The Kid's Birthday Fun Review » Recipes

Fun Food For Kids Parties: Pizzadillas

Linette — Sat, 29 May 2010 11:10:33 +0000

Looking for an easy kid friendly pizza recipe to serve at your next kid’s birthday party? Why not combine two kid food favorites, pizza and quesadillas, and makes some Pizzadillas? These look like a fun super simple treat for a sleepover, a pizza party, or a kid’s fiesta party.

I know my son would love them, they combine two of his all time favorite foods! They’re also super simple to make, a huge plus when you have several children running around the house!

Pizzadillas

Serves: 4

Prep Time (min): 5

Cook Time (min): 12

Recipe Ingredients:

4 Mission® Sun-dried Tomato Basil Wraps
3/4 cup Marinara Sauce prepared
2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup Pepperoni thinly sliced rounds (approx. 72 slices)

Recipe Instructions:

1. Evenly spread 3 tablespoons of marinara on each wrap

2. Sprinkle ½ c of mozzarella evenly over marinara sauce on each wrap.

3. Layer ¼ c (approx. 18 slices) of sliced pepperoni over the shredded cheese on each wrap.

4. Fold each wrap in half forming a half moon.

5. Heat a 10” non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly spray with non-stick spray.

6. Place two pizzadillas in the skillet, at a time, and cook for 3 minutes on each side until crisp and golden brown. Remove and reserve hot. Repeat for the other two pizzadillas.

7. Cut each pizzadilla into quarters and serve one full sliced portion to each person.

Kid’s Sleepover Breakfast Idea: PB & J French Toast

Linette — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:59:18 +0000

Today I have a really yummy, and easy fun breakfast idea for a kid’s sleepover party. Whenever my son has friends over, I’m always wondering what to serve for breakfast the next morning. I like to try to make them something yummy, but sometimes I’m pressed for time, so I love quick breakfast recipes that’s kid friendly.

This recipe for Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast from Mission Menus fits all of the requirements above. I’ve tried several of their recipes myself, and they’ve never let me down so far, so I’m sure this one is a kid crowd pleaser.

Peanut Butter and Jelly French Toast

Serves: 4

Prep Time (min): 6

Cook Time (min): 12

Prep Tool: Work Surface, Cutting Board, Stove Top, Non-Stick Sauté Pan, Whisk, Spatula, Mixing Bowl, French Knife

Recipe Ingredients:

4 each Mission® 8 inch Medium Flour Tortilla
4 each Whole Eggs
1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
Non-Stick Cooking Spray to coat
2 1/2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
2 tablespoons Powdered Sugar
1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
6 tablespoons Creamy Peanut Butter
1/4 cup Grape Jelly
2 tablespoons +2 teaspoons Maple Syrup

Recipe Instructions:

1. Pre-heat a large non-stick skillet or electric griddle over medium-high heat.

2. Whisk eggs, heavy cream, powder sugar and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon in a shallow pan to evenly combine, creating a French toast batter. In another shallow pan combine granulated sugar and remaining cinnamon; set aside.

3. Spread 1 ½ tablespoons of peanut butter and 1 tablespoon of jelly evenly over each tortilla.

4. Fold tortilla in half; dip each peanut butter and jelly filled tortilla, allowing any excess to drip off, into the French toast batter.

5. Spray pre-heated skillet with non-stick cooking spray and place 1-2 tortillas in the skillet, cooking each side (approximately 1 minute per side) to golden brown. Repeat for the two remaining.

6. Remove from heat and toss each French toast in the reserve cinnamon and sugar and shake off excess.

7. Serve each PB & J French toast with 2 teaspoons of warm maple syrup.

Hints:

• Replace the grape jelly with slices of fresh banana for an indulgent twist.

• The PB&J filled tortillas can be made the night before, so just wake and you’re ready to bake.

Fake Food For April Fools Day Pranks

Linette — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 21:07:11 +0000

Don’t forget tomorrow is April Fool’s Day! Don’t let others prank you, you be the prankster!

When you’re trying to come up with April Fools day pranks this year, don’t forget about fake food. I thought I’d put together a couple fun fake food ideas you can use on your family for a tasty April Fools Day prank.

Why not Make a Pizza Cake? What could be better than a cake that looks like a pizza? The best of both worlds, right? Who says you can’t have your cake and eat pizza too?

Or how about Fake Meatball Sandwiches? Your family will think they’re getting a savory meatball sub, when really it’s a sweet treat.

Are you planning any fun April Fool’s Day pranks this year?

Fun Food~ Buffalo Chicken Dippers Recipe

Linette — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:15:43 +0000

Today I have an easy recipe for you, that’s also fun for the kids. These buffalo chicken dippers have just a little kick to them, but not so much that they are too hot for most little ones. My son loves them, and he doesn’t like anything too spicy. The hot sauce gives them just a little twang.

These would be fun for a quick dinner, or for snacking on while you’re watching the big game this weekend. Use some ranch dressing, or bleu cheese for dipping. Yum!
Buffalo Chicken Dippers

1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast tenders
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup Franks Red Hot
About 1 cup cracker crumbs

Preheat your oven to 400`F
Cut the chicken into strips about 1″ by 2″ the size can vary a little, just keep them about the same size so they’ll cook evenly.
Combine the melted butter and the Franks Red Hot in a shallow bowl, put the cracker crumbs in another bowl.
Roll the chicken in the hot sauce mixture, then coat it with crackers and place it on a baking sheet lightly coated with cooking spray.
Place the strips in the oven, and bake for about 20-25 minutes. I turn them once about halfway through.
Check your strips to make sure they’re done (the centers should be at least 160`), if they’re not done, let them cook for a couple minutes longer.
Serve your buffalo chicken dippers with a little ranch or blue cheese dressing and a stalk of celery on the side.

When you’re done make sure you throw out the hot sauce mixture, and the extra cracker crumbs. You don’t want to use it for dipping since it might be loaded with bacteria from the raw chicken.

Image (c) L Gerlach

Snowflake Cupcakes

Linette — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:57:38 +0000

I made some snowflake cupcakes right before Christmas, and I’m just now getting them posted. It’s been a hectic couple of weeks, and I’m finally getting back in the swing of things after the new year.

I think these easy snowflake cupcakes would be perfect for a winter party, or the perfect dessert for a Winter Olympics viewing party.

The cupcakes were super simple to make. Just bake your favorite cupcake, I used a vanilla butter recipe. I also had some snowman cupcake wrappers that were super cute in my cupboard.

I made a turquoise blue buttercream icing to ice the cupcakes with, and used a Wilton Decorating Tip-#1M Star to ice the cupcakes, and swirled around from the outside of the cupcake to the center.

Then I sprinkled some of the cupcakes with shredded coconut, and used a Snowflake Candy-Chocolate Mold to make little chocolate snowflakes in blue and white to top the cupcakes with. My son loved helping with this part.

That’s it! Like I said, super simple! I think the cupcakes would also be cute done all in white, with even more shredded coconut, but I was taking these to a party and I wasn’t sure how many would like the coconut.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pumpkins

Linette — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:05:22 +0000

I made a pumpkin cheesecake the other day, and it turned out delicious. I decided I’d like to try to make some cheesecake balls and dip them in chocolate. One thing led to another, and I decided I’d try to dip them in orange chocolate and make some pumpkin cheesecake pumpkins. Say that ten times really quick, hah!

I posted the recipe for the pumpkin cheesecake over at Home and Garden Cafe.

So I rolled the cheesecake into balls, and popped them in the freezer while I melted some orange chocolate melts in a double boiler. I had a hard time getting the cheesecake balls into smooth balls, but I eventually got them to a halfway decent shape. I left them in the freezer for about a half an hour so they were solid enough not to fall apart when I dipped them in the chocolate.

I decided to cut the pumpkin faces out of gumpaste colored with black food color. So I pulled off a small piece of white gumpaste, and added some black food color to it. Then I rolled it out and cut out tiny triangles and pumpkin mouths.

Someone really ought to make pumpkin face sprinkles, little triangles and mouths. I bet they’d sell like hot cakes this time of year.

I melted a little green chocolate and added drops of green to the tops of the pumpkins to make little stems.

They didn’t turn out perfect, but they did turn out aweful darn cute! They’d be cute for a Halloween, harvest or Thanksgiving party.

Snap!™ Crackle!™ Pop!™ Candy-Coated Bananas

Linette — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:00:22 +0000

I have a really fun late summer treat for you today, courtesy of one of my favorite cereals, Rice Krispies. Don’t tell the kids, but it’s healthy too!

You can make these ahead of time for a late summer or fall birthday party. They would also make a fun after school snack!

Snap!™ Crackle!™ Pop!™ Candy-Coated Bananas

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

4 medium bananas, peeled and halved horizontally
2 1/2 cups Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies® cereal (crushed to 1 1/4 cups)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped dried fruits or flaked coconut
1 package (16 oz.) vanilla-flavored candy coating or vanilla-almond bark
8 ice cream sticks

How to make them:

Place banana pieces on foil-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap. Freeze until needed.
In shallow dish combine KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal and fruit. Set aside.
With adult help, in small saucepan melt candy coating according to package directions. Remove from heat. Pour into another shallow dish.
Remove bananas from freezer and insert an ice-cream stick into cut end of each banana piece. Dip banana halves into melted candy coating, letting excess drip off. Roll in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Return to baking sheet. Freeze for 15 minutes. Transfer to airtight container. Freeze for 2 hours to 1 week. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Kid-friendly Kitchen Tips courtesy of Kelloggs:
Children of all ages should have an adult assistant with them at all times when cooking.

The youngest chefs, 3 to 6 years old, will be very good at inserting the ice cream stick into the banana halves and they will love to crush the Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal.
Older chefs, ages 7 to 9, can use a table knife to cut the banana in half and they will enjoy “dipping” the bananas into the melted candy coating too.
Kids, older than 9 years, may stir the candy coating on the cook top or help prepare it for the microwave and may also help read directions to the younger kids.

Butterflies and Caterpillars Birthday Party: Butterfly and Caterpillar Rice Krispy Treats

Linette — Mon, 04 May 2009 21:17:44 +0000

I want to focus on some ideas for a butterflies and caterpillars birthday party for the next week or so, first up I have a couple recipes for some fun Rice Krispy Treats that would be a hit at any child’s birthday party.

First up the Butterflies:

Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies Treats® Butterflies

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows – or – 4 cups miniature marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies® Canned frosting Assorted candies

Directions:

In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.
Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.
Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool slightly.
Using cookie cutters coated with cooking spray cut into butterfly shapes.
Decorate with frosting and/or candies.

Best if served the same day.

Next up those adorable caterpillars:

Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies Treats® Caterpillars

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 12

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows – or – 4 cups miniature marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies®

Canned frosting or decorating gel

Assorted candies

Directions:
1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 15 x 10 x 1-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool slightly. Using small round cookie cutters coated with cooking spray cut into circles.
4. Place eight to nine circles next to each other, forming caterpillars. Decorate with frosting and/or candies. Best if served the same day.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS for Both:
In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 thru 4 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.
Notes For Both:
For best results, use fresh marshmallows.
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow creme can be substituted for marshmallows.
Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.
Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in single layer on wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

Kellogg’s has reduced the sodium content of Rice Krispies to meet current consumer flavor- and nutrition-preferences. Rice Krispies Treats made with the lower sodium cereal taste great without any added salt, but, if you desire, add 1/4 teaspoon salt to the butter before melting. Continue with recipe as directed.

Butterflies, caterpillars, and bugs. Oh My! Over the next week or so I’ll have more outdoor garden caterpillar, butterfly, bug, creepy crawly party ideas. You can use any or all of them to make a really fun summer outdoor party for kids. Stay tuned!

Images and recipes courtesy of Rice Krispies

Summer or Pool Party Snack Idea

Linette — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:27:34 +0000

If you’re planning a summer birthday party in the back yard, or in the pool, here is a yummy (and nutritious) frozen treat you can serve up to your little guests. Shhh! Don’t tell them it’s healthy!

They’re easy to make and pop in the freezer until party time.

Frozen pops don’t have to be a just a sometimes treat when you have these healthful delights waiting in your freezer. They are low in added sugar and full of flavor and nutrition. If you don’t have Popsicle® molds, they also work great in small paper cups. Kids can peel away the paper and lick the pops right out of the container. Check out this recipe from Mealtime.org

Fruity Frozen Fudge Pops

Ingredients:

1 can (15 ounces) pear halves, in extra-light syrup, not drained
1 1/2 cups 2% reduced fat milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1 (3 1/2 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding

Preparation Time: Approximately 3 minutes
Preparation:

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend on medium-high for 1 minute. Pour into 3 ounce Popsicle® molds or 3-ounce paper cups with Popsicle® sticks inserted. Cover and freeze until solid, at least 3 hours. Freeze for up to 1 week.

Serves: 10

Yum! Makes me ready for those summer parties!

Image via mealtime.org

Wiggly Worms and Caterpillar Treats

Linette — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:18:16 +0000

I’ve been working on some inspiration for a summer bug party. I stumbled on this really cute idea for wiggly worm and caterpillar treats. They would be fun to make for a summer party, a bug party or a special treat for the kids at a backyard barbecue.

Your kids will have a blast helping you make them, and eating them!

Bird’s Nest Spring Treats

Linette — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 02:37:27 +0000

If you’re planning an Easter party, a spring or garden party you can make these simple treats to share with your party guests.

I’ve also heard them called Robin’s nest treats or cookies. They’re simple to make, and you can put them out for party food, use them as a cupcake topper, or a party favor.

You can double or triple the recipe, depending on how many bird’s nest treats you need to make.

Bird’s Nest Recipe

1 cup white melting chocolate

3-4 cups chow mein noodles

Whoppers Robin’s Eggs, or any egg shaped candy or jelly beans

Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler, or by microwaving 30 seconds at a time until melted. Mix the chow mein noodles into the chocolate and coat completely.

Spoon the mixture out onto wax paper and shape into nests. Add two or three eggs to each nest.

Pumpkin Cookies

Linette — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:18:08 +0000

These cookies are perfect for a harvest or Halloween party. They’re delicious, I promise the kids will scarf them up and ask for more.

~Pumpkin cookie recipe~

Cream together:

1 cup of sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 cup butter
2 cups of flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 375.` Drop the dough by teaspoons on a cookie sheet sprayed with no stick cooking spray. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly brown. Ice with cream cheese icing.

Cream Cheese Icing

1 8 oz cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

1 cup confectioner’s sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

Cream all the ingredients together, and spread it on the pumpkin cookies. Enjoy!

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Holiday Weekend Fun Foodie Links

Linette — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 23:45:40 +0000

I hope you are all having a wonderful 4th of July holiday weekend if you’re in the US. If you’re in the rest of the world, have a wonderful weekend with plenty of good food .

Here are a couple fun foodie links for your weekend browsing.

13 Foods Children Can Make & Learn About Cookbooks has some great ideas for encouraging your children to enjoy cooking.

Fun Watermelon Cupcakes- These would make a really fun summer birthday party treat.

A Healthy Cocktail for the 4th of July Weekend

Mediterranean Potato Salad, a delicious alternative to the mayonnaise version.

Chris’ Original Shrimp or Chicken with Roasted Red Peppers- Jean shares one of her hubby’s original recipes. This one combines some of the latest fat-fighting-food-finds from recent scientific research.

I Can’t Make Vinegar, But I Can Make Ricotta- I’ve never tried to make ricotta cheese, but it sounds interesting.

Cookerati’s giving away Roseda beef, check it out if you’re looking for high quality beef, without chemicals additives or hormones.

Dark Knight hits theatres in a couple weeks, here are some Dark Knight Batman Cake ideas.

Dark Knight Batman Party Ideas

Image via Istockphoto

Technorati Tags: mediterranean potato salad,teaching children with cookbooks,watermelon sandwiches,healthy cocktails,shrimp recipes,making ricotta cheese,Dark Knight Batman cakes,Dark Knight Batman party ideas

A Cool Summer Party Treat: Watermelon Sandwich Cookies

Linette — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 20:42:30 +0000

My blogging partner at Robust Cooking, Sandy, found a wonderful website loaded with watermelon goodness. There are several fun watermelon recipes that would work really well for summer birthday party snacks.

This is one of my favorites:

Kids Watermelon Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients~: 12 (3-inch) blueberry pancakes, cooled to room temperature
1/2 cup white frosting
6 (2/3-inch thick and 3-inch round) seedless watermelon slices, drained to remove excess moisture
How To Make Them~: Evenly frost the bottoms of each pancake with the white frosting. Arrange six of the pancakes, frosting side up on a serving platter. Place a slice of watermelon on each of the frosted pancakes on the platter. Top each with the remaining pancakes, frosting side down. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. This recipe serves 6.

Watermelon Sandwich cookies recipe and image courtesy of NWPB

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Melting Chocolate

Linette — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:49:42 +0000

Here’s a nifty video on melting chocolate in the microwave. It’s really quite simple. You can melt it in the microwave. Set your microwave for short lengths of time (about 20 seconds), and stir in between. Stir the chocolate, even if it’s retained its shape. Sometimes melted chocolate keeps its shape.

Check out the details.

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Friday Fun Foods Roundup

Linette — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:19:37 +0000

I have some fun food links for your weekend reading:

Busy Family Meals has Two Weeks Of Spring Menus, two weeks of spring meals in one place.

Enjoy the Sonoma lifestyle with these Mediterranean recipes.

Home Biz Notes tells you how to Create Family Recipe Books.

The Karma Kitchen wants to know what you consider pantry items, and invites you to take a pantry poll.

I show you how to make Simple Summer Cupcakes using candied flowers at She Knows Parties.

Have a great weekend!

Technorati Tags: summer cupcake ideas,mediterranean recipe,create a cookbook,spring menus

The Fairies Cookbook

Linette — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:27:37 +0000

I was at my son’s book fair a couple months ago, and a cookbook caught my eye. Not something unusual, many cookbooks catch my eye. My husband says it’s an addiction.

The Fairies Cookbook, by Barbera Beery is an adorable book inside and out. If you have a little girl in your life, or you’re planning a fairy theme birthday party this book is perfect. It’s loaded with fun ideas like fairy garden cottages, flower power punch, and unicorn calzones.

Beery also authors another cookbook called the Pink Princess Cookbook. I haven’t checked that one out yet. If it’s anything like the Fairies Cookbook I’m sure it’s adorable too. If you’re planning a princess party it would be worth looking through.

Both books are hardback, and spiral bound. I may have to get the Princess cookbook just to see what’s in there.

Technorati Tags: Barbera Beery,Fairies cookbook,Pink Princess cookbook,ideas for a fairy birthday party,ideas for a princess birthday party

Dirt Cake

Linette — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:58:59 +0000

Dirt cake can be fun for many birthday themes, including a garden party, creepy crawly birthday theme, a construction theme, or any summer birthday theme.

Here’s the recipe:

1 large pkg of Oreo cookies

1 (12 oz) bowl of whipped topping

1 (16 oz) pkg of cream cheese

2 small pkg of instant french vanilla pudding

1 cup of powdered sugar

3 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup butter

Optional decorations depending on your party theme:

gummy worms, and bugs

a new garden spade for a scoop

silk flowers or plants

Toy dump trucks, or backhoes

a new flower 8" pot to hold your dirt cake.

In a bowl mix cream cheese, butter, and sugar together. In a separate bowl mix whipped topping, pudding, and milk together. Combine both mixtures together until smooth. Crumble Oreos in food processor or roll with a rolling pin. Layer the Oreos and pudding mixture to the top beginning and ending with Oreos. If you decide to use a clean flower pot, line it with tin foil for added protection. Chill for several hours or overnight. Decorate with gummy worms, silk flowers, or construction toys.

Images from: Flickr

Technorati Tags: dirt cake,gummy worm dirt cake,creepy crawly birthday cake,garden birthday cake

Summer Birthday Party Punch

Linette — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 04:18:04 +0000

Here’s a fun easy recipe for green fruit punch that will work great for a creepy crawly party, a garden party, or as swamp nog for a Shrek birthday party.

Mix one pack of green Kool Aid as directed on the back of the package. Combine it with one liter of 7 Up, and just before serving time scoop in 1 container of green sherbet ice cream. It makes a cool refreshing treat.

To add interest lay gummy worms over the edge of the punch bowl, and on the table around the punch.

You can change the color of the Kool Aid, and the flavor of the ice cream to suit other party themes.

Technorati Tags: Shrek party punch,garden party punch,creepy crawly party punch,birthday party beverages

Party Activity For Preschoolers: Make a Cereal Necklace

Linette — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:49:01 +0000

Here is an inexpensive party activity for a preschool aged party. Just purchase a box or two of ‘O’ shaped cereal such as Fruit Loops, Cheerios, or Apple Jacks. You could also use chewy Lifesavers. You’ll also need a pack of string licorice.

Let the children string the cereal onto the licorice strings.

When they’re done making the necklace they can eat it. It’s a fun preschool party activity, favor, and snack all rolled up into one.