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When my kids were little, I remember the struggle at the grocery store. They’d beg for those colorful cereals with cartoon characters on the box, and I’d cringe at both the price tag and sugar content. But sometimes, those little splurges are worth it – especially when you can transform them into something special that stretches your dollar further.

That’s exactly what these Fruity Pebbles Cookies do. I discovered this recipe years ago when we had a partial box of cereal sitting in our pantry getting stale. Instead of throwing it away (because wasting food means wasting money!), I decided to get creative.

These cookies quickly became a family favorite. They’re perfect for birthday parties, bake sales, or just a special weekend treat. My kids’ friends would always get excited when they saw these colorful cookies coming out of our kitchen.

The best part? You don’t need fancy ingredients or special equipment. Just a few basics plus that colorful cereal. If you catch Fruity Pebbles on sale (I’ve found them for as low as $2 a box when using coupons and watching for deals), this entire batch costs less than $5 to make – much cheaper than store-bought specialty cookies!

• Author: Penny Pinchin Mom
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: 0 hours
• Yield: 24 cookies
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup Fruity Pebbles cereal (plus extra for topping)
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips (optional)

For the Drizzle:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk (adjust for consistency)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Mix in the eggs and vanilla extract until well combined.
• In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
• Fold in the Fruity Pebbles cereal and white chocolate chips (if using).
• Scoop tablespoon-sized portions onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to create the drizzle.
• Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle the icing over the top and sprinkle extra Fruity Pebbles for decoration.

Notes

Other fun desserts

• Patriotic Ice Cream Cake
• Mouthwatering Oreo Filled Treats
• Caramel Krispie Treats

The post Fruity Pebbles Cookie Recipe appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

With Christmas right around the corner, what better way to start celebrating than making some great candy with some old fashioned Christmas candy recipes? Candy is one of those things that make the holiday season so great, and more and more people are using homemade Christmas candy recipes to save themselves some money.

Creating your own Christmas candy wonderland doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you’re planning a neighborhood candy exchange or looking for easy Christmas candy recipes to make with your family, there’s something magical about filling your home with the sweet aromas of holiday treats. From classic peppermint bark to rich chocolate truffles, these sugary desserts will bring joy to your holiday celebrations.

One of the best parts about making homemade candy is the ability to customize flavors and create beautiful, gift-worthy treats. Easy Christmas candy recipes like chocolate-covered pretzels, festive Christmas bark, and simple fudge variations make perfect additions to cookie platters or holiday gift baskets. Plus, when you make your own treats, you know exactly what ingredients are going into them.

Whether you’re a seasoned candy maker or trying your hand at homemade confections for the first time, I think you’ll love some of my family’s favorite recipes.

The joy of making easy Christmas candy extends far beyond the kitchen. Whether you’re organizing a festive candy exchange with neighbors or creating special sugary desserts for loved ones, homemade Christmas candy brings warmth and sweetness to the holiday season. Your candy wonderland awaits, filled with delicious Christmas bark, chocolate-dipped delights, and other memorable treats that will become cherished family traditions.

The post 25+ Best Christmas Candy Recipes appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Who doesn’t love a steaming cup of hot chocolate on a chilly day? It’s a timeless favorite for both kids and adults. But what if we could take this beloved drink and turn it into something even more special and fun?

That’s exactly what I discovered while browsing the King Arthur Flour Baker’s Circle archives. Hidden among the recipes was an unusual recipe that caught my eye: Hot Chocolate on a Stick. This clever creation takes everything we love about hot chocolate and transforms it into a portable, giftable, and utterly delicious treat.

Imagine a rich, creamy chocolate confection that melts perfectly into warm milk, creating the most luxurious hot chocolate you’ve ever tasted. It’s not just a drink – it’s an experience. And the best part? You can make it right in your own kitchen, with your kids joining in on the fun. It’s more than just a recipe; it’s a chance to create sweet memories together.

Ready to discover how to make this magical treat? Let’s get started!

Also see these recipes!

• Homemade Nesquick Recipe
• Copycat Starbucks Caramel Frappe Recipe
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Bon Bon Candy Recipe
• Walking Smores Recipe
• Chocolate Cake Pop Recipe

Hot Chocolate on a Stick Recipe

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• Author: Penny Pinchin Mom

Ingredients

• 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used Nestle Toll House)
• 4 ounces bittersweet (60% cacao) baking bar (Ghirardelli’s my favorite)
• 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 28–30 lollipop sticks
• 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows or make your own. You can also get creative with crushed candy canes, sprinkles, or whatever you like!
• 1 gallon of whole milk (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Put the chocolate chips and broken-up bittersweet chocolate into a big bowl. Set aside.
2. Heat the heavy cream and sweetened condensed milk in a saucepan. Aim for about 120-130°F (3-4 minutes should do it).
3. Pour the hot milk mixture over your chocolate and whisk thoroughly. You want a smooth chocolate consistency.
4. Use a spoon or piping bag (or a plastic bag with the corner snipped) to fill your molds (I used a mini muffin pan, but an ice cream tray works well, too) about ¾ full. Leave room for toppings, unless you prefer them plain.
5. Place lollipop sticks right in the center of each one.
6. Add your toppings and press them in gently.
7. Now for the tough part – waiting. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight if you can resist.
8. Take two chocolate cubes on a stick and put them in a large mug (10-12 oz is perfect).
9. Heat some whole milk in the microwave for 2 – 2 ½ minutes.
10. Pour the hot milk over your chocolate cubes and stir with the stick until it’s all melted and delicious.

Notes

• When filling the molds, give the pan a little shake to even things out.
• Watch those sticks while chilling. If they start to tilt, just push them back into place.
• Get creative with toppings! Crushed candy canes, M&M’s, sprinkles, crushed Butterfinger – you name it!
• Don’t mix up evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. Your fudge won’t set, and you’ll be disappointed.
• Store these treats in a covered container in the fridge for up to a month. But let’s be honest, they probably won’t last that long.

The post Hot Chocolate on a Stick: A Clever Twist on a Classic Treat appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Are you ready for a baking adventure that’ll make your kitchen smell like heaven and your family think you’ve become a master baker overnight? I’ve got a collection of dessert bread recipes that are so easy and delicious, you’ll wonder why you ever bought store-bought loaves!

I’ve put together my favorite dessert bread recipes. From zesty Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Bread to indulgent Chocolate Cherry Pound Cake Loaf, we’ve got flavors to satisfy every craving. Got dietary restrictions? No worries! Our Gluten Free Banana Bread is so good, nobody will guess it’s GF.

Need to use up those garden veggies? Our Greek Yogurt Zucchini Bread is the perfect solution. Craving fall flavors? Whip up our cozy Pumpkin Bread. Missing your favorite coffee shop treat? Try our Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Bread and save some cash!

For a twist, our Buttery Beer Bread will wow at your next gathering. And don’t forget the Cinnamon Swirl Cream Cheese Banana Bread – it might just become your new family favorite!

The best part? Most of these loaves need only 10 minutes of prep time. That’s less time than it takes to scroll through your social media feed!

So grab those loaf pans and let’s get baking! Whether you’re making Strawberry Cheesecake Bread for a decadent breakfast or Orange Loaf Cake to brighten a gloomy day, these recipes are sure to impress. Your family will thank you, and you’ll wonder why you didn’t start this bread-baking adventure sooner!

Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Bread

Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Bread – Homemade moist lemon bread with fresh blueberries with a lemon glaze. Get the recipe from Gather for Bread.

Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe

Easy gluten-free banana bread recipe you can make with the things you already have on hand! Get the recipe Penny Pinchin Mom.

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread

Lemon Poppy Seed Bread recipe is a favorite for breakfast or dessert with a deliciously light crumb and plenty of lemon shining through. Get the recipe from Cooking Classy.

Strawberry Cheesecake Bread

If you like strawberries and cheesecake, this is a tasty treat. This strawberry cheesecake bread is good as is or with homemade strawberry glaze! Get the recipe from Macaroni & Cheesecake.

Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf Bread

Easy copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf or Starbucks Lemon Pound Cake! This is a simple dessert or breakfast recipe you can create at home – saving you big money! Get the recipe from Penny Pinchin Mom.

Pumpkin Bread

This homemade pumpkin bread recipe is super moist and easy to make. Get the recipe from Sugar and Charm.

Cinnamon Swirl Cream Cheese Banana Bread

This has a delicious cinnamon swirl and cheesecake filling with walnuts hidden inside. This will easily be one of the best quick breads that you ever make! Get the recipe from The Recipe Critic.

Greek Yogurt Zucchini Bread Recipe

This easy, healthy, and wholesome Greek yogurt zucchini bread could be your new favorite recipe for this classic quick bread! Get the recipe from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Orange Loaf Cake Recipe

This Orange Loaf Cake is made with oil for an exceptionally moist, flavorful cake. Top with orange glaze for a stellar dessert – no mixer needed! Get the recipe from Borrowed Bites

Chocolate Cherry Pound Cake Loaf Recipe with Chocolate Ganache

Dark, rich and sweet, this chocolate cherry pound cake recipe has a melt in your mouth chocolate ganache glaze. Get the recipe from The Best Cake Recipes

Blueberry Muffin Bread

This Blueberry Bread is a scrumptious mix of juicy berries, citrusy-sweet lemon, & moist rich bread. This dessert is perfect anytime of day! Get the recipe from Simply Home Cooked

Buttery Beer Bread

There is nothing better than homebaked bread! The smell throughout your house – amazing! One of the simplest breads to make is beer bread. The reason – no yeast required! Get the recipe from Penny Pinchin Mom.

The post The BEST Easy Dessert Bread Recipes appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Ice Cream Cake is such a fun summer treat, but it can be expensive!  Skip the store and make it yourself.

As you plan your July 4th picnic, this cake will be the perfect dessert.  It combines a love of Twinkies and ice cream in one!  This Patriotic Ice Cream Cake is super easy to make!  Best of all, you can make it any time of the year – with any Twinkies you might find in the store.

If you are looking for other patriotic food, check out:

• Red White and Blue Mac and Cheese

Patriotic Ice Cream Cake

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• Author: Penny Pinchin Mom
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Total Time: 2.5 hours
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 Box Red, White and Blue Twinkies
• 1 Quart Vanilla Ice Cream
• 8x8 Baking Pan
• Red and Blue Toppings/Sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Open the ice cream an allow to soften for 20 minutes or so.
2. Open all of the Twinkies and press firmly into the botom of your pan.
3. Spread the ice cream over the top of the Twinkies.
4. Add sprinkles or other toppings.
5. Put in freezer, uncovered, for 1 – 2 hours.
6. Serve and enjoy!

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Love Oreos? Try one of these delicious treats.Oreos have been my very favorite store bought cookie for as long as I can remember. When I was a kid I would pull them apart and eat the icing first. Now that I am an adult, I still love Oreos just as much- but now I can make amazing things with them!Three Ingredient Oreo Truffles

Mint & Chocolate Fudge Oreo Bars

Oreo Truffle Brownies

Creamy Oreo Dip

Birthday Cake Oreo Truffle

Oreo Pudding Pops

Cookies & Cream Oreo Cake Roll

No Bake Oreo Pie

Oreo Cookies

Blackberry Cheesecake Oreo Brownies

Deep Fried Oreos

M&M Oreo Cookie Bars

No Bake Oreo Cheesecake

Mint Ice Cream Oreo Tart

Oreo Ice Cream Cupcakes

Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

The post 16 Mouthwatering Oreo Filled Treats appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Give me a pumpkin roll rather than pumpkin pie!  I am not a fan of pie in any way.  But, I still love pumpkin flavors and desserts.

One way I can still enjoy pumpkin for dessert on Thanksgiving is with a pumpkin roll.  The combination of the pumpkin and cream cheese frosting….well…I’ll let you put your own taste buds to the test and let me know what you think!

More fall recipes you’ll love:

• Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Layered Dessert
• 16 Pumpkin Desserts to Make This Fall

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Pumpkin Roll

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• Author: Penny Pinchin Mom
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

CAKE

• ¼ cup powdered sugar, to sprinkle on a towel
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup pure pumpkin
• Pinch of salt

FILLING

• 1 8oz package of cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 6 table spoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

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Instructions

1. 1. Preheat oven to 375F. Grease 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper.
   2. Sprinkle thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar (use enough so the cake will not stick to towel).
   3. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt on a small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mix until well combined. Spread evenly into prepared baking sheet.
   4. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (if using dark pan, begin checking for doneness around 11 minutes).
   5. Immediately loosen and turn cake out onto prepared towel. Peel off wax paper. Roll up the cake and towel together, starting with the narrow end. Cool completely.
   6. For filling, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla in a small bowl until creamy and smooth.
   7. Unroll cake and spread cream cheese filling over the cake. Re-roll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for at least an hour.
   8. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

The post Pumpkin Roll appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Candied Grapes….are those a real snack food? For my kids, they certainly are! If you love Sour Patch Kids candy, then you can think of these as Sour Patch Grapes. They are a super easy recipe to make, in fact, your kids can make them all by themselves. If you love any type of candied fruit, then learning how to make candied grapes is worth a try. And, you’ll never guess what I used to make the candy coating on the outside….

While they come in many different forms and flavors, a candied grape is simply a fresh grape that has been either rolled in a flavored sugar mixture or dipped in melted hard candy. These are sometimes referred to as Candy Grapes or Jello Grapes, depending on the coating used. Sometimes, these candied grapes are even frozen to add another layer to this unique eating experience.

Cotton Candy Grapes, on the other hand, are a specific variety of grape that naturally has a sweet flavor reminiscent of cotton candy. They aren’t necessarily “candied,” but their unique flavor profile makes them popular among children and adults alike.

Crack grapes, often mentioned in the same context, is another term for candied grapes. It stems from the crackling sound these grapes make when you bite into the hardened candy coating.

Recipe Variations – Candy Grapes, Jello Grapes, And More!

A simple Google search will result in quite a variety of recipes for candied grapes. Here are some options, each using different candy coating material for the grapes:

• Jello Grapes: Any flavor of regular Jello powder works well as a coating for the damp grapes to roll around in, especially those sour versions, imitating the taste of Sour Patch Kids candy. Just don’t use a sugar-free version of Jello powder.
• Jolly Rancher Grapes: Melt Jolly Rancher candies, then dip the grapes directly into the melted candy or drizzle the sugar syrup over the grapes. This coating method isn’t safe for kids due to the hot, molten sugar. Safety first, always!
• Cotton Candy Grapes: While the name may lead you to believe they’re coated in cotton candy, these grapes actually get their name from their natural flavor. However, for a twist, you can try coating these sweet grapes in your choice of candy coating for a doubly sweet treat!

DIY Cotton Candy Syrup And Granulated Sugar Coating

Another fun option is to make your own cotton candy syrup. Start by combining granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and continue to heat the syrup until it reaches the “hard crack” stage (300 to 310 degrees Fahrenheit). You can then dip the grapes in this syrup (carefully – it’s hot!) and let them harden.

If you don’t have a candy thermometer, you can test the syrup’s readiness by dropping a small amount into a bowl of ice water. If it forms a hard, brittle thread, it’s ready.

For a granulated sugar coating, you can simply roll your wet grapes in granulated sugar. This will create a sweet and crunchy exterior, similar to a sugared doughnut.

Ice Cream And Other Dessert Pairings

Candied grapes are great on their own, but why stop there? Pair them with a scoop of your favorite ice cream for an elevated dessert experience. The cool, creamy texture of the ice cream balances out the sweet, crunchy grapes beautifully. You could also add them to fruit salads or use them as garnishes for other desserts.

Whether you call them candy grapes, jello grapes, cotton candy grapes, or crack grapes, one thing is certain: they’re a hit with kids and adults alike. You can use any variety of seedless grape, be it red or green, just ensure that they are firm for the best result.

Remember to experiment with different flavors such as lime and strawberry, and don’t forget to try using crushed Jolly Ranchers as an additional coating option. This fun dessert recipe is all about creativity and flavor, so don’t be afraid to mix and match to find your perfect candy grape combination. Happy snacking!

Fun Recipe For Sour Patch Kids Candy Lovers

My kids love Sour Patch Kids candy, so we make them with sour Jello powder flavors for a similar but healthier taste experience. The sour jello grape variety is a wonderful replacement for the Sour Patch Kids candy, offering a satisfying sweet-sour flavor while being relatively healthier.

Enjoy Your Candy Grapes

These candy grapes are more than just a snack, they are a fun and engaging activity for you and your kids. Plus, they are a healthier alternative to other sweet treats. So go ahead and make some candy grapes, your family will thank you!

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Candied Grapes

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• Green or red seedless grapes
• 1 box green apple or watermelon gelatin

• Author: Penny Pinchin Mom
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

1. Wash the grapes in a mesh strainer and let them drip dry.
2. Pour the Jello powder onto a plate, then roll the damp grapes in the powder until coated.
3. Place them in the fridge for one hour to allow the Jello to set, then serve cold and enjoy!

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Notes

Toothpick Trick: A little trick to make the coating process easier is to use a toothpick. Stick the toothpick into the grape and then roll it in the coating. This can help you get a more even layer of candy coating and also keep your fingers clean!

And there you have it, an easy and fun treat that your kids are sure to love. Just remember to maintain a balance with their snacks, and as always, enjoy the quality time you spend with them. After all, family is priceless. Stay frugal, folks!

The post Candied Grapes Recipe: 3 Ingredients, 10 Minutes (Addictive!) appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Candy corn bark is a simple, sweet treat you can make for any party.  I’ve seen lots of varieties of Halloween bark, but this is one which focuses on one of my favorite Halloween candies – candy corn!

What makes this treat great is how simple it is to make.  It will take just a few minutes to whip up a batch, making it the perfect last minute Halloween treat!

Make sure you check out all of our other fun Halloween recipes too!

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Candy Corn Bark

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• Author: Penny Pinchin Mom
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 bag of Yellow Melting Candies
• 1 bag of Orange Melting Candies
• Wax paper
• Candy Corn (add amount you want)

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Instructions

1. Melt the both the yellow and orange melting candies in the microwave (use separate bowls).
2. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
3. Spoon the melted candies into pools across the wax paper. Keep the colors separate, but touching.
4. Using a spoon, lightly mix the colors to get a tie die look.
5. Sprinkle with candy corn (as much as you would like).
6. Allow to dry and then break into chunks.
7. Serve and enjoy!

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If you love to make fun treats for your kids for Halloween, you will definitely want to try these fun Rolo Monster Eye Cookies!  They are so super simple to make and your kids will absolutely love them!

You will want to also try some of our other unique Halloween treats:

• Skeleton Bones
• Melting Ghost Cookies
• Monster Eye Cookies

And then, make sure you also follow our Halloween Pinterest board for MORE Halloween inspiration!

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Rolo Monster Eye Cookies

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• Author: Penny Pinchin Mom
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Total Time: 21 minutes
• Yield: 18 cookies
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup peanut butter
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tbs. sour cream
• 1 ¼ cup flour
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ½ tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 18–20 Rolos
• 18–20 small Wilton candy eyes

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Instructions

1. 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease your baking sheets.
   2. In a medium size bowl combine the softened butter, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla and sour cream.
   3. Mix until smooth and creamy. Set aside.

1. In a smaller separate bowl combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
2. Mix well and slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients stirring slowly.
3. Add in the 1 cup of chocolate chips and mix well.
4. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto the greased cookie sheets and bake 9-11 minutes.
5. Remove the cookies from the oven and top each warm cookie with one Rolo and one candy eye on top of the Rolo.
6. The heat from the cookie will melt the Rolo slightly allowing the candy eye to stick.

The post Rolo Monster Eye Cookies appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

I just love these little reindeer cupcakes! They are so simple to make, that my little girl was making them on her own, without assistance, after just showing her how to do it once!  It is a fun activity to do with your kids on a cold, snowy December afternoon.  And, they are just as much fun to eat as they are to make!

More fun cupcake recipes:

• Christmas Tree Cupcakes
• Crazy Candy Cupcakes
• Snowman Cupcakes

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Reindeer Cupcakes

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• Author: Penny Pinchin Mom
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 25
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• Chocolate Cake Mix
• Chocolate Frosting
• Mini Vanilla Wafers
• Candy Eyes
• Mini Pretzels
• Red M&M’s

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Instructions

1. Make the chocolate cupcakes as directed on the box.
2. Frost them with the chocolate frosting.
3. Use two mini pretzels as the “antlers”, one on each side. Press them into the frosting gently.
4. Place two candy eyes, right under the pretzels.
5. Place the mini vanilla wafer under the eyes.
6. Using a small baggie as a piping bag, scoop a large spoonful of frosting into the bag, and cut off the corner tip.
7. Put a small dot of frosting on the middle of the vanilla wafer, to hold the red m&m; nose.
8. Press the red m&m; nose onto the frosting.
9. Repeat until each cupcake is finished.

The post Reindeer Cupcakes appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Birthdays. Holidays. Anniversaries. Weddings. Baby showers. Think of all the occasions that are accompanied by a big, moist cake. How many can you count? I’ll give you a hint, it’s an awful lot! Which, in turn, means that the amount of leftover cake you have on any given month can be quite a bit!

If you’re anything like me, or the others in my household, once that cake turns even the least bit dry, it becomes an unappetizing lump, taunting me anytime I catch sight of it sitting snuggly in my fridge. Taking up a ton of space, by the way. So much work went into that frosting topped, cake-filled monster; hand stirring, machine mixing, eggs, (and you know how expensive those are lately,) icing, frosting, and if you’re fancy, maybe even some hand-placed fondant too! The point is, is that it’s now past its prime and too stale to eat, yet you just can’t throw it away. You’ll be happy to know that there are a ton of recipes you can use to turn that old cake into a fresh, new dessert! Read on for the frosting covered tips!

Cake Pops 

Cake pops are widely popular these days, and if you can conjure up some in your own cozy kitchen, then sign me up! The recipe for these is very simple, you’ll be pleased to discover.

Also see: My easy cake pop recipe

First, cut your leftover cake into medium-sized chunks and place into a large bowl. Mash the cake with a fork or spatula. Add in any leftover frosting you may have as well. Or, if you’re similar to my toddler, and scrape off just the frosting to eat, so you have absolutely none left, (which is clearly the best part, so no shame here,) then you can toss in some cream cheese instead!

Next, line a baking sheet with wax paper, or tin foil, if you’d rather. Roll the cake and frosting mixture into cake balls, about the size of a teaspoon or so. Use cake pop sticks and insert them into the middle of the balls. Line the baking pan with these, and then, when it’s full, pop them in the freezer for about 30 minutes or so.

After this, you can melt a little chocolate. White or dark, whatever you prefer. Dip the cake pops in the melted chocolate, and if you’re feeling especially festive, you can roll the pops in some sprinkles or even some crusted sugar. Then place them back in the fridge to cool and enjoy a bit later.

Cake French Toast 

French toast is just about the only reason I’ll skip hitting the snooze button and hop out of bed energetically in the morning. I love French toast! And when I found this twist on the original French toast, I just about lost it with excitement.

You can make this recipe with different types of leftover cake, to be sure, but my favorite is to make it with leftover pound cake. It has easy, simple steps, and it’s really versatile. Cut your pound cake into slices. Make sure to keep the slices about 1 to 2 inches thick. Soak each side of the cake in a mixture of egg, milk, and cinnamon, just like you would for regular French toast.

For this recipe, I like to use non-stick spray on my pan. But you can also use butter if it works better for you. Cook your cake on both sides. As soon as it’s cooked, remove from the pan and start to layer on your toppings! Some of my favorites are good, old maple syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream, or even ice cream, if you’re feeling a little decedent.

Cake Shakes 

This one was new to my recipe box, but it is very quickly becoming a favorite in my household. I think it will in yours too! This one is a quick fix for your stale cake. And you can be sure that it won’t be stale anymore. It’s very similar to a milkshake, but you get an incredibly thick texture that you’ll love.

All you need is any type of leftover cake, (my favorite is any type of birthday cake or chocolate cake to make a chocolate cake shake,) and chilled milk. Any type of milk will work, so lactose intolerant friends, no need to worry! Cut your cake into large chunks, stack the chunks in the blender, add your cold milk, or ice cream if you like, and blend away. The texture is magnificent, and the fact that there is no need to heat, or bake is a winner in my book!

Cake Crumb Pudding 

Cake crumb pudding, sometimes called cake bread pudding, is another winner. Other than the cake, (and my favorite cake flavor to use for this one is vanilla,) there’ll be a few extra ingredients involved with this one to bring it to its full and tasty flavored fruition.

You’ll need 1 cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of salted butter, 1 large egg, and 1/4 cup of white granulated sugar. You’ll also need some flavor. Vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, as well as a pinch of salt.

You can start by cubing the cake into about 1-inch squares, and even though it’s extremely delicious, we don’t need the frosting for this one, so make sure you scrape it off! Place the cubes into a large mixing bowl. Take the large egg and place it in a smallish bowl filled with warm water to bring it to room temperature quickly.

Heat the butter and milk in a small saucepan until the butter is thoroughly melted. (The milk should be steamy, but not boiling.) You can set aside this custard-like mixture when it’s done. Next, combine the sugar, vanilla and egg with an egg whisk. You can stir a couple of tablespoons of the milk mixture into this mix. Then slowly sprinkle in the nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. (It only takes a pinch of salt, and you can add it to taste if you like.)

Pour the mix onto the dry cake cubes in the mixing bowl. Let everything sit and soak together for about 20 to 25 minutes for maximum absorption. After this, you can spread a layer of butter onto an 8×8 baking dish and pour in the delightfully soaked batter-like mixture.

Let it bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes. Be sure not to overbake, or it will become dry. A toothpick pushed into the center, and pulled out clean should tell you if it’s cooked perfectly. Once done, garnish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and perhaps a cherry to top it off. Trust me, you’ll never be the same!

Cake Crumb Cookies 

Have an exorbitant amount of cake crumbs just sitting around? Gather up those dry crumbs and turn them into cake crumb cookies! As with most of our creative cake recipes, you can use any type of leftover cake, however, this one really shines if you use leftover chocolate cake.

These are a sister dessert to brownies, but with a more unique cake like texture that is very addicting.  You’ll need 5-7 cups of chocolate cake crumbs. 1/2 cup margarine, melted. About 2/3 cup of brown sugar, 2 eggs, 1 cup of milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon oats, and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts. (You can also add some chocolate chips if you’re feeling like extra chocolate.)

To start with, crush the crumbs either by hand, or with a food processor if you prefer. Beat the eggs and milk until creamy, and then add the cake crumbs. Let that stand and soak for about 15 minutes.

Stir in the vanilla, margarine, and sugar. In a separate mixing bowl, you can shift together the spices, salt, baking powder, flour, and baking soda into the sugar mixture. You can fold in the rest of the ingredients.

Using a tablespoon, place rolled balls onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10- 15 minutes until the bottoms turn a beautiful liquid gold color. Let cool, and then enjoy the new lease on life these cake crumbs have received!

“Out of the Box,” Ideas for Leftover Cake 

 As tasty as these creative desserts are, if you’re low on time to bake, we’ve got you covered as well. Here’s a few out-of-the-box ideas, (pun intended, especially if you like cake box mixes like I do,) that you can use for your leftover cake!

Take leftover cake scraps and ground them up really fine. Then sprinkle them on top of any type of dessert, like you would with regular sprinkles. This idea works very well on cupcakes, especially if they have rich, thick frosting piled on, which will make the cake scrap crumbs stick very solidly to the cupcake. Depending on the flavor of the cupcakes, another yummy tip is to shred up a little coconut and add it to your ground-up cake crumb sprinkles before dropping them delicately onto the top of your cupcakes.

Another really unique idea is to add finely chopped leftover cake crumbs as a topping for a casserole. (I know this one is a bit unusual, but stay with me, and you won’t regret it, I promise!) This trick works really well if you have a savory, hot dish or casserole.

If you have leftover cake, specifically cake scraps of rum, raisin, or spiced cake, with no frosting, grind up the scraps and crumbs really fine and sprinkle them over your casserole as soon as it comes out of the oven. This will give your dish a little bit of that sweet and salty thing going on, which, in my opinion, is almost impossible to resist!

I hope you’ve found at least one or two of your new favorite desserts from this list of leftover cake recipes. You really can’t go wrong with any of these ideas. So, the next time you see that large, dry cake looming in front of you as soon as you open the fridge, don’t despair, my friend. Use one of these recipes to bring fresh, new, and moist life back into your leftover cake. Grab your fork, straw, or spatula, and let’s all eat some cake!

The post Let Us Eat Cake – Creative Uses For Your Leftover Cake appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

This easy whipped cream recipe is velvety smooth and great for topping your favorite dessert or copycat Starbucks caramel frappé. Its creamy texture adds a touch of richness to the drink, making every sip delicious.

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Easy Whipped Cream Recipe

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• Author: Liz

Ingredients

• ½ cup of heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Pour heavy cream into the bowl.
2. Using an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. This should take about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add the vanilla extract to the bowl and keep beating until medium peaks form.Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Re-whipping right before using.

Notes

• Chill the mixing bowl and whisk(or beaters) in the freezer for at least 15 minutes before starting the whipping process. This will speed up the process.
• For a sweeter whipped cream, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar before whipping the heavy cream.
• For flavor, add 1 teaspoon of any other extract of your choice.
• To ensure that the whipped cream stays stiff, avoid overbeating it, which can cause the cream to become grainy.

The post Easy Whipped Cream Recipe appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

As a mom, I love finding fun and creative ways to celebrate special occasions with my family, and it’s that time of year again when I get to make a family favorite, my Valentine’s Day cake pops!

Making this recipe with my children is a fun family activity, regardless of their age. Everyone can help make the batter, shape the cake pops and decorate them with sprinkles and toppings. Making cake pops together adds excitement to the Valentine’s Day celebration, and they are delicious treats too!

Also see:
18 super easy kid & friendly Valentine’s Day treats
Valentine’s Day Cupcake Recipe

With just a few simple ingredients and steps, anyone can create these adorable treats – so let’s get started!

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Valentine’s Day Cake Pops: An Easy And Fun Valentine’s Day Tradition

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• Author: Tracie

Ingredients

• 1 box of white cake mix (red velvet cake is popular as well)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
• 8 ounces of softened cream cheese or frosting
• 24 Lollipop sticks
• Sprinkles, candy melts, or other decorations of your choice

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter, cooking spray, or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, oil, eggs, vanilla extract and water with a hand mixer until combined.
3. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes (depending on your oven) or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool completely before making your cake pops.
4. Once cooled, crumble the cake into a large bowl. Stir in the melted butter and cream cheese frosting until fully combined. The dough should be slightly crumbly, but soft and moist.
5. Scoop out 1-2 tablespoons of the cake mixture and roll into balls in the palm of your hand or use or two spoons to shape the mixture into small cake balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter, then form them into hearts.
6. Place the balls on a lined plate or baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes. To cool faster, you can also put these in the freezer.
7. Melt candy melts in the microwave according to package instructions (typically do 30-second intervals to not overcook them). Dip a lollipop stick into the melted candy or melted chocolate and insert it halfway into the cooled cake pop.
8. Dip each cake pop into the melted candy wafer and swirl around until the cake pop is fully coated. Place onto parchment paper until set. Scrape off the bottom of the cake pop on the side of the bowl to get a smooth finish by removing any excess chocolate coating.
9. Decorate with sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or other decorations of your choice before the chocolate hardens.

Also, see my easy chocolate cake pop recipe and 15 adorable Valentine’s Day crafts!

Do you freeze cake pops before dipping?

Freezing cake pops before dipping them in chocolate is optional, but it can be helpful as it enables the chocolate to set faster and will also help keep its shape. I recommend either putting them in the refrigerator or freezer to keep them from breaking apart while dipping them.

How long will cake pops last unrefrigerated?

The post Valentine’s Day Cake Pops: An Easy And Fun Valentine’s Day Tradition appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

As a mother who is often on the go, I’m always seeking easy desserts that won’t break the bank and that the whole family will appreciate. For this reason, I absolutely adore this recipe for cake pops. Not only are they delicious, but they are also incredibly simple to make and can be prepared with ingredients that are available at your local grocery store.

One of the reasons that my family enjoys making this easy cake pop recipe so much is that it is not difficult to put together. Only a box of cake mix, cream cheese, eggs, water, candy melts, and some lollipop sticks are required. Because of this, even the little ones will be able to participate in the fun and make their very own cake pops.

Another amazing aspect about this recipe is its versatility. You can use any flavor of cake mix you prefer, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a birthday party, family gathering, or just a sweet treat for yourself, these cake pops are sure to be a hit. Plus, you can customize them with different sprinkles or toppings to suit your taste.

Making cake pops is a great way to get creative in the kitchen with the family. Kids will love shaping the cake dough into balls and decorating them. Plus, they’re a fun and tasty way to get everyone involved in the kitchen.

Here’s how to make these perfect bite-sized sweet treats!

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Easy Chocolate Cake Pops: A Sweet and Simple Treat for Any Occasion

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• Author: Tracie

Ingredients

• 1 box of chocolate cake mix (or experiment with other flavors like vanilla, pumpkin, etc)
• 1 cup of water
• 3 eggs
• 8 ounces of softened cream cheese
• 12 ounces of candy melt wafers
• 24 Lollipop sticks
• Sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a 13×9-inch cake pan with non-stick spray or butter or line with parchment paper.
2. Mix together the cake mix, water, and eggs in a large bowl until combined. Pour the batter evenly into the cake pan.
   
3. Bake the cake for 25-30 minutes, depending on your oven, and let the cake completely cool.
4. Line a plate or tray with wax paper or parchment paper.
5. Crumble the cooled cake into a mixing bowl and add the cream cheese. Mix on low until a smooth dough forms (about 10 minutes). Dough will be slightly crumbly but soft and moist.
6. Scoop out about 2 tablespoons of the cake dough and roll into 1.5-inch balls. Place the balls on the lined plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
7. Melt candy wafers in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring constantly, until smooth. Once melted, pour into a tall glass.
8. Take the cake balls out of the refrigerator. Dip the tip of the cake pop stick into the melted candy wafers and insert it into the cake ball about three-quarters of the way through. Once all the sticks are inserted into the cake balls and the coating has hardened, they are ready to be dipped.
9. Dip the cake pop into the melted candy wafers, completely coating the cake pop. Remove and lightly scrape the cake pop bottom on the side of the glass so any excess coating can drip off.
10. Decorate with sprinkles. A candy coating also works well with these as well!
11. Place the cake ball back on the lined plate or baking sheet to dry. The sticks will be upright. This will give them a flat underside for easier storage and transport.
12. Cake pops can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

With these simple steps and delicious ingredients, you’ll have the perfect cake pops ready to share with your family and friends. So, gather everyone around and have fun in the kitchen!

Notes

• Instead of an electric mixer, you can use a large spoon to mix the cream cheese and crumbled cake by hand or you can use a food processor to speed up the mixing process.
• You can use chocolate-coating wafers instead of candy wafers.
• If your melted candy wafers are too thick to dip your pops, you can stir in 1-3 teaspoons of vegetable oil or coconut oil to thin down the coating.
• You can replace the cream cheese with equal parts of frosting.

Also see these recipes:

• Valentine’s Day Cake Pop Recipe
• Hot Chocolate on a Stick

The post Easy Chocolate Cake Pops: A Sweet and Simple Treat for Any Occasion appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

This simple dessert is one of my kids’ favorites.  In fact, we will make them on a summer afternoon – just because! Of course, they are definitely a hit during the holidays and are part of our “must bake” list of goodies.

What I love about them is that they are simple to make.  However, what I probably love even more is that my kids can help!  We work as a team and they roll up the balls and I will dip them into the chocolate.  Then, of course, we make sure we do our first sample together!

The only problem we have is that they never last for very long!  We gobble them up before we know it – and you will too!

Other amazing recipes:

• 21 Mouth-Watering Chocolate Desserts
• Birthday Cake Oreo Cheesecake
• Snowman Cupcakes

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3 Ingredient Oreo Truffles

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 package of Oreos
• 1 cube of cream cheese
• 1 package of chocolate almond bark
• Wax paper

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Instructions

1. Crumble the entire package of Oreos. If you have a food processor you can use that. However, if you do not have one, place them into a gallon size freezer bag and use a rolling pin or heavy object to crush them. They should be in a fine powder.
2. Fold in the cube of cream cheese. If you have a mixer, you can use this to mix it easily. If you do not have one, you can do so by hand (just make sure the cream cheese is at room temp so it will blend more easily).
3. Melt one half of the almond bark in the microwave. Put in for 1 minute and then stir. Warm for another 30 – 45 seconds. Just make sure it does not burn.
4. Roll all all of the Oreo mixture into small balls (make them about bite size).
5. Dip into the melted almond bark. I use a fork and roll until full covered.
6. Place dipped Oreo balls onto cookie sheet lined with wax paper.
7. Repeat until out of bark and then repeat steps 3 – 6.
8. Once all are covered, dip a fork into the remaining melted almond bark and drizzle stripes across the tops of the truffles.
9. *Optional: Before the almond bark hardens, you can add sprinkles, nuts or other toppings.

The post 3 Ingredient Oreo Truffles appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Here’s a simple, but yet refreshing recipe for Lemon Lime Soda Pops!  They are easy to make and will definitely help cool you and your kids down on a hot summer afternoon!

You’ll want to try these other fun summer ideas too:

• Skittles Ice Cream
• Frozen Banana Pops
• No Churn Chocolate Chip Mint Ice Cream

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Lemon Lime Soda Pops

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• Author: Tracie
• Yield: 4 popsicles
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• 2 C. of Lemon Lime soda, any brand (I used Diet 7-Up)
• ½ Lemon cut into slices
• ½ Lime cut into slices
• 4 C. popsicle mold
• Popsicle Sticks (optional – if needed)

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Instructions

1. Pour about ½ C. of soda into each mold filling almost to the top. You may need a little more or a little less depending on the size of your molds.
2. Next, take your lemon and lime slices and add 2-3 to each mold. Use a popsicle stick or a butter knife to push them toward the bottom of the mold.
3. Cover with lids and freeze for 3-4 hours.
4. If you prefer using popsicle sticks, cover your popsicle mold with plastic wrap and make a small slit directly in the center with a knife.
5. Put a popsicle into each mold and freeze for up to 4 hours (or until frozen through)

The post Lemon Lime Soda Pops appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

You may have seen the awesome post on the edible ice cream cone donut on Facebook (or other social media outlets).  We’ve created a way for you to make this yourself!

Summer is all about fun and being outside.  For most kids (or at least mine), it also means ice cream!  Every time they hear the ding-a-ling of the ice cream truck, they come running.  While we do spring for a treat once or twice during the summer, most of the time, I tell them we can make our ice cream sundaes instead.

They get bored with that and so I want to do something fun once in a while.  So, when I saw and read about this awesome sweet ice cream cone treat, I knew I needed to find a way to do this for my kids.  And, let me say – it did NOT disappoint!

This cinnamon and sugar ice cream cone is really easy to make (believe it or not).  And, best of all, it takes simple ingredients. One thing you will need is a cream horn.  You can find them for around $5 or so on Amazon.

Make sure that you share photos of your own creations on Instagram and use the #PPMIceCream  — I want to see!

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Cinnamon and Sugar Ice Cream Cone

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• Author: Tracie
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• Pillsbury crescent dough sheet
• Cinnamon sugar
• Cream horns

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Instructions

1. Sprinkle the area you will be rolling the dough out on in flour. This will keep the dough from sticking.
2. Roll your crescent dough out into one rectangular sheet and cover it in a layer of sugar.
3. Over the top of the sugar, put a layer of cinnamon.
4. Turn the dough over and repeat the sugar and cinnamon covering.
5. Spray your cream horn with non-stick spray (or your cone will stick once fully cooked).
6. Cut your dough into medium size squares. It may take wrapping the dough around the cream horn to get the precise measurements.
7. Wrap the dough so that the bottom overlaps each other but the top gets bigger. In other words, make it cone shaped!
8. Once you get the dough wrapped around the cream horn, you may find that it’s longer on one side or the other or uneven in some areas. Use your scissors to even these areas up.
9. Place on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for about ten minutes.
10. Fill with ice cream and enjoy!

The post Edible Cinnamon and Sugar Ice Cream Cone appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

These caramel Krispie treats will soon replace the regular stand-by – they are awesome!!

My kids and I love to bake treats together.  One of their favorite things to make is Krispie Treats.  They are easy to make and always taste oh, so good!!

This is a spin on the regular cereal treats.  It is filled with sweet, gooey, caramel!  Once you make these caramel Rice Krispie treats, you’ll never want to make the plain variety ever again!

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Caramel Krispie Treats

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TREATS (need these amounts TWICE) 1/4 cup margarine 4 cups crispy rice cereal 4 cups mini marshmallows CARAMEL 14 oz caramels (unwrapped) 1/4 cup margarine 14 oz sweetened condensed milk

• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

KRISPIE LAYER

• Melt margarine and marshmallows (watch so that they do not scorch)
• Stir in crispy rice cereal
• Press into a buttered (or greased) 9×13 pan

CARAMEL LAYER

• Place caramels, margarine, and milk into a microwave-safe bowl.
• Heat until caramels are melted.
• Blend well.
• Pour onto the layer of Krispie treats.
• Refrigerate for 30 – 40 minutes

 

KRISPIE LAYER

• Melt margarine and marshmallows (watch so that they do not scorch)
• Stir in crispy rice cereal
• Press into a buttered (or greased) 9×13 pan
• Refrigerate for another 30 min
• Cut and enjoy!!

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There is nothing that says Easter like the Marshmallow Peep®!  We created a way to create the Peep® flavor — but in a pudding!

Seriously – your kids will think that you are an absolute rock star if you make this for them!  Best of all, it is easy to make (but that will be our little secret).

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Marshmallow Peeps Pudding

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 15 mins
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 Box of French Vanilla Pudding Mix
• 1 Jar of Marshmallow Fluff
• 2 Cups Milk
• Food Coloring/Dye
• Sprinkles
• Marshmallow Peeps

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Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the pudding mix and the two cups of milk.
2. Mix well or until no lumps appear, and then set aside.
3. Put the Marshmallow Fluff into a saucepan.
4. Slowly heat until the fluff reaches a liquid state.
5. Quickly pour the fluff into the pudding mixture and stir immediately.
6. Add 4-5 drops of food coloring (you can make your own colors).
7. Pour into dishes and add sprinkles and a Peep!
8. Keep in mind that the French vanilla pudding will make the color appear slightly different. For example, in this picture, we actually used 4-5 drops of red dye and it turned out orange.

Notes

Keep in mind that the French vanilla pudding will make the color appear slightly different. For example, in this picture, we actually used 4-5 drops of red dye and it turned out orange.

The post Marshmallow Peeps Pudding appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

I love making Halloween treats!  These melting ghosts were another new one which came to me when I happened to find Cookies and Creme Striped cookies on the store shelf!

Just add a strawberry and some white almond bark to make your own fun melting ghosts! I love having the cookie act as the base, which holds the strawberry in place.  It also makes it a bit easier for little hands to hold.

Check out all of our other fun and original Halloween Treat ideas!

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Melting Ghosts Halloween Treat Idea

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 15 min

Ingredients

• Cookies & Cream Striped Cookies
• Strawberries
• White almond bark
• Black icing (gel or other type)
• Waxed paper

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Instructions

1. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper.
2. Place the cookies onto the sheet, with the white side up.
3. Cut the top off of the strawberries and place one on each cookie, pointed side up.
4. Melt 2 – 3 bars of almond bark (I do this in the microwave in 30-second increments, so it does not scorch).
5. Pour the almond bark over the top of the strawberry, so it runs down. You want it to look a bit messy.
6. Allow to set for 30 minutes.
7. Add in black eyes and a mouth.
8. Serve and enjoy!

The post Melting Ghosts Halloween Treat Idea appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Skeleton bones.  It is one fun way to get creative this Halloween!!! With all of the parties that are going on, you have plenty of chances to make more than one fun treat.

This is one my kids, and I love to make together. It takes the simple idea of a pretzel rod, but in a smaller form.  Adding marshmallows turns these treats into fun little skeleton bones!

Make sure you check out our other fun Halloween ideas! And then, follow me on Pinterest for MORE Halloween inspiration!!!

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Skeleton Bones

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 15 min
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• While Almond Bark (I used 4 bricks to make the amount you see above)
• Pretzel Sticks
• Mini Marshmallows

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Instructions

1. First, place your almond bark into a microwave-safe bowl and melt (4 cubes will take around 1 min 30 sec).
2. While that is melting, break the pretzels into various sizes so that your bones are of varying lengths.
3. Push on a mini marshmallow onto each end to make your bone.
4. Once melted, cover the sticks with the bark. This is a messy (but fun) task. Be careful as the mini marshmallows sometimes fall off, but you can just put them back on.
5. Place the bones on wax paper on a cookie sheet so they can dry.
6. When dried, you can ‘break off’ the drips and over cover, and your bones will be ready to serve!

The post Skeleton Bones appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

These spider web pretzels are a fun snack idea!  My girls and I love to get into the kitchen and have fun being creative.  We were making all sorts of fun Halloween treats when I thought about this one.

It takes just two ingredients to make them.  You need to treat them a bit more delicately, as the chocolate can break off (add in a few more pretzels to yours and it will give them some stability).

Make sure you check out all of our other fun Halloween Treats and Ideas.

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Spider Web Pretzels

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Total Time: 15 min
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• Chocolate Almond Bark
• Baggie
• Pretzels
• Wax Paper

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Instructions

1. Tear off a piece of waxed paper and set it on a baking sheet or another flat surface.
2. Arrange pretzels onto the paper. Make sure that all of the tops meet in the middle and spin out from there.
3. Place 2 – 3 blocks of almond bark in a bowl and microwave until melted. I would warm for 30 seconds in increments, to ensure you do not scorch it.
4. Stir chocolate until all melted and well mixed.
5. Place the baggie in a tall glass and open – wrapping the edges of the baggie. This holds it open so you can pour in the chocolate.
6. Cut off one corner of the baggie. Do not cut off too much or the chocolate will run out.
7. Place a large circle of chocolate on the center of your “web.” This will connect the pretzels together.
8. Run circles of chocolate around the pretzels, creating a web-like effect.
9. Allow cooling for 20 – 30 minutes.
10. Very carefully peel back the waxed paper.
11. Enjoy!

The post Spider Web Pretzels appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Candied pretzel rods make a fun Halloween treat!  I love to make these with my girls.  They get a kick out of putting the sprinkles all over them.  Definitely a fun activity to do with the family.

Check out all of our other fun Halloween Recipes and Costume Ideas!

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CANDIED PRETZEL STICKS

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• Author: Tracie

Ingredients

• Pretzel Rods
• White Almond Bark
• Halloween Sprinkles
• Wax Paper

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Instructions

1. Rip off a sheet of wax paper and put on a cookie sheet, tray or plate.
2. Then, melt the almond bark in the microwave. I used 3 cubes to create around 8 – 10 pretzel rods.
3. Once melted, dip the pretzel rod into the bark and use a spoon to help spread it so that the rod is covered at least 1/2 way.
4. Hold the pretzel rod over a bowl and shake on the sprinkles. Rotate the rod in a circle while shaking so that you can get all sides covered equally.
5. Place the covered rods onto the wax paper to allow the almond bark to harden.
6. Enjoy!

The post Halloween Candied Pretzel Sticks appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

When it is hot outside, all you want is something cool and refreshing.  The same goes for your kids.  If they are like mine, they want a popsicle.

While I don’t mind them having this sweet treat once in a while, I’d rather it be a healthier option.  These pineapple popsicles actually do just that!

They are not only easy to make, but good for you too!  You can find some cute popsicle molds by heading over to Amazon.

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Pineapple Popsicles

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 5 minis
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• Pineapple Juice
• Water

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Instructions

1. Create a mixture of 3/4 juice to 1/4 water.
2. Pour into popsicle molds or ice cube trays.
3. Freeze for 3 – 4 hours (until solid).
4. Enjoy!

The post Pineapple Popsicles appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Candy Corn Trail Mix is such a fun snack to make, and a perfect fall treat.  It works for your Halloween party and will even fit in on your table this Thanksgiving!

Just a word of caution – you might have to make it more than once as you’ll gobble it down!

Make sure you check out all of our other incredible Halloween recipes, tips, and ideas!!!

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Candy Corn Trail Mix

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 5 mins
• Category: Snack

Ingredients

• One bag of Mallowcreme Pumpkin Candy Corn Mix
• One bag of dark chocolate baking morsels
• One can of cocktail peanuts

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients together.
2. Store in a large ziploc bag to keep fresh.

Notes

Make sure you store in cool place, as chocolate will melt.

The post Candy Corn Trail Mix appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

These adorable Christmas Tree Cupcakes are so easy. Really. They look difficult and will wow your guests, but you and I will know just how simple they were to make!

I promise, there’s no practice needed. You are going to love how they turn out!

Makes sure you check out all of our amazing Christmas Recipes and DIY ideas!!!

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EASY CHRISTMAS TREE CUPCAKES

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 24
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• 1 boxed cake mix
• 1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 container of white frosting
• 1 Bag of green candy melts
• 24 mini pretzel sticks
• Mini ball sprinkles
• Wax paper

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Instructions

1. Make the cupcakes as directed.
2. While the cupcakes cool, make the Christmas trees.
3. Line a large cookie sheet with wax paper.
4. Space the 24 mini pretzel sticks about 2″ – 3″ apart on the wax paper.
5. Melt the candy melts in the microwave on full power, 30 seconds at a time. Stir with a fork and continue to melt at 30-second intervals (stirring between each time) until smooth.
6. Pour the melted candies into a large baggie (can use a piping bag with small tip if you wish)
7. Cut a very small corner off the bag.
8. Go back and forth over the pretzel sticks, starting at the bottom, to make a Christmas tree shape.
9. Finish with sprinkles.
10. Place the cookie sheet in the fridge for thirty minutes or until the melts have hardened.
11. Top the cupcakes with the frosting, and sprinkle each one with coconut.
12. Gently peel each tree from the wax paper.
13. Press the Christmas trees into the tops of the cupcakes gently.

Notes

Pro tip: If traveling with the cupcakes, take the Christmas trees in a separate container, and put them on the cupcakes once you arrive to make them easier to transport.

Also see: What to do with leftover cake

The post Easy Christmas Tree Cupcakes appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Witches and Wizard Hats!  This is another fun sweet treat idea for any Halloween party!

You can turn this treat into a craft idea too!  Create the hats and give the kids candies and frosting and let them decorate a few of them before they gobble them on down.

Don’t forget to take a look at all of our fun Halloween treat and costume ideas.  And also follow my Halloween Treats board on Pinterest to check out even MORE fun treats!

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WITCH AND WIZARD HATS

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 20 mins
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• Chocolate Chips
• Hershey’s Kisses
• Keebler Fudge Striped Cookies
• Frosting (buy ready made in tubes)
• Sprinkles/candies

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Instructions

1. Melt around 1/4 – 1/2 a cup of chocolate chips. It took me around 2 minutes to get them melted when I made mine.
2. Open the kisses and then dip one into the chocolate.
3. Turn the cookie over so that you see the chocolate side and then set the kiss on top of the cookie.
4. Set it aside so that the chocolate can harden.
5. Once done, decorate with icing, candies and sprinkles.
6. Serve and enjoy!

The post Witches and Wizard Hats appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Goulish fingers are a simple treat you can make (that is a bit healthier than all of the other sweets).

These are another super easy treat that anyone can make. It takes just 3 simple ingredients to whip up a batch of these fun fingers for your next Halloween party.

Make sure you check out all of our other fun Halloween Treats!

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Ghoulish Fingers

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 5 min
• Total Time: 5 min

Ingredients

• Cheesesticks
• Red Fruit Roll-ups
• Peanut Butter (or another item to “glue” on the fingernails)

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Instructions

1. First, cut the cheesesticks so that they are finger length. You can use your own finger as a guide.
2. Next, use a knife to make the lines on the finger. Slightly bend the cheese stick so that the lines are more defined.
3. Cut fingernails out of the fruit roll-ups. You can keep it simple by cutting them into triangles.
4. “Glue” the fingernails onto the end of the cheese sticks with a dab of peanut butter (or another item to adhere the nail to the cheese).
5. You’ve just made your Goulish Fingers!

The post Ghoulish Fingers appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.

Have you ever tried Cheddar’s bread pudding? I am not a huge bread pudding fan but theirs is AH-MAZING! Not too soggy, not too sweet – just perfect!

I actually have found myself visiting the restaurant with a girlfriend or two just to order nothing more than a Croissant Bread Pudding! So it was only right that I invest some time learning how to make my own Cheddar’s Copycat Croissant Bread Pudding. This recipe turned out absolutely amazing -better than I could have imagined.

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Cheddar’s Copycat Croissant Bread Pudding

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• Author: Tracie
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 35 min
• Total Time: 50 min
• Category: Dessert

Ingredients

• 6 stale croissants
• 6 egg yolks
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup milk (any)
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
• ***Top with homemade or purchased caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream (optional)

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Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 375.
2. Tear croissants into approximately 1 inch pieces. Place in a buttered medium to large sized Pyrex baking dish. Set aside.
3. In a separate large bowl or KitchenAid mixer, whisk egg yolks, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together.
4. Pour mixture over croissant pieces and mix with a spoon, until all bread is damp. Sprinkle chocolate chips over top, allowing them to fall into the crevices of the bread pieces and naturally mix.
5. Bake for 35 minutes or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
6. Serve at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and caramel sauce.

The post Cheddar’s Copycat Croissant Bread Pudding appeared first on Penny Pinchin' Mom.