Cake Pops Made Easy

Wow your friends at the next spring or summer gathering with these almost-too-easy cake pops, sure to delight everyone!

Ingredients:

·    9X13 chocolate cake, prepared from cake mix

·    1 can chocolate frosting

·    2 boxes Baker’s premium white chocolate

·    cake pop sticks (available at craft stores or online retailers)

·    Sprinkles, colored sugar, writing icing, or other decorative supplies

Directions:

1.    Crumble cake into a large bowl until crumbs are fine and granular

2.    Add chocolate frosting a little bit at a time until cake is moist and can hold a ball shape, yet still slightly crumbly. Use your hands to blend frosting into cake crumbs

3.    Use a mini ice cream scoop, melon baller or teaspoon to scoop out cake mixture. Roll into tight ball approximately 1 ½ inches in diameter and place on plate. Repeat until all the cake mixture has been rolled into balls.

4.    Melt 2-4 ounces of white chocolate in microwave, following instructions on package.

5.    Dip tip of cake pop sticks into the white chocolate and insert into the cake balls about halfway

6.    Freeze for about 20 minutes. While waiting, prepare all of your decorating supplies

7.    Melt the remaining white chocolate in a large cup. Make sure you have enough chocolate to completely submerge the cake balls

8.    Remove cake balls from freezer

9.    Dip cake balls carefully into the white chocolate until covered

10.  Allow excess white chocolate to drip off. Swirl and tap gently if needed

11.  Add sprinkles or colored sugar while the white chocolate is still wet. It will harden quickly

12.  Stick the decorated cake pop into a styrofoam block to finish setting. Place into the freezer to speed up setting time. If desired, decorate with writing icing

13.  Store in a single layer, in an airtight container

Makes approximately 36 cake pops

5 School Lunch Ideas for Even the Pickiest Eaters

It’s that time of year again- time to stress out about packing your kids healthy lunches they’ll actually eat! Fear not- we have compiled a list of surefire nutritious meals and snacks that pack up well in a Bento box and have the seal of approval from the pickiest eaters around!

1. DIY “Lunchables”- A healthy spin on the popular but sodium- and preservative-filled pre-made snack boxes, these homespun twists on a kid favorite are sure to win lunch! Some thin-sliced deli ham, turkey or roast beef cut into small squares, thin, square-cut slices of cheddar, gouda or colby jack cheese, a small handful of baked low-salt crackers and a chewy peanut butter and chocolate granola bar will be a fun-to-eat lunch that packs a protein punch!

2. Yogurt Parfait- In a small plastic container, layer fat-free vanilla yogurt, granola, strawberries and blueberries, then repeat the pattern twice. Sprinkle with granola as a garnish, and refrigerate until it’s time to serve. Your child will love the look and taste of this healthy snack! (You can even substitute other fruits for variety. Don’t be afraid to get creative!)

3. PBJ “Sushi” Rolls- Want an exotic twist on a tried-and-true favorite? Make your kids’ peanut butter and jelly sandwich into small, sushi-inspired rolls! Simply cut crusts off of whole-grain bread, slather with peanut butter and grape jelly or strawberry preserves, roll up and cut for a next-level PBJ experience! For extra credit, pack it with disposable chopsticks so your child can have fun trying to pick up the sandwich rolls.

4. “Dippy Picnic”- There’s not much kids love more than eating with their hands. Why not let them go nuts with a “dippy picnic” snack? Pack pretzel rods, apple slices, baby carrots and celery sticks in a Bento box, along with mini containers of peanut butter and hummus. Then let the dipping madness ensue!

5. Go Bananas!- Give your little monkey a delicious, nutritious snack with these tasty, protein-rich banana roll-ups. On a small flour tortilla, spread a layer of peanut butter, then drizzle with Nutella. Roll up a peeled banana, and either cut into small finger-food rolls or give it to your child whole. For an added crunch, use chunky peanut butter for texture!

Any great suggestions for kids’ lunches? Let us know in the comments section!

Recipe- Bubbling Cauldron Cheese Dip with Bat Wing Dippers

Here’s an easy-to-make microwave dip that will be the hit of any Halloween party. It’s so good it’s scary! Special thanks to Betty Crocker, the original poster of the recipe.

Ingredients:

1 loaf (16 oz.) prepared cheese product, cut into cubes

1 container (8 oz) reduced-fat chives-and-onion cream cheese

1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 oz)

½ cup milk

1 large clove garlic, finely chopped

12 oz. blue tortilla chips (from two 9-oz bags)

 

Directions:

In 1 ½ qt. microwaveable bowl, mix all ingredients except tortilla chips. Microwave uncovered on High 5 to 8 minutes, stirring every 3 minutes, until cheese is melted and dip is smooth.

Serve warm with tortilla chips.