Make Your Own Teething Biscuits & Baby Rusks

by Oz SpiesMarch 28, 2024

Once your child hits the one-year mark, soothe their sore gums with baby teething biscuits and snacks that also give them a nutritious boost. This magical remedy is known by many names—teething biscuits, teething crackers, or baby rusks—and they’re easy to make yourself with these quick recipes, including no-bake versions, wheat-free biscuits, and sugar-free teething biscuits too. So the next time you see baby gnawing, you’ll be prepared with a homemade teething biscuit.

1. Healthy Homemade Teething Biscuits

Oats, bananas, and coconut oil are all you’ll need for these teething crackers. Add vanilla and spices like cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg for extra flavor, or keep them plain. Super Healthy Kids has the recipe.

2. Quinoa Teething Crackers

Protein-rich quinoa is the only ingredient in this crispy cracker. Cradle Rocking Mama blends the nutritious grain in three forms (cooked flakes, uncooked flakes, and quinoa flour) to get consistency kids like.

3. Sweet Potato and Chamomile Teething Biscuits

These flavorful biscuits from My Kids Lick the Bowl cleverly include chamomile from a tea bag to relax a child who’s suffering from teething pain, along with sweet potato and oat flour.

4. Apple, Banana, or Pumpkin Teething Biscuits

Mama Natural shares three recipes, highlighting apple, banana, and pumpkin. All three are gluten-free, thanks to a combination of rolled oats and steel-cut oats as the base. They also include maple syrup and baking spices for sweetness and baby-friendly flavor that makes this homemade teething biscuit top our list.

a baby with a big smile sits in a crib waiting for a baby teething biscuit — iStock

5. Oat & Banana Drops

Momtastic offers up this classic vegan recipe full of oats and mashed bananas. Choose overripe bananas for sweetness and add a few spices like cinnamon and cardamom. In 15 minutes, you’ll have a tasty homemade teething biscuit.

6. Fruit & Vegetable Teethers

Teething biscuits don’t get any healthier than these fruit and veggie snacks from Weelicious. Thinly slice fruits and veggies like sweet potato and kiwi, and then put them in a dehydrator. If you don’t have a dehydrator, this banana leather version requires only an oven—and is a hit with older kids too.

7. Pear-rific Oat-tastic Teething Biscuits

The name of Everyday Champagne‘s recipe says it all. Pears plus oats=awesome teething treats. Mix together oat flour, baby cereal, pear puree, and allspice to make a sweet biscuit that’s free of added sugar or salt.

8. Grain-Free Teething Biscuits

Created by a nurse, these grain-free teethers from Real Food RN are packed with nutrients. The ingredient list is longer than some: coconut and cassava flour, applesauce, maple syrup, molasses, egg yolk plus spices. But the extra effort is worth it, as each ingredient packs a nutritional punch. The recipe also includes clove, a spice that some say soothes teething pain. When stored in the freezer, the biscuits last for months and offer a cool treat for your little one’s gums.

9. Sugar-Free Baby Rusks

You probably have the ingredients in your kitchen right now for these sugar- and salt-free homemade teething biscuits from the Welsh-Italian Chiapa sisters: eggs, flour, baking powder, and applesauce (or another fruit puree). Add cinnamon, orange zest, or Parmesan for extra flavor.

10. Healthy Homemade Teething Biscuits

Boys Ahoy‘s recipe calls for rice cereal, flour, coconut oil, cinnamon and banana (or applesauce). Roll out the dough and cut with your favorite cookie cutter to create crisp mum-mums in fun, baby-friendly shapes.

11. The Natural Mum’s Super Easy Rusk Recipe

With only two ingredients, you can whip up these teething treats from the Natural Mum anytime. All you need is a fruit or veggie puree and a few cups of spelt flour. Because the puree choice is up to you, the flavor options are endless. Try sweet potatoes one day and peaches the next.

Make sure to capture all those toothy grins—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

The Easiest Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer

by Erin LemAugust 23, 2023

This savory snack is perfect for the holiday season or anytime, really

If you’re looking for an appetizer or a snack-worthy finger food, try this recipe for ham and cheese puff pastry. Courtesy of The Clever Carrot, whipping this dish up is like making a sandwich, but filled with melted cheese and ham. The pre-made puff pastry dough makes the process quick and simple.

Makes 12-16 squares

Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry:

1 package (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, defrosted*
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
¼ pound black forest ham, thinly sliced
½ pound Gruyère cheese, grated
1 egg
flour for dusting

*Defrost overnight in the fridge before you begin.
**Puff pastry sheets are available in the frozen section of most grocery stores. If you cannot find them, you can use a whole block of dough instead. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the dough and cut it into two sheets measuring approximately 10 x 12 inches (use a ruler if necessary). Transfer to a piece of parchment paper and proceed with the rest of the recipe.

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 450 F.

2. To make the egg wash, lightly beat an egg with 1 tbsp. of water. Set aside.

3. Place a piece of parchment paper onto your work surface and dust lightly with flour. Lay one sheet of puff pastry on top of the paper. Using the back of a teaspoon, brush the dough with mustard leaving a 1-inch border around the edge. Use a ruler if necessary.

4. Staying within the border, add the sliced ham in overlapping layers. Add the cheese. Brush the border with some of the egg wash to create a seal.

5. Place the second sheet of puff pastry on top of the filled pastry lining up the edges.
Using a sharp knife, trim the dough so that the edges line up and the square is even. It’s just like cutting the crust off of a sandwich. Make sure to cut the dough in a swift downward motion (think paper slicer). If you drag your knife, it will not rise properly. Press down lightly.

6. Brush the top with more egg wash and cut a few slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
Transfer the dough to a baking sheet by lifting up the parchment paper.

7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until puffed and golden brown. Allow to cool for a few minutes and cut into squares (about 12-16 depending how large you want them). Serve hot.

Recipe and photo courtesy of The Clever Carrot. For more great family recipe ideas, head on over to the blog by clicking here.

An Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe Anyone Can Make

by writerredtriAugust 15, 2023

You’ll want to make this yummy snack all year

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.

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com

The Easiest Baked Corn Dog Muffins

by Erin LemJuly 5, 2023

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.

5. Bake for 13-15 minutes until golden brown.

41 Hilarious Parenting Memes to Get You Through the Day

by Jacqui BolandJuly 5, 2023

Laughter is the best medicine for what ails you—kids

Parenting memes are the antidote for a tough day (or even an average one), and we’re betting there are a few out there you can really relate to. From “Yes! This happened to me five minutes ago!” to out-and-out guffaws because it happens every night, give yourself five minutes (lock yourself in the bathroom if necessary) and give yourself a good laugh over these hysterical mom memes.

It never fails.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Scary Mommy (@scarymommy)

PG ratings just aren’t what they used to be.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Raising Teens Today (@raisingteenstoday)

What’s your name again??

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tinybeans (@tinybeanskids)

Fill up on gas while you’re at it.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tinybeans (@tinybeanskids)

Do you promise?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmwxUoSl_Rh/?hidecaption=true

The struggle is real.

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A post shared by Mom and Buried (@momandburied)

Okay so carry the one and then, wait, what the?

"Grandma let's me..."

Taste the rainbow.

The Dude abides...

It's that time of year again...

Jekyll, meet Hyde.

How can such a small person take up so much space?

So. Many. Cookies.

We don't mean to waste coffee...

Please, please, rinse your dang bowl.

You should see the cheese sticks.

Mommy is binge-watching right now, kids. Step away.

Yep

Nice cannonball, honey!

Hey, beggars can't be choosers.

Because: Seven Seconds

Sad, but true.

Genius mom hack of the century.

Oh, for forks sake!

Adulting is super hard sometimes.

Keepin' it real, always.

When slow and steady does not win the race

Every. Single. Time

Coffee is a part of the food pyramid, right?

What your baby is really thinking.

Nice cannonball, honey!

The parent's Tall, Grande & Venti:

Again, I don't know what yogurt-covered pretzels you are talking about.

Can we just hose them off, instead?

When you gotta go, you gotta go...

Life's little pleasures!

The real cost of crafting.

So close, yet so far.

Did I stutter?

See above!

And this year's Parenting of the Year Award goes to:

Cookies for lunch!!!

Easy Blueberry Muffins That Take Less Than 20 Minutes

by Erin LemMay 21, 2023

This easy blueberry muffin recipe is a favorite with our kids

For breakfast fare that never goes out of style look no further than this easy blueberry muffin recipe. Any home cook can whip up a batch of these classic blueberry muffins in about 10 minutes without any unusual ingredients or pro kitchen tools. The secret twist to this delectable eat? The streusel topping that adds a layer of cinnamon sugar goodness to this irresistible grab-and-go muffin.

Makes about 14 muffins

Ingredients:
2 Cups Flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups wild blueberries (Frozen are ok)
1/2 cup butter softened
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk

For the streusel top:
2 Tbs Flour
2 Tbs Sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs butter chilled

Method:
1. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

2. In a separate bowl beat butter and sugar until light. Beat in eggs and vanilla. You can either use an electric mixer or mix by hand with a wooden spoon.

3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients alternating with milk until combined.

4. Coat the blueberries lightly with flour then fold the blueberries into the mixture.

5. Spoon batter into greased or paper-lined muffin tins.

6. To make the streusel topping, combine the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter until crumbly by using your fingers or a knife and fork. Sprinkle over muffins.

7. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.

The Best Buttermilk Pancake Recipe, Ever

by Erin LemApril 30, 2023

Kick the Bisquick to the curb

Give the pre-made pancake mix a break with this fast and made-from-scratch buttermilk pancake recipe that even the most pancake-challenged parents can easily make. Get the little ones in on the fun by letting them help pour the ingredients into the bowl and sprinkle fresh blueberries into the batter. The whole family will be digging into these yummy cakes within 20 minutes. If you want to get fancy, check out our round-up of creative pancakes, and pass the maple syrup!

Buttermilk Pancake Recipe: Ingredients

1 ½ cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 ½ cup buttermilk

2 eggs

3 tablespoons canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1. Get ready by taking out all of your ingredients and placing a griddle or large pan over medium-low heat. You’ll need 2 large bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons, a whisk, and a large spoon.

2. In bowl number one, pour and mix all your dry ingredients together (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt).

3. In bowl number two, pour and mix all your wet ingredients together (buttermilk, eggs, canola oil, vanilla) and whisk.

4. Pour bowl number two (wet ingredients) into bowl number one (dry ingredients) and mix gently with a large spoon.

5. Butter the griddle or pan and spoon pancake batter onto the pan in little circles. You can even experiment with making shapes (mickey mouse is a popular choice).

6. Cook each side until golden (you’ll see bubbles begin to form when it’s time to flip). Top with butter and maple syrup and enjoy.

DIY This Non-Toxic Finger Paint for Kids

by Julie SegussMarch 21, 2023

We love finger painting ideas for kids like this one that’s non-toxic and safe for babies

Make your own non-toxic paint and you’ll be less worried about your kids putting it in their mouth. This easy recipe comes together with three ingredients you probably already have at home. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for making edible finger paint for babies and older kids, and you’ll be making art in no time.

Warning: While this recipe isn't made with toxic ingredients, it does contain raw flour, which the U.S. Food & Drug Administration warns against eating. Keep a watchful eye on your child and a wet washcloth handy to clean off hands as you paint.

Save this recipe for edible baby finger paints.

Supplies You'll Need

1 cup white flour
1 cup warm water
food coloring
bowls
spoons or a whisk
measuring cups

1. Mix the flour and water together.

Use warm water to help the mixture come together more easily. We used a whisk to get all of the lumps out. If you have older kids, this is a good step for them to help with.

2. Divide the flour and water mixture.

Pour the mixture into four bowls, cups or containers of your choice.

3. Add food coloring to each container.

We stuck with the basics, making our paints red, blue, green and yellow. That way we could talk about color mixing as we played, showing how red + yellow = orange and blue + red = purple.

Pro tip: We used only three drops of food coloring for each small bowl and still ended up with bright colors. If you go overboard with the food coloring, you may end up staining your fingers. But we promise it will wash off eventually!

4. Let your baby get creative!

Our little tester isn't sitting up on his own yet, so we made this a tummy-time activity. You can use any type of paper, but we like finger-painting paper (like this one from Melissa & Doug). It's glossy and non-absorbent, which helps the paint spread easily across it.

Pro tip: Let your baby paint in the high chair (as long as it's easy to clean), lay down a waterproof splat mat, or make this an outdoor activity to keep mess and cleanup to a minimum.

Post-painting clean-up: Set out your artwork to dry, and be prepared to give your baby a bath after your art session. The flour-water mixture should wash out of clothes and off of floors, splat mats, etc., but it's easiest to clean up with warm water right away. Happy finger painting!

—Julie Seguss

featured image: iStock

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13 Things to Do with Kids on Friday the 13th

by Amber GuetebierMarch 10, 2023

Reverse your bad luck with some seriously sweet ways to spend this superstitious day

On Friday the 13th there’s no reason to get superstitious about bad luck: try doing some seriously fun things in numbers of 13. We can’t promise you good luck, but we can guarantee a baker’s dozen of smiles. Read on for our ideas.

1. Stand on one foot for 13 seconds. Too easy? Transition to the other foot for 13 without falling. Still need a bigger challenge, raise your hands up and down 13 times.

2. Write a poem with only 13 words.

3. Get out the jump rope and hop 13 times in a row without messing up. If you’re out of practice, this can be trickier than it sounds.

4. Make a baker’s dozen! Make a dozen cookies + one for the baker to test.

5. Create a drawing that has all of these 13 different things: a bunny, a superhero, a magical creature, a forest, a tiny house, a castle, a flower bed, a skyscraper, a truck, a river, a kid, a boat, a bridge. (Or pick your own list of 13 things!)

6. Sound out 13 animal sounds (for example, a dog’s bark, a cat’s meow, a lion’s roar, etc.)

7. Get out a deck of cards and sort them into the four suites. Count each stack (hint: there are 13 in each).

8. Tell your kiddo 13 things you love about them (and ask them the same about you or another family member).

9. Name 13 things that start with the letter T.

10. Find a word that has 12 other rhyming words. (Hint: “fry” works!)

11. Do 13 jumping jacks.

12. Make a dish with 13 ingredients (pizza works well for this, and yes you can count the yeast and flour).

13. Give out 13 kisses for Friday the 13th. This should be an easy one.

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Simple 3-Ingredient Cookie Recipes That Are Perfect for Kids

by Karly WoodJanuary 17, 2022

We are deep in the throes of winter and if you’re looking for a fun afternoon activity, why not try out a few easy cookie recipes? Better yet, give a few three ingredient cookie recipes a try! These easy cookies recipes require the fewest ingredients but still pack a sweet punch. Keep reading to see everything from simple peanut butter cookies and Palmiers to cake mix cookies and more.

Thin Mints

No need to wait for Girl Scout cookie season when you have this recipe for homemade thin mints. With just three ingredients, you may be making this recipe on the daily.

Get the easy recipe at What Molly Made.

Palmiers

Palmiers are made from puff pastry dough and are oh so delicious. This easy recipe mixes store bought and pantry staples, and will wow at your cookie ecxhange,

Find the entire recipe at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

Butter Cookies

Butter, flour and sugar is all you need to get baking. This simple butter cookie recipe make a great canvas for frosting, or enjoyed with a dusting of sugar.

Find the full recipe at Gardening Foodie.

Lemon Cake Mix Cookies

Shhh! Your guests will never even realize you made this delicious lemon cookies with a box of cake mix! Add in a few extra ingredients and transform this mix into the lemony cookies of your dreams.

Check out all the details at Crayons & Cravings.

Cinnamon Sugar Pie Crust Cookies

It only takes 10 minutes of baking to enjoy these cinnamon sugar pie crust cookies. With simple ingredients you likely have on hand, they'd make the perfect side to your morning cuppa joe!

Get the recipe at Comfort of Cooking.

Strawberry Crinkle Cookies

Refreshing and oh-so-pretty, these crinkle cookies are great for spring––or just strawberry lovers. Cake mix and basic baking ingredients are all you need to whip up these sweet treats in a flash.

Get the full recipe at Made to Be a Momma.

Cake Mix Cookies

Customizable and creative, these cake mix cookies bring an element of fun to the table. You can stick to the three-ingredient list or add a few extra to add some fun color.

Find the recipe at Princess Pinky Girl.

Starry-Eyed Christmas Cookies

Chocolate kisses are melted on top of pretzels and topped with M&Ms — The Wicked Noodle

These little cookies couldn’t be easier—just melt some chocolate kisses on top of pretzels, and then the kiddos can help you decorate with festive M&Ms.

Check out the recipe at The Wicked Noodle.

Funfetti Cookies

Everybody knows sweets are just better with funfetti. Grab an extra box of the cake mix the next time you're at the store, and change up dessert with this alternative treat.

Get the full recipe at Crayons & Cravings.

Nutella Cookies

You had us at Nutella! These hazelnut cookies couldn't be easier, and are much simpler to eat then scooping out Nutella by the spoonful from the jar.

Get the full recipe at from Chef Gemma Stafford, Bigger Bolder Baking.

Haystack Cookies

These fun cookies are a nice departure from traditional ingredients like flour and eggs. Instead, grab some low mein noodles and watch them turn into a delightful, butterscotch-y dessert.

Get the full recipe at Hardly a Goddess.

Peanut Butter Cookies

These chewy beauties keep it real simple and all about the PB. Just a few ingredients and you'll be sinking your teeth into them in no time.

You'll find the entire recipe at Barefeet In the Kitchen.

ML Interest Tag: flour

The Easiest Ham & Cheese Puff Pastry Appetizer

This savory snack is perfect for the holiday season or anytime, really

Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry:

Method:

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An Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe Anyone Can Make

You’ll want to make this yummy snack all year

Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe Ingredients:

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The Easiest Baked Corn Dog Muffins

They’ll be begging for more of this easy dinner recipe!

Ingredients for Corn Dog Muffins:

Method:

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Easy Blueberry Muffins That Take Less Than 20 Minutes

This easy blueberry muffin recipe is a favorite with our kids

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The Best Buttermilk Pancake Recipe, Ever

Kick the Bisquick to the curb

Buttermilk Pancake Recipe: Ingredients

Instructions:

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DIY This Non-Toxic Finger Paint for Kids

We love finger painting ideas for kids like this one that’s non-toxic and safe for babies

Warning: While this recipe isn't made with toxic ingredients, it does contain raw flour, which the U.S. Food & Drug Administration warns against eating. Keep a watchful eye on your child and a wet washcloth handy to clean off hands as you paint.

Supplies You'll Need

1. Mix the flour and water together.

2. Divide the flour and water mixture.

3. Add food coloring to each container.

4. Let your baby get creative!

Related reads

13 Things to Do with Kids on Friday the 13th

Reverse your bad luck with some seriously sweet ways to spend this superstitious day

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