v 5 issue 25: Sweet Tooth

This delicious issue features gifts that are sure to please everyone that loves sweets, from fashion and toys to recipes to treat your sweet tooth!



Cover by Kate Callahan








1 Lollipop plates from EM Tanner will get the kids to clean their plates lickety-split! The mealtime dishes are designed with swirls and splats reminiscent of childhood's favorite confection-on-a-stick. Colors for girls & boys...all personalized. Enter code: TOTTRENDS for 20% off purchases.

2 To please the palettes of those with a modern appetite, Bunny and Bee presents the Dolce Cupcake tee. Brilliant shades of fuchsia and lime green boldly decorate the graphics of this pink long sleeve tee. Email designs[at]bunnyandbee.com with code: LOVETTW for 15% off purchases.

3 Heirloom quality aprons to suit the tastes of all bakers are available at Jessie Steele. The Cupcake Apron blends a fine quality printed cotton with salmon tinted edging and neat bows. Waist ties and custom tailoring mold the bib apron for a flattering fit.

4 Three sparkling cupcakes present themselves in an orderly fashion as part of Lil' Swanky's Ouch line. The Cupcake Tee comes in a soft pink color on a long sleeved tee. Available in sizes 3 months to 8 years. Enter code: ttw20 for 20% off purchases.

5 Now here’s something we can all sink our sweet tooth into…Kid’s Choice Baking Mixes from Kids Central Kitchen. This large baking set includes 7 yummy mixes that are kid friendly. Just add a few simple ingredients and you are on your way to natural, whole grain deliciousness for just $36.99. Enter code: HAPPYBAKING15 for 15% off your first order.

6 Feast your eyes on the handmade artwork of Hiho Batik. The Ice Cream Tee is printed with three hot-colored scoops of dairy delight... with a cherry on top. Shades can vary, but each tee is truly unique.

7 A blue, shatter-proof cookie jar is filled with ten of the smartest cookies around. Children can count the decorative dots on top, then turn the cookie over to see the corresponding number printed on the flipside. Learning has never been sweeter! Available at Psycho Baby.

8 Gratify a child's love of repetition with a Candy Jar Spill & Fill from Melissa & Doug. The attached lid easily opens to uncover 4 soft and squishy treats: a gingerbread, pop, and two wrapped candy toys.


Recipes for your sweet tooth
Gingerbread Trifle

General Information
Makes: 12 to 14 servings
Preparation Time:15 minutes
Cooking Time:20 minutes

Ingredients
Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 (14.5 oz.) pkg. Pillsbury® Gingerbread
1 cup water
1 large egg
1 (12 oz.) jar Smucker's Pumpkin Spice Topping, divided
1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Directions
1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Coat 13 x 9-inch pan with no-stick cooking spray.
2. PREPARE gingerbread mix according to package directions using the water and egg. Pour into prepared pan.
3. BAKE 18 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. Cut gingerbread into 1-inch cubes. Stir 1/2 cup pumpkin spice topping into thawed whipped topping until well blended.
4. LAYER 1/3 of gingerbread cubes in bottom of 3-quart trifle or serving dish. Spread 1/3 of topping mixture over cubes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons pumpkin spice topping. Repeat 2 times to make 3 layers. Sprinkle nuts on top. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons pumpkin spice topping. Chill 1 hour or until ready to serve.


Strawberry Coffee Cake

General Information
Makes: 8 to 10 servings
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients
Crisco® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
1 1/2 cups Pillsbury BEST® All Purpose Flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsps. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg (optional)
1/2 cup Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening
or 1/2 stick Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening Sticks
1/3 cup milk
1 large egg
3/4 cup Smucker's® Sugar Free Strawberry Spoonable Ice Cream Topping
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

Directions
1. HEAT oven to 375ºF. Coat 9-inch pie plate with no-stick cooking spray.
2. COMBINE flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in large bowl. Cut in shortening with fork until even crumbs form. Reserve 1/2 cup crumbs for topping.
3. WHISK milk and egg until blended. Add to remaining flour mixture, stirring just until evenly moistened. Spread evenly in prepared pie plate. Spread topping on batter to within 1-inch of edges. Combine reserved crumbs with nuts. Sprinkle evenly over topping.
4. BAKE 28 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.


Celebrate winter with comforting deserts, meals and snacks made from Smucker's jams, jellies and preserves.



Make the Most Important Meal of the Day the Healthiest
When trying to help your family eat healthier, like anything else in life, the best place to start is at the beginning. The first meal of the day is also the most important because without it our bodies aren’t fueled and ready for what the day may bring.

By starting out healthy you’re paving the way for more healthy meals throughout the day as well. Even if you, or your other family members, are prone to grab a high calorie snack or fast food style lunch, you’ll be one step ahead by eating a healthy breakfast. Just remember, skipping breakfast is one of the worst things you can do for your health. Instead of omitting breakfast or filling up on sugary foods each morning, try some of these ideas for a healthy breakfast menu in your household each and every day of the week.

1. Bagels – Low-fat cream cheese or your favorite natural fruit spread make bagels a quick breakfast when you’re pressed for time. You can even take them with you if necessary, but beware eating them in the car might be a little messy depending on the toppings you choose.

2. Smoothies – Blend your favorite fruits with a bit of low-fat milk or yogurt and drink your breakfast in the car or on the bus. The possibilities are endless as far as flavors go. You can even add some of your favorite vegetables to help get in the recommended 5 servings per day.

3. Non-Fat Yogurt – With fruit or without fruit, yogurt is a great addition to just about any breakfast. It’s full of calcium and fat free yogurt can actually work as a substitute for higher fat content foods such as mayo and cream cheese.

4. Fresh Fruit – Mix it up in a salad. Cut it up in your cereal, or eat your favorite kind by itself. Fruit is great no matter how you eat it. For those who like cottage cheese, mixing it with your favorite fruit is a great breakfast option that doesn’t take forever to prepare.

5. Cold Cereals – Whole grain cereals are what you want here. Skip the sugary coated kid cereals. The benefits include a healthier heart and decreased risk for diabetes, among many others.

6. Oatmeal – There’s nothing quite like a piping hot bowl of oatmeal on a cold winter day to get you started on the right foot. Top with your favorite fruit and enjoy!

7. Whole Wheat Peanut Butter Toast – Peanut butter is a great source of protein and the whole wheat is a healthier option than white toast. Most kids love peanut butter and will jump at the chance to eat it for breakfast instead of with jelly for lunch.

8. Omelets or Scrambled Eggs – Eggs are a great source of protein and mixing them with your favorite veggies or peppers give them a boost compared to just eating them plain or worse, frying them. Sprinkle with a bit of cheese for added appeal to little ones.

9. Granola – Granola is a great source of fiber and other essential vitamins. Be careful though some granola can be very high in fat. Eat in moderation and you’ll be just fine.

10. Muffins – Muffins are great because they can be made ahead of time saving lots of hectic mornings from become even more rushed. Mix fruits or vegetables in the batter and you’ll not only receive the grain from the muffin but your fruit and veggies too.

Start your family out right each and every morning with a healthy breakfast. It’s the most important, but it can also be the healthiest without a lot of hassle or time. Enjoy the variety that the options above, along with others give you.