Bubbles!

Use the ingredients below to make bubble solution for a fun summer
activity with bubbles!

1 cup water
2 tablespoons light karo syrup or 2 tablespoons glycerin
4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid

Mix all ingredients in a flat pan and dip bubble wand in mixture.
Bubble Wands (be creative with what you have at home!)

Slotted spoon
Funnel
Fly swatter
Plastic strainer
Cookie cutters

Keep in mind that bubbles can make hard surfaces slippery very quickly
and using food coloring in bubbles could stain some household surfaces.
Substitute the soap in the recipe with baby shampoo for tear-free bubbles
around small children.

CHOCOLATE CHIP CREAM CHEESE COFFEE CAKE

Ingredients
* 1/4 lb butter (1 cube)
* 8 oz. cream cheese
* 1 1/4 cup sugar
* 2 eggs
° 1 tsp vanilla
° 2 cups flour
° 1 tsp baking powder
° 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 6 oz chocolate chips

Topping:
* 1/4 cup sugar
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Makes one large bundt cake, or two medium bread-size loafs, or 4 small (individual size) loafs.

Instructions:Mix together * (first 4) ingredients in a large bowl till creamy. Add the ° ingredients, continually mixing. Add in the flour last, and in small increments to aid in smooth mixing. Add milk last. You may not need the whole 1/4 cup of milk, or you may need a little more. Batter should be creamy but not drippy. Stir in chocolate chips using a large spoon.

Spoon mixture into pan(s). If using a bundt pan, fill half full. You will need to slice off the excess to serve, so don't bother filling it overfull. If using bread pans, fill about half to 3/4 full. Sprinkle topping over all. Bake at 350° (F) for 50-55 minutes. Cakes will rise and become golden brown. Test by inserting a knife or toothpick. When done, the knife will come out almost dry.

Note: I like to make the smaller loafs and give as gifts. They freeze well and are good to have on hand for company coming. Wonderful with a cup of tea or coffee.

Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup melted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups oatmeal
1 cup rice krispie cereal
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt (optional. I don't use as I use salted butter)

Additions - select one of the following:

1/2 cup nuts
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup raisins or other dried fruit

Instructions:

In one bowl combine melted butter, brown sugar, honey and vanilla extract. In second bowl combine oatmeal, rice krispie ceral, flour , baking soda, cinnamon and salt if using. Mix well. Add you additional selected item from list above and mix well.

Combine the two bowls together and mix well. Spread mixture in a 13 x 9 sprayed pan and bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove and cool on the counter and then cut in bars and store in the fridge or freezer.

Submitted by: Caroline G.

"These are tasty and chewy"

Sausage Balls

Ingredients:
1 pound of bulk pork sausage (you can use any flavor or heat).
2 cups of Bisquick or a homemade substitute
3 cups of shredded sharp cheddar cheese

*I added a bit of Worcestershire Sauce to my mixture, however, this is not in the original recipe

Instructions:
Mix all ingredients together using your hands. I would suggest combining the sausage and the Bisquick first and adding the cheese last. You may have to work at it to get everything incorporated, but it will come together.
Roll about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture in a ball. Repeat until done.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

If you desire to freeze to use later you can roll into balls and flash freeze on wax paper on a cookie tray. When the sausage balls have hardened move to freezer bags. Thaw in your fridge and bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes.

Submitted by: Caroline G.
Source: www.onceamonthmom.com

"These are easy and tasty. A great make ahead item for a Christmas party appetizer or to serve guests. I made a batch this afternoon and baked some and placed the rest uncooked in the freezer for Christmas".

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mallow Bars

Ingredients:

1 package (2 layer size) devil's food cake mix
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
2/3 cup cold milk, divided
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 jar (7 ounces) Marshmallow Creme
1/2 cup of peanuts
6 squares of Baker's semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry cake mix, butter and 1/3 cup of milk until blended; press two-thirds on the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until the center is almost set; cool 3 minutes.

Mix peanut butter and remaining milk; spread onto crust. Top with spoonfuls of marshmallow cream and the remaining cake mixture. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate; press gently into cake mixture.

Bake additional 18 minutes or just until center is set. Cool before cutting into bars.

Submitted by: Caroline G.
"These are a hit with the teachers and my hubby. I like to make them with reduced fat peanut butter and skim milk. I cut in individual pieces and place tightly wrapped in the freezer. They freeze well for up to a full month."

Source: Kraft

Strawberry Muffins

Ingredients:
1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups of flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups chopped strawberries
Topping: 2 teaspoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions:
Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and mix well.
Sift flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Add the flour mixture and milk alternately to butter mixture. Add vanilla. Gently stir in the chopped strawberries.
Spoon batter in muffin pans.
Sprinkle the topping over the muffins.

Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes and enjoy one dozen muffins.

Submitted by: Caroline G.
"It is a great time of year for purchasing fresh strawberries. This recipe is delicious and if you don't need the full dozen you can place some in the freezer to enjoy later!"

Jello Jigglers

Ingredients:

3 packages of jello

4 packages unflavored jello

4 cups of boiling water

Instructions:

Mix all of the above together in a bowl and pour in a 9 x 13 pan. Place in the refrigerator until firm (approximately 3 hours). Then cut in squares or use cookie cutters for fun shapes.

Submitted by: Caroline G.

"I use sugar free jello. These are easy to prepare, festive and delicious"

Source: Donna G. on http://whatsfordin-din.blogspot.com/