If you love baked goods and math, it’s almost your lucky day! We’ve got the scoop on where to get free pie—and a whole lot more—for Pi Day. Arithmetic enthusiasts already know that Mar. 14, a.k.a., 3/14 is the first three digits of the mathematical constant known as Pi. In celebration of this day, plenty of eateries are offering either deep discounts or straight-up freebies.
Here’s where can you find Pi Day pies this year, of both the sweet and savory varieties.
Get a free slice of ABC Crumb Pie, with any purchase, at all 15 of the Michigan-based pie shops on Mar. 14. GT Pie Company’s ABC Crumb Pie features apples, blueberries and cherries—all from Michigan! If you don’t live in or near one of GT’s shops, order your Pi Day pies online via the company’s website. You’ll need to order by Mar. 10 for Pi Day delivery. Sorry, the promotional free slice doesn’t apply to online orders.
With locations in Charleston, Columbia and West Ashley, South Carolina, this pie place has slices on sale for $3.14 from 5 pm through 10 pm on Mar. 14.
Cue the holiday baking. Hershey is sharing the Holiday Sugar Cookie Blossom, to spark festive cookie baking this year. With a sugar cookie base and the Hershey’s Kisses Sugar Cookie candy at the center, these sweets are a colorful addition to holiday traditions.
The inspiration for the new Blossoms recipe comes from Hershey’s home state, Pennsylvania. The sugar cookie is a holiday favorite that was introduced to the world by Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania in the 1700s, and now serves as the base for the new Holiday Sugar Cookie Blossoms, featuring Hershey’s Kisses Sugar Cookie candy. This is one of over 25 Hershey Blossoms variations to add some flare to holiday baking this season.
“The Hershey Kitchen elves have been hard at work this year creating festive ways to brighten the holiday season,” said Erin Crawford, brand manager, Hershey holiday team. “We know that Blossoms are a holiday cookie staple. This year we wanted to introduce something new and festive showcasing our newest holiday Kisses – Hershey’s Kisses Sugar Cookie candy. The Holiday Sugar Cookie Blossoms are colorful, super easy cookies to make; bound to make sweet and special memories in the kitchen this holiday season.”
Heat oven to 375° F. Remove wrappers from candies; set aside.
Mix cookie dough following package directions for cutout cookies. Divide dough into 36 equal (about 1-1/4 inch) balls; roll in green or red sugar. Place balls about 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cookie edges are set. Cool 2 minutes; press candy piece into center of each cookie. Remove cookies from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.
The classic Peanut Butter Blossoms recipe, which consists of a peanut butter dough rolled in sugar and topped with a Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolate candy, has been around for 63 years and is one of America’s favorite holiday cookies. With holiday baking more popular than ever this year, head over to HersheyHappiness.com to get over 25 additional Blossoms recipes to keep baking this entire holiday season.
Whether you’re buried in a few feet of snow or just watching Frosty the Snowman on repeat, bring the wintry weather into your kitchen by whipping up some snowman-inspired treats. We’ve even got a recipe for the hot chocolate bomb that’s all the rage this year. Scroll down to get inspired—your little snow bunnies will love munching on these adorable snacks.
Melting Snowman Hot Chocolate Bombs
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Unless you've been living under a pile of snow, you likely know that hot chocolate bombs are all the rage this year. Julie Blanner has a hot chocolate bomb recipe that's super easy to execute and guaranteed to delight the kids.
We love these little sushi snowmen from Busy in Brooklyn. With a seaweed scarf, a wasabi beret and (of course) a carrot nose, they’ll be a fantastic addition to your table.
For an indulgent treat, try these cute cookie dough bites from Sarah’s Bake Studio. Dipped in white chocolate and decorated to look like a smiling snowman, they’re quick to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Take a boring old bowl of soup to the next level with this amazing idea from Spice Up Your Life with a Taste of Japan. Made with a simple chowder base (which could be swapped out for your favorite soup recipe), the cheesy snowman topping becomes the star of the show.
How adorable are these snowman marshmallows from The Suburban Soapbox? These little guys will be the perfect topper for your cup of cocoa, and the kids can help decorate them with smiling faces.
Keep it simple (but still snowy) by making these delish cookies from Dear Crissy. Also known as Mexican wedding cakes or Russian tea cakes, they’re smothered in powdered sugar to make a super indulgent treat.
We can’t resist a good cake pop, and this snowman variety from 52 Kitchen Adventures is no exception. Made with a vanilla cake base, coated in creamy white chocolate and topped off with edible ink decorations, these cuties are bound to be a kid-favorite.
Your little ones will love finding this snowy surprise from Lisa Storms in their lunchbox. A simple sandwich becomes a snowman face, a few marshmallows and pretzels transform into snowmen and some extra “noses” on the side round the meal out.
Raw cookie dough that’s safe to eat? Yes please! Now you can add a holiday twist, with new Pillsbury’s Candy Cane Cookie Dough that’s perfect for seasonal baking days.
You won’t have to worry about getting sick when you sneak a scoop from the bowl. Pillsbury’s dough is formulated so it’s safe to eat before it’s baked. One of the better advancements in kitchen technology, if you ask us!
The sugar cookie dough is flavored with candy canes and ready to bake straight from the package. You can roll it out to use with your favorite cookie cutters or simply shape it into classic cookies. At $2.70 for a roll of 30 ounces, your sweet tooth is in for a real treat!
It’s always ice cream season, even when the temperatures start to drop. Chilly temperatures are no match for DQ, thanks to a fun new fall roster of blizzards and a sweet new giveaway. Yes, there’s a sweater vest involved!
If you’ve always dreamed of owning an article of clothing that’s perfect for carrying a blizzard, you’re in luck. DQ is giving away a limited edition “Sweeter Vest” that includes a pocket for the treat and a separate smaller pocket for the accompanying spoon! Vests are first come, first served and totally free, so make sure to bookmark this page and enter starting at 9 a.m. ET on September 15.
What to carry in your new vest? A pie blizzard! You’ll no longer have to debate whether pumpkin or pecan is the best pie flavor, because you can buy both with a DQ spin. The new Pecan Pie blizzard features brown sugar pie pieces and caramel and the Pumpkin Pie blizzard has real pie pieces and is topped with whipped cream.
But if you’re not really a pie person, not to worry. Look for two more new blizzards on the seasonal menu: Reese’s Pieces Cookie Dough and Sea Salt Toffee Fudge. The first one includes chocolate chip cookie dough and Reese’s Pieces blended together and the second has real salted toffee pieces.
All of the treats are available now for a limited time. Head to your nearest DQ or place an online order to get your ice cream even faster! And with any luck, hopefully you can tote it around in your own Sweeter Vest very soon.
Country roads…take me home…to the pumpkin spice latteeee. West Virginia is the king of pumpkin spice consumption, according to new data from Instacart. Fittingly launched right as Starbucks returns the ultra-popular PSL, the survey revealed the hottest seasonal flavor trends and the states most (and least) likely to jump on the pumpkin bandwagon.
Unsurprisingly, Hawaii is the least likely state to purchase pumpkin spice products on Instacart, probably due to the absence of a real seasonal fall. Meanwhile, West Virginia is 122% more likely to buy, followed by Iowa (90%), North Carolina (62%) and Ohio (60%). Other pumpkin averse states? Washington D.C., Louisiana and Massachusetts.
The top pumpkin spice products on Instacart? They’re all breakfast related! Coffee creamer came out on top, followed by the actual spice, ground coffee, cream cheese and bread. The company found that quick oats, protein bars, pumpkin and waffle mix and cereal are also hot pumpkin-themed products compared to 2019.
Instacart also noted that searches for pumpkin spice products started early this year, in late July. Retailers haven’t been hesitant to hype up their offerings either, from cup noodles to cookie dough to blizzards. Love it or hate it, the craze is on!
—Sarah Shebek
Featured image courtesy of Ryan Christodoulou, Unsplash
From a North Shore gem beloved by Al Capone to a South Side institution that serves a cone in every color of the rainbow, these classic ice cream parlors are perfect summertime stops
If your kids haven’t immediately squealed, “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!” as the melodic sounds of an ice cream truck blare in the distance, you may very well be overdue for a trip to an old-fashioned ice cream parlor. And, truly, the best way to cool off and celebrate the dog days of summer is by scooping up the littles and visiting local old-school ice cream shops that spoon out signature treats and a heap of nostalgia.
Partial to soft serve? Open to trying frozen custard? Willing to tolerate a display case filled with novelty candy while in line for your banana split? This list has all the most time-honored ice cream establishments, from a North Shore gem where Al Capone used to hang to a South Side institution that serves a cone in every color of the rainbow. Trust us, after you read through all of our picks, you’ll be screaming for ice cream, too.
It’s all about that soft-serve swirl at The Freeze, a bustling homage to Midwestern ice cream counters of yore. The shop looks like a well-worn shack, complete with an indoor queue and an outdoor ice cream window for to-go orders. While the menu spans the spectrum of savory and sweet foods alike, you come here for the ice cream most importantly. The ice cream roster is overwhelmingly enormous, but if you’re looking for that comfort food experience, classic is best. And by that, we mean a soft-serve swirl of chocolate and vanilla, piled high in a sugary cone.
When it comes to vintage ice cream charm, the end-all-be-all in Chicago is Margie’s. With its original location nestled along a bustling stretch of Western Avenue on the city’s northwest side, Margie’s reigns as queen of chilly comfort. The cramped parlor feels preserved in time, each squishy booth bedecked with a mini jukebox, walls dotted with the kind of kitschy paraphernalia you’d expect to find in your grandma’s attic. Oh, and they’ve got some seriously incredible sundaes. These multi-scoop behemoths, piled up in enormous seashell-shaped bowls, come in any variety of classic flavor imaginable. The cherry on top of the sundae, so to speak, is the massive carafe of gooey hot fudge served alongside each sundae. Drizzle it on as you please, or even just spoon the stuff right into your mouth. There’s no judgment at Margie’s.
Something about Ohio, they know their ice cream. Jeni's is another Ohio transplant, having got its start in Ohio. The ambiance at Jeni’s is a treat in itself. Warm and welcoming inside, with a harvest of neutral colors. If you’re looking for typical kiddie flavors, like bubblegum and cookie dough, you won’t find them here. Founder Jeni Briton Bauer believes kids should be treated like independent thinkers with independent tastes and, as such, she makes eating ice cream an adventure. We're telling you, you can't go wrong with any flavor, but we're pretty partial to the brown butter almond brittle.
Various city locations, plus you can buy at many local grocery chains, including Mariano's, Whole Foods, and Target Online:jenis.com
For 100 years, Petersen’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream has been a staple of Oak Park. Founded by Danish immigrant Hans Petersen, the tried-and-true formula of decadent scoops and sundaes still feels as wholesome and comforting as it ever has. Recent new owners have spiffed the space up quite a bit, while still retaining that olden ice cream shoppe vibe with cute tables, tile floor and cheerful scoopers. Regarding the ice cream, this stuff is indulgent and rich, sure to satisfy the most ardent sweet tooth with its 18% butterfat content. Try the Mackinac Island fudge ice cream, the summery peach, or something even richer, like the nutty turtle.
Serving up rainbow-colored goodness since 1926, Original Rainbow Cone is a bastion of old-school ice cream lore on Chicago’s far south side, the site of their original location. Look for the giant rainbow ice cream cone sign gilding the top of the building, then make your way into the comfy, kitschy confines to get your rainbow on. The signature dessert is a multi-layered cone striated with chocolate ice cream, strawberry ice cream, Palmer House ice cream (vanilla with cherries and walnuts), pistachio ice cream, and orange sherbet. If such a tall cone gives you vertigo, they also offer bowls and ice cream cakes.
Various locations in Beverly, Lombard, Darien, and Navy Pier (as well as roaming ice cream trucks, which are often parked near Shedd Aquarium and the Lincoln Park Zoo.) Online: rainbowcone.com
Apparently, Al Capone had a sweet tooth. The legendary Chicago gangster allegedly made frequent stops at Homer’s Homemade Gourmet Ice Cream in Wilmette, where the ice cream parlor has been satisfying dessert cravings for locals, families, travelers (and troublemakers) for upwards of 70 years. With one of the largest ice cream menus in the northern suburbs and thick, decadent ice cream at that, it’s no wonder Homer’s has drawn crowds for generations. Flavors range from classics like butter pecan and mint chip to more unique varieties like green tea, prairie berry, and apple cinnamon. The dining room itself looks like a bygone cafeteria of sorts, filled with light colors, red chairs, and an open, airy space.
If your kids like a little more variety with their ice cream, take them to Lickity Split Frozen Custard & Sweets in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. While not ice cream necessarily, this frozen custard will give your kids something new to scream for this season. Made at a higher temperature than ice cream, with the addition of egg yolks for density and richness, frozen custard is famously softer, more buttery, and ultimately, more scream-worthy. Lickity Split, a charming cafe with a quaint general store motif, peddles frozen custard cones, sundaes, splits, and concretes, the signature dessert made by blending frozen custard with different toppings, like crushed cookies, fudge brownie bits, and sour cherries. There are also rows of cases filled with pastries, candies, and other snacks for the discerning sweet tooth in your family.
One of the newest entrants to the local ice cream market comes by way of Ohio. The quintessence of Midwestern ice cream shoppe charm, the Graeter’s brand has been churning out quality ice cream for more than a century, so you know they’ve got the formula down. The family-run company opened its first scoop shop in 1984, and though they’ve grown nationally, they still use small-batch methods to ensure each and every ice cream is of the utmost in taste and texture. Its first Chicagoland locations feature all the flavors Midwesterners have come to know and love, made with locally sourced, wholesome ingredients. And lots of chocolate chips. Think black cherry chocolate chip, Buckeye blitz (peanut butter cookie dough and dark chocolate chips), toffee chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, and lots more.
The oldest custard shop in Chicago, Scooter’s is a Roscoe Village icon with major neighborhood cred. It was opened in 2003 by Mardi and Denny Moore as a place to enjoy ice cream's premium cousin (the custard's texture is denser and creamier) prepared daily using a method that eliminates most of the ice crystals found in your average scoop. Try a famous Concrete, a blend of custard and toppings so thick you can serve it upside down. Fan favorites include the Elvis (vanilla custard, Reese’s Peanut Butter cup and bananas) and the Strawberry concrete, a hand-churned mix of vanilla custard and whole strawberries.
Ready or not, the school year is almost here. That means busy schedules and much-needed hacks to keep the fam fed as you ease back into the academic year.
Thankfully, Pillsbury is dropping brand new products that give parents quick fixes in the kitchen! Say hello to pull-apart bread kits, mini pizza crusts and our personal fave, edible Cookie Dough Poppins!
Satisfy your sweet tooth with Birthday Cake or Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Poppins that are safe-to-eat right from the package. We also think they make a great dessert topping (think: piled on top of ice cream!)
Also new, Pillsbury is making that side dish of garlic bread and dessert Monkey Bread even easier. The pull-apart kids come with pre-cut dough and sauce to whip up both items in a flash.
Not to be missed, you can also snag new Mini Cinni Stix and Mini Pizza Crusts from the shelves. Both items mean dinner and dessert are on the table, stat, and in perfectly-sized portions.
All new Pillsbury products can be found wherever you do your weekly shopping and range in price from $3 to $5 each.
The bad news: fall isn’t here yet. The good news: Nestle Toll House is giving us one more reason to look forward to the upcoming season! Get ready for some fantastic new cookie dough flavors launching for a limited time in August, including everyone’s fave, Pumpkin Spice.
Yup, Pumpkin Spice! Nestle’s getting in on the craze with the release of a new dough that’s pumpkin-spice flavored and mixed with white chocolate morsels. We can’t think of anything better to pair with a latte or cider for the perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Plus you’ll be able to buy a new assortment that features white morsels, mini coffee biscuits and pumpkin-spice flavored chunks!
If you can’t handle any more Pumpkin Spice, you’ll be happy to hear Nestle has a few more tricks up its sleeves. PB&J Cookie Dough riffs off the sandwich classic, with peanut butter cookie dough and strawberry-flavored pieces. Cinnamon Roll Cookie Dough is sugar cookie dough laced with cinnamon and cream cheese pieces. And Trick or Treats Dough is a fudge dough topped with festive Halloween sprinkles!
The new doughs will be available at retailers nationwide starting in August and retail for around $2.99. At that price, you’d better believe we’ll be trying them all!
You can scream for ice cream, or you can smize for it. Tyra Banks is jumping into the ice cream game with the release of the aptly named SMiZE Cream and it will ship nationwide. It’s custard-style, comes in seven signature flavors and comes with a twist.
Once you make it to the bottom of the individually packed serving, you’ll find a cookie dough truffle covered in sprinkles! You can buy each of the seven flavors online: vanilla, birthday cake, brownies, purple cookie monster, salted caramel, cookie caramel and an intriguing “chocolate barbeque” flavor. Orders are slated to ship in mid-July for the perfect summer pick me up.
“You might be saying ‘Tyra, what’s different about your ice cream?” Banks said. “I’ve got news for you… This is not just ice cream. It’s technically a delectable frozen custard. And we’ve got a yummy SMiZE Surprize hidden inside – a huge chunkalicious cookie dough truffle!
If you’re in the LA area, you can also visit the official SMiZE shop starting today. It’s located blocks from the beach at Santa Monica Place in Santa Monica, California. Banks has also created a mentorship program around the launch and the new company will partner with Eldera, the global intergenerational mentoring platform. Get your smize on and enjoy!
