April Fools Fun

A day for fools, a day for fun. What could be more fun than tricking the kids into thinking their food is one thing when it's really another? This April Fools day I made "Faux Fries" and "Colorful Cupcakes". They were a big hit! I have to credit the family fun website. It has all kinds of fun recipes and ideas for families. You can check it out at http://www.familyfun.com/.

Faux French Fries

Instead of serving traditional salty fries fake someone out with a sugary surprise!

Ingredients:

• 1 package of plain, prepared bread stick dough
• Kitchen scissors
• Sugar
• Seedless strawberry jam

Step One:

Begin by unrolling the dough and separating the bread sticks. Use kitchen scissors to cut them into 1/4 inch wide sticks.

Step Two:

Roll all the sticks in sugar, then bake them on a cookie sheet according to the package directions or until golden brown (about 8 minutes).

Step Three:

Make this mix-up even more fun by serving with a side of "ketchup" (jam whisked with a fork for a smooth consistency).

Colorful Cupcakes

Pull a fast one by disguising meatloaf as yummy cupcakes. This is my version.

Meat Loaf Ingredients:

• 1 lb. extra lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup instant oatmeal
• 1 cup shredded sharp chedder cheese
• 3 tbsp. ketchup
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

Potato Frosting Ingredients:

• 3 cups instant mashed potatoes
• Food coloring

Directions:

Step One:

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with foil bake cups.

Step Two:

In a large bowl, mix together all meat loaf ingredients until well combined. Divide the mixture evenly among the lined cups (about 3/4 full).

Step Three:

Bake in oven for about 15 minutes or until cooked through. Meanwhile prepare instant potatoes.

Step Four:

Tint potatoes with food coloring to desired color. Spread a generous amount on each cupcake. Makes 12 cupcakes.

Enjoy!