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6/21/11

KoolAid Balls? What can't you do with KoolAid? I Know Some Things You Shouldn't

Last night I was reading the news and one of the biggest stories yesterday all over the media were actually a 'fair' food;  deep fried KoolAid Balls.

Somewhat of a donut, flavored with kool aid, (the powdery drink mix) it's a fad of the moment but one that isn't too far away from something a lot of us have been making for years;  KoolAid Cookies.

As I sit here sipping my morning coffee, I think about all the ways I've used KoolAid drink mix.  Wow, there are a lot!

Over the years I've used KoolAid for many things; not only to drink (obviously) but I use it in our favorite Popsicle recipe, the kids homemade play dough, flavoring frosting, coloring and flavoring cake mixes, mixed in milk, added to homemade jelly, homemade snow cone syrup, dye for t-shirts, and popcorn balls!


I will even admit something completely stupid I once did with KoolAid.

In the Fall of  9th grade I went to the opening high school football season game, which was called the "Soap Bowl" because admission was a bar of soap, which the school then used to stock the locker rooms the rest of the year.  Being a creative kid, I did two things I now deem cringe-worthy.

1.  I opened the bar of soap and painstakingly carved out little words of support into the bar of soap.  "WIN" "YOU CAN DO IT!" "GO FIGHT WIN!"  "FOOTBALL".  I then packaged the soap back up and dotted it with glue to close it.  Once I learned the soaps were then used in the high school locker room the rest of the year, I lived in dread thinking I would walk into the showers and find my own goofy, support carved soap in the showers and hear everyone making fun of it.  (I never did.  Thank You God.).

But number two?  Oh my.

2.  At that same game I decided to show my team support by coloring my hair our school colors.  Only we lived in a tiny farming town and spray on hair color wasn't available except perhaps for 1 week prior to Halloween and only at the local Ben Franklin Store.  And our school colors?  Green and white.  Having too much enthusiasm and little brains; I did what any other stupid but creative 14 year old girl would do.  I used KoolAid.

I can guarantee you that a package of KoolAid mixed with a half a cup of boiling water, cooled to warm and used on your hair, does indeed permanently color it. 

I still get a little nauseous reminiscing about this memory. I think I'll push it back to the cobwebbed corners of my mind again now, thanks.

Kool-Aid Black Cherry Unsweetened Soft Drink Mix, 0.13-Ounce Packets (Pack of 96)  SO!  Let's talk KoolAid Cookies.  There are many recipes for them, here is just one.  Personally, as an adult I like the Lemonade flavor the best.  I think I've moved on from cherry and orange flavors but as a teenager?  Any flavor was a 'good' flavor for these.

1 small pkg regular dry kool-aid (not the kind with sugar already in it)
1 2/3 c sugar
1 1/4 c butter
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 t  salt
1 t baking soda
3 c flour
1/2 c additional sugar for dipping

Mix the KoolAid, 1 2/3 c sugar and butter until fluffy.  Add eggs and mix well. Stir in salt and baking soda. Add flour in 1/2 cup increments and mixing well after each addition.  Roll dough into 1 inch balls and dip in the 1/2 c sugar. Place them on a parchment lined or a greased cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for 10-11 minutes.  Do not over bake.  Let set for 1-2 minutes, remove from the cookie sheet to cool completely.


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