Campfire Orange Cakes

Camping is a wonderful way to spend a weekend. Getting a good dose of vitamin C and removing the tv from the picture brings out a kids imagination. This weekend the posse of children camping with us created entire fortresses build for the little creatures they trapped with their homemade traps. It took all weekend to create a maze of trails complete with sticks and bridges. What tiring work! At the end of the day they could barely keep their little eyes open but I was sure these Campfire Orange Cakes would do the trick. How fun to have your own little individual orange flavored cake to spoon out of an orange peel!

Cake batter (I like yellow but chocolate would be good too)

Oranges

1. Prepare cake batter according to instructions.
2. Cut end off of orange (just enough to get to the meat and create a “lid”)
3. Remove orange meat (insides)
4. Spoon cake batter into hollowed out orange shells
5. Replace end and cover with tinfoil
6. Throw into campfire coals
7. Leave 6-8 min
8. Carefully remove and enjoy!

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.

Peach Crisp

This is an easy recipe for peach crisp. It is quick too which is always a bonus in my book!

2-15oz cans peaches

2 pkgs cinnamon & spice instant oatmeal, uncooked

1/3 C flour

1/3 C butter, melted

1/2 C walnuts, if desired

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Pour peaches into lightly buttered 2-quart baking dish.
3. Combine instant oatmeal, flour and nuts in bowl then stir in butter.
4. Sprinkle over paches.
5. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve over ice cream, if desired.

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.

Cheezy Salsa Dip

This dip goes fast in our family. You have to stick close to it to get your fair share!

1 pkg (8oz) softened cream cheese

1 C Salsa

1 C Shredded cheddar cheese

1. Spread cream cheese in pie plate with a spatula.
2. Top with salsa then cheese.
3. Microwave in 30 sec intervals until warm and cheese is melted.

Serve with tortilla chips or crackers.

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.

Vanilla Fruit Salad

Not your ordinary fruit salad!

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and diced
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
1 pear, peeled, cored and diced
10 to 12 medium size strawberries, halved
1 mango, peeled and diced
1 banana, sliced
1/3 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

1. In a small mixing bowl whisk together the yogurt, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, vanilla extract and salt. Season with pepper, to taste. Set aside.
2. Place all of the fruit and the nuts into a large mixing bowl and toss to combine. Add the dressing, toss and serve.

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.

Last Day of School Ice Cream

This is such a fun way for kids to make ice cream! Or anyone still considers themselves a kid. Great for a birthday party, the last day of school or whatever event you decide.

1 large metal coffee can

1 C of milk

1 C heavy cream

1/2 C sugar

1 t vanilla

ice

1 1/2 C rock salt

1. Place milk, cream, sugar, and vanilla in pitcher. Mix well.
2. Pour into small baggies (should be enough for 6).
3. Fill coffee can 1/3 with ice. Cover with half of rock salt. Put baggies in can. Fill to brim with ice and remaining rock salt.
4. Roll and shake can for about 10 minutes or until ice cream is hard. Enjoy!!

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.

Ice Cream Peanut Butter Sandwiches

Peanut butter and ice cream…It doesn’t get any better than this! Well maybe if you dipped it in chocolate.

1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. butter
1 egg
1 1/4 c. flour
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 pt. ice cream (any flavor but good with chocolate chip ice cream)

1. Heat oven to 375 °F. Mix all ingredients except ice cream. Shape into 1 1/4 inch balls (should make 30 balls). Place 3 inches apart on cookie sheet. Flatten in crisscross with floured fork. Bake until brown, 9-11 minutes. Cool.
2. For each sandwich, press a slightly rounded tablespoon of ice cream between 2 cookies. Place in jelly roll pan. Freeze until firm. Store in freezer in plastic wrap. Makes 15 sandwiches.

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.

Microwave Caramel Popcorn

Chewy caramel popcorn is a great treat for movie night or any time you get the sweet tooth. This recipe makes a small batch to enjoy on short notice.

1 regular size bag of buttered microwave popcorn

brown paper sack

1 C brown sugar

1 stick butter

1/4 corn syrup

1/4 t baking soda

1. Microwave popcorn. Empty into brown paper sack.
2. Mix brown sugar, butter & corn syrup in microwaveable bowl.
3. Microwave for 2 min.
4. Stir & microwave for 2 more minutes.
5. Remove & add baking soda.
6. Stir & pour contents over popcorn in brown paper sack.
7. Shake & microwave 1 min.
8. Remove, shake & microwave 1 min.
9. Remove, shake & microwave 30 sec.
10. Pour on wax paper to cool & enjoy!

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.

Peanut Butter Pie

1/3 C creamy peanut butter

3 oz cream cheese, softened

2 T butter or margarine, softened

1 C confectioners’ sugar

1/4 C milk

1 carton (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 chocolate crumb crust (9 inches)

2 T chopped peanuts, optional

Chocolate curls, optional

1. In a mixing bowl, beat peanut butter, cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Add sugar and milk; fold in whipped topping.
3. Pour into the crust. Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours.
4. Remove from the freezer just before serving. Garnish with peanuts and chocolate curls if desired.

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.

“Homemade” Ice Cream Sandwiches

As temperatures warm, my thoughts turn to picnics in the park, barbecues with friends and ice cream! Here is a quick and easy way to make ice cream sandwiches “from scratch”. For an added twist, add a chunk of chocolate or opt for a lower calorie version using sugar free pudding and lite Cool Whip.

2 boxes instant vanilla pudding

1-12oz container of cool whip

1 box graham crackers

2 1/2 C milk

1. Mix pudding and milk together. Add Cool Whip.
2. Spread waxed paper over cookie sheet. Lay out 15 graham crackers.
3. Thickly spread mixture over the crackers and top with another graham cracker.
4. Freeze overnight.

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.

Herbed Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Sandwiches for a warm spring lunch while enjoying a tall, cool glass of iced tea.

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 C lightly packed finely chopped fresh herb leaves (parsley, watercress, basil, chervil, chives or any combination)

1 T fresh lemon juice

Dash hot pepper sauce

8 slices firm textured wheat bread with crusts removed

Paprika

1. In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, herbs, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce. Mix well.
2. Spread 2 T on each piece of bread. Sprinkle with paprika. Put slices together to make 4 sandwiches. Cut into quarters.

Learn more about Western Style, Rustic Decor, South Western Jewelry and Western Design from Heather Christensen & Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design.com.