~ Party Tip ~

Put a Surprise in the Birthday Cake - Like the Mardi Gras King Cake, bake a little edible something like a gummy bear or worm  in your child's birthday cake. Get a special prize for the lucky child to get the special piece of cake. Kids love this!

~ Party Tip ~

To get a jump on your preparations, try this. Before a child's party, scoop ice cream into paper cupcake holders and store the treats in the freezer.

• 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) margarine

• 1 bag (10 oz) regular marshmallows or 4 cups miniature marshmallows

• 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

• nonstick cooking spray

• Colored paper, toothpicks, candies

Melt margarine in a large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Add cereal and stir until well coated. Spray 16 muffin cups with cooking spray. Press warm cereal mixture over bottom and sides of cups. Cool. Remove from muffin cups.

Make small, triangular shaped flags cut from colored paper. Attach around toothpick and write the names of party guests on the flags. Insert toothpick into cups. Fill cups with candies like gumdrops, M&M's, red hots, candy corn or any small candies. Makes 16 party favors. 

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 eggs

• 1 carton (6 oz) strawberry yogurt

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

• 1 cup chopped fresh strawberries

• 15 cake ice cream cones (about 3 inches tall)

• 1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips

• 1 tbl shortening

• Colored sprinkles

In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. In another bowl, beat eggs, yogurt, oil and strawberries; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Place the ice cream cones in muffin cups; spoon about 3 tablespoon batter into each cone. Bake at 375º for 19-21 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool completely. In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips and shortening; stir until smooth. Dip muffin tops in chocolate; decorate with sprinkles. Makes 15 servings. 

• 1 pkg (4 oz) German sweet chocolate

• 1/4 cup butter

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 2 eggs

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 24 cake ice cream cones (about 3 inches tall)

• 24 scoops ice cream

• Colored or chocolate sprinkles

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate and butter, stirring frequently. Cool slightly; pour into a bowl. Add sugar and eggs; mix well. Stir in flour, walnuts and vanilla. Place the ice cream cones in muffin cups; fill half full with batter. Bake at 350º for 20-22 minutes or until brownies are set on top and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (do not overbake). Cool completely. Just before serving, top each with a scoop of ice cream and garnish with sprinkles. Makes 2 dozen.

Cupcake Cones

• 1 pkg Super Moist Cake mix

• 24-36 ice cream cones

• Frosting

• Sprinkles

Heat oven to 350º.  Make cake batter according to directions on box. Put cones in a muffin pan. Fill each cone about 1/2 full. Bake 20 - 25 minutes. Cool and frost. Makes 24-36 cones.