Create With Mom: sweet

Showing posts with label sweet. Show all posts

July 12, 2012

Mango milkshake

2 mangoes

1 cup milk

1 cup water, more if needed

1/4 cup vanilla ice cream*

sugar if needed

Peel the mango and remove the seed. Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend till it is smooth. Add ice cream on top and serve chilled.

July 3, 2012

Shooting for the Stars party with American Girl McKenna

An American Girl: McKenna shoots for the stars arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on July 3,2012 at American Girl^®retail stores, Wal-Mart and online. The film will also air on July 14, 2012 at 8pm/7pm central on NBC.
My children and I enjoyed watching this movie. We made our favourite strawberry banana smoothie and star shaped butter cookies inspired by the movie.

For the butter cookies, we need...
12 oz flour
a pinch of salt
8 oz butter chilled and cut into cubes
4 oz sugar

Mix the flour, salt and butter until it makes a breadcrumb like mixture. Add the sugar and mix until it forms a dough. I found having a wet hand helped making the dough, make sure not to wet the hands too much :)
Press the dough to 1/2" thickness. Cut desired shapes and place it in a greased baking tray.
Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the cookies are golden in a preheated 400F oven. Leave the cookies on a wire rack and let it cool before enjoying.
Don't over bake as the bottom of the cookies will burn. The cookies will harden once it cools.
This recipe is adapted from the Kids' cookbook.

After enjoying the movie and having our party, we talked about some good points that were raised in the movie.

One situation is learning that there's nothing wrong with needing a little help.
Trying to do what is taught and taking risks carefully because my daughter likes trying some gymnastics tricks that could be very risky.
Talking about how reading should make sense and that we need to talk about it afterwards so we understand what we are reading. Reading all types of literature is important, I try to make it a point that reading isn't just from books but it is everywhere.

Hope you enjoy making these butter cookies and watching American Girl McKenna.

Here is a synopsis of the movie. This movie will keep children and adults engaged at the same time make us think.
McKenna is a determined and confident young gymnast who is trying to make the regional competitive gymnastics team. She goes off track and is not able to keep up with school. Her teacher suggests a tutor, however McKenna is embarrassed and desperate to keep it a secret from her friends. Then a bad fall at the gym sidetracks her from her favourite sport and forces her to concentrate on her studies. The movie is about all the things that happen and everything she learns while recovering from her injury.

June 19, 2012

Summer Burgers and Ice pops

Irresistible ice pops by Sunil Vijayakar is a wonderful book for this season; it is full of delicious ice pop recipes. The book is divided into 4 parts; Fresh & Fruity, Indulgent, New & Zingy and Pops with a kick. Each of these sections contains about 8 easy to extravagant recipes.

We can get ideas on how to take pictures of frozen treats by looking at the pictures on the book that is provided for each of its recipe. I like the glossy good quality of the book.

Here is a recipe for the sugar syrup from the book, which can be made beforehand and left in the fridge in a sealed container for a week. This sugar syrup is used in many of the delicious recipes in the book.

1 cup water

1/2 cup superfine sugar

Put the sugar and water in a pan and cook over low heat stirring for about 6 to 8 minutes till the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat to high and let the mixture boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let it cool completely. Store the cooled recipe in a sealed container for up to a week.

I am looking forward to trying most of these treats on sticks, especially the mango fruity crush pops, banana split pops and dark chocolate ripple pops. If you want to get a hold of this book it is available for 7.99 at Barnes and Noble, Walmart, TJ Maxx/Marshalls, Texas Bookman, and online at BN.com and Amazon.com

After I made this Sparkling water ice pop, I read this interesting fact from the book. In 1905, a boy kept his sweetened club soda in a cup with a stirring stick on his porch during a freezing night; this is how the frozen "ice pops" were discovered.

Here is how I made these quick and easy frozen sweet ice pops, it is cheaper and eco-friendly to make these at home than buying packets of freezies from the store.

2 tbsp rose syrup

1 1/2 cups sparkling soda water

Combine, pour into ice pop containers and leave it in the freezer till it is ready. Don't fill it right to the top because soda water may expand.

I am also excited about this Burger book, which is full of delicious recipes that would make wonderful meals. There are over 100 varieties of burgers with different combinations. The book includes old favourites and new flavourful burgers made with meat, fish, vegetables, tofu and lentil. The book also has recipe for sauces, sides and burger friendly cocktails. This book is available in digital edition at iBookstore & Barnes and Noble Nook store for $6.99. The hard copy of the book will be available in August at Barnes and Noble, BJ's Wholesale Clubs, Books-a-Million, TJ Maxx/Marshalls, Indigo Books and Music, BN.com, Amazon.com.

June 17, 2012

Cake pops for any occasion

I used this cake pop kit from Bakerella that came with instructions and useful tools to make these delicious treats. The cake pop kit includes a colourful booklet with instructions, a cake pop stand, cello bags to place each cake pop, cake pop sticks, gift tags and ribbons. The kit is available on Amazon and in bookstores.
This creative treat is a lot of fun to make and is the new trend :)

My kids were super excited to help me make these cake pops. It would be a lovely treat for any day, which can be served as dessert or at a party. It would also be a good homemade gift to take to family and friends.

We need...
1 box cake mix
1 16 oz container frosting
candy melts (I used the Wilton brand)

Follow the instruction on the cake mix and bake the cake; don't forget to get some help from the little ones to make it.
When the cake is completely cool crumble the cake with clean hands in a big bowl and add 3/4 of the frosting from the container.
Mix the cake with the frosting and then make balls about 2" diameter. Leave the cake ball on a baking sheet that is lined with wax paper, cover with plastic wrap and place in the freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate the cake balls until it is firm. We can also shape the cake balls into any shape we like and then place it in the fridge.
Make sure the cake pops are firm before coating with the candy melts.
Melt the candy coating in a small heatproof bowl in the microwave. Make sure to choose a bowl that is about 3" deep, which makes it easy to dip. Put in 30 second interval and stir in between. Repeat this till the candy coating melts and is smooth.
Work with a few cake balls at a time and leave the rest in the fridge. The candy melts harden pretty fast so if you want to add sprinkles or decoration do it soon :)

Dip the lollipop stick into the melted candy coating then insert into the bottom of the cake ball half way and then place it in the stand for it to dry.
Dip the entire cake pop into the candy coating. Dip and remove in one motion without stirring.
If the coating is thick add few drops of vegetable oil to thin it, I didn't have to do this.

These cake pops can be stored in an airtight container or in the fridge. Hope you get to try these fun cake pops with your family.

Check out Life Made Delicious for fun ideas and fun offers. To cheer our athletes that are going to the Olympics 2012, General Mills has a lovely offer of fun Free cheer gear t-shirts and flip-flops on their specially marked packages of cereal, Nature Valley granola bars and Betty Crocker child snacks.

All we have to do is buy one of these, find the code inside the package, visit this link, select a size and get the shirt or flip-flops for free. Life Made Delicious covers the shipping and handling fees, so we don't have to pay anything to get the cheer gear that will arrive in 8 to 10 weeks.
Also follow their Facebook to get free coupons.

Disclosure: I am part of the Life Made Delicious Blogger program and receive special perks as part of this. All rights reserved on opinion, written content and photographs Createwithmom © 2012. Please Ask First

April 1, 2012

Strategies for parents and fun activities for children (cookies and crafts)

As parents, we all get busy so often and sometimes there isn't enough time to do everything we intend to. However, the time we spend with our children will be valued life long and if we don't try to squeeze in some time for memorable activities we might regret it.

January 12, 2012

Cupcake flowers and nutella cupcake

To make these fun cupcake flowers you will need...

different size coloured cupcake liners *

paper cut for leaves in an oval shape

paper cut for stems in a rectangle shape

marker

glue

scissors

* If you only have white cupcake liners you can decorate and colour it.

Let the children stick the leaves anyway they like on the stem. Attach the cupcake liners onto the top of the stem. They can decorate and draw to put details with markers.

Here is a recipe to make Nutella cupcakes in 10 minutes with only 4 ingredients

November 29, 2011

Vanilla infused sugar

I don't use vanilla essence because of the alcohol in it. Instead I infuse the sugar with vanilla beans.

All you need...

sugar

vanilla bean

tight jar

If the vanilla bean is slit a little with a pairing knife, it is faster to get the beautiful aroma into the sugar. Keep the sugar in a tightly covered jar.

Keep refilling sugar to the same vanilla bean.

Vanilla pod can be scraped and used in other desserts.

November 21, 2011

Ice cream cone cupcakes review and giveaway

Yummy ice cream cupcakes that are easy and delicious to make. I received these lovely box full of fun products from Me Myself and Us, which we had loads of fun making and eating.

We had a fabulous time making these cute cupcakes. The children were excited from the time they saw the box. This is a very good product to spend time together, bake, become creative and have fun while learning.

The presentation is really cute, the best thing is the silicone cones can be reused. The cake is very soft and delicious, which makes it hard to remove from the cones. All the packages have information clearly written with step by step pictures.

The cupcake mixture is a vanilla cake mix, in which we add 2 egg whites, 1 cup water and 1/4 cup vegetable oil.

For the vanilla frosting we add 1 cup icing sugar, 4 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp milk.

The cake mixture is filled up to the first line and baked in a preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes at 325F by placing the cones on a baking tray. Let it cool completely. Then put the icing and sprinkle over it and serve.

We were so excited we couldn't wait to put the icing and sprinkles, so it started dripping like real ice cream :)

These creative baking kits from Me Myself and Us are available at Mastermind, Party Packagers, Hallmark, Toy stores in USA and Canada.

Review of the brownie mix and cookies are coming soon... There is also a giveaway of one of these products so do look at Me Myself and Us and leave a comment here to win.

November 16, 2011

Cinnamon flavoured apples

3 to 4 apples

1/2 to 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

2 to 3 tbsp brown sugar *

1/8 tsp salt optional

1/2 tbsp butter

Peel the apples and remove the core, then chop into small pieces.

Heat the butter. Add apples, cinnamon, brown sugar and salt. Cook in low heat until the apples are soft.

Serve it as a dessert on its own, use as a pie filling or serve with ice cream.

* Add or reduce the sugar depending on the apples used and preference.

October 1, 2011

Rice krispies

1 tbsp butter or margarine

40 (1 pkg) of marshmallows

3 cups rice krispie's cereal

1/4 cup peanut butter

Heat butter with marshmallow in the microwave for 2 minutes. Remove it from the microwave and stir.

Stir in the peanut butter to this mixture. Then add the cereal until it is well coated. Shape it into small balls or any other shape.

Serve it on the same day.

This can also be done on the stove in a large pan over low heat. Recipe inspired by the cereal box.

August 20, 2011

Raspberry picking and jam

2 cups raspberry

1 to 2 tbsp lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar or more to taste

1" vanilla bean optional

Heat the raspberry, sugar and lemon juice together in medium low heat and simmer till the raspberry becomes syrupy and thick.

Remove from heat and leave the jam aside till it is cool. Once it is cool put it into a clean jar. The jam stays well in the fridge.

When using the jam use a clean dry spoon.

This jam can be used to make raspberry chocolate cake, smoothies, frozen yogurts and much more.

Our visit to pick raspberries this Summer. The tall bushes are loads of fun, however children should be supervised and taught how to easily remove the raspberries so they don't get hurt by any small thorns.

Some tips:

Pick only berries that are red.

Gently take the berries with fingers and thumb. If it is ripe the berry will come off easily into the hand.

Place the berries slowly into the container and don't over fill the buckets as the berries will get all squished.

Children will love the experience. They will eat the berries they pick more willingly, than when it is store bought.

July 26, 2011

Fruit salad

1 to 2 apples

1 to 2 pears

1 to 2 bananas

1/2 cup mango

1/2 cup strawberries

1/2 cup grapes

any other fruit that is available

1 tbsp orange juice or lemon juice

1 tsp rose water

1 tbsp vanilla flavoured sugar can reduce if all the fruits used are sweet

Cut the fruits small for more taste. Grapes and strawberries can be kept as whole or cut into two. Toss the fruit with orange juice or lemon juice, rose water and vanilla flavoured sugar and serve chilled on its own or with ice cream.

If the sugar is not vanilla flavoured use vanilla essence. I flavour the sugar by keeping vanilla beans inside the sugar as I don't use vanilla essence.

It is important to use citric fruits to keep the colour of the apples, pears and bananas fresh and to prepare the fruit salad beforehand.

June 27, 2011

Banana cereal muffins

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp cinnamon powder

1/2 cup butter or margarine at room temperature

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 cup ripe banana mashed

1 cup cereal corn flakes or other types

1/2 cup raisins

Beat butter and sugar till creamy with mixer or wooden spoon. Mix egg and bananas.

Mix the dry ingredients flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together in a separate bowl then add it to the mixture with a wooden spoon. Add slightly crushed cereal and raisins into the batter, mix well till everything is blended.

Line a muffin tray with cupcake baking cup liners. Put the batter into a muffin tray which will make a dozen muffins or any other type of baking pan lined with wax paper.

Ask an adult to help when using the oven.

Bake in a preheated oven at 375F for 20 minutes, until it is golden brown and when pricked with a skewer or fork in the middle it will come out clean.

Don't over bake. Remove the muffins from the oven and keep it on the baking pan for 5 minutes then remove and cool in a wire rack.

Recipe adapted from banana cereal cookies.

June 10, 2011

Rice pudding

It is easy to make rice pudding with precooked rice, all you need to do is combine everything and cook on medium low heat to preferred consistency. This is a delicious dessert, perfect to serve during any season as it can be eaten cold or warm.

May 21, 2011

Strawberry streusel cake

1 cup flour

1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
2 tbsp melted margarine
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries

For the streusel topping
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup cashews optional

In a medium bowl mix all the dry Ingredients, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir these ingredients with a whisk.

Add all the wet ingredients, vanilla, margarine, milk and egg. Beat this till it is well mixed.

Pour the batter into buttered and floured pan. Arrange the sliced or chopped strawberries on the top laying them evenly over the batter.
For the topping in another bowl combine the flour, sugar and nuts with the butter use your hands to make the mixture into a crumbly texture. Sprinkle the topping over the strawberries.

Ask an adult for help with the oven and to check.

Bake at 350F in a preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes till the cake is done, test with a skewer in the middle. Let the cake cool before serving.

This recipe is from here.

May 11, 2011

Banana cake

This recipe is from here. It is easy to make and delicious.

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine

3 eggs

1 cup ripe bananas

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 tbsp cinnamon ground

1 3/4 cup flour

2 tbsp fudge melts, chocolate pieces or chocolate chips

Beat butter and sugar, then add eggs and beat. Add the mashed bananas and mix. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon into the wet ingredients.

Add the chocolate chips and mix till all the ingredients are combined.

Put the mixture in to greased pan or muffin tins. Bake at 375F for 20 to 30 minutes depends on the type of pan used. Test with a skewer if it comes out clean it is done.
Baking time would be less if baked in muffin trays or a pyrex rectangle dish compared to a loaf pan.

April 20, 2011

Cornflake muffin

You will need...

4 oz oats

1 cup milk

little butter for the pan

1 egg

4 oz vegetable oil

6 oz brown sugar

2 oz cornflakes slightly crushed

5 oz raisins

5 oz apricots chopped

5 oz four

4 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

Mix the oats and milk in a bowl and leave for 15 minutes to soak.

Grease the muffin cups with a little bit of butter.

Using a whisk beat egg, oil, brown sugar, cornflakes, raisins, apricots and the oat milk mixture. Add the flour, baking powder and salt into the mixture.

Divide the mixture into muffin cups and bake at 400F for 20 to 25 minutes until skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Can keep in an airtight container for about a week.

Recipe adapted from Torviewtoronto

March 21, 2011

Tiramisu even children can have

This version of tiramisu is made without raw eggs, so completely germ free :) and there is no alcohol so you can have any amount you like.

We made individual cups for a little party.

things you need for the filling

*make 24 hours earlier

2 cups whipping cream and 1 tbsp lemon juice to make mascarpone cheese

instructions are here in this link it is very easy and doesn't cost too much to make it at home

*make at least 1 hour earlier

3 egg yolks and 1/4 cup vanilla flavoured sugar to make zabaglione custard cream very easy and detailed instruction in this link

1 cup whipping cream and 2 tbsp icing sugar whip till it makes peaks

Mix all these three together; the cheese, custard cream and whipped cream for the filling.

48 savoiardi or lady's finger cookies store bought

2 cups of hot water, 4 tbsp nescafe and 3 tbsp sugar mix together to dip wait a little till it is easy to handle before dipping cookies because the water is hot

Dip the cookies in and out, quickly or it will become soggy and layer in the serving dishes or dish then put the filling and layer cookies again in the opposite direction from before. Put the filling again and sprinkle cocoa powder or a shaving of chocolate on top and leave for more than 1 hour or overnight before serving.