Turn angel food cake into a brilliant birthday treat with food coloring. Add a scoop of rainbow sherbet to each serving for more rainbow fun. FYI - Serrated knives work best when cutting a foam-type cake like angel food.
1 box of white angel food cake mix
1 1/4 cups cold water
1 teaspoon grated lemon or orange peel
Red, yellow and blue liquid food colors
1 cup of vanilla buttercream frosting
Step One: Move oven rack to lowest position (remove other racks). Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In extra-large glass or metal bowl, beat cake mix, water and lemon peel with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds; beat on medium speed 1 minute.
Step Two: Divide batter evenly among 3 bowls. Gently stir 6 to 8 drops of one food color into each of the batters. Pour red batter into ungreased 10-inch angel food (tube) cake pan. Spoon yellow batter over red batter. Spoon blue batter over top.
Step Three: Bake 37 to 47 minutes or until top is dark golden brown and cracks feel very dry and not sticky. Do not underbake. Immediately turn pan upside down onto glass bottle until cake is completely cool, about 2 hours. Run knife around edges of cake; remove from pan to serving plate.
Step Four: Spoon frosting into microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on High about 15 seconds or until frosting can be stirred smooth and is thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over cake. Store loosely covered at room temperature.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Moon Crater Mac n Cheese
If mac and cheese and hot dogs top your little space rangers' list of favorite foods, then they will love this mac and cheese recipe.
1 pound elbow macaroni
3 cups milk
6 hot dogs, cut into 1-inch slices
12 to 18 slices American cheese
12 Ritz crackers
Step One: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook and drain macaroni and let it cool slightly. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish or a large casserole dish with non-stick coating spray.
Step Two: Spoon a third of the pasta into the pan, then add 1/3 of the hot dog pieces, then pour 1 cup of milk and cover it all with 4 to 6 slices of American cheese. Add two more layers of pasta, hot dogs, milk and cheese in the same manner.
Step Three: Crush crackers in a sealable plastic bag. Sprinkle the crumbs over the top layer of pasta and cheese. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly.
Serves 8 to 10
1 pound elbow macaroni
3 cups milk
6 hot dogs, cut into 1-inch slices
12 to 18 slices American cheese
12 Ritz crackers
Step One: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook and drain macaroni and let it cool slightly. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish or a large casserole dish with non-stick coating spray.
Step Two: Spoon a third of the pasta into the pan, then add 1/3 of the hot dog pieces, then pour 1 cup of milk and cover it all with 4 to 6 slices of American cheese. Add two more layers of pasta, hot dogs, milk and cheese in the same manner.
Step Three: Crush crackers in a sealable plastic bag. Sprinkle the crumbs over the top layer of pasta and cheese. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly.
Serves 8 to 10
Friday, May 7, 2010
How to Throw A Toy Story 3 Sheriff Woody Wild West Roundup Birthday Party
Everything will be under control at the birthday corral with this party plan. All you need for good eating and plenty of fun to celebrate your cowgirl or cowboy's big day is right here. With the opening of Toy Story 3 on June 18, 2010 and the return of the endearing characters of Sheriff Woody, Jessie and Bullseye this party will be in high demand.
Invitations: An easy DIY version requires two colors of card stock or construction paper and some small decorative dots. To make each card, simply fold in half a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2-inch piece of card stock in color one. Then from color two cut out a horseshoe and glue it to the front of the card. Be sure to place the horseshoes up for good luck. Apply small decorative dots for the horseshoe nails. You can buy decorative dots from an office supply store or make your own with a hole punch. Use colored markers to add the message and any additional decorative embellishments, then print the party details inside. Encourage your guests to bring a favorite pony to the party and/or to dress-up in blue jeans. Wild West Roundup/Pony-themed invites are available in party stores and on-line from such vendors like Oriental Trading Company or Birthday In a Box.
Decorations: Let your child's favorite pony story or movie characters guide the colors and theme used for paper goods and balloons. Wild West Roundup food choices lend themselves to ranch decor, so you may want to go the red checkered tablecloth and bandannas ($7.99 per dozen) route. Guests can take home the bandannas or tie them on as a neckerchief. Hand out cowboy hats ($14.99 per dozen) upon arrival to solidify the Wild West theme. Exclusive Toy Story 3 party supplies are available at Birthday in a Box.
Activities: A great ice breaker is to take pictures of each cowpoke in his or her cowboy hat with a bandanna tied around the neck. For favors print the pictures off as black and white wanted posters on tan 8 1/2 x 11 paper to give them the authentic touch.
An excellent way to settle kids down before serving the food is a printable maze. A Western-themed one can be found here.
As the party winds down, a game of rob thy neighbor is in order. Before the party, package a party trinket for each guest in a decorative box or gift bag. Vary the wrapping so some will be large and some will be small, some plain and some fancy. Have the guests form a circle on the floor or ground and put all the favors in the center of the group. The child to the right of the birthday boy or girl chooses first. The next child can then either take the first child's choice or choose another. (All gifts remained wrapped until the end.) This continues around the circle until every child has taken a gift from center or from another child. In the end every child should have one favor to take home.
Games: A natural for the Roundup is "Pin the Tail on the Pony".
If you have enough space inside or can take the party outside, organize a galloping relay race. Pair the kids as the front and back end of a horse. Each pair goes the distance as one end and switches places to come back as the other. The first pair to reach the finish line wins.
A hunt in the hay is a fun game, if you can take the party outdoors or don't care about having hay inside - perhaps the basement? If you have to have your hunt inside, think about using shredded paper from a document shredder. Blindfold each kid as it is their turn. In a small pile of hay, hide tiny objects (pennies, small toys). Your local dollar store is a good source of these small items. Each guest has a chance to feel around the "hay" and find objects. Set a timer, so everyone has the same opportunity to find things. Kids can either keep what they find or you can declare the winner as the kid that finds the most stuff.
Set up a "lasso" practice area. Using a hula hoop and a child's rocking horse, have your cowboys and girls try to "rope" the pony's neck.
A challenging game for the outdoors or indoors - if you have space - is Sidewinder Jump. The purpose of this game is to avoid the "bite" of a deadly snake. Make your snake out of an 8-foot length of rope. To play, have two adults hold the end of the rope and whisk it back and forth along the ground. The children try to jump over the wiggling snake without touching it. For older kids, try raising the rope a few inches off the ground.
Food: The chow wagon can serve up hot dogs and baked beans. For a change of pace try Mini BBQ Chicken Pizzas. Kids will love to nibble on baby carrots and apple slices, a diet staple of horses. Add some Doritos Munchies Mix for a bit of crunch and to round out the treats. Wash down the trail dust with root beer or lemonade.
Cake: For a special cake, try one shaped like a cowboy or girl's best friend - his or her trusty stead. It is easier than you think with templates and a how-to video from Betty Crocker. Or try making one using the Wilton Pony Pan (2105-1101).
Favors: In addition to the cowboy hat, bandanna, any winnings and the individual Wanted Posters, each guest can take home a toy harmonica ($6.99 per dozen) or a bag of trail mix, if more bounty is needed.
Invitations: An easy DIY version requires two colors of card stock or construction paper and some small decorative dots. To make each card, simply fold in half a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2-inch piece of card stock in color one. Then from color two cut out a horseshoe and glue it to the front of the card. Be sure to place the horseshoes up for good luck. Apply small decorative dots for the horseshoe nails. You can buy decorative dots from an office supply store or make your own with a hole punch. Use colored markers to add the message and any additional decorative embellishments, then print the party details inside. Encourage your guests to bring a favorite pony to the party and/or to dress-up in blue jeans. Wild West Roundup/Pony-themed invites are available in party stores and on-line from such vendors like Oriental Trading Company or Birthday In a Box.
Decorations: Let your child's favorite pony story or movie characters guide the colors and theme used for paper goods and balloons. Wild West Roundup food choices lend themselves to ranch decor, so you may want to go the red checkered tablecloth and bandannas ($7.99 per dozen) route. Guests can take home the bandannas or tie them on as a neckerchief. Hand out cowboy hats ($14.99 per dozen) upon arrival to solidify the Wild West theme. Exclusive Toy Story 3 party supplies are available at Birthday in a Box.
Activities: A great ice breaker is to take pictures of each cowpoke in his or her cowboy hat with a bandanna tied around the neck. For favors print the pictures off as black and white wanted posters on tan 8 1/2 x 11 paper to give them the authentic touch.
An excellent way to settle kids down before serving the food is a printable maze. A Western-themed one can be found here.
As the party winds down, a game of rob thy neighbor is in order. Before the party, package a party trinket for each guest in a decorative box or gift bag. Vary the wrapping so some will be large and some will be small, some plain and some fancy. Have the guests form a circle on the floor or ground and put all the favors in the center of the group. The child to the right of the birthday boy or girl chooses first. The next child can then either take the first child's choice or choose another. (All gifts remained wrapped until the end.) This continues around the circle until every child has taken a gift from center or from another child. In the end every child should have one favor to take home.
Games: A natural for the Roundup is "Pin the Tail on the Pony".
If you have enough space inside or can take the party outside, organize a galloping relay race. Pair the kids as the front and back end of a horse. Each pair goes the distance as one end and switches places to come back as the other. The first pair to reach the finish line wins.
A hunt in the hay is a fun game, if you can take the party outdoors or don't care about having hay inside - perhaps the basement? If you have to have your hunt inside, think about using shredded paper from a document shredder. Blindfold each kid as it is their turn. In a small pile of hay, hide tiny objects (pennies, small toys). Your local dollar store is a good source of these small items. Each guest has a chance to feel around the "hay" and find objects. Set a timer, so everyone has the same opportunity to find things. Kids can either keep what they find or you can declare the winner as the kid that finds the most stuff.
Set up a "lasso" practice area. Using a hula hoop and a child's rocking horse, have your cowboys and girls try to "rope" the pony's neck.
A challenging game for the outdoors or indoors - if you have space - is Sidewinder Jump. The purpose of this game is to avoid the "bite" of a deadly snake. Make your snake out of an 8-foot length of rope. To play, have two adults hold the end of the rope and whisk it back and forth along the ground. The children try to jump over the wiggling snake without touching it. For older kids, try raising the rope a few inches off the ground.
Food: The chow wagon can serve up hot dogs and baked beans. For a change of pace try Mini BBQ Chicken Pizzas. Kids will love to nibble on baby carrots and apple slices, a diet staple of horses. Add some Doritos Munchies Mix for a bit of crunch and to round out the treats. Wash down the trail dust with root beer or lemonade.
Cake: For a special cake, try one shaped like a cowboy or girl's best friend - his or her trusty stead. It is easier than you think with templates and a how-to video from Betty Crocker. Or try making one using the Wilton Pony Pan (2105-1101).
Favors: In addition to the cowboy hat, bandanna, any winnings and the individual Wanted Posters, each guest can take home a toy harmonica ($6.99 per dozen) or a bag of trail mix, if more bounty is needed.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Tip: Quick and Easy Tablecloth
Looking for a tablecloth for your next kids' party? Try a Twister game mat. It makes a wonderful tablecloth for a child's birthday party. Sticky spills and icing wash right off. And the bold colors are compatible with many kids' party ideas.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Pony Cake
What would a Roundup be without a Pony Cake? Thanks to Betty Crocker this cake is easier to make than you think. Betty Crocker has a how-to video and needed templates on its website. Click here for full details. Betty Crocker demonstrates a traditional brown pony. With a little imagination you can decorate your pony to match your cowgirl or cowboy's favorite stead - real or imaginary.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Mini BBQ Chicken Pizzas
Whoa, buckaroos! Here is some scrumptious grub you can sink your teeth into. These individual pizzas are easy to make and combine a spicy meat filling and mild cheese blend with a classic thin crust. Create a complete Western meal with baked beans and creamy coleslaw.
1 refrigerated thin pizza crust (1 can - 11 ounces)
1 container refrigerated original barbecue sauce with shredded chicken
1 cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese
Step One: Heat oven to 400 degrees Fl.
Step Two: Spray or grease cookie sheet. Unroll dough on work surface. Press dough into 12x8 rectangle. With a round cutter, cut dough into 20 rounds; place rounds 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Spread each with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese.
Step Three: Bake crust 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
20 individual pizzas
1 refrigerated thin pizza crust (1 can - 11 ounces)
1 container refrigerated original barbecue sauce with shredded chicken
1 cup shredded Colby-Jack cheese
Step One: Heat oven to 400 degrees Fl.
Step Two: Spray or grease cookie sheet. Unroll dough on work surface. Press dough into 12x8 rectangle. With a round cutter, cut dough into 20 rounds; place rounds 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Spread each with chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese.
Step Three: Bake crust 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
20 individual pizzas
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Lemonade
A Wild West Roundup Party calls for lots of frosty drinks. Make this lemonade or chill plenty of purchased kind. If making your own, tastes for sweetness of lemonade vary, so feel free to adjust the sugar to your taste.
6 cups cold water
2 cups lemon juice (8 to 10 lemons)
1 cup sugar or equivalent sugar substitute
Ice cubes
Lemon slice, if desired
Maraschino cherries with stems, if desired
Step One: Mix water, lemon juice and sugar in large pitcher until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate about 3 hours or until chilled, if desired.
Step Two: Serve lemonade over ice. Garnish each serving with a lemon slice and cherry.
8 servings
6 cups cold water
2 cups lemon juice (8 to 10 lemons)
1 cup sugar or equivalent sugar substitute
Ice cubes
Lemon slice, if desired
Maraschino cherries with stems, if desired
Step One: Mix water, lemon juice and sugar in large pitcher until sugar is dissolved. Refrigerate about 3 hours or until chilled, if desired.
Step Two: Serve lemonade over ice. Garnish each serving with a lemon slice and cherry.
8 servings
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