Sombero Cookies - The Perfect Dessert for a Family Cinco de Mayo Party

I can't take credit for inventing this easy and fun dessert.  I first saw the idea on the Family Fun website and must give them credit for the idea.

We made these cookies for a Cinco de Mayo family theme dinner.  The kids thought they were so cool to make and eat.

Making these cookies is half the fun so make sure you let the kids in on the work.

Sombero Cookies

Ingredients:

• 
  
  Sugar Cookies
• 
  
  Gum Drops
• 
  
  White Icing
• 
  
  Decorating Sprinkles

This Cinco de Mayo Mexican themed dessert is super easy to make and kids will have a great time helping.

Place the icing in a microwave safe bowl and warm in the microwave until runny (usually about 15 - 20 seconds).  Stir.

Dip the edges of each cooking into the icing and then roll in the sprinkles and place on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet.  If you prefer you can place each cookie on a waxed paper lined cookie sheet and sprinkle the decorations on.  You have now created the base of your Sombero cookie.

Take a gum drop and dip the bottom into the icing and place it in the center of the cookie.

Allow the icing on your Sombero cookies to dry for at least half an hour before serving.

Congratulations!  You have created a fun dessert everyone will love for your Cinco de Mayo party.

Kid Friendly Sangria for Families (non-alcoholic)

I love great Sangria and was searching for a way to make it kid-friendly for a special meal. 

I wanted a drink that the adults could enjoy right along with the kids.  After several tries I came up with a version that the whole family loves.  This drink is perfect for any party when you want to serve something cool and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Welch's White Grape Peach Juice
• 1 cup Juicy Juice 100% Juice Berry Juice
• 1 orange
• 1 lime
• 1 lemon
• 1 cup grapes, frozen (or more if desired)
• Large glass carafe or pitcher

To begin creating kid-friendly Sangia, slice the orange into thin slices and cut slices in half.  Repeat with lime and lemon.  Squeeze the juice of one or two slices of each fruit into the pitcher.  Reserve a few slices of fruit to put into each glass.  Place the citrus fruits into the pitcher you will be using for the kid-friendly Sangria.  Add 1/2 cup of grapes to the pitcher.  Add both fruit juices and stir.  Chill for at least one hour.  The frozen grapes will help chill the kid-friendly Sangria if the juice was not cold prior to mixing.

To serve place a few fruit pieces into each glass before pouring your kid-friendly Sangria.  The frozen grapes will act as ice cubes to keep the kid-friendly Sangria cold. 

Awesome Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip

Our family's favorite Mexican restaurant serves an Avocado Ranch Dressing that keeps us coming back for more.  I love it on my taco salad and the kids love to dip chicken strips into it.  After a little experimentation I've found the right mixture that re-creates the dressing our family loves on Mexican foods.

The best part is that with a few changes it also makes a great dip for veggies or chips.

Recipe for Avocado Ranch Dressing

Ingredients

• 1 package Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
• 3/4 cup Sour Cream
• 3/4 cup Hellmann's Mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup Milk
• 1 ripe Avocado

In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients except the avocado and set aside.  Cut avocado in half, remove seed and scoop out the avocado from the skin.  Place avocado into a food processor and blend until smooth.  If you do not have a food processor you can mash the ripe avocado with a fork.  Stir the avocado into the prepared dressing until well blended.  Put into the refrigerator until chilled. 

This dressing is great on taco salads and other Mexican dishes.

Awesome Avocado Ranch Dip

The dip version of this dressing is just a bit thicker and great for dipping veggies and tortilla chips.  It can also be used as a topping on Mexican foods.

To create a dip with this recipe simply omit the milk in the above recipe and increase the sour cream and mayonnaise to 1 cup each.