Rainbow Pinwheel Cookies

I found these on pinterest!  They are Dr. Seus inspired cookies!

My kids had a great time helping me make them!

They turned out really fun and the best part is I didn't have to frost them and the kids got to help!

This would also be a fun way to make theme cookies.  For example, you could mix your favorite sports teams colors together and swirl them!

Rainbow Pinwheel Cookies

(pinterest via http://www.soudersstudios.com/)

• 1 recipe your favorite sugar cookie dough (mine is the sour cream sugar cookies on this site!)
• Liquid food coloring, 5 colors
• Rainbow sprinkles, or I used colored sugar sprinkles

Preheat oven to recipes temperature.

Make your dough.  Divide your dough into 5 equal parts or as many colors as you want to do.  Color each part the color you want.  We used purple, red, yellow, green and blue.  The original poster said neon colors work really well, I will try that next time!

I mixed my colors in with my mixer.  I didn't clean it in between, so some of the colors got mixed up, but it worked fine.

Now, chill your dough as needed.  Make sure it is good and chilled so that it wont get too sticky as you work with it!

This is where my kids came in and helped!  Now you need to form your different colors into grape size balls.  I noticed that it didn't really matter the size, just that bigger balls made bigger cookies and bigger portions of one color than another just made that color more prominent than the others.

So make your different color balls.  When you have 1 of each color, combine them into a ball, like a multi color beach ball.  Now roll the ball into a snake and then coil together.

Roll your edges into the sprinkles if desired and cook for the time recommended on your cookie recipe!

Super good and super fun cookies!

French Bread Pizza

With Summer here and Baseball, T-Ball and all other sorts of activities going on, quick and easy meals become a necessity! This is one my mom used to make when we were kids and it is simple and quick!

French Bread Pizza

• 1 loaf french bread (I used a loaf I had made for dinner a few nights ago)
• pizza sauce (great homemade recipe on this site!)
• mozzarella cheese
• pizza toppings

Preheat your oven to 475 degrees. Cut your french bread loaf in half lengthwise. Place on a cookie sheet.

Then place your sauce, cheese and toppings. Your kids can help with this too!

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until browned the way you like!

Peppermint Sandies

Again, my sister came to my rescue and gave me this recipe too! They are another fun yummy holiday treat! My kids even helped me roll them into balls!

Peppermint Sandies

(I will find out where she found this!)

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup finely crushed peppermint candies
• 1 tbsp water
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 6 ounces white baking chocolate
• more crushed peppermint candies for dusting

Preheat oven to 325.

In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on high speed for 30 seconds. Add powdered sugar and 1/4 cup crushed candies. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in water, vanilla and peppermint extract until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in remaining flour.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake about 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on wire rack.

Meanwhile, for the glaze...In a medium saucepan, bring whipping cream just to simmer. Remove from heat and add white chocolate, let stand 3 minutes. Stir until smooth. Let stand for 45-60 minutes or until glaze starts to thicken.

Spoon about 1 tsp of the glaze over each cooled cookie. Sprinkle with additional crushed peppermint candies!

Fragrant Cinnamon Ornaments

I found this last year and decided or had the time to try them this year! The boys and I made these last night for family night. They are super simple and the boys helped mix, roll, and cut out the ornaments. They smell really good and were a fun project to do with the kids!

Fragrant Cinnamon Ornaments

• 6 tbsp applesauce
• 10 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cloves

Mix together all ingredients to form a dough. If dough is dry, add more applesauce.

Roll out dough to approximately 1/8" thick on a cinnamon sprinkled surface. Cut dough into desired holiday shapes using cookie cutters. Cut a hole in the top of each shape with a drinking straw or use a toothpick to make a hole large enough to string ribbon through.

Place shapes on a cookie sheet. Place in a 150 degree oven or the lowest setting (my lowest was 170 degrees) for 2 hours. After 2 hours, turn oven off and leave in oven for 5-6 hours or overnight. Tie ribbons through holes and use as ornaments or tie on packages!

Soft Pretzels

I found this recipe at Sisters Cafe a while ago and just got around to trying it! They were super simple and the kids even helped roll the snakes and make the pretzels!

They were really yummy and wouldn't these be good to dip in cheese sauce!

Soft Pretzels

• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 pkg yeast (or 1 tbsp)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 cups flour

Add sugar to warm water then sprinkle yeast on top. Let float for a minute then stir to dissolve the yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes as yeast activates and starts to foam.

Add salt and flour and knead for 5-10 minutes; adding more flour as needed to reduce stickiness.

Divide dough into 12 pieces and roll each piece into a long rope or "snake". Twist into pretzel shapes and place on baking sheet sprayed with non stick spray.

Make an egg wash ( 1 egg + 1 tb water, lightly beaten). Brush pretzels with egg wash then sprinkle liberally with Kosher salt. Bake 425 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned!

Spider Cupcakes

"These creepy, crawly critters are perfect for a haunted Halloween party." I found this on www.brightideas.com and think it was so fun to make with the kids and they turned out really spooky!!
Spider Cupcakes

• 1 box Devils food cake mix (or whatever you want to use)
• 1 can chocolate frosting (or make your own)
• Chocolate sprinkles
• 24 large marshmallows
• M & M's
• red or black licorice laces

Prepare the cupcakes according to package directions and bake.

Frost the cupcakes and then sprinkle the chocolate sprinkles on top. Cut the marshmallows in half and put on the marshmallows on top for the eyes. Dab some frosting on an M & M and then place on the marshmallow.

Cut each licorice lace into 4 pieces. You can use a toothpick to poke holes into the cupcake to insert the legs, or I just put the licorice legs into the frosting and they stuck just fine!! Put 4 legs on each side and you are done with your Spooky Spider!!

Sugar Cookie Bars

These turned out super yummy and were super easy! I even think you could use a cookie cutter and get some shapes out of this recipe and then get to eat the scraps!

Thanks Real Mom Kitchen for another great recipe!

Sugar Cookie Bars

• 1 cup butter, room temp.
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 5 cups flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp soda

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Add vanilla and mix well. In another bowl combine dry ingredients and add to the wet mixture. Mix until combined. Spread onto a greased cookie sheet (13 x 18 pan). (I used a mini roller to help evenly spread the dough out!) Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes, until light golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely and frost.

Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter, room temp
• 1/2 cup shortening (I think I will try butter flavored next time)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• pinch of salt
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 5 tbsp milk
• food coloring, if desired

For frosting, combine butter (make sure it is room temp, otherwise it will be lumpy in your frosting) and shortening until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar in 1 cup increments until combined, then add milk and mix until smooth and spreading consistency. (I alternated the powdered sugar and tbsp of milk) Spread over cooled bars and enjoy!!

Mini Smores

I found this on www.myrecipegarden.blogspot.com and think it is such a fun idea to do with kids!

I am going to have to try it, because I very "weak" to refuse a smore and these look too good!

Mini Smores

Simply sandwich one mini marshmallow and one chocolate chip (pressed gently into the marshmallow) inbetween 2 Golden Grahams Cereal pieces. Microwave for approximately 20 seconds (all depends on your microwave). You may have to replace a top or two, due to the marshmallows expanding in the heat. Enjoy.

Hot Pockets

I found this recipe on http://www.everydayfoodstorage.net/! I love her site, because she shows you how to use your food storage in all your meals! She makes it look so simple, and this one definitely was simple! Pick whatever you want inside, and you have an instant hot pocket! We made pizza pockets and the kids loved them! This recipe may make only 6, but they were bigger than say the store bought ones! It was a quick easy meal, and you could definitely make more if you made them smaller!

Hot Pocket Dough- makes six 6 inch pockets

from Everydayfoodstorage

1 C. Luke Warm Water2 T. Olive Oil or Canola Oil
1 t. Sugar
1/2 t. Salt
3 C. Flour (I usually do Half all-purpose and half whole wheat or all whole wheat flour)
1 1/2 t. Yeast

Dough by hand:Dissolve Yeast in warm water. Add Oil, Sugar, and salt. Slowly mix in flour and knead. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes.
Dough in Bread Machine: (this is my favorite because you can throw all the ingredients in and set the dough cycle and get some other things done while it’s doing the work for you!)
Add ingredients in order your bread machine specifys (for example: for mine I need to add the liquid first, then dry ingredients, and then form a well and pour my yeast in). You don’t want your dough to raise for more than one hour. Most bread machine dough cycles will “beat” down the dough and you’ll want to take the dough out before it does that. Consult your users manual for timing and instructions on how to put the ingredients in.

1. Pre-heat oven to 375
2. When dough is ready, separate it in to 6 portions. If you want to be really exact, you can weigh the dough. I usually just eye ball it.
3. Using a rolling pin, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thick circles.
4. Let dough rest for 5 minutes.
5. Put 1/4-1/2 cup worth of filling. If you’re making all the same kind of hot pockets mix all your filling items together and use a scoop to fill the pockets. (pizza pockets, ham and cheese, chicken and other various pizza and hot sandwich fillings)
6. Fold dough in half over the filling and clamp edges with fork.
7. You can brush the tops with an egg white wash (1 egg white beaten with 1-2 T. water) if you want them to look really professional! (I usually don’t because I think they look delicious with out the hassle. Besides I can’t ever figure out anything to use that one egg yolk in and I hate to waste it!)
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 375.

Grilled Bananas

This is a delicious treat for after dinner.
cut tops off the bananas
slice bananas down the middle
spray grill with pam
lay bananas peel side up for about 3 min then flip over for another 3 to 5 min.
Take out of peel and put on plate
drizzle maple syrup over top and top with whip cream.
My kids thought this was the best treat ever and can't wait until we have it again (after much complaining while watching me grill the bananas)
Moral of the story always good to try something new!!!

Double Chocolate Pudding Cake

This is a really chocolately cake that is super yummy and one you can let your kids help you make!

This recipe is from the Family Fun Magazine!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

1 cup flour

2/3 cup sugar

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter, melted and slightly cooled

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 1/2 cups boiling water

1. Generously grease a 9-inch square cake pan with butter. (You can also use a 9 1/2-inch deep-dish pie pan, provided that the sides measure at least 2 inches high.) Heat the oven to 350° F.

2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, 2 tablespoons of the cocoa powder, the baking powder, and the salt.

3. In a medium-size bowl, stir the remaining 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder into the brown sugar. Rub the mixture with your fingers, breaking up any sugar lumps, until evenly combined. Set the bowl aside.

4. Make a well in the flour mixture. Add the egg, milk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Whisk the liquids to blend them, then briskly stir the entire mixture, pulling the dry ingredients in from the sides to make a uniform batter.

5. Scrape the batter into the buttered pan and spread it evenly with a spoon. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the batter. Then spread all of the brown sugar mixture evenly over the top.

6. Slowly pour the boiling water over the batter. Place the pan on the center rack and bake the cake for 30 minutes. When it's done, the cake will be baked through, but there will be a thick layer of chocolate pudding at the bottom. Because this is difficult to check with a toothpick, it's best to rely on time to determine when the cake is finished.

7. Transfer the cake to a wire rack and let it cool for about 10 minutes before serving. You can cut the cake into squares or slices, or simply spoon it out of the baking dish. Serve topped with whipped cream or ice cream. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Cookies 'n Creme Pudding Pops

Just say YUM YUM YUM!!!

Cookies 'n Creme Pudding Pops
from www.kraftfoods.com

2 cups milk
1 pkg (4 serving size) vanilla or chocolate flavor instant pudding
1/2 cup thawed cool whip topping
6 oreo cookies (I used 7)
9 3-oz paper cups
9 popsicle sticks
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1. Pour milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk for 2 min.
2. Place cookies in resealable plastic bag; crush with rolling pin.
3. Gently stir in whipped topping and crushed cookies into pudding mixture
4. Scoop pudding mixture into cups.
5. Place popsicle sticks into each for a handle and freeze 5 hours or until firm.
6. When ready to eat, place bottom of each cup in medium bowl of warm water for 15 sec. Press bottom of cup firmly to release. (Or if you are impatient, just tear the cup and eat!)

Taco Stack

Here is a very kid friendly meal that even gets them eating some beans! I was given this recipe a while back through a recipe exchange and finally tried it!

It was a success at our house!

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Taco Stack

1 lb ground beef

1 (1.5 oz) pkg. taco seasoning

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup corn

1/2 cup canned black beans, drained

1 bag tortilla chips, or 4-6 flour tortillas

lettuce

tomatoes

grated cheese

green onions

sour cream

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In a large skillet, brown and crumble ground beef; drain off fat. Stir in taco seasoning and water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes; stirring occasionally. Add corn and beans; cook until warmed through. Place in serving dish. Layer this with your chips and lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, sour cream etc.! Enjoy!

Makes 4-6 servings!

Chicken Crescent Rolls

A friend gave me this recipe while living in Utah! It is a simple, easy, kid friendly recipe! Great for those days when you need a quick dinner, especially if you already have the chicken cooked!

Chicken Crescent Rolls

3 ounces cream cheese

2 cups cooked, cubed chicken

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp dried chives

1/8 tsp pepper

3 tbsp melted butter

3/4 cup crushed croutons (I used bread crumbs this time)

1 pkg. crescent rolls

Mix together cream cheese, chicken, salt, dried chives and pepper. Fill crescent rolls with chicken mixtures. Wrap up the crescent roll by bringing the top of the triangle to the base and tuck it underneath! Brush with the melted butter and then roll in croutons or sprinkle with bread crumbs. Bake 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Creamy Southwestern Sidedish

My mom got this recipe from a friend. It is super easy without sacrificing any flavor.

2 cans Southwestern Style Corn
2 cups Cheddar Cheese
1 cup Mayo
1 cup Chopped Green Pepper
1 can Black Beans
1 Bag Chili Cheese Chips, crushed

Mix all ingredients, but don't put chips in until right before serving (they will get soggy). If you have the time, the flavor is better if you refrigerate the dish (minus chips) for an hour or so before serving. You can definitely play with this recipe a bit by adding some fresh tomatoes, onions, olives, etc. if desired. Alternate idea: I wanted to revive this on day 3, so, using a skillet, I cooked some of this on a flour tortilla with cheese---it was just as good as day one!

Tortilla Pizzas

We had these at a friends house and they were so yummy and the kids got to make there own!

Something easy and fun to do with the kids or a truly simple meal!!

Tortilla Pizzas

wheat tortillas
pizza sauce
mozzarella cheese, shredded
favorite pizza toppings: olives, pepperoni, pineapple, ham, mushrooms, peppers, etc.!!!

Preheat oven to 425. Place tortillas on cookie sheets and have the kids help! Place sauce down on tortilla, add cheese and then favorite toppings!
Bake in oven for 10 minutes and you are done!!

Snickerdoodles

I got this recipe from a friends ward Relief Society
"Favorite Family Recipes" Book!

It has quickly become our favorite recipe for Snickerdoodles because they stay really!

1 cup softened margarine

1 1/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt

Topping:

2 Tbsp sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix together in separate small bowl

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Directions:

Mix butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy. Add cream of tartar, soda, and salt to cream mixture. Mix well. Add flour, just enough to blend. Roll in 1" balls and then roll in topping mixture. Bake at 375 for 10-11 minutes on an un-greased cookie sheet. Should look soft when taken out of the oven.

Peanut Butter Cookies

This recipe came from Parents magazine for October! My sister tried them and said they were very yummy and the easiest cookies to make ever! Very kid friendly and definitely something they could help with!!

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 cup peanut butter, creamy or chuncky
1 cup sugar
1 egg

Stir together peanut butter, sugar and egg. Form into 1" balls and roll into sugar. Press with fork and bake in 375 degree oven for 10 minutes.