Hillbilly Housewife shakes

1-1/2 to 2 cups ice water
1-1/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 1-1/2 trays of ice cubes, as much as you can spare
2 tablespoons corn oil plus a 5-second squirt of non-stick spray for emulsification purposes
Place all of the ingredients into the blender, including the oil and the non-stick spray. Use less water for thicker milk shakes and more water for shakes that are easy on your blender motor. The blender should be about 3/4's full. Place the lid on. Process for a full 2 minutes. Pour into cups and serve. Makes 4 - 12oz servings. For preparation tips please see below.

I love this recipe because it makes very rich milk shakes without any ice cream. I don't always have ice cream in the house because the kids eat it so fast. With this recipe we can have delicious frosty milk shakes for a fraction of the cost of those using ice cream. And all the ingredients are on the pantry shelf.

*I got this from the Hillybilly Housewife blog. The authors have some amazing options for cutting food costs and still eating well. Check out the Hillbilly Housewife here. http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/

Scotcheroos

I love butterscotch! This is one of my favorite desserts or 'cookies'.

1 cup corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter (I recommend creamy)
6 cups rice cereal such as Special K or Rice Krispies
1 pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 pkg butterscotch chips

Cook corn syrup and sugar over meadum heat, stirring frequently, until sugar dissolves and syrup begins to boil. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter. Mix well and add rice cereal. Press into greased or sprayed 9X13 pan and let cool or set.
Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips. (use a double boiler if you have one, or in a microwave safe dish, heat for 1 minute and stir, then 30 seconds and stir. Repeat in 30 second increments if needed until smooth.)Spead evenly over cereal mixture, let stand until firm. Cut into bars when cool.