This is a recipe that was given to me a few years ago by my sister in law. My nephews love to eat these cookies!

Chocolate Chip Rice Krispies Cookies

1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup butter
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 cups flour
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup Rice Krispies Cereal
1 cup quick oatmeal
12 oz. bag milk chocolate morsels

Mix together the sugars, vegetable oil, butter, egg and vanilla extract. Add in the remaining ingredients one at a time and stirring after each addition. Line a baking sheet with the Tupperware Silicone Nonstick Baking Mat. Drop dough onto the cookie sheet by rounded teaspoonfuls. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes or until they are done. Store cookies in an airtight canister once cooled.

I love to save money and I love to bake...this recipe combines both! If you are frugal and love controlling the ingredients of what goes into your snack foods, then this recipe is for you.

Cinnamon Crackers

2 cups brown sugar
2 cups baking molasses
3 tablespoons cinnamon
2 cups lard
2 teaspoons baking soda
flour

In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. You will want to slowly add in enough flour to make a stiff dough. Once its of a stiff dough consistency, roll out onto a floured dough board. Make sure you roll it very thin. Using a butter knife that has been lightly moistened with tap water, cut out square shapes the size of crackers. Place the dough squares on a baking sheet lined with the Tupperware Silicone Wonder Nonstick Baking Mat. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 17-20 minutes or until crackers are lightly browned and crispy. Store crackers in a Tupperware airtight container or cookie canister.

Kids always like to snack on finger jello and it's really easy to make. I find that it takes approximately 2-3 hours for my gelatin to firm up in the refrigerator.

Finger Jello Recipe

4 envelopes unflavored gelatin mix
3 (3 ounce) pkgs. flavored gelatin of your choice
4 cups boiling water

In the large Tupperware Wonderlier bowl, combine the unflavored gelatin with the flavored gelatin. Stir in the boiling water using the Tupperware Silicone Spatula until the gelatin is combined and dissolved. Pour into a large shallow baking pan. Chill until firm and then use cookie cutters to cut out shapes.

We love to seve this fruit dip with a variety of fresh chopped fruits, especially Gala apples. This recipe is a favorite of the children in my family.

Peanut Butter Fruit Dip

1 cup (8 ounce) vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup whipped topping
Assorted fresh fruits (washed and chopped)

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the yogurt, peanut butter and cinnamon; mix well. Fold in the whipped topping. Refrigerate the fruit dip until serving time.

How To Make Homemade Soft Pretzels

Just like most people, I enjoy a good soft pretzel from time to time. However, I hate paying $3.00 for one at my local mall or area sporting event, when I can make a great tasting one at home.

This recipe was given to me by an Amish woman that I had gotten to know back in the late 1980's. The Amish here in South Central Pennsylvania, are great pretzel makers. This recipe will make 28-30 pretzels, so I recommend freezing the ones you won't be eating that day.

Pretzel Making Tips

1. You can buy kosher coarse salt at most grocery stores.
2. Follow the recipe closely and in the order that the steps are given.
3. If you want to freeze them after baking, cut the baking time down by 2-3 minutes. Let them completely cool, then wrap for freezing. To reheat them from the freezer, microwave on 50% power for 1 minute.

Soft Pretzels Recipe

2 1/2 cups warm water
2 packages dry yeast
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons salt
5 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1 egg
7-8 cups all-purpose flour

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water and yeast; stir until yeast is dissolved. Stir in the granulated sugar, salt, butter, egg and 3 cups of flour. Beat mixture at medium speed until all ingredients are combined and smooth. Add remaining flour and mix until dough is still. Place dough mixture in refrigerate for 4 hours.

Remove dough and divide in half. Return the other half back to refrigerator until you have the other half worked. Place dough on a lightly floured dough board and divide into 15 equal pieces, form each piece into a log shape that measures 18" long. Shape into a pretzel form.

Place onto a greased cookie sheet or a baking sheet lined with a nonstick silicone baking mat. Brush each pretzel generously with egg white. Sprinkle each one with coarse salt. Let them sit on baking sheet to rise for 5 minutes. Place baking sheets into a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Article Copyright © 2009 By Shelly Hill and Shakin 'N Bakin Recipe Blog. This article can not be reproduced without my permission.

Mickey Ice Tups Set made by Tupperware

This is part #2 of my recipe series that use the Tupperware Ice Tups Popsicle Maker.

Freeze your own juice pops. Includes tray, six 2 ounce molds and eight flexible reusable plastic popsicle sticks. (see this on my Tuppperware Website).

By making your own popsicles you save money and provide a healthier snack for your children because you control the ingredients. The Tupperware Ice Tups Set is reusable over and over again and is covered with a Lifetime Product Guarantee.

Rootbeer Float-Sicles

1 liter of rootbeer
1 gallon of vanilla ice cream

Spoon some ice cream into plastic popsicle containers. Fill the containers with root beer (pour slowly-it will fizz a little). Put popsicle sticks on top and freeze for several hours.

Chocolate Pudding Pops

1 box of instant chocolate pudding mix
2 c. low-fat milk

Put 2 cups of low-fat milk into the Tupperware Quick Shake Container and pour in box of instant chocolate pudding. Seal and shake until well blended. Pour mixture into the Tupperware Mickey Ice Tups Popsicle Molds. Insert sticks and seal. Place into freezer for 6 hours until set.

Chocolate Strawberry Pudding Pops

1/2 cup Pudding mix (your choice of flavor)
2 c. milk
1/2 c. sliced fresh strawberries

Prepare pudding mix according to package directions using milk. Chop up fresh strawberries (small pieces) to measure a 1/2 cup. Mix sliced strawberries in with pudding mixture. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for 30 minutes, remove from freezer and insert popsicle sticks and freeze again for 3 hours.

Banana Chocolate Pudding Pops

1 c. milk
1 box Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
2 Bananas

In a blender combine the milk and box of Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix. Blend until smooth. Unpeel banana's and add them to the blender and puree until all of the mixture is mixed smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and insert sticks and freeze for 6 hours before serving.

Orange Popsicles

1 box Orange Gelatin
1 pkt. Orange Kool-Aid
1 cup boiling water
1 cup Orange Juice

Dissolve the Kool-aid and gelatin in boiling water. Add the Orange juice. Stir until all ingredients are dissolved and mixed. Pour mixture into Ice Tups and freeze for 4 hours.

Butterscotch Pudding Pops

1 box butterscotch instant pudding
1 c. root beer soda
1 ½ cups water

Combine all ingredients in the Tupperware Thatsa Bowl stirring with the Saucy Silicone Spatula until ingredients are dissolved. Pour into Ice Tups Popsicle Molds and freeze for 4 hours.

Frozen Yogurt Pops

Ingredients:

2 (8-oz.) containers of your favorite flavor of yogurt

Pour yogurt into the Tupperware Ice Tups Mold Set. Fill them 3/4 of the way full. Insert the plastic stick and add the seal. Put the Tups in the freezer until the yogurt is frozen solid.

This is an easy recipe and would be great for a childs birthday party.



Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes For Kids



1 box cake mix

30 flat-bottom ice cream cones

frosting



Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cake mix according to directions on package. Pour 1/4 cup of batter into each ice cream cone, filling each about 1/2 way full. Place cones in a rectangular baking pan. Bake as directed on cake mix package for cupcakes. Let them cool completely before frosting them with your favorite frosting. This recipe will make 26-30 cupcake cones.

Do you know how easy it is to make your own popsicles for your family?

You can make your own freshly made popsicles for pennies on the dollar compared to all of those pricey store brand popsicles. A positive benefit of making your own homemade popsicles is that you control the ingredients that go into them.

The following recipes take less than 10 minutes to prepare and within a few hours, you will have some great tasting, freshly made popsicles for you and your family.

Here is what you need to get started:

1. mixer or blender
2. large bowl
3. mixing spoon
4. funnel or ladel
5. popsicle molds (Tupperware makes Ice Tupps Popsicle Molds but other companies also make them).

Your popsicle mold set should include: a tray, plastic popsicle molds, popsicle sticks and seals. If you invest in a good quality set of popsicle molds, they should be dishwasher safe, making clean up a snap.



Now let's get started with some recipes.

Homemade Fudgesicles

1 4 oz. pkg. instant chocolate pudding
2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup canned evaporated milk

Combine the pudding and 2 cups milk. Beat for 2 minutes. Stir in sugar and canned milk. Pour in to popsicle molds. Freeze.

Banana Chocolate Pudding Pops

1 c. milk
1 box Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
2 Bananas

In a blender combine the milk and box of Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix. Blend until smooth. Unpeel banana's and add them to the blender and puree until all of the mixture is mixed smooth. Pour into popsicle molds and insert sticks and freeze for 6 hours before serving.

Banana Pudding Pops

1 box of banana cream instant pudding mix
2 cups of low-fat milk
1 banana sliced

Mix up the banana cream instant pudding in a bowl with the 2 cups of milk. I used a wire wisk and then stir in the sliced banana once mixture is starting to thicken. Pour into the Ice Tupps popsicle molds and freeze for 3-4 hours.

*note* if you like your pudding pops really firm, cut the milk down to 1 3/4 cups.

If you need a good popsicle mold, I highly recommend getting one from Tupperware.

This article is copyright 2009 by Shelly Hill, all rights reserved. This article can not be reprinted without Shelly's permission.

My 8 yr old nephew wasn't feeling well yesterday so he came home from school early and Aunt Shelly got to spend the afternoon with him. We decided to make up a batch of Pumpkin Whoopie Pies. He handled mixing the batter and also did the whoopie pie filling. They sure aren't the cutest whoopie pies you ever saw LOL but overall, I think he did a great job! Here is the recipe:

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

3 c. pumpkin
3 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. shortening
3 eggs
5 1/2 c. flour
3 tsp. baking powder
3 tsp. cinnamon
3 tsp. vanilla
3 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt

Cream pumpkin, sugar, shortening and eggs together in a large bowl. Gradually add dry ingredients. Drop them from a tablespoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Filling:

2 egg whites, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. confectioners sugar
1 1/2 c. shortening

In a medium sized bowl beat egg whites, vanilla, confectioners sugar well. Then add in the shortening and beat again until smooth. Spread filling between 2 pumpkin cookie halves.

The making of Whoopie Pies has been a Pennsylvania tradition for many years and is prevalent in the Amish and Mennonite communities. If you have never tried a homemade Whoopie Pie, you are really missing out.

What is a Whoopie Pie you might ask? Basically, it is two round mounds of chocolate cake and sandwiched in between those cakes, is some delicious creamy vanilla frosting.

The following recipe was given to me back in the late 1980's by a local Mennonite woman and to this day, its our favorite recipe.

Chocolate Whoopie Pies Recipe

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered cocoa
1/2 teaspoon table salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 lb. butter, softened (divided)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (divided)
3/4 cup cold milk
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 cup marshmallow creme

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and baking soda; set aside. In another large bowl, combine the softened 1/4 pound of butter and granulated sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy. Stir in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract; beat for an additional 30 seconds. Stir in the flour mixture and beat again until all ingredients are combined.

Drop by large rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased baking sheet, about 4" apart. Using a spoon, spread each mound of batter to form a circle, approximately 2 1/2" in diameter. Bake in the oven for approximately 10 minutes or until the mini cakes spring back when touched.

While your mini cakes are baking, in a large bowl beat the remaining 1/4 pound of butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and confectioner's sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the marshmallow creme until the filling is light and fluffy.

Once your mini cakes have cooled, spread the filling on half of the cakes and then top with an unfilled half. (like a sandwich cookie.) Store your homemade treats in an airtight canister.

By making your own popsicles you save money and provide a healthier snack for your children because you control the ingredients. The Tupperware Ice Tups Set is reusable over and over again and is covered with a Lifetime Product Guarantee.

Here are a few recipes to get you started:

Kids Polar Pops

4 c. strawberries
1/3 c.Tropical Punch flavored sugar-sweetened soft drink mix

Rinse strawberries and remove stems. Place strawberries & flavored soft-drink mix in a blender container, cover & blend on low speed for 1 1/2 minutes or until smooth. Pour mixture into the Ice Tups Set Molds. Insert sticks and freeze for 3 hours.

Homemade Fudgesicles

1 4 oz. pkg. instant chocolate pudding
2 cups milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup canned evaporated milk

Combine the pudding and 2 cups milk. Beat for 2 minutes. Stir in sugar and canned milk. Pour in to popsicle molds. Freeze.

Frozen Pear Pops

1 (16 oz.) can pear halves, drained
1 (8 oz.) plain yogurt
3 tbsp. honey
1/2 tbsp. lemon juice
Few drops almond extract

In blender container combine pears, yogurt, honey, lemon juice and almond extract. Cover and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into the Tupperware Mickey Ice Tups Set to make popcicles. Freeze 4 to 6 hours.

Cookies 'N Cream Frozen Pops

1 cup Cool Whip
12 Oreo Cookies - crushed
1/2 cup milk
1 4 serving pack of Vanilla Instant Pudding

Mix above ingredients together and pour the Tupperware Mickey Ice Tups set to make popcicles. Freeze for 4-5 hours before serving.

Strawberry Frozen Pops

1 small box of strawberry flavored gelatin
1 pint of hot water
1 pint of vanilla ice cream, softened

In a Tupperware Thatsa Bowl, dissolve the gelatin with the hot water. Stir in the ice-cream using the Saucy Silicone Spatula. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze until frozen, approximately 4-5 hours.


You can find additional recipes for the Tupperware Popsicle Molds ---> HERE

This article is copyright 2009 by Shelly Hill, all rights reserved. This article can not be reprinted without Shelly's permission.

When it comes to recipes that are geared towards kids, the following recipes have always been favorites in my family.



Gelatin Pinwheels



1 box of gelatin (any flavor)

1/2 c. water

12 large marshmallows



Using the 6 1/4 cup Heat 'N Serve container, add the box of gelatin mix and 1/2 cup of water together, stir with the saucy silicone spatula. Place in the microwave and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir in 12 large marshmallows and microwave on high for an additional 1-2 minutes. Stir again until all marshmallows are melted. Pour mixture into a 8 x 8" square pan. Place pan in the refrigerator until mixture has set. Remove and roll up the jelled gelatin like a rolled wrap. Cut into slices. Refrigerate left-overs.



Holiday Popcorn Balls

(makes 2 dozen)



4 qts. Popped Corn

1 cup margerine

1/2 c. Corn Syrup

1 1/3 cup Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla

food coloring (your choice of colors)



Melt Margerine; Add sugar & corn syrup. Bring to a full boil & boil ONLY 3 minutes, Remove from heat. Add vanilla and a few drops of Food Coloring. Stir and Pour over popped corn and mix well. Run Cold Water over your hands, with wet hands roll popped corn into balls. You can make these for any holiday by changing the colors of your food coloring!



Knox Gelatin Blox



4 envelopes of Knox (tm) unflavored gelatin

9 oz. Gelatin, Any Flavor

4 cups of Boiling Water



Dissolve gelatins in boiling water. Pour into pan and chill. Cut into squares or use cookie cutters to make fun shapes and forms. Great recipe to do with children!



Tiny Cheese Cakes for Kids!



2 (8 ounce) cream cheese blocks

3/4 c. sugar

2 eggs

1 tbsp. vanilla Vanilla Wafers

1 can cherry pie filling



Beat together first 4 ingredients. Put vanilla wafer in each baking cup in a muffin pan. Fill 3/4 full. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool. Spoon cherry pie filling on top & serve. Store in Refrigerator.



Flavored Gelatin Wedges



Cut a orange in half, remove the pulp, leaving the white membrane and the rind. Place orange halves in muffin tins (to hold in place). Fill each orange with gelatin. Chill until the gelatin is firm. Heat a knife blade with hot water (wipe dry), slice the orange into wedges. Keep Refrigerated until ready to serve. Prepare Gelatin according to package directions.



Edible Play Dough Recipe



Mix 1 jar of peanut butter (18 ounce) 6 Tbsp. of honey non-fat dry milk powder (until the correct consistency) Optional: You may add cocoa for a chocolate flavor. Shape any way you want and then decorate with edible stuff.



Bunny Salad



Place a canned pear half on a bed of lettuce. Add raisins for the eyes, maraschino cherries for the nose, toothpicks for whiskers, and american cheese for the ears!

Winter is upon us and that means bad weather...if you are looking for a few things to do with the kids, below are some great recipes & craft ideas.



Tub-Time Bath Crayons



You will Need:

1 cup grated Ivory Soap

1/4 cup warm water

Food Coloring

Plastic Cookie cutters



How to: Mix water, soap & food coloring together in med. size bowl. Stir the crayon mixture until it begins to stiffen. Remove the mixture from the bowl and knead until it is the consistency of a very thick dough. Spoon Crayon Mixture into plastic cookie cutters or other plastic molds (playdough molds work great too!). Press down firmly. Place the plastic cookie cutters in your freezer for 10 mins or in your refrigerator for 30 mins. When firm, Pop the bath crayons out of the cookie cutters (or other molds) and allow them to air dry overnight or until hard. Ideas for Molds: Ice Cube Trays, Playdough Molds, & Cutters Tupperware Cookie Cutters, Plastic Cookie Cutters, Plastic Guest Soap Molds (buy at local craft store), The Plastic divided tray that comes in choc. candy boxes and so forth! Inexpensive Fun!



Homemade Play Dough



2 cups Flour

1 cup salt

4 tsp. cream of tartar

2 cups of water

4 tbsp. oil

Food Coloring



Put flour, salt, cream of tartar, water and oil into a large pot. Heat over medium heat and stir until dough comes away from the edge of pan and makes a soft ball. Cool on a sheet of wax paper. When cool, add food coloring. Store in Tupperware Midget Containers or airtight bags.



Homemade Finger Paints



2 cups of Plastic Liquid Starch

1 cup of Ivory Snow Detergent Flakes

Food Coloring



Beat with rotary beater or mixer until the volume is tripled. Divide and add in food coloring as desired. Store in covered containers in refrigerator. Freezer paper is GREAT to let the kids finger paint on!



Homemade Blowing Bubbles for Kids!



1/2 cup of handwashing dish detergent

5 cups of tap water

1 container with lid

1 bubble blowing wand



Mix Water and dishwashing liquid together well but dont over stir it!



Edible Play Dough Recipe



Mix 1 jar of peanut butter (18 ounce)

6 Tbsp. of honey

non-fat dry milk powder (until the correct consistency)

Optional: You may add cocoa for a chocolate flavor.



Shape any way you want and then decorate with edible stuff.



Turtle cookies



Makes about 32 cookies



1 (18 oz.) pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough

1 cup pecan pieces

1 cup milk chocolate frosting (store-bought)



Roll cookie dough into ¾” balls and place onto a cookie sheet lined with a Silicone Wonder™ Mat. Sort through pecan pieces for a head, two arms and two feet for each turtle. Slightly flatten dough ball and insert the pieces. (Head = 12 o’clock, arms = 3 and 9 o’clock and feet = 5 and 7 o’clock, respectively). When all cookies have been assembled; bake at 350° for 12 minutes. Let cool before icing with the Tupperare Decorating Bag.