Pistachio Jello Salad

Pistachio Jello Salad

Can't get enough jello salad? This pistachio salad is another favorite at our house. Also try the strawberry and orange version of this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 (3-ounce) box pistachio jello pudding

1 (8-ounce) container cool whip, thawed {tip}

1 (16-ounce) container small curd cottage cheese

2 (15-ounce) cans fruit cocktail

3 cups fruit flavor mini marshmallows

1/2 cup pistachio nuts, optional

Preparation:

In a large bowl, whisk together the jello powder and cool whip. Fold in rest of ingredients and serve.

8 Servings

M&M Chex Cereal Mix

M&M Chex Cereal Mix
Source: Sherrie M.

This is a fun snack for any occasion. The golden grahams add a yummy honey flavor to the mix that I love.

Ingredients:

6 1/2 cups rice chex cereal
4 1/2 cups golden grahams cereal
2 cups coconut flakes
1 cup real butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract

1 (9.9-ounce or larger) bag milk chocolate M&M's

Preparation:

In a large bowl, combine both cereals, and coconut flakes; set aside. In a saucepan, melt butter, sugar, and syrup over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over large bowl of cereal mixture; stir until well coated. Spread chex mix onto wax paper and let cool. Sprinkle with M&Ms. (If the mixture is too hot, the M&Ms will melt!) Store in airtight container or bags.

24 Servings

Caramel Corn Pops

Caramel Corn Pops

Adding caramel to corn pops instead of popcorn makes for a more fluffy and buttery treat.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (15-ounce) bag Barrel O' Fun corn pops (its not a cereal)

Preparation:

Melt butter, sugar, and syrup together over medium-low heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 2 minutes while stirring. {I use a candy thermometer to make sure the temperature doesn't go higher than 215°F} Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and condensed milk. Pour over puffed corn in a large bowl. Stir until well coated.

30 Servings

Cake Mix Milkshake

 

Cake Mix Milkshake

We had a birthday this week in our family... it gave me the idea to try adding cake mix to ice cream for a fun birthday milkshake. It was yummy! :)

Ingredients:

2 cups vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup yellow cake mix
1 tblsp malted milk powder or regular powdered milk {optional}
birthday sprinkles

Preparation:

Combine ice cream, milk, cake mix powder, and milk powder in a blender; mix until smooth. Pour into two 8-ounce glasses; garnish with birthday sprinkles and serve immediately.

2 Servings

Orange Jello Salad

Orange Jello Salad

Everybody loves a jello salad! It makes a great side dish to any meal. Also try the strawberry and pistachio version of this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 (3-ounce) box orange jello gelatin dessert

1 (8-ounce) container cool whip, thawed {tip}

1 (16-ounce) container small curd cottage cheese

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 (15-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained

3 cups mini marshmallows

Preparation:

In a large bowl, whisk together the jello powder and cool whip. Fold in rest of ingredients and serve.

8 Servings

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Source: JoAnne B.

These energy bites are the perfect healthy snack for someone who loves chocolate and peanut butter {like me}. WARNING: Its hard to eat just one!

Ingredients:

1 cup oats (quick or old-fashioned, uncooked)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup coconut flakes

Preparation:

In a large bowl, combine the oats, chocolate chips, flaxseed, wheat germ, peanut butter, honey, and vanilla; stir together until well blended. Refrigerate mixture for 15 minutes to make it easier to work with. Form 1-inch bite size balls using your fingers. Place coconut flakes in a small bowl, lightly press coconut flakes onto balls to coat evenly {makes energy balls less sticky and adds a fun flavor}. Store bites in an airtight container in the fridge to hold their shape.

Makes 40 bites

Orange Fruit Dip

Orange Fruit Dip

Orange is a great flavor that mixes well with any fruit! I prefer dips made with cream cheese rather than whipped topping... for the taste and it lasts much longer. :)

Ingredients:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow creme
4 tblsp orange concentrate, thawed
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Preparation: 

Blend all ingredients well with electric mixer. Serve with a variety of fruits.

16 Servings

Pink Jello Salad

Pink Jello Salad

There is lots of jello salads out there, but we used the ingredients we love the best to make our own! Also try orange jello salad and pistachio jello salad... they are delicious too.

Ingredients:

1 (3-ounce) box strawberry jello gelatin dessert

1 (8-ounce) container cool whip, thawed {tip}

1 (16-ounce) container small curd cottage cheese

1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained

1 (15-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained

3 cups mini marshmallows

Preparation:

In a large bowl, whisk together the jello powder and cool whip. Fold in rest of ingredients and serve.

8 Servings

Peanut Butter Milkshake

Peanut Butter Milkshake

Source: Kent N.

Yes, another peanut butter recipe... because I am cRaZy over anything with peanut butter. :) I tried this peanut butter milkshake when I was pregnant with my twins - goooood golly miss molly - and I still think there is nothing better. 

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups vanilla ice cream

1/4 cup vitamin D milk

4 tblsp creamy peanut butter, divided

Preparation:

Combine ice cream, milk, and 3 tablespoons peanut butter in a blender; mix until smooth. Stir if necessary, then continue mixing. After shake is well blended, add remaining 1 tablespoon peanut butter; stir vigorously with a spoon leaving little chunks of peanut butter in your shake. Pour into two 8-ounce glasses and serve immediately. 

2 Servings

Super Fruit Smoothie

Super Fruit Smoothie

Making this smoothie recipe is a favorite for family home evening at my house. :)

Ingredients:

1 cup strawberries, chopped

1 cup bananas, sliced

1 cup vanilla ice cream or plain lowfat yogurt

2 tblsp sugar

6 ice cubes

Preparation:

Place all fruit, ice cream, and sugar in blender; mix until smooth. Add ice cubes; blend to chop ice and serve. Any combination of fruit will work - use bananas, strawberries, peaches, pineapple, or oranges. I love strawberries, so I do 2 cups of strawberries for my smoothie. My husband does 2 cups of peaches. Our kids like the combination of 2 different fruits best. :)

2 (8 to 10-ounce) Servings

Doritos Nacho Dinner

Doritos Nacho Dinner

Source: Mary S.

These nachos are a fun and tasty dinner for the kids, AND are man-of-the-house approved.

Ingredients:

8 ounces ground beef
2 1/4 cups water
1 (7.8-ounce) box Mexican style Rice-A-Roni
1 (16-ounce) can refried beans
1 (15.25-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 (16-ounce) bag nacho cheese Doritos chips

Preparation:

Brown beef in a large skillet; drain fat. Add water, rice, seasoning packet, beans, and corn; slowly stir together. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve on individual plates; layer chips, then meat mixture, and top with cheese. Microwave each plate for 30-60 seconds to melt cheese.

Serves 6

* Suggestion for leftovers: Reheat meat mixture topped with shredded cheese in microwave. Then wrap mixture in a heated corn tortilla. I love eating this for lunch the next day!

Bunny Bait

Bunny Bait

Adapted From: piggyinpolkadots.com

I saw this cute idea to leave out bunny bait for the Easter bunny... just like you would leave out cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. Bunny bait will be a new tradition for our family for sure. :)

Check out {I Love You Munch} for the Valentine's Day version of this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 (3.06-ounce) bag popped Orville Redenbacher's Tender White popcorn

2 cups Rice Chex cereal

2 cups pretzel sticks, each one broke in half

1 (12-ounce) bag white candy melts

1 (12.6-ounce) bag spring M&M's

1 (2.5-ounce) spring sprinkles

Preparation:

Microwave popcorn and remove unpopped kernels. In a large bowl; combine popcorn, cereal, and pretzels. Melt white candy melts; pour over mixture. Stir until well coated. Spread mixture onto wax paper; immediately sprinkle with M&M's and sprinkles. Allow to set. Break up bunny bait into large chunks as desired. Store in goody bags or an airtight container.

16 Servings

Lucky Charm Krispy Treats

Lucky Charms Krispy Treats

Adapted From: sugar-n-spicegals.com

I never make rice krispy treats cause they are so boring to me. Adding Lucky Charms to the mix gave it SO MUCH flavor!!! And they're so fun for St. Patrick's Day. :)

Ingredients:

3 tblsp butter

1 (10-ounce) bag mini marshmallows

4 cups Lucky Charm cereal

2 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Preparation:

In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add marshmallows; stir until melted. Remove from heat, immediately pour in both cereals; stir until well coated. Grease a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Press cereal evenly into pan with greased fingers. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

12 Servings

154 calories per serving

Homemade Playdough

Playdough

Adapted From: momswhothink.com

This recipe is fun to play with as a toy, but I don't recommend eating it. It's not very tasty. ;0)

Ingredients:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 cup water

1 tblsp vegetable oil

2 tsp cream of tartar

food coloring

Preparation:

Combine flour, salt, water, oil, and cream of tartar in a saucepan. Cook on low heat; stirring constantly until dough starts to clump together. Remove from pan; split dough into two equal portions. Place in separate bowls; add food color of choice. Press food coloring into dough using the back of a spoon to get started, then the kids can work the color the rest of the way in by pressing and folding the dough for a few minutes. Store in covered container or in a sealable bag.

Makes 2 large balls

Playdough Creatures

Source: Terry F.

My girls went to Achievement Days yesterday and they made playdough and brought home these creatures they just put together for something fun to do. They loved 'em so much we made more today at home!

Supplies:

1 large ball of playdough

1 sealable sandwich bag

sewing needle and thread

2 buttons

1 sock (long or ankle-style will do)

1 rubber band

scissors

How to make:

Use above recipe to make playdough. Place playdough in sandwich bag, seal it shut, and set aside. Sew two buttons on toe of sock for eyes. {I sewed the buttons onto the stitched line across the toe area so I could use an all-purpose thread and the knot would catch.} Push playdough bag into toe of sock and close the other end with rubber band. Cut the ankle portion of sock into 8 or more strips stopping about an inch below the rubber band.

Give your creature a name! :)

Another great playdough recipe:

I Love You Munch!

I Love You Munch!

Adapted From: piggyinpolkadots.com

I gave each one of my kids I Love You Munch in a goody bag for Valentine's Day. Next time I won't make it in secret. This would be super easy and fun for my kids to help make.

Ingredients:

2 (3.06-ounce) bags popped Orville Redenbacher's Tender White popcorn

4 cups Rice Chex cereal

4 cups pretzel sticks, each one broke in half

2 (12-ounce) bags white candy melts

6 ounces red or pink candy melts

1 (9.9-ounce) bag Valentine M&M's

12 ounces Valentine candy corn

Preparation:

Microwave popcorn and remove unpopped kernels. In 2 large bowls; divide evenly popcorn, cereal, and pretzels. Melt one bag white candy melts and pour over one bowl of mixture. Stir until well coated. Spread munch onto wax paper; immediately sprinkle with half M&M's and half candy corn. Melt other bag white candy melts and repeat steps for the other bowl of mixture. 

Lastly, melt red candy melts in a sealable bag. Cut corner of bag and drizzle over all mixture. Allow to set. Break up munch into large chunks as desired. Store in airtight container or bags.

16 Servings

Cupid's Cookies

Cupid's Cookies

Adapted From: mygreatrecipes.com

These jumbo cookies are fun for kids to make themselves for a Valentine's Day treat. My little boy loaded his up with only marshmallows {his favorite}.

Ingredients:

1 (16-ounce) tube refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 (16-ounce) container cream cheese frosting 

red or pink food coloring

Toppings:

Valentine M&M's

Valentine candy corn

pretzel sticks, broken up

mini marshmallows

cinnamon sugar sprinkles

Preparation:

Divide dough into 6 equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion out with a rolling pin to 1/4-inch thick circle. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray. Place about 2 inches apart on sheet; bake at 350° for 10-13 minutes, or until just starting to brown on edges. Cool on sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Add food coloring to frosting; blend well. Frost each cookie and add toppings of choice.

6 (6-inch round) Cookies

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Marshmallow Fruit Dip

Source: Tracie G.                  

We were at a family gathering the first time my daughter, Kalyssa, tried this fruit dip. She said, "Wow, Mom! You should get this recipe!" She must not have noticed that it was me who brought it to the party. We all had to laugh about that one.

Ingredients:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow creme
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 small pinch ground cloves

Preparation:

Blend all ingredients very well with electric mixer. {I always add food coloring to mine} Serve with a variety of fruits, vanilla wafer cookies, or graham crackers.

12 Servings

Substitution:

1 (8-ounce) package strawberry cream cheese

Pretzel Delights

Pretzel Delights
Adapted From: hersheys.com

Turtle candy is so good. This version isn't shaped like turtles, but I like it best.

Ingredients:

55 square pretzel snaps
55 pecan halves
1 (12-ounce) package Rolo candies

Preparation:

Line cookie sheet with wax paper. Make a single layer of pretzels on the wax paper. Top each pretzel with one Rolo caramel candy. Bake at 350° for 3 minutes or until Rolo begins to soften, not melt. Remove cookie sheet from oven; immediately top each one with a pecan or another pretzel. Let cool completely.

Makes about 55

Candy Corn Puffs

Candy Corn Puffs
Source: Mitzi H.

My husband and kids all love this snack.

Ingredients:

1 pound butter
4 tblsp water
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 cups sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (15-ounce) bag Barrel O' Fun corn pops (its not a cereal)

Preparation:

Bring to a boil over medium-low heat; butter, water, syrup, and sugar. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. {I use a candy thermometer to make sure the temperature doesn't go higher than 220°F} Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over puffed corn in a large bowl. Stir until well coated.

Variations:

3 (7.5-ounce) bags Original Bugles (instead of corn pops)
4 (3.5-ounce) bags Chester's Puffed Corn
cashews may be added

30 Servings