Try one of these yummy, gooey combos to take your treats to a new level
S’mores: they’re the undeniable sign that summer has arrived. In honor of our favorite summertime treat, we’ve rounded up the best (and most unique) s’mores recipes from around the web, everything from a s’mores recipe made in the oven to a decadent peanut butter version. No need for a campfire: read on for the best s’mores ideas around, indoor or outdoor style.
Ever had pizza for dessert? This s’mores idea is a fun summer treat because you can make it outside on the grill. Get the recipe from Dessert Now Dinner Later.
Check out this s’mores idea that’s also a cookie! It’s got everything you love about s’mores, packed inside cookie dough, giving a delicious treat. Get the recipe from Parsely and Icing.
Take inspiration from Oh, Sweet Basil and make this fun twist on the classic s’more. With Reese’s peanut butter cup instead of regular chocolate and a touch of saltiness from the pretzel, it’s a deliciously balanced bite.
How gorgeous are these s’more brownies from The Sweet Occasion?! A graham cracker crust is topped with fudgy brownies and the best part, a toasted meringue topping. It’s easier to make than you’d expect.
No need for a campfire to make this sweet recipe from My Casual Pantry. The tortilla is coated with a cinnamon-sugar mixture, then it’s filled with chocolate and marshmallows, of course.
Think of these treats from Delicious Little Bites as portable s’mores—they’ve got all the traditional elements, but make way less of a mess. Plus, our kids have never met a Rice Krispie treat they weren’t obsessed with.
These cute hand pies from Spaceships & Laser Beams are a guaranteed kid-pleaser. With a marshmallow creme and chocolate chip filling, after all, what’s not to like? Refrigerated pie crust makes these simple to put together, too.
Check out this cookie version of a s'more from Cooking Classy. Instead of the crunchy graham crackers, soft cookies make this a treat you can really sink your teeth into.
Sure, Peeps are usually an Easter affair, but this recipe from Eclectic Recipes is too cute for just one holiday! The colorful marshmallow birdies add an unexpected element to a classic snack.
If someone in your family isn't a chocolate lover, this citrusy take on s'mores from Cooking Classy is a great alternative. The tart lemon curd contrasts with the sweet marshmallow—delish!
If sitting around a campfire isn't a possibility, try out this oven s'more recipe from Savory Sweet Life. Eat 'em when they're fresh and gooey from the oven or let them sit to cool and serve as a cookie later on.
Now you can eat s'mores by the handful with this decadent treat. This recipe from Crazy Little Projects can be made ahead of time and stored for whenever you get the urge to munch on something sweet. But be warned: this snack is pretty addicting!
Here’s a hint: a pizza cutter can be used for more than just pizza
When it comes to feeding a crew of hungry kids, we’ve never met a shortcut we didn’t like. This is why, it being the season of busy weeknights and early bedtimes, we want to give you as many cooking hacks (scooped from resourceful parents everywhere) as possible. From meal-prep advice to the easiest way to get an egg that peels with ease, here are 36 clever food and cooking shortcuts that’ll save you tons of time.
Pizza Cutter for Herbs
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Having fresh herbs in the house is nice for creating marinades, dressings, and more, but finely chopping those herbs can be difficult. The good news is, there’s a way to make the process easy. Place the herbs on a cutting board, and roll a pizza cutter through them. Don't worry about cutting in a perfect line, just roll through the bunch as many times as you want.
The skin of a mango is pretty thick, and the peeling process usually involves careful knife skills. We found another way to get that pesky skin off with ease. All you need to do is slice the mango in half and grab a tall glass. Using the rim of the glass, get between the skin and the fruit at the bottom of the slice. Push down, and the skin will slide right off. Voila! You've got a perfectly peeled mango.
If your onions are on the verge of burning, throw an ice cube into the pan. It'll evaporate quickly and give the veggies a hint of moisture to avoid being overcooked.
Have you ever just chopped half a stalk of celery or bulb of cauliflower, and had to put it back in the fridge where it immediately starts to wilt? If you want to keep your partially chopped veggies fresh, we recommend putting them right in the freezer. This locks in the freshness, and they’ll be ready to jump into the frying pan after a little defrosting time.
Shred Chicken in Your Food Processor
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From tacos to salads, casseroles, and beyond, shredded chicken is a staple for family meals. But shredding it all by hand or with a pair of forks can take forever! Amazingly, there’s a quick fix for that—just toss boiled or baked chicken breasts in your mixer, and you’ll have expertly shredded chicken in seconds.
Put Water in Your Microwave to Preserve the Moisture
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Whether it’s leftovers or meal-prepped treats, your microwave is a powerful tool. But you’re always at risk of drying out your food when you use it. We’ve got a simple way to avoid that. Toss a glass of water into the microwave with your food to give it a little extra moisture.
Freeze Sauce in Ice Cube Trays
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We’re all about making cooking easier. With this meal-prep hack, you’ll be able to create perfectly portioned sauces days or weeks in advance and use them whenever you want. Just mix up your favorite sauces, put the liquid in your ice trays and freeze. Keep the portions frozen until you're ready to use them.
From fries to mashed potatoes and chips, everybody LOVES potatoes. But, for a lot of recipes, peeling the potatoes is a must, and using a potato peeler or knife can be time-consuming and difficult. We have an easy fix! Boil the potatoes, let them cool, and the skin will peel off in seconds.
Do you hate cleaning cookie sheets? We know that cleaning them can be difficult because the grease and grime are baked in deep. Using a silicone baking sheet, which makes removing all of your tasty morsels as easy as pie, will change your life. We like this one.
Your filet of salmon will stay intact much easier if you line it with slices of lemon. Plus, the juices will seep up, making a flavorful dinner. See one of our favorite recipes here.
Put Marshmallows in Your Brown Sugar
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Brown sugar is a baking necessity for cookies, cupcakes, and pies, but unlike white sugar, it can dry out very quickly, which means you’ll be stuck breaking up hard blobs of sugar when you want to use it. But, there’s an easy fix for this. All you need to do is throw a few marshmallows into the airtight container with your brown sugar to conserve the moisture and make it easy to scoop.
Strawberries are healthy and delicious. But chopping the green tuffs off the top of every piece of fruit takes so long! Use this fun trick to get them off without a knife: Take a straw and push it from the bottom of the fruit to the top in one swift motion—it'll pop those little green leaves right off.
Flatten Ground Meat
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No matter how hard you try, it seems like there’s never enough freezer space. We have a fun way to help you create extra room. Take your ground beef out of its package, put it in a Ziploc bag, flatten it, and put it back in the freezer; you'll be surprised by the extra open space. You can also write the expiration dates on the bags to make sure your meat is always fresh.
Let’s face it, chopping fresh corn is a pain, mostly because the kernels get all over the counter. But there’s a way to make sure it never happens again. Grab your bundt cake tin, flip it upside down, stand the corn up in the middle, and slice the kernels off; they’ll fall perfectly into that round tin, so cleaning up is a breeze!
Slicing and dicing are a big part of cooking, which means you’re always reaching for the cutting board. But it’s important to make sure that it isn’t slipping and sliding all over the place, so make it stable by putting a damp dishtowel underneath it. It'll keep it in place and make clean-up even easier.
Cupcake Liner Catches Popsicle Drips
Allison Sutcliffe
Popsicles are a childhood fave, but they can turn into a bit of a sticky mess. Prevent all of that dripping by slipping cupcake liners onto the bottom of your kids' popsicles. Slide the liner up so that it cups the bottom of the popsicle to make sure it catches all of those little drips.
Cheesecake is a dessert that kids and parents love, but cutting it equally can be difficult. Well, we've got an easy way to slice it perfectly every time. Try using dental floss. Just make sure the dental floss is unscented, so you don’t get a minty surprise with your dessert.
Grate Your Butter
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Softened butter is a staple for all bakers out there, but putting solid butter in the microwave isn’t always the best way to get that soft consistency you're looking for. Try grating it with a cheese grader instead.
Use White Bread on Your Birthday Cake
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Birthday cake is yummy, but when the party’s over, you're left with half a cake that'll be stale by tomorrow. What if there was a way to preserve this delectable sugar overload? Try putting slices of white bread on the interior sections of the cake where you cut into it—the bread locks in moisture.
No matter what time of year it is, you can always use cookie cutters. And they can be used for much more than just cookies. You can also use them to create pancakes or eggs with designs like flowers, cartoon characters, and more.
Oatmeal is a warm alternative to cold cereal, but it does take a little more time to make in the morning. Try using your rice cooker to make the oatmeal instead. This way, you don’t need to worry about watching, stirring or remembering to turn off the stove. Just put everything inside, and within minutes you’ve got scrumptious oatmeal.
An apple corer/slicer can instantly transform a plain potato into everyone's favorite side. That's right, you can make homemade fries in a snap with a utensil you may already have in your kitchen drawer. Grandma's Brief has all the delicious details.
Freeze Herbs in Ice Trays
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Want fresh basil, thyme, and rosemary all year long? No problem. This cooking hack is worthy of Martha Stewart, sans the effort. Just put fresh herbs in ice trays, add oil, and freeze. Freezing the herbs in oil also prevents them from turning brown or getting that dreaded freezer burn.
Wedges are so 2022. No, not the ones you wear on your feet; those are still fabulous. We're talking about watermelon wedges. Instead of slicing the melon into wide wedges that inevitably get juice all over everyone's face and chin, cut the fruit in half, then slice it in a grid. You'll get evenly sized slices that each have just enough rind on the bottom for little hands to grab.
It is a literal Egg McMuffin. Nick of Macheesmo shows us how to make a breakfast sandwich even more amazing by simply baking the eggs in a muffin tin. Best part? You can add other ingredients to the eggs (think spinach, ham, cheese) and then freeze the whole thing for busy on-the-go mornings. Find the original recipe here and the updated version here.
Pop grapes into the freezer for a sweet and crunchy treat that tastes like candy. A refreshing snack any time of the year, this is also a great way to make sure you always have fruit on hand.
Talk about having a “why didn’t I think of that” moment. If your kids are anything like ours, then you probably go through a few water cups every day. Cut down on needless dishes with this awesome cup hack from Dana over at Made Everyday.
Use your noodle: Cut up spaghetti, linguine, and ramen with scissors. Smaller bites and shorter bits will ease frustration at the dinner table and make after-dinner clean-up easier.
You like the idea of making PB&J (or some "other butter" and jelly) ahead of time but don't really know how to make a good freezer version. Good news! One Good Thing by Jillee explains the how-toand shows you how to seal that sandwich—no fancy gear needed.
A brilliantly simple idea from The Nourishing Gourmet, swap out plastic baggies or even bulky reusables in favor of a biodegradable coffee filter. Psst! If you’ve gone Keurig, we’re betting you’ve got a box of these collecting dust somewhere in your kitchen.
Having a stash of snacks is a must for every parent. But, having a bunch of different canisters, bags, and boxes on hand is difficult for travel and storage. Well, we’ve got the perfect hack for you! Try using silicone ice cube trays as snack trays for at home or on car trips.
Use Binder Clips in the Fridge and Freezer
If you need an easy way to keep all of your favorite munchies fresh in the fridge, may we suggest binder clips? Yes, you read that right. Grab some binder clips, and clip all of your bags of food directly onto the rungs of each shelf. This saves space and keeps everything nice and fresh. This works for bags in the freezer as well.
Where can you find an albino alligator? What is the most crooked street in SF (hint: it’s not what you think!)?
If you’ve ever had a kid rattle off a million facts about seagulls, you know they are total sponges for any sort of trivia. These fun and weird facts about San Francisco will give the kids a little knowledge about the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco’s most famous ice cream sandwich, the iconic PIER 39 sea lions, and more. Share these over your next family dinner!
1. The average speed of a cable car is 9.5 mph. Better hold on tight!
2. Popular in Chinese cuisine, the fortune cookie was invented in San Francisco by the Japanese Hagiwara family at Golden Gate Park's Tea Garden. It's free to visit the Golden Gate Cookie Factory in SF but it will cost you 50 cents to take pictures!
3. The famous 1906 earthquake and the fire that followed destroyed much of San Francisco but Redwood trees helped salvage the city. Redwood trees take in a lot of water and have a low resin content. When the fire reached a building made of Redwood, it didn't burn as quickly because the resin is what makes wood flammable.
4. The sea lions moved into their home at PIER 39 after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. You can check them out via their webcam. How can you tell the difference between sea lions and seals? Sea lions have flaps for outer ears (while seals have none) and sea lions are far more vocal than their seal cousins.
5. The Golden Gate Bridge isn't really red (or golden for that matter). The official color is International Orange and it was not supposed to be the permanent color of the bridge. Suggestions of black and yellow stripes as well as candy cane red and white stripes were made by the U.S. military. But the architect Irving Morrow chose International Orange as it was able to be seen in the fog and contrasted nicely with the surrounding landscape.
6. Ghirardelli Chocolate was started by Domenico Ghirardelli in 1849 when he was selling chocolate and other goods to gold rush miners. He moved to San Francisco in 1852 to open his chocolate factory. Ghirardelli is the largest, continuously-operated chocolate producer in the U.S. There are three chocolate shops in Ghirardelli Square and you are always welcomed with a free piece of chocolate when you visit.
7. The San Francisco Municipal Railway has quite a collection of streetcars that run along Market Street. You can ride vintage streetcars from Portugal, England, Japan, Australia, Italy, and more!
Ameer Basheer via unsplash
8. Lombard Street is known as the most crooked street in San Francisco. It was designed in 1922 when it was determined that the street's 27% grade was too steep for cars and pedestrians. But did you know that there's another street in SF that should probably take the title for the most crooked street? Potrero Hill's Vermont Street between 20th and 22nd has even tighter curves than Lombard.
9. For an epic view of San Francisco and beyond, visitors often head to Twin Peaks. You can walk up the wooden stairs to the top of both peaks and see all the way to Marin. Did you know that the peaks have names? The north peak is "Eureka" and the south is "Noe."
10. Golden Gate Park stretches over 1,000 acres. It was designed by a 25-year-old civil engineer and the park's tallest monument is a 64-foot cross hidden somewhere behind Rainbow Falls, one of the park's two waterfalls.
Kate Loweth
11. While you are aware that Alcatraz holds a spot in history as the island prison to house Al Capone, do you know how Alcatraz got its name? The island of Alcatraz was first discovered in 1775 by Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala, who named it "La Isla de los Alcatraces," or the "Island of the Pelicans." It was later anglicized to "Alcatraz." It's actually believed that this name was meant for nearby Yerba Buena Island but maps of the day were less than accurate.
12. There used to be an aerial tram called the "Sky Tram" that passed over the Sutro Baths between the Cliff House and Point Lobos. It closed in 1965.
13. The iconic ice cream treat Its-Its were created in San Francisco. A scoop of ice cream sandwiched between two oatmeal cookies and dipped in chocolate, Its-Its come in many flavors and you can purchase them all at the Burlingame factory store.
14. Have you noticed that many San Francisco street names are stamped into the concrete (often with misspellings)? While it is largely believed that these came about after the 1906 earthquake to provide orientation when street signs were destroyed, the practice actually started in 1905 and street signs weren't common until the 1920s.
15. When the Bay Bridge opened in 1936, the toll was 65 cents.
16. Made popular by the opening credits of Full House, Alamo Square's Painted Ladies are Queen Anne Victorians designed to show off the wealth of the gold rush period with turrets, excessive windows, and decorated roof lines.
17. The most popular resident of the California Academy of Sciences is Claude, the albino alligator.
There’s no denying Boston is home to more than its fair share of innovative local businesses. So during Women’s History Month, we thought we’d give a shout out to a few of our favorite women-owned businesses that call Boston home. From bakeries and art studios to skincare businesses and a new(ish) plant store, these women entrepreneurs are here to share their talents and passions with the community. Get ready to shop!
Green thumb or not, a trip to Wesleaf Designs & Decor’s Plant Studio is inspiring, especially with spring just around the corner. They’ve got everything your home needs to connect to nature, from hanging house plants to succulents and framed mosses. Plant consultation, design parties and plant sitting are also part of shop owner, Weslie Etienne Pierre’s expertise.
What Tzurit Or started as an at-home bakery in 2007 has grown into something of a local phenomenon over the past 15 years. Across the greater Boston area, you’ll find 19 different Tatte Bakery & Café locations, each with its own special feel. But each carries the delectable pastries and baked goods people crave, alongside tartines, sandwiches, salads and shakshuka to fill you up throughout the day. We’re loving the bake-at-home kits that make fresh-baked that much easier (and better) for busy families.
Parents love this charming “old-school neighborhood creative space” for kids in Brookline. Amy brings kids of all ages through the process of creating, be it painting, jewelry making or weaving. After school classes, camps and art project boxes means access for all, so kids can create at their own pace and in their own space.
Families can trust Tina Ramos, owner and founder of CrossFit Boston Iron & Grit, to get them in shape, no matter what their fitness goals. This Harvard-educated teacher brings her experience working with at-risk youth and her passion for fitness to work each day, with creative classes that cover everything from nutrition to Olympic lifting to classes just for teens.
Collette Divitto was born in 1990 with Down Syndrome. She grew up in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where she developed a passion for baking after taking classes in high school. After attending Clemson University and finishing a three-year LIFE program in just two years, Colette moved to Boston where she struggled to find employment. That's where Collettey’s Cookies was born. Knowing firsthand the struggles that people with Down Syndrome endure while looking for employment, Collette decided that her company would be not just a means of earning a living, but it would have a greater mission—to create jobs for other people with disabilities.
Parents in the know are familiar with Not Just Co.'s lineup of Not Just Caramel (sea salt-tahini), Not Just Pesto (tomato pesto), Not Just Salad Dressing (miso-lemon vinaigrette) and the kid-favorite Not Just Pasta Sauce. Find their products at a store near you and follow their blog for family-friendly recipes.
You'll love the vegan treats you can get from this woman-owned spot that offers weekly pickups in Dorchester. You can also find their treats in many spots around the Boston area. Get the vegan bourbon pecan pie, you won't regret it.
TRILLFIT hip hop-based classes foster community—a community that supports safe space to thrive and make long lasting positive health decisions. They are actively changing the face of the boutique fitness industry by modeling radical inclusion, acceptance, self love and shared support to transform attendees’ confidence, advance well being and ultimately promote “front row freedom.”
Founded in 2008, Lark Fine Foods is a women-owned and operated specialty foods company located north of Boston in historic Essex, Massachusetts. They offer a distinctive line of baked goods and specialty items inspired by “grown-up” consumers with sophisticated tastes, where every bite excites the senses with flavor combinations that are sometimes unexpected, but always delicious. Lark’s award-winning COOKIES FOR GROWN-UPS® and SAVORY BISCUITS can be purchased individually or as part of their thoughtfully curated gift boxes on their website, or individually at select retail outlets nationwide.
Brown and Coconut skin care is crafted with distinct blends of powerful plants, botanical extracts and clays that work in harmony to support our skin’s delicate balance. Founded by two Boston-based sisters who have suffered from acne and eczema, Brown and Coconut skin care is gentle on your skin, effective in tackling your skin concerns and simply delightful to use.
Petsi Pies (pronounced “peet-see”) an indie bakery and coffee bar serving up handmade pies and pastries in Somerville, MA since 2003. Founder Renee “Petsi” McLeod grew up baking pies in her grandmother’s kitchen and hasn’t stopped since. Everything is baked fresh daily using only all-natural ingredients and no fillers or mixes of any kind.
This Somerville business owned by Jo-Ann Keith offers cat and dog grooming by appointment as well as dog sitting. They also sell many different products for your animals to use at home.
Chicken nuggets take on a whole new fun form in this recipe from Brooke McLay of Cheeky Kitchen. Use cookie cutters to transform these homemade nuggets that are baked and not fried. Fill us in below to tell us how your chicken and veggie nuggets turned out.
Ingredients for Chicken and Veggie Nuggets:
1/2 lb ground chicken
1 package thawed veggie
1 egg
2 c panko bread crumbs
1 tsp of onion salt
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine veggies and egg in a blender, and blend until pureed.
3. Combine puree, chicken, and onion salt into a large bowl and mix together with a fork.
4. Spread a thin layer of panko crumbs on a large cutting board.
5. Flatten the chicken mixture over the crumbs until it is 1/2 inch thick.
6. Sprinkle more crumbs, salt and pepper on top.
7. Use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes.
8. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
9. Place nuggets on a cookie sheet and bake for 14 to 16 minutes.
Photo and recipe courtesy of Brooke McLay of Cheeky Kitchen
All you need is love…and treats. We’ve got some pretty awesome local Bay Area shops that have put together great gifts—from beautiful charcuterie boards to cookie decorating kits, they have it all! So spread the love while supporting local businesses with treats that will bring a smile. We all need that.
Where to Find the Best Candy in San Francisco
Giddy
If the name is any indication, we're willing to bet your kids will leave this store feeling.. well, giddy. You'll find high-quality candy from global and local producers but for Valentine's Day, we like to stock up on the Sour Pucker Up Lips and Cinnamon Heart Jelly Beans.
It all started when founder Christa Hill wanted to share her favorite cookies with friends at Dolores Park. Ten years and thousands of cookies later, she’s still at it, bringing smiles to her customers throughout San Francisco. Each cupid box comes packaged with colorful tissue, a festive bow, a handwritten message, and hand delivered to you.
This small-batch, boutique bakery in San Francisco is loved by residents in and out of the city. For Valentine’s Day, Batter Bakery is offering their signature cookie decorating kit in small or large, and includes shortbread cookies, royal icing, sprinkles, supplies and instructions. Also check out their heart-shaped cookies in unique flavors like lavender sea salt, chocolate hazelnut and red hot candy! Online ordering and nationwide delivery is available.
A passion project for chocolatier Carol Gancia, Kokak Truffles has become a Bay Area favorite. The beautifully designed chocolate bouquet truffle box comes in flavors like strawberry, hazelnut, and coffee, makes a great gift. For something even more decadent, the Chocolate Love Tower includes an assortment from the Castro Pride, pie, tea, liqueur-filled and dark chocolate collections. Boxes can be ordered for local SF delivery, curbside pick-up or shipped.
This candy boutique doesn't offer just plain 'ole candy—it specializes in nostalgic candy that is difficult to find elsewhere. Think German gummy bears, Green Tea Kit Kat bars and imported Italian candy bars. We dare you to leave this store empty-handed!
Self-taught baker Eileen Wang in Alameda is all about beautiful desserts. For Valentine’s Day, grab a four-piece cupcake treat box that comes in flavors like red wine chocolate raspberry or vegan thin mint chocolate or go big with a dozen. We love the Tea Box for $70 that includes themed cupcakes, hot chocolate bombs, cookies, brownies, mochi and tea for a romantic afternoon tea or fun surprise to share with the kids. Pick-up in Alameda.
Step into Bonbon's and you'll be transported to a delightful European candy store where they have it all—gelato, marzipan, truffles, fudge, Belgian chocolates and our very favorite chocolate-covered cherries.
Started by a single mom with a love for making food look beautiful, Karla’s charcuterie and cheese boards are full of little details and totally giftable. For Valentine’s Day, her gorgeous and delectable boards start at $60 and are in high demand so be sure to get your order in early! Check out her Instagram for inspiration and contact information.
Since 2012, this Berkeley boutique chocolatier has been creating unique, small-batch, high-quality artisanal chocolates inspired by a passion for the Latin American culture. For Valentine’s Day, Casa de Chocolates has their Amor (Love) Collection featuring beautiful gifts ranging from chocolate-covered strawberries to hand-painted chocolate roses. We love their assorted chocolate box with flavors like Petalo de Rosas, Guayabana, and Tequila, or the chocolate-covered strawberries and truffles. Shipping and pick-up available at their shop in Berkeley.
The San Mateo bakery has been around since 2004 serving delicious signature, seasonal and custom-themed cupcakes baked to order from scratch. For Valentine’s Day, Sibby’s is offering their mini cupcakes with themed flavors like heart confetti, double chocolate raspberry, red velvet and white chocolate passionfruit. Delivery is available from San Francisco to Sunnyvale and pick-up is by appointment only.
Nestled within a Los Altos neighborhood, this charming community treat shop is where local kids come to spend their allowance on frozen yogurt, bulk candy, root beer floats and milkshakes. Parents will love that there are also sandwich and soup options along with coffee and the best part (as if it couldn't get any better) is that a portion of proceeds goes back to local schools.
17-year-old Shrobana Shangupta is making waves in the way of raising money for nonprofits like Sunday Friends and St. Jude’s in the San Jose area with her love of food. Self-taught and ambitious, her macarons have already cultivated a following with unique flavors like jelly donut and Nutella cheesecake. Share the love with a Valentine’s Day box with rose and vanilla cheesecake and dark chocolate ganache. Pick-up is available in San Jose.
Started eight years ago, Made Out Of Dough is all about bringing the flavor. With savory scones and sweet pastries, they have been working the farmer’s markets around the Bay Area and wowing customers with yummy treats. For the special day, check out the Chocolate Covered Strawberry cake with fresh strawberries or the Vanilla Love cake with swirled pink vanilla.
A crowd favorite, SusieCakes makes beautifully delicious cakes, cupcakes, cookies and pies made from scratch. For Valentine’s Day, the bakery is whipping up an I Heart You Box of four cupcakes in special flavors as well as a dozen mini rose cupcakes. For a fun activity, grab a cupcake or sugar cookie decorating kit. Pick-up and delivery are available at select bakeries, so be sure to check out the website for the closest one!
Family-owned since 2008, Sift Dessert knows the sweet stuff. With three locations in the Bay Area including Santa Rosa and Napa, Sift Dessert Bar makes beautiful cupcakes, macaroons, cakes and cuffles (cake and frosting blended together and dipped in chocolate). They have some fun boxes for Valentine’s Day including the gluten-free Conversation Crispy Bars and Macaroons box with rice crispy treats and the Hey Sugar Gift Box with whoopie cookies, gummy bears, sprinkles chocolate bar and a customized note. Shipping and store pick-up is available.
Want to send some flowers but also cupcakes? Check out Baked Blooms in San Anselmo. This home-based bakery started by stay-at-home mom Sarah Thongnopneua makes cupcake bouquets arranged and decorated to look like a beautiful bouquet of flowers. You can order a seven-piece small bouquet of chocolate and vanilla cupcakes in red, white and pink floral design. Cupcakes are homemade and baked from scratch in small batches using real ingredients. Pick-up is available in San Anselmo with local delivery only in Marin at this time.
Artisanal doughnuts handcrafted with locally sourced, organic ingredients is the name of the game at Johnny Doughnuts. For Valentine’s Day, their Strawberry Bismark flavor is a must-try along with assorted doughnut holes in a variety of flavors and fillings, dressed up like a box of chocolates. Get your sweet tooth fix at one of their San Francisco, Marin or pop-up food truck locations!
This Valentine’s Day, take your festivities to the next level by whipping up some Valentine’s Day food for kids. We’ve fallen in love with these inventive recipes, from super-simple Valentine’s Day dinners for kids to drool-worthy desserts. We’re talking faves like a chocolate cake recipe, red velvet everything, puppy chow, mousse, and more.
These heart-shaped breadsticks from Meg’s Everyday Indulgence will make the perfect side for your V-Day meal. Made with just four ingredients, they’d be great alongside a big pot of soup or pizza (psst ... more on that below!).
For an easy treat, try this sweet idea from Kylee Cooks. Saltine crackers, caramel, and chocolate come together to create the most addictive dessert around—just don’t forget the sprinkles!
Heart-Shaped Fruit Puff Pastries with Vanilla Glaze
It’ll be love at first sight (and bite) with these heart-shaped puff pastries from Flour & Floral. They’re a breeze to put together with frozen puff pastry and your favorite fruit jam.
You can never go wrong with a big batch of Rice Krispy treats, and this Valentine-inspired twist from Salt & Baker is no exception. An old-school favorite, it gets even better when you throw in some colored candies.
Get all the flavors of cheesecake without having to spend hours in the kitchen, thanks to this genius dip from Tara’s Multicultural Table. Paired with graham crackers, berries, and pretzels, it’ll be an instant hit with your little valentines.
Mini pizzas and hearts—a match made in heaven. We love how simple these cheesy little bites are to make for a quick Valentine's Day surprise. Grab your cookie cutters and head over to Sarah Hearts for the recipe.
Chocolate-covered strawberries are a classic Valentine’s Day food, and this version from Eat Cho Food will definitely win over your kids. You can swap in your favorite type of chocolate (white, milk, and dark all work) and top them with graham cracker crumbs or chocolate swirls.
These little gems from Apple of My Eye are like chocolate-covered strawberries in cookie form (sign us up!). Get the kids involved in rolling out the dough and topping the freshly baked cookies with jam and chocolate.
Red velvet is the perfect pick for Valentine's Day, and this recipe from Show Me the Yummy is an easy way to make your loved ones smile. It's the perfect size for sharing, and it gets even tastier with the addition of vanilla ice cream and some chocolate syrup.
For a lighter dessert, whip up these pretty muffins from Garnish & Glaze. With strawberries dotted throughout and a lightly sweetened glaze on top, this one is sure to be a hit with your whole crew.
Keep things a little lighter but just as festive with this delish mousse recipe from Something Swanky. It may look complicated, but it's actually super easy to pull off using an instant pudding mix, cool whip, and some raspberries.
These chewy, moist cookies from Creme de la Crumb are heavenly when paired with a tangy cream cheese frosting. The whole fam will be impressed by how adorable these look with pink and red sprinkles on top—we're willing to bet they won't last 'til the 15th!
If your kids are fans of classic puppy chow (aka muddy buddies), chances are they'll love this Valentine-themed twist on that classic snack from Sarah Halstead. It'll come together in 10 minutes flat with red velvet cake mix, M&Ms, and chocolate.
This tangy but sweet treat might be the easiest of them all. Grab a handful of fresh raspberries and your favorite chocolate chips, then slip a chocolate chip in each berry. Done!
All you need to make these adorable little snacks are three ingredients. And chances are you already have them in your pantry. Check out A Taste of Madness to find out how to make them.
These super delicious cookies are also super easy to make, which is a total win when baking with kids. Sara from Bitz N Giggles adds M&Ms and sprinkles, giving them an extra boost of color.
These kid-friendly baking recipes are easy for kids, even toddlers can bake
It’s never too early to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Baking helps kids develop their motor skills and introduces them to new flavors. Not to mention they’ll learn such an important skill. But best of all, they’ll get to find out firsthand how their favorite sweet treats are made. These easy baking recipes ideas for kids are the next best thing to putting everything into your KitchenAid and walking away. From banana bread to sugar cookies, get easy, kid-friendly recipes you’ll bake again and again.
Enjoy these cardamom snickerdoodle cookies warm out of the oven! The kiddos will definitely be able to help with this one, and we promise they'll love the taste.
Break out the sprinkles, because these gorgeous cookies from Lord Byron’s Kitchen are about to become a yearly family tradition. They’re easy to adapt to any holiday, too—we’re dreaming of pink sprinkles for Valentine’s Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day, and so on.
For the true pumpkin heads out there, pumpkin butter is a dream come true. This version from Koti Beth is made with pumpkin puree, a little sweetener, and spices, and tastes great spread on toast, swirled into yogurt or oatmeal, or dolloped on top of pancakes or ice cream. It also makes for a delicious edible gift around the holidays.
To give kids a taste of baking without actually having to turn on the oven, we love this sweet and simple idea from Evermine. They’ll get to crush cookies, melt butter and assemble the mini “cakes” with ice cream and other goodies.
Your budding chefs will love diving into this easy recipe from Oh, Sweet Basil. The crust is made from classic Nilla wafers, while the filling is super easy to make using a packet of instant pudding and a few other ingredients.
How cute is this cake from Perchance to Cook? Get the little ones involved in stirring together the batter and arranging the apple slices on top. An added bonus: it’s gluten-free for sensitive tummies and paleo for diet-minded parents.
These zesty cookies are perfect for holiday baking! Be sure to use fresh cranberry to really bring out the taste of this winter fruit. Get the recipe over at The View from Great Island.
Introduce your kids to a retro favorite with this recipe from Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you’re not already familiar with the concept of a poke cake, you’re in for a treat!
So your kids have mastered the art of the brownie mix? That means it’s time to up the ante by making them from scratch. This recipe from Spoonful of Flavor is super easy to put together—you’ll just need to supervise the melting chocolate part.
We love this delish twist on Rice Krispie treats from The Anthony Kitchen. A dollop of salty-sweet peanut butter gives the classic dessert a little something extra, and it’s a breeze to make, even for the youngest of cooks. This recipe comes courtesy of Kelly Anthony, a Texas-based food blogger specializing in homemade family meals and easy desserts like this one.
If you’ve got a few bananas that are past their prime, these banana mini muffins are the perfect way to use them. Kids can help mash up the bananas and mix the batter, and you can bake them up in a mini muffin tin or a regular one.
If your kids are ready to move on to more involved recipes, you’ve got to try this classic apple pie. They’ll get to roll out the crust, mix up the apple filling and watch eagerly as their creation bakes.
Give your chocolate chip cookies a colorful twist with this fun recipe. You can add peppermint bark during the holidays, Reese’s Pieces at Halloween and pastel M&Ms at Easter.
These tasty muffins will make a great breakfast, snack or even dessert. Since they’re made with healthy ingredients like coconut oil, applesauce and oats, they’re a great way to get your littles excited about eating well.
What’s better than chocolate? More chocolate packed in a grain and gluten-free cupcake! This paleo recipe is super tasty and works great if you’ve got gluten sensitivities in your family.
For a healthier sweet treat, you’ve got to try these chunky monkey cookies from Veggies Don't Bite. They’re filled with good-for-you ingredients like oats, banana, dates and flax.
It doesn’t get much tastier (or easier) than freshly baked blueberry muffins. Frozen berries work just as well as fresh ones so you can bake these up all year long.
Apple Turnovers
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This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers since it makes use of frozen puff pastry. Just fill the pastry with cooked apples, then fold them up and bake!
Make sugar cookies a holiday tradition in your family with this fantastic recipe. Kids will get to help out from start to finish, including (of course) decorating the cookies with frosting and sprinkles.
Snickerdoodles are a holiday classic, and they’re simple enough for the kids to make themselves. You don’t need a mixer, you don’t have to refrigerate the dough, and the end result is absolutely delicious with a chewy, soft inside.
Good news: you can enjoy all the delicious flavors of donuts without the hassle of deep-frying (or driving to the donut shop). These muffins are dipped in butter after baking, then rolled in cinnamon sugar.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
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Your little ones will love making these yummy chocolate crinkle cookies. Just mix up the dough, let it chill overnight, then roll the dough balls in plenty of powdered sugar.
Did you run out of food coloring? Are you unhappy with your crust? Do you not have the right tools? It’s no problem with these great baking hacks
It’s that most wonderful time of the year: holiday cookie time! This year, don’t dread it, own it with these Christmas baking hacks to salvage any quandary. From a baking powder substitution and what to do if you don’t have a rolling pin to what to use in place of eggs or butter, we’ve got the goods on making goodies.
1. Holiday baking often calls for some pepperminty goodness, but who keeps peppermint syrup on hand for once-a-year baking? (No, Schnapps doesn’t count). Use an abundant ingredient: peppermint candies. Just put them in a Ziploc bag and smash them to bits. A great stress reliever!
2. Use tongs to make an even crimping pattern along the edge of your pie crust.
3. No rolling pin? Try this rolling pin hack: Use a wine bottle as a rolling pin (no, it doesn’t have to be full!).
4. Fill a wine bottle with ice (and cork well) to keep pie dough chill while rolling it out, great for when it's hot or humid.
5. Sub a little of your water for vodka and your pie crust somehow comes out flakier. And now you have an almost-full bottle of vodka on hand. Just sayin'...
6. Add a marshmallow to the top of your cupcakes five minutes before you take them out of the oven for a gooey, perfect topping—no frosting required.
7. If you run out of food coloring, use Jello to tint decorative icing.
8. Looking for a natural way to dye when baking? Check out these simple recipes for making natural food coloring yourself.
9. Fill an oral syringe with thin icing to get precise lines and letters when decorating.
10. If you do have piping tips, fill two piping bags or Ziplocks with different colored frosting. Don't overfill the bags; now put both bags into one tip, and you'll squeeze out a swirl of color.
11. Put a pan of water in the bottom of the oven to give your bread a crisp, browned crust. You can also use a spray bottle with water; spritz the oven to create steam.
12. Substitute butter in your next boxed cake recipe for a super-rich and luscious cake. You can even just melt it to make sure it incorporates easily.
13. You can also sub avocado for butter if you want something dairy-free and heart-healthy. Use one avocado to one stick of butter ratio. And if you run out of butter (or avocado), you can use applesauce in its place.
14. When making pies, freeze your butter, and then grate it into your flour mixture, instead of trying to crumble it with your fork. This will help integrate it more evenly and keep the butter cool.
15. Soften your butter BEFORE you mix it into your cookie dough batter, and try using salted butter instead of sweet cream.
16. Use a set of visual measuring cups. Perfect for kids and parents who need to squint just to read the measurements, the shape tells the size! The innovative cups make cooking and baking fun and easy for everyone.
17. Soften butter in the microwave, but be careful. Use a low power level, like two, and put it in for no more than 10 seconds to avoid melted butter (vs. softened). If it's not soft enough, continue to microwave at five-second intervals until it is.
18. Soften too-hard butter by putting it between two pieces of waxed paper and whacking it hard with a rolling pin. Once it’s been smacked a bit, roll it out (still between the waxed paper). The kids will love helping with this one.
19. Another method for softening too-cold butter without microwaving it to a puddle: set it on top of the stove while the oven is preheating. It will gradually soften: this works great if you are baking a cake and want to use the butter for a no-fail frosting.
20. Bring cold eggs to room temperature by placing them in a bowl of hot water for 5-10 minutes.
21. Use the other part of an eggshell to remove any errant bits of shell. Miraculously, this works and is way faster than struggling with a spoon or your fingers.
22. Baking for someone with an egg allergy? Use a flax egg. Simply measure one tablespoon of flaxseed meal (that’s flax seeds you put in the blender or you can buy already blended) to two tablespoons warm water for each “egg.” Mix it and let it sit for five minutes. The consistency will be similar to an egg. Or, opt for this egg alternative from Bob’s Red Mill.
23. If you want your chocolate chip cookies to have a more caramel flavor, sub out ½ cup of white sugar with additional brown sugar. If you want them with a more sugar-cookie-like taste, leave out all the brown sugar and use only white (most recipes call for some of each).
24. Use a muffin tin to make sure your cookies turn out uniform in size.
25. Easiest cookie ever? Hershey’s Kiss in pretzel circle, melt on parchment paper covered cookie sheet in oven until just soft. Boom. Next level: Use Rolos instead.
30. If you’ve “sorta” burned your cookies, use a box grater to shave off the darkest parts.
31. Also, measure out your cookie dough with an ice cream scoop, then chill them on the pan for a bit before baking (you can even freeze them, which means you can do this all ahead of time, bake the cookies the morning of and you get a better cookie). If you can’t afford the time (or space), just chill the bowl of dough for 20 minutes in the freezer before you start to scoop.
32. Store your cookies (or what's left of them) in an air-tight container with an apple wedge to keep the cookies moist.
37. Keep your brown sugar from going rock-hard by storing it in an air-tight container. Toss in a piece of bread to keep it moist.
38. If it's too late and your brown sugar is already hard, microwave it for 30 seconds in a bowl covered with a wet paper towel or place it in the oven to soften for about 15 minutes.
39. Does your recipe call for powdered sugar, but you are out? Use a spice grinder or food processor and pulverize white granulated sugar until it’s powder.
40. Slice your cheesecake with dental floss (but not the minty kind).
41. Hate dealing with metal sheet pans and cookie tins? Use a silicone baking mold instead. We love Silpat molds—there's no need to ever grease the molds or use liners, and your goodies bake to perfection (though depending on your oven, you may want to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time).
42. Need a baking powder substitution? The following are equal to 1 tsp. of baking powder:
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
1/2 cup plain yogurt + 1 tsp. baking soda. Mix dry ingredients first before adding yogurt to dry ingredients (Reduce the amount of water or other liquids.).
From dark fudge to bright and cheery pinwheel sugar cookies, we’ve got a whole lot of easy Christmas cookie recipes for you to try this winter
The holiday season is upon us, and that can only mean one thing: cookies! We’ve created the ultimate list of Christmas cookie recipes to include in your celebrations, many of which are tried-and-true favorites (like these cream cheese Christmas Tree cookies) from our own editors and staff. Whether you’re looking for the perfect cookie exchange recipe or a new twist on a classic cookie, our list has it all.
While these cookies from Dessert for Two look like a million bucks, they are surprisingly easy to make yourself. Simple sugar cookies are topped with royal icing and artfully decorated using M&M's. You will totally win the cookie exchange this year.
Cooking Classy's peppermint meltaway cookies are the essence of the holidays. Light and airy peppermint-infused cookies are topped with fluffy homemade frosting and crushed candy canes. These bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit this holiday.
Ever heard of black cocoa powder? These gorgeous dark chocolate candy cane cookies from Liv For Cake are made with rich, dark ingredients. After baking, they are dipped in melting chocolate and crushed candy canes for the perfect holiday treat.
Nothing says the holidays quite like cranberry. Live Well Bake Often's chocolate cranberry cookies are a feast for the senses. Creamy white chocolate chips and chewy dried cranberries not only make for a beautiful-looking cookie that will be the centerpiece of your cookie platter but a tasty one, too.
These perfectly festive candy cane-shaped cookies from Kristine's Kitchen are the epitome of the holidays. Simple sugar cookie dough is twisted and shaped, baked, and then topped with crunchy peppermint candy. These are great for cookie exchanges or holiday bake sales!
Give your go-to cookie recipe a twist this holiday season and bake up some brown sugar cookies. This recipe from Gimme Some Oven comes together quickly and is easily customizable when you use festive cookie cutters, colored frosting, and sprinkles.
The warm flavors of the holidays are all here in A Taste of Madness' salted caramel Nutella chocolate chip cookies. Nutella, salted caramel, and chocolate chips put a unique twist on the traditional cookie and make it fancy enough for all your festivities.
Knock your fam's socks off this holiday with Princess Pinky Girl's Christmas pinwheel sugar cookies. The different-colored dough is layered, rolled, and sliced before baking to make these festive and fun cookies. Don't forget the sprinkles!
The holidays are a great time to try your hand at new recipes, and these Linzer cookies are the place to start. This recipe from Rasa Malaysia is made with buttery and crumbly dough that's baked into perfect circles and sandwiched together with a sweet jam. Don't forget the generous amount of powdered sugar on top!
Need a simple cookie this holiday? This six-ingredient recipe for Italian almond cookies from An Italian In My Kitchen is for you. The buttery cookie is light and airy with the perfect amount of almond flavor. We imagine these as a perfect after-dinner treat enjoyed best with a cup of coffee.
What do you get when you combine the best cookie in the world with the most iconic Christmas flavor? Eggnog snickerdoodles! Wondermom Wannabe has developed an easy way to combine your fave flavors into a chewy cookie that pairs great with a glass of milk, or let's be honest, eggnog.
You had us at Nutella! Food Fanatic's toffee Nutella cookies are the perfect blend of hazelnut, chocolate, and toffee that results in a chewy cookie that you won't be able to stop eating.
Dust off your cookie cutters to make these traditional Dutch cookies from The View from Great Island. They’re subtly spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger, and they look great topped with a simple royal icing.
Keep it simple (but oh-so-delicious) by making a batch of these fudge cookies from Simply Stacie. You can skip the nuts if your crew isn’t into them, and you’ll end up with a melt-in-your-mouth cookie either way.
Oreo cookies are already delicious, but these bonbons from Love & Risotto transform them into something special. Let your whole crew get involved in rolling up the bonbons and dipping them in chocolate—the final product will be super satisfying.
These cookies from The View from Great Island are super easy to make using your favorite flavor of jam. Let the kids get involved in mixing the batter and topping them with the jam before popping the cookies in the oven.
Get your gingerbread fix with these tasty Christmas cookies from Crazy for Crust. They’re filled with warm spices and molasses and are perfectly chewy. Topped off with M&Ms, you’ve got a dessert that’ll wow your whole crew.
We guarantee that the little ones will love helping you decorate these adorable cookies from Bakergirl. Plus, you can swap out the peanut butter cookie for your favorite sugar cookie or gingerbread recipe if that’s more your speed.
Made with just four ingredients, these cookies from Italian Recipe Book are super easy to whip up. And since everyone loves Nutella, they’re bound to be crowd-pleasers.
Brighten up your dessert table with these simple cookies from Cooking with Bliss. With a tangy mix of fresh cranberries and orange zest, they’re bound to be a family favorite.
If your kids are cookie obsessed, then make these cookies that you can feel good about sneaking in a second, third, maybe even fourth helping. Sophia from Veggies Don’t Bite created this recipe that is sugar-free (her solution is date paste!) and combines crispy oat edges with the sweet delicious flavor of chocolate chips.
It'll be tough to go back to regular old cookies after making these stuffed chocolate chip cookies. And, be sure to save a couple for yourself, because these ooey-gooey treats will be gobbled up in no time.
If you love the taste of gingerbread but are looking for a more kid-pleasing version, Veggie and the Beast‘s recipe for soft cookies should fit the bill. Rolled in a bit of white sugar, these little guys are a perfect balance of spiced and sweet.
Peanut butter and chocolate fans, take note: this classic recipe from House of Nash Eats is a must. Basic peanut butter cookies are taken to the next level with a chocolate kiss placed on top after baking.
These nut-free cookies make a perfect lunchbox treat or after-school snack. Little ones and adults alike will love the combo of oats, sunflower butter, honey, coconut, and dried cranberries.
Unfortunately, we don’t usually see Girl Scouts selling their addictive cookies during the holiday season, but luckily there’s a way to get your Thin Mint fix with minimum effort. This recipe from Averie Cooks will be done in no time, and the cookies will disappear even faster.
These little cookies from The Wicked Noodle couldn’t be easier—just melt some chocolate kisses on top of pretzels, and then the kiddos can help you decorate with festive M&Ms.
Sicilian Fig Cookies (Cuccidati)
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Former editor Amber Guetebier shares this recipe and tells us, “I made these for my Sicilian friend for Christmas. They are totally time-consuming (over two hours from start to finish) but perfect if you want something autentico for the holidays, and if your kids are tenacious and into baking and getting covered in flour and honey."
Raspberry Ribbon Cookies
Scott Wardell
There’s something about shortbread that screams holidays, so these raspberry ribbon cookies are a perfect choice. The little ones will love the delicious raspberry jam on top, too.
It’s not news that peanut butter and chocolate go great together, which is why you shouldn’t be surprised when these four-ingredient cookies from Mom’s Kitchen Handbook disappear shortly after pulling them from the oven. Believe it or not, they really do have just four ingredients and take less than ten minutes to prep! Waiting is truly the hardest part.
This year, make these colorful fortune cookies from Glitter and Bubbles for Santa—he’s sure to gobble them up. Kids will love dipping the cookies in different types of sprinkles.
If you've got a lactose-intolerant little one, these oatmeal coconut cookies from ¡Hola! Jalapeno are a lifesaver. Plus, you can adjust them to fit your family's taste by adding mix-ins like peanut butter or chocolate chips.
Dig out your cookie cutters to make these cute little trees topped with a delicious vanilla frosting. The cream cheese added to the cookie batter gives them a special touch, too.
Lemon Cookies
Brandi McWade
When you’re in dire need of a cookie fix or just don’t have the time to scour your pantry for all of the ingredients, try out this lemon cookie recipe courtesy of our former Digital Media Manager, Brandi McWade. The cookies are actually made from a box of lemon cake mix, which makes this as convenient as it can get.
Even though these are technically brownies, we couldn't resist including them in our roundup of must-have holiday sweets. This recipe from Leah's Thoughts is the perfect holiday combination of rich chocolate with icy, cool peppermint.
