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Bright Ideas for School Day Treats


Stoplight Brownies, You're a Star!, Pennant Cookies and
Lunch Box Trail Mix

Stoplight Brownies(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

  1. 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.
  2. Once baked, cool brownies completely. Lift brownies out of baking pan; remove waxed paper.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

Pennant Cookies 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

  1. Blend sugar cookie dough and flour together.
  2. Roll to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured surface.
  3. Press star shapes from cookie dough with cookie cutter.
  4. Bake stars on cookie sheet for 12 to 14 minutes in preheated 350°F oven.
  5. 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

You're a Star! 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

  1. Roll out sugar cookie dough and cut out pennant shapes.
  2. Add a popsicle stick to back of each cookie and attach with small ball of additional cookie dough.
  3. Bake and let cool.
  4. 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

  1. In large mixing bowl, gently toss all ingredients and store in airtight container.
  2. Before school, pack mix into snack bags.
  3. Pop the bags into your children's backpacks or lunch boxes.
Makes 2 quarts

SOURCE: Mars Bright Ideas

 



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