I love to cook! So here are some of my favorite recipes. There are gifts to make and yummy treats for sleepovers and parties. Some recipes were sent in by one of our club members. Give them a try! We hope they make "Cupid's Garden" a delight. -Geri.

Heavenly Hearts

Great for parties and gifts

This Highland Shortbread cookie recipe is generations old. It's perfect for cutting into hearts. Double the batch, stack the cookies on top of each other with icing between, and write a romantic message on a slip of paper. Put the slip between the two cookies so it sticks out a little. Perfect for that special someone! It's a great activity for sleepover parties too! Enjoy

You'll need:

• 1/2 stick of butter
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• 1 1/2 oz. Cream cheese (or 1/2 of a 3oz.pkg.
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. flavoring (vanilla, rum or lemon)
• 1 1/2 cups of flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking powder

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Get a big bowl. Cream the butter, sugar and cream cheese together until the mixture is really fluffy.

3. Then, beat the egg up with a fork in a cup. Add the egg and your flavoring to your cream cheese and sugar mixture. Beat everything together until it's mixed.

4. Pour the flour, salt and baking powder together into another bowl. Mix them up together really good.

5. Slowly combine the flour mixture with the egg mixture. When it's all mixed together, you've got dough!

6. Put a couple of spoons of flour on a cutting board. That's so your dough won't stick. Then roll out your dough and use a cookie cutter to cut your cookies. You can also drop the dough by the tablespoon.

7. Put your cut or dropped cookies onto a greased baking sheet. Bake them at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. You can frost them if you want too. But they're so rich all by themselves that you don't have to do that unless you want to.

Submitted by Angela, 12, California

Rose Red Party Punch

Great for dances or sleepovers

Need a really easy but yummy punch for a party? This fruity favorite is perfect for a big crowd!

You'll Need:

• 2 quarts of apple cider
• 2 quarts of orange juice
• 2 cups of pineapple juice
• 1/2 cup of lemon juice
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 12 whole cloves
• 4 cinnamon sticks (3-4 inches long, each)
• four whole oranges sliced up (or a can of mandarin oranges)
• red food coloring (drops per taste)

To Make It:

1. Get a really big pot. Put everything inside the pot except the orange slices, and bring the punch to a boil.

2. When the punch starts boiling, turn the heat down and let the punch simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Take a spoon and fish out the whole cloves and cinnamon sticks. You can throw them away.

4. Now, open your can of mandarin orange slices and pour them into the punch. Or peel your oranges and put orange slices in the punch. Let them float in the bowl.

5. You can serve this punch warm. The leftovers are really good cold. We've even frozen the leftovers into popsicles. This recipe makes about 3 quarts. Yum!

Submitted by Davina - 17, California

Your Love's As Sweet As A Kiss

Great gift!

This is a fast, tasty gift recipe. Get a heartshaped box from an art supply store. A square gift box will also do, wrapped with red ribbon and a bow. Write your sweetheart's name on the top with a glitter pen. Then whip these up.

You'll Need:

• 2/3 cup of quick-cooking oats
• 1 package of yellow cake mix (9 oz)
• 1/2 cup of butter or margerine (melted)
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup of butterscotch chips or chocolate chips or mint chocolate chips
• A big mixing bowl, cookie sheet
• A package of Hershey's kisses
• Measuring spoons and stirring spoons
• Pam

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

2. Get a big bowl. Beat the cake mix, oats, butter and egg together until the mixture is really fluffy.

3. Then, add in the candies. Stir everything together until it's thoroughly mixed.

4. Spray your cookie sheets. Drop your dough onto the sheet in big tablespoons. Keep each cookie about 2 inches apart.

5. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. The cookies are done when they are a light brown color.

6. Use a spatula to move your cookies onto a cooling rack or plates to cool.

7. Take the Hershey's kiss and unwrap it. Take your own slip of paper and put a love note on it -- like -- "nothing is as sweet as knowing you!" Be sure to get rid of the one that says "Hersheys". Rewrap the foil kiss and press it into the cookie. Your "special someone" can unwrap the kiss and find a sweet surprise. Yum!

Submitted by Grandma Tina, California

Cupid's Popcorn Delight

Fun for sleepovers! Make them with friends!

Popcorn balls take a long time to make. Here's a shortcut on an old favorite.

You'll Need:

• 6 quarts of white popcorn, popped
• 1/2 cup of butter or margarine
• 1 bag (16oz) miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1 tsp. flavoring (vanilla or rum)
• 1 bag (16oz) M&M's or Reeses peanut butter candies or 1/2 a bag of both!
• 1 jar (16oz) lightly salted dry roasted peanuts
• 1 big saucepan and a large bowl, 2 big pans (13X9")
• Pam or cooking spray

To Make It:

1. Pop your popcorn.

2. Get a saucepan. Turn the heat to medium. Put in your oil, your butter and your marshmallows. Stir until the marshmallows are melted. (PS. You can use the microwave for this step too!

3. Then, add your salt and vanilla to the butter/marshmallow mixture. Stir really well.

4. Pour your candies, popcorn and peanuts together in a large bowl. Mix them up together really good.

5. Pour your melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn. Mix everything together!

6. Spray your 13X9" baking pans with Pam or cooking spray to grease them.

7. Now, put some Pam spray on your hands. Pick up handfuls of the popcorn and press it into the pans. Cover the tops with saran wrap and put the pans into the fridge for a couple of hours to cool.

8. Now you can slice your popcorn snack up. Be sure you keep this stuff in an airtight container - if you don't it turns rock hard, fast!

Submitted by Pamela, 12, Kings County

Fabulous Fudge!

A great gift!

I don't know anyone who doesn't adore homemade fudge. Here's an easy recipe from my families cookbook. Hope you like it!

You'll Need:

• 1/2 cup of butter (margarine's OK too!)
• 1/3 cup of baking cocoa
• 1/4 cup tightly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of milk
• 3 1/2 cups of confectioner's sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/4 tablespoon of water
• 35 unwrapped caramel candies
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 2 cups of salted nuts: peanuts or walnuts
• 2 microwave safe bowls, one 8 inch square baking pan
• Pam or cooking spray, measuring spoons

To Make It:

1. This recipe is made in a microwave. Get a microwave safe bowl. Put the milk, butter, cocoa, brown sugar and milk into the bowl. Mix it up.

2. Microwave the mixture on high until it boils. It takes 2-4 minutes depending on your microwave.

3. Then, add your confectioners sugar and vanilla to the mixture. Beat everything together until it's mixed.

4.Take your Pam or some shortening and grease the sides and bottom of your 8 inch square baking pan.

5. Pour your hot chocolate mixture into the greased baking pan. Set it aside for a minute.

6. Take the other microwave safe bowl. Put your caramel candies (unwrapped) in here with the water. Cook them in the microwave on high for about 2 minutes, or until the caramels are melted.

7. Stir your peanuts into the caramel mixture.

8. Now, the fun part. Pour the caramel/peanut mixture over your fudge that's in the pan already.

9. You have a choice. You can melt your chocolate chips and spread that over the caramel/peanut mixture, or you can just sprinkle them on top. Both ways are good.

10. Now, chill your fudge in the fridge for a couple of hours. This recipe makes a couple of pounds of fudge. Cut it into small bars before serving. It's really rich. Yum!

Submitted by Geri, Michigan

Tony's Spiced Pecan Jars

Great Gift!

Packs yours in paper Chinese Food containers.

You'll Need:

• 1 pound of pecan halves
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• 1 cup of butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamon
• 1/8 teaspoon of ground cloves

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 300 degrees.

2. Put your pecans in a baking pan and put them in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until toasty brown.

3. Then, take a microwave safe bowl. Put your butter, and sugar into the bowl. Microwave them on high until the butter is melted. Stir everything really well.

4. Pour all the spices into the melted butter and sugar. Mix them up together really good.

5. Take the roasted pecans out of the oven. Be sure to use a hot pad!

6. Pour the butter/spices mixture over the pecans. Toss and stir until the nuts are well coated with the butter and sugar.

7. Put the pan back into your 300 degree oven. Bake for another half an hour.

8. Take the pan out and let the pecan mix cool. Now you can eat them, or spoon the nuts into the paper chinese food containers to give them away as gifts. This recipe makes about a pound of nuts.

Submitted by Toni, Washington

Quick Orange Bread

A Great Gift

Karen, our editor, remembers her grandma making up this quick bread as a special breakfast treat. It's a great gift bread too. Hope you like it!

You'll Need:

• 2 cups of flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 cup of sugar
• 3 tablespoons grated orange rind
• 3/4 cup of orange juice
• 2 beaten eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2. Get a big bowl. Mix together 2 cups of flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 3 tsp. baking powder, and 1/2 cup of sugar until it's really fluffy.

3. Then, add 1 teaspoon of grated orange rind, 3/4 cup of orange juice, 2 beaten eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and 1/4 cup of oil. Stir together until everything is mixed and moist.

4. Pour the batter into an 8" greased pan.

5. Combine 2 tablespoons grated orange rind, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of melted butter in a bowl.

6. Sprinkle this mixture over your batter.

7. Bake for 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Serve hot! Yum!

Submitted by Karen, California

You Turn Me Upside Down Cake

Great Gift!

Present this to your sweetie in a heartshaped pan with a note. Irresistable!

You'll Need:

• 1 stick of butter
• one small can of canned pineapple
• 2 eggs
• 2/3 cup of regular sugar
• one cup of brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups of flour
• 1/3 teaspoon of salt
• 3 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 nine inch cake pan
• a couple of bowls, measuring spoons
• Pam or cooking spray

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Grease a nine inch cake pan, bottom and sides.

2. Get a big bowl. Cream 1/3 cup of butter and 2/3 cup of sugar together until the mixture is really fluffy.

3. Then, beat the 2 egg yokes up with a fork in a cup. (Keep the egg whites, we'll use them soon.) Add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the egg yolks and stir together.

4. Stir together 1 and 1/2 cups of flour, 3 teaspoons of baking powder and 1/3 teaspoon of salt. Add this to your butter mixture. Mix them up together really good.

5. Then take 2/3 of a cup of water and slowly stir this into your flour and butter mixture.

6. Take your egg whites and beat them until they are stiff. Then pour the egg whites into your flour and butter and mix the batter up really good.

7. In the microwave, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Stir one cup of brown sugar into the butter until you have a syrup. Add in slices of canned pineapple (drained). You can also use fresh or canned peach halves or two cups of any fruit cut into small pieces.

8. Pour the pineapple syrup mixture into the bottom of your greased heart shaped cake pan. Then pour your batter on top of the pineapple. Bake for about 35 minutes. When you put the cake on a dish to serve, turn it upside down so the pineapple side is on top. Serve hot with whipped cream or icing. Yum!

Submitted by Sara, 12, California

Lovely Lemon Cake

Great Gift!

This cake is quick and easy and neat to eat. If your "special someone" is feeling blue, write "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" on the top.

You'll need:

• 1 package yellow cake mix
• 4 eggs
• 1 package of lemon jello
• 3/4 cup of water
• 3/4 cup of oil
• 2 lemons (or 4-6 tablespoons of lemon juice)
• 2 cups of powdered sugar

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Get a big bowl. Mix the cake mix, eggs lemon jello, water and oil together until the mixture is really fluffy.

3. Grease or spray a 9" baking pan. Pour your batter into it. Bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when poking the cake.

4. While your cake is baking, mix together your lemon juice and 2 cups of powdered sugar.

5. As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, punch holes in it with a fork all over the top.

6. Then pour your lemon/sugar mixture over the top of the cake and all around the edges. Serve while warm. Tasty!

Submitted by Tessa Colorado

Pumpkin Cookie Bars

A fav party pleaser!

About 20 minutes from start to finish. Whip this up for a party.

YOU'LL NEED

• 1 cup of flour
• 1/2 cup of quick oats
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
• 1 3/4 teaspoons of cinnamon
• 1/2 cup of melted butter
• 1 cup of Libby's Canned Pumpkin (solid pack)
• 3/4 cup of Carnation Evaporated Milk-undiluted
• 1 slightly beaten egg
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 8ounce package of softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup of orange marmalade
• chopped nuts or granola or orange peel garnish

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Get a big bowl. Mix your flour, oats, brown sugar, nuts and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon together.

3. Add the melted butter to your oat/nut mix. Mix together until it's crumbly.

4. Spray a 13X9X2 baking dish with Pam or cooking spray.

4. Press the nut/butter mixture into the bottom of the baking dish./p>

5. Bake in your 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes. You'll know it's done when a toothpick poked in the middle of the dough comes out clean.

6. Cook completely. While it's cooling, make the frosting. Mix the cream cheese and orange marmalade together. Spread over the pumpkin cake when cooled. Cut into bars and serve. Tasty!

Submitted by Aileen, California

The Devil Made Me Do It Eggs

Party Pleaser!

Rachel got this recipe from an aunt who lives in Mexico. It's totally terrific for a hot party.

You need:

• 6 hard cooked eggs, shelled
• 1/4 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup of bottled taco sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder
• 1 small jar pimento-stuffed olives, sliced in half
• OR a bunch of sliced pitted ripe olives

To Make It:

1. Cut your eggs in half lengthwise. Remove the yolks. Put the whites on a plate ready to fill later.

2. Get a bowl. Mash the egg yolks with a fork. Then, blend in your chedder cheese, taco sauce and chili powder until everything's mixed together really well.

3. Take a tablespoon of filling, and refill your egg whites. Garnish with olive slices and serve them up. Makes a dozen. Enjoy!

Submitted by Rachel, California

You Spice Up My Life!

Great for gifts or parties

Pack these into a box with a rented copy of "Gone With The Wind" and head off for adventure!

You need:

• 1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamon
• 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) softened butter
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup of light molasses
• 1 teaspoon grated orange rind
• 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Get a big bowl. Pour the flour, baking soda, salt, pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamon into the bowl and mix them together really well.

3. Then, cream your butter and sugar together until it's light and fluffy. Beat in your molasses, orange rind and nuts.

4. Pour the flour and spices mixture a spoonful at a time, mixing everything together really good.

5.Chill the dough in the fridge for a few hours until it's nice and firm!

6. Put a couple of spoons of flour on a cutting board. That's so your dough won't stick. Then roll out your dough and use a cookie cutter to cut your cookies. You can also drop the dough by the tablespoon.

7. Put your cut or dropped cookies onto a greased baking sheet. Bake them at 350 degrees for 7-10 minutes. You can frost them if you want too. But they're so rich all by themselves that you don't have to do that.

Submitted by Rachel and Kay, California

Easy Apple Ginger Cake

Great gift, or party food!

Another fast, pour and bake, delicious treat!

You need:

• 1 package (14 oz) gingerbread mix
• 1 cup of applesauce
• 1/2 cup of water
• 1/2 cup of raisins
• 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts
• a 9 inch square baking pan
• a couple of bowls, measuring spoons

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Empty the gingerbread mix into your baking pan. Mash any lumps with a fork.

3. Then, stir the applesauce, water and raisins together in a bowl. Stir everything together until it's mixed.

4. Pour the applesauce mixture evenly across the top of your gingerbread mix. Then take a fork, and blend them up together really good.

5. Take your nuts and scatter them over the top of the gingerbread mix.

6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean. Then you can serve it warm or cold. Let it cool for about ten minutes before serving. Yum!

Submitted by Aileen, California

Queen of Hearts Party Punch

Great for parties!

Fast, quick party punch, good for a dance too!

You'll Need

• 1 bottle (16 oz) cold cranberry juice cocktail
• 1 bottle (12 oz)fizzy lemon-lime, like 7up or Sprite
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 1 lime, sliced
• ice if the ingredients aren't chilled

To Make It:

1. Pour the cranberry and 7up together in a pitcher or bowl. Add the sliced lemon and lime. Serve immediately! Carbonated drinks lose their fizz fast!

Submitted by Kathy, California

Melodius Mulled Cider

Sleepovers and Parties!

This is the perfect pick me up to satisfy a gaggle of girls.

You'll Need:

• 1 gallon of apple cider
• 2 cups brown sugar
• 10 sticks of cinnamon
• 10 cloves

To Make It:

1. Add sugar and spices to a pot of cider. Heat to boiling. Let cool enough to drink. Spoon the spices out. Top with whipped cream. Yum!

Submitted by Aunt Marcie, Texas

Tuna and Chips Casserole

Here's a chance for you to shine in the kitchen with a main dish supper that's really fun. Great for a sleepover.

You Need:

• 1 can (10 1/2 oz) Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1/2 cup of milk
• 1 can (7 ozs) of drained tuna
• 2 cups of crushed potato chips (smash the bag!)
• 1 cup of cooked green peas
• OR- 1 cup of drained, cooked green beans

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Get a 1-quart casserole dish. Empty the contents of your can of mushroom soup and your milk into the dish. Stir until mixed.

3. Then, crush the potato chips. You can squish them right in the bag. Just open the top and let the air out, then close up the top with a rubber band and squish away.

4. Drain the oil from the tuna. Then add into the casserole dish your drained tuna, 1 cup of crshed potato chips and 1 cup of either green peas or green beans. Mix them up together.

5. Sprinkle the top of the tuna mix with your crushed potato chips. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Eat!

Submitted by Renee, California

Toasted Cereal Munchies

Make a delicious party mix!

You Need:

• 1 package of Rice Chex
• 1 package of Wheat Chex
• 1/2 package of Cheerios
• 1 package of slim pretzels
• 1 small can of peanuts, salted
• 4 teaspoons of garlic salt
• 3/4 of a pound of butter or margarine
• 5 tablespoons of Worchestershire sauce
• 2/3 teaspoon curry powder
• 2 or three teaspoons of chili powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt

To Make It:

1. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.

2. Melt your butter in a dish in the microwave. Add in the seasonings - the garlic salt, Worchestershire sauce, curry and chili powder and salt.

3. Pour the Rice Chex, Wheat Chex, Cheerios and pretzels and peanuts into a big roasting pan. Mix everything together really well.

4. Pour the seasoned butter mixture over the cereal mix. Mix everything well and bake for an hour, stirring often. This makes about 5 quarts, and you can keep the leftovers in a jar or airtight container.

Submitted by Tessa

CUPID'S CRAZY FRUIT

Going to a potluck? Want to take a fruit salad that's a little different? Try this one!

YOU'LL NEED

• 2 cups of pitted cherries or seedless grapes
• 2 cups of drained, canned pineapple chunks
• 2 cups of orange slices, cubed, or mandarin oranges
• 2 cups of small marshmallows
• two beaten eggs
• four tablespoons vinegar
• four tablespoons sugar
• two tablespoons of butter
• 1/2 pint of whipped cream
• lettuce leaves, washed

HOW TO MAKE IT

1. Beat your eggs together.

2. Get a small saucepan and over medium heat, cook the eggs, vinegar and sugar until the mixture is thick. Then add in your butter until the butter melts.

3. Let your egg mixture cool. Then stir it into a 1/2 pint of whipped cream. Add your drained fruit into the now flavored whip cream mix. Stir everything together until it's mixed.

4. Refrigerate the fruit salad overnight. Serve it up on beds of lettuce. Yum!

Submitted by Jean R.

RACHEL'S SOUTH OF THE BORDER HOT CHOCOLATE

A treat for one when it's cold, great for after shopping!

YOU'LL NEED

• 1 pkg powdered hot cocoa mix
• 1 cup of milk
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

HOW TO MAKE IT

1. Make your hot cocoa according to the instructions, but with milk instead of water. Stir in the cinnamon and add the cinnamon stick. Drink it up! Yum!

Submitted by Rachel

RACHEL'S MARINATED BEANS

These are a little spicy, and a real party pleaser!

YOU'LL NEED

• 2 cans (20 oz each) red kidney beans
• 2 cans (20 oz each) chick-peas
• 1 cup of sliced green onions
• 2/3 cup of pitted black olives, halved
• 1 cup of salad oil
• 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon crushed coriander seed
• 1/4 cup pimento strips

HOW TO MAKE IT

1. Rinse and drain all the beans.

2. Get a big bowl. Put the beans, onions and olives and pimento strips in the bowl. Mix really good.

3. Then, roll the coriander seed in your hands to crush it. Add it to the bean salad. Pour the oil and vinegar in and mix everything really well.

4. I like to let the beans stay in the fridge overnight just to let the dish marinate. Stir before serving. Tasty!

Submitted by Rachel