For the Little Critters its Lunch in the Garden

Last night, as I opened the door to welcome my sister into my home, a little critter came flying in unwelcomed.  I guess it thought my cute little home was a giant birdhouse.  My sister and I tried hard not to scare the little birdie, so with feather duster and broom in hand, we got the sparrow to fly out the front door where it belonged – in the open air with the other little critters.  This spring, why not gather your little darlings in the garden and serve up our Little Critters lunch complete with a kid friendly menu and delightful butterflies, dragonflies, lady bugs and bumble bees.  Their tummies will be buzzing with delight.

 

Welcome each child with a beautiful place setting.  Our napkin rings were made from toilet paper rolls that were cut to fit the size of our ribbon.  We glued the ribbon onto the roll and placed a decorative sticker on top.

 

 

Have a lot of activities for your little critters to enjoy, such as stickers, coloring books and crayons.

 

 

Got honey?  This bear makes for a cute centerpiece.

 

 

On the Menu

Macaroni and Cheese Bites

Mini Corn Dog Muffins

Grapes

Critter Cakes

 

Macaroni and Cheese Bites

Makes 4 servings

 

Ingredients

1 pkg Kraft Macaroni and Cheese®, prepared as directed

1 cup + 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Bread crumbs

 

Preheat oven to 350°F.  Spray mini muffin pan with non stick cooking spray.  Stir 1 cup cheddar cheese into prepared Kraft Macaroni and Cheese® until melted.  Fill muffin cups with mixture using muffin scoop or spoon.  Sprinkle additional cheese and bread crumbs over top.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Let cool about 15 minutes before removing from pan to allow cheese to set.  Serve immediately.

 

Mini Corn Dog Muffins

Makes 4 servings

 

Ingredients

1 box Jiffy cornbread mix

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1 egg

1/3 cup milk

3 hot dogs

 

Preheat oven to 400°F.  Spray mini muffin pan with non stick cooking spray.  In large bowl mix cornbread mix, honey, egg and milk until batter is smooth with no lumps.  Cut hot dogs into 4 pieces.  Place 1 hot dog piece into each muffin cup.  Spoon batter over each hot dog until covered.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.  Let cool about 7 minutes before removing from pan.

 

 

Critter Cakes

Makes 16 servings

 

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 sticks unsalted butter, melted

1 cup sour cream

4 eggs

1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Various icings, gels, colored sugar and sprinkles for decorations

1 Critter Pan*

 

*We used the Backyard Bugs Cakelet Pan from William Sonoma.

 

Have all ingredients at room temperature (very important).

 

Preheat oven to 375°F.  Spray pan with non stick cooking spray.  Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into mixing bowl.  In separate bowl, whisk together butter, sour cream, eggs and vanilla until blended.  Add butter mixture to dry ingredients a little at a time blending after each addition until all dry and wet are combined.  Beat for 1 additional minute.  Fill each critter in pan to 1/2 inch from top. Tap pan on counter to release air bubbles and settle batter into all crevices.  Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.  Let cool about 15 minutes before removing from pan.  Cool cakes on rack for at least 1 hour before decorating.  Use various icings, gels, colored sugars and sprinkles to decorate.

 

 

 

 


Give every child a butterfly catcher, so they can go out into the garden and catch butterflies.  After all, it’s fun to catch butterflies.

 

We are so grateful for those who pin our photos to Pinterest.  Thank you!

 

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