April Fools Day is one of my sister’s favorite days.  I can remember countless times growing up, where she would play the best and worst tricks on us.  Every year on this day, I’d anxiously wait not knowing what or when her master plan would unfold.  Her tricks ranged from when we were little to “you have something crawling on you”  to when we got older she had a terrible accident.  Just playing with our emotions.  We were all just little pawns in her master world of trickery.  When all was done she would be laughing, well, we’d all be laughing and we fall for it each and every year.  I honestly don’t know how she can keep such a straight face and keep the gag going.  Well, I guess that’s why she’s the master.  Now, she’s passing down this fun and tormenting ritual to her daughter and I am as well to my kids.

Since my kids are still on the younger side their pranks are quite simple and lean toward the “somethings crawling on you” gag.  I, so far, have just played simple yummy food imposters that they quite enjoyed.  Each year, though, like my sister, we will have to up the ante.

First, I got them in the morning for breakfast when they are still waking up with a little “fried egg on a bagel.”  When they first walk into the kitchen they were like “I don’t want an egg sandwich this morning” and as they got closer and starting looking at it, a smile comes across their faces and I get a “Mom?!  This is fake!”  With giggles they enjoy their donut and chocolate egg breakfast.

Then, I sent them to school with a “proper” lunch surprise.  I found this great trick from Come Together Kids.  Where you take off the bottom of a single serving fruit can, empty, clean and dry out the can.  Then replace with candy and glue the bottom back on.  It looks like a regular can of fruit and no one is the wiser.

I also added a “grilled cheese” sandwich.  Which is simply cut pound cake that is toasted with a homemade frosting tinted with food color to match that american cheese color.

I also sent them in with the classic pan of “brownies” joke to share with the class.  If you don’t know this joke, it’s where you cut out the letter “E” from brown construction paper giving you a bunch of brown “E”s.  You then place them in a covered serving container that you can’t see through so it is a surprise when you open it for the class.  I labeled them with a note that read:

Please enjoy these delicious brownies.

They are nut free, dairy free, and gluten free.

Then when they opened the container I placed a Happy April Fools Day note inside along with the brown Es.  The class loved it and they all wanted to keep a brown “E”.

Needless to say, with all the jokes, my kids really enjoyed this day and were a little nervous for what was for dinner.  But I didn’t want to reveal all my tricks in one day.  I have to save some for next time…

Egg Sandwich

Ingredients:

• plain donuts
• white candy melts
• yellow food color

Directions:

1. Cut donuts in half.
2. Melt white candy melts in microwave per package directions until creamy smooth.  Use a spoon and spread out on wax paper in a fried egg shape.
3. Melt until smooth white candy melts.  Blend in a few drops of yellow food color until the color of egg yolk.  Spoon yellow candy melt on top of white “fried egg” in shape of egg yolk.
4. Cool on counter.
5. Assemble sandwich by placing one fried egg on top of cut bottom half of donut and then place top half of donut on top.

This is quick, easy, and fun.

Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

• pound cake (I used Sara Lee)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• red and yellow food coloring

Directions:

1. Make frosting by beating cream cheese and butter in mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and well combined.  Mix in vanilla.  Gradually beat in sugar until smooth.  Add a couple of drops of red and yellow food coloring and mix well until you get that American Cheese color.  Chill in refrigerator until ready to assemble.
2. Cut out sandwich loaf size slices from the pound cake.  Place in toaster and toast until nice and golden like a grilled cheese.
3. Assemble by spreading frosting on top of one slice of cake and topping with other slice of cake.  Cut in middle.

These are delicious little cakes that look like grilled cheese sandwiches.  My kids love getting this as a surprise in their lunch and even asked for more when they came home from school.

I hope you enjoyed these simple little April Fools Day jokes and plan to give them a try or give you inspiration for your own pranks.  Wish you a happy, silly, and most importantly fun-filled April Fools Day!