Now that you’ve carved those jack-o-lanterns to the delight of your little punkins’ be sure to hold on to the seeds! This easy recipe that you can adapt to your family’s tastes (spice lovers or not) is packed with nutrition too. Sprinkle a few on salads and pack them in lunches! Read on for the how-to.
Ingredients:
2 cups pumpkin seeds (fresh from a carving pumpkin)
tsp. chili powder (optional)
1 lime, cut in half and squeezed
1 tablespoon olive oil
Pinch of Cayenne Powder (optional)
Directions:
1) Wash pumpkin seeds well in water. Dry them with a paper towel.
2) Put spices, oil, and lime juice on the seeds and mix well.
3) Spread the seeds on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F. for 10-14 minutes, or until crispy, dry, and fragrant.
Summer desserts are easy—a scoop of ice cream, sorbet, or gelato and everyone’s happy. But as the weather begins to cool down and the darkness creeps in earlier, you might be craving something that provides a little more comfort. Get ready to snuggle up to DC’s best sweets; we rounded up the city’s most iconic fall desserts so you can tuck in to a satisfying sweet treat. Whether your favorites are cinnamon, chai or pumpkin, grab your utensils and get your fall flavor on!
What says autumn more than apples and apple cider? A quintessential fall treat, apple cider donuts do double duty as a delicious breakfast or dessert. And The Farmer’s Porch at Butler’s Orchard is offering up some major fall treats. In addition to the traditional pumpkin pie or pumpkin roll, they offer apple cider donuts by the donut or the half-dozen. But perhaps the best reason to make the 40-minute drive is their Apple Cider Donut Sundae: an apple cider donut with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and caramel topping.
Insider tip: Due to the 40-minute drive and the orchard requiring reservations, it’s worth making a day of this. Pick your own Halloween pumpkins, enjoy the huge slides, and spend some time with the farm animals before enjoying dessert (before or after dinner!).
If you or your little one often feel like you have to miss out on dessert because you’re gluten-free, Rise Bakery has you covered. Plus, many of their dishes are also dairy, soy, egg, and/or nut free! They’ve got some deliciously tempting treats on their menu that just scream autumn. Some of our personal faves: their apple pie (or the vegan apple pie), pumpkin cheesecake with ginger molasses cookie base, pumpkin roll, carrot cake, cinnamon roll, or cinnamon coffee cake. Yeah, there’s plenty to love.
Insider tip: There’s a super-small seating area so plan to take your treats to-go. You can walk to Kalorama Park in about five minutes to enjoy your desserts.
Ice cream might not be your first idea of the ideal fall dessert, but if you head to Rocky Point Creamery, it just might become your first idea. Offering unique flavors like Pumpkin, Salty Caramel Pretzel, and Caramel Apple (on rotation, so check their Facebook page to know when it’s available), their ice cream goes from summer refresher to fall comfort. They also have a Green Apple Sorbet for dairy-free dessert. Not to miss: check out their Halloween candy-themed flavors, such as Reese’s Pieces, M&M, Almond Joy, Trick or Treat, and Monster Mash. Yum! Sometimes they offer spur of the moment flavors, so make sure to check their Facebook page each week to know what’s on offer!
Insider tip: This ice cream shop is on a working farm, so your littles can wave to real-life dairy cows and climb a farm tractor converted into a slide!
Got a little pancake-lover in the house? Then they’ll probably love Crepeaway. Crepes are very similar to pancakes but much thinner, and Crepeaway serves them up with a variety of sweet-tooth satisfying choices. First, they add Nutella chocolate, then they add your choice of powdered sugar, cinnamon-sugar, fruits, berries, or cookies. There are a lot of options here, so it’s unlikely anyone’s going to leave disappointed. If you’re not sure what to order, ask the staff for recommendations.
Insider tip: They offer both pickup and delivery, but you will want to make sure you can eat your crepes as soon as possible so they’re still hot. They do lose a little of their yumminess as they cool down.
If you thought doughnuts were just a breakfast food, you’ve never been to District Doughnut and Coffee. These delectable doughnut flavors are swapped out seasonally, but you’ll sink your teeth into delicious scratch-made Vanilla Bean yeast dough year-round. Their fall menu includes Pumpkin Crème Brulee, Pumpkin Glazed, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Apple Cider Bites.
Insider tip: While these specialty doughnuts are delicious any time of day, swing by early in the day to make your selections. By late afternoon, you may have limited options or none at all. They’re that good!
Your little one's picky palate may not be ready for French food in general, but their immature taste buds will appreciate this vanilla bean crème brûlée. The toasted sugar crust has the perfect amount of crunch, while still remaining a creamy, rich dessert. It comes with a French cookie on the side, too. For some truly autumnal flavors, try their Apple Tart Tatin or the Milk Chocolate Pot De Crème.
Insider tip: The crème brûlée, like their other desserts, is sized for sharing so grab a spoon!
If you’ve got a unicorn or rainbow lover in the house, head to Baked & Wired for a cupcake that looks like it was baked and frosted by Lisa Frank herself. It's a funfetti cake topped with buttercream frosting and brightly colored sprinkles; frosting colors change regularly for extra fun. Their fall assortment is a dozen delicious cakecups for $52.80. You get four each of pumpkin, dirty chai, and chocolate doom flavors. You might want to wipe the drool of your chin before you go.
Insider tip: Some of the cupcakes have adult-themed names. If you have a non-reader, it probably is a non-issue.
Does your tot love Nutella? S’mores? Anything and all things gooey? Then they’ll adore this Nutella pizza meant for sharing. It’s thin pizza dough topped with mascarpone, Nutella, pistachios and mini-marshmallows. Rich and delicious, this dessert is the best combo of pizza and dessert.
Insider tip: Even if it’s just you and the kiddo, order this full-size pizza. The leftovers will taste just as delicious reheated in the microwave tomorrow.
Osteria Marzano 6361 Walker Ln Metro Park VI (#140) Franconia, VA Online: www.osteriamarzano.com
If your little has never had churros before, this Spanish tapas restaurant’s delectable dessert may spoil them on traditional churros forever. Boqueria offers churros con chocolate, the traditional fried dough with a cinnamon-sugar dusting that you dip in thick hot chocolate. They also have churros rellenos, filled with either Nutella or dulce de leche. Whichever ones you get, your kiddo is guaranteed to love them.
Insider tip: The main dining area at the Penn Quarter location can get a bit loud when it fills up. You may want to swing by during quieter periods if your little one is sensitive to loud noises.
Does your munchkin live on waffles for breakfast? One of the most beloved hand-held foods just got more fun with... bubbles! At Tiger Fork, the bubble waffle is served with two scoops of ice cream plus “fun stuff." The “fun stuff” is a random assortment of toppings from sprinkles to crushed cookies to pixie sticks chosen by the kitchen. You might not know what toppings you’ll get, but you know sugar overload is guaranteed!
Their Baonut holes are fried bao with cashew sauce and cinnamon and sugar. Like a traditional donut hole but with that extra flair, these are utterly delicious. If you want to have that fall bonfire feel with a little something special, try the Chinese S’more. It’s roasted marshmallow with chocolate five-spice streusel and ice cream.
Insider tip: They only serve the bubble waffle at dinner.
Indique offers Gulab Jamun, a milk solid donut hole drizzled with honey and served with vanilla ice cream. This melt-in-your-mouth dessert comes out piping hot with a super-soft texture and a hint of rose flavor. You might even catch a hint of cardamom in the ice cream. Plus, it’s perfectly pint-sized, making it an excellent dessert for littles.
Insider tip: If you plan to go at brunch, make sure you get a reservation. They get very busy!
Indique 3512-14 Connecticut Ave. NW Cleveland Park Online: www.indique.com
The Source
The Source by Wolfgang Puck offers a 15-layer carrot cake that is worth its weight in gold. While a serving looks light and thin, this rich dessert is easy to share (and is topped with ginger ice cream. Yum!).
Insider tip: Take your little on their birthday, and the restaurant will write their name on the menu!
The Source 575 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC Online: www.wolfgangpuck.com
Make dessert an extra special occasion by bringing the kids to Firefly for dinner. Firefly doesn’t advertise it on the dessert menu, but they have the perfect make-your-own dessert for kids. Before dinner, each kid is given cookie dough to decorate to their own satisfaction. While you eat, the cookie is baked and then served to your little one as dessert. This might be the perfect dessert: a pre-dinner activity to keep them busy, and a dessert they’re guaranteed to eat since they made it themselves!
Insider tip: The atmosphere is a bit upscale, so if the kids are cranky, it might be better after a nap.
Firefly 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW Dupont Circle Online: www.firefly-dc.com
It’s hard to resist the sweet, sweet goodness that is a Rice Krispies treat. Now you don’t have to feel guilty about enjoying the dessert bliss at breakfast, thanks to a brand new product from Nestle!
Coffee mate Rice Krispies Treats Flavored Creamer packs all the flavors of marshmallow and toasted cereal you’ve been enjoying since your childhood. The drinkable treat pairs well with any style coffee, and let’s be honest––a baked treat on the side.
photo: Courtesy of Nestle
The fun new flavor will hit retailers nationwide in Jan. 2022. While you’ll have to wait a few more months to get your hands on the new creamer, it’s still plenty of time to perfect your Rice Krispies treat recipe to go right along with it.
Did somebody say sugar skulls? It must be Día de Los Muertos (aka Day of the Dead)! From the history of the holiday to crafts, to food, and artisans to support, read on to get some inspiration for celebrating this important holiday with your family.
The Skull Truth: Día de Los Muertos Facts & History
Celebrated throughout the Americas, this tradition of Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, originated in Mexico. Kids will recognize the colorfully decorated sugar skull as the most common symbol. Your town or neighborhood may host a celebration, but not everyone knows the meaning behind it.
Did you know:
The Dia de los Muertos holiday is actually two days, held consecutively: Nov. 1 is marked as a day to honor lost children, as well as any lost or forgotten souls. Nov. 2, Day of the Dead official, honors all lost ancestors and loved ones.
The week preceding (and sometimes longer) is spent in preparation for the big night which often culminates in a procession to the town cemetery or a central place where altars have been erected.
Loved ones are honored with offerings including the departed's favorite foods, drinks, and objects.
Sugar skulls aren't necessarily to eat.
Click here to learn even more about the significance of sugar skulls, why it's such an important holiday in Mexican culture, and how you can participate.
Yes, we know you can get Day of the Dead decor at Target. But put some dollars into supporting Latinx artists to get your skeleton vibes and honor the roots of this holiday.
Kidstir has a special Day of the Dead activity and recipe kit, aimed at getting kids into the kitchen to help celebrate the holiday. You'll receive three iconic recipes for Mexican dishes like quesadilla skulls, Mexican hot chocolate and Sopa de Fideo (classic tomato soup with fried pasta), along with activities, a cooking tool, stickers and more inspired by the holiday.
You can purchase this activity kit on Kidstir.com.
Skulls and skeletons with flowers in their hair, hats, mustaches, suits, and more can be seen throughout the Day of the Dead holiday. Here are some sugar-skull-inspired crafts you can try at home with your kids this year.
If you've always wanted to try making your own sugar skulls at home, check out this site to get supplies, decor, and tutorials.
Because this is a time of celebration, feasting together, especially on your loved ones' favorite foods, is a significant part of the holiday. From Pan de Muerto—a sugar sprinkled yeast bread frequently placed on the altars to the dead—to traditional Mexican foods, check out these ten recipes to cook up something delicious.
Don’t look now but it’s almost October! The most frightful month of the year is almost upon us and Disney is ready for it. To celebrate, Disney Junior and the Disney Channel will kick off a spooky fun set of themed movies, episodes and specials, including a brand-new movie!
Under Wraps is a Disney Channel original movie and premieres on October 1 on the Disney Channel. It’s a comedic remake of the 1997 Halloween classic and it follows three 12-year-old pals and their encounter with a mummy. After they accidentally awaken “Harold,” they must rush to return him to his resting place before midnight. Can they escape criminals and stand up for justice along the way?
Other October hits include a new animated short-form series inspired by Disney’s ZOMBIES franchise, plus themed episodes of Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends, Disney’s Magic Bake-Off and Puppy Dog Pals.
And that’s not all: get ready for “The Ghost and Molly McGee!” The brand new series premieres on Oct. 1, where you can tune in to watch Molly and her grumpy ghost friend navigate the first day of school. You can watch even watch a clip below!
Keep scrolling to see the schedule and gather ’round the TV for hours of Halloween fun!
Fri. Oct. 1
"Marvel's Spidey and his Amazing Friends"
9:00 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and 12:30 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior and in DisneyNOW
"The Chicken Squad"
11:30 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior and in DisneyNOW
"Puppy Dog Pals"
12:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior and in DisneyNOW
"Muppet Babies"
5:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior and in DisneyNOW
"Under Wraps"
8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and in DisneyNOW
"The Ghost and Molly McGee"
9:35 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and in DisneyNOW
"Addison’s Monster Mystery Shorts"
10:13 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and in DisneyNOW, with new episodes to follow on the next five subsequent Fridays
Thur. Oct. 7
Disney Junior's "Mickey's Tale of Two Witches" Halloween Movie
7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior and in DisneyNOW
Fri. Oct. 8
"Disney's Magic Bake-Off"
7:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and in DisneyNOW
"Sydney to the Max"
8:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and in DisneyNOW
"Gabby Duran & the Unsittables"
8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and in DisneyNOW
Sat. Oct. 9
"Big City Greens" Halloween Special
8:30 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and in DisneyNOW
Fri. Oct. 22
"Minnie's Bow-Toons"
8:25 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Channel and 11:55 a.m. EDT/PDT on Disney Junior and in DisneyNOW
Hauntingly yummy, these mummified interpretations of everyday dishes will quickly become your little monster’s favorite Halloween fare. A delicious mix of spooky and sweet, from apple pie to quesadillas, click through to check out 10 recipes that are simply to die for!
These Madeleine Mummies and Minions look like you slaved away in the kitchen, but they're actually fuss free. Just put some white frosting in a piping bag with a cross-hatch tip, then make lines or zigzags before popping on some candy eyes and sprinkles. We tend to love these soft and fluffy traditional or pumpkin spice Madeleines from Sugar Bowl Bakery!
Check out the dressed up GoGo squeeZ pouches from The Nerd’s Wife for an on-the-go Halloween snack. Add them to your little monster’s lunchbox or keep handy while out trick-or-treating. Find the how to at The Nerd's Wife.
An apple a day won’t keep these mummies away. Serve the kids nature’s candy, and learn how to make this healthy haunted treat plus some delicious dips at Two Healthy Kitchens.
How Does She serves up a spook-tacular assortment of haunted treats, including to-die-for Mummy Oreo Suckers. Find the recipe and assembly instructions here.
Laying the lattice in a haphazard pattern transforms a classic mini apple pie into a frightfully delicious dessert. Create your own mini mummy pies with the recipe and how-to from Jillian Harris.
Bloom Design gave everyday chocolate bars a mummy makeover for her lucky trick-or-treaters. Head over to the blog to find the how-to and a free mummy printable.
Yummy Mummies
Red Tricycle
These mummy dogs are the perfect Halloween dish to make with your little monsters. Let the kids lend a hand wrapping bandages to transform this ballpark staple into an eerie entrée. Check out the how-to video from Red Tricycle’s Bay Area Editor, Erin Feher.
This salty, sweet, and spooky treat is scarily simple to make. The most difficult step according to Simply Being Mommy is waiting for the chocolate to cool and harden before eating!
If you’re a fan of spice, this hot idea from The Hopeless Housewife is sure to startle your taste buds. Terrifyingly simple to bake, these Jalapeño Popper Mummies make a great savory appetizer for your Halloween bash. Find the recipe here.
Not-So-Scary Mummy
Red Tricycle
These not-so-scary mummy cupcakes baked up by our Bay Area editor are uber-easy to make and monstrously yummy. Find the how-to and other haunted cupcake ideas here.
We love a good ALDI shopping sesh as much as anyone, and September will be no different. With autumn around the corner, the grocery is stocking up big on treats, seasonal items and must have fall foliage. We’ve rounded up our must-have items that hit ALDI stores starting Sept. 1, so keep scrolling to see them all.
So, for my little monster’s second birthday she got a MONSTER (shocking) pajama party. Complete with monster paper dolls, sock monster favors, and, of course, a monster cake! It couldn’t be a monster party without a monster cake.
What you will need to create your own monster cake:
a round cake pan
a cake mix or a homemade one frosting, dyed to your desired color
sixlets, in your chosen color/s
paper eyeballs
wooden skewers
hot glue gun & glue stick
For my eyeballs, I used Photoshop Elements to create what I was looking for. I created one orange and one pink, those were our party colors. I went with only two eyeballs for my monster; but you could definitely add or subtract from this, there are no rules when it comes to monsters!
Once I was done I printed them out, glued them to some grey cardstock to make them sturdier, and then hot glued them to two wooden skewers. With them attached to the skewers, I can just poke them into the finished cake wherever and however I choose.
I used a 7 inch round cake pan, you can use whatever size or shape suits you and your monster needs. As I said with the eyeballs, there are no rules when it comes to monsters!
I used box cakes and store bought frosting because baking is not always my strong suit, and, honestly, it is just simpler. I first dyed my frosting a light pink so that the bits that could be seen would match. Then I baked, I cooled, I frosted, I stacked, I frosted the rest and then the real fun began.
I got out my massive amount of orange and pink sixlets and started covering the cake. I started in the middle of the top and worked my way out and then down the sides. I picked the two colors at random, just reached in and pulled out. You could easily make a pattern out of it if that’s what you want.
It was tedious; but, eventually, the cake was covered in the sixlets and looking like a scaly, bumpy, pink, and orange monster. I situated it on the platter, poked the eyes into place, and voila!
There was singing, wish-making followed by cake slicing and eating!
I also made cupcakes, as the cake was not very big, and I always love to make too much. I made smaller eyeballs and hot glued them to toothpicks for the cupcakes. The cake ones would have been oddly huge on the cupcakes.
I'm a stay-at-home mother of three amazing kids. My days are filled with bus stops, cleaning food off the walls, changing diapers and tackling the perpetual mountain of laundry. And I wouldn't trade it for anything!
If your family is obsessed with shows like Nailed It and The Great British Baking Show, there’s a new bake-off coming your way, courtesy of the Disney Channel and Tastemade.
Disney’s Magic Bake-Off is the first competitive series just for kids 6-14 from Disney Channel, where contestants will work in teams of two to create amazing cakes inspired by Disney magic. Read on to learn more about this magically delicious new show!
The hosts for the show will look familiar for Disney fans too. Dara Reneé stars as Kourtney on High School Musical: The Musical: The Seriesand Issac Ryan Brown from Raven’s Home. The two will team up with Pastry Chef Graciela Gomez to guide kid bakers through challenges, games, and some unexpected twists.
You’ll be able to watch the show over 13 episodes, and each will declare a winning team. The victors will be proclaimed Disney Baking Champion, and the winning recipe will become a featured Tastemade video, available on Disney Channel and Tastemade social media platforms.
Disney is partnering with Tastemade, a modern media company that creates award-winning video content and original programming in the categories of food, travel, and home & design.
Disney’s Magic Bake-Off premieres Fri., Aug. 13 at 10:05pm ET/PT on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW. Following the debut, you can catch the show every Friday evening at 8:00pm on Disney Channel and DisneyNOW.
Mama Knows Best: Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Take and Bake Deli Pizza*
Little Fan Favorite: Happy Farms String Cheese*
Sip & Celebrate: PurAqua Belle Vie Sparkling Flavored Water*
Dinner Delight: Fresh Family Pack Chicken Breasts
Keeping it Fresh: Strawberries* *Denotes repeat winner
It’s no secret that ALDI shoppers are big fans of the store’s low prices and wide selection of high-quality foods. More than 360,000 shoppers have voted over the last three years.
The Mama Cozzi’s Pizza line earned its own category this year, after being the overall fan favorite in 2020. And it’s still a winner: The brand’s Kitchen Take and Bake Deli Pizza was a top vote-getter this year, with more than 45,000 votes.
Among kid favorites, three-time champion Happy Farms String Cheese earned more than 50% of the votes in its category this year, winning by a landslide.
You’ll find these winners by looking for a blue heart-shaped logo on store shelves and on the ALDI website. Learn more about the 2021 Fan Favorites here.
