<p>I'm going to start this with a brownie recipe I have had for 20 years. When my husband was in the Army I would send these to him in the field, they were gone the same day. </p>
<p>1 c. shortening
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 c. nuts (optional)</p>
<p>Combine shortening, eggs, sugar, and vanilla; mix well. Stir in flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa. Add nuts. Press into greased 10 x 13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees about 35 minutes. Brownies will be chewier if you shorten baking time 2-3 minutes.</p>
<p>Another variation: add chocolate or butterscotch chips.</p>
<p>Rice Krispy treats pack well, I took half a pan out to Infantry Week with me at Buckner. Snickerdoodles don't, but crushed cookies are still delicious. Empty the bag into a bowl, top with milk, eat like cold cereal. </p>
<p>One of the things my mom did was to bake a pan of brownies, then top with chocolate chips, chopped nuts, marshmallows, and chocolate or caramel sauce. She called them turtle brownies. My squad decided that their true name was "Perfection."</p>
<p>Another tip for packing cookies - stack about a dozen together. Wrap in a log formation with plastic wrap. Surround that with two layers of bubble wrap and tape well. Cookies will arrive with little to no breakage.</p>
<p>Here's my "Red, White and Blue" patriotic boodle box recipe:</p>
<p>1 lb bag of Red strawberry licorice;
1 gallon tin of gourmet white cheddar popcorn; and,
6 1 quart packs of Blue Glacier Freeze powder Gatorade mix.</p>
<p>Although it doesn't fit the color scheme, you can add a package of beef jerky for garnish. </p>
<p>Yah, it's a guy type of recipe but it was a big hit with our cadet son last year.</p>
<p>Also, if you don't own a high tech vacuum sealer, do like my Mom did to help keep cookies and all as "fresh" as possible for mailing. When packing, pack between paper towels in a zip lock bag, then take a straw, put in the edge of the bag and suck all the air out to vacuum seal...really does help keep it fresh longer, and if you add the bubble wrap like bzzzt said, it'll truly keep the safe and fresh, best of both worlds! :)</p>
<p>Has anyone sent (or recieved) "Shot Blox" or "Shot Blocks?" They're a gummy bear consistency - like a gatorade product with caffeine, perhaps. We picked some up in Sports Authority or EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) and my son took them on a long backpack trip through the mountains in NH. They looked like they would ship well and be lightweight and portable for a ruck.</p>
<p>in addition to home-baked cookies, etc., I sent "Yo-on-the-Go," yogurt in aseptic packaging that doesn't require refrigeration, grade A fruit from California, and Starbucks DoubleShot (yum!). However, midstore sells Starbucks DoubleShot too. Hey, I just remembered I have one of those vacuum sealers in the garage...thanks.</p>
<p>Had request for dried pineapple and yogurt pretzels from Sis's roomates. She got cinnamon graham crackers, rice kripsy treats, M&M peanuts, breadsticks with cheese and the oreo sticks with filling. Yeah, they're REALLY suffering! :rolleyes:</p>
<p>Had requests for more bleach pens and 2 in 1 "good" smelling shampoo/conditioner - keep in mind! ;)</p>
<p>Made mention someone said the entire brigade kind of smelled like sweaty ***holes! LOL! Ya got a love it! :D</p>
<p>I sure don't want to be the posting police, but would like to suggest that we keep this thread to recipes. I'll bump up the boodle thread so we can list other items and websites to order boodle. I hope nobody minds; I just want to make sure we can all get to the recipes easily. I'm even going to actually try baking again - especially when the recipe for those pumpkin chocolate chip recipes shows up.</p>
<p>Ingredients:
1-Compass: so you'll never lose your way
2-Crayons: to color everyday cheerful and bright
3-Starbursts: an added burst of energy for those long days
4-Smarites: for always knowing the right thing to do
5-Marbles: for those days when you are sure you are losing yours
6-Lifesavors: because you never know when you will need one
7-Rubberbands: to help you stretch beyond your current limits
8-Pennies: so you'll always have the "cents" to know how important you are</p>
<p>Combine all ingredients, mixing well, and place in zip-lock bag. Seal with kiss. Send often.</p>
<p>Mine is pretty bright right now- especially with a letter from our favorite plebe waiting for us in the mailbox when we got home! It's a Great Navy Day!!!!</p>