This one isn’t for the coffee lovers. Unless you’re a coffee lover who also happens to love tea, then stick around. Tea is making a major comeback—if it ever really left—and we’re noticing. Americans aren’t notorious for tea drinking, but with more focus on wellness and overall general health, these lovely leaves (and herbs and flowers) are in the spotlight. Not only are the classics still well-loved, but new blends, accessories, and tea kettles are gaining some serious popularity and we’ve gotta admit; we’re feeling pretty fancy.

No shade to coffee. But there’s just something about the ritual of tea that’s relaxing in and of itself. Add to it the health benefits (heart benefits! antioxidants! detoxing!) and the sheer zen of it all, it’s really not shocking that si many people are getting on the tea train. In honor of the de-stressing moments of brewing up a cup, we’ve put together some of our favorite tea-party-for-one (or two or ten) goodies to make your routine even more special. From the absolute gold standard in tea kettles (there is one. Trust us.) to beautiful cups and saucers and blends, your Alice in Wonderland era is here. Minus the hallucinations and grinning cats and stuff.

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea by Anima Mundi

glass mug filled with butterfly pea flower tea on a wooden table
Anima Mundi

How stunning is this blue? While the aesthetics of Butterfly Pea Flower Tea are definitely a bonus, the real magic is the health-promoting compounds, including antioxidants (such as anthocyanin), and contributing to healthy-looking skin, hair and eyes. Its rich blue color is utilized as a natural dye and it's sometimes combined with water plus an acidic ingredient, such as lemon, which changes the pH of water, so its color changes from blue to violet! 

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea by Anima Mundi ($35.00)—Buy Here!

Baristan Electric Gooseneck Kettle by SAKI

black gooseneck electric tea kettle
SAKI

Modern. Minimalist. Sleek. And, of course, supremely practical whether you're a tea lover or a coffee connoisseur. Of course, it's not just about the aesthetics with this one from SAKI. The Baristan has a unique plastic-free interior, ultimate temperature accuracy, a ring light indicator, fast heating time (you'll be ready to pour in 5 minutes!), and a ton of other features we didn't even realize we'd need in a kettle. Turns out, we definitely do. This one is an investment you'll use every single day.

Baristan Electric Gooseneck Kettle by SAKI ($110.00)—Buy Here!

Honey-Bathed Blooming Tea Ball on a Spoon

Etsy

If there's anything we've learned, it's that the tea experience is just as much about the visuals as the taste. These honey-bathed, bound blooming tea balls are dusted with organic honey and adhered to a gold leaf tea spoon. Just add boiling hot water to your tea cup, unwrap your tea ball pop, and submerge into the water. Stir slightly, and your tea ball will open up to reveal a lovely, whole blooming tea flower. We were unprepared for this level of tea magic.

Honey-Bathed Blooming Tea Ball on a Spoon, Set of 4 ($36.74+)—Buy Here!

2-in-1 Kettle and Tea Maker by Teabloom

Teabloom

A modern twist on a classic style, this glass teapot allows you to see your tea steep—something especially cool when you use blooming teas! You can use any loose leaf blends, though, since it comes with an infuser to make your tea time ultra-relaxing.

2-in-1 Kettle and Tea Maker by Teabloom ($29.99)—Buy Here!

Teabloom Flowering Tea

blooming tea sachet product image
Teabloom

Speaking of flowering teas, these Teabloom teas are handcrafted by artisans with high-quality green tea leaves and edible flowers. They're especially made for glass tea pots since the display is so beautiful, but they also taste wonderful. Each flower makes a full pot of tea, and this set comes with 12 different varieties, including 'Sunset Love' and 'Shooting Star'. Who wouldn't want to drink a shooting star?

Teabloom Flowering Tea ($19.95)—Buy Here!

Jubilee Tea Collection by Tea Forte

box of pyramid tea open around flowers
Tea Forte

Inspired by Tea Forte's 5 years of partnership with The New York Botanical Garden, this collection brings together all 4 collaborations. Packaged in the tradition of original artwork created from the Garden's library, Jubilee pays includes the Jardin, Fleur, Soleil, and Paradis collections. The 20 pyramid set includes drool-worthy blends like Vanilla Rose and Cherry Blossom.

Jubilee Tea Collection by Tea Forte ($38.00)—Buy Here!

Whistling Tea Kettle by Caraway

4 colored tea kettles on display stands
Caraway

One of Caraway's best bestselling pieces, the Whistling Tea Kettle looks as good on your stovetop as it does as a centerpiece on your brunch table. Available in multiple colors, it's nontoxic, so your water stays clean. 

Whistling Tea Kettle by Caraway ($195.00)—Buy Here!

Frosted Teacup & Saucer Set

a peach colored tea cup being filled
Urband Outfitters

The vintage look of this set is just so perfect, and the saucer is icing on the cake. It also comes in a very fresh minty green. We're grabbing both (they're dishwasher safe!).

Frosted Teacup & Saucer Set ($14.00)—Buy Here!

Cuzen Matcha Maker Starter Kit

white cuzen matcha maker machine on kitchen countertop
Cuzen

Passionate about matcha? So is Cuzen. With this kit, you can make a shot of matcha to create your favorite latte, cocktail, mocktail, or just to sip on its own. The machine mimics the traditional stone mill and bamboo whisk, and there's even a grind only function for powder you can bake with, use as a garnish, or integrate into your beauty routine. The Cuzen Match Maker is designed to work with their signature tea leaves.

Cuzen Matcha Maker Starter Kit ($299.00)—Buy Here!

Everything Nice Bowls, Set of 2

Hawkins New York

Whether it's brown and white sugar, spices, or q-tips, this bowl set from Hawkins New York is the perfect way to add a little whimsy to your life. (We mentioned the Alice in Wonderland thing, right?)

Everything Nice Bowls, Set of 2 ($100.00)—Buy Here!

Lady Lady Teaspoons, Set of 4

four decorated tea spoons
Anthropologie

Dreaming of spring? It's right around the corner, thankfully, but these sweet little spring bugs celebrate all year on these teaspoons.

Lady Lady Teaspoons, Set of 4 ($36.00)—Buy Here!

Fellow Clyde Stovetop Tea Kettle

West Elm

We don't usually think 'chic' when we think about tea kettles, but this one warrants it. For the minimalist in you, this unique kettle is a seriously stunning addition to your kitchen.

Fellow Clyde Stovetop Tea Kettle ($105.00)—Buy Here!

Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder

eco heed

Organic, stone-ground matcha from Uji -Kyoto, Japan makes for a smooth cup  without any bitterness. Plus, that green hue would make anyone happy.

Organic Ceremonial Grade Matcha Powder ($22.49)—Buy Here!

'The Home Café: Creative Recipes for Espresso, Matcha, Tea and Coffee Drinks'

The Home Cafe book
Amazon

You have your matcha powder; now put it to even more creative use. For both coffee and tea lovers alike, this book helps you take your regular grind (pardon the pun) and switch it up into something a little more fun.

'The Home Café: Creative Recipes for Espresso, Matcha, Tea and Coffee Drinks' ($19.39)—Buy Here!

Tupelo Honey Spoons

package of 6 honey dipped spoons for tea
Melville Candy

Tea and honey go together like...tea and honey. Just use one of these dipped spoons to stir your favorite tea and add the perfect amount of sweetness as the honey dissolves.

Tupelo Honey Spoons ($12.14)—Buy Here!

Pink Poppy Teapot

glass teapot embossed with red and pink floral design
Etsy

Absolutely swoon-worthy, this stunning glass teapot is hand painted with poppies in rich pink hues. It includes a removable infuser, too, and is available in 2 sizes.

Pink Poppy Teapot ($76.41+)—Buy Here!

Horoscope Tea Variety Pack by DAVIDsTEA

box of horoscope themed tea
DAVIDsTEA

Get a glimpse into the future—which looks a lot like a steaming cup of tea inspired by the stars. Each zodiac sign is represented here, so you can try the whole sky.

Horoscope Tea Variety Pack by DAVIDsTEA ($12.00)—Buy Here!

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

The days following Halloween mark a celebration of skeletal proportions: Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead

Celebrated throughout the Americas, Dia de los Muertos originated in Mexico, and kids will recognize the iconic sugar skull as a symbol. Your town or neighborhood may host a celebration, but not everyone knows the meaning behind it. Teach your kids about this uplifting celebration of life with these Day of the Dead facts.

Days & Day of the Dead Facts

day of the dead facts
Amber Guetebier

The Day of the Dead holiday is actually two days, held consecutively: Nov. 1 is marked as a day to honor lost children, as well as any lost or forgotten souls. Nov. 2, Day of the Dead official, honors all lost ancestors and loved ones. The week preceding (and sometimes longer) is spent in preparation for the big night which often culminates in a procession to the town cemetery or a central place where altars have been erected. Families gather together and spend hours making floral arrangements, baking food and sweets for the dead, and decorating. Altars are built at home, on graves, and in many community parks and schoolyards. It's no accident that this all takes place during the time of year when nights grow longer. It is believed that during these two days, the veil between the world of the living and dead is thinner and so it's easier for the dead to arrive. Not unlike the original story behind Halloween.

Day of the Dead Facts: A Dead Man’s Party

day of the dead facts

The idea is not as somber as it may at first sound: in fact, many believe the dead would be insulted by sadness! The tradition of celebrating the life of those who have died is invoked with colorful costumes and masks, parades, parties, and more. At the center of it all is the ofrenda, or offering to the dead. The altars can be simple or elaborate (usually more elaborate) but almost always contain flowers, favorite foods of the dead, including the traditional pan de muerto, photographs, and small relics or objects of the dead (a favorite necklace or pen, for example), sugar skulls and candles.

Here's an interesting Day of the Dead fact: Sugar skulls, in spite of how delicious they look, are generally not consumed (more than one toddler has tried them). Made from a mixture of meringue/powdered egg whites, white sugar, and a little bit of water, they are formed into the shapes of skulls by hand. You can also buy awesome molds (and all the supplies you need, plus great tutorials) here.

How to Make an Ofrenda for Dia de los Muertos

day of the dead facts

You can make your own family altar with the kids. Gather up a picture or pictures of someone you have lost, and place them on a table or shelf. Have the kids help you arrange some flowers, or head out into the yard or a park to find a few things for the offering: acorns, beautiful leaves, and a pretty stone. Make some cookies and leave one for your loved one. Light a candle. It's an easy and beautiful way to remember someone and teach your kids the story behind Day of the Dead.

All photos by the author were taken during Day of the Dead in Michoacán, Mexico. 

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

Here’s a hint: a pizza cutter can be used for more than just pizza

When it comes to feeding a crew of hungry kids, we’ve never met a shortcut we didn’t like. This is why, it being the season of busy weeknights and early bedtimes, we want to give you as many cooking hacks (scooped from resourceful parents everywhere) as possible. From meal-prep advice to the easiest way to get an egg that peels with ease, here are 36 clever food and cooking shortcuts that’ll save you tons of time. 

Pizza Cutter for Herbs

using a pizza cutter on herbs is a clever cooking hack
iStock

Having fresh herbs in the house is nice for creating marinades, dressings, and more, but finely chopping those herbs can be difficult. The good news is, there’s a way to make the process easy. Place the herbs on a cutting board, and roll a pizza cutter through them. Don't worry about cutting in a perfect line, just roll through the bunch as many times as you want.  

Peeling a Mango

cooking hacks: how to peel a mango
Fedor via Unsplash

The skin of a mango is pretty thick, and the peeling process usually involves careful knife skills. We found another way to get that pesky skin off with ease. All you need to do is slice the mango in half and grab a tall glass. Using the rim of the glass, get between the skin and the fruit at the bottom of the slice. Push down, and the skin will slide right off. Voila! You've got a perfectly peeled mango.

Steam Eggs Instead of Boiling Them

Morgane Perraud via Unsplash

Boiled eggs can be a challenge to peel, but if you steam them over boiled water for 10-15 minutes, the shell will come off in no time.  

Add an Ice Cube to Sautéing Onions to Avoid Burning

Cooking hack: add an ice cube to sauteing onions so they don't burn
Simona Sergi via Unsplash

If your onions are on the verge of burning, throw an ice cube into the pan. It'll evaporate quickly and give the veggies a hint of moisture to avoid being overcooked. 

Store Partially Chopped Veggies in The Freezer

a good cooking hack is storing partially chopped vegetables in the freezer
Ashish Ansurkar via Unsplash

Have you ever just chopped half a stalk of celery or bulb of cauliflower, and had to put it back in the fridge where it immediately starts to wilt? If you want to keep your partially chopped veggies fresh, we recommend putting them right in the freezer. This locks in the freshness, and they’ll be ready to jump into the frying pan after a little defrosting time.

Shred Chicken in Your Food Processor

Shutterstock

From tacos to salads, casseroles, and beyond, shredded chicken is a staple for family meals. But shredding it all by hand or with a pair of forks can take forever! Amazingly, there’s a quick fix for that—just toss boiled or baked chicken breasts in your mixer, and you’ll have expertly shredded chicken in seconds.

Put Water in Your Microwave to Preserve the Moisture

iStock

Whether it’s leftovers or meal-prepped treats, your microwave is a powerful tool. But you’re always at risk of drying out your food when you use it. We’ve got a simple way to avoid that. Toss a glass of water into the microwave with your food to give it a little extra moisture.

Freeze Sauce in Ice Cube Trays

iStock

We’re all about making cooking easier. With this meal-prep hack, you’ll be able to create perfectly portioned sauces days or weeks in advance and use them whenever you want. Just mix up your favorite sauces, put the liquid in your ice trays and freeze. Keep the portions frozen until you're ready to use them.

Boil Potatoes for an Easy Peel

Jaye Haych via Unsplash

From fries to mashed potatoes and chips, everybody LOVES potatoes. But, for a lot of recipes, peeling the potatoes is a must, and using a potato peeler or knife can be time-consuming and difficult. We have an easy fix! Boil the potatoes, let them cool, and the skin will peel off in seconds.

Try Silicone Baking Sheets

using a silicone baking sheet is a good cooking hack
Amazon

Do you hate cleaning cookie sheets? We know that cleaning them can be difficult because the grease and grime are baked in deep. Using a silicone baking sheet, which makes removing all of your tasty morsels as easy as pie, will change your life. We like this one

Related: 15 Genius Kitchen Organization Hacks

Use Lemon Slices as a Base for Grilled Fish

Agto Nugroho via Unsplash

Your filet of salmon will stay intact much easier if you line it with slices of lemon. Plus, the juices will seep up, making a flavorful dinner. See one of our favorite recipes here

Put Marshmallows in Your Brown Sugar

storing marshmallows with brown sugar to keep it soft is a cool cooking hack
Shutterstock

Brown sugar is a baking necessity for cookies, cupcakes, and pies, but unlike white sugar, it can dry out very quickly, which means you’ll be stuck breaking up hard blobs of sugar when you want to use it. But, there’s an easy fix for this. All you need to do is throw a few marshmallows into the airtight container with your brown sugar to conserve the moisture and make it easy to scoop.

Separating Strawberry Tops

Call Me Fred via Unsplash

Strawberries are healthy and delicious. But chopping the green tuffs off the top of every piece of fruit takes so long! Use this fun trick to get them off without a knife: Take a straw and push it from the bottom of the fruit to the top in one swift motion—it'll pop those little green leaves right off.

Flatten Ground Meat

ground beef, which can be flattened to freeze, a genius cooking hack
iStock

No matter how hard you try, it seems like there’s never enough freezer space. We have a fun way to help you create extra room. Take your ground beef out of its package, put it in a Ziploc bag, flatten it, and put it back in the freezer; you'll be surprised by the extra open space. You can also write the expiration dates on the bags to make sure your meat is always fresh.

Cut Corn Over Your Bundt Cake Tin

Mohd Hafiz Yahya via Unsplash

Let’s face it, chopping fresh corn is a pain, mostly because the kernels get all over the counter. But there’s a way to make sure it never happens again. Grab your bundt cake tin, flip it upside down, stand the corn up in the middle, and slice the kernels off; they’ll fall perfectly into that round tin, so cleaning up is a breeze!

Stabilize Your Cutting Board

Samantha Fields via Unsplash

Slicing and dicing are a big part of cooking, which means you’re always reaching for the cutting board. But it’s important to make sure that it isn’t slipping and sliding all over the place, so make it stable by putting a damp dishtowel underneath it. It'll keep it in place and make clean-up even easier. 

Cupcake Liner Catches Popsicle Drips

Allison Sutcliffe

Popsicles are a childhood fave, but they can turn into a bit of a sticky mess. Prevent all of that dripping by slipping cupcake liners onto the bottom of your kids' popsicles. Slide the liner up so that it cups the bottom of the popsicle to make sure it catches all of those little drips.

Cut Cheesecake with Dental Floss

using floss to cut cheesecake is a smart cooking hack
Karolina Kołodziejczak via Unsplash

Cheesecake is a dessert that kids and parents love, but cutting it equally can be difficult. Well, we've got an easy way to slice it perfectly every time. Try using dental floss. Just make sure the dental floss is unscented, so you don’t get a minty surprise with your dessert.  

Grate Your Butter

using a cheese grater on butter is a cooking hack
Shutterstock

Softened butter is a staple for all bakers out there, but putting solid butter in the microwave isn’t always the best way to get that soft consistency you're looking for. Try grating it with a cheese grader instead.

Use White Bread on Your Birthday Cake

iStock

Birthday cake is yummy, but when the party’s over, you're left with half a cake that'll be stale by tomorrow. What if there was a way to preserve this delectable sugar overload? Try putting slices of white bread on the interior sections of the cake where you cut into it—the bread locks in moisture.

Use Cookie Molds for Fun Food

Maja II via Unsplash

No matter what time of year it is, you can always use cookie cutters. And they can be used for much more than just cookies. You can also use them to create pancakes or eggs with designs like flowers, cartoon characters, and more. 

Related: 30 Storage Hacks Every Parent Needs

Make Oatmeal in Your Rice Cooker

Alex Motoc via Unsplash

Oatmeal is a warm alternative to cold cereal, but it does take a little more time to make in the morning. Try using your rice cooker to make the oatmeal instead. This way, you don’t need to worry about watching, stirring or remembering to turn off the stove. Just put everything inside, and within minutes you’ve got scrumptious oatmeal.

Use an Apple Corer to Make French Fries

Lisa Carpenter

An apple corer/slicer can instantly transform a plain potato into everyone's favorite side. That's right, you can make homemade fries in a snap with a utensil you may already have in your kitchen drawer. Grandma's Brief has all the delicious details.

 

Freeze Herbs in Ice Trays

freezing herbs in an ice tray is a good cooking hack to use
Shutterstock

Want fresh basil, thyme, and rosemary all year long? No problem. This cooking hack is worthy of Martha Stewart, sans the effort. Just put fresh herbs in ice trays, add oil, and freeze. Freezing the herbs in oil also prevents them from turning brown or getting that dreaded freezer burn. 

 

A Thrifty Mom

Wedges are so 2022. No, not the ones you wear on your feet; those are still fabulous. We're talking about watermelon wedges. Instead of slicing the melon into wide wedges that inevitably get juice all over everyone's face and chin, cut the fruit in half, then slice it in a grid. You'll get evenly sized slices that each have just enough rind on the bottom for little hands to grab.

 

Cut Pancakes with a Pizza Cutter

Cook and Craft Me Crazy

The trusted pizza slicer really is a mom's best friend. From sandwiches to pancakes, you can use this snazzy slicer to save time and messes. 

 

Cook Eggs in the Oven

Nick Evans

It is a literal Egg McMuffin. Nick of Macheesmo shows us how to make a breakfast sandwich even more amazing by simply baking the eggs in a muffin tin. Best part? You can add other ingredients to the eggs (think spinach, ham, cheese) and then freeze the whole thing for busy on-the-go mornings. Find the original recipe here and the updated version here.

 

Frozen Grapes Taste Great

grapes, can be frozen for a snack, which is a great cooking hack
J Yeo via Unsplash

Pop grapes into the freezer for a sweet and crunchy treat that tastes like candy. A refreshing snack any time of the year, this is also a great way to make sure you always have fruit on hand.

 

Use Magnets to Keep Water Cups Handy

Dana Williard via Made Every Day

Talk about having a “why didn’t I think of that” moment. If your kids are anything like ours, then you probably go through a few water cups every day. Cut down on needless dishes with this awesome cup hack from Dana over at Made Everyday.

 

Related: 23 Life-Saving House Cleaning Hacks

Cut Up Noodles

Christine Sandu via Unsplash

Use your noodle: Cut up spaghetti, linguine, and ramen with scissors. Smaller bites and shorter bits will ease frustration at the dinner table and make after-dinner clean-up easier.  

 

DIY Uncrustables

Jill Nystol via One Good Thing

You like the idea of making PB&J (or some "other butter" and jelly) ahead of time but don't really know how to make a good freezer version. Good news! One Good Thing by Jillee explains the how-to and shows you how to seal that sandwich—no fancy gear needed.

 

Coffee Filters as Snack Containers

Kimberly Harris via The Nourishing Gourmet

A brilliantly simple idea from The Nourishing Gourmet, swap out plastic baggies or even bulky reusables in favor of a biodegradable coffee filter. Psst! If you’ve gone Keurig, we’re betting you’ve got a box of these collecting dust somewhere in your kitchen.

 

Ice Cube Trays as Snack Holders

Jennifer Bishop

Having a stash of snacks is a must for every parent. But, having a bunch of different canisters, bags, and boxes on hand is difficult for travel and storage. Well, we’ve got the perfect hack for you! Try using silicone ice cube trays as snack trays for at home or on car trips.

Use Binder Clips in the Fridge and Freezer

If you need an easy way to keep all of your favorite munchies fresh in the fridge, may we suggest binder clips? Yes, you read that right. Grab some binder clips, and clip all of your bags of food directly onto the rungs of each shelf. This saves space and keeps everything nice and fresh. This works for bags in the freezer as well. 

Did you run out of food coloring? Are you unhappy with your crust? Do you not have the right tools? It’s no problem with these great baking hacks

It’s that most wonderful time of the year: holiday cookie time! This year, don’t dread it, own it with these Christmas baking hacks to salvage any quandary. From a baking powder substitution and what to do if you don’t have a rolling pin to what to use in place of eggs or butter, we’ve got the goods on making goodies.

iStock

1. Holiday baking often calls for some pepperminty goodness, but who keeps peppermint syrup on hand for once-a-year baking? (No, Schnapps doesn’t count). Use an abundant ingredient: peppermint candies. Just put them in a Ziploc bag and smash them to bits. A great stress reliever!

2. Use tongs to make an even crimping pattern along the edge of your pie crust.

3. No rolling pin? Try this rolling pin hack: Use a wine bottle as a rolling pin (no, it doesn’t have to be full!). 

4. Fill a wine bottle with ice (and cork well) to keep pie dough chill while rolling it out, great for when it's hot or humid. 

5. Sub a little of your water for vodka and your pie crust somehow comes out flakier. And now you have an almost-full bottle of vodka on hand. Just sayin'...

Related: Holiday Treats You Can Have Delivered

A pile of red, green, and white star and present shaped Christmas cookies
rawpixel via Unsplash

6. Add a marshmallow to the top of your cupcakes five minutes before you take them out of the oven for a gooey, perfect topping—no frosting required.

7. If you run out of food coloring, use Jello to tint decorative icing.

8. Looking for a natural way to dye when baking? Check out these simple recipes for making natural food coloring yourself. 

9. Fill an oral syringe with thin icing to get precise lines and letters when decorating. 

10. If you do have piping tips, fill two piping bags or Ziplocks with different colored frosting. Don't overfill the bags; now put both bags into one tip, and you'll squeeze out a swirl of color.  

Related: 38 Classic Holiday Cookies to Try This Year 

iStock

11. Put a pan of water in the bottom of the oven to give your bread a crisp, browned crust. You can also use a spray bottle with water; spritz the oven to create steam.

12. Substitute butter in your next boxed cake recipe for a super-rich and luscious cake. You can even just melt it to make sure it incorporates easily.

13. You can also sub avocado for butter if you want something dairy-free and heart-healthy. Use one avocado to one stick of butter ratio. And if you run out of butter (or avocado), you can use applesauce in its place.

14. When making pies, freeze your butter, and then grate it into your flour mixture, instead of trying to crumble it with your fork. This will help integrate it more evenly and keep the butter cool.

15. Soften your butter BEFORE you mix it into your cookie dough batter, and try using salted butter instead of sweet cream.

Measuring spoons with baking ingredients are lined up on a table
Welcome Industries

16. Use a set of visual measuring cups. Perfect for kids and parents who need to squint just to read the measurements, the shape tells the size! The innovative cups make cooking and baking fun and easy for everyone.

17. Soften butter in the microwave, but be careful. Use a low power level, like two, and put it in for no more than 10 seconds to avoid melted butter (vs. softened). If it's not soft enough, continue to microwave at five-second intervals until it is. 

18. Soften too-hard butter by putting it between two pieces of waxed paper and whacking it hard with a rolling pin. Once it’s been smacked a bit, roll it out (still between the waxed paper). The kids will love helping with this one.

19. Another method for softening too-cold butter without microwaving it to a puddle: set it on top of the stove while the oven is preheating. It will gradually soften: this works great if you are baking a cake and want to use the butter for a no-fail frosting.

20. Bring cold eggs to room temperature by placing them in a bowl of hot water for 5-10 minutes. 

Related: 34 Food & Meal Prep Hacks Every Parent Needs 

A father and daughter stand over eggs in the kitchen baking together
iStock

21. Use the other part of an eggshell to remove any errant bits of shell. Miraculously, this works and is way faster than struggling with a spoon or your fingers.

22. Baking for someone with an egg allergy? Use a flax egg. Simply measure one tablespoon of flaxseed meal (that’s flax seeds you put in the blender or you can buy already blended) to two tablespoons warm water for each “egg.” Mix it and let it sit for five minutes. The consistency will be similar to an egg. Or, opt for this egg alternative from Bob’s Red Mill.

23. If you want your chocolate chip cookies to have a more caramel flavor, sub out ½ cup of white sugar with additional brown sugar. If you want them with a more sugar-cookie-like taste, leave out all the brown sugar and use only white (most recipes call for some of each).

24. Use a muffin tin to make sure your cookies turn out uniform in size.

25. Easiest cookie ever? Hershey’s Kiss in pretzel circle, melt on parchment paper covered cookie sheet in oven until just soft. Boom. Next level: Use Rolos instead. 

Related: Feeling Left Out? These Are the Common Baking Substitutions & Swaps You Need 

A gooey chocolate cookie broken into pieces next to other chocolate chip cookies
Jennifer Pallian via Unsplash

26. Dust your cookie cutters with flour or powdered sugar before you use them to help keep them from sticking.

27. Want soft gooey cookies? Under-bake them slightly. If the recipe says 12 minutes at 375 degrees, pull them out at 10.

28. Sprinkle just a little bit of sea salt on your chocolate chip cookies before baking for that sophisticated professional flavor.

29. Use a wine glass to cut out perfectly even biscuits or sugar cookies.

A clear mixing bowl on a table with bright yellow ingredients being stirred into another ingredient
Taylor Kiser via Unsplash

30. If you’ve “sorta” burned your cookies, use a box grater to shave off the darkest parts.

31. Also, measure out your cookie dough with an ice cream scoop, then chill them on the pan for a bit before baking (you can even freeze them, which means you can do this all ahead of time, bake the cookies the morning of and you get a better cookie). If you can’t afford the time (or space), just chill the bowl of dough for 20 minutes in the freezer before you start to scoop.

32. Store your cookies (or what's left of them) in an air-tight container with an apple wedge to keep the cookies moist. 

A boy and his friend are in the kitchen stirring ingredients in a silver bowl during a baking themed birthday party
Annie Spratt via Unsplash

33. Use an ice cream scoop to assure level amounts of batter for cupcakes.

34. You can make gluten-free flour by blending up gluten-free oats until they are powdered. 

35. Moisten the heck out of your boxed cake mix with a ½ cup of applesauce, yogurt, or even—wait for it—mayonnaise. Try it! We swear it works.

36. Add ½ cup of oil and two eggs to any boxed cake mix and LEAVE OUT the water or other liquids... and voila! You’ve got cookie dough. (Mind. Blown.)

Related: Baking Kits for No-Fail Treats

Baking ingredients, bowls and spoons sit on a table waiting for you to use some baking hacks
Calum Lewis via Unsplash

37. Keep your brown sugar from going rock-hard by storing it in an air-tight container. Toss in a piece of bread to keep it moist. 

38. If it's too late and your brown sugar is already hard, microwave it for 30 seconds in a bowl covered with a wet paper towel or place it in the oven to soften for about 15 minutes. 

39. Does your recipe call for powdered sugar, but you are out? Use a spice grinder or food processor and pulverize white granulated sugar until it’s powder.

40. Slice your cheesecake with dental floss (but not the minty kind).

41. Hate dealing with metal sheet pans and cookie tins? Use a silicone baking mold instead. We love Silpat molds—there's no need to ever grease the molds or use liners, and your goodies bake to perfection (though depending on your oven, you may want to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time). 

42. Need a baking powder substitution? The following are equal to 1 tsp. of baking powder:

  • 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda + 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt + 1 tsp. baking soda. Mix dry ingredients first before adding yogurt to dry ingredients (Reduce the amount of water or other liquids.).
  • 1/2 tsp. lemon juice + 1/4 tsp. baking soda.

Looking for more common baking substitutions? We've got you covered

Great! You’ve got the hacks. Now you need the recipes. Here are our favorite 51 insanely popular cookie recipes.

—Additional reporting by Taylor Clifton and Erin Lem

Where we live in Michigan, the Governor has closed schools through the end of the school year. Since being in quarantine, we have definitely done more baking.  A few weeks ago, my daughter Lauren made homemade biscuits and Dominic and I have made my mother-in-law’s Sour Cream Kuchen numerous times (we actually have it on the schedule to make today)! This past Sunday, it was the traditional “Bunny Cake.”

Besides our baked goods tasting super duper yummy, I have used the baking “sessions” with Dominic to reinforce life skills, like having him read the recipe and getting all the ingredients out, following directions and measuring out the flour, sugar, etc. Since we had a teeny bit of vanilla frosting leftover from the “Bunny Cake,” I thought making some homemade brownies were in order!

After looking through a few cookbooks, I found the perfect recipe (meaning we had all the ingredients)! Dominic and I made it before dinner, so it could cool while we were eating dinner. We even made it a bit more fancy by adding some green sprinkles! I have made brownies in all different shaped pans, but never in a pie pan. The hubby, Dominic and I ate ours quickly, but I set Lauren’s piece on a plate on the dining room table. When she came looking for it, I told her where it was.

Much to our surprise, there were a couple of bites taken out of it. The culprit was Dominic!!! He had helped himself to her piece when I wasn’t looking, LOL. Guess he wanted a second piece! This morning, we discovered he had eaten two chocolate bunnies out of Lauren’s Easter basket. He’s a sneaky little thing.

Ingredients:

1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup white flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch pie pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, put the sugar and butter and beat until smooth with an electric mixer or by hand. Add the remaining ingredients in the order given and combine them well. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the pie comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool thoroughly. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, frost or enjoy as is!! Serves eight.

I am a stepmom to one and a mom to two. I have been a stay-at-home mom for almost 24 years. Grew up in Maryland and have lived in Michigan since 2001 when my husband got a job here. My 15-year old son has special needs.

Muffins or donuts, donuts or muffins… stop humming and hawing over which pastry to choose because there’s a recipe that lets you have donuts and muffins in one sweet bite. These double-whammy treats by A Bountiful Love bring a satisfying rich and cake-y texture to your morning that goes down perfectly with milk (or coffee for the parents). See what your pantry needs below.

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup oil
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
3/4 cups milk

For the Coating:
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup white sugar
1 tbsp Cinnamon

Method:
1. Preheat  oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix the dry ingredients ( flour, baking soda, salt , nutmeg and cinnamon).
3. Combine oil, sugar, egg and milk in a separate bowl.
4. Add the dry ingredients to wet and do not over mix.
5.  Just stir until it is incorporated.
6. Pour over greased muffin tins or lined tins. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
7. While waiting, melt the butter in a bowl. In another bowl make your sugar cinnamon mixture.
8. When muffins are done , let it cool slightly (warm to touch).
9. Dip the muffins in the butter, then into the sugar-cinnamon mixture.
10. Cool completely.

What amazing breakfast combinations have you tried before?

This recipe and photos is brought to you by A Bountiful Love, a baking blog about family and stirring up yummy dishes in the kitchen. Visit A Bountiful Love for more family-friendly recipes and tips from a stay-at-home mom. 

 

cream cheese christmas tree cookies

Your cookie cutters may sit in a bag in the cupboard for eleven months out of the year, but once the holidays arrive it’s go time. Kristina Moy, Red Tricycle’s Seattle Editor, whips out her Christmas tree cookie cutter each year to make her favorite recipe: cream cheese Christmas Tree cookies with vanilla frosting. She tells us that the recipe works best if you double it, use one 8 oz. package of cream cheese and refrigerate the dough for at least two hours before rolling it out.

Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Method:
1. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond and vanilla extracts, and egg yolk. Beat until smooth. Stir in flour until well blended. Chill the dough for 8 hours, or overnight.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough 1/3 at a time to 1/8 inch thickness, refrigerating remaining dough until ready to use. Cut into desired shapes with lightly floured cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Leave cookies plain for frosting, or brush with slightly beaten egg white and sprinkle with candy sprinkles or colored sugar.

4. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until light and golden brown. Cool cookies completely before frosting.

Click here to find more Christmas cookie recipes like this.

Tell us how your Christmas Tree cookies turn out in the comment section below!

photo above courtesy of Kristina Moy; featured photo credit EvanMischelle via flickr; recipe courtesy of Allrecipes.com

Nix the chocolate chips for a cookie treat that’s a little less expected. Try this gluten-free cookie recipe for a yummy, citrus-y snack. We’re willing to bet that the crisp, elegant flavors of lemon and almond will overpower any doubts you may have about gluten-free cookies. Round up the kiddos–they’ll love helping make (and eat!) these tasty treats.

Ingredients

1/2 c almond meal
3/4 c gluten-free flour blend
1/4 c sweet rice flour (white rice will work as well)
1/4 c cornstarch
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons organic white sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest (use a microplane for this)

Method

1. In a small bowl, mix flours, salt and xanthan gum.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and 1 cup of the sugar for 2 minutes until fluffy. Scrape down the sides.
3. Beat in the egg and the zest until well blended, scraping down the sides.
4. Add the flour and mix on low until the dough is combined well. Raise the speed to medium and mix for 20 seconds. I found this helps to “gel” the xanthan gum.
5. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours.
6. Form the dough into walnut-size balls and arrange them 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
7. Place the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar on a plate. Dip the bottom of a moistened glass in the sugar and press down on the cookies slightly, flattening them to about 2 inches in diameter, maybe a little less. These will spread.
8. Bake the cookies in the middle of a preheated 350°F oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden around the edges. Halfway through the baking time, rotate pans in the oven.
9. Allow to cool for 5 minutes then transfer them to racks.

Yield-3 dozen

This is a recipe from our friend, blogger Amy Fothergill. You can find her fabulous gluten-free, kid friendly recipes in her column for www.examiner.com as well as on her blog, The Family Chef.