Strawberry Cheesecake Shake

Need I say more??? MMMMMMMMMM :0)

1 3oz. package cream cheese, softened (can use light but NOT fat free)

1 c. milk (can use 1%)

2 c. vanilla ice cream

1/2 of a 16 oz. can of strawberry pie fillling

1 c. fresh strawberries (I use more because I like mine "chunky")

1-Place cream cheese and milk in a blender. Cover and blend until combined. Add ice cream, pie filling, and 1 cup (or more) of strawberries. Cover and blend until nearly smooth. Serve immediatley!

*I think it would be delicious to throw in 1/2 c. crushed graham crackers. Mmmmm I will try that next time!! You can't make these just once!

Hazelnut Coffee Coolers

What better way to cool down in the hot days of summer! Have yourself one of these! So good, betcha' can't just have one!!

2/3 c. instant coffee (dry) CAN USE NON- CAFFEINE granules

1 1/2 c. hazelnut flavored coffee creamer

1 c. water

1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

8 c. milk (can use 1% but NOT skim. They turn out too runny)

Whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Cinnamon for garnish 9optional)

1-Mix coffee, creamer, water and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon in a medium bowl, stirring until coffee is dissolved.

2- Pour into 2 ice -cube trays. Freeze about 3 hours or until cubes have hardened. Once they are frozen, remove from trays and place in a freezer bag.

3-For each serving place 2 coffee cubes, 2/3 c. milk and 4 regular ice cubes into blender. Cover and blend on high speed about 20 seconds or until slushy. Pour into glass. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon

*This will make about 12 servings

*Try crushing of toffee bits or a Skor candy bar and sprinkle it over the top of the whipping cream. YUMMMM!

Kokomo Quencher

I love making different drinks to try all the time. I came across this one awhile back and it is sooo delicious. Keep in mind that you can also freeze this and serve it "slushy style" also.

2 bottles Sprite or 7 UP

1 bottle (40 oz.) Dole brand Light orchard peach juice (any peach brand will work just use light)

5 c. pineapple juice, chilled

2 c. fresh or frozen blackberries (or berries of your choice. Raspberries are great in this!!)

1 can (15 oz.) real cream of coconut (usually found by the Asian foods)

Lime slices, optional for garnish

1-Combine all ingredients in a LARGE punch bowl, serve in goblet glasses with a lime wedge to garnish.

Grandma Karen's Punch

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law, her Grandma is famous for this punch! I love this drink. The almond extract in it just gives is a really different, yummy taste. I also like it because you can make it for a crowd, just double it, and you will have plenty to go around! (Although the original recipe will make quite a few cups also!)

1 can frozen o.j., thawed

1 can frozen lemonade, thawed

2 c. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 tsp.almond extract

10 cans of water

1 liter of sprite

1- Mix all ingredients in a LARGE bowl, stir well

2- Add ice if desired, enjoy!!!

Witches Brew

My mother-in-law Kathy always makes really fun food on Halloween this is her recipe. It is so yummy AND festive!

2 1/2 quarts water

1 1/2 c. sugar

5 whole cloves

1 small can frozen o.j.

1 small can frozen lemonade

1-Mix and boil

2-Bring to a simmer, and add cinnamon sticks.

3-Serve warm in mugs

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

This is super easy, and very yummy! Not to mention cheaper than Stevens hot chocolate (although that stuff is great!) Give this a try. I will mix this up and put it in a Tupperware when we go camping. It can very easily be cooked in a kettle dutch oven style! Enjoy!

10 c. instant powdered milk

1 c. instant non-dairy creamer

1 c. powdered sugar

2 lbs. Hershey's Instant or Nestle Quick

1-Store in covered container

2-mix 1/3 to 1/2 cup mixture to 1 cup hot water.

*Mix it up! Top with whipping cream, add crushed candy cane, Andes mint baking chips, or crushed Skor bar for a toffee flavored hot chocolate!* Have fun!

*Let the kids help make this fun homemade treat. They have so much fun measuring all the ingredients out!

Holiday Wassail

I love wassail. Especially this time of year I always make this at Halloween and Christmas and even better I LOVE how it makes my house smell!

2 quarts apple cider
1-1/2 cups orange juice
3/4 cup pineapple juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
2 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
Dash ground cinnamon
Dash ground cloves

1-In a large saucepan, combine all of the ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Discard cinnamon sticks.

2-Serve hot in mugs. Yield: 10-12 servings (2-1/2 quarts).

Boo Beverage

I LOVE Halloween. The cool air, the costumes, but mostly ALL THE GOODIES :) This is a really yummy drink, that is kid friendly but also satisfies adult taste buds. What a perfect concoction for a Halloween party! Don't forget to let the kiddos help with this one!

2 c. o.j.

2 c. milk

2 pints orange sherbet

4 medium ripe bananas

Halloween ghost peeps/canned whipping cream & Halloween sprinkles

In 4 batches, process o.j., milk, sherbet & bananas until smooth. Pour into glasses and add you Halloween peeps or pile high the whipping cream and throw a few sprinkles on top. Delicious!

*I came up with the whipping cream instead of using the peeps, namely because I don't like peeps :) Plus the whipping cream blends a little better with the already creamy consistency of the drink.

Peach-Lemon Frost

It's peach season, and you know what that means! Time for peach smoothies. Here is a little twist and an"oldie but a goodie."

3 large fresh peaches, peeled, halved, pitted and quartered
1 c. 2% milk
2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/2 c. fresh lemon juice (fresh is always best!)
3 ice cubes, broken into pieces
1/2 pint vanilla ice milk

Add peaches to blender. Process until smooth to measure 2 cups. Add milk, lemon peel, lemon juice and ice cubes. Process until smooth. Continue processing at low speed; slowly add ice milk until well blended. Pour into glasses serve immediately.

Orange Julius

6 oz. from frozen concentrate, unprepared
1 c. milk (low fat is o.k.)
1 c. water
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
8 ice cubes

Combine all ingredients, except ice in a blender. Blend for 1-2 min. Add ice cubes one at a time, blend until smooth.

Banana Pineapple Colada

Delicious, and ALWAYS a favorite. What else can I say??

1/2 banana
1/2 cup fresh or canned pineapple (fresh is always best!)
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1/2 ice cubes
1/4 tsp. coconut extract
1 Tbsp. sugar

Combine all ingredients in blender. Blend thoroughly. Serve immediately in goblet glasses
*Cute Idea: Take the rim of your goblet glass and dip it in honey, then into some coconut (toasted coconut is good also). Lining the rim of the glass with coconut. Fill your glass with your drink mix, and top off with a fresh slice of pineapple hanging off the rim! Yum :)

Lemonritas

This is a great spin on margaritas, minus the alcohol. These drinks have never failed me at a party or luncheon. Everyone loves them, and always asks for seconds!

1 container (19oz.) of lemonade powder drink (Like powdered Tang, but lemonade)
2 lemons, sliced and split to fit on rim of glasses
water
lots of ice
kosher salt
honey
goblet glasses

1-In a blender place 3/4 capful of lemonade powder, three handfuls (apx. 4 cups) of ice, and just enough water to fill the blender half way. You don't want to much or it will be runny!
2-Blend well, making sure that all ice is crushed completely
3- Pour 3 Tbsp. honey onto a paper plate or in a bowl. Spread out with a spoon.
4-Take your goblet glass, and dip the rim in the honey
5-Place kosher salt on a paper plate or in a bowl. About 1/2 cup.
6-After your glass rims have been covered in honey, dip them into the salt
7-Pour lemonade mixture into goblets, add your lemon slice to the rim. Enjoy!!!

*You always want to ensure that you have more ice than water in this mixture, because you do not want it to be runny. So don't be afraid to be liberal with the ice.
*You can also use this same recipe but using Tang. It is still pretty good. However the tartness of the lemonade, and the salt mix is DELICIOUS!!

Colada Cooler

This drink is so delicious. And is so refreshing, on a hot summer day! This recipe makes about 24 servings. If you are having a few guests over, double the recipe.

2 cans (12 oz each) frozen pina colada mix concentrate, thawed
2 cans (12 oz. each) frozen white grape juice, thawed
6 cups cold water
12 cups (about 3 liters) sprite/7 up
Lemon and Lime slices

1- Mix pina colada and juice concentrates in large container. Stir in water
2. Just before serving, pour into punch bowl. Add pop and lemon and lime slices. Pour over ice in glasses.

* For a more "slushy" version freeze the juice concentrate mix and water. Break up with a fork and pour pop over the top!

* Cute idea: You can make this a really "pretty" drink. Serve in goblet glasses. Add a lemon, and lime wedge to the side of the glass. And for a bit of color on top, add a marchino cherry. Very cute!

Cran- Stawberry Margarita Punch

6 cups cran-strawberry juice cocktail, chilled
2 cups water
3/4 cups frozen limeade concentrate (from 6oz can)
1/4 cup frozen orange juice concentrate (from 6oz. can)

Mix all ingredients in a one gallon pitcher. Serve cold

*To add a little zip to this drink serve it with lime wedges.

Ice Ring

Ice rings are so fun to make because you can do so many different things with them. And they are super easy, and can "dress up" any punch bowl!

4 c. DISTILLED water, divided
Any food, item (s) you wish to add to your ice ring
cooking spray

You will need a ring mold to do this (Wal Mart) or if you have a bunt pan, that will work too.)

DON'T FORGET TO SPRAY YOUR MOLD/PAN FIRST!
1-pour 1 c. of distilled water into your mold or pan. (I usually don't measure I just fill it a little less than half way)
2-now use whatever food item, or object you would like to use in your mold. Place it in the mold in a creative pattern.
3-Carefully place in the freezer and freeze till it's solid
4-Take out of freezer and add remaining water
5- Freeze again till solid

*After your ice ring is complete, to loosen it from the mold take it and place it in a pan of hot water, until it separates from the sides of the mold. Flip upside down and let it float in your punch bowl.

Cute idea: When adding items to your ring, think outside the box! Fruit is always pretty (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, mint leaves, cherries, green apple slices...) But if you are throwing a baby shower or bridal shower, look at the dollar store for some little plastic babies, or little wedding rings.... Anything will work really because most likely it will float after the ring has melted! This is something you could allow yourself to get really creative with! Have fun!

Lime Slush

Perfect for those hot summer days. This will keep in the freezer for up to two weeks!

1 can lime aid
3 cans water
3 cups sugar
8 cups water
Sprite

1- Place all ingredients in a large tupper ware container and freeze over night
2- when it is totally frozen, crush up with a fork and pour sprite over the top3

*If you want a little x-tra zip squeeze a slice of fresh lime your glass.

*Cute Idea: I have served this at a baby shower before and I served it in goblets. She was having a girl, so I went to the store and bought crystallized sugar granules (they come in lots of colors) and I bought pink. I then took the rim of my goblet glass, dipped it in honey, and then dipped it in a bowl of the sugar! They turned out adorable! All the pink crystals were around the rim of the glass!