Grapesicles

This one is so simple, healthy and the kids LOVE them! Forget sugary popsicles give the grapesicles a try. Found these over at the accidental hostess. http://www.accidentalhostess.com/2010/06/stick-it.html


Step 1: put grapes on stick/skewer
Step 2: freeze grapes
Step 3: eat

Yep its really that simple.

Cream Cheese Cookies

This is a recipe that I remember my mom saving and making on special occasions.  I know when you read the ingredients you will seriously question these cookies, they are loaded with butter, cream cheese and sugar.  They are rich, and creamy and utterly to die for.  If you are looking for an amazing recipe to wow people with, this is your recipe.

2 c. Butter softened
6 oz cream cheese
2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
4 Tbsp. Milk
4 C. flour

Cream butter and cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Add eggs and milk and beat well, then stir in flour. Drop onto un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 325 for 15-20 minutes.

Frosting:

6 oz cream cheese
2 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
4 c. powdered sugar

Once cookies are cooled, frost them , then you can cover with slivered almonds or do as I did and just add some sprinkles for fun.

Special K Treats

This is another one of my mom's recipes from my childhood.  There is something about the recipes that you grow up.  I love that cooking for me is full of memories, there isn't a time I don't step into the kitchen and either make a memory with my kids, or am reminded of another time in life when I enjoyed a recipe that I'm making.   These are a quick and easy treat and a great go to recipe for those last minute parties or BBQ's when you need something to take.  I hope the become a staple in your family as they are in our family.

2 sticks margarine
1/4 c. brown sugar
3 cups mini marshmallows
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
6 c. Special K
1 c. cashews-chopped

in a large pan over medium heat melt the margarine, then add the marshmallows. Once the marshmallows are melted add the sugar and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat and add vanilla, cereal & nuts. Press into a greased 9x13 pan, cool and cut into squares to serve.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are my mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies, they are amazing!  I still don't think I can make them as good as mom does, but I guess every daughter feels like they will never make certain recipes as good as their mom.  I hope to have my daughter help me with these always so she will one day be able to cook them just as good as I do, and maybe as good as grandma.  

1 c. margarine or butter
1 c. white sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
2 c. chocolate chips
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
3 c. flour

cream butter and sugars until fluffy and smooth, then add eggs and vanilla.  Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients saving the chocolate chips until the very last.  Once all ingredients are mixed together drop dough by the spoonful onto a greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 325 for 8-10 minutes. For best results do not over bake; they are soft and delicious if baked until almost done.

Chex Treat Mix

One handful is never enough of this good stuff.

3 cubes of butter - 1 1/2 cups (no margarine)

2 cups sugar

2 cups light Karo Syrup

Place all ingredients into a heavy sauce pan. Bring to a boil for 4-6 minutes.

1 large box of Golden Grahams Cereal

1 large box of Corn Chex

1/4 package coconut (optional)

1 package sliced almonds (optional)

Mix all dry cereal, nuts and coconut in large bowl. Pour cooked butter mixture over cereal. Gently mix and pour onto 3-4 lightly greased jelly roll pans. When completely cooled, place in cellophane bags to give away, or put into serving bowls.

Caramel Walnut Bars

This is a recipie my mom found on the back of a can of Eagle Brand condensed milk years ago. They are gooey and delicious.

2 c. flour
3/4 c. brown sugar
1 egg-beaten
3/4 cup margarine or butter
3/4 c walnuts-chopped
24 caramels-unwrapped
1 can sweet condensed milk

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl combine flour, sugar and egg. Cut in 1/2 cup margarine until crumbly. Stir in walnuts, reserving 2 cups crumb mixture, press remainder firmly on bottom of greased 9x13 pan. Bake 15 minutes. In saucepan, over low heat melt caramels with sweet condensed milk and remaining margarine. Pour over prepared crust. Top with reserve crumb mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly. Cool. Cut into bars.

Watermelon Blaster

Super Simple, Refreshing and Delicious! Thanks Martha.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cubed, seeded watermelon
• 1 1/2 cups strawberries
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 cup ice cubes
• Sugar, to taste

Put watermelon, strawberries, lime juice and ice into the pitcher of a blender, blend for 15 seconds on high speed. (Always put the top on the container before processing.) Stop machine, and stir ingredients with a long wooden spoon. Blend for 15 seconds more on high speed.

After processing the watermelon, strawberries, lime juice, and ice, taste before adding sugar; you may not need any. For the star garnish, press a cookie cutter through the rind with the back of a wooden spoon.

Top it off with a little whipped cream if you so desire!

Fruit Roll Sushi

I'm not a big sushi fan, but I think even my kids would eat these!

1 tablespoon butter
12 marshmallows
2 cups crispy toasted rice cereal
4 (4-1/2-inch) square fruit roll-ups (1/2 ounce each)
6 assorted licorice or fruit twist sticks, cut in half crosswise

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1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from the heat and stir in the cereal until completely coated.


2. On a flat surface, unroll the fruit roll-ups. Spread equal amounts of the cereal mixture over each roll-up, covering the entire surface and packing the mixture flat.


3. Place 3 different-colored licorice or fruit twists in the center of each and roll tightly into a log, sealing where the edges meet. Squeeze the rolls gently to secure. Trim the ends and slice with a serrated knife into 1/2-inch pieces. Serve, or store in an airtight container until ready to serve.