Reader photo: Chinese moon cakes

Thanks to Katy W. for sending in this charming photo.  She made the moon cake recipe and had a few improvements.  She thought it could use a little less butter.   And suggests a yummy variation - using peanut butter and putting a hershey's kiss on top (instead of jam) for a chocolaty new year's moon cake.  maybe I will try that!  I also love the bunny rabbit she drew for Chinese New Year. 

If you've done any of the crafts on this blog or have projects to suggest, please send them over - I'd be glad to share your experience!

A Colorful Twist to Marshmallow treats

Homemade rice krispy treats are one of my all-time favorite snacks.  i recently came across this colorful twist using fruity or cocoa pebbles.  I haven't made this yet but will add it to my list.  It was originally called Wilma's Holiday Tree but I think it would also make a great birthday cake alternative as it looks like a stack of colorful presents!  Just make the squares a little larger and substitute the star on top with a candle.  This is a great craft to make with the kids.
Enjoy!

Photo from Post Foods, LLC.  THE FINSTONES TM & (C) Hanna-Barbera

Ingredients:

1/4 cup (½ stick) butter or margarine
1 package (10 ½ ounce) mini-marshmallows
1 package (11 ounce) Post Fruity Pebbles or Cocoa Pebbles Cereal
1 container (16 ounce) ready to spread vanilla frosting
Set of star cookie cutters OR if making the multi-layered birthday package alternative, you can just cut squares out of different sizes and then stack them on top of each other. 

Directions:

1. Spray 13x9 inch pan with cooking spray.
2. Melt butter over low heat in large saucepan. Add marshmallows, stirring until completely melted. Add cereal and mix to coat well. 
3. Press mixture firmly and evenly into prepared pan. Cool 1 hour in cool dry space.
4. Using cookie cutters (star cutouts), carefully cut 2 of each size for a total of 10.
   Spread ½ of frosting on tray to resemble snow. Use remaining frosting to attach stars, stacking largest to smallest and rotating the points to make a tree. Decorate as desired.

Serves: 1-4. 

For more cereal-y recipes, visit www.postcereals.com/recipes.  Note that they need to beef up their photos to make the finished food items more appealing - in most cases they just show a bunch of kids around a kitchen table.

Yummy Cookies from Alex

I don't bake very often, but I do love homemade cookies.  Fortunately for us, we receive delicious treats from Alex.  He makes the most yummy-licious homemade cookies!  Last night he gave us some of his tasty treats. Thanks Alex!  He's also moving to LA next week and although we will miss him, we're equally excited as his new adventure unfolds!   We wish you well.  Alex, we've got a comfy futon with your name on it, and hope you'll visit us!

Alex's cookies