Halloween Dinner

This has absolutely nothing to do with Halloween, except it was tradition growing up.  Each year for Halloween dinner my mom made the same thing (since it was easy and we were busy getting ready).  We eat hot dogs, pineapple, and mac n cheese.

For the hot dogs:
Slice them length-wise so they can open like a bun.  Then stuff the middle with crushed pineapple.  Bake until hot dogs are hot and pineapple is browned on top.  So yummy!

My mom always made elbow noodles with cheez-wiz, which looking back is pretty disgusting.  For my quick version, I just use boxed mac n cheese.

[from Jamie]

Witch Pancakes

SUPPLIES

• Cupcakes (and all that it takes to make them)
• Sugar ice cream cones (the pointy ones)
• String licorice
• Candy corn
• Frosting
• Food coloring if desired
• Scissors (for you)

ACTIVITY

1. Have your child help you bake cupcakes. This is where the math learning comes in.
2. After cupcakes have cooled, frost them. You are making a witch, so I dye it green.
3. Cut string licorice into pieces of hair. I use red licorice becauseno one in my house likes black.
4. Let your child put hair on the witch.
5. Put her pointy hat on.
6. Add her candy corn nose.
7. Eat her!

PEANUT BUTTER PUMPKINS

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of butter
• 12 oz jar of peanut butter
• 16 oz powdered sugar--sifted
• Red and yellow food coloring
• Green icing

Supplies:

• Large bowl
• Wooden spoon (but I used beaters, and wish I had just used my Bosche mixer)\
• Toothpick
• Sifter

Method:

1. Melt butter
2. Pour butter in large bowl
3. Add several drops of food coloring to make orange. 2 drops of red and 3 drops of yellow will make orange, but I had to do that several times before everything was truly orange. 
4. Add peanut butter.
5. Add powdered sugar (sifted).
6. Mix until a dough like consistency is reached.
7. Shape dough into small balls. 
8. Make ridges using a toothpick. Don't scratch them in. Just press the toothpick into the balls.
9. Add a small amount of green icing on the top of each pumpkin for a stem.

~Valerie

Jack-O-Lantern Pancakes

My husband made these pancakes for us, and I just had to share them. The kids loved eating them. 

First, you make some pancake batter. Put a small amount in one bowl (for the green) and the rest in another bowl. Dye the small amount green and the large amount orange.

Heat a skillet.

Put the green of the pumpkin on first. Do the eyes, the stem, and the mouth. My husband used a fork and drizzled it on there.

~Valerie