Coming up with new ideas for class party snacks is tough!  As parents, we all want to bring in something fun and creative, but sometimes the trickiest treats are too much work or aren’t enjoyed by the kids.

Another challenge that parents might face is a school district enforcing the policy that “sugar” cannot be the first ingredient in a class room snack!  So, with all of this in mind, here are some suggestions that might put you at the head of the class!

Pink Heart Shaped Bagels

My local bagel shop makes these every February!  Make sure that you pre-order these special bagels and request that they are pre-cut.  Serve with butter and cream cheese.

Red Jello

Don’t overlook this old favorite!  You can make the traditional version or sugar free and if time is short, purchase Jello that is prepackaged in snack sized containers.  Whipped cream optional!

Heart Shaped Cupcakes

I saw this clever idea in an issue of Family Fun magazine.  Line your regular cupcake pans with baking papers, fill half way with batter and then (here’s the tricky part!) insert a 1/2” ball of aluminum foil between the liner and the side of the pan.  While the cupcakes are baking, the foil ball will push the side of the cupcake into a heart shape!  You can also try this trick with muffin batter for a healthier snack.

Pick up some cute (Amazon, Cupcake Wrappers, on sale 12 for $20.48)

Vintage Inspired Valentine Picks from Cupcake Swirl for the perfect finishing touch! (Cupcake Swirl, Vintage Picks, on sale for $10.00)

Other Heart Shaped and Fun Valentine’s Treat Ideas

With a cookie cutter or kitchen scissors, you can turn many fun foods into Valentine hearts!  Consider brownies, rice krispie treats, pizza, sugar cookies, sandwiches, and more!   To make the cute Valentines on a Stick, see Pillsbury.com.

I hope that these ideas give you a quick and easy solution to the class room snack dilemma!  If you’ve come up with a great idea for a Valentine’s Day treat for school, I’d love to hear!

For more seasonal fun, sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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• Valentine’s Day Treats for School Parties
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• Fun Birthday Treats for School

Ingredients:

• 1 roll (18 oz.) Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookies.  (I think that you could use the chocolate chip cookie dough as an alternative.)
• ½ c. creamy peanut butter.  (You could also use regular icing instead of peanut butter.)
• 1 ½ c. assorted candies for toppings.  (No hard candy.)  Try raisins, M&M’s, candy corn, chocolate chips, or mini marshmallows.
• ¼ c. vanilla ready to spread frosting from a 16 oz. can.

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 inch round pizza pan with foil and grease foil. Cut cookie dough into ¼ inch-thick slices. Arrange in the pan and press to form a crust.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown.
• Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• Use foil to lift the crust from the pan.  Remove foil and transfer crust to a serving dish.
• Spread peanut butter over the crust.  Sprinkle evenly with candies.
• In a small microwaveable bowl, microwave frosting on high 10 to 15 seconds, until thin and drizzly.  Drizzle over the cookie pizza and cut into wedges.

An alternative: the bakery department at my local supermarket sells chocolate chip cookie cakes that they will decorate however you’d like, including Happy Birthday messages!

Tip of the Week: Warm up the Winter with a Hot Chocolate Bar!

During the cold winter months, it’s nice to entertain guests who, like you, might be suffering from a bit of cabin fever!  And adding a hot chocolate bar to any winter gathering will be a welcome addition!  Here are some ideas for delicious hot chocolate and an assortment of toppings that will bring out the kid in everyone!

Hot Chocolate

I’ve come across a few recipes for home made hot chocolate that are worth the effort, especially if you’ve gone to the trouble of gathering those garnishes!

From Giada De Laurentis

Ingredients:

• 4 1/2 cups whole milk
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/4 cup sugar

Preparation:

In a medium saucepan, heat 4 cups of the milk over low heat, being very careful not to let the milk boil. In a small bowl, mix together the cocoa, sugar, and the remaining 1/2 cup milk. Add the cocoa mixture to the warm milk, and continue to warm the cocoa until hot.  Serves 4.

From Epicurious

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces semisweet chocolate (chips or chopped bars are both fine)
• 2 quarts milk (8 cups)

Preparation:

1. Combine the chocolate and milk in a heavy saucepan. Place over medium heat until bubbles form, reduce the heat slightly, and simmer until the chocolate melts, whisking constantly.
2. Before serving, raise the heat until the chocolate just boils, still whisking.  Serves 8.

From Barefoot Contessa

Your easiest option – a rich and smooth hot chocolate mix made with the finest chocolate! (Sinful Hot Chocolate Mix)

Toppings

Pick one, two or all to complete the hot chocolate bar!

Candy

• Crumbled toffee candy, like Heathbar
• Crushed peppermints or candy canes
• Peanut brittle bits
• Mini chocolate chips/peanut butter chips/white chocolate chips
• Chopped thin crème de mint candies, like Andes

Marshmallows

• Mini marshmallows
• Marshmallow topping, like Fluff (remember that?)

Stirrers

• Chocolate dipped candy sticks (Reception Sticks Assorted Flavors)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Candy canes
• Rock candy sticks (Demitasse Sticks)
• Party Spoons (Whipped Topping Dollops On Spoons)

Adults Only!

• Kahlua
• Grand Marnier
• Crème de Mint
• Bailey’s

I hope that these suggestions for a Hot Chocolate Bar will add a warm and cozy menu addition at your next get together!  Did I miss a fabulous topping?  Just let me know!

And for more fun and quick tips, come follow me on Twitter – you’ll have to join but it’s easy and free!

You may also enjoy:

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• Fabulous Cocktail Rings
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Look What I Found -  Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves!

Cupcakes are so popular right now and bakers everywhere are creating beautiful cupcakes for every occasion.  But, if you’re not an expert baker or just short on time, Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves are perfect!

These innovative sleeves are self-adhesive wrappers that are placed over the base of a homemade or store bought cupcake and each set of wrappers arrives with ideas for decorating using easy to find toppings.

There are specialty wrappers for just about any holiday or party theme!  For example, you can celebrate a movie night with an Oscar style trophy award, box of popcorn or movie film reel!  (Reel Fun Cupcake Sleeves, package of 12 for $8.99)

My Favorites

Each set of twelve Roundabouts sleeves arrives in a storage package along with a convenient quick reference hanging tag and a second card with tips and suggestions.  Some of my favorites include:

• A groovy gumball machine
• Ice cream cone
• Tennis anyone – tennis ball
• Miniature golf carts
• Sweet margarita

Turn ordinary cupcakes into the highlight of your celebration with Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves!

This week I came across a fun new idea for a summer dessert:  a popsicle and soda bar!   This cool treat is easily pulled together by assembling an assortment of “skinny” ice pops in a variety of fruit flavors, along with carbonated sodas and sparkling flavored waters.  Invite guests to mix and match popsicles and drinks, using the popsicles as “stirrers.”  My family tested this sunny day specialty in our kitchen and the kids loved it!

Consider purchasing red, white and blue ice pops and serving this dessert at your Fourth of July celebration!  And for more creative and doable ideas for your next summer picnic, head to “Celebrate the Fourth of July with Patriotic Panache!”

Don’t miss out! For more fun and quick tips, come follow me on Twitter – you’ll have to join but it’s EASY and free!

P.S. thanks to Southern Living and Rachel Ray magazines for inspiring this tip!