Fudge Cookies (Cake Mix Cookies)

I've had this super easy and quick recipe for years and I've made it dozens of times. The recipe is quite versatile and the cookies are always moist and delicious. My friend, Leona, who gravitated to recipes using 5 ingredients or less, shared this with me and I'll be forever grateful!

1 package Devil’s Food cake mix (I prefer Duncan Hines)
2 eggs
½ c. oil
1 c. chocolate chips
        Mix together cake mix, eggs and oil. Stir in chocolate chips. Shape stiff mixture into small balls or use cookie scoop. Bake at 350° for 9-11 minutes. 

        Tip: You can try using different flavors of cake mix or chips. Roll the cookies in powdered sugar after baking or spread a melted Hershey kiss on top. Our favorite is piping melted Candy Cane Kisses over the top at Christmastime….or in July if you still have the kisses left because you bought so many extras. ;)

Easy Ice Cream

You know it's going to be a good day at school when you get to make and eat homemade ice cream in science class. Thanks to Sadie's 8th grade science teacher for this fun hands-on experiment and treat. :)

1 quart freezer bag

1 gallon freezer bag

1 c. milk

1 c. half & half

1/4 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

ice

1 c. rock salt

        Pour milk, half & half, sugar and vanilla into a 1 quart freezer bag. Empty most of the air from the bag and carefully seal it completely. Mix well by shaking.

        Place the quart bag into a 1 gallon freezer bag. (Make sure the small bag is completely sealed!) Fill the large bag full of ice and add rock salt. Seal the large bag. Make sure that the ice mixture coats the entire outer surface of the smaller bag. 

        Put on your gloves/mittens and shake, shake, shake...(shaking up and down works best!). Continue to shake until you have ice cream.

        Remove the small bag from the large bag. Reseal the large bag and throw it in the trash. Wipe off the outside of the small bag around one bottom corner. Cut the bottom corner of the bag and carefully squeeze your ice cream into cups. Enjoy!

Mini Tacos

These cute mini tacos (or wonton tacos) are easy to make and fun to eat. Sadie brought this recipe home from her Food and Nutrition class at school and it's a keeper.

24 wonton wrappers

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 envelope taco seasoning mix

2 c. salsa

1 c. shredded cheese

1/2 c. fresh chopped cilantro

sour cream

        Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a mini-muffin tin with non-stick spray. Press wonton wrappers into mini-muffin cups. Brown ground beef and drain off fat. Stir in taco seasoning mix and 3/4 c. salsa. Spoon beef mixture into wonton cups. Top with a little salsa and the shredded cheese. Bake about 6 minutes or until wontons are golden brown. Remove from oven and top each with cilantro. Serve immediately with remaining salsa and sour cream as a garnish.

Dirt Cake

This is a fun recipe that especially appeals to young kids. 

Mix together:
8 oz. cream cheese
1 c. powdered sugar
½ stick margarine
Set aside.

In another bowl, combine:
3 ½ c. milk
2 small packages vanilla instant pudding mix
When set, stir in 10 oz. cool whip.

Stir into cream cheese mixture.

Crush one package Oreo cookies. If done in blender, they will really resemble dirt. Layer cream cheese mixture and crushed Oreos in a 9x13 pan. For a fun alternative, layer in a flower pot or a clear glass vase. Put gummy worms in with the layers and top with fake flowers. Use as your centerpiece for dinner then eat! 

Note: To make amount for a smaller flower pot, I halved the pudding, milk and cool whip amounts and crushed only ½ pkg. Oreos. This filled up our pot just right!