|
|
You are here: main
articles
food article archive |
Bright Ideas for School
Day Treats

Stoplight
Brownies, You're a Star!, Pennant
Cookies and
Lunch Box Trail Mix
(Family Features) - The fall is a good time to establish
positive feelings toward school and to provide children with the
opportunity to share their new school year experiences with family.
School days are cool days when you have special treats in your children's
lunch boxes or as after-school snacks when they return home. How
much fun for them to anticipate the sweet surprises you have created
for them.
A special treat in their lunch boxes with little notes and happy
faces to let them know you are thinking of them will put smiles
on their faces. Having family members share some of their first
days or weeks at school or new job may help ease students into their
new schedules and let them know you understand.
After-school activities provide an opportunity for students to participate
in various programs that will help develop their particular interests
and talents. Some may provide just pure fun and an opportunity for
good physical sport while others may be more of a cultural nature.
If the activity is sports-related, the family may enjoy making pennant
cookies decorated in team colors to share with teammates after the
game. M&M'S are available in 21 different colors to match most every
team's color combination.
Following are some recipes that are easy to make, can include the
entire family, give children a sense of accomplishment, boost their
self-esteem and get them off to a great school year.
For additional recipes, decorating, gift ideas and family fun activities
go to www.marsbrightideas.com
To learn more about the 21 colors of M&M'S go to www.mms.com, click
on Colorworks.
Stoplight Brownies
1 box of your favorite brownie mix
Waxed paper, parchment paper or foil
1 container (16 ounces) vanilla frosting
Yellow food coloring
1 to 2 bags M&M'S Brand Milk or Peanut Chocolate Candies
- Prepare brownie batter according to directions for cake- style
brownies found on box. Evenly spread batter in 9- x 13- inch
baking pan lined with waxed paper. Bake according to directions.
- Once baked, cool brownies completely. Lift brownies out of
baking pan; remove waxed paper.
- Tint vanilla frosting with yellow food coloring to desired
shade. Spread frosting evenly on top of brownies. Cut into 1-inch
by 2-inch rectangles.
- Set aside 24 green, 24 yellow and 24 red Milk or Peanut Chocolate
Candies. Dot each brownie rectangle like a traffic light with
one red, one yellow and one green Milk Chocolate Candy.
Makes 24 Stoplights
You're a Star!
A sweet reward for any special teacher or child who deserves a boost!
1 roll (18 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough, softened
1/3 cup flour
Star-shaped cookie cutter
Tube of colored decorative icing, such as red or yellow
1 bag M&M'S Brand Milk Chocolate Candies or M&M'S MINIs
- Blend sugar cookie dough and flour together.
- Roll to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured surface.
- Press star shapes from cookie dough with cookie cutter.
- Bake stars on cookie sheet for 12 to 14 minutes in preheated
350°F oven.
- Once cooled, use icing to attach Milk Chocolate Candies around
outside edges of cookies. Write special messages on cookies,
like "You're a Star."
Makes 15 Stars
Pennant Cookies
Imagine these spirited treats at the bake sale - decorated in your
school or team colors!
1 roll (18 ounces) refrigerated sugar cookie dough
Popsicle sticks
1 container (16 ounces) vanilla frosting
1 bag M&M'S Brand Milk Chocolate Candies
- Roll out sugar cookie dough and cut out pennant shapes.
- Add a popsicle stick to back of each cookie and attach with
small ball of additional cookie dough.
- Bake and let cool.
- Frost with ready-made frosting and decorate with Milk Chocolate
Candies in your school colors. Great for the bake sale!
Makes 18 Pennants
The children can help make these quick snack bags. Then take
them along in the car, to school or anywhere.
1 bag (14
ounces) POP'ables Brand available in Snickers, 3 Musketeers
or Milky Way varieties
2 cups popped popcorn
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/2 cup banana chips
1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1/2 cup raisins
- In
large mixing bowl, gently toss all ingredients and store
in airtight container.
- Before
school, pack mix into snack bags.
- Pop
the bags into your children's backpacks or lunch boxes.
Makes 2
quarts |
SOURCE: Mars Bright Ideas
|
|