New Year's Eve Recipes

1. Cut mozzarella into 2-inch strips.
2. Place a cheese strip on an egg roll wrapper. Fold bottom corner over cheese, tuck in sides, and roll tightly. Seal edges with a little water.
3. Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350-375°F.
4. Fry mozzarella sticks in batches until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve warm with salsa or ranch dressing.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can help wrap and seal the cheese sticks.
• Freeze wrapped sticks for 30 minutes before frying to prevent cheese from leaking.
• Adults should handle hot oil to avoid splattering.

Notes

For a lighter version, bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until golden, or air fry at 375°F for 6-8 minutes. Keep oil temperature steady so wrappers crisp without overcooking the cheese.

1. In a bowl, mix brown sugar, soy sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, ginger, and garlic until combined.
2. Place chicken wings in a large zip-top bag or container and pour marinade over them. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F.
4. Arrange wings in a single layer on a baking sheet or baking dish.
5. Bake for 1 hour, turning wings halfway through cooking time, until fully cooked and caramelized.
6. Serve warm.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can help measure and mix the marinade.
• Use gloves when handling raw chicken.
• Line the baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup.

Notes

For crispier wings, increase oven temperature to 400°F during the last 10-15 minutes. Always discard marinade that has touched raw chicken. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

1. Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, garlic, and basil until smooth.
3. Squeeze excess water from spinach. Chop artichoke hearts into small pieces.
4. Add spinach and artichokes to cheese mixture and mix until well blended.
5. Spray a pie pan with cooking spray and spread dip evenly into pan.
6. Top with mozzarella cheese if desired.
7. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes, until heated through and slightly golden on top.
8. Serve warm.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can help mix ingredients and spread the dip into the pan.
• Teach kids to squeeze spinach dry to prevent a watery dip.
• Serve with colorful veggie sticks for a healthier option.

Notes

Make ahead and refrigerate before baking. Bake just before serving. Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

1. Rinse strawberries under cold water and dry thoroughly on paper towels.
2. Place frosting in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high for about 15 seconds or until melted and smooth.
3. Place toppings (chips, nuts, sugars, sprinkles, chocolate, coconut) into separate shallow bowls.
4. Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper.
5. Dip the bottom third of each strawberry into the melted frosting.
6. Quickly roll or dip the frosted portion into one topping of choice.
7. Place strawberries on wax paper.
8. Refrigerate for about 5 minutes or until frosting hardens.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Set up a topping station and let kids choose their own designs.
• Make sure strawberries are completely dry before dipping.
• Hold strawberries by the stem for easy dipping.

Notes

White chocolate can be substituted for frosting. Store in the refrigerator and serve within 24 hours for best freshness.

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Wash and dry potatoes. Rub lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
3. Bake potatoes directly on oven rack or baking sheet for about 60 minutes, or until fork tender.
4. While potatoes bake, prepare and warm toppings as needed.
5. Arrange toppings in separate bowls along a serving table.
6. Slice each baked potato open and fluff inside with a fork.
7. Let guests build their own loaded potato using favorite toppings.

Party Setup Tips

• Label each topping so guests know what they're choosing.
• Keep hot toppings warm in slow cookers if serving buffet-style.
• Provide sturdy plates and forks.

Notes

This concept can easily be adapted into a Taco Bar by swapping potatoes for taco shells and using taco fillings instead. It's a fun way to let guests customize their own meal.

1. Cut crusts off each slice of bread.
2. Roll each slice flat using a small rolling pin.
3. Place a slice of deli meat on flattened bread.
4. Add one stick of string cheese on top.
5. Roll up tightly and secure seam side down.
6. Slice into bite-size pieces.
7. Serve with honey mustard dressing for dipping.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can roll the bread flat and assemble the layers.
• Use colorful toothpicks for a party presentation.
• Try different meats to create a variety platter.

Notes

These can be made the night before. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. For best slicing results, chill rolls for 30-60 minutes before cutting.

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Separate dough into strips.
3. Shape dough into letters spelling "Happy New Year."
4. Place shaped letters on prepared cookie sheet.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Allow to cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet.

Serving Ideas

• Serve with fruit dip for a sweet option.
• Brush with melted butter, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, and serve with pizza sauce.
• Sprinkle with dry ranch seasoning and serve with ranch dip.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Print large block letters for kids to copy when shaping dough.
• Keep letters thick so they don't break when baking.
• Let kids brush on butter after baking for extra flavor.

Notes

Letters will spread slightly while baking, so leave space between them. This idea works for birthdays or themed parties by spelling different messages.

1. In a saucepan over low heat, combine sweetened condensed milk and butterscotch chips.
2. Stir continuously until chips are melted and mixture is smooth.
3. Remove from heat and stir in cinnamon.
4. Serve warm with apple wedges or other fresh fruit slices.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can measure ingredients and help stir (with supervision).
• Slice apples just before serving to prevent browning.
• Set up a fruit dipping station for parties.

Notes

If dip thickens as it cools, gently reheat over low heat. Add a splash of milk if needed to thin. This dip also works great with pears, strawberries, bananas, and pineapple.

1. Dip the rim of each glass into apple juice, then into gold sprinkles or colored sugar for a sparkling edge.
2. Add a few pieces of fresh fruit to the bottom of each glass.
3. Add one scoop of rainbow sherbet.
4. Slowly pour half sparkling juice and half soda over the sherbet. Watch it fizz and bubble!
5. Sprinkle edible glitter or star sprinkles on top for a confetti effect.
6. Add a fun straw and serve immediately.

Fun Extras

• Countdown stir sticks: Write "5-4-3-2-1" on star-shaped cutouts and tape to a straw.
• Fruit sparkler skewers: Thread fruit on skewers and place into glass.

Color Variations

• Gold: Pineapple juice + ginger ale
• Pink: Sparkling strawberry lemonade
• Purple: Grape soda + grape juice

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Pour slowly to prevent overflow from fizzing.
• Use chilled ingredients for extra sparkle and foam.
• Set up a mocktail bar and let kids customize flavors.

Notes

Serve immediately for best fizz. If making ahead, prep fruit and glasses but add soda and sherbet just before serving.

1. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine cranberry juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and water.
2. Stir in sugar until fully dissolved.
3. Add almond extract and stir gently.
4. Chill until ready to serve.
5. Serve over ice.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can measure and pour ingredients.
• Let kids taste and adjust sweetness.
• Add colorful fruit slices for a festive look.

Fun Variations

• Add lemon-lime soda just before serving for a fizzy punch.
• Freeze some punch into ice cubes to keep it cold without dilution.
• Make it a frozen slush by blending with crushed ice.

Notes

This punch tastes best when chilled for at least 1 hour before serving. Almond extract adds a subtle flavor -  adjust to taste.

1. Fill serving glasses halfway with ice.
2. Pour juice to fill half of the glass.
3. Add Sprite or 7UP to fill the remainder of the glass.
4. Add fresh berries for garnish and extra flavor.
5. Serve immediately.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Let kids choose their own juice flavors.
• Freeze berries ahead of time to use instead of ice.
• Add a colorful straw for extra fun.

Fun Variations

• Use sparkling water for a lighter version.
• Add a splash of lemon or lime juice for extra zing.
• Make layered spritzers using different colored juices.

Notes

For best fizz, add soda just before serving. This recipe is easy to multiply for parties or punch bowls.

1. In a large pitcher or bowl, combine orange juice concentrate, pineapple juice, and bananas.
2. Blend until smooth if using bananas, or mash well before stirring.
3. Freeze mixture until slushy (about 2-3 hours), stirring occasionally if possible.
4. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons (or more) of the frozen slush into a party glass.
5. Top with ginger ale and stir gently.
6. Serve immediately.

Kid-Friendly Tips

• Kids can help mash bananas and measure juice.
• Freeze in ice cube trays for easy portioning.
• Let kids choose their own fruit combinations.

Fun Variations

• Add strawberries or mango for extra tropical flavor.
• Use sparkling lemonade instead of ginger ale.
• Blend frozen fruit instead of freezing juice mixture.

Notes

If the mixture freezes too solid, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Best enjoyed fresh.

Try a simple smoothie recipe served in a fun glass or other slushie recipes.