[ Puppy Chow ]

I used to make this for the kids all the time, when they were little.   Maybe I'll surprise them and make them again ...  not my photo.

Ingredients:

6 cups crispex cereal
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
12oz choc chips
2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

- melt peanut butter, butter and choc chips

- stir into cereal

- put powdered sugar into a paper bag

- add ceral mixture and shake

[ Fluffy Pancakes ]

 

I haven't made these yet.  Not my photo.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose or plain flour
• ¼ cup granulated sugar or sweetener
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda*
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 ¾ cups milk
• ¼ cup butter
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 large egg

Instructions

• Combine together the flour, sugar (or sweetener), baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large-sized bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the milk, slightly cooled melted butter, vanilla and egg. 
• Use a wire whisk to whisk the wet ingredients together first before slowly folding them into the dry ingredients. Mix together until smooth (there may be a couple of lumps but that's okay).

  (The batter will be thick and creamy in consistency. If you find the batter too thick -- doesn't pour off the ladle or out of the measuring cup smoothly -- fold a couple tablespoons of extra milk into the batter at a time until reaching desired consistency).
• Set the batter aside and allow to rest while heating up your pan or griddle. 
• Heat a nonstick pan or griddle over low-medium heat and wipe over with a little butter to lightly grease pan. Pour ¼ cup of batter onto the pan and spread out gently into a round shape with the back of your ladle or measuring cup.
• When the underside is golden and bubbles begin to appear on the surface, flip with a spatula and cook until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.
• Serve with honey, maple syrup, fruit, ice cream or frozen yoghurt, or enjoy plain!

Notes

*For fluffier pancakes, you can add baking soda, however, if you're sensitive to the taste, leave it out. Usually, for every cup of flour, add ⅛ of a teaspoon of baking soda. This will turn your plain/all-purpose flour into self-raising flour.

[ Chocolate Cake in a Mug ]

                              

This was the PERFECT thing to try on a snowy night ... the kids made their own, and it was literally made in less than 5 minutes (plus the 45second cook time lol).  A real keeper for Sunday afternoon treats when the kid's friends come over ... 

Chocolate Cake in a Mug
Preparation 5 MIN

5 MIN Output 1

Ingredients

3 tablespoons (45 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour 
2 tablespoons (30 ml) brown sugar
2 teaspoons (10 ml) cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) baking powder
3 tablespoons (45 ml) milk
1 tablespoon (15 ml) canola oil
1 drop vanilla extract
10 semisweet chocolate chips (5 ml / 1 teaspoon)

Preparation
1. In a 250 ml (1 cup)-capacity coffee cup, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Add the milk, oil, and
vanilla.
2. With a fork, gently stir until the batter no longer has lumps. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips.
3. Cook the cake in the microwave for 45 seconds. Let cool for 5 minutes to allow for the cake to finish cooking.

Note
If you want to do more, triple or quadruple the recipe and combine the ingredients in a bowl. Then spread the mixture into three or four cups or 125 ml (1⁄2 cup) ramekins. Remember, you have to cook the cakes one by one in the microwave for uniform cooking. 

[Puffed Wheat Squares]

Puffed Wheat Squares

1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
6 cups puffed wheat

Directions

In a medium pot, simmer butter, corn syrup, brown sugar and cocoa. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over puffed wheat (in a large, separate bowl). Press evenly into a GREASED 9x13 (if you like them thinner) or 9x9 (if you like them thicker).

** Be sure to cut these when warm. After they set, they're a stinker to cut. Trust me.**

[Tiger Butter]

Char introduced me to this recipes from Best of Bridge.  I make at least 5 batches of it during Christmas ... I can't control myself around them, so I tell the kids I can't make it during the year *grin*.

Tiger Butter

1 lb white chocolate (I use the bulk wafers ...)

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter

2 oz dark chocolate

Directions:

- Melt white chocolate and peanut butter on low heat (or double boiler) until smooth.

- Pour onto cookie sheet LINED with wax paper.

- Melt dark chocolate and drizzle over the white chocolate/peanut butter mixture. Swirl with a knife to get the "marbled" effect.

- Refrigerate to set. Break into pieces. Freezes well (if you can keep it in your house long enough).

[Caramel Popcorn]

Caramel Popcorn

5 cups fresh air popped popcorn 

1/2 cup butter

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 cup corn syrup

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and salt.  Stir constantly until it begins to boil - then let it boil UNTOUCHED for 4 minutes.

2. Add the baking soda and vanilla; stir.

3. Pour over the prepared popcorn in a large baking pan (or two).

4. bake in 200F oven for 1 hour, stirring every 20minutes or so ... if you like it CHEWY, then bake less.

[Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for Ice Cream]

Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough for Ice Cream


5tbsp brown sugar 
6tbsp sugar
4tbsp butter, softened
1tsp vanilla
3tbsp whole milk
1 cup flour 
1/2tsp salt
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

This is enough to make 24 small melon ball size of chunks that can be put in the freezer. When ready to add to icecream, you can cut each ball into quarters.

[Playdough]

Playdough Recipe

1 cup flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tbsp cream of tartar
1 tbsp oil
1 cup water
food colouring

Mix first 4 ingredients in a pan. Add water and mix well. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 3 – 5 minutes. Dough will become difficult to stir and form a “clump”.  Remove from stove and knead for 5 minutes–add food coloring during kneading process. Play dough will keep for a long time stored in a covered plastic container or plastic sandwich bag.