Deep Dish Pizza "Muffins"

Turn a can of biscuit dough into a great snack that tastes like deep dish pizza.

Ingredients

1 tube refrigerated biscuit dough
1/2 cup pizza sauce
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup mini pepperoni
Italian seasoning

Instructions

Grease a large muffin pan.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Press a biscuit into each cavity of the muffin pan. Press to create an indentation in the center of each biscuit.
Add 1 Tablespoon pizza sauce to the indentation of each biscuit. Top with 1 Tablespoon cheese. Top with 5 or 6 pepperoni pieces. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.

Bake for 12 - 13 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from muffin tin and allow to cool on wire rack.

This recipe was adapted from "Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons"

Monkey Cupcakes

You don't have to be a cake decorating pro to make these cute monkey cupcakes.  I recently made these for the cake walk at my grandson's school carnival. They would be perfect for a birthday party or anytime you want to put a smile on someone's face!

Ingredients

1 box cake mix of your choice
1 container chocolate frosting
24 - 30 vanilla wafer cookies
50 - 60 mini vanilla wafer cookies
50 - 60 candy eyes (sold in the cake decorating section)

Instructions

Prepare cake mix for cupcakes according to package instructions.
Allow to cool.
Frost each cupcake with chocolate frosting.
Place a large vanilla wafer on top for the nose and mouth.
Add two eyes and place two mini vanilla wafers on the sides as ears.
Place additional chocolate icing into piping bag (or sandwich bag with the tip snipped off).
Pipe mouth and nose on top of large vanilla wafer.

Lemon Easter Chick Cookies

Semi-homemade Easter chick cookies start with a box of lemon cake mix and end up cute as can be.

Ingredients

9 orange candy slices
1 box lemon cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup shortening
Yellow food coloring (optional)
1 -2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Small amount of orange-colored frosting

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cut the orange candy slices into triangles to create the beaks for the chicks. Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, beat together cake mix, eggs, and shortening until well blended.
If desired, add several drops of yellow food coloring if you want the chicks to be a brighter yellow color.

For each chick, roll two balls of dough. One ball should be 1 1//2 inches and the other should be 3/4 inches. Place on prepared cookie sheet with the smaller ball touching the bigger ball.  Repeat with all the dough.

Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until edges of cookies are golden brown.
Remove from oven. While cookies are warm. press two chocolate chips into the smaller ball as eyes.
Remove cookies to wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Place orange frosting into a sandwich bag. Cut off a very small piece at the corner of the bag.  Use this to pipe the feet onto each chick. Place an orange dot of frosting where the beak should be and press the candy beak on top.s

Recipe Source:  The Gold Lining Girl - But First, Dessert!

These cookies are easy and fun for kids to make!

Slime

Who doesn't love slime?  This kid-friendly recipe is easy for little hands to make and even more fun to play with it.

Ingredients

1 (5 ounce) bottle Elmer's glue (clear or regular)
A few drops of acrylic paint of the color of your choice
Optional: A few drops of glitter glue if you want sparkly slime
1 1/2 Tablespoons baking soda
1 Tablespoon contact lens solution

Instructions

Pour entire contents of glue bottle into a disposable cup. Add a few drops of paint and glitter and stir with plastic spoon.
Add baking soda and stir thoroughly.
Add contact lens solution and stir. Immediately the solution will turn to slime.
Remove from cup and knead with your hands. Initially, it will be very sticky but will quickly turn into a smooth ball. If it sticks to your hands too much, wet them with contact lens solution and continue to knead it until it is so longer sticky.

Then, just have fun with your slime!!

When you are not playing with it, store it in a airtight container or jar.

Ravisagna

Half ravioli and half lasagna, this dish comes together in minutes and then bakes for an hour.
I let my grandkids assemble this and then watch their pride in having made dinner for mom and dad.

Ingredients

1 jar 26-28 ounces marinara sauce of your choice
1 bag 26 - 27 ounces frozen ravioli of your choice
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 Tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray.
Spread 2/3 cup of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the pan.
Place 1/2 of the ravioli over the sauce (no need to cook or thaw)
Top with 1/2 of the remaining sauce and 1 cup of cheese.
Place remaining ravioli on top. Top with remaining sauce and cheese.
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top.
Cover with foil.
Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 20 minutes more. Allow to stand
10 minutes before serving.

Baked Broccoli and Cauliflower Tots

These kid-friendly veggie tots are a healthier option than frozen tator-tots!

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) bag frozen broccoli and cauliflower blend
1 egg
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup Italian-style bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.

Steam vegetables according to package instructions. Cool slightly and finely chop in a food processor.
In a bowl, combine vegetables with remaining ingredients.
Using your hands, roll approximately one Tablespoon of the mixture into a ball. Then, form into a "tot" shape. Place on prepared pan. Bake 18-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

Optionally, serve with a dipping sauce such as Ranch dressing.

Panera Copy-Cat Broccoli Cheese Soup

The temperature  is cool day and there is a feeling of fall in the air - and there is soup on the stove!
Love this recipe adapted from "Damn Delicious".  It is quick to prepare and so yummy.
Kids love it!

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup flour
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut into small pieces
1 carrot, peeled and cut into thin slices
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Melt butter in large stock pot or Dutch oven. Add garlic, onion and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4 - 5 minutes.
Whisk in flour and stir about one minute. Gradually, add vegetable broth, milk and cream.
Cook, stirring constantly, about 1 - 2 minutes until well combined. Stir in broccoli and carrots.
Bring to boil. Then, reduce heat and simmer until broccoli and carrots are tender - about 8 - 10 minutes.
Remove from heat and pulse with an immersion blender to only partially blend the ingredients.
Return to heat. Stir in cheese, a handful at a time, until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Super Cheesey Macaroni and Cheese

My grandkids love macaroni and cheese and homemade is the best!
This recipe makes a big batch! Perfect side dish for a crowd.

Ingredients

12 ounces box of elbow macaroni
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup 1/2 and 1/2
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 can condensed cream of cheddar soup
4 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and rinse.
Melt butter over medium heat in large saucepan. Whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes while stirring.
Slowly whisk in milk, 1/2 and 1/2, mustard powder and onion powder. Cook over medium heat while stirring until thickened.

Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese and 3 cups of cheddar cheese. Add soup.
Combine cheese mixture with elbow macaroni. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch pan. Top with remaining one cup of cheddar cheese.
Bake 15 minutes or until bubbly. Do not overcook. Cool 10 - 15 minutes before serving.

This recipe was adapted from "Spend with Pennies" website.

Homemade Play Dough

Easy and fun to make!

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1/4 cup salt
2 Tablespoon cream of tartar
1 cup water
2 teaspoons food coloring
1 Tablespoon oil

Instructions

Combine flour, salt and cream of tartar in a bowl. In a separate bowl, combine water, food coloring and oil.
Combine flour and water mixture in a medium-sized saucepan.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for about 3 - 5 minutes.
It will look like a globby mess and you will be sure that it is not turning out right. Keep going;  keep stirring.
When the mixture forms a ball in the center of the pan, take it out and place on a lightly floured surface.
 Knead it for 1 - 2 minutes to make a smooth mixture.
Play!
Store it in an airtight plastic bag or plastic container. It is edible, but certainly not tasty.

When playing with play dough, don't forget cookie cutters, rolling pins, plastic knives, bottle caps and other equipment to make it lots of fun.  It the playdough seems to sticky, knead in a little additional flour.

Sesame Meatball Kabobs

Ingredients

1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and cut into wedges or canned pineapple wedges
32 frozen cooked meatballs (beef or turkey,  each about 1 1/2 inches in diameter) - thawed
1/4 cup Hoisin sauce
2 Tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
6 inch bamboo skewers

Instructions

On 16 6-inch skewers, alternatively place pineapple and meatballs, leaving 1/4-inch space between pieces
In small bowl, combine hoisin sauce, sesame seeds and vinegar. Set aside.
Place kabobs on grill (or you can broil them in the oven). Grill until browned and heated through - about 8  minutes. Turn half way through. Brush hoisin mixture on meat and pineapple during last 4 minutes of cooking.

Spiced Pumpkin Dip

A great snack or easy fall dessert.
Also, great for kids when you need to avoid peanuts and gluten.

Ingredients

1 cup canned pumpkin
1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
3 Tablespoon maple syrup or  more to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Apples and/or pears for dipping

Instructions

In medium bowl, combine pumpkin and cream cheese. Add syrup and cinnamon and mix until well blended.
Serve with apple or pear slices.

Not a gluten-free option, but this dip is also great spread on graham crackers.

Pumpkin Spice Muddy Buddies

Another take on adding fall flavors to an old favorite, I made pumpkin spice muddy buddies for my granddaughter's school bake sale.  Muddy buddies, also known as puppy chow for humans, is basically chex cereal coated in chocolate and powdered sugar. I turned it into a fall treat by adding pumpkin pie spice to the melted white chocolate chips. Very yummy!

Ingredients

1 box Chex cereal - your choice of Cinnamon, Vanilla or Chocolate flavor (I used a combination of chocolate and vanilla.
1 package white chocolate chips
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2/3 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Place Chex cereal in large bowl. In double boiler, melt the white chocolate until it is completely smooth. Add pumpkin pie spice and stir in thoroughly.
Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the chex cereal and stir gently to coat the cereal pieces.
Place 1/3 cup of powdered sugar into each of two plastic freezer bags. Add half of the coated cereal to each (don't allow the chocolate to dry) and shake the bag to coat the pieces with powdered sugar. Kids enjoy doing this part. Add the other half of the coated cereal to the other bag and do the same. When fully coated, pour our the pieces onto a baking sheet and allow to dry. Store in airtight container.

Homemade Pasta

Homemade pasta tastes so much better than anything you can buy. It is easy - with the help of a pasta machine to roll and cut it out. I like to make this with my grandchildren. They enjoy kneading the dough and then rolling it out and watching it get longer and longer. We make the noodles extra long so they are fun to eat.

This recipe makes enough pasta for 4 - 6 people. I like to mix it with fresh pesto after it is cooked.

Ingredients

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 large eggs

Instructions

Pour the flour into a mound in a large bowl. Make an indentation in the center of the flour. Break the eggs carefully into the indentation without disturbing the wall of flour. Use a fork to beat the eggs without incorporating the flour.
Once the eggs are beaten, use a fork to gradually add flour to the eggs, stirring in wider and wider circles.
Use both hands to push the remaining flour into the center and work the mixture into a dough.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for at least 8 minutes and until it springs back from you indent it with your finger.
Divide the dough into three balls. Wrap each in plastic wrap and allow to rest for 30  minutes.
Sprinkle the dough with flour and flatten it. Flatten the dough further using a pasta machine. Alternatively, you can use a rolling pin. The dough should be very thin. Then cut into noodles using the pasta machine or a pizza cutter.
Allow the noodles to sit out on waxed paper. Separate as much as possible.
Cook the noodles the same day that they were made.  Cook, by adding them to well-salted boiling water. These noodles cook in just a few minutes. Drain and enjoy.
Add butter and parmesan or pesto.

Peanut Butter-Banana-Chocolate Chip Quesadillas

A great snack for kids (and grown-ups too)!


Ingredients for one serving:

1 8-inch tortilla (flour or whole wheat)
2 Tablespoons peanut butter
1/2 medium-sized banana
1 Tablespoon chocolate chips

Instructions

Spread peanut butter evenly over the surface of the tortilla. Slice the banana into very think slices and arrange over half of the tortilla. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the banana slices. Fold over the tortilla in half.

Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Place the folded tortilla on the hot skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, turning once.

Allow to cool slightly before serving.

No Cook Strawberry Jam

No cooking means that this jam is full of fresh fruit flavor and no cooking means this is a great project to do with kids.

Ingredients

1 pound strawberries ( 1 2/3 cup sliced)
2/3 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons instant pectin

Instructions

Wash strawberries.  Remove stem and slice into small pieces.
Mash the strawberries.
Combine sugar and pectic in separate bowl.
Add to mashed strawberries and stir for three minutes.
Pour into clean jars. The jam should be thick in about half an hour.
Store in refrigerator for immediate use or in freezer.


Papers and embellishments on attached photo by Jessica Sprague.

Fourth of July Peanut Butter Toast

An easy snack for the Fourth of July.

Toast one slice of bread and spread with peanut butter.
Arrange blueberries and sliced strawberries on the bread to resemble a flag.

Alternatively, you can spread strawberry jam on the toast.
Then, arrange blueberries as stars and slices of banana for the strips, making a red and white striped flag.

Fourth of July Cookies!

Fun to serve on 4th of July!

Ingredients

1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 brown sugar
1 egg
2 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
Canned creamy white icing

Instructions

Beat together butter and shortening with sugar and brown sugar until fluffy.
Add egg, milk and vanilla.
At low speed, add flour, baking soda and salt.
Divide dough in half. To one half, add red food coloring and mix well.
To assemble cookies, put a piece of waxed paper in the bottom and up the ends of an 8x4x2 inch loaf pan. Press half of the red dough evenly in the pan. Top with half of the white dough, patting evenly. Repeat red and white layers, patting each evenly. Cover and freeze for at least four hours.

When ready to bake, grasp the waxed paper to lift the dough out of the loaf pan. With a sharp knife cut the dough into three equal parts (each piece will be two inch wide).  Then, starting at the short end, cut crosswise into 1/4 inch slices.
Place slices one inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes or until edges are golden. Remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool.
Color white icing with blue food coloring. In the upper left corner of each cookie, spread 1-inch square of frosting.  Use white icing to make the stars on top of the blue.

Kids will enjoy making these cookies too. I made the dough ahead of time, so all we had to do was slice and bake and - the fun part - decorate the flags.

Animal Track Cookies

This was a hit with my four year old grandson!

Ingredients

A collection of small plastic animals. Dinosaurs are the best for this recipe!
One pouch sugar cookie dough
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 Tablespoon sugar

Here are the ingredients we used to make Animal Track Cookies

Instructions

Wash the plastic animals to make sure their feet are clean, This is part of the fun. We gave the animals a bath first, then dried them off and they were ready to make cookies.

Make sugar cookie dough according to package instructions.
In separate small bowl, mix together cinnamon and sugar.
Roll out cookie dough to a medium thickness with rolling pin on floured surface.
Cut out circles with round cookie cutter or a glass.
Press the animals' feet into each cookie making an animal footprint,

Fill the footprint with a small amount of the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Bake as directed on package.  You may want to press the footprints into the cookie again right after you take it out of the oven if the print does  not show up well.
Cool on wire rack.

Teddy Bear Toast

What could be more fun than teddy bear toast? This was a hit with my grandchildren when I served it as an after school snack.

Ingredients for one

1 slice of bread
Peanut Butter
3 slices of banana
3 blueberries
2 mandarin orange slices (optional)


Instructions

Toast the bread. Spread with peanut butter.  Place banana slices for ears and nose. Place blueberries for eyes and nose.  Optional, because I happened to have a few slices of orange, add orange slices as ears.

Homemade Fish Sticks

Ingredients

1/2 cup flour
1 egg
1/2 cup dried bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoon cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 pound tilapia fillets, cut into 1/2 inch wide strips
Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. On one plate,place flour. On another plate, add beaten egg.
On a third plate, mix together cornmeal, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and spices.
Dip each piece of fish into the flour, turning to coat all sides. Shake off any extra.
Then, dip fish into egg; then dip into bread crumb mixture, gently pressing so that the mixture will stick.
Arrange fish on the baking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray.
Bake until breading is golden brown and crisp and fish is cooked through - about 10 minutes.

Serve with tartar sauce.