DIY Super Bowl Candy Charcuterie Board

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Look how fun this DIY Super Bowl Candy Charcuterie Board turned out!

Every year for the super bowl, my building throws a huge party in the lounge (common area) and all our friends and neighbors gather to watch the big game! This year I wanted to bring something sweet and special for the kids. That’s how I came up with this fun and simple game day dessert tray!

I know the kids are adults alike will love it!

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Here is how I made it:

  • Start by using a football or themed tray! (Not completely necessary but fun to see peeking through under the candy as it starts to get eaten!)

  • Get tons of bulk candy in greens, whites and browns.

  • Then get creative and have fun creating a unique football design! Each one will be different depending on the candy you select. There is no right or wrong! So have fun with this!

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First you’ll want to get the major parts of the tray filled! My goal (pun intended!!) was to make it look like an actual field and football in the middle. I loved the tray that I had from last Super Bowl so I used that one and mirrored the candy to look the same as the tray! A big football in the center and the field around it.

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I used chocolate footballs for the center! Chocolate is hard to handle as it melts while you are working with it so I loved these little prewrapped ones I found on Amazon. Any chocolate candies will work so use what you know everyone will like!

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Then I used a mix of gummy bears, sour gummy rings, sour green strings, green dum sums and white gumballs to finish off the field lines. I love how it turned out! Can’t wait to share it with everyone on Super Bowl Sunday!!

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DIY Nut Milk Recipe

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I've heard about people making their own nut milks. So, I reached out to my friend and health chef guru, Manya Williams, for all the details on how to make it!! 

Watch Manya's video tutorial. She gives so many amazing details that you won't want to miss this... Her secret recipe revealed!

I am a huge fan of homemake almond milk (it's WAY better than any store bought kind)... add a little cinnamon, blend it into a smoothie, there are just so many ways you can enjoy this yummy healthy drink! 

Manya, is also currently featured in 10 Ways to Make 2017 The Best Year Yet. Check it out!

Creepy Crispy Treats

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Ok, these are the most delicious crispy treats I've ever made. My secret recipe is revealed!!

My husband asked me how I made the creepy crispy treats so chewy, gooey and delicious.. as he was going back for seconds!

So, I may make the best rice crispy treats around (well, I stole the recipe from my mom!! shh) and the secret is BUTTER! So, you can't just melt the butter like most people do when making rice crispy treats. The secret is browning it! It brings out the richness carmel flavoring of the butter which makes my (my mom's) crispy treats the best around.

Check out how to create the yummy gummy goodness! 

Here's the easy recipe and will take you less than 12 min to make. Did anyone say last minute party food? Well, you can be prepared with this super easy to follow recipe.

***For these crispy treats I used Coco Pebbles instead of Rice Crispy cereal. They already had the dark color I desired and my kids LOVE Coco Pebbles. 

  1. Melt 1 stick of salted butter in a large pot over high heat. Let it brown.
  2. Once the butter starts to brown add a bag of the small marshmallows. 
  3. Place the lid on the pot and reduce the heat to low/simmer
  4. Let the marshmallows melt (you can check to see if they've grown in size)
  5. Once the marshmallows are soft and look like they've expanded, you will add 1/2 box of Coco Pebbles.
  6. Combine ingredients.
  7. Turn off heat.
  8. Add about another 1/4 box of the Coco Pebbles.
  9. Combine. 
  10. If you want super marshmallow-y treats (like I do!) then you shouldn't need to add anymore cereal 
  11. Watch out! The mixture is hot.
  12. Add the mixture to cupcake molds. *Spray the molds with nonstick spray 
  13. Decorate your Creepy Crispy Treats with Halloween sprinkles available at Michaels.com
  14. Let cool for 10 min in the fridge.
  15. Serve and ENJOY! So dense and gooey!!

No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

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I spent tons of money on gimmicky kids baking products for my daughter. She loves to make and bake all types of sweets. Her weakness for licking the spoon is unparalleled. So it's hard to find recipes that are safe to eat raw due to the raw eggs. So I set out on a mission.. and I think you're all going to love it!

Also, stay tuned for more kid friendly recipes on my blog.

This recipe is so quick and easy, it's perfect for the kids to do alone or with your supervision. There really is no baking, just measuring and mixing. And who doesn't love raw cookie dough, right?!! 

Start with combining:

  • 1 cup soft butter
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 

Then add:

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup mini milk chocolate chips

Combine all ingredients.

We like serving two ways... take your pick!

  1. Roll into bite-size balls.  Use cake pop sticks to serve. Refrigerate. Enjoy!
  2. Pack into small tupperware containers and leave in the refrigerator until chilled. Eat with a spoon and enjoy!

Pumpkin Muffins

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When the Fall hits it's like we just can't get enough of the pumpkin flavors! I mean from coffee to cakes the smell and flavor of pumpkin evokes a feeling in us that reminds us that fall is the best season EVER or it could make you think of cozying up in front of a large fire. Whatever the case is pumpkin is a must have in fall.

Here is a quick and easy DIY pumpkin muffin recipe that the kids and yourself will be drooling over. 

Start with Pillsbury Quick Pumpkin Bread mix from the box.

Instead of making bread, follow the secondary instructions to make the muffins. You'll be using milk instead of water. ***There are a few other differences but that's the major one.

Then add:

  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree (from the can) and
  • 1/3 cup apple sauce. **This will make the muffins so moist and delicious. 

Then in a separate bow mix:

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 3 tbls flour
  • 2 tbls butter
  • sprinkle the tops of muffins
  • Bake for 20 min at 375 degrees

They are best served while they are still warm. Cut muffin in half and add a small slice of butter. It will melt in all the little crevices and bring out of the sweet and savoriness of the muffins. Enjoy!

Get Your Candy Fix on Movie Night!

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Since we moved into the new apartment we have been having movie nights at least once a week. And we all know that movie nights are nothing with out popcorn and candy. But who wants to feed the kids all that sugar? Plus, once the sugar high hits, movie night ends.. cause they won't sit still (well at least thats what happens in my house).

I've come up with DIY popcorn bowls that pleases even the sweetest of sweet tooth.

  • Each person gets their own personal popcorn container filled half way. I recommend these Sur La Table ones. 
  • Put out an assortment of the kids (and yours!) favorite candies in small bowls *this helps limit the amount of candy they can add.
  • Use a teaspoon as candy scoops *this limits the amount of candy they add

Let them add a little of whatever they like to the popcorn container. Trust me.. I've used this on my daughter and she definitely feels like she's getting to eat all the candy she wants! 

Sweet and salty never tasted this good!!

Simple Salad Recipe Better Than Take Out!

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Lunch time is such an oversight for me since I've had the baby. Take out takes forever at lunch time. And who has time to make lunch? I mean half the time I'm cleaning up breakfast and starting on dinner. Maybe thats just life with three kids but sometimes a girls got to EAT! 

So invite your friends over on a playdate and wow them with this super fast and easy.. and delicious summer salad recipe.

  • 1 ripe avocado sliced
  • 5 large basil leaves
  • juice of half a lemon 
  • teaspoon olive oil
  • salt & pepper
  • crushed red pepper flakes
  • fresh grated parmesan

DIY S'mores Ice cream Sandwiches

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Who doesn't love S'mores and who doesn't love ice cream, right?!

Well its not so easy to find a backyard or a fire pit in the middle of NYC. But you don't have to give up your favorite summer dessert! Here is a quick and easy way to enjoy America's favorite treat. 

What you'll need:

  1. Nabisco Gram Crackers
  2. Breyers Vanilla Ice Cream
  3. Hot Chocolate Fudge
  4. Marshmallow Mini's 

Start with half a gram cracker. Layer on a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Drizzle on the hot fudge and a handful of marshmallow mini's. Top if off with the other half of gram cracker! Simple as pie!! Perfect DIY summer get together for kids and adults. 

Invite the neighborhood kids over and enjoy!