School's Out Party Foods

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

11 Jun 2009 05:00 PM

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers' dirty looks.

When the school bell rang today, thousands of students in my neck of the woods grabbed their backpacks and ran like heck straight into summer vacation.

Whether your child has already been released from his educational "prison" or is very close to wrapping up the school year, there's no time like the present to celebrate the start of summer vacation.

The following sweet treats are ideal to serve your summer lovin' students as they close the books on another school year:

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups vegetable oil

6 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/4 cups flour

3 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly butter an 11 by 17-inch baking pan.

Whisk wet ingredients until well blended.

Mix dry ingredients.

Add wet ingredients all at once and stir to combine.

Pour into baking pan.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let cool and then cut into squares.

STRAWBERRY TWINKIE CAKE

Ingredients:

1 box of Twinkies

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 pint strawberries (cleaned and sliced)

1 (13.5-ounce) container of strawberry glaze

1 (8-ounce) container of Cool Whip

Directions:

Cut Twinkies in half lengthwise and lay them cream side up in a 9 by 13-inch pan.

Combine cream cheese with sweetened condensed milk until fluffy.

Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over Twinkies.

Place strawberries evenly over cream cheese mixture.

Spread strawberry glaze evenly over strawberries.

Spread Cool Whip evenly over the top of strawberry glaze.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Serve cold.

CITRUS PARTY PUNCH

Ingredients:

2 (6-ounce) cans frozen pink lemonade concentrate

4 cups pineapple juice

1 gallon cranberry juice

2 cups pink grapefruit juice

2 liters of ginger ale

4 cups crushed ice

Pineapple slices

1 orange, sliced

1 lemon, sliced

1 lime, cut into wedges

1 cup sliced strawberries

Fresh mint

Directions:

In a large punch bowl, mix first four ingredients.

Add ice and slowly pour in the ginger ale.

Add the remainder of the ingredients.

Garnish with fresh mint.

Related Articles:

End of the School Year Treats

Graduation Party Snacks

Graduation Party Recipes

Graduation Day Desserts

Gourmet Appetizers

Simple Snacks to Take on the Road

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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