mars bars squares

• 4 Mars candy bars, chopped
• 1/2 cup hard margarine or butter
• 3 cups Rice Krispies
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup hard margarine or butter

Heat and stir candy bar pieces and first amount of margarine in a large heave saucepan on low until smooth. Remove from heat.

Add cereal. Stir until coated. Press evenly in greased or foil lined 9x9 inch pan.

Heat chocolate chips and second amount of margarine in small heavy saucepan on lowest heat, stirring often, until chips are melted. Spread evenly over cereal mixture in pan. Chill.

Makes 36 squares (I cut it into 24!)

butterscotch confetti squares (a.k.a. earplug squares)

So easy and so delicious! They got the nickname earplug squares from my cousin Richard - you'll understand why when you make them and take a look at them!

• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1/4 cup hard margarine or butter
• 250g package of coloured mini marshmallows

Heat the first three ingredients in a large heavy saucepan on lowest heat, stirring often, until chips are almost melted. Do not overheat. Remove from heat. Stir until smooth. Let stand until bottom of saucepan is cool enough to touch.

Add marshmallows. Stir until well-coated. Press firmly into greased or foil-lined 9x9 inch pan. Chill until firm.

Makes 36 squares (I cut them into 24!)

* The foil lined pan is a great idea - it is much easier to lift them out of the pan and then you just throw the foil away.

ultimate lasagna

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (I like the Kraft Italiano)
• 2 cups light ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 jar pasta sauce (I like the Classico Tomato & Basil)
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 12 uncooked lasagna noodles

Heat oven to 350. Brown meat in large skillet on medium-high heat. Meanwhile, mix 1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella, the ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, the parsley and egg until well-blended. Set aside.

Drain meat; return to skillet. Stir in pasta sauce. Pour water into empty sauce jar (Classico bottles have measurements on the side - you'll fill until the 12 oz mark.). Replace lid and shake well. Add to skillet and stir until well blended.

Spread 1 cup of the meat sauce onto the bottom of a 9 x 13" baking dish; top with 3 lasagna noodles, one-third of the cheese mixture and 1 cup of the meat sauce. Repeat layers two more times. Top with remaining 3 lasagna noodles and remaining meat sauce. Sprinkle with remaining 1 1/4 cups mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Cover tightly with greased foil (to keep the cheese from sticking).

Bake for 1 hour. Remove foil; continue baking for 15 minutes or until heated through and bubbly! Let stand 15 minutes before cutting.

Serves 12.

chocolate chip cookies

• 3/4 cup softened butter
• 1/4 cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and shortening with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt. Beat until combined, occasionally scraping the sides of the bowl. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-9 minutes or until edges are light brown. Transfer to a wire rack, cool.

Makes about 50 cookies.