As the recent Disney movies prove, everyone loves a good Pirate story…and they aren’t just for boys anymore!  Dust off your swords and wide sleeved shirts, grab a few eye patches and get ready for the best Pirate Party ever!  Below are recipes and ideas from Batter-up Kids to make sure your Pirate Palooza is packed with “Yo Ho Ho” Fun.

Treasure Island Trail Mix - Makes 2 cups

Ingredients
¼ Macadamia nuts
¼ cup roasted soy nuts
¼ mini pretzel sticks
¼ cup each dried pineapple chunks, mango, cherries, and bananas
¼ cup white chocolate chips

Shake it up!

1. Pour all ingredients into a large zip-loc plastic bag. Seal and shake!
2. Store sealed until ready to eat.

Golden Cheese Doubloons - Makes 25-30

Ingredients
2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup butter, softened 
2 cups all-purpose flour 
2 cups crispy rice cereal 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
¼ teaspoon garlic powder 
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons sesame seeds or poppy seeds

Let’s get rolling!
Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Line 2 sheet pans with foil, spray with cooking spray, and set aside.

1. In a large bowl, combine cheese, butter, flour, crispy rice cereal, salt, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.

2. Mix well with clean hands and form dough into small ½ balls.

3. Place dough balls 1 inch apart on prepared sheet pans. Flatten-out each dough ball with your fingertips.

4. Lightly brush the top side of each one with milk and sprinkle evenly with sesame or poppy seeds.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes until very lightly browned around the outer edges.

Volcano Cupcakes and Lava Frosting - Makes 24 cupcakes

Ingredients
For cupcakes
1 package red velvet cake mix or Devil’s Food cake mix
24 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped

For frosting
½ cup butter, room temperature
4 cups confectioners’ sugar 
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 to 3 tablespoons milk
Orange paste food coloring
Red decorating sprinkles

To make cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Make cake mix according to package directions.
Pour batter in 2 (12-inch) muffin cups sprayed generously with nonstick cooking spray. Fill each muffin cup 3/4 full of batter.
Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. Carefully remove from oven. 
Push 1 Hershey’s kiss into the center of each warm cupcake, making a “crater.”
Remove cupcakes from pan. Cool at least 20 minutes more before frosting.

To make Butter Cream Lava Frosting:

1. Add confectioners’ sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until you have used all 4 cups. Add vanilla and 1 tablespoon milk. Mix until smooth and creamy.

2. Place a tiny amount of orange food coloring into frosting. Stir to blend. If frosting is too thick, add the rest of the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time.

3. Frost cupcakes generously with piles of butter cream lava, letting some drip down the sides. Garnish with fire red sprinkles.