Seattle Kids Weekend Events: Feb. 4-6

by Allison SutcliffeJanuary 25, 2022

February may be a short month, but the first weekend is long on fun for Seattle families. To start, it’s the last chance for families to catch Stranger Than Fiction at Museum of Flight before it’s gone. This special exhibit tells the story of how humans worked to go higher, faster and farther than ever into space over the decades. Also on our radar: a weekend that was made for your wild child, an old-school family radio drama and a cooking class with lots to love.

photo: Katie Cotterill

Editor’s note: As things continue to evolve with Omicron, we will do our best to keep things current, but do suggest double checking events for any last-minute cancellations or changes before heading out with the kids.

Seattle

Wild Child Weekends
During the month of February, Northwest Trek has a deal families will love. It’s a great place for kids to shake out the winter wiggles and get close to nature. Guests can walk paved, forested pathways to see grizzly bears, gray wolves, bobcats, lynx, river otters, beavers, wolverines and other animals before letting the kids explore Kids’ Trek, the nature-inspired play area. Don’t forget riding the tram to see how many northwest native animals your fam can spot. During the entire month of February, up to two children (12 & under) are free with each paid adult admission (including Presidents’ Day). Discounts are only available for tickets purchased at Northwest Trek’s ticket window. Fri.-Sun. in February. Event details.

Japanese American Remembrance Trail Tour
Join the staff of the Wing Luke Museum for this in-person tour. The group will walk to different sites to memorialize and remember the stories and history of old Japantown before World War II, including the unjust incarceration of Japanese American citizens. This tour is about 90 minutes long and just over a mile to walk. Advance tickets required. Sat. Event details

Kids Valentine Cookie Workshop
This Valentine’s Day kids can bake a batch of freshly made, sweet cookies that will warm everyone’s heart, during this PCC Markets class, led by Cam Zarcone. Kids will bake along with Cam and measure, mix and form chocolate and vanilla-swirled shortbread hearts and make heart thumbprint cookies. Then they’ll take their cookies up a notch and make vanilla frosting for decorating. Also offered in Redmond on Sunday. Registration required. Sat. Event details.

Eastside

Radio Drama 2022
Youth Theater Northwest’s Radio Drama is back for its 7th season. This year’s lineup is from two vintage radio shows—Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ghost Stories for Young People (1962) and The Adventures of Superman (1940-1952). The first is classic spooky Hitchcock story and the second, an action-packed episode of Superman vs. Atomic Man that comic fans of all ages will love. The show is set in a vintage radio station, performed in the traditional radio-drama style, complete with live sound effects. Tickets required. Fri.-Sun. Event details.

Tracking Down Tracks
Join a park ranger at Lewis Creek Park for a leisurely and educational hike. Families will learn about Bellevue’s animal signs as they look for prints, feathers, and even scat (what preschooler can resist?) to see what’s been happening in the park. Get outdoors and explore this weekend. Registration required. Sun. Event details.

Family Swim at Warm Springs
Put a family swim session at the Bellevue Aquatic Center on your weekend radar. It’s a chance to swim on the Warm Springs public side during one of two evening sessions with your kids. You’ll need proof of vaccination, and everyone under the age of 12 must be with an adult. Registration required. Fri. Event details.

—Allison Sutcliffe

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Snag This Conversation Heart Cake Kit before It’s Gone

by Gabby CullenJanuary 12, 2022

Ahh, conversation hearts. As a kid, there was nothing quite like sneaking one across the desk to your crush. Now, as a parent, you can create a (much) tastier version with your kids at home. Confetti Cakes, a mom-owned cake company, is selling an at-home baking kit, and yup, it’s in the form of a giant conversation heart! If this gives you the warm fuzzies, keep reading to find out how to get one in time for Valentine’s Day.

What It Is

This lovable cake kit is designed by Elisa Strauss, the pastry chef behind Confetti Cakes. She's been making cakes for over 20 years and is the author of two cookbooks, and last year, she added cake kits to her repertoire. Elisa says, “Creating a baking kit has been a dream of mine for over a decade! I love teaching, and I want people to feel that they can create amazing cakes at home. Also, being a mom of 3 young kids, I see how wonderful it is to have a fun project to do—especially around sweets. The most important thing in childhood is to make memories. I hope I am helping people to do that whether they are 6 yrs or 106!”

The conversation heart kit sold out in 2021, but it's back and available now. If you’re worried about procuring fancy cake-baking ingredients, don’t be. You’ll get almost everything you need to make the giant conversation hearts: vanilla or chocolate cake mix, buttercream frosting mix, stencils, cake molds, fondant and more. You just need to provide the eggs, milk, oil and butter!

How Do You Get One?

If you want the kit to be delivered before Feb. 14, be sure to place your ASAP. Each kit is $65 (plus $12 for shipping), and there’s an option to send one as a gift, which is perfect if you aren’t able to see your loved ones.

Order one here.

—Gabby Cullen

All images courtesy of Confetti Cakes

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Where to Find NYC’s Best Hot Chocolate

by rtdaniellekrupaJanuary 6, 2022

Winter has arrived, which means it’s hot chocolate season. But don’t waste your time sipping an inferior cup: head to a place that serves some of NYC’s best hot chocolate. (There are many!) From classic with oversized marshmallows, to thick and rich or flavored, NYC has a hot chocolate for every kind of kid (and adult). Get cozy this winter at one of our many favorite hot cocoa spots in NYC!

La Maison du Chocolat

La Maison du Chocolat isn’t cheap, but if you’re up for a slight splurge this French chocolatier is one of the best. The hot chocolate is everything you hope a cup would be: silky, rich and perfectly sweet. The luxurious taste may not be one to get every day, but for a special occasion with your little ones this is sure to satisfy your wildest hot chocolate dreams.

30 Rockefeller Plaza
Midtown West
212-265-9404
Online: lamaisonduchocolat.us

Serendipity3

Yes, it's a bit of an oxymoron, but people have been making a pilgrimage to the Upper East Side for Serendipity3's Frrrozen Hot Chocolate for a few decades now. Recently reopened, everything about Serendipity3 is a little extra: the decor (stained-glass lamps, disco balls, puppet of Andy Warhol—a fan—suspended from the ceiling), the menu, giant both literally and figuratively, and the food. Make a reservation before heading over.

225 E. 60th St.
Upper East Side
212-838-3531
Online: serendipity3.com

L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates

Stellar hot chocolate is just one of the reasons to visit this Soho chocolate shop. It's also famous for its handmade chocolate mice and penguins; see how they make them here. Come back in the summer for a rich and refreshing chocolate frappé.

156 Prince St.
Soho
212-796-0143
Online: burdickchocolate.com

Max Brenner

One of our picks for the best theme restaurants in NYC, Max Brenner is dedicated to all things chocolate, including hot chocolate. (They have a full food menu as well.) Pick from dark, milk, or white hot chocolate, or one of the many flavored options, such as Mexican spicy hot chocolate, Oreo, peanut butter, or the "Italian Thick", melted blocks of chocolate with fresh vanilla cream. You can get all of these to go, but sipping there means you get to experience the signature Max Brenner "hug mug", shown here. Reservations are recommended.

841 Broadway
Union Square
646-467-8803
Online: maxbrenner.us

720 Seventh Ave.
Times Square

Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain

A longtime favorite spot for locals, tourists and film scouts (this place looks like an old school soda fountain and ice cream parlor) Brooklyn Farmacy serves a classic cup of cocoa several ways. Options include oat milk hot chocolate, hot chocolate topped with whipped cream or house-made toasted marshmallow fluff, or the delectable salty caramel hot chocolate. Love it? You can buy a tin of it to bring home and make it yourself. Brooklyn Farmacy is closed Tuesdays.

513 Henry St.
Carroll Gardens
718-522-6260
Online: brooklynfarmacyandsodafountain.com

MarieBelle

It's not cheap and it’s not basic, but for a fancy outing with a child with discriminating tastes, SoHo shop MarieBelle is worth a trip. Antique furnishings and sparkling chandeliers complement fine chocolates of all kinds and a hot chocolate the store describes as "thick and decadent." Choose from a menu with variations such as Aztec (an "Oprah's Favorite Thing"), spicy, Tahitian Vanilla, white chocolate and even hot chocolate with natural banana pulp. A refined menu of cafe bites such as quiche, soup and crepes offers light eating options.

MarieBelle
484 Broome St.
SoHo
212-925-6999
Online: mariebelle.com

Jacques Torres

Before he became a television star alongside Nicole Byer on Nailed It! Jacques Torres was (and still is) “Mr. Chocolate." Unhappy with the quality of chocolate that was available to him while working as a pastry chef, Jacques Torres constructed his own factory so he could make chocolate exactly the way he wanted from scratch. Try a cup of Classic, made from real chocolate, not powder. Or if you're more daring, go for the Wicked, with its extra kick of allspice, cinnamon and ground chili peppers. Both varieties are so thick they might be mistaken for milkshakes. Tip: They’ll let you try a little sample before you choose your cup. And FYI, JT also sells a Hot Chocolate Gift Set.

Jacques Torres Chocolate
66 Water St.
DUMBO
718-875-1269
Online: mrchocolate.com

285 Amsterdam
Upper West Side
212-787-3256
Online: mrchocolate.com

Grand Central Terminal
Lexington Passageway
107 East 42nd St.
Midtown
929-427-0988
Online: mrchocolate.com

Bibble & Sip

The house-made hot chocolate at Bibble & Sip tastes like something just lifted from your grandmother’s stove. Even the marshmallow floating on top is homemade. This family-run business specializes in gourmet coffee, espresso and pastries, made in the French Confectionery tradition and inspired by Asian flavors. Good to know: the word “bibble” means “to eat indulgently”—so order up some sweet treats with your cocoa and coffee.

Bibble & Sip
253 West 51st St.
Midtown West
646-649-5116
Online: bibbleandsip.com

The Chocolate Room

The Chocolate Room is known for all of its outstanding chocolate products, but the Dark Hot Cocoa is our favorite. Made with 61% Belgian chocolate, it is one of the cafe's most popular drinks. Obviously, this is a good choice for chocolate-lovers; pair a cup with the brownie sundae or the chocolate pudding.

The Chocolate Room
269 Court St.
Cobble Hill
718-246-2600
Online: thechocolateroombrooklyn.com

feature photo: Mehkt via Unsplash

—Danielle Krupa & Ilyssa Smith

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Hershey’s Is Hopping into Spring with a New Kiss

by Tinybeans TeamJanuary 4, 2022

Hershey’s new Kisses are popping up just in time for Easter this spring with a vanilla frosting core that your bunnies are going to love.

From the cute pink and blue plaid foil that reminds you of a spring picnic to the classic chocolate shell wrapped around frosting that’s reminiscent of the best part of a cupcake, the new Hershey’s Kisses are our favorites among Hershey’s spring offerings.

photo: Hershey’s

If you’re lucky, the Easter Bunny will also load up your baskets with the new Cookies ‘N’ Creme Polka Dot Bunnies, Cookies ‘N’ Crème Polka Dot Eggs and Whoppers Bunny Tails—in addition to the vanilla frosting Kisses. For traditionalists, you’ll still be able to find Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, Cadbury Crème Eggs and Cadbury Mini Eggs.

Briant Giles, Manager of the Easter season, The Hershey Company, said in a press release, “Families can always look to Hershey to provide iconic treats for their Easter baskets, but also to find something new in the candy aisle for the season, such as our Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates with Vanilla Frosting Flavored Creme – the perfect fit for springtime get-togethers!”

Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates with Vanilla Frosting Flavored Creme and other spring offerings are available for a limited time. Look for the sweet treats at retailers nationwide. Pricing is at the discretion of the retailer.

––Shelley Massey

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The Turkey Cake from Baskin Robbins Is Back & Delicious As Ever

by Karly WoodNovember 1, 2021

It isn’t Thanksgiving without some turkey! While we all enjoy a lovely, juicy bird at the dinner table, Baskin Robbins wants to mix things up.

The Turkey Cake has returned for all your imposter tricks. Made with the ice cream of your choice then topped with two sugar cone legs and a caramel praline topping glaze, this cake will give your actual turkey a run for its money.

If you’re looking for a more manageable dessert with no carving required, you’ll want to grab a cone of Baskin Robbins’ newest flavor, Snickerdoodle Chai. This seasonal flavor is made of a combination of snickerdoodle dough chunks, vanilla chai flavored ice cream and a cinnamon swirl.

Both treats will be offered at Baskin-Robbins locations throughout the month of November, while supplies last. Want a sweet deal? Baskin-Robbins is offering $5 off any cake purchase of $35 or more through November 25 and a free kids scoop starting on Thanksgiving Day through November 30 with a purchase of $15 or more.

—Karly Wood

All photos courtesy of Baskin-Robbins

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Little Debbie Is Coming to Ice Cream Pints for the First Time

by Sarah ShebekOctober 14, 2021

It’s 2021 and you can finally have Little Debbie in ice cream form! The ultimate sweet treat is coming to Walmart on November 1 and we are counting down the days.

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes are delicious on their own—now they’re blended into vanilla ice cream for the perfect holiday treat. The pints are swirled with the green sprinkles and red icing from the iconic holiday treat. Don’t forget the golden cake chunks!

You’ll only be able to find this delicious dessert at Walmart and it’s only $2.50 a pint. If you really want to take it to the next level, blend it up with a box of the Christmas Tree Cakes at home, then pass out on the couch with a holiday classic.

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Little Debbie

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Carvel Has New Hocus Pocus Shakes & We’re Utterly Bewitched by Those Cups

by Sarah ShebekSeptember 30, 2021

If you live near a Carvel and you’re a Hocus Pocus fan, you’ll be bewitched by this news. The ice cream company has created three limited-edition shakes that celebrate the Sanderson Sisters—and we’d buy them just for those collectible cups!

Available now through Halloween, the shakes each feature the distinctive personalities of the sisters. Sarah’s Chilling Churro Shake combines Churro Crunchies with cinnamon-sugar churro ice cream, topped with yellow sprinkles. Winnie’s Glorious Cake Batter Shake mixes up cake batter ice cream, topped with orange sprinkles. And Mary’s Divine Cookies & Cream Shake blends vanilla with cookie and cream pieces, topped with violet sprinkles.

The shakes are also celebrating Carvel’s partnership with Freeform, the network airing “31 Nights of Halloween” and plenty of Hocus Pocus. You can buy them starting at $4.79 at participating Carvel shops and on food delivery platforms. Don’t forget the collectible spoon!

If you need more of the Sanderson Sisters in your life, we’ve got you covered. Bubble, bubble we’re in trouble!

––Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Carvel

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10 Tasty Vietnamese Recipes for Families

by Karly WoodSeptember 29, 2021

If your kids already love noodles, it could be time to foray into Vietnamese food! Characterized by fresh herbs, fruit, vegetables, rice noodles and flour, with very little oil and dairy, Vietnamese cuisine is kid-friendly and also great for people with a gluten-intolerance. From crafting the perfect Banh Mi to sipping on flavorful Phở, these recipes are simple to make and will expand your family’s palate in no time.

Banh Mi

This Vietnamese sandwich from Rasa Malaysia is one of the most popular, especially because of its crusty baguette and flavorful meat. You can make it using pork or chicken and use traditional pickled carrots and may as condiments, or change to cater to your picky eaters.

Phở

Chilly night? Time for some Phở! While this traditional soup can take quite some time to prepare (it's all about the broth!), this recipe from Gimme Some Oven gives some easy shortcuts that gets in on the table in 45 minutes. Kids will love putting in their own veggies and meat, while cutting their noodles with a pair of scissors.

Bún Chả Giò

If you're opting for a lighter dinner packed with vegetables, this Vietnamese salad bowl is perfect. A Spicy Perspective has a simple recipe that combines marinated pork, a homemade dressing, noodles and fresh greens. Even better? Pair with some spring rolls to round out the meal.

Vietnamese Pan-Fried Ground Pork Patties

Even picky eaters won't be able to turn away from this delish recipe from Vicky Pham. Void of the usual lemongrass and fish sauce that is normally prevalent in Vietnamese recipes, these pan-fried pork patties pair great with rice.

Bo Kho

Calling all meat lovers! Vietnamese beef stew will quickly become your fall go-to meal thanks to Pups with Chopstick. Similar to regular beef stew, this version kicks it up a notch by using lemongrass, star anise and cinnamon to give it a brand new flavor. Serve with noodles or dip in a baguette––you can't go wrong with either!

Bánh xèo

These "sizzling cake" Vietnamese crepes are great for family dinners. A savory version, Hungry Huy shares a crispy Bánh xèo (pronounced "ban say-oh") recipe involving pork, shrimp, greens and tons of flavor.

Bun Ga Nuong

This fancy sounding dish really comes down to Vietnamese noodles with Lemongrass chicken. The fun-to-look-at meal involves simple ingredients that are fresh, healthy and can be customized for your fam. Head to Carlsbad Cravings for this tasty recipe.

Cha Gio

The best part of Vietnamese Spring Rolls? You can customize them however you want! This particular recipe from Rasa Malaysia takes pork, shrimp, crab meat, carrots and mung bean noodles all wrapped together then fried. Don't forget the spring roll sauce!

Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken

Sauté, grill or bake: there's no wrong way to enjoy this lemongrass chicken from Gimme Some Oven. You'll be whipping up your own fragrant marinade, cooking and serving up the tastiest dinner of the week!

Banh Bong Lan

Vanilla sponge cake anyone? This delicious recipe from Run Away Rice is sweet and simple, with a light vanilla flavor. Chances are, you already have everything you need to make Banh Bong Lan!

Celebrate Palmer House Hilton’s 150th Birthday & Bake Their Famous Brownies

by Maria ChambersSeptember 23, 2021

Did you know the first-ever brownie recipe came from right here in Chicago? Yep, it did! This iconic dessert was created at the Palmer House in Chicago. In celebration of Palmer House’s 150th, we’re sharing the recipe so you can celebrate this milestone at home. As a bonus, we’re throwing in Hilton Chicago’s guest-favorite Signature Carrot Cake Pop recipe. Read on for the recipes and a little Chicago brownie history lesson to share with the kids.

photo: Palmer House Hilton

Palmer House Hilton Brownie
The first reference to the “brownie” in America appears in the Sears Roebuck Catalog published in Chicago in 1898. Specifically at the direction of Bertha Palmer to be served at the Columbian Exposition World’s Fair in 1893, the brownie was created in the Palmer House Kitchen in the late 19th century. The recipe below is well over a century old, and is the exact same one used for the brownie served in the Palmer House Hilton today! It remains one of the hotel’s most popular confections.

Ingredients:
14 oz semi-sweet chocolate
1 lb butter
12 oz granulated sugar
4 oz flour
8 eggs
12 oz crushed walnuts
1 tbsp vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2. Melt chocolate and butter in a double boiler. Mix the sugar and flour together in a bowl. Combine chocolate and flour mixtures. Stir 4 to 5 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and continue mixing.

3. Pour mixture into a 9×12 baking sheet. Sprinkle walnuts on top, pressing down slightly into the mixture with your hand. Bake 30-40 minutes.

4. Brownies are done when the edges begin to crisp and has risen about 1/4 of an inch.

Note: When the brownie is properly baked, it will remain “gooey” with a toothpick in the middle due to the richness of the mixture.

Glaze: Mix together 1 c. water, 1 c. apricot preserves, and 1 tsp. unflavored gelatin in saucepan. Mix thoroughly and bring to a boil for two minutes. Brush hot glaze on brownies while still warm.

photo: Hilton Chicago

Hilton Chicago’s Signature Carrot Cake Pop Recipe

Ingredients:
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp cinnamon powder
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup chopped pecans
3.5 oz. coconut flakes
8 oz crushed pineapple

Directions:

Baking Process:
1. Spray and paper a 10” cake pan.

2. Combine all of the dry ingredients (flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt).

3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.

4. Add the dry ingredient mixture and mix until all of the ingredients are fully combined.

5. Next add the carrot, pecans, coconut, and pineapple mixing gently with a spatula.

6. Pour into the previously prepared cake pan.

7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350*F degrees.

8. Let it cool down.

Assembly Process:
1. Combine the soft butter in the mixing bowl until well combined and add the powder sugar and vanilla, and mix until you reach a creamy consistency.

2. You will need to melt your favorite type of chocolate.

3. Place the chilled carrot cake in a mixing bowl and break into little pieces. Add some of the cream cheese filling until you reach a scoop-able consistency. (Note: do not add too much filling because your dough can become too soupy to scoop).

4. Scoop the size that you desire to make your cake pop. Add stick and freeze for at least an hour.

5. Melt some of your favorite chocolate. Add some food coloring to make some fun color cake pops, if desired.

6. Once the cake pops are of hard consistency, dip in the melted chocolate and let them set for a few minutes.

— Maria Chambers

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There’s a Harry Potter Butterbeer DQ Blizzard: Here’s How to Order It

by Karly WoodSeptember 11, 2021

Calling all Potterheads! A visit to Universal Studios not in the cards right now? Never mind, because you can still get your Butterbeer fix: at Dairy Queen.

Tiktok User @thedairyqueenking has been wowing fans for quite some time with DQ creations but the newest magical creation takes the cake. Pay attention, because this concoction is not on the official menu!

@thedairyqueenking

Calling all Harry Potter fans!! Butter Beer Blizzard!! how to order in comments :) #dairyqueen #harrypotter #harrypottertiktok #fyp #foryou #booktok

♬ Hedwig’s Theme – John Williams

To treat your Butterbeer craving, start by ordering a Blizzard with vanilla syrup, butterscotch syrup, Butterfinger pieces and whipped cream. That’s it!

Be forewarned that not all DQ locations carry butterscotch, so you might want to check before getting too excited, or just order it with caramel instead.

ML Interest Tag: vanilla

Snag This Conversation Heart Cake Kit before It’s Gone

What It Is

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Banh Mi

Phở

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Bánh xèo

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Cha Gio

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Banh Bong Lan

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