Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tbsp. ground black pepper
• 1 can of Pepsi

Directions:

• Add all the ingredients in with the steaks in an air tight container.
• Let marinate over night.
• Cook your steaks and enjoy the tender juicy flavor.

I am sure your family will love this marinade for your next steak night! It is just so flavorful and the steaks come out so juicy! Happy Grilling!

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The burger station was the main event. I set out juicy grilled burgers, melty Kraft Singles, sliced avocado, lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles so everyone could build their own plate. For a fun twist, I mixed ketchup and mayo with a little chipotle seasoning for an easy burger sauce and added a drizzle of A.1. Sauce to the Cali-style burgers. I also kept classic ketchup, mustard, and mayo on the table because no cookout is complete without them. One thing I always recommend when hosting? Make at least one cold side dish ahead of time. I made mainly all of them ahead of time.

I made a simple pasta salad with rotini pasta, chopped veggies, mozzarella, and Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing and it ended up being one of the first empty bowls of the night. It’s easy, inexpensive, and tastes even better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours before guests arrive. I also added a Cobb salad with ranch dressing because having at least one fresh option balances out all the burgers and chips.

For comfort-food sides, I kept it simple with Velveeta Shapes & Cheese. Honestly, easy crowd-pleasers are the secret to stress-free hosting. Nobody’s expecting a five-star menu at a pool party, they just want food that tastes good and feels nostalgic.

My favorite hosting hack of the night was using Cool Whip on cupcakes instead of traditional frosting. It stayed light and fluffy in the heat and made desserts super easy to prep ahead of time. I also recommend keeping extra towels outside, using disposable trays for easy cleanup, and setting up a self-serve food table so people can snack whenever they want.

By the end of the night, there were wet flip-flops by the pool, empty burger trays on the tables, and people still hanging around the grill talking long after sunset. It was the perfect summer party to me….simple food, summer nostalgia, and a backyard full of people having a good time.

Ingredients:

• Refrigerated Cinnamon Rolls
• Canned Pie Filling (Peach)

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Remove cinnamon rolls from packaging and flatten to fit into muffin tin cups.
3. Spoon the pie filling in each cup
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 13-18 mins.
5. Remove from the oven and allow the rolls to cool.
6. Remove the rolls from the muffin tin and drizzle the icing over the rolls.
7. Serve warm.

Notes:

• Using canned pie filling is an easy shortcut to a delicious dessert.
• You can use other flavors such as apple, blueberry or cherry as well.

Be sure to follow along to see what the next recipe will be…

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Ingredients:

• Shredded Cheese (Mozzarella or Blended Cheese Mix)
• Pepperoni Slices
• Marinara Sauce (Optional)

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Add cheese blend to muffin pan cups
• Top with pepperoni slices. 
• Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 mins.
• Allow the crisps to cool before removing from the pan.
• Serve warm.
• Serve with Marinara sauce for dipping (optional).

Notes:

• Possible Variations:
  • Use Italian seasonings or experiment with others.
  • Instead of pepperoni slices, try sausage crumbles or other pizza toppings you love!

This is a family favorite in my house! I hope your family will love it as much as we do! Be sure to follow along with the Muffin Mania series to see what the next recipe will be.

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Ingredients:

• Simply Lemonade
• Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice
• Freeze dried strawberries

Directions:

1. Fill the cup with ice or as much as desired.
2. Place a handful of freeze dried strawberries in a cup.
3. Fill the cup halfway with Lemonade.
4. Pour Ocean Spray White Cran Strawberry Juice to fill the cup.
5. Place a lid on the cup and swirl to mix or use a spoon to mix.
6. Enjoy!

Add this refreshing drink to your rotation this spring and summer. It is a great addition to any picnic or backyard BBQ, and the best part is adults and kids will enjoy this cool refreshment. This is a part of the Quench Your Thirst series!

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Ingredients:

• 20 oz bottle, Sprite
• 2 Cherries
• 2 tbsp Maraschino Syrup
• ½ lime wedge

Directions:

1. Fill your cup with ice or as much as desired.
2. Pour the soda over the ice.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of Maraschino syrup.
4. Add 2 cherries.
5. Add ½ lime wedge.
6. Mix with a spoon.
7. Enjoy!

This refreshing drink is just perfect for the spring or summer! My family asks to have this all of the time and I hope your family enjoys it that much as well!

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Ingredients:

• Puff Pastry Dough
• Butter, softened
• Cinnamon 
• Sugar

Directions:

1. Remove puff pastry from packaging and lay flat on the counter or a cutting board. 
2. Combine the cinnamon and sugar mixture and set aside. 
3. Spread the butter on the bottom sheet of the puff pastry and sprinkle the sugar mixture on top.
4. Using a pizza cutter or knife and cut into strips. Since we are using a mini muffin pan you will cut the strips in half to fit into the muffin cups.
5. Roll the strips and place into the muffin cups.
6. Bake for 15 minutes.
7. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon sugar on top of each cruffin.
8. Allow cruffins to cool and serve warm.

Enjoy these flaky and buttery pastries with your morning coffee or hot tea. Grab some puff pastry sheets from your local Commissary and get baking!

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Ingredients:

• Pillsbury Pizza Crust
• Pizza Sauce
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Pepperoni Slices

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
• Remove pizza crust from packaging and lay flat on the counter or a cutting board.
• Use a pizza cutter or knife and cut the dough into strips. 
• Sprinkle the cheese on the bottom of the crust and top with the sauce and then pepperoni slices.

• Roll the strips and place into the muffin cups.
• Bake for 18 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Serve warm.

Enjoy these hot and cheesy bites! They are great for date night, a weeknight dinner, or a special treat for the kiddos. Grab the ingredients during your next Commissary trip.

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Mini Pies

Ingredients

• Pillsbury Funfetti® Frosting 
• Keebler Ready Crust Mini Graham Cracker Crusts
• Cool Whip

Directions

1. Combine the frosting and cool whip in a mixing bowl.
2. Fold in the cool whip and mix until frosting is light and airy.
3. Spoon frosting into graham cracker crusts and top with sprinkles.

Enjoy the warm weather this season. Get outside and hike, bike or maybe even start a garden. While you are indoors, hop into the kitchen and make this delicious treat that the whole family will just love.

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Feel free to decorate your space with festive decor. You can display flags, a festive tablecloth, centerpieces or colored utensils as a simple way to brighten up your table.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer gas or charcoal; go ahead and fire up the grill! We’d love to know what flavor combinations you come up with. All your favorite condiments and ingredients for side dishes, desserts and drinks can be picked up at your local Commissary.

Find the full recipe for the American cheeseburger on mymilitarysavings.com/recipes/dinner/american-cheeseburger