Roll frankfurters in batter until well coated.

3. Fry 2 or 3 corn dogs at a time for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Drain on paper towels.

hershey's homemade chcolate icecream

Hershey’s Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream – Serves 6

* 5 eggs

* 1 cup sugar

* 2 cans condensed milk

* 6 cups Hershey’s Chocolate Milk

* 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

* 3 oz. semi-sweet melted chocolate

Instructions

Beat eggs. Add sugar and mix well. Add condensed milk, chocolate milk, melted chocolate, and vanilla one ingredient at a time, stirring well after each addition. Mix until smooth. Pour directly into ice cream mixer or machine. For best results let ice cream freeze over night. Makes approximately 6 one-cup servings.

easy to make apple crisp

Ingredients

5 cups apples, sliced and peeled
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter

Directions
Place apple slices in bottom of baking pan. Combine quick oats, flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. Cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over sliced apples. Bake in oven at 350F (180C) degrees for 20 to 30 minutes.

apple smiles

1. Just quarter and core an apple, cut a wedge from the skin side of each quarter, then press slivered almonds in place for teeth.

2. Tip: If you’re not going to serve them right away, baste the apples with orange juice to keep them from browning.

banana snowmen

These banana-based snowmen are decidedly more tropical than the frosty variety, and kids can assemble their own if you prepare the fruit for them.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

Bananas

Grapes

Carrot

Apple

Bamboo skewers

Mini chocolate chips

Pretzel sticks

1. For each snowman, you will need three thick slices of banana, a grape, a sliver of carrot, and a triangular piece of apple. (Tip: Poke a hole in the apple piece with a bamboo skewer first to make assembly easier.)

2. Have your kids slide the fruit onto the skewer, then use the carrot slivers for noses, mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons, and pretzel sticks for arms.

rockin burrito casserole

This classic Mexican-American dish has been transformed into a casserole, making it easy to serve with a lot less mess. Feel free to vary the filling to suit your taste — this version is mild to accommodate children’s tastes. For the adults, try adding cilantro, jalapeño pepper, and a spicy salsa to half of the casserole.

Servings: 6 to 8
Preparation Time: 23 minutes
Baking Time: 15 minutes
RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
8 small (fajita-size) flour tortillas
2 cups refried beans
2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 cups store bought salsa (medium for a spicier taste)
Optional: 1 minced fresh jalapeno pepper
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut 5 of the flour tortillas into strips, about 1/2 inches in width and set aside. Line the bottom of a 9 by 13 casserole dish with the remaining flour tortillas. Spread an even layer of refried beans over the tortillas.

2. In a large skillet heat the canola oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and beef to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes; breaking up the meat with a spoon, until it is no longer pink. Pour off and discard any excess liquid, stir in the salsa.

3. Spread meat mixture over the refried beans, sprinkle on optional jalapeno peppers. Top with tortilla strips and sprinkle on cheddar cheese. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven until cheese has melted, about 10 minutes. Serve with sour cream, chopped tomatoes, and chopped avocado on the side.

potatoe wedges

CRISPY POTATO WEDGES

Ingrediants

1/4 c. olive oil

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. dried basil

1/2 tsp. thyme

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/4 tsp. paprika

4-6 med. potatoes

1/4 to 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Combine oil and seasonings in a bowl. Scrub unpeeled potatoes well then cut in half and the halves into thirds lengthwise. Coat each slice in the seasoned oil. Spread in a single layer on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15 minutes longer. Serves 4. Good served with pork chops, grilled chicken, roasts, or meatloaf.