Great recipes and a fun Easter idea for the kids!

Real Grass Easter Baskets - You are Just in Time! Easter BasketPlastic
WrapVermiculite (find at nursery/florist shop)
Whole Wheat Grain
Water
One week before Easter, line sides and bottom of basket with one piece of plastic wrap. Pour in vermiculite (optional: line ½ of basket with potting soil and fill remainder with vermiculite) to a level of 1-2 inches below the top of the basket rim. Sprinkle layer of wheat over the vermiculite. Pour water into the basket until barely visible beneath the wheat. Place another piece of plastic wrap loosely over the top of the wheat. Put basket in a sunny spot (not in direct sunlight). After 1 or 2 days, remove plastic wrap. Do not water again. (Optional: When wheat sprouts, place 1-3 hard boiled eggs in basket and wheat will grow around them.)

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Raspberry Pretzel Salad
½ cup or margarine
2 ½ cups thin pretzel sticks
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 (8-ounce) tub whipped topping
1 cup sugar
2 cups water
1 large package raspberry-flavored gelatin
1 (10-ounce) packages frozen raspberries, undrained and slightly thawed
1 (15 ¼ ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
Melt butter and pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Break pretzels in half and pat evenly into the pan. Bake 10 minutes at 400 degrees. Remove from oven and cool.
In a large bowl combine cream cheese, whipped topping and sugar. Dab on top of pretzels and spread to edges of pan. Refrigerate for about 1 hour.
Bring water to a boil. Completely dissolve gelatin in boiling water and cool in refrigerator until syrupy. Add slightly thawed raspberries and crushed pineapple and stir. Pour carefully over top of cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate overnight or several hours until firm. Makes 12-16 servings.

Bavarian Mints
1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 (8-ounce) milk chocolate bars
1 (1-ounce) square unsweetened chocolate
2 Tablespoons butter
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
In the top of a double boiler combine all ingredients except peppermint extract and vanilla. Stir over low heat until melted. Add peppermint and vanilla. Pour into greased 8x8 inch pan. Let cool until firm. Cut into 1-inch squares. *If you do not have access to a double boiler, the mints still can be made -- just stir constantly on low heat and do not leave unattended.