Foolin’ Around: Fun Faux Recipes
Oh, dirt cake, I remember the first time I saw it. That pot filled with pudding and cookie crumbs really looked like a plant. Thankfully, it didn’t taste that way. In honor of April Fools’ Day, here are some sneaky dishes to trick loved ones with — or at least give them a smile. All you need is some creativity and maybe a little food coloring.
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy
Give the savory classic a sweet twist thanks to vanilla ice or frozen yogurt drizzled with caramel sauce.
Meatloaf Cupcakes
Make some mini-meatloaves (lightened up, of course) and “frost” with mashed potatoes. If you have a pastry bag, fill it with the whipped potatoes to get those authentic grooves.
Hamburger Cookies
Combine vanilla wafers, Thin Mints (it is Girl Scout Cookie time!) and sesame seeds to make these clever little sliders.
Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Top a couple slices of toasted pound cake with orange frosting.
Gelled Juice
This glass of “juice” is definitely spill-proof — don’t forget to put the straw in before it sets!
Apple French Fries
Baked apple slices tossed in cinnamon become some yummy steak-cut fries.
Green Cereal
Add a drop of food coloring to the bowl and top with dry cereal. Wait for your spouse or kids to pour in the milk and see their cereal turn green!
Disney’s Familyfun.com site has more great ideas here.
[PHOTO: "Eat This Dirt Cake" by Chef Edlear / Recipezaar]
TELL US: What are your favorite “trick” recipes?
My grandma always made a Ritz cracker “apple pie” for April Fool Day! Can you find the recipe?
My grandma used to make this too:
pastry for 2-crust 9-inch pie
36 RITZ Crackers, coarsely broken (about 1-3/4 cups crumbs)
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. cream of tartar
Grated peel of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Roll out half of the pastry and place in 9-inch pie plate. Place cracker crumbs in crust; set aside.
MIX sugar and cream of tartar in medium saucepan. Gradually stir in 1-3/4 cups water until well blended. Bring to boil on high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 15 minutes. Add lemon peel and juice; cool. Pour syrup over cracker crumbs. Dot with butter; sprinkle with cinnamon. Roll out remaining pastry; place over pie. Trim; seal and flute edges. Slit top crust to allow steam to escape.
BAKE 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is crisp and golden. Cool completely.
The mock apple pie recipe can be found on the Kraft foods website. If you do a search on “ritz mock apple pie” you will find several links to other sites that have the recipe as well.
My father-in-law had quite the sweet tooth. One April Fool’s Day I invited he and his wife over for cake and coffee…the 2 layer cake was made of meatloaf and frosted with mashed potatoes! He loved the joke!
The recipe for the dirt cake is one I will not repeat. My children wouldn’t eat it. The condensed milk, whip topping, cream cheese layer was really bad and should be omitted. I would just do the pudding and the oreos next time.