Living On A Dime

Category: 4th of July

  • Rice Krispie Treats Recipe – 18 Ways To Make Rice Krispie Treats!

    Rice Krispie Treats Recipe – 18 Ways To Make Rice Krispie Treats!

    Here are some easy homemade rice krispie treats recipes along with lots of variations and ideas for how to make rice krispy treats extra special. These are super easy to make and kids love them!

    Here are some easy homemade rice krispie treats recipes along with lots of variations and ideas for how to make rice krispy treats extra special. These are super easy to make and kids love them!

    Homemade Rice Krispie Treats Recipe – 18 Ways To Make Rice Krispie Treats

    Here are some super yummy recipes for homemade rice krispie treats including lots of yummy variations that are perfect for any occasion! Rice krispie treats are perfect for after school snacks and you can vary them for any kind of holiday party or get together!

    Here's a super easy rice krispie treats recipe you can easily make in 5-10 minutes! Rice krispie treats are sweet, chewy and delicious and perfect as snacks for kids, desserts, potlucks and picnics! This recipe is much cheaper and fresher than buying the pre-made ones at the store!
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    Easy Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

    Here's a super easy rice krispie treats recipe you can easily make in 5-10 minutes! Rice krispie treats are sweet, chewy and delicious and perfect as snacks for kids, desserts, potlucks and picnics! This recipe is much cheaper and fresher than buying the pre-made ones at the store!
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    Here’s a super easy rice krispie treats recipe you can easily make in 5-10 minutes! Rice krispie treats are sweet, chewy and delicious and perfect as snacks for kids, desserts, potlucks and picnics! This recipe is much cheaper and fresher than buying the pre-made ones at the store!

    • Author: Tawra Kellam

    Ingredients

    3/4 cup butter or margarine
    2 (10 oz.) bags mini marshmallows
    1/2 tsp. vanilla
    pinch salt
    9 cups Rice Krispies cereal

    Instructions

    1. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
    2. Melt butter over medium heat in a separate large pan.
    3. Once the butter is melted, add marshmallows.
    4. Stir until the marshmallows are melted.
    5. Remove from heat.
    6. Stir in vanilla and salt.
    7. Fold in cereal, coating well.
    8. Lightly grease a spatula and spread the mixture into the baking pan.
    9. Lightly press down until the mixture is even in the pan.
    10. Let cool 1 hour.
    11. Cut into squares with a greased knife.
    12. To store, place in layers between greased sheets of parchment or wax paper.

    Notes

    You can also make this rice krispie treats recipe in the microwave.

    1. Put the butter and marshmallows into a glass bowl.
    2. Microwave for 45 seconds on high, until the marshmallows melt.
    3. Add Rice Krispies cereal and mix well.
    4. Pour into the greased baking pan.
    This Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispie Treats recipe has the flavor of chocolate covered cherries. They are as easy to make as the regular rice krispie treats but give an entirely different twist on an old time favorite.
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    Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

    This Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispie Treats recipe has the flavor of chocolate covered cherries. They are as easy to make as the regular rice krispie treats but give an entirely different twist on an old time favorite.
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    This Chocolate Covered Cherry Rice Krispie Treats recipe has the flavor of chocolate covered cherries. They are as easy to make as the regular rice krispie treats but give an entirely different twist on an old time favorite.

    • Author: Tawra Kellam

    Ingredients

    Units
    6 Tbsp. butter 1 1/2 Tbsp. cherry gelatin powder 16 oz. pkg. mini marshmallows 8 cups Rice Krispies cereal 11 oz. dark chocolate, melted

    Instructions

    1. Place the butter, gelatin powder and mini marshmallows into a large saucepan.
    2. Melt together over low heat. Stir constantly.
    3. When the marshmallows are melted, fold in the cereal.
    4. Press the mixture into a 9×13 inch pan or baking sheet.
    5. Frost or drizzle with melted chocolate.
    6. Set for 1 hour. Store in an airtight container.

    Notes

    • You could use strawberry gelatin in place of the cherry.
    • To make it easier to press these rice krispie treats into the pan, put a little bit of butter or spray your fingertips with a small amount of cooking spray and then press them in. This will keep the marshmallows from sticking to your fingers and get the job done quick and clean!

    Rice Krispie Treats Variations And Tips:

    • If you want to make regular Rice Krispie Treats, then just leave out the cherry gelatin powder and dark chocolate.
    • You could start mixing and matching all kinds of things to make these gourmet Rice Krispie Treats!
    • Coconut: Add 1½ cups shredded coconut.
    • Peanut Butter Cup: Add a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter after the marshmallows are melted.
    • Rocky Road: Add mini marshmallows, walnuts or almonds and chocolate chips after the marshmallows are melted.
    • Rainbow: Use Fruity Pebbles cereal instead of Rice Krispies.
    • Mint Chip: Add ½ tsp. mint extract and a few drops of green food coloring into marshmallows. Top with chocolate.
    • Candy: Add Reese’s Pieces, M&M’s, Twix, Rolos, Skittles or any of your favorite candies after marshmallows are melted or just press on top.
    • Oreo: Break up some Oreo cookies and add to the mixture after marshmallows are melted. Leave a few to press into the top.
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    Cake Batter Rice Krispy Treats

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    • Author: Jill Cooper

    Ingredients

    Units
    4 1/2 cups (1 10 oz. bag) marshmallows 1/4 cup butter or margarine 1/3 cup yellow cake mix 6 cups Rice Krispies sprinkles

    Instructions

    1. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
    2. Melt together the marshmallows and butter.
    3. Mix in the cake mix one spoonful at a time.
    4. Add Rice Krispies and half of the sprinkles.
    5. Mix well.
    6. Press into the greased baking pan.
    7. Add the rest of the sprinkles.
    8. Let cool 1 hour.
    9. Cut into squares with a greased knife.
    10. To store, place in layers between greased sheets of parchment or wax paper.
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    Oreo Rice Krispie Treats Recipe

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    Here’s another rice krispie treat recipe for the chocolate lover in your family! This rice krispie treats recipe uses Oreos in place of the Rice Krispies.

    • Author: Jill Cooper

    Ingredients

    Units
    5 cups of marshmallows 4 Tbsp. butter or margarine 1 pkg. ( about 6 cups) Oreos, coarsely crushed

    Instructions

    1. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
    2. Melt the marshmallows and margarine together in a large saucepan.
    3. Add the Oreos
    4. Mix together.
    5. Gently press the mixture into a greased 9×13 pan.
    6. Let cool 1 hour.
    7. Cut into squares with a greased knife.
    8. To store, place in layers between greased sheets of parchment or wax paper.
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    Rice Krispie Rainbow Rolls Recipe

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    This Rice Krispie Rainbow Rolls recipe is an extra special variation on rice krispie treats that adds a lot of color and a little bit of different flavor. Kids will love these rainbow rolls for their bright color and fruity taste!

    • Author: Jill Cooper

    Ingredients

    Units
    3 Tbsp. butter 4 cups mini marshmallows 1/8 tsp. salt 6 cups Fruity Pebbles or fruit rice cereal 1 1/2 – 2 cup vanilla frosting

    Instructions

    1. Grease a 15x10x1 inch baking pan.
    2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan.
    3. Add marshmallows.
    4. When the marshmallows are melted, add salt and cereal.
    5. Mix well.
    6. Press into the baking pan. This is easier of you butter your fingers or use a piece of wax paper.
    7. Cool.
    8. When cool, spread with frosting.
    9. Starting at the short end, roll into a log jelly-roll fashion.
    10. Slice into slices.

    More Rice Krispie Treats Ideas:

    • Drag out the good old homemade rice krispie treats recipe for the Fourth of July but try adding a new twist. Add red or blue food coloring to the melted marshmallows and then, using a large star cookie cutter, cut them into stars to pile high on a plate.Get out some of those red paper plates you bought on sale after Christmas or Valentine’s Day to serve your treats on the Fourth of July.
    • Here’s another twist to the rice krispie treats: Add 1/3 cup peanut butter to the melted marshmallows and substitute frosted flakes for the Rice Krispies. You now have Tony the Tiger Treats.
    • Instead of serving the same old rice krispie treats, add things like chocolate chips, M&M’s or nuts. You can also use different cereals like Honey Nut Cheerios, Fruit Loops or Fruity Pebbles. Of course, try to buy these in the off-brands to save.
    • You can also drizzle a little melted chocolate, butterscotch, white chocolate or peanut butter chips over the top of homemade rice krispie treats. By drizzling things on top of cakes or cookies like this you can save by using less compared to spreading it all over.
    • Rice Krispie Pops – Sometimes rice krispie treats can get sticky and gooey in the heat and humidity of summer so, for your next outside get-together, try rolling them into balls and stick a popsicle stick into each one. You could also roll them in sprinkles, candies or melted chocolate.

    The sky is the limit. You can pretty much melt the margarine and marshmallows and throw anything in. Use up the last bits of leftover cereals, nuts, candies, sprinkles, etc.

    For more recipes like these easy rice krispie treats recipes, check out our cookbook:

    [dining]

  • Happy Fourth of July

    Happy Fourth of July

    July 4th Flag

    Remember Why We Celebrate Independence Day!

    Today is the 4th of July, Independence Day for those of us in the United States.  Many of us will be having lots of fun getting together with friends and families for picnics and fireworks. As I have said on other holidays, please take a moment to remember and remind or teach your children about why this day is important. Remember the prices that were paid by soldiers and civilians alike to gain our independence which we so often take for granted.

    Remember the leaders who fought bravely beside their men, who spoke bold, strong words to encourage them, not worrying if what they said would be politically correct. They didn’t straddle the fence with their words and actions so they would look good to others but bravely stood for what was right.

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  • 4th of July Recipes

    4th of July Recipes

    Easy 4th of July Recipes

    Easy 4th of July Recipes

    Most of us have our favorite dishes and traditions for the 4th of July so, instead of giving you a menu, I thought I would give you some new 4th of July recipes to add to our old standbys and favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, potato salad and baked beans.

    • Don’t wait until Christmas to make pretzels rolled in chocolate. Roll pretzel sticks in melted white chocolate and then in red and blue sprinkles. Serve in a pretty glass or vase.
    • Add a tablespoon of sugar to your deviled eggs for extra flavor.

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  • Have an Old Fashioned 4th of July

    Have an Old Fashioned 4th of July

     

    Independence Day Games!

    I can’t believe the 4th of July is already here. It feels like I just put away my Christmas decorations last week. Well, many of you may have just put them away last week. HA!HA!

    I was thinking (I know– that always gets me in trouble) that for something fun this year you might try having an old-fashioned 4th of July. Instead of just spending the day sitting around barbecuing and waiting for fireworks, why not plan some activities like gunny sack races, rope pulls, wheelbarrow races or just a good old-fashioned water balloon fight?

    If you’re able, you can tie a gunny sack stuffed with straw in a tree for the kids (and adults) to swing on or, if nothing more, sit and have a watermelon seed spitting contest. I know that we usually think of apple bobbing for Halloween but apple bobbing would be great for July 4th and would help keep everyone cool!

    Have a few fun, silly, inexpensive little prizes to give away or even simple blue ribbons for the winners!

          -Jill

    photo by:fort_vancouver_national_trust

  • Easy One Dish Meal and Holiday Desserts

    Easy One Dish Meal and Holiday Desserts

    Sausage Stroganoff Recipe

    Tips:

    • If you are having a potluck or buffet, be sure to place the silverware, napkins and drinks at the end of the food table so your guests don’t have to juggle them while filling their plates.
    • If you need a punch bowl, check out your covered cake dish. Many of them are designed so you can turn the base upside down and turn the bowl upside down to make a punch bowl out of them. If you are in a real bind, just use a large, pretty bowl.
    • Don’t have a dipper? Set a fancy cup (not your husband’s football mug) on a saucer next to the punch bowl.
    • Don’t have a gravy boat? Serve your gravy and sauces in small heat proof pitchers. I have seen some really cute pitchers and gravy boats at the dollar stores. This is one item that would be worth buying. Not only can you use it for gravy, but it is a nice way to serve chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, pancake syrup, melted butter, etc.

    Menu:

    Sausage Stroganoff*
    Tossed Salad
    M&M Marshmallow Bars*

      (more…)

  • Tips and Recipe for Making Shish Kabobs

    Tips and Recipe for Making Shish Kabobs

    Tips and Recipe for Making Shish Kabobs

    Shish Kabob Tips and Recipe

    For my holidays I usually like to keep things simple like always having hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans, corn on the cob and potato salad for the Fourth of July but even I every once in a while like to “eat out of the box” and try something different. How about some kabobs for a change this year?

    We all know about them but I don’t think a lot of us make kabobs that often. We really should. Shish Kabobs are so quick and easy and you can have most of the ingredients prepared the day before.

    You can barbecue the recipe below on the grill but you don’t have to barbecue all kabobs. If you have a couple of pieces of meat like chicken, hot dogs or steak left from grilling, make them into “cold kabobs” the next day. Layer your already cooked meat with fresh veggies or fruit. These would be great to wrap and take on a picnic in place of a sandwich.

    Use chunks of melon, strawberries, pineapple (you can use canned) and, if it will be served right away, apples or bananas. For veggies use small onions, green and red peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli or cauliflower. Also if you will be serving it immediately, you could add cubes of cheese. The possibilities are endless.

    For something fun and different, have a kabob bar and let everyone make up their own shish kabobs.

    Use 2 skewers, holding them about half an inch apart to thread your items on the skewers. This will help to keep the ingredients from turning around on the skewers.

    If you’ll be barbecueing them, soak the skewers for 30 minutes in water.

    When cooking the shish kabobs, keep all the pieces of everything cut as close to the same size as you can.

    Prepare as much as you can the day before. This will make your life easier the next day.


    Barbecue Chicken Kabobs

    1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2 inch chunks
    2 cups pineapple, chunks
    1 green pepper, 1 1/2 inch chunks
    1 red pepper, 1 1/2 inch chunks

    Place all of these on the skewers.

    Brush with equal parts barbecue sauce and concentrated orange juice that have been mixed.

    Cook on medium high grill until chicken is done about 8-10 minutes. Brush occasionally with sauce.

    Makes 4.

    -Jill

    photo by: kristinausk

  • Holiday Tree

    Holiday Tree

    I love Christmas Trees! The worst part of Christmas is taking down the tree. It’s great to sit and watch the tree lights twinkling at night all through December. There’s just something about Christmas lights in the evening that is so soothing! I love it so much that I turn my Christmas tree lights on in the morning and leave them all day. About 9 years ago, I came up with the idea to keep a small three foot tree up all year. Then I would make or collect ornaments for it and change it each month depending on the holiday or season. Of course about 2 years after I came up with it, someone else did too and now you can find mini ornaments in every store.

     

    Here are a couple of pictures of my tree at different times. 

    This one is for fall. I think I spent about $7.00 on all of it. The tree was $2 at an after Christmas clearance sale and then I collected the decorations at after Halloween sales and at yard sales.

    For September, it has leaves and mini pumpkins on it for ornaments.

    In October, I put little ghosts, Jack O’ Lanterns and bats. Then I put some garland or black and orange ribbon around it.

     

    After Christmas one year I bought all snowman stuff for my January tree. I spent about $3 on everything. I used leftover fake snow to put around the base too.

    The first year for my Valentine’s tree I made all red and white hearts out of construction paper. Then one year I found heart ornaments on clearance at Hobby Lobby.

    I keep a tree up each month: Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, and of course for spring I bring out my favorite collection of gnomes!  For each tree I’ve spent less than $5 and it’s always so nice to have something festive all year. 

    Tawra

    Just wanted to give everyone an idea along this same line. My 14 year old granddaughter has wanted a pink Christmas tree every year for the past 5 years to put up in her room at Christmas. After Christmas last year her parents bought a pink tree, pink ornaments, pink garland and other pink things for the tree. They gave it to her for her birthday in June. She set it up that day and it looks so cute. She has Zebra print everything with pink walls and the pink tree looks adorable.

    Jill

     

  • Easy Holiday Cake Recipe

    Easy Holiday Cake Recipe

     

    easy holiday cake recipe

    Here’s a cake that you can use all year long for almost every holiday. You can make it into a cake or cupcakes.

    Holiday Cake Recipe

    1 pkg. white cake
    1 pkg. (3 oz) Jello*
    1 pkg. coconut

    Place coconut and 1 heaping tablespoon of Jello into a jar or container and shake. Set aside. Add rest of Jello to cake mix and then mix and bake according to the directions on the cake box. When done, frost with white frosting and sprinkle with coconut.

    *You can use different colored and flavored Jello for different seasons. Use orange for Halloween, red for Christmas, green for St. Patty’s Day, red for Valentine’s Day, etc.

    Photo By: eek the cat

  • 4th of July Picnic Ideas

    4th of July Picnic Ideas

    Here are some easy tips for your 4th of July picnic:

    • It’s hot. Keep it simple. We often love to take our fanciest desserts or dishes to a potluck but if you can’t do something elaborate, don’t worry. Whenever I go to a potluck, it is the simple dishes that disappear first.
    • Something as easy as a platter of sliced tomatoes layered with sliced cucumbers on a bed of lettuce will look and taste lovely on a hot summer day. A plate of fruit lined up in rows on a pretty platter will disappear quickly. If you have some whipped topping to use as a dip for it, great! If not, don’t worry. They will eat it anyway!
    • A pan full of brownies or a pile of rice krispy treats never last long either. Of course, plain old chunks of cold watermelon and cantaloupe are a must for July 4th picnics!
    • To reduce your expense for soft drinks, serve cold sweetened ice tea or lemonade instead. One thing to remember when making tea, lemonade or Kool aid is to be sure to not add as much water as the recipe calls for because if you are going to add ice later, the ice will dilute the drink. There is nothing worse than a watery tasting drink. Of course you can freeze some of the drink itself to use for ice and that will help prevent the dilution.
    • Add 1-2 tsp. of mint apple jelly to your iced tea for something different.

    • Add any of the following to lemonade for a cool and refreshing drink:

      • 1/4-1/2 cup cranberry juice
      • 1/4-1/2 cup cherry juice
      • 1-2 tsp. of Kool-aid powder– strawberry, cherry, raspberry, lime or punch.

          -Jill

     

    photo by: genbug