Cake Truffle Rats

1 prepared 9x13 in choc. cake mix
1 1/2 cup homemade frosting
sour straws cut into 2inch strips
3 cups dark chocolate candy melts
1 pkg 9 oz chocolate candy wafer cookies, ground into fine crumbs
sliced almonds
chocolate covered sunflower seeds

Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter softened
3 cups confectioners sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 vanilla bean
1 tablespoon of cocoa powder



Cook chocolate cake as directed on box.  Let it cool 15 minutes, then crumble cake into a bowl.
Add frosting, mixing it in till all is really moist.

Roll about 2 tablespoons of cake mix between hand, shape into a tear drop shape.
Put on parchment lined baking sheet, put in freezer about 30minutes.

Melt chocolate melts in microwave, really short times (30 seconds) stir well, till completely smooth and melted.  Grind chocolate waffer cookies, and put into pie dish, set aside.

Dip your frozen chocolate rats into choc. melt, then roll in cookie wafers.  Insert ears and tail.  Use a dab of chocolate melt to adhere eye's to rats. Return to freezer for another 30 minutes to set.

Can be stored in air tight container up to a week before usage

Makes about 32 (mice sized) Rats


TIPS*   I use chocolate melt to adhere everything so it stays PUT.   I use a lollipop stick to make hole for rat tail.  Dip the tail into the melt, then stick into rat.  The ears were the worst as they didnt want to sit right, we switched to sprinkles ..bones.

Creamy Clam Chowder

This chowder should be called "Dreamy" instead of creamy!!
Extremely easy and quick.  It is a winter nights comfort meal.  Add a little sharp cheese at bottom of soup crock for a surprise ending.



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Crunchy Chicken Bake

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They all were crazy about it and asked for more to put in their freezer *laughs*


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