Celebrate the Colors of Spring with Rainbow Pudding Pops!

Although sometimes I think that fall is my favorite season, spring is truly the time of year that I welcome the most. After a long, cold Midwest winter, to be able to wear flip-flops, t-shirts and finally put away the snow boots almost feels like a dream.

Not to mention that the arrival of May always feels like the kickoff to everything that I love about the upcoming warm summer months. Cookouts, picnics and potlucks, holidays like Cinco de Mayo, Mother's Day and Memorial Day that are celebrated with BBQs... what's better than relaxing with friends and family while sipping a glass of punch and piling a plate with coleslaw, a burger, and some fruit salad?

For me, there is one spring treat that I always know that I can turn to that will surely be a hit. No matter if we're having a gathering of family or simply a yard full of kids out playing in the sunshine, I always adore the quick, easy deliciousness of Rainbow Pudding Pops!

Could these Rainbow Pudding Pops be any more fun? Not to mention that this recipe includes all of the aspects that I love when it comes to whipping up tasty treats: simple to make, easily customizable, absolutely delicious, and a resulting appearance that they may have been complicated to make. It's always fun to impress!

Using only three simple ingredients — JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding, milk and food coloring — and a few supplies, these are just too easy to throw together in just about any color combination that you choose.

While freezing juice to make popsicles is always an option, I love reaching for JELL-O Instant Pudding because there is no waiting time needed in between adding each layer of color.

Simply mix up your pudding, add food coloring until you have created your desired colors...

...and layer right into your popsicle molds or small paper cups.

Create shades of green for St. Patrick's Day, layer pretty pastels for Easter, use red, white (or almost white) and blue for the 4th of July, or just make adorable rainbows like these for any day of the week!

Are you feeling the spring spirit? Whether you are inspired to create or adapt your own new recipes or want to have fun browsing the large number available online (KraftRecipes.com has a whole slew of fantastic ones!) it is easy to find a whole plethora of snack, meal or dessert ideas that are creative, delicious, fun and perfect for spring and summer.

For now, Kraft is hosting this adorably fun recipe of mine, so head over to find all of the ingredients and steps necessary to whip up your own batch of awesome Rainbow Pudding Pops!

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.

Usher in Spring with Fruit-Topped Cheesecake-Filled Cookie Cups {#KraftRecipes}

After a long, cold winter, turning my calendar to April manages to bring a smile to my face and fill my soul with hope. With last month going "out like a lamb," that means that this month can only be filled with warmth, sunshine and flowers, right? Right?

As well as being ready to ditch the snow boots and carve out time to take evening walks, the arrival of spring always makes me eager to include more fresh fruits and vegetables into my recipes. There's just something so satisfying about biting into a juicy strawberry or fresh raspberry that makes any snack or meal taste better!

Which is why they are the perfect finishing touch to a rich, easy, flavorful dessert that pleases just about every palate, whether after a family brunch, Easter dinner or just to celebrate the extra daylight that each new day brings. It's time to bite into Fruit-Topped Cheesecake-Filled Cookie Cups!

Combining the classic deliciousness of chocolate chip cookies (although these could be made with just about any cookie dough for the cups) with the sweet, creaminess of cheesecake and the tasty addition of your favorite fruit, these Fruit-Topped Cheesecake-Filled Cookie Cups add up to YUM.

Even better? These attractive little personal-sized treats are extremely easy to make!

Simply start with your dough, whether made from scratch or store-bought, and spread it along the bottom and edges in a muffin pan.

Once the cookies have baked and you've used a spoon to press down any part of the middle that rose up while in the oven...

...it's time to whip up a quick cheesecake filling. The sweet, smooth flavor of the PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese is the perfect complement to the soft crunch of the cookie edging and again, so easy to make when you let your mixer do all the work!

All that is left is to scoop (or pipe, if you're fancy like that) the cheesecake filling into the cookie cups and top with some cut fruit and your dessert is complete.

These can be customized year-round depending on the fruit that is in season or the flavors that you are looking to highlight (e.g. use PHILADELPHIA Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese in the fall for a festive twist) and your family and friends' taste buds are sure to be tickled!

Do you celebrate spring with creative, delicious, fun recipes? This one is sure to be an impressive hit at home or brought to a gathering!

Kraft is hosting the full recipe and instructions for these tasty filled cookie cups, so head over so that you can pull these out of your oven today: Fruit-Topped Cheesecake-Filled Cookie Cups. Mmm!

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.

Celebrate Spring and St. Patrick's Day with Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies! {#KraftRecipes}

While we haven't quite made it all the way through another Midwest winter, at least the arrival of March means that there is an end in sight.

March manages to simultaneously signify all things fresh and new along with the holiday filled with anything and everything green, St. Patrick's Day. So why wait another minute to celebrate the long-awaited change of seasons than by pulling out a few key ingredients and whipping up a batch of cookies?

There is something incredibly classic about sugar cookies, but I have to admit that I've always found them lacking a little bit. They're too plain for my taste buds and pale in comparison to more elaborate (i.e. anything with chocolate) varieties.

However, due to my kids' love of sugar cookies, I decided to try to come up with a way to please us all and went immediately to one of our go-to items, PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese. The result was bite after bite of yumminess in the form of Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies!

Mainly consisting of sugar, flour, butter and PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, these cookies have been the perfect way to get excited about spring and St. Patrick's Day.

I love how it just takes a little patience and a collection of cookie cutters before they're ready to pop into the oven...

 ...and that there is absolutely no right or wrong when it comes to decorating them.

Use homemade or store-bought icing and take your time for a professional, impressive result or simply tint some frosting and go to town (like me) for a tasty, cheerful batch.

Couldn't be much easier and the results are moist and creamy with a hint of the rich, sweet flavor of PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese that we so adore!

Are you feeling the spring spirit? Whether you are inspired to create (or adapt) your own new recipes or want to have fun browsing the large number available at KraftRecipes.com, it is easy to find a whole plethora of snack or meal ideas that are creative, delicious and fun. You'll even find my full recipe over there, so head over: Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie recipe!

What foods or recipes have you thinking spring?

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions are honest and my own. 

Twist that Dish with Five Minute Alfredo Sauce! {#KraftRecipes}

While my children go back and forth on their love of some foods (do you like green beans this week?) their take on pasta has always been steadfastly positive. Change the shape or change the color of the noodles and it doesn't matter, pasta is good!

When it comes to sauce, however, we're back to the wishy-washy opinions. They'll go weeks eating completely plain noodles with only a dusting of Parmesan cheese. That will be followed by a week or two of asking for marinara, before going back to the plain. Can I get any more bored with this meal?

That's not to say that they won't eat other sauces — for instance, Alfredo and Pesto are tried and true favorites. But who has the time and energy to purchase a cart full of ingredients and spend hours chopping, mixing, blending and cooking in order to get them on the table?

Fortunately, I've been inspired this month to come up with ways to save some time and money in the kitchen by Kraft's 'Twist that Dish' initiative. Who doesn't want to take a classic and make it better, faster and/or easier?

With that in mind, I walked into my kitchen, took out five ingredients and, in five minutes (possibly a little less), I had created a sauce that both kids gave a hearty thumbs up: Five Minute Alfredo Sauce!

While this isn't a gourmet recipe by any means, my family has loved this sauce for a number of reasons.

1. Did I mention that it takes five minutes to make?


2. We love PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese around here and, considering that it is the primary ingredient in this sauce, having that flavor combined with pasta just makes everyone happy.


3. By itself, this Five Minute Alfredo Sauce is great. However, it can easily be a "starter sauce" that is customized to just about any tastes and preferences. Why not whip this up and add in an ingredient such as pepper flakes, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, cheese, chili powder, ham or minced garlic to make it even better?


4. If you're looking for a way to add more vegetables into your family's meals, it's a snap to add a bag of frozen mixed veggies in with the pasta for the last few minutes of cook time. Once the pasta and vegetables are drained and you mix them up with this Five Minute Alfredo Sauce, you won't hear any complaints!

I could go on, but that would just take time away from you going to your refrigerator, pulling out the five ingredients that are used in this sauce...

...and proceeding with your five minutes of stirring, heating and mixing.

Which are then followed by a creamy, tasty sauce that is ready to be eaten or personalized precisely to your liking!

What are you waiting for?

Whether you whip this Five Minute Alfredo Sauce up to feed your family on a busy weeknight or dish it up when having friends over this winter, this sauce has the ability to show up in a number of dishes in an endless variety of ways!

Kraft is hosting the full (and super easy) details for me, so find the complete recipe and instructions here: Five Minute Alfredo Sauce. Yum!

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.

Warming Up in Winter with Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake {#KraftRecipes}

Brrrr! While I know that there are some people that look forward to winter and enjoy all of the aspects that come along with the cold temperatures and the piles of snow... but I'm not one of them.

Instead, I look at January as the perfect month to be surrounded by comfort, coziness and warmth — fleece blankets around the house, flannel pj's to snuggle in at night, mugs of hot cocoa waiting on the counter and an abundance of soup recipes to choose from to warm us from the inside out.

Even better, as January is Slow Cooker Month, I'm even more inspired to create dishes for every meal that don't require much more than putting in the ingredients and flipping on the switch. And while we're all familiar with the appetizers, stews, main dishes and more, let's not forget about the delicious desserts that can come out of a slow cooker.

My favorite? Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake!

While this dessert can be created by using a boxed cake mix, I find that I have the individual ingredients on hand more often than the box. Plus there is just something about making a dessert from scratch that fills me with a little extra pride!

No one needs to know that all this delectable dish requires is to mix up the batter...

...add on a layer of brown sugar, cocoa powder and boiling water...

...and flip the slow cooker switch to High for 2 to 2½ hours.

I'm telling you, the most difficult part of making this Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake is smelling the amazing aroma while it cooks and then letting it sit for a little while after so that it doesn't burn your tongue. It's hard to wait to put on that dollop of COOL WHIP Whipped Topping and scoop up a big bite!

Whether you whip this up as a surprise for your family or dish it out with coffee to your friends, this cake manages to fill you up with rich, chocolatey flavor and a feeling of being warm and cozy on a chilly winter night.

Kraft is hosting this tasty dish for me, so find the complete recipe and instructions here: Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake. Yum!

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.

Sweeten Your Holidays with Double Layer Cheesecake & Chocolate Pudding Pie!

While families coast to coast have all sorts of varying holiday traditions, the common tie between us all is eating.

Baking cookies, passing the cheese balls, slicing the ham, flipping the latkes, scooping out the sweet potato pie — there is just something about celebrating traditions and family gatherings by coming together to enjoy all things food... and the holidays are an especially perfect time to do that.

However, I also believe that the holidays mean spending quality time doing what you love with the ones you love. Therefore, even though meal after meal needs to be planned and prepared, spending forever in the kitchen deciphering long, complicated recipes is just not high on my to-do list. Can't I enjoy the entertaining and family gatherings without having to put in hours of work?

The answer is yes, I can. And yes, I do. Particularly when it comes to desserts (because with me, it always comes to desserts), I love being able to pull together something that includes my two true loves, chocolate and cheesecake into one easy, mouthwatering dish. Which is why I gathered up a few ingredients and created my very own Double Layer Cheesecake & Chocolate Pudding Pie.

Is there anything that makes my taste buds dance more than tasty chocolate mixed with creamy cheesecake? I wasn't completely sure how this dessert was going to turn out, but I'm thrilled that I gave it a try as it is just so easy to make and just so yummy to eat!

Starting with a few of my favorite Kraft brands...

...it only took a little combining, blending and whipping together...

...before this pie was ready to chill in the fridge.

After it received a top layer of COOL WHIP...

...and some grated BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate right on top, it was ready to serve!

Whether you are bringing this to a potluck or serving it at your own holiday party, your family and friends will take one bite and think that this is a complicated, time-consuming dish (you can even easily customize this with berries, nuts, caramels, peppermint and more). Little do they have to know that your mixer did the majority of the work!

Find the complete recipe and instructions here: Double Layer Cheesecake & Chocolate Pudding Pie. Mmm!

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.

It Wouldn't Be Thanksgiving Without STOVE TOP Stuffing! {Stuffing Pizza Recipe}

With the arrival of November, people everywhere are looking forward to Thanksgiving this month and even more joyous holidays right around the corner. We're all gearing up to show our gratitude, love and devotion to our families, right?

But, come on, admit it. You're also really looking forward to the food.

Whether it's the turkey, potatoes, casseroles, rolls, vegetables, ham, stuffing or pies, pies, pies, I don't know too many people that are unhappy about all of the cooking, baking and eating that comes along with the holidays.

No matter if your favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is the gravy or the pumpkin pie, there's no doubt that the meal just wouldn't be complete without the stuffing. Turkey without stuffing? That's like having peanut butter without jelly!

Which is why it is the perfect time to complete your Thanksgiving spread with none other than the quick, easy and delicious STOVE TOP Boxed Stuffing Mix from Kraft.

Available in a multitude of flavors and flexible enough to be used in all sorts of recipes, STOVE TOP Stuffing is a delicious way to spend less time cooking and more time with family. Whether you opt for Chicken, Turkey or Savory Herb, STOVE TOP is ready to serve in just five minutes and is sure to be a hit on Thanksgiving or any night of the week.

But while STOVE TOP Stuffing is already a deliciously easy alternative to homemade stuffing, did you know that it is also extremely versatile? That's right, this tasty dish can be more than just a side or a filling for your bird, STOVE TOP can be altered, changed, added-to and more to make it your very own.

Have you tried adding cranberries and turkey? Apples and walnuts? Or, why not give it a complete makeover and turn it from a traditional Thanksgiving accessory into a main-dish, all-year-round stunner? Because with the addition of a few common ingredients and a little time in your oven, you can surprise and wow your family with STOVE TOP Stuffing Pizza!

Who would've thought, right?

We're pretty plain when it comes to pizza around here, so my STOVE TOP Stuffing Pizza is just cheese, but this could be jazzed up with any number of toppings — from traditional such as sausage and peppers to a little more November-themed such as turkey and cranberries. The sky's the limit!

And if you're thinking that this might be time-consuming to make, think again. It really only takes a little mixing, spreading and baking...

...before you've got a delicious meal that puts a completely unique twist on your regular stuffing or pizza recipe!

For more delicious ways to incorporate STOVE TOP Boxed Stuffing Mix into your next dish (whether for Thanksgiving or not!), check out the large number of recipes available at KraftRecipes.com and find my full recipe and instructions here: STOVE TOP Stuffing Pizza.

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own. 

A Dark and Stormy Night for Spooky Halloween Treats {Chocolate Dipped Pretzels Recipe}

Although I'm always extremely happy to see spring arrive each year (mainly because it marks the end of another cold Midwest winter), I'm fairly certain that fall is my favorite time of year... with October leading the way as the best month.

What is there to not like about October? The craziness of back-to-school has died down, the leaves change to amazingly gorgeous colors, and things like apple pie, pumpkin picking, hayrides and pumpkin spice lattes are everywhere you look.

Add in Halloween and how much I enjoy seeing my kids' excitement build over which costume they are going to wear and exactly which path we'll take when we go trick-or-treating, and it's just a winning month from start to finish.

So, what better way to celebrate our love for all things October than by whipping up some quick and easy spook-tacular Halloween treats to share with our favorite family, friends and teachers? I love spreading the Halloween spirit with something simple enough that the kids can help with, yet creative, fun and tasty enough that they're nearly guaranteed to be well-received.

Time to bring on the Halloween Spooky Chocolate Dipped Pretzels!

Simply dip...

...set...

...and decorate!

Whether displayed in a glass or little bucket as a Halloween centerpiece or tied in cellophane bags to give as a gift, Chocolate Dipped Pretzels are a holiday treat perfect for eating and gifting!

As well as my ghosts, mummies and pumpkins, other Halloween pretzel ideas that we've come up with around our house might include:

• Cut candy corn in half length-wise and adhere instead of (or along with) sprinkles.

• Use brown candies and brown sprinkles to make spiders.

• Use food coloring to tint BAKER'S Premium White Chocolate greenish-tan and use black piping to dress the pretzels up as Frankensteins.

• Dip the pretzels fully in BAKER'S Premium White Chocolate and then add JET-PUFFED Marshmallows to either end to look like bones.

• Use food coloring to tint BAKER'S Premium White Chocolate dark green and then attach a sliver of almond to one end to look like monster fingers.

• Make cuts on a strip of fruit leather and wrap around one end of a dipped pretzel to create witches' brooms.

What ghoulishly frightful ideas do you have for your pretzels? Kraft is hosting my full recipe and instructions this month, so head over so that you too can be enjoying some amazing Chocolate Dipped Pretzels this Halloween!

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.

Stand Aside Steak, A.1. Original Sauce has 1,000 Other Uses as Well! {Tofu & Veggie Stir Fry Recipe}

While this summer was filled with all sorts of fun and family time, I can't deny that the arrival of September provides me a large amount of relief. There's just something about the (slight) cooling of the heat and the kids returning to school that makes my inner schedule-loving self happy.

Along with the changing of the seasons and our lives returning back to "normal," this month also manages to bring about some changes to our menu planning as well. All of our usual standby recipes are still great, of course, but the sudden arrival of more time to myself during the day allows for a little more creativity and experimentation in the kitchen.

So, while I've been happily spending more time with my apron and a kitchen to myself, I've also broadened my family's meal selections a bit more lately thanks to the introduction of a new-to-us-but-not-everyone-else addition, A.1. Original Sauce.

Previously known as "Steak Sauce," A.1. has recently made the change to their label to help people everywhere realize that this condiment can be used on just about anything! While A.1. and steak will always be the best of friends, this bottle can also be on the table or ingredient list when the meal is chicken, seafood, veggies, potatoes, pasta and much more.

I have to admit that I am indeed one of the many people that had no idea that A.1. was quite so versatile. Use it in chili? Add it to meatloaf? Pour it in the slow cooker? Mix it in with salsa? Who knew?!

Therefore, with my sudden inspiration to change up my family's weekly menu a little bit, I took one look at Kraft's Stir-Fry Vegetables and knew that A.1. might be just the thing to give a new taste to one of our favorites, Tofu & Veggie Stir Fry.

You can choose any type of protein that you wish, of course, but with half of our household non-meat eaters, tofu is a staple in our meals.

However, as it doesn't have a great deal of flavor on its own, I opted to marinate my tofu in A.1. Sauce while I prepared the rest of the veggies in hopes that it would give it a little extra punch.

Then, after the tofu had a turn in my skillet, it was time for the vegetables to take a ride.

Easy, right?

Then I simply mixed the tofu back in, added a little soy sauce and fresh lemon juice and voilà!

Yum! This tofu & veggie stir fry turned out perfect as a side dish or, as I had let a pot of rice simmer while I was cooking, the two together easily became the main dish.

Ready for a bite? Click here for the full recipe: Tofu & Veggie Stir Fry!

No matter if you're whipping something up for a potluck, to serve to guests in your home or are just looking for a way to put a new twist on a familiar favorite, A.1. Original Sauce makes it easy (and tasty) to go beyond steak! What will you pair it with next?

For more delicious ways to incorporate A.1. into your next dish, check out the large number of recipes available at KraftRecipes.com to find a wide variety of ideas that are creative, mouthwatering and fun for your next meal.

This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own. 

For the Love of Cheese, Let's Celebrate Summer! {Weber Grill Prize Pack Giveaway}

 

While spring was coming to an end and the hot days of summer began to roll in, this year I focused on staying realistic about what the season would entail.

Although I'd like to say that I pictured leisurely, relaxing days — the kids are out of school, so we'll have plenty of time to enjoy the park or go on a picnic or just kick back and play in the yard, right? — I also knew that the various camps, sports, lessons, classes and events that my girls were signed up for would greatly impede on that daydream.

Instead of putting my feet up in the hammock, my free moments would be mostly spent in the car shuttling someone to their next activity while going to pick someone else up from their current one. Just call it Mom's intuition (or, more accurately, experience from the past few summers).

Therefore, I also knew that I wanted to be sure to carve out plenty of those carefree moments, for myself as well as for my family. After all, when we all look back, the most memorable days are going to be the ones spent together laughing and having fun, right?

This summer, I found my inspiration in a unique (but not completely unexpected) location. This is, after all, Wisconsin. So it isn't that big of a surprise that a lot of our fun has been centered around the one and only CHEESE!

That's right, we're not the only ones shining a spotlight on cheese. Right now Kraft is all about celebrating cheese-filled recipes this summer with their For the Love of Cheese website and sweepstakes!

A place to visit for delicious cheese recipes, information about Country star, Brad Paisley's summer tour, videos and personal recipe favorites, and a national sweeps for a chance to win a VIP Brad Paisley Concert experience for four and a lifetime supply of cheese*? Yes, please!

*Awarded in the form of a check for $8700. To enter and for Official Rules, click here: www.fortheloveofcheese.com.

It isn't hard to pinpoint meals around our house that involve cheese (mmm, cheeeeeeese...), but one weekly favorite is definitely quesadillas. The combination of tasty tortillas, melted cheese and any number of fillings heated to perfection? They are definitely something that the whole family gets excited about and if there was a way to keep them warm in a lunch box, I'm sure they'd be requested there, too!

While we do own a quesadilla machine that makes it fast and easy, it is also extremely simple to cook these up right in the oven or even on the grill! Just think of your guests' surprise when you whip up grilled quesadillas at your next BBQ!

These Caprese Quesadillas were inspired partially from Kraft's recipe for Basil & Cheese Wedges and partially from my adoration for a classic Tomato, Mozzarella & Basil Sandwich.

And the result is nothing short of divine! Eat them plain, dip them in guacamole, drizzle a little balsamic vinegar... the options are endless!

Kraft Recipes is hosting my complete Caprese Quesadillas recipe and instructions (for the oven as well as the grill), so head over today if you're looking for a delicious and simple way to include the love of cheese into your next meal or cookout!

This summer, be sure to browse the large number of recipes available found at For the Love of Cheese to discover a tasty selection of appetizer, meal or even dessert ideas that are creative, delicious, fun and perfect for a tasty, carefree summer.

And don't forget to enter for your chance to win a VIP Brad Paisley concert experience and a lifetime supply of cheese* (*awarded in the form of a check for $8,700), plus other great prizes awarded daily (NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Begins 5/5/14 and ends 9/7/14. To enter and for official rules click here: www.fortheloveofcheese.com)!

Plus, thanks to the generosity of Kraft, one person will be even more prepared to include their favorite cheeses in their upcoming summer fun, because...

 One lucky person will win a
For the Love of Cheese Grilling Prize Pack* (ARV $75)!

*Prize Pack includes (1) Weber Smokey Joe mini grill, (1) guitar-shaped cheese board, and (1) Brad Paisley Recipe Book

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This post is a part of a partnered campaign with Kraft Foods, however, all thoughts and opinions shared are honest and my own.