HELOISE Condensed milk recipe will work well in an emergency

Dear Heloise: I used a recipe you had in one of your columns. It was for sweetened condensed milk. For some unknown reason, I just can't locate it again. I am 87. Do you think that could be the reason? James R., Walden, N.Y.
I don't think so! I know a lot of pretty sharp 80-somethings! But I'll repeat the recipe for all of us who tend to misplace things. You'll need:
1 cup powdered milk
1/3 cup boiling water
2/3 cup granulated white sugar
3 tablespoons butter (real, not diet!)
Mix together milk, water, sugar and butter in a blender. Start on low speed for a minute or so, then increase the speed until smooth, with no sugar granules. This recipe is about equal to one can of sweetened condensed milk. I have a pamphlet full of lots of substitutes for all sorts of foods. To get a copy, send $3 and a long, self-addressed, stamped (60 cents) envelope to: Heloise/SSS, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5001. Note: If you are using this substitute in a recipe, the consistency and texture will not be exactly the same. But this will work well in an emergency, when it's not convenient to run to the store. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When I decorated cookies with small colored sprinkles before baking, they would not stay on the cookies.
Here's what I did: I gave the cookies a light spritz of water, and the sprinkles stuck. Easy, and it worked great. Kim F., Spokane, Wash.
Dear Heloise: An easy way to crush crackers is to put them in the bottom of a deep bowl and use a potato masher to smash them. Easy as pie. K.J., Chicago
One of our favorite memories in my office is when we retested a cracker-crushing hint. Well, this hint was to use your auto to run over crackers in a sturdy plastic bag. So, we gave it a try (crush, crunch), and although it worked, it was pretty funny-looking. My "magpies" were laughing and wishing they had a camera. Heloise
Dear Heloise: First thing: Thank you for all your helpful hints. They sure make life easier on a mother, wife and housekeeper with a full-time career. I just wanted to share an easy tip I've been using for years. I have two small boys, and when I make pancakes, I have to cut the pancakes up for them. So I just get out the pizza cutter, and zoom -- I'm done. It works so quickly and smoothly and saves me time in the morning, when I need those extra minutes the most. Hope my fellow moms can use this as well. Debra J., via e-mail
Dear Heloise: To make pasta salads more festive, I color the pasta as I cook it. I simply add a few drops of my favorite color to the water and cook the pasta. The salads are always a hit at any party, as they are color-coded to match the occasion. Delores, Tucson, Ariz.
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