Whether you take your little firefighters for a tour of the fire station or have your own fun at home, this party will be a four-alarm hit for the 3 - 8 year old set.
Invitations: Impress your guests with a DIY approach. Use a fire truck die-cut to decorate yellow card stock. Trim with red and blue metallic self-adhesive stars. Don't forget to include an appropriate slogan like "Sound the Alarm - It's a Party!" and all the important details.
Decorations: Make your party pop with colors of red, yellow and black. Cover table with length of fire truck fabric. Fashion a centerpiece with red, yellow and black balloons tied to a toy fire truck. Use theme-related paper products. Give each guest a fire hat and a red tee. Personalized t-shirts with ("Your town's") Fire Department on your computer with iron-on transfer paper.
Activities: Arrange for a tour of your local station. Many communities have programs already in place where children can learn about fire safety and examine equipment. Take a group photo in front of a fire engine. Have an adult helper print off the photos during the party, so kids can take them home as favors in cardboard photo-frames.
Games: Give traditional games a firefighter twist. Play "Pin the Tail on the Dalmatian". This is just like "Pin the Tail on the Donkey", except you use a hand drawn Dalmatian, paper puppy tails and double stick tape. Play "Fire Chief Says", like "Simon Says".
Organize a "Rescue Relay". Divide guests into two teams. Each player will have to put on a slicker and boots - choose items large enough to make them easy on and off for all. Then each child will have to cross the room and "rescue" a stuffed animal from a card board box. Player will then return to start, take off the slicker and boots so the next child can repeat the process. First team to complete all rescues wins.
Set up an Obstacle Course. All firefighters will complete this training mission. Create a course with hoops, tires, stepping stones, caution tape barricades - any safe, age appropriate obstacles. Successful trainees will receive a badge upon completion.
Crafts: Color fire trucks. Print out coloring pages using enlarged clip art. Give out red crayons. This is an excellent activity to quiet kids down while you put the finishing touches on the food.
Food: Firefighters love to eat food that is spicy. Serve Hot Fire House Dogs or Chili Mac. A batch of Fire House Munchies can round out the menu along with carrots sticks and ice cold root beer.
Cake: Indulge the birthday child with an edible fire engine. This is easier than you think. Betty Crocker hosts a video with simple instructions. Prefer cupcakes? Go with Doggone Good Dalmatian ones. Serve chocolate chip ice cream to coordinate with the Dalmatian concept.
Favors: Send your guests home smiling with fire hats, t-shirts, group photos and badges. Or you can create goody bags with Matchbox fire engines or Dalmatian beanie toys and fireball candies.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Viking Bread Sticks
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
2/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped bologna or fully cooked ham
3/4 cup milk
Ketchup or mustard, if desired
Step One: Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using a pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture is crumbly. Stir in cheese and meat. Stir in just enough milk until a soft dough forms.
Step Two: Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead gently 10 times. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Pat dough into 8-inch square; cut in half. Cut each half crosswise into 1-inch strips. (For crisper sticks, arrange strips to have about 1-inch space between them.)
Step Three: Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cool with ketchup or mustard, if desired.
16 bread sticks
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
2/3 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped bologna or fully cooked ham
3/4 cup milk
Ketchup or mustard, if desired
Step One: Heat oven to 450 degrees F. Mix flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl. Cut in shortening, using a pastry blender or crisscrossing 2 knives, until mixture is crumbly. Stir in cheese and meat. Stir in just enough milk until a soft dough forms.
Step Two: Turn dough onto lightly floured surface. Knead gently 10 times. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Pat dough into 8-inch square; cut in half. Cut each half crosswise into 1-inch strips. (For crisper sticks, arrange strips to have about 1-inch space between them.)
Step Three: Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cool with ketchup or mustard, if desired.
16 bread sticks
Lemon Slush with Dragonberries
1 bag (10 ounces) frozen dragonberries (strawberries), thawed
1 cup water
5 cups ginger ale, club soda or lemon-lime carbonated beverage
Step One: In blender, place lemonade concentrate and strawberries; blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into nonmetal freezer container. Stir in water. Cover; freeze at least 4 hours.
Step Two: If mixture is frozen solid, let stand at room temperature about 15 minutes. For each serving, measure 1/2 cup slush mixture into 8 ounce glass; stir in 1/2 cup ginger ale. Serve immediately.
10 one-cup servings
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Make Your Own Easy and Inexpensive Birthday Cakes
You don't need to be a master baker to create memorable birthday cakes that your children will love. Here are a baker's dozen of simple ideas made from inexpensive and commonly available ingredients and decorations.
It is no secret - kids love cupcakes. Cupcakes are like a simple black dress. You can accessorize them for any occasion. A perennial favorite is a triple chocolate confection - chocolate cake, chocolate icing, chocolate sprinkles. Make them party-ready with foil baking cups ($1.59 for 24) and display them on a reusable tiered tower ($31.49). Take chocolate cupcakes up a notch with Rocky Road ingredients. These irresistible treats will definitely please your crowd when topped with a wonderful mix of marshmallows, chocolate chips and nuts.
Cupcakes can be customized with a variety of distinctive decorations. Create zoo-themed cakes by adding green icing and jungle animal toppers ($4.19 for 4). Make beach party cakes with pastel frosting and mini flip flop candles ($3.89 for 6). Decorate the quintessential birthday cupcake with bright icing trimmed with candy-coated chocolate pieces and topped with a chunky flame candle ($3.89 for 4).
Another way to display cupcakes is to assemble and decorate them to look like a cake. Your guests can reach for a cupcake and pull it apart from the rest - less messy than slicing a cake. Try your hand with a patriotic statement and make an American flag cake. It is a good choice for a large group as it requires 54 cupcakes with assorted icings - 12 blue, 19 red and 23 white. Substitute mini-cakes for a small party.
Cupcakes can be super-sized for a change of pace. Jumbo muffin pans ($18.99) and jumbo baking cups ($1.59 for 50) are available to make 4 x 2 inch deep cupcakes. Cupcakes can also be super-charged. A giant cupcake pan ($30.99) will produce a 15 1/2 x 8 1/4 x 3 3/4 inch cake, enough for a whole party to share. These giant cupcakes can be decorated in a traditional manner or transformed into barns for a farm-theme or castles for a fairy- or princess-theme.
Cut-up cakes are easy to make and decorate. Betty Crocker makes them even easier by posting how-to videos on the web. For budding paleontologists there is an edible dinosaur. Equestrian enthusiasts can party with an adorable pony. And technophiles can celebrate with a robot decked out in a delightful assortment of kids' candies.
Decorating sets are another way to fashion birthday cakes to please young party-goers. Soccer athletes will love a ball cake made with a Sports Pan Set ($12.99). Little princess cakes can be made from mini molds ($12.99) and mini doll toppers ($6.29 for 4). And a pirate theme party cake can be made from a pirate ship cake kit ($20.00 - #46040) that comes complete with 4 pirates, treasure chest, cannon and realistic ship parts.
It is no secret - kids love cupcakes. Cupcakes are like a simple black dress. You can accessorize them for any occasion. A perennial favorite is a triple chocolate confection - chocolate cake, chocolate icing, chocolate sprinkles. Make them party-ready with foil baking cups ($1.59 for 24) and display them on a reusable tiered tower ($31.49). Take chocolate cupcakes up a notch with Rocky Road ingredients. These irresistible treats will definitely please your crowd when topped with a wonderful mix of marshmallows, chocolate chips and nuts.
Cupcakes can be customized with a variety of distinctive decorations. Create zoo-themed cakes by adding green icing and jungle animal toppers ($4.19 for 4). Make beach party cakes with pastel frosting and mini flip flop candles ($3.89 for 6). Decorate the quintessential birthday cupcake with bright icing trimmed with candy-coated chocolate pieces and topped with a chunky flame candle ($3.89 for 4).
Another way to display cupcakes is to assemble and decorate them to look like a cake. Your guests can reach for a cupcake and pull it apart from the rest - less messy than slicing a cake. Try your hand with a patriotic statement and make an American flag cake. It is a good choice for a large group as it requires 54 cupcakes with assorted icings - 12 blue, 19 red and 23 white. Substitute mini-cakes for a small party.
Cupcakes can be super-sized for a change of pace. Jumbo muffin pans ($18.99) and jumbo baking cups ($1.59 for 50) are available to make 4 x 2 inch deep cupcakes. Cupcakes can also be super-charged. A giant cupcake pan ($30.99) will produce a 15 1/2 x 8 1/4 x 3 3/4 inch cake, enough for a whole party to share. These giant cupcakes can be decorated in a traditional manner or transformed into barns for a farm-theme or castles for a fairy- or princess-theme.
Cut-up cakes are easy to make and decorate. Betty Crocker makes them even easier by posting how-to videos on the web. For budding paleontologists there is an edible dinosaur. Equestrian enthusiasts can party with an adorable pony. And technophiles can celebrate with a robot decked out in a delightful assortment of kids' candies.
Decorating sets are another way to fashion birthday cakes to please young party-goers. Soccer athletes will love a ball cake made with a Sports Pan Set ($12.99). Little princess cakes can be made from mini molds ($12.99) and mini doll toppers ($6.29 for 4). And a pirate theme party cake can be made from a pirate ship cake kit ($20.00 - #46040) that comes complete with 4 pirates, treasure chest, cannon and realistic ship parts.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sloppy Dogs
Kids will love these tasty sandwiches. Two of their favorites in one, hot dogs coated in an easy, homemade sloppy joe sauce. To save time on party day, make the hot dog mixture a day ahead and reheat just before serving.
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 pound hot dogs, cut into 1/4-inch slices
8 hot dog or hamburger buns, split
Step One: Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook bell pepper and onion in oil, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender.
Step Two: Stir in barbecue sauce, tomato sauce and hot dog slices. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Fill buns with hot dog mixture.
8 servings
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 pound hot dogs, cut into 1/4-inch slices
8 hot dog or hamburger buns, split
Step One: Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook bell pepper and onion in oil, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender.
Step Two: Stir in barbecue sauce, tomato sauce and hot dog slices. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Fill buns with hot dog mixture.
8 servings
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Hook-n-Ladder Munchy Mix
Party-goers of all ages will love this snack. This treat can be made in minutes and will be a hit at any party.
1/4 cup butter or margarine
4 cups Frosted Cheerios
4 cups Fritos
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup candy-coated chocolate candies
Step One: Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Place butter in 13x9-inch pan; heat in oven 2 to 3 minutes or until melted (watch carefully to prevent burning). Stir in cereal, corn snacks and raisins until evenly coated.
Step Two: Bake 10 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
Step Three: Stir in marshmallows and candies. Store in loosely covered container.
20 servings (1/2 cup each)
1/4 cup butter or margarine
4 cups Frosted Cheerios
4 cups Fritos
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup candy-coated chocolate candies
Step One: Heat oven to 300 degrees F. Place butter in 13x9-inch pan; heat in oven 2 to 3 minutes or until melted (watch carefully to prevent burning). Stir in cereal, corn snacks and raisins until evenly coated.
Step Two: Bake 10 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
Step Three: Stir in marshmallows and candies. Store in loosely covered container.
20 servings (1/2 cup each)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Doggone Good Dalmatian Cupcakes
These cupcakes look like those famous spotted canines. The chocolate cake has a hidden creamy filling and chocolate chip "spots". Your kids will love them!
2 packages (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups regular semisweet chocolate chips
1 box devil's food cake mix
1 1/3 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 batch of vanilla butter cream frosting
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place baking liners in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
Step Two: In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and 1 egg with electric mixer or medium speed until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the chocolate chips, set aside.
Step Three: In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and 3 eggs on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Divide batter among muffin cups (1/4 cup each). Top each with 1 heaping teaspoon cream cheese mixture.
Step Four: Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until tops spring back when touched lightly. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Remove from pan; cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Step Five: Frost with butter cream frosting. Place remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips on cupcakes to mimic dalmatian spots. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.
24 - 30 cupcakes
2 packages (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups regular semisweet chocolate chips
1 box devil's food cake mix
1 1/3 cups water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 batch of vanilla butter cream frosting
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place baking liners in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups.
Step Two: In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and 1 egg with electric mixer or medium speed until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the chocolate chips, set aside.
Step Three: In large bowl, beat cake mix, water, oil and 3 eggs on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Divide batter among muffin cups (1/4 cup each). Top each with 1 heaping teaspoon cream cheese mixture.
Step Four: Bake 17 to 22 minutes or until tops spring back when touched lightly. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Remove from pan; cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Step Five: Frost with butter cream frosting. Place remaining 1/2 cup chocolate chips on cupcakes to mimic dalmatian spots. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.
24 - 30 cupcakes
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter Tea Party
With the March 2010 opening of the new Disney version of Alice in Wonderland, a Mad Hatter Tea Party is sure to be a hit with your school age children. Ideally, this party should be held outdoors. But if the weather conditions are not right, this party will work equally well in an indoor setting.
Invitations: Invitations for this theme are easy to make. Use a spent deck of playing cards or make some playing cards from card stock on your computer using auto shapes from Microsoft Word. Put the party details on the back of the playing cards. If you are using real playing cards, this is easier to do if you print out labels with the information and stick them on back of the cards. Use wording from the movie such as - "Don't be late for a very important date!" "We are celebrating (child's name)'s very merry birthday." "By order of the the Red Queen, you are hereby summoned to attend." "You'd be mad to miss it!" Don't forget to add all the pertinent details like date, time, address and RSVP. If you like, ask guests to come prepared to share a silly riddle or two.
Decorations: This party calls for a colorful tablecloth with paper lanterns strung above. Flat twin sheets make wonderful party table cloths for a bigger crowd. Make some white and red tissue paper roses to use as a centerpiece. Add playing cards to the decorating scheme - normal size ones or giant ones made from poster board or both. A smattering of red hearts of assorted sizes will support the party theme as well. If you have any pink lawn flamingos, this is the occasion to flaunt them. Hang a variety of signs in and around the party space with "This Way" - "That Way" - "Up" - "Down" - painted on them like in the Tulgey Woods from the 1951 Disney movie version. Birthday Express has a full line of Tea for You paper products. For music download songs from the Alice movies - either the earlier Disney cartoon version or the Tim Burton's 2010 release.
Activities: Stage a silly riddle show. Video-tape each act. If you have the computer resources, an adult helper can burn a DVD-R with the video for each guest to take home.
Games: A lot of traditional games can be tweaked to accommodate the Alice theme. Hold a Caucus Race. Organize guests in a circle. Play music, have guests walk around in the circle, when the music stops, the last one to sit down is out.
Play pin the grin on the Cheshire Cat. On a poster board draw and color in a Cheshire Cat - have your kids help with this task - no one is expecting a Renoir. Cut out a bunch of grins, apply double stick tape to them. Blindfold guests, one at a time, and let them place the grin on the cat. Child, who places the grin the closest to the right spot, wins.
Play the Queen Says, like Simon Says.
Play Hot Tea Bag, like Hot Potato.
Alice Trivia is also a relevant choice for this theme. Prepare trivia questions in advance. Divide groups into two teams. Team with most correct answers wins.
Organize a golden key hunt, like an Easter Egg Hunt. Hide keys crafted out of cardstock around the party area and have guests find them. Kid finding the most keys wins.
Set up a croquet set and play a simplified version. Organize some card games like Old Maid or Go Fish.
Play paint the roses red. Print out coloring pages using enlarged clip art. Give out red crayons for kids to color. First to finish wins. You may want to assign penalties for sloppy "painting" ahead of time to discourage wild and crazy scribbling. Or change the end game and award the child who is the last to complete this project the prize. Painting the roses red can be an excellent game to quiet the kids down and keep them busy as you put the finishing touches on the food.
Crafts: Get a to-go party pack of tea cups and paints at your local pottery place. Your guests will be able to decorate a tea cup. After the party, you will return finished cups to the pottery store to be fired and can distribute the glazed items in about a week. Oriental Trading Company has a teapot shaped picture frame complete with decorative add-ons. ($8.99 per dozen) Can be ordered online.
Food: A variety of kid friendly foods is in order for this tea party. Serve Mini Ham and Cheese Sandwiches or peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches with the crusts cut off. Mini Chocolate Chip Scones are a delicious, authentic addition to the menu. Mini bunches of grapes are easy to prepare and will complement the tea sandwiches and scones.
Most kids don't like traditional tea. Serve pink lemonade from a teapot. Or if you prefer a warm beverage, serve warm apple cider. Write "Drink Me" on party cups to tie back to the Alice movies.
Cake: Kids love cupcakes and they are the perfect addition to this tea party. Try Strawberry and Cream Cupcakes. They combine cake mix and soda pop to create a delicious treat. The pink icing can be decorated with red hot cinnamon drops or use tubes of decorating icing or gel to pipe "Eat Me" on each cupcake.
Favors: Kids and parents always appreciate individual or group pictures taken at the party, if you have the capability to print photos at home. Likewise, a DVD-R of the riddle show would be a very welcomed memento of the party. If you painted pottery, the tea cups will make excellent favors. Although they will not be finished for transport on party day. The teapot picture frames can also serve as stand alone favors and with some planning can be used to hold a party picture.
Several other favors support the Alice theme. Consider a deck of mini playing cards, An Alice in Wonderland Sticker Activity book $1.50, a mini water color set, red heart-shaped lollipops or Gummi Caterpillars.
Plan B: Rent a DVD of the 1951 version of the Disney Alice movie or copy of the 2010 version when it is released.
Invitations: Invitations for this theme are easy to make. Use a spent deck of playing cards or make some playing cards from card stock on your computer using auto shapes from Microsoft Word. Put the party details on the back of the playing cards. If you are using real playing cards, this is easier to do if you print out labels with the information and stick them on back of the cards. Use wording from the movie such as - "Don't be late for a very important date!" "We are celebrating (child's name)'s very merry birthday." "By order of the the Red Queen, you are hereby summoned to attend." "You'd be mad to miss it!" Don't forget to add all the pertinent details like date, time, address and RSVP. If you like, ask guests to come prepared to share a silly riddle or two.
Decorations: This party calls for a colorful tablecloth with paper lanterns strung above. Flat twin sheets make wonderful party table cloths for a bigger crowd. Make some white and red tissue paper roses to use as a centerpiece. Add playing cards to the decorating scheme - normal size ones or giant ones made from poster board or both. A smattering of red hearts of assorted sizes will support the party theme as well. If you have any pink lawn flamingos, this is the occasion to flaunt them. Hang a variety of signs in and around the party space with "This Way" - "That Way" - "Up" - "Down" - painted on them like in the Tulgey Woods from the 1951 Disney movie version. Birthday Express has a full line of Tea for You paper products. For music download songs from the Alice movies - either the earlier Disney cartoon version or the Tim Burton's 2010 release.
Activities: Stage a silly riddle show. Video-tape each act. If you have the computer resources, an adult helper can burn a DVD-R with the video for each guest to take home.
Games: A lot of traditional games can be tweaked to accommodate the Alice theme. Hold a Caucus Race. Organize guests in a circle. Play music, have guests walk around in the circle, when the music stops, the last one to sit down is out.
Play pin the grin on the Cheshire Cat. On a poster board draw and color in a Cheshire Cat - have your kids help with this task - no one is expecting a Renoir. Cut out a bunch of grins, apply double stick tape to them. Blindfold guests, one at a time, and let them place the grin on the cat. Child, who places the grin the closest to the right spot, wins.
Play the Queen Says, like Simon Says.
Play Hot Tea Bag, like Hot Potato.
Alice Trivia is also a relevant choice for this theme. Prepare trivia questions in advance. Divide groups into two teams. Team with most correct answers wins.
Organize a golden key hunt, like an Easter Egg Hunt. Hide keys crafted out of cardstock around the party area and have guests find them. Kid finding the most keys wins.
Set up a croquet set and play a simplified version. Organize some card games like Old Maid or Go Fish.
Play paint the roses red. Print out coloring pages using enlarged clip art. Give out red crayons for kids to color. First to finish wins. You may want to assign penalties for sloppy "painting" ahead of time to discourage wild and crazy scribbling. Or change the end game and award the child who is the last to complete this project the prize. Painting the roses red can be an excellent game to quiet the kids down and keep them busy as you put the finishing touches on the food.
Crafts: Get a to-go party pack of tea cups and paints at your local pottery place. Your guests will be able to decorate a tea cup. After the party, you will return finished cups to the pottery store to be fired and can distribute the glazed items in about a week. Oriental Trading Company has a teapot shaped picture frame complete with decorative add-ons. ($8.99 per dozen) Can be ordered online.
Food: A variety of kid friendly foods is in order for this tea party. Serve Mini Ham and Cheese Sandwiches or peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches with the crusts cut off. Mini Chocolate Chip Scones are a delicious, authentic addition to the menu. Mini bunches of grapes are easy to prepare and will complement the tea sandwiches and scones.
Most kids don't like traditional tea. Serve pink lemonade from a teapot. Or if you prefer a warm beverage, serve warm apple cider. Write "Drink Me" on party cups to tie back to the Alice movies.
Cake: Kids love cupcakes and they are the perfect addition to this tea party. Try Strawberry and Cream Cupcakes. They combine cake mix and soda pop to create a delicious treat. The pink icing can be decorated with red hot cinnamon drops or use tubes of decorating icing or gel to pipe "Eat Me" on each cupcake.
Favors: Kids and parents always appreciate individual or group pictures taken at the party, if you have the capability to print photos at home. Likewise, a DVD-R of the riddle show would be a very welcomed memento of the party. If you painted pottery, the tea cups will make excellent favors. Although they will not be finished for transport on party day. The teapot picture frames can also serve as stand alone favors and with some planning can be used to hold a party picture.
Several other favors support the Alice theme. Consider a deck of mini playing cards, An Alice in Wonderland Sticker Activity book $1.50, a mini water color set, red heart-shaped lollipops or Gummi Caterpillars.
Plan B: Rent a DVD of the 1951 version of the Disney Alice movie or copy of the 2010 version when it is released.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Mini Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
These are the easiest party foods you will ever bake! The bread bakes around the ham and cheese, and you cut it into fun mini-sandwiches. Vary the meat and cheese to suit the tastes of your kids. Try roast beef or turkey with American, Swiss or provolone cheese.
2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 package (6 ounces) thinly sliced fully cooked lean ham, chopped
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease square baking dish, 8x8x2 inches.
Step Two: Mix Bisquick, milk and egg until blended. Pour half of the batter into baking dish. Top with half of the ham and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Top with remaining ham. Pour remaining batter over ham.
Step Three: Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and set. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Cut into 8 squares; cut each square diagonally in half.
18 mini sandwiches
2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 package (6 ounces) thinly sliced fully cooked lean ham, chopped
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease square baking dish, 8x8x2 inches.
Step Two: Mix Bisquick, milk and egg until blended. Pour half of the batter into baking dish. Top with half of the ham and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Top with remaining ham. Pour remaining batter over ham.
Step Three: Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until golden brown and set. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. Cut into 8 squares; cut each square diagonally in half.
18 mini sandwiches
Mini Chocolate Chip Scones
Surprise your guests with these delicious yet easy, bite-sized scones for a perfectly sweet treat for your tea party. Scones can be made ahead of time and frozen in resealable freezer plastic bags until morning of party.
2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup whipping (heavy) cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Additional whipping cream for pre-bake brush
Additional sugar for pre-bake sprinkle
Step One: Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray or grease with shortening. Stir Bisquick mix, chocolate chips, whipping cream, 3 tablespoons sugar, the egg and vanilla in medium bowl until soft dough forms.
Step Two: Pat into 4-inch circle on cookie sheet (if dough is sticky, dip fingers in Bisquick mix). Brush circle with additional whipping cream; sprinkle with additional sugar. Cut each circle into 8 wedges, but do not separate.
Step Three: Bake about 6-8 minutes or until golden brown; carefully separate. Serve warm.
2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup whipping (heavy) cream
3 tablespoons sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Additional whipping cream for pre-bake brush
Additional sugar for pre-bake sprinkle
Step One: Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray or grease with shortening. Stir Bisquick mix, chocolate chips, whipping cream, 3 tablespoons sugar, the egg and vanilla in medium bowl until soft dough forms.
Step Two: Pat into 4-inch circle on cookie sheet (if dough is sticky, dip fingers in Bisquick mix). Brush circle with additional whipping cream; sprinkle with additional sugar. Cut each circle into 8 wedges, but do not separate.
Step Three: Bake about 6-8 minutes or until golden brown; carefully separate. Serve warm.
Strawberry and Cream Cupcakes
Soda pop is the secret ingredient in this delicious strawberry-and-cream dessert.
1 box white cake mix
1 1/4 cup strawberry-flavored soda pop
Vegetable oil, egg and egg whites per cake mix box
Red food color
1 batch cream cheese frosting
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 24 cupcakes, substituting soda pop for the water and using oil, egg and egg whites, as directed. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Step Two: Stir 1 or 2 drops food color into frosting. Frost cupcakes. Decorate as desired.
24 cupcakes
1 box white cake mix
1 1/4 cup strawberry-flavored soda pop
Vegetable oil, egg and egg whites per cake mix box
Red food color
1 batch cream cheese frosting
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 24 cupcakes, substituting soda pop for the water and using oil, egg and egg whites, as directed. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
Step Two: Stir 1 or 2 drops food color into frosting. Frost cupcakes. Decorate as desired.
24 cupcakes
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Greener Favors
In recent years goody bags have gotten out of hand with each party trying to outdo the one before. If you want to roll back this trend - think simple, think green. All children and their parents appreciate a group photo in a simple, inexpensive frame or a cardboard photo folder. If you have the printing capability, one of your grown-up helpers can print off the copies during the party for distribution at the appointed parent pick-up time. Crafts made at the party also make excellent favors. Most Kids' Parties with Flair party plans incorporate an easy, inexpensive craft or two for your consideration.
Food is always a winner in goody bags. Send your guests home with sweet creations like home-made cookies or Krispy Treats cut out with cookie cutters in a shape to complement your party theme. More ideas for loot bags include kid friendly cookie-cutters with miniature containers of play-dough, fun jewelry, stickers, and goofy sunglasses. Check sites like Oriental Trading Company and Amazon.com to find quality, inexpensive treasures.
Food is always a winner in goody bags. Send your guests home with sweet creations like home-made cookies or Krispy Treats cut out with cookie cutters in a shape to complement your party theme. More ideas for loot bags include kid friendly cookie-cutters with miniature containers of play-dough, fun jewelry, stickers, and goofy sunglasses. Check sites like Oriental Trading Company and Amazon.com to find quality, inexpensive treasures.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Greener Party Cakes
Kids might be fussy eaters, but one thing they can all agree on is cake - the centerpiece of any party. A greener option to purchasing an expensive store-bought cake is to make the cake yourself at home. Kids love to help decorate home-made creations. Give them a bowl of candy coated chocolate pieces and you will be surprised at the masterpieces they can create. Don't overlook cupcakes - the mania for these miniature treats is gaining momentum day-by-day. Use silicone baking cups to eliminate the need for paper cupcake liners. You will love the convenience and easy release feature. These reusable oven-safe cups are perfect for baking and serving. Your cupcakes will come out perfectly every time. Silly cups work like magic!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Devil's Food Snack Cake - Gluten Free
Do you need a gluten free dessert for your next party? Try this sweet, moist snack using Betty Crocker Gluten Free devil's food cake mix. It has a secret ingredient that even your most finicky eaters will not be able to detect.
Cake
1 box (15 ounces) Betty Crocker Gluten Free devil's food cake mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 medium zucchini, shredded and unpeeled
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup water
3 eggs
Streusel
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom only of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
Step Two: Reserve 1/4 cup cake mix for streusel, set aside. In large bowl, beat remaining cake mix. 1/2 cup butter, zucchini, cinnamon, cloves, water and eggs on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Spread in pan.
Step Three: In small bowl, mix reserved 1/4 cup cake mix and streusel ingredients with fork until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
Step Four: Bake 44 to 49 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm or cool.
12 servings
Cake
1 box (15 ounces) Betty Crocker Gluten Free devil's food cake mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 medium zucchini, shredded and unpeeled
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup water
3 eggs
Streusel
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottom only of 8-inch square pan with cooking spray.
Step Two: Reserve 1/4 cup cake mix for streusel, set aside. In large bowl, beat remaining cake mix. 1/2 cup butter, zucchini, cinnamon, cloves, water and eggs on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Spread in pan.
Step Three: In small bowl, mix reserved 1/4 cup cake mix and streusel ingredients with fork until mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle over batter.
Step Four: Bake 44 to 49 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm or cool.
12 servings
Thursday, March 4, 2010
No-Bake Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
This delicious concoction is easy to make and requires no baking. After cake has frozen for about two hours, you can decorate top with decorator icings or gels available in the baking aisle of your supermarket. Or add some theme-appropriate collectible miniature figurines or ornaments.
19 ice cream sandwiches
1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 jar (12 ounces) hot fudge ice cream topping
1 cup candy coated chocolate candies
Step One: Cut one ice cream sandwich in half. Place one whole and one half sandwich along the short side of an ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Arrange eight sandwiches in opposite direction in the pan. Spread with half of the whipped topping. Spoon fudge topping by teaspoonfuls onto whipped topping. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup candy coated chocolate candies.
Step Two: Repeat layers with remaining ice cream sandwiches, whipped topping and candy coated chocolate candies.
Step Three: Cover and freeze for up to 2 months. Remove from freezer 20 minutes before serving. Cut into squares.
15 servings
19 ice cream sandwiches
1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 jar (12 ounces) hot fudge ice cream topping
1 cup candy coated chocolate candies
Step One: Cut one ice cream sandwich in half. Place one whole and one half sandwich along the short side of an ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Arrange eight sandwiches in opposite direction in the pan. Spread with half of the whipped topping. Spoon fudge topping by teaspoonfuls onto whipped topping. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup candy coated chocolate candies.
Step Two: Repeat layers with remaining ice cream sandwiches, whipped topping and candy coated chocolate candies.
Step Three: Cover and freeze for up to 2 months. Remove from freezer 20 minutes before serving. Cut into squares.
15 servings
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Greener Invitations
Sending green invitations can be done creatively and cheaply via email. If you want a little more warmth with a personal touch, have your kids help you design imaginative, easy to make invitations. For example, pirate hats or princess crowns can serve double duty as invitations and party hats. These invitations can be hand-delivered at school or in the neighborhood and then worn to the party. Please share your green party ideas. We would love to hear them.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Easy Scoop Ice Cream
To make ice cream easier to serve at your party, the day before place scoops of ice cream in muffin pans lined with paper baking cups, cover and freeze. Move ice cream from freezer to refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving to make it softer and easier for kids to handle.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Star Struck - A Rock Star Party
A rock star party is very popular with the school age set and it is easy to plan on any budget.
Invitations: Impress your guests with invitations made in the shape of a star, concert ticket or backstage pass. Use card stock and your computer. Individual sheets of card stock can be purchased at Kinkos or Michaels. Use wording like "Exclusive Engagement", "One Day Only" at "Your child's name Auditorium". Encourage your guests to come dressed as their favorite pop star.
Two vendors have pre-printed Rock Star invites on-line: Birthday Express and Oriental Trading Company. If you like a more traditional approach, Paper Direct and Vista Print have an excellent array of star-themed papers for you to personalize on your computer.
Decorations: The concept for decorating a Rock Star Party is bright and flashy. Ask the birthday girl or boy to choose the color palette. A selection of balloons, crepe paper, curling ribbon and/or confetti can easily deliver the desired look. For a splurge, consider hanging records and stars from the ceiling and adding cardboard cut-outs of guitars and posters of popular musicians to the mix. Lots of choices for rock star paper goods and decorations are available on-line or at your local party store. Three on-line sources with a wide variety of rock star items are Birthday Express, Birthday Direct and Oriental Trading Company.
Set aside space in the party room for a dance area. Have a selection of music on hand. Guests can bring their ipods or ask the birthday child to plan the music.
Activities: Having photos taken in a cool rock star pose makes for a fun ice breaker. Guests can take turns singing or lip synching while pictures are taken. Have pretend microphones ($0.27) available for each guest. Kids can take the microphones home as favors. Have an adult helper print off the photos during the party so kids can take them home as favors in inexpensive cardboard photo folders (25 for $10.50).
Stage a lip synching/karaoke show. Video-tape each act. If you have the computer resources, an adult helper can burn a DVD-R with the video for each guest to take home.
Games: Dance Freeze is a good one for this party. Play music, everyone dances, stop the music, everyone freezes. Those who move are out. Last player remaining wins.
Rock Star Trivia is also a relevant choice for this theme. Prepare trivia questions about the kids' favorite rock stars, for example, first name of Bonus Jonas brother. Fan web-sites and Wikipedia are good sources for this trivia. Divide group into two teams. Team with most correct answers wins.
Craft: Guests can make autograph books. Cut 8 1/2 x 11 inch "typing" paper in half to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch in size. Give each guest enough sheets to receive an autograph from all the other guests. (With a maximum of four autograph panels per page, five guests need two sheets, ten guests three sheets, and so on.) Fold resulting 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch papers in half. Give each kid a card stock cover 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch and have them fold that in half too, putting typing paper inside to make the book. Pass out 20 inch lengths of skinny curling ribbon or cording. Have kids place ribbon around book on spine-fold and tie knot and simple bow. Books are now ready to decorate covers and be autographed. If you prefer, autograph books can be purchased for $2.25.
Food: Serve a selection of kid friendly treats like cheesy pigs in a blanket, carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing dip and Sun Chips. A simple cran-raspberry punch is an easy way to quench the thirst of the party rockers.
Cake: Make the cake your child's favorite flavor. A practical choice is a round or square layer cake embellished with bright icing and musical notes crafted out of black decorating gel or icing - available in the baking section of your local market.
Three popular choices to crank it up a notch are the Rock Star Cake, the Wilton Guitar Cake or the Betty Crocker cut-up Guitar Cake. If you prefer cupcakes, try easy Psychedelic Cupcakes. These colorful cupcakes need no icing.
Tip - To make ice cream easier to serve at the party, the day before place scoops of ice cream in muffin pans lined with paper baking cups, cover and freeze. Move ice cream from freezer to refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving to make it softer and easier for kids to handle.
Favors: Send guests home with microphones, photos, autograph books, and/or DVD-R of lip-synching show. Add small bags of rock star candies - pop rocks, tootsie rolls and/or star bursts, if desired.
Plan B: Have a pop star DVD on hand as a back-up activity, for example, one of the Cheetah Girls or High Musical trilogies, Cinderalla Story II, Princess Protection Program, Star Struck or Camp Rock.
Invitations: Impress your guests with invitations made in the shape of a star, concert ticket or backstage pass. Use card stock and your computer. Individual sheets of card stock can be purchased at Kinkos or Michaels. Use wording like "Exclusive Engagement", "One Day Only" at "Your child's name Auditorium". Encourage your guests to come dressed as their favorite pop star.
Two vendors have pre-printed Rock Star invites on-line: Birthday Express and Oriental Trading Company. If you like a more traditional approach, Paper Direct and Vista Print have an excellent array of star-themed papers for you to personalize on your computer.
Decorations: The concept for decorating a Rock Star Party is bright and flashy. Ask the birthday girl or boy to choose the color palette. A selection of balloons, crepe paper, curling ribbon and/or confetti can easily deliver the desired look. For a splurge, consider hanging records and stars from the ceiling and adding cardboard cut-outs of guitars and posters of popular musicians to the mix. Lots of choices for rock star paper goods and decorations are available on-line or at your local party store. Three on-line sources with a wide variety of rock star items are Birthday Express, Birthday Direct and Oriental Trading Company.
Set aside space in the party room for a dance area. Have a selection of music on hand. Guests can bring their ipods or ask the birthday child to plan the music.
Activities: Having photos taken in a cool rock star pose makes for a fun ice breaker. Guests can take turns singing or lip synching while pictures are taken. Have pretend microphones ($0.27) available for each guest. Kids can take the microphones home as favors. Have an adult helper print off the photos during the party so kids can take them home as favors in inexpensive cardboard photo folders (25 for $10.50).
Stage a lip synching/karaoke show. Video-tape each act. If you have the computer resources, an adult helper can burn a DVD-R with the video for each guest to take home.
Games: Dance Freeze is a good one for this party. Play music, everyone dances, stop the music, everyone freezes. Those who move are out. Last player remaining wins.
Rock Star Trivia is also a relevant choice for this theme. Prepare trivia questions about the kids' favorite rock stars, for example, first name of Bonus Jonas brother. Fan web-sites and Wikipedia are good sources for this trivia. Divide group into two teams. Team with most correct answers wins.
Craft: Guests can make autograph books. Cut 8 1/2 x 11 inch "typing" paper in half to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch in size. Give each guest enough sheets to receive an autograph from all the other guests. (With a maximum of four autograph panels per page, five guests need two sheets, ten guests three sheets, and so on.) Fold resulting 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch papers in half. Give each kid a card stock cover 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 inch and have them fold that in half too, putting typing paper inside to make the book. Pass out 20 inch lengths of skinny curling ribbon or cording. Have kids place ribbon around book on spine-fold and tie knot and simple bow. Books are now ready to decorate covers and be autographed. If you prefer, autograph books can be purchased for $2.25.
Food: Serve a selection of kid friendly treats like cheesy pigs in a blanket, carrot and celery sticks with ranch dressing dip and Sun Chips. A simple cran-raspberry punch is an easy way to quench the thirst of the party rockers.
Cake: Make the cake your child's favorite flavor. A practical choice is a round or square layer cake embellished with bright icing and musical notes crafted out of black decorating gel or icing - available in the baking section of your local market.
Three popular choices to crank it up a notch are the Rock Star Cake, the Wilton Guitar Cake or the Betty Crocker cut-up Guitar Cake. If you prefer cupcakes, try easy Psychedelic Cupcakes. These colorful cupcakes need no icing.
Tip - To make ice cream easier to serve at the party, the day before place scoops of ice cream in muffin pans lined with paper baking cups, cover and freeze. Move ice cream from freezer to refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving to make it softer and easier for kids to handle.
Favors: Send guests home with microphones, photos, autograph books, and/or DVD-R of lip-synching show. Add small bags of rock star candies - pop rocks, tootsie rolls and/or star bursts, if desired.
Plan B: Have a pop star DVD on hand as a back-up activity, for example, one of the Cheetah Girls or High Musical trilogies, Cinderalla Story II, Princess Protection Program, Star Struck or Camp Rock.
Cheesy Crescent Dogs
Crescent rolls update the traditional pig-in-blanket, along with a yummy surprise: melted cheese in each frank.
8 hot dogs
4 slices American cheese, each slice cut into 6 strips
1 can (8 ounces) crescent dinner rolls
Step One: Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Slit hot dogs to within 1/2 inch of ends; insert 3 strips of cheese into each slit.
Step Two: Separate dough into triangles. Wrap dough triangle around each hot dog. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, cheese side up.
Step Three: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
8 sandwiches
8 hot dogs
4 slices American cheese, each slice cut into 6 strips
1 can (8 ounces) crescent dinner rolls
Step One: Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Slit hot dogs to within 1/2 inch of ends; insert 3 strips of cheese into each slit.
Step Two: Separate dough into triangles. Wrap dough triangle around each hot dog. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, cheese side up.
Step Three: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
8 sandwiches
Cran-Raspberry Punch
1 bottle (32 ounces) of cran-raspberry juice, chilled
1 can (6 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate
1 bottle (2 liters) ginger ale, chilled
In punch bowl or large pitcher, mix juice and lemonade concentrate. Stir in ginger ale. Serve immediately over ice.
12 servings (1 cup)
Tip - Get second bottle of cran-raspberry juice to make ice cubes for punch.
1 can (6 ounces) frozen lemonade concentrate
1 bottle (2 liters) ginger ale, chilled
In punch bowl or large pitcher, mix juice and lemonade concentrate. Stir in ginger ale. Serve immediately over ice.
12 servings (1 cup)
Tip - Get second bottle of cran-raspberry juice to make ice cubes for punch.
Psychedelic Cupcakes
These colorful, delicious cupcakes need no icing.
1 box yellow or white cake mix
Water, oil, eggs per directions on box
1 container rainbow confetti sprinkles
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Make cake as directed on box for 24 cupcakes - except fill muffin cups half full; top each with 1/4 teaspoon sprinkles. Top with remaining batter, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon sprinkles.
Step Two: Bake and cool as directed on box for cupcakes.
24 cupcakes
1 box yellow or white cake mix
Water, oil, eggs per directions on box
1 container rainbow confetti sprinkles
Step One: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Make cake as directed on box for 24 cupcakes - except fill muffin cups half full; top each with 1/4 teaspoon sprinkles. Top with remaining batter, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon sprinkles.
Step Two: Bake and cool as directed on box for cupcakes.
24 cupcakes
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