Nilla Wafer Caramel Pops

I got this idea from Kelli and I knew I had to make it as part of the goodie bags for Rix's Bday party. They were so easy to make and actually quite fun! We decided these would be fun for any holiday or event - Valentine treats for school classes or neighbors (add red and pink sprinkles, or heart sprinkles), Christmas treats, dip in chocolate and pipe orange frosting pumpkin faces for Halloween, etc. Or sprinkle with crushed nuts, oreos, etc. Drizzle with chocolate? The possibilities are endless! This is also something fun that your kids could help out with.

I wrapped them in sucker wrappers (I got them at Michaels) and tied a bow.

48 Nilla Wafers

1/2 bag of Kraft Caramels (I like the taste of Kraft better than other brands)

White or milk or dark chocolate (I used the Wilton Melting Chocolates)

Sprinkles

Sucker Sticks (found at Walmart, or craft stores)

Melt caramels with a little water according to package directions. Let cool slightly to it firms up a little. Using a small spoon, dab a small spoonful on one Nilla Wafer. Place sucker stick in caramel, twisting to cover the stick in caramel. Place second Nilla Wafer on top and gently squish together. Wipe any caramel off that squeezes through. Finish with remaining cookies and caramel.

Note: Don't dab all the caramel on the first 24 cookies and then place sticks and second cookie. The caramel will harden up too fast and the second cookie won't stick.

After caramel is cooled, melt chocolate in microwave according to package directions. Dip a sucker in the chocolate, covering completely, and tap off excess. Place on wax paper and sprinkle with whatever you are using to decorate. Let harden. Wrap in sucker wrappers and enjoy!

"Homemade" Doughnuts

I saw this on a friend's blog and had to try it. It was super easy and undescribably yummy! We made it for FHE and my kids have been begging me ever since to make them. Just a note, I would not recommend the biscuits that peel in layers. Just regular old biscuits!

1 tube biscuits (I used regular buttermilk)

Oil for frying (I didn't say they were fat free, just yummy!)
Powdered sugar, milk and a little vanilla for glaze (or you could use frosting)

Dump oil into a deep pan (I used an entire bottle of vegetable oil but it depends on how big your pan is). Heat oil to 375. Using a medicine cup (or something similar) cut out a hole in the middle of the biscuits. Fry the biscuits on each side until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel lined plate and then place on a cooling rack. Dip each doughnut face down in the glaze and let it melt down the sides (you can do it all over but I didn't make enough glaze for that). Enjoy!

Also, make sure the doughnuts are golden because then they are done on the inside. I tried to fry the middles into doughnut holes but the insides weren't done so if you try making doughnut holes just let them brown up a little more than usual.

This took me abour 10 minutes from start to finish. And next time we are using more than one tube of biscuits!

Kissed Pretzels

This is an easy favorite for parties and get together's. They taste like chocolate covered pretzels without the mess and time it takes to make them. It is fun to make them festive for a holiday by using M&M's in a color theme. (Halloween= orange and brown, Christmas= red and green)

Kissed pretzels
Pretzels (square ones if you are going fancy!)
Hershey's kisses (try the hugs and carmel filled ones as well!)
M&M's

place pretzels on a cookie sheet covered in parchment paper. Top the pretzels with Hershey's kisses. Place in a preheated oven of 350 for 3 minutes, no longer . If you are using the hugs or carmel filled only leave them in for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Immediately smash the M&M's on the tops of the kisses. Let cool completely and enjoy! I always stick my trays of treats in the freezer to speed up the cooling time.

Super Sidewalk Paint

I wanted to make this today and couldn't find the recipe! I think everyone needs to try it and it's one I like to do over and over. So, now it is forever on our blog--never to be lost (or almost lost) again!

CRAFT MATERIALS:
	1/4 cup cornstarch
	1/4 cup cold water
	Food coloring
	Paintbrush
Time needed: 30 Minutes or Less

1. In a small bowl, mix together the cornstarch and cold water. Stir in as many drops of food coloring as you need to get your desired color. Repeat this process for each paint color. Use a paintbrush to make fun designs on the sidewalk or driveway. To wash the paint off, simply spray the area with water.

TIP: Super Sidewalk Paint isn't just for sidewalks. Put it in spray bottles and use it to color sand castles and snow sculptures.

Not-quite-fudge Fudge

So this isn't your typical fudge. I substituted in Hayden's primary class yesterday and the lesson was about hands. I found this recipe online for "Handy Fudge" - basically everything is thrown into a sandwich bag and you squish it around with your hands to make something similar to fudge. It isn't fantastic, but the kids had a blast. I'll definately do it again for my kids, they loved squishing it around and then eating it (although it seriously doesn't look appetizing if you know what I mean).

Also, you can totally mix it up, add nuts or chocolate chips, maybe even replace the cream cheese with some peanut butter or something.

Per bag, add:

2 oz. powdered sugar (1/2 cup)
1 Tbsp butter
2 tsp cream cheese
dash of vanilla
2 tsp cocoa

Add everything to a sandwich bag, close it, making sure all the air is out, and start squishing!

Bird's Nests

This is another family tradition of ours. I've been making them for the past four years. And, I'm sure you do too. But, if anyone is missing out on this one--they're pretty fun. This is the recipe I like best. Happy Easter!

2 cups butterscotch chips
1 cup peanut butter
10 oz small chow mein noodles
4 cups marshmallows

Melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter in double boiler or microwave. I microwave for 1 minute, then 30 seconds until smooth. Stir in chow mein noodles and marshmallows until blended. Drop by heaping spoonfuls on wax paper. Press your thumbprint in the center. Chill until set. Put jelly beans or any other egg-shaped candy in the center!

Tomb Buns

I got this recipe randomly last year. But, I had these rolls at Brent's work party before. They're unique because they are empty inside. So, they're the perfect Easter treat. They represent the empty tomb after the Savior was resurrected. And they're fun & yummy. Win win win.

Tomb Buns (Also called Balloon Buns)

Dough:
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
4 1/2 cups flour
1 TBSP yeast

Mix the dough as you would any other bread dough. You could even use Rhodes frozen rolls in a pinch (thawed of course). But once you h ave the dough you separate it into 18 equal pieces and roll each slightly into a round of dough.

For the rest of the recipe you will need:
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
18 marshmallows

Mix the sugar and cinnamon together. Dip one marshmallow in the melted butter, covering it completely, then roll it in the sugar and cinnamon mix. Take one of the rounds of dough and wrap it around the marshmallow, sealing it carefully. This is tricky with the greasy butter, but if it doesn't seal the marshmallow will leak out during the baking.

Once they're sealed, dip the tops in melted butter. Then dip in cinnamon sugar. Place them in greased muffin tins (not lined with papers). Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees until lightly browned. The marshmallow melts, leaving a cave of sugary-cinnamony-melted goodness inside, hence the name "tomb buns."

Eat while warm with a cool glass of milk!

Squished Witch Creams

1/2 cup powdered spooks (powdered sugar)
1 cup ghost blood (sweetened condensed milk)
2 cups frog eyes (chocolate chips)
1 cup squished witch (peanut butter)

Put powdered spooks in bowl. Add frog eyes. Add ghost blood. Add squished witches. Stand on one foot only and stir together. While stirring repeat your name backwards. Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper. Chill and serve!

Sidewalk Paint

Yesterday, Jordyn's friend came over with some store bought sidewalk paint. My kids were just sitting watching her and I remembered this recipe from my Family Fun Magazine. I made it and it works amazing. The colors are really vibrant and it's much more fun than sidewalk chalk!

1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup water
food coloring

Mix up and let the kids paint away! (Don't forget paint brushes. The sponge ones are cheap and the right size.) And yes, the "paint" washes off the sidewalk with water. Although, I haven't tried to get it out of my kids clothes yet.

Fudge in a Bag

I'm sure you all know how chocolate runs in my veins. I'm not enticed by soda or candy. But chocolate--ooh la la! Well, Brent has been slimming down on his soda intake this month and is struggling for motivation. So, I thought I'd volunteer to give up chocolate. Officially, this will begin on March 1st. And, over the past week I've realized how much chocolate I eat (thank goodness for my exercising!!!). Wish me luck starting on Saturday--I really don't know how long I can last!

As for this recipe, it's one that I've had a lady in my preschool co-op do before. And, it was given to us at a Young Women's Camp training meeting. I did it with Austin and Lexy in our mini preschool today. They enjoyed it--although pressing it together takes grown up help. I gave them their own bags, but you can do it together in one big bag and then divide it. Have fun!

1 lb (3 3/4 cups) powdered sugar
3 oz cream cheese
1 cube margarine
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp vanilla

Knead in a bag until mixed. Pat down on a flat surface and cut into squares and serve!

If you want to do individual bags--enough to feed 3-4 three-year-olds, try condensing it to this:

1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1 oz cream cheese
2 2/3 tbsp margarine
a little more than 1/8 cup cocoa
1/3 tsp vanilla

Play Clay Hearts

Last year, after Kade was born, Jordyn had a Valentine's Party in Preschool. And, I forgot the valentines. So, I hopped onto the Family Fun website and found this recipe for play dough valentines. I think they turned out really cute, and I had tons and tons of leftover playdough. It is my absolute favorite. I keep it in tupperware and it has always stayed soft. Give it a go!

CRAFT MATERIALS:
	3 Cups of white flour
	1 1/2 Cups of salt
	1 1/2 Tablespoons of cream of tartar
	3 1/4 Cups of water
	6 Tablespoons of vegetable oil
	Red food coloring
	Rolling pin
	Heart-shaped cookie cutter
	Small cellophane bags
	Scissors
	White paper
	Markers
	Hole punch
	Ribbon
Time needed: Under 1 Hour

1. Mix the flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a medium saucepan.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the liquids, adding drops of food coloring until you reach your desired shade.
3. Pour the liquid over the dry ingredients and stir. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture holds together and gets too stiff to stir (it will stiffen even more as it cools), about 5 to 10 minutes. Let it cool.
4. Knead the clay briefly, then roll or pat it to a 3/4-inch thickness and cut with the cookie cutter.
5. For each valentine, place a clay heart in a cellophane bag. Cut a tag out of white paper, decorate it with markers, and punch a hole in one end. Thread a length of ribbon through the tag?s hole and tie the bag shut with a bow.