Modern Parents Messy Kids

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Make Ahead Thanksgiving Dessert: Pumpkin Brownie Ice Cream Cake

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Growing up my grandma made the most delicious frozen pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. I've always thought her recipe couldn't be topped... and then I saw this version from our contributor Natalie that adds in chocolate and Oreos.  Sorry Nana, but I think I may have a new favorite. Read on for the full recipe. Make-ahead menu items can be a total lifesaver during the holidays. You can plan and execute in advance and then look like a superhero at your holiday meal. And while an ice cream cake … [Read more...]

Last-Minute Halloween Cereal Bar Treats

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Happy almost Halloween guys! I've got a lot on my plate between the big day tomorrow and wrapping things up to reveal our complete 2015 Toy Gift Guide next week, but I still wanted to quickly pop in and share what I've been up to elsewhere. Just in case you need it, here's a last-minute treat for a class party or impromptu, pre-trick-or-treating bash. Hope you enjoy and hope your kiddos score lots of goodies tomorrow. … [Read more...]

Coconut Macaroon Baked Apples

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'Tis the season for pumpkin and apple recipes! If you've taken advantage of the seasonal grocery sales or done some apple picking at your local orchard, chances are you need some apple inspiration. This recipe is for you!  … [Read more...]

Salted Caramel Brownie Bark (for “Booing” the Neighbors)

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First of all, I want to say both I'm sorry and you're welcome. This salted caramel brownie bark is really, really, addictively good.  And the recipe makes an entire half-sheet pan so you will have a lot of it around. This also, however, gives you the perfect opportunity to package some up and share with friends and neighbors.I especially love the idea of leaving some as a little "boo" gift for your neighbors.  Do you do this? We're still fairly new to neighborhood living but I know … [Read more...]

Healthy On-the-Go Breakfast: Greek Yogurt Parfaits

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With all the hustle and bustle of getting the kids off to school in the morning, I usually forego my own breakfast until I return home from school drop-off. Although it's decidedly calmer during this part of my day, I still don't want to spend any of my precious "me time" making oatmeal or eggs. So lately I've been whipping up a few of these yummy greek yogurt parfaits a few nights a week instead. Then when I arrive home from preschool and kindergarten drop-off, I whisk baby M off to his … [Read more...]

Make Fruit Fun (and Spooky) with One Quick Trick

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This might be the easiest food project I've ever created. It took mere minutes to give these pieces of fruit some personality. Here's what I did: Wash and dry the fruit. You want your surface to be relatively dry. Get some candy eyeballs. I used both small and large candy eyes from Wilton. These are especially easy to find during Halloween season, but I assume you can pick them up year-round. Apply your edible glue. We used peanut butter. You could also try any other nut butter, honey, … [Read more...]

31 Must-Try Halloween Treats for Kids

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(pictured: Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks, Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts, Candy Corn Pudding Pops, Haunted Hooting Owl Pretzels, Pretzel Mummy Treats, Ghost Milk Bottles, Oreo Bat Truffles) Halloween chatter has already started around my house, with my daughters throwing new costume ideas around every few minutes. Our neighborhood gets really into Halloween, with costumed kids everywhere and even most adults dressed in something festive. Naturally, I couldn't help but notice all of the fun treat … [Read more...]

{In the Kitchen} No-Bake & Peanut-Free Dark Chocolate Energy Bites

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Great news friends - we've brought a new food contributor to the MPMK team and she's got TONS of healthy family-friendly recipes she's ready to let us in on. Jen's not just about food, though. Over on her own space, The Chronicles of Home, she shares all aspects of her life as a self-described wife, mom, cook, DIYer, and decorato, turning our house into a home one day and one project at a time. Today she's sharing with us a tasty new way to get the kids in the kitchen AND to help keep … [Read more...]