Saying thank you to a mail carrier is an easy and thoughtful way to share the holiday spirit with others
Through snow and rain, heat, and gloom of night, your local mail carriers deliver your letters and packages directly to your door (or at least your nearest mailbox). And, during the season of goodwill and cheer, they deserve major props. From mail carrier thank you cards to gifts for mail carriers, here are six ways to thank your mail carrier. The best part? All of these are easy for kids and fun, too (think baking cookies!).
Write a letter!
USPS
Even if you don't know your mail person by name, you can still address them in a general way, such as "Our Favorite Mailman" or "Our Faithful Carrier." A simple note that says how much you appreciate the hard work they do (extra cute if your kids can write it out) will go a long way in making your postal worker feel special. Put it in an envelope and use stickers instead of stamps. (After all, they love mail, right?) You can also nab this free, downloadable template if you need a little help!
As always, a thank you card is a lovely gesture. Let the kids draw a little picture or get creative or use a printable like this one to make a little note to attach to the flag of your mailbox. If you can afford it, add a $10 or $15 gift card for somewhere like Amazon or a nearby coffee shop in the envelope. Be sure and do something OBVIOUS to make it clear it's not a regular piece of mail.
Include a Gift Card
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If you can afford it, add a $10 or $15 gift card to somewhere like Target or a nearby coffee shop with the letter or the card. Be sure and do something obvious to make it clear it's not a regular piece of mail. Mail carriers are not legally allowed to accept single gifts valued at over $20 so keep that in mind.
A thoughtful gift (again, under $20) is another simple way to let them know you're thinking of them. Consider things like warm gloves, an insulated mug, cozy socks, or a new water bottle.
Bake Something Special
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Leave cookies in the box or on the doorstep with a clearly marked sign. Be sure to seal them in something, even a ziplock or paper bag decorated with stickers works, and attach a note that says thanks! It's a good idea to list the ingredients in case of allergies or food sensitivities.
Say It Out Loud
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Shout it out! If you're home when the mail comes, be sure to say, "Thank you!" Get the kids in the habit of saying it, too. You can always throw open a window and shout it out. A little gesture of kindness and gratitude like this can go a long way on a long day.
Impress your kids and all the guests at your Halloween party with these spooky, delicious, and creative treats
If you’ve already sorted out your crew’s costumes and carved up your pumpkin, and you’ve still got time, how about crafting up a few easy Halloween treats? We’ve got all the goodies (and even Halloween-themed dinners) for kids you could ever want, from healthy(ish) picks to snacks inspired by creepy crawlers.
Whole Wheat Black Cat Cookies. How cute are these kitty cookies from A Taste of Madness? You don’t need special cookie cutters to make them, and the kiddos can help top them off with adorable candy corn eyes. Using wheat flour helps make them a little more wholesome than your average dessert, too. Black Cat Oreo Treats. These treats from Moments with Mandi are sure to impress your little ones—they’re (almost) too cute to eat. We love the wide eyes drawn on the chocolate candies and the chocolate chip “ears.” Classic Betty Crocker Black Cat. Your kittens will go crazy for this delish cake from Betty Crocker. No fancy pans are required for this one—just round cake pans and a bit of clever cutting to make the cat shape. Topped off with licorice whiskers, it’ll be just as tasty as it looks.
Black Cat Cutout Cookies. For an easy but delicious treat, make these cutout cats from Cinnamon Girl. The recipe is pretty straightforward, and you can let your little sous chefs dot on watchful eyes once the cookies have cooled.
Mummy Madeleines. These Madeleine Mummies and Minions look like you slaved away in the kitchen, but they're fuss free. Just put some white frosting in a piping bag with a cross-hatch tip, then make lines or zigzags before popping on some candy eyes and sprinkles. We tend to love these soft and fluffy traditional or pumpkin spice Madeleines from Sugar Bowl Bakery.
Mummified Oreos. How Does She serves up a spooktacular assortment of haunted treats, including to-die-for Mummy Oreo Suckers. And think about it: If you can make Oreos into something cute, what other cookies can you transform? Halloweeño Jalapeño Popper Mummies. If you’re a fan of spice, this hot idea from The Hopeless Housewife is sure to startle your taste buds. Terrifyingly simple to bake, these Jalapeño Popper Mummies make a great savory appetizer for your Halloween bash.
Mummy Pretzels. This salty, sweet, and spooky treat is scarily simple to make. The most difficult step according to Simply Being Mommy is waiting for the chocolate to cool and harden before eating!
Witch Hat Cookies. This super easy recipe from Princess Pinky Girl results in adorable witch hat treats in no time flat. Gather up Oreos and chocolate kisses plus a few other ingredients for this party-ready dessert.
Witch Guacamole Dip. Bright green guacamole glows from underneath a tortilla chip hat in Spicy Southern Kitchen’s Witch Guacamole. Mash up some avocados or grab your fave store-bought guac as the base for this healthy Halloween treat. Butterscotch Brooms. Every witch needs her broom, so you’ve got to whip up some cute broomsticks inspired by From Calculus to Cupcakes. They’re super quick to throw together, and they hit the perfect balance between sweet and savory.
Deathly Chocolate Graveyard Cakes. We think this spooktastic dessert from Half Baked Harvest is genius. With gravestones made out of brownies and witch legs made out of rolled wafer cookies, decorating them is half the fun.
Mousse Made Easy. Looking for a kid-approved party dessert that won’t scare away adults? Like a light, fluffy piece of pumpkin pie without the crust, this pumpkin mousse from Super Healthy Kids uses only six simple ingredients. Prep it in advance and make the most of your time with guests.
Awesome Apple Cupcakes. Love the taste of old-fashioned Halloween treats? Take a trip down memory lane with luscious fall flavors of apple and cinnamon. These beautiful cupcakes from Sarah Bakes Gluten Free will remind you of the sweet caramel apples of your youth without too much of the sticky stuff.
Not-So-Basic Bark. Turn after-school grumps into giggly ghouls with this super-cute candy bark from Fork and Beans. Vegan and gluten-free with no icky preservatives, you’ll love getting your (somewhat healthy) chocolate fix. It’ll take a few steps to get to the finished product, but we promise this bark will make you want to take a big bite.
Monster Sandwiches. What's a monster mash without monster sandwiches? This idea from My Own Road is an easy way to ensure that there's hearty food on your Halloween menu—you know, before the giant sugar rush. Plus, it's a cinch to customize these mini monster sandwiches with your fam's fave deli meat and fillings.
Halloween-Themed Sushi Balls. These adorable Halloween-themed sushi balls from Chopstick Chronicles are fairly easy to make, and you can change up the ingredients according to your little monster's palate. Put a bunch together as a main dish or spread them around as creepy little sides.
Frozen BOO-nana Ghosts. These ghost-shaped boo-nana popsicles are a fun treat the kids will love making as much as eating. Erin Clarke at Well Plated takes the healthy route and dips the banana shapes into vanilla yogurt rather than white chocolate—and you can turn these treats into mummies with a bit of peanut butter, caramel or nut butter, and coconut sugar.
Hooting Owls. Not as spooky as ghosts and gravestones but how can you resist these delicious Halloween owls? Spread peanut butter or cream cheese on crackers and add sliced and whole almonds for this nocturnal nibble from Charity Mathews at Foodlets.
Spider Cake Pops. One bite of these creepy crawly cake pops and you might understand why the old lady swallowed the spider. Wriggle over to Bakerella to learn to make these eerily delicious arachnids. Hint: The placement is all about timing.
Dirt and Worms Pudding Cups. We dig this easy-to-make dessert from Like Mother Like Daughter. Great for serving the kids at your Halloween party, they’re also fun for spring and Earth Day, too.
Creepy Corn Dog Centipedes. Hungry Happenings transformed ordinary mini corn dogs into a Halloween centipede, complete with ketchup eyes. If your kids like creepy crawlers and enjoy playing with their food, this might be the snack for you.
Jello Worms. Mel’s Kitchen Cafe used straws and a package of gelatin to make this squirmy Halloween treat. While they might gross out older ghosts, these squiggly creatures are sure to be a hit with your little goblins, and they’re super easy to make.
Chocolate Monster Cookies. We’d welcome these monster cookies from Self Proclaimed Foodie to any Halloween party. The secret lies in the edible googly eyes—but don’t forget the perfect chocolate chip cookies and chocolate ganache.
S’more Monsters. What’s better than s’mores? S’mores that look like monsters! You won’t need a campfire to create this delicious Halloween-themed treat from Jodi Levine over at Say Yes, but you will need cookies, marshmallows, and little helping hands.
Dangerous Donuts. Donuts get a monstrous makeover with this snack from A Spicy Perspective that the little ones will go crazy for. Either make ahead for your guests or lay out the supplies and let the kids take creative control. You’ll need some plastic vampire fangs, sprinkles, and you guessed it… candy eyes.
Chocolate Monster Pops. You’ll have plenty of little monsters gathering around a batch of these chocolate Frankensteins from Handmade Charlotte. The supplies include basic baking stuff: chocolate bars, coconut, and icing. We are especially zinging with delight over the Hershey Kiss neck bolts.
Brownie Bites with Fondant Ghosts. Need a last-minute Halloween treat? We love these adorable desserts from Sugar Bowl Bakery that use store-bought brownie bites and small pieces of fondant to create the perfect, non-scary ghost friend.
3-Ingredient Easy Ghost Cookies. The only thing scary about these cookies from Butter with a Side of Bread is how easy they are to make. All you need are Milano cookies, white chocolate, and small chocolate chips to whip up these friendly, Casper-style sweets.
Ghosts in the Graveyard Dessert Shooters. Don't worry, these alcohol-free treats from Sugarspun Run are for everyone! Think OREO dirt cup with a marshmallow ghost that is fun and easy to make.
Frightfully Easy Halloween Cupcake Treats
Christal Yuen
Ghoulish Graveyard.What you'll need: crumbled chocolate wafers, pumpkin-shaped candy corn, vanilla wafers, and chocolate frosting. What to do: After covering the chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting, crush chocolate wafers and sprinkle them over the frosting as "dirt." Set a pumpkin-shaped candy corn on top and write "RIP" on the vanilla wafer before planting it in the "graveyard."
Wicked Witch.What you'll need: green icing, one straw cut in half, and gum drops. What to do: Frost your cupcake in plenty of bright green frosting. Snip your straw in half, and slice a red gum drop down the center, so you have two identical halves (and a pair of ruby slippers). Stick one to each end of the straws and lay the "legs" on your serving platter. Now lay your cupcake house upside down on top of the legs. We can almost hear Dorothy trotting away in glee.
Not-So-Scary Mummy.What you'll need: Mini M&Ms and white frosting. What to do: Using a piping bag (either store-bought or DIY), place lines across your cupcake to form your mummy's bandages and then two affix candy eyes.
Caught in a Spiderweb. What you'll need: White frosting and black gel icing. What to do: After frosting the cupcake in white, use your gel icing to make three concentric circles on top. Take a toothpick and, starting in the center, drag the toothpick through the icing to the edge (imagine slicing a pizza) to create the spooky spiderweb effect.
Pumpkin bread that’s moist, flavorful, and easy to make? Yep, it’s true! This easy pumpkin bread recipe is perfect for the festive holiday season, especially when your time is limited since there is very little prep time or dirty dishes involved. Try making the pumpkin bread in a regular loaf pan, or if you’re looking for a unique present, bake the bread in a coffee tin or in old soup cans. Then wrap it up with cellophane or tissue paper and you’ve got yourself a great (and delicious) gift.
Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe Ingredients:
1 (15 ounce) can of pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger
**this recipe will yield three 7″ x 3″ loaf pans. We suggest cutting the recipe in half if you don’t want that large of a portion. If you do cut the recipe in half, it will make one regular loaf.
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7×3 inch loaf pans.
2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water, and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
They’ll be begging for more of this easy dinner recipe!
While the quintessential American festival and fair food has to be the corn dog, there’s nothing healthy about this food on a stick. We decided to make a healthier version of the corn dog with a kid-friendly twist. Deep frying is replaced by baking, and instead of an unwieldy eat we made these into baked corn dog muffins perfect for little hands. Be sure to check out our other healthy swaps that are picky eater approved!
Ingredients for Corn Dog Muffins:
1 cup of unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1/3 cup of sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup milk
2 large eggs
1/4 vegetable oil
3 hot dogs cut into 1/2 inch pieces (veggie, chicken apple sausage, beef, or any type you like)
Mini muffin tin
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 425 and grease mini muffin tins.
2. Mix the first four dry ingredients in one bowl; mix the wet ingredients in a second bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
3. Sautee your 1/2-inch hot dog bites for a few minutes over medium heat.
4. Pour batter into prepared muffin tins until each is 3/4 full. Put one hot dog slice into each batter-filled muffin cup so it’s submerged in the batter.
If your kids love pasta but you want to change up your dinnertime routine, try out this easy Baked Ziti. Make it ahead of time and bake it when needed. From the refrigerator, the dish usually needs an additional 15 minutes of cooking time.
Ingredients for Easy Baked Ziti:
1 pound dry ziti pasta
1 finely chopped onion
1 lb ground beef
2 (26 ounce) jars spaghetti sauce
8 slices of provolone cheese
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Method:
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for about 8-9 minutes; drain.
2. In a large skillet, brown onion and ground beef over medium heat. Add spaghetti sauce, heat through, then remove from heat.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking oil spray.
4. Layer as follows: 1/2 of the ziti, 1/2 of the sauce, Provolone cheese, sour cream, remaining ziti, remaining sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Top with grated Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the cheeses are melted. Cover with foil for the first 15-20 minutes of baking, then remove the foil so the cheese will melt and the top will brown.
Chicken nuggets take on a whole new fun form in this recipe from Brooke McLay of Cheeky Kitchen. Use cookie cutters to transform these homemade nuggets that are baked and not fried. Fill us in below to tell us how your chicken and veggie nuggets turned out.
Ingredients for Chicken and Veggie Nuggets:
1/2 lb ground chicken
1 package thawed veggie
1 egg
2 c panko bread crumbs
1 tsp of onion salt
Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Combine veggies and egg in a blender, and blend until pureed.
3. Combine puree, chicken, and onion salt into a large bowl and mix together with a fork.
4. Spread a thin layer of panko crumbs on a large cutting board.
5. Flatten the chicken mixture over the crumbs until it is 1/2 inch thick.
6. Sprinkle more crumbs, salt and pepper on top.
7. Use a cookie cutter to create fun shapes.
8. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray.
9. Place nuggets on a cookie sheet and bake for 14 to 16 minutes.
Photo and recipe courtesy of Brooke McLay of Cheeky Kitchen
These kid-friendly baking recipes are easy for kids, even toddlers can bake
It’s never too early to get your kids involved in the kitchen. Baking helps kids develop their motor skills and introduces them to new flavors. Not to mention they’ll learn such an important skill. But best of all, they’ll get to find out firsthand how their favorite sweet treats are made. These easy baking recipes ideas for kids are the next best thing to putting everything into your KitchenAid and walking away. From banana bread to sugar cookies, get easy, kid-friendly recipes you’ll bake again and again.
Enjoy these cardamom snickerdoodle cookies warm out of the oven! The kiddos will definitely be able to help with this one, and we promise they'll love the taste.
Break out the sprinkles, because these gorgeous cookies from Lord Byron’s Kitchen are about to become a yearly family tradition. They’re easy to adapt to any holiday, too—we’re dreaming of pink sprinkles for Valentine’s Day, green for St. Patrick’s Day, and so on.
For the true pumpkin heads out there, pumpkin butter is a dream come true. This version from Koti Beth is made with pumpkin puree, a little sweetener, and spices, and tastes great spread on toast, swirled into yogurt or oatmeal, or dolloped on top of pancakes or ice cream. It also makes for a delicious edible gift around the holidays.
To give kids a taste of baking without actually having to turn on the oven, we love this sweet and simple idea from Evermine. They’ll get to crush cookies, melt butter and assemble the mini “cakes” with ice cream and other goodies.
Your budding chefs will love diving into this easy recipe from Oh, Sweet Basil. The crust is made from classic Nilla wafers, while the filling is super easy to make using a packet of instant pudding and a few other ingredients.
How cute is this cake from Perchance to Cook? Get the little ones involved in stirring together the batter and arranging the apple slices on top. An added bonus: it’s gluten-free for sensitive tummies and paleo for diet-minded parents.
These zesty cookies are perfect for holiday baking! Be sure to use fresh cranberry to really bring out the taste of this winter fruit. Get the recipe over at The View from Great Island.
Introduce your kids to a retro favorite with this recipe from Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you’re not already familiar with the concept of a poke cake, you’re in for a treat!
So your kids have mastered the art of the brownie mix? That means it’s time to up the ante by making them from scratch. This recipe from Spoonful of Flavor is super easy to put together—you’ll just need to supervise the melting chocolate part.
We love this delish twist on Rice Krispie treats from The Anthony Kitchen. A dollop of salty-sweet peanut butter gives the classic dessert a little something extra, and it’s a breeze to make, even for the youngest of cooks. This recipe comes courtesy of Kelly Anthony, a Texas-based food blogger specializing in homemade family meals and easy desserts like this one.
If you’ve got a few bananas that are past their prime, these banana mini muffins are the perfect way to use them. Kids can help mash up the bananas and mix the batter, and you can bake them up in a mini muffin tin or a regular one.
If your kids are ready to move on to more involved recipes, you’ve got to try this classic apple pie. They’ll get to roll out the crust, mix up the apple filling and watch eagerly as their creation bakes.
Give your chocolate chip cookies a colorful twist with this fun recipe. You can add peppermint bark during the holidays, Reese’s Pieces at Halloween and pastel M&Ms at Easter.
These tasty muffins will make a great breakfast, snack or even dessert. Since they’re made with healthy ingredients like coconut oil, applesauce and oats, they’re a great way to get your littles excited about eating well.
What’s better than chocolate? More chocolate packed in a grain and gluten-free cupcake! This paleo recipe is super tasty and works great if you’ve got gluten sensitivities in your family.
For a healthier sweet treat, you’ve got to try these chunky monkey cookies from Veggies Don't Bite. They’re filled with good-for-you ingredients like oats, banana, dates and flax.
It doesn’t get much tastier (or easier) than freshly baked blueberry muffins. Frozen berries work just as well as fresh ones so you can bake these up all year long.
Apple Turnovers
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This recipe is perfect for beginner bakers since it makes use of frozen puff pastry. Just fill the pastry with cooked apples, then fold them up and bake!
Make sugar cookies a holiday tradition in your family with this fantastic recipe. Kids will get to help out from start to finish, including (of course) decorating the cookies with frosting and sprinkles.
Snickerdoodles are a holiday classic, and they’re simple enough for the kids to make themselves. You don’t need a mixer, you don’t have to refrigerate the dough, and the end result is absolutely delicious with a chewy, soft inside.
Good news: you can enjoy all the delicious flavors of donuts without the hassle of deep-frying (or driving to the donut shop). These muffins are dipped in butter after baking, then rolled in cinnamon sugar.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
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Your little ones will love making these yummy chocolate crinkle cookies. Just mix up the dough, let it chill overnight, then roll the dough balls in plenty of powdered sugar.
Do you ever wonder how to be a good neighbor? It can be as simple as waving hi, chatting up the family next door, or helping someone out when they need a hand. Remember, it’s never too late to strengthen your bond with the people who live next door, across the street, or at the end of the block. Here are 12 simple ways you and the kids can connect with your neighbors today and every day.
1. Ask them their name. This seems like a no-brainer, but so often we don’t know even know our neighbor’s names!
2. Exchange phone numbers. A simple gesture that says you’re looking out for them.
3. Bake something. The holidays often bring this kind of tradition, but why not invoke it on a random Wednesday? Few people will be disappointed in freshly baked bread, cookies, or other goodies. And everybody loves coffee cake.
4. Plant it. A cutting from your favorite houseplant or a pre-potted begonia: even a small bouquet of flowers is a sweet and inexpensive way to say, “Hey!”
6. Make it a double. Next time you’re at the store, grab an extra bar of soap, dishwashing liquid or another cleaning product and gift it to your neighbor. It doesn’t need to be expensive, and keep in mind many people have chemical and scent sensitivities.
7. Make a hello card. Have the kids paint or draw a simple card that just says “Hello, neighbor!”
8. Carry the load. Help unload the trunk of the car or pick up a package from the bottom of the stairs and place it in front of their door.
9. Invite them to dinner. Make dinner at your house or meet them at your favorite place. There are so many options for your comfort level.
10. Do a work exchange. Mow their lawn, shovel their driveway, pull weeds or something similar. Even if you live in an apartment building you can help tidy up communal spaces or carry their recycling down to the street.
11. Organize a pot-luck. If you don’t have the space to do this in your own place, use a nearby park or community center. Make simple invites that you hand-deliver and set a time limit.
12. Start a club. If you share a passion or hobby with your neighbor, do this hobby together or start a group in your community. This could be a book club, knitting club, woodworking club and so on. The options are endless!
When it comes to making a dessert in the summer, the last thing we want to do is turn on the oven to make a cake or pie. That’s why we love having an array of awesome (and simple!) no-bake desserts in our arsenal. We’ve compiled some of our favorite kid-friendly picks, none of which will leave you a sweaty mess. Sounds like a win-win situation to us!
Crispy and crunchy come together in this six-ingredient no-bake dessert! Both PB and chocolate lovers will enjoy sinking their teeth into this treat that travels well and whips up in an hour! Head to Sweet Peas & Saffron to get the recipe.
Can you believe this gorgeous dip is no-bake? You can enjoy the rich flavor of cheesecake without turning on the oven with this simple recipe that requires more time in the fridge chilling than it does to make! Check out Carlsbad Cravings for the full recipe.
How are these not crafted in the oven? This healthy-ish recipe combines items like oats, dates and nuts miraculously houses thick caramel for the ultimate surprise treat. Check out Pinch of Yum because you know you want this recipe!
Who needs Girl Scout cookie season when you can make these thin mint bites? Just three ingredients are all you need to make these fancy looking, awesome tasting mint cups. Check out Chelsea's Messy Apron for the recipe.
Move over, red sauce lasagna! This fun take on an Italian dish will satisfy your sweet tooth in a cinch. Just combine ingredients and chill before devouring. Want the complete recipe? Check out Bake Me Some Sugar.
Mason jars can be used for just about anything, even no-bake desserts! We love these ice cream cakes from Evermine because not only can you mix it up and use whatever ingredients you like best, but there are also minimal melting messes to clean up afterward! Get the how-to here.
This delicious "sandwich" is so easy, a budding pastry chef could do it all by herself. Using only four ingredients, we love The Novice Chef's version!
This frozen fruit mousse takes literally five minutes, and only requires a few ingredients. Top with freshly whipped cream and fruit and you've got an Instagram-worthy no-bake dessert ready to go. Find out how to make your own version here.
Hear us out. This rich and fudgy dessert is made even better by some sneaky avocado. It’s also a no-bake dessert masterpiece so you can whip it up in no time for any party, potluck, or mid-week treat. For the recipe, head to A Taste of Madness.
The last thing you want to do on a hot summer day is turn on the oven. Luckily, you won’t have to with these no-bake lemon cheesecake mousse cups. They’re easy to make and assemble and look just as delicious as they taste. For the #1 reason to boycott your oven this summer visit Overtime Cook.
Kiwi is the total star of the show in this guilt-free sorbet from Anja's Food 4 Thought. There are no crazy ingredients—just kiwi, lemon, and honey. You'll be cooled off in no time!
What could be better than cocoa powder, espresso, ladyfingers and whipped cream all stacked up in a delicious bite? A recipe for tiramisu that requires no baking or stove-top prep, whatsoever. Both of your dreams are answered with this no-bake recipe from The View from Great Island.
Who needs expensive store-bought candy bars when you can make your own? You'll only need four ingredients to make these super tasty "Twix" bars from Back for Seconds.
Who knew you could make delicious cookies without ever turning on your oven? This clever recipe from Wanna Come With? uses rolled oats, peanut butter and cocoa powder to create one amazing cookie.
If your little ones aren’t as crazy for citrus as you are, have them try a white chocolate lemon truffle. They may change their tune. With just a few ingredients, they’re super simple to make—15 minutes of prep time and you’re done. Just make sure you factor in that the mix has to get cold and harden in the fridge for a few hours. The result is pure magic! For all the delicious details, and other ideas visit OMG Chocolate Desserts.
These little treats from Blender Happy only require one minute of microwave action. With a graham cracker base, hidden marshmallow middle and chocolate ice cream on top (you can use store-bought or make your own dairy-free ice cream), the hardest part is waiting for them to freeze.
Ice Cream without an Ice Cream Maker
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Imagine whipping up a delicious batch of ice cream—without needing any equipment than what you already have at home. We've got six great recipes that will do the trick. See them here.
Convenient, easy and comforting, casseroles are an easy dinner option minus the hours spent at the stovetop. Best of all, it’s easy to conceal garden-fresh veggies in a delicious casserole that the whole family will love. We’ve gathered the best casserole recipes that are light and easy to whip up, even on the hottest summer days. See them all below.
If your backyard garden is bursting with zucchini, this is the casserole for you! “This Beefy Zucchini Casserole has made an appearance on the summer dinner menu for over 30 years in my family," says Mary Ann, the resident cook, writer and photographer behind the blog The Beach House Kitchen. “All you’ll need is some ground beef, yellow onion, garlic, zucchini, shredded Colby Jack cheese and one can of cream of mushroom soup, and in less than an hour dinner is on the table.” Get the recipe here.
What kid (or adult!) doesn’t love the tangy flavor of Cool Ranch seasoning? Entice your family to the dinner table with a potato-based casserole loaded with ranch seasoning, diced tomatoes and green chiles. Great for outdoor summer dinners! Get the recipe here.
“This initially unassuming quinoa bake is consummately delicious comfort food,” said Sarah, the writer/cook/photo-taker behind A Love Letter to Food. “With stretchy mozzarella, fresh tomatoes bursting with flavor, and strips of basil, it’s pretty much all the things you love about a Margherita pizza in creamy casserole form.” Get the recipe here.
Pastitsio is Greek comfort food at its finest. This lightened-up recipe for the flavor-packed baked pasta can even be prepared the night before—just cover tightly and refrigerate and bake the next day when you’re ready for dinner. Get the recipe here.
No-boil lasagna noodles make this casserole come together with hardly any cleanup efforts. Though this recipe is vegetarian, you can always replace the eggplant with Italian sausage. Get everything you need to make this casserole by clicking here.
Gather tomatoes from your garden and bake them up into a delicious and healthy casserole. “A handful of panko bread crumbs added to the parmesan cheese topping would be an excellent addition,” recommends Sharon Rigsby of Grits and Pinecones. Get the recipe by clicking here.
This classic corn casserole is the perfect addition to your summer table, either as a main or a side. Top with finely chopped herbs from the garden. Get the recipe here.
A creamy, decadent sauce made with four kinds of cheese and tender chunks of lobster are baked together into this indulgent casserole for every season. “Investing in fresh meat that comes from your local fish market will make for the best result possible,” recommends Jocelyn Delk Adams, the tastemaker behind the foodie blog Grandbaby Cakes. Find out all the ingredients you'll need to make this dish by clicking here.
Transform this classic casserole into a healthy dinner dish the whole family with love by following the recipe for this creamy, completely delicious version—it’s vegan and gluten-free, too! Even better if you can use the fresh green beans from your garden! Get the recipe here.
Just six ingredients fall together in these enchiladas, which are baked for just 25 minutes. Serve with a side of homemade guacamole and chips (plus margaritas for moms and dads!) for a summer dinner to remember. This recipe calls for Loma Linda Taco Filling, but you can use any faux meat you like, seasoned with a dash of chili powder, cumin and paprika. Get the recipe here.
The flavors of the islands meld in this easy weeknight casserole that uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry: pineapple, chicken, sliced almonds, water chestnuts, green onions and rice cooked in coconut milk.
This healthy casserole works for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. “Call it a salmon casserole recipe or a gluten-free crustless quiche,” said dietitian nutritionist (RDN) Amy Gorin. “Whatever its name, it’s guaranteed to be one of the most delicious egg recipes you’ll ever eat. Get the recipe here.
