Need baked goods for PTA dinner, I've got no time!

[clh2]

I foolishly signed up to bring some baked goods for a dinner on Thursday night. I have very little extra time this week.

In the past, I've made the "ice cream cone" cupcakes, little witches hats, the "fake hamburgers."

I can do rice krispie squares, but that seems so plain.

One of my other ideas is to get some trail mix (mix of peanuts, m&M's, raisins etc.) and put it in individual sized containers with covers. In your opinion - would this be OK?

 

[Stacerita]

I would stick with the krispie treats and jazz them up a bit. They are easy to make and dont take too much time. Make the treats, cut them, frost them with ready made frosting (choc is our fave) and top with colorful sprinkles. They are simple to make, kids love them, and they look like you spent a lot more time on them then you actually did.

 

[Twigs]

If you are really short on time you could also go to a bakery. There are a lot of parents in DS's schools that have bought things when they are pressed for time and signed up for something, and no one complains.

 

[nicurn]

yup, I've done the bakery route... pretty much as long as the food is there, no one really cares where it came from. maggie

 

[RumpleMom]

Several years ago,I was crunched for time for a bake sale and used a box lemon square mix. It sold very quickly. One purchaser liked them so much, she asked to have several batches made for a luncheon for a future date. A PTA mom graciously agreed to bake the lemon squares, offering to donate the money to the school. She asked me for my lemon square recipe and I had to tell her it was a mix. She went and bought 3 boxes, baked them and the school profited.

 

[Jiminy102]

I make rice crispy squares with mini m&m's in them. Then before you cut them drizzle melted chocolate and melted peanut butter hips on top. Makes them look wonderful and they are a great dessert even for special occasions.

 

[momsgoofy]

Here are a couple ideas for you...you may know them by another name...most folks do, but my mom called them "Haystacks" (no bake cookies) and "Hello Dollies" (those cookie bars from the Eagle Brand milk can).

Haystacks

2c. granulted sugar, 1/2 c. cocoa powder, 1/2 c. milk, 1 stick margarine, pinch of salt, 1/2 c. peanut butter, 3 c. cooking oats (*not quick oats), 1 tsp. vanilla

Combine sugar, cocoa, milk, and margarine in large saucepan. Cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally. After mixture comes to a boil, remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla and salt. Stir until peanut butter is melted. Add oats. Mix well. Drop my sopoonfuls onto wax paper. Cool and store in an airtight container.

These were always well received by the kids at school bake sales...chocolate, but little did we know they were not too bad for ya...and my mom could whip up a batch at 5am when we'd forget to tell her we needed something.

Hello Dollies

1/4 c. margarine, 1c. graham cracker crumbs, 1 c. chocolate chips, 1 c. chopped pecans or walnuts, 1 c. flaked coconut, 1 15 oz. can Eagle Brand Milk (or brand of your choice)

Melt margarine in 8X8 or 9X9 pan. Sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs and pat down. Layer remaining ingredients in the following order:
1. coconut
2. chocolate chips
3. nuts
4. Eagle Brand Milk

Bake at 350º for 30 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. *For a 9X13 pan double the ingredients.

These were a family favorite that were easy to make, but many kids don't care for coconut. You can leave it out if you wish...Mom always said to add a bit more chocolate chips and nuts if you did so.

Hope this helps!

Laura ºoº

 

[clh2]

yup, I've done the bakery route... pretty much as long as the food is there, no one really cares where it came from. maggie

Nicurn - that is so true! I just like when I know that my dessert effort - be it from home, or from the store is appreciated.

I thank you all for your advice, especially momsgoofy and Jiminy102, and I may see if we can do some of that at a "sweet shop" Girl Scout meeting at the end of January.

This is what I did - don't know why I didn't think of this before. I made White-Chocolate Covered popcorn. Took about 10 minutes. I am now waiting for the wh. chocolate to "set up" a bit before I put them in snack sized baggies.

You just take white chocolate, I'm sure any kind would do, I used the white chocolate disks, and melted them in the microwave. Then, I used a bag of pre-popped popcorn, i.e. Jay's, from the store. Melt the wh. chocolate disks, dump it on the popcorn, and gently stir. Then I put spread it out on cookie sheets. We are also doing this at our girl scout meeting - now I can for sure say I know what I am doing on this.

It is sooo good my DD tried to tell me (as she was shoveling some in...) that it didn't taste so good - we better not take it. DH also chimed in that they would take care of its "proper disposal" when I am at work tomorrow.

Thanks to all - I really appreciated the responses!