Fake doughnuts

THE VICTIMS: Callie and Megan's classmates

Callie pulled this one on her class, with some help from her teacher, in honor of her birthday, March 31. "A little before lunch," says Callie, "Mrs. Badger said we could hand out the doughnuts. Mrs. Badger told the kids not to eat them until everyone got their food. A couple of kids said the doughnuts were small. My friend Tracy thought they were homemade. Then the teacher said we could eat. What a sight to see! The boys shoved both of the doughnuts in their mouths, and the girls took small bites. Then Megan and I announced that the doughnuts were play dough." More specifically, a barely edible homemade play dough.

THE REACTION: "All the kids looked at us in horror and spit the doughnuts out. Megan and I laughed and laughed, and soon the rest of the kids starting laughing too." (Callie and Megan then handed out the real doughnuts they'd brought.)

CALLIE'S PRANK DOUGH This recipe is for an edible craft dough that can be shaped into either doughnuts or doughnut holes. You won't want to eat more than a nibble, though. 1 cup all-purpose flour (plus 1/4 cup for light dusting at end) 1/2 cup salt 1 cup water 2 teaspoons cream of tartar (optional) 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Mix all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat (a parent's job) and stir until the dough forms a ball. Turn it onto a cookie sheet, let it cool until kneadable, then knead in red and green food coloring until the dough looks like chocolate. Roll into small balls, roll balls in flour, and serve. As an option, serve with spilled coffee (see Prank #11).