Tag: Side

EASY SNACKS FOR KIDS – Butter with a Side of Bread by Gordon Ramsay

Cute & creative snacks for kids with bananas! Fun, healthy banana recipe snack ideas perfect for toddlers & kid’s lunches.

The kids are off from school. We’re surrounded with candy and other sugary goodies. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say lately it’s hard to get my kids to eat healthy food.

I have 4 kids who aren’t picky at all, even still, this seems to happen from time to time. I had an idea the other day and I ran with it. The result are 10+ cute little shapes and animals all made from fruit, pretzels, mixed nuts and a few other common foods my kids like.

Oh and M&M’s and mini chocolate chips. You can leave them out if you’d like, but I figure, I certainly like bananas and chocolate together, so I’m sure they will too!

Fun kid snacks with bananas: butter with a side of bread

My original inspiration came from Family Fun magazine years ago that shows a version of the snowmen. I couldn’t even find the magazine page though, so I’m sure mine look different. Just my attempt at keepin’ it real… {wait- look- I found it here online- thank you Family Fun!}

I also need to give a shout-out to my sister-in-law, Rashell. She came over half way through this fun little project and injected a fresh perspective and some additional creativity! Thanks Raz!

FLOWER POWER BANANA SNACK

Flower power… in the form of fruits and nuts!

MONKEY SEE, MONKEY DO

This one has a walnut nose and string cheese hair. For the face I used an easter egg cookie cutter to a slice of bread.

BE MY VALENTINE…

Be my valentine… but only if you have strawberry jam. Okay, just kidding! Raspberry will be fine too.

BUTTERFLY AWAY

With jam designs and clementine slices on the wings, this fun treat is fun and nutritious. I cut two slices of bread in half diagonally and used the same corners for symmetrical wings.

TOO COOL CATERPILLAR

I used M&Ms for the body. They’re optional, but really, they’re way more fun. Don’t skip out on the pretzel with fruit snack feet. It’s too cute!

TROPICAL SNOWMEN

Loving the string cheese hair and almond lips. You can stick these tropical snowmen on a popsicle sticks like I did, or simply lay them on the plate.

A BEARY CUTE PICNIC

This one is easy and tasty! Just layer a slice of bread with peanut butter and a few small elements create this cute bear.

BANANA RAMMA CARS

Vroooooooom! You just need a few stick pretzels, slices of banana and a sheet of graham crackers to create these little cars. Let the races begin!

SNEAKY BANANA SNAKE

There’s a snake in my boot! Okay, maybe not. I don’t even like snakes and I think this little guy is cute! This one is great served to a group of kids.

WALL-E BANANA SNACK

Why looky here… it’s Wall-E! One of my kids favorites! I used summer sausage for the rounded wheels for his feet.

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE

This is another easy one, just a few items: banana slices, clementines and a stick of string cheese make tihs super cute sun shine at snack time.

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are a simple & delicious banana bar recipe that’s even better than banana bread! They’re the perfect recipe to use that bunch of over-ripe bananas. Great for breakfast, lunch and snacks in between. See the Chocolate Chip Banana Bars recipe here!

You’re going to love these easy Banana Cream Pie Muddy Buddies! The white chocolate and banana pudding mix flavors covering the crunchy Chex cereal make this recipe irresistible! See the Banana Cream Pie Muddy Buddies recipe here!

Double chocolate banana bars made with 5 bananas & double the chocolate for a tasty banana recipe that everyone enjoys. Not too sweet & perfect anytime! See the Double Chocolate Banana Bars recipe here!

Nutella Banana Muffins give you that delicious “treat” taste with the Nutella, in an amazing homemade banana muffin! Perfect for breakfast, snack or treat! See the Nutella Banana Muffins recipe here!

Peanut Butter Banana Bars are packed with bananas, whole wheat flour, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Perfectly sweet, filling & satisfying snack!

Peanut Butter Banana Bars are packed with bananas, whole wheat flour, peanut butter and chocolate chips. Perfectly sweet, filling & satisfying snack! See the Peanut Butter Banana Bars recipe here!

Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops

Nothing says summer like frozen treats and food on a stick. This recipe for Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops is the best of both! Deliciously fun, enjoy them in the backyard or poolside. They are sure to be loved by kids and adults alike. See the Frozen Banana Yogurt Pops recipe here.

So, with that in mind, we were watching PBS Kids during spring break and before each show they have a “fun craft idea” and it was bananas on a stick. And the kids wanted to make it – because they always want to make whatever is shown – and I normally don’t go for it, but I thought why not. So we made them, my kids were all LOVING it. And I thought – time to step it up a notch. If it’s bananas on a stick you want, then game on. See the Banana Peanut Butter Bites recipe here.

Frozen Banana Yoghurt Bites from Eats Amazing

Following on from the hugely popular frozen fruity yoghurt bites recipe from my easy recipes for kids series, today I’m sharing a new version of the recipe with a yummy banana twist – frozen banana yoghurt bites. See the Frozen Banana Yoghurt Bites recipe here.

Cute frozen banana and chocolate penguin snack

Sledding Penguins Frozen Banana Snack from Reading Confetti

These cute little sledding penguins are a fun snack for winter. If your kids like chocolate-covered frozen bananas, they’re sure to like this dressed up version too! See the Sledding Penguins Frozen Banana Snack recipe here.

When I was little, we’d make these “nana pops” weekly during the summer months, rolling the bananas in anything from cinnamon and sugar, to granola and raising, to crushed chocolate chip cookies! The recipe is also great for people who hate to cook – it’s pretty much foolproof! See the Breakfast Banana Pops recipe here.

Banana Split Bites Snack Recipe MOMables.com

Banana Split Bites from Momables

These sweet pieces of frozen fruit encased in a chocolate shell is the perfect after school snack your kids will love! Our banana split bites have all the delicious flavors you get from a banana split in bite-size form! See the Banana Split Bites recipe here.

We see a close up of a blue kid's plate as it sits on a kitchen counter full of banana wrapped in a tortilla with a peanubutter inside wrapped and sliced into round pieces of babana sushi. A pair of chopsticks holds one slice of banana sushi up for a close look. A side of sliced cucumbers are stacked as a side ont he plate for a quick snack.

Banana sushi is one of those snacks in my mom toolbelt that is always a home run. My kid happily gobbles down this simple snack and this simple peanut butter and banana snack sticks with her a little longer. Have a kid coming home from school starving? Make this banana sushi for a simple but quick and easy snack that keeps them full. See the Simple Banana Sushi recipe here.

How can I ripen bananas quickly?

Ripe bananas are used in banana bread because they have a stronger, more pronounced flavor. There are several ways to help bananas ripen faster so that you can make banana bread. Here are my preferred methods:

Ripen bananas in the oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place bananas peel and all on the parchment and bake for 30-40 minutes, until peels are black & shiny. Let cool 1 hour and proceed with banana bread recipe.
Ripen bananas in a paper bag. If you have more time, place bananas in a paper bag with an apple. Fold and secure closed. I usually leave bananas like this for a full day, then proceed with the Banana Nut Bread recipe.

Cute & creative kid’s snacks with bananas! Fun, healthy banana recipe snack ideas perfect for toddlers & kid’s lunches.

BEST HOMEMADE CARAMELS RECIPE – Butter with a Side of Bread by Gordon Ramsay

These Homemade Caramels will absolutely melt in your mouth! Incredible from scratch recipe for Homemade Caramel made with heavy cream and butter.

I love the holidays! One of my favorite parts is making all sorts of wonderful treats that I only make once a year. I’ve decided to share my creations with you all each day and first on the list was the homemade caramels.

How to Make these Homemade Caramel Candies

If you’ve never made caramel before, don’t be afraid, it’s actually really easy. You just need the ingredients, a large saucepan, and a candy thermometer. Well, a candy thermometer isn’t required, but it’s certainly very handy!

A couple of tips on making caramels:

Line your pan with foil, then spray the foil. Taking the caramel block out of the pan is a breeze after it’s cooled!
Don’t feel like you have to stir the mixture continuously. it’s OK to let it boil for a few minutes in between periods of stirring. I did the morning dishes while mine cooked!
When cutting the caramels, err on the side of smaller pieces, especially if you have small children. My kids love caramel, but I find sizes much larger than a penny are too big.

Products that will help you re-create this recipe at home:

Homemade Caramels: Butter with a Side of Bread

Does Homemade Caramel Need to be Refrigerated?

Your homemade caramel candy does not need to be placed in the fridge as it can do just fine on the counter at room temperature for up to 2 weeks if kept in an airtight container. I recommend wrapping each piece in wax paper, rolling up the ends and keeping them together in a Ziploc bag.

Does Homemade Caramel go Bad?

Eventually, your candy will no longer taste as good as it once did when it was fresh. As it’s exposed to more air, you may find that it dries out or becomes more hard. While you may not get sick from eating an aged piece of caramel, you should avoid eating pieces that are too old as it just isn’t as enjoyable.

Homemade Caramels: Butter with a Side of Bread

The Ingredients Needed for Homemade Caramels

-2 cup white sugar

-1 cup packed brown sugar

-1 cup of corn syrup

-1 cup evaporated milk

-1 pint (2 cups) heavy whipping cream

-1 cup butter

-1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Homemade Caramels: Butter with a Side of Bread

How to Make Homemade Caramels

In a medium-sized pot, combine everything with exception to the vanilla.

Monitor the heat of the mixture with a candy thermometer while stirring occasionally.

When the thermometer reaches 245 degrees, remove it from the pot.

Stir in the vanilla and then transfer to a greased 12×15 pan.

Let the mixture cool completely.

Once cooled, cut the caramel into small squares and wrap them in wax paper and store in an airtight container such as a Ziploc bag.

HOLIDAY BAKING: HOMEMADE CARAMELS

These Homemade Caramels will absolutely melt in your mouth! Incredible from scratch recipe for Homemade Caramel made with heavy cream and butter.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Candy, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Homemade Caramel

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings: 40

Calories: 174kcal

Author: Butter With A Side of Bread

Ingredients

2 cup white sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup evaporated milk
1 pint 2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup butter
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

In a medium size pot, combine everything except the vanilla.
Monitor the heat of the mixture with a candy thermometer while stirring occasionally.
When the thermometer reaches 245 degrees {240 degrees is also called soft ball stage, I like to cook mine to 245 degrees}, remove pot from heat.
Stir in vanilla.
Transfer mixture to a greased 12×15 pan and let the mixture cool completely.
When cooled cut the caramel into small squares and wrap them in wax paper for storage.

Notes

High Elevation: Cook caramel to 10 degrees less!! If you live above 4,000 feet, you’ll need to cook it to just 235 degrees F for it to be the perfect consistency.

Nutrition

What Do I Do If My Caramel is Too Soft?

If your homemade caramel is too soft, it means that you didn’t heat it to the correct degrees. You can either reheat the mixture until it reaches a few degrees higher than it was originally or you can eat it as is and mark it as a lesson learned for next time.

Can You Freeze Caramel Candy?

Caramel freezes well, but you’ll want it to come to room temperature before eating so you don’t break a tooth or lose a filling, haha. You may also notice that as the caramel thaws it might begin to “sweat” this is sugary water excreted from your caramel which may make it into a mess to eat, but it’s still perfectly fine. Remember to have each piece of caramel individually wrapped inside an airtight container so that they don’t all form together in the freezer.

What Happens If You Cook Caramel Too Long?

You do not want to overcook your caramel but you also shouldn’t rush the process. If you cook your caramel too hot or too long you’ll end up with a harder and more brittle end result and we want soft and chewy caramel, not a peanut brittle texture. Also, remember that the caramel continues to cook a small amount even after it’s been removed from the heat.

How to package homemade caramel

After you cut caramel into small squares, you can wrap them in wax paper and twist the ends to secure it. For years and years I cut the small 4-5″ squares of wax paper myself. A couple years ago I discovered that you can purchased them already cut! See Cut Wax Paper Squares Here. I’d say that’s $7 well spent. One package should last you 3-4 years as well, depending on how much caramel you make.

Check out these delicious caramel recipes that are sure to satisfy those tastebuds.

These Homemade Caramels will absolutely melt in your mouth! Incredible from scratch recipe for Homemade Caramel made with heavy cream and butter.

SPICED GINGER COOKIES – Butter with a Side of Bread by Gordon Ramsay

Spiced Ginger Cookies made with molasses and a lovely blend of holiday spices. Perfect soft Ginger Molasses Cookies for Christmas!

My mother-in-law introduced me to this ginger cookie recipe and it’s a keeper! She got the recipe from a friend and neighbor of hers – an emergency room physician who has a hobby of making cookies. It just so happens he blogs about his adventures! He’s got a pretty fun and interesting blog- BadTad MD. Thanks Tad for this great recipe!

Don’t let all the spices scare you- these cookies are insanely delicious, my kids even adore them! They just smell like Christmas too- yum!

Ingredients for Ginger Molasses Cookies

Here’s what you’ll need to make these Ginger cookies:

— Butter, softened

— Granulated sugar

— Brown sugar

— 1 large egg

— Molasses

— All purpose flour

— Baking soda

— SPICES- you’ll need cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg and salt

— Minced ginger or ground ginger (I prefer minced ginger in these cookies)

— Raw Turbinado sugar– coarse, more brown colored sugar for coating outside of cookies.

How to make Ginger Cookies recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Mix the Ingredients

Cream the butter and sugars using an electric mixer. Add in the egg and molasses.

Whisk together the dry ingredients in a bowl. Pour into wet ingredients and mix well.

Scoop the Cookie Dough

Use a 1 TBSP cookie scoop to measure out & gently roll a ball of cookie dough in your hands. I used my medium 1 TBSP cookie scoop for these and they turned out perfect. {Probably because it was more of a rounded scoop, as opposed to a level scoop!} If you like smaller cookies, aim to use the small cookie scoop.

The dough is soft but manageable, so scoop it out, then gently roll it into a ball in your hands and dunk it in the raw sugar to coat. Place on cookie sheet, leaving about 2-3″ space between each ball.

Bake the Ginger Cookies

Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees. Let sit for an additional 2-3 minutes on the cookie sheet before transferring cookies to a cooling rack. Store in an airtight container.

Spiced Ginger Molasses Cookies

Spiced Ginger Cookies made with molasses and a lovely blend of holiday spices. Perfect soft Ginger Molasses Cookies for Christmas!

Print Pin Rate

Course: Cookies

Cuisine: American

Keyword: ginger cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Servings: 36

Calories: 147kcal