Archive for the ‘Party Food’ Category
How to make cookies: Easy to bake Halloween cookie ideas
Thursday, October 27th, 2011
Train Birthday Cake
Wednesday, August 17th, 2011Top 10 Tips for Baby’s 1st Birthday – Part Two
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011
6. Buckets of Toys!
Rather than leaving all of your children’s toys out for the babies and toddlers to play with, pile them into boxes and containers. Babies love emptying and refilling and this will probably prevent a little bit of argy bargy when two want the same thing as they will be too busy loading and unloading.
7. Cupcakes!
Try making an arrangement of cupcakes rather than one big birthday cake. You can pop a candle in the central cake and this can be put in front of your baby for the Happy Birthday song. If she decides to smear her fingers through the icing or hurl it to the floor then it is only that cake that is destroyed rather than the whole birthday cake!!
8. Jealousy!
If you have a toddler who has been a little fed up for the past year with this invasion of her life and having to share her parents’ attention then make sure she is made to feel a part of the occasion. Take her shopping and let her pick a toy that she would like to give the Baby for her birthday. Let her help to wrap it and even colour in a card. She could help with making rice crispie cakes for the big day too. And make a fuss of putting her in her best party clothes for the celebrations.
9. Keep it Simple!
Remember a First Birthday will only ever happen once. So don’t get worked up worrying about how clean and tidy the house is, how perfect the food is etc. The most important thing is that you savour the moment and treasure the memory – remember it will feel like only a few moments have passed and it will be her 21st Birthday Party (and a whole new set of problems go with that of course!).
10. And Finally….
Remember the camera / video camera!!! Maybe it’s just me but I never seem to have it all together on this front. Either the battery is run down or I haven’t got a disc for the video camera or else I just don’t know where I have put them!!! These are just the kind of pictures and footage that you might want to embarrass her at that 21st party……..
Birthday Party Treats With A Difference – Brazilian Brigadeiros
Friday, October 1st, 2010
Time for something a little different this week. Brigadeiros are a delicious chocolate truffle served in Brazil and they are a traditional children’s party favourite that are easy to make yourself.
Ingredients
- 3 table spoons of a chocolate milk drink powder such as Nesquik (not cocoa – this will give you a completely different taste!)
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- 1 14 ounce tin of sweetened condensed milk.
How To Make Brigadeiros
Combine the chocolate powder, butter and condensed milk in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture becomes thick enough to show the bottom of the pan whilst stirring.
Pour the mixture into a lightly greased dish and allow to cool. Once at room temperature, grease your hands with butter and roll the mixture into tiny balls and place the balls into mini cupcake papers.
For extra fun, roll the balls in hundrends and thousands or desicated coconut.
Give it a try, you’ll be delighted that you did. Just be careful you don’t eat them all before the party!
Princess Castle Birthday Cakes
Friday, September 17th, 2010From time to time I get adventurous and decide to bake something out of the ordinary. 99% of the time something goes wrong but this time I followed the instructions in the video below perfectly and I was left with the most amazing birthday cake for my niece’s 8th birthday party.
Party Treats – Mice Cupcakes
Wednesday, September 8th, 2010
Mouse Cupcakes Recipe
I must admit that juggling my work with my family can sometimes leave me a little stretched for time which is why when it comes to birthday party season, I tend to order most of the party treats and cakes from our local bakery.
However there is one little treat that I love to make and the kids always lend me a helping hand (except with the clean up for some reason!). Mice cupcakes are a fun and easy treat to make, are delicious and they loog great!
Mice Cupcakes ( makes 8 )
What you will need…
- 1 packet of Chocolate Cake mix
- 8 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- 16 oreos (or similar sandwhich biscuits)
- 2 packets of M&M’s, Smarties or Skittles
- 1 packet of shoestring liquorice
How to prepare…….
- Prepare the cake mix for cupcakes in accordance with the instructions on the packet.
- Fill muffin cups 2/3 way with your cake mix.
- Place in a pre heated oven to 175 and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean
- Allow to cool completely and remove them from the pan
- Top each cupcake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Decorate each cupcake to resemble a mouse – Use 2 oreos for the ears with the M&Ms/Smarties/Skittles for the mouth, eyes and nose
- Cut and insert licorice for the whiskers.
- Place the cupcakes in the freezer for 30 minutes before serving.
Mouse cupcakes are sure to be a great hit at your next party and they are really fun to make. Bon appetite!
Party Treats – Chocolate Marshmallow Yummies
Monday, August 30th, 2010
Ingredients:
150g good quality plain chocolate
75g butter
75g golden syrup
65g chopped sponge fingers
65g chopped glacé cherries
125g mini marshmallows
Method:
1. Line a 20cm (8 inch) round tin with cling film.
2. Melt the chocolate, butter and golden syrup. Cool slightly and stir in the sponge fingers, cherries and 100g of the mini marshmallows.
3. Spoon the mixture into the round tin. Chop the remaining 25g of marshmallows in half and sprinkle over the top.
4. Chill for 4 hours until firm. Lift out of the tin and peel off the cling film. Cut into desired slabs.
Party Treats – Frosted Banana Bars
Sunday, August 29th, 2010
Makes approx. 16
Ingredients
175g butter
175g caster sugar
3 eggs, beaten
250g self-raising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 large bananas, peeled and mashed
Frosting:
50g butter
25g cocoa powder
250g icing sugar, sifted
1-2 tablespoons milk
Hundreds and thousands to decorate
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to Gas 4, 180C, 350F and line an 18 x 28 cm roasting tin with greaseproof paper.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together until pale and creamy. Gradually add in alternate spoonfuls of beaten egg and flour until all added and mixture is smooth. Add the baking powder and mashed bananas and mix thoroughly.
3. Spoon the mixture into the tin and bake for 25-30 mins until well risen and golden. Leave to cool in the tin.
4. For the frosting. Heat the butter in a small pan. Stir in the cocoa powder and gently cook for one minute. Remove pan from heat and stir in the icing sugar. Return to heat and stir gently adding enough milk to make a smooth, spreadable icing.
5. Pour the icing over the cake and smooth with a palette knife. Sprinkle over the hundreds and thousands and leave to cool and set. Remove from tin, peel off the paper and cut into bars.
Party Favourites from the Past …. Butterfly Cakes.
Friday, August 27th, 2010
These were one of my favourites as a child though they seem to be a forgotten little gem of a party cake these days …. so lets revive the Butterfly Cake!!
Ingredients:
5oz unsalted butter or margarine, softened
5oz caster sugar
6oz self-raising flour
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
To decorate:
Fresh cream, whipped or canned spray cream
Raspberry or Strawberry jam
Icing sugar
Method:
1. Preheat oven to Gas 4, 180C, 350F and place 12 paper cases in a bun tray.
2. Put all the ingredients (except the decoration ingredients) in a mixing bowl and beat with hand-held electric whisk for 1 – 2 mins until texture is light and creamy. Divide the mixture into the 12 paper cases.
3. Bake for 18-20 mins until risen and firm to touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
4. When cooled completely, use a small sharp knife to cut out a deep disc shape from the centre of each cake. Spread a layer of jam in the hollow and top with the whipped cream.
5. Cut each of the scooped out pieces in half and place on top of the cream at a 45 degree angle so they resemble butterfly wings. Finally, lightly sift a small amount of icing sugar over the whole batch.
Easy Chocolate Birthday Cake
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010You really can’t go wrong with a Chocolate Birthday Cake for kids of all ages and this one is so simple that kids of all ages could help you make it!!
Ingredients
4 oz caster sugar
4 eggs
3 1/2 oz self-raising flour
1 oz cocoa powder
1 1/2 oz unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the icing
12 oz good quality plain chocolate, broken into pieces
8 oz unsalted butter
3 1/2 oz icing sugar, sifted
Method
1. Preheat oven to Gas 4 / 350F / 180C. Grease a 20cm spring-form cake tin and line the base with greaseproof paper or similar.
2. Put sugar and eggs in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Using an electric whisk, whisk until thick and foamy and the whisk leaves a trail in the mixture (approx 5-10 mins).
3. Sift the flour and cocoa powder into the mixture and carefully fold in with the melted butter and vanilla until well combined.
4. Pour the mixture into the cake tin and bake for 25 mins until risen and firm to touch. Allow to cool in the tin for 5 mins and then turn out on to a wire rack and leave to cool.
5. Next is the icing. Melt the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water. Remove from heat and beat in the icing sugar. Set aside to cool and then chill for 1 hour until thickened.
6. Slice the cake in half horizontally and use half the icing to sandwich back together. Use the remaining icing to cover the top and sides of the cake. To write a birthday message use any coloured sweets – smarties, white chocolate buttons, m&ms etc. Add some candles and hey presto!!
Brazilian Theme Party
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
I am from Brazil and my little boy is 50/50…hahaha!
On september he will be 1 year old and i will make a tradional brazilian birthday party.
Theme will be Charlie and the numbers from baby tv,the cake will be decorated with the same theme and a banner with him,charlie and the numbers on the wall…on the table will be a lots of brazilians sweets (called brigadeiro and beijinho) and a few brazilians snacks too…popcorn and ballons…oh lord!!!
All of his friends will be so happy because this party will be wonderful!
People always say…dont make a big party because he cant understand it yet…i will! He doesnt now but he will be so happy when he is bigger and see that we always loved him and celebrated all his birthdays!!!!
By Viviane Stewart
Birthday Cake Decorating
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Decorating cakes – fold a piece of paper that’s bigger than your cake in half. Draw half a shape against the fold – stars, hearts, fairy wings etc., and cut it out.
Unfold the paper and place it on your cake – works best on brownies or other flat topped cakes and sift cocoa over a pale cake or icing sugar over a dark cake to give you a pretty decoration.
You could also sprinkle with a little caster sugar mixed with food colouring to make it more colourful!
By Geraldine Healy
Mickey Mouse Theme Party
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010For my Daughters 2nd Birthday, we pulled out all the stops. We had a Mickey Mouse themed party… her favourite cartoon.
We painted an outside wall with a picture of Mickey Mouse and look whos 2. Almost a year on and my daughter still loves that pic. I ordered a mickey mouse piñata, party bags, mickey and minnie rice paper circles (which I will explain in a minute how I used them) napkins, paper plates and paper cups on ebay and they arrived just in time, I also made her a special cake shaped like the mickey mouse clubhouse, to see it click:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/photo.php?pid=30832106&id=1556482888
I made a large sheet sponge cake as the base ie the garden and covered it in green icing I then made a small cola chocolate bun and covered it in red icing and moulded it in a semi circle shape and it became the body of the clubhouse.
I got black icing and moulded it in a circle for the head and placed it on top of the body and covered 2 lolipops in dark chocolate for the ears of the clubhouse, I then made the rest of the clubhouse ie the leg and glove balloon out of icing and topped it all off with mickey, Minnie, goofy and Donald figures which I bought in a local toy store.
As for the rice paper I got some flat based cones and placed 2marshmallows in each then placed them in microwave for a minute or until the marshmallow rose to top then removed them and allowed to cool, I then melted some chocolate and put a spoonful in bun cases and placed the cones open side down on the bun cases and allowed chocolate to set, once set I peeled off the cases and stuck the rice paper on top of each prefect way to personalise a childs party or continue a theme.
By Laura Kehoe
Pizza Making Party
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010I had a pizza making party for my daughter one year.
I made the bases and put out little tubs of various toppings on the table and they decorated their own pizza.
Once they were all made, they ate them as their party food.
All food was eaten as they chose their own toppings 
Everyone was happy!!
By Hazel Delaney
Fun Birthday Treats & Mars Bar Cakes
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Firstly for my sons birthday i buy assorted food colouring colours, then I make rice crispy cakes with white chocolate and add food colouring and make a batch of different colours.
I also do the same with fairy cakes so he has loads of red, blue, green cakes and I put a different colour butter cream icing on top, the table looks so fun and colourful when its set up!Everyone goes mad for the Mars Bar cakes too…
Also for my husbands birthday (day before halloween) I have a headstone which i place in the front garden with a hand coming out of the ground, I change all the bulbs in the house to the fire one so the house is lit up orange.
Mars Bar Cakes Recipe:
Melt 75g butter in a pot and add 6 chopped up mars bars, mix together until melted and smooth, make sure to keep stiring so it does not burn.
Poor melted mix into large bowl of rice crispies and mix together until all rice crispies are coverd. Place grease proof paper into a deep dish (lasagna dish is ideal) pour covered rice crispies in and push around until the bottom of the dish is covered and place in the fridge for 10 mins.
Now Melt approx 2-3 bars of cooking chocolate and pour over the now set mars bar & rice crispie mixture spreading all over the top. Place back into the fridge to set.
When your ready to serve take out of the fridge, lift the grease proof paper out of the dish lifing out the Mars Bar Cake and cut into squares, what ever size suits you and your good to go! I havent met a child or adult yet who dont love them!
By Aishling Clarke
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes Recipe
Monday, November 30th, 2009
Ingredients
Directions
- Preheat oven to 190 degrees C.
- Cream butter and sugar together well in a mixing bowl.
- Beat in the eggs 1 at a time.
- Mix in the vanilla.
- Mix the flour, baking powder and salt into a small bowl and stir.
- Add milk to the butter mixture in 2 parts alternately with flour mixture in 3 parts, beginning and ending with flour.
- Fill cones about 3/4 full leaving the batter 1/2 inch from top. Place filled cones on a baking tray. Bake in oven for about 15 to 20 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. You can use a Lemon Icing, Green Butter Icing or a Peanut Butter Icing or a combination of all.
How To Make The Perfect Butterfly Birthday Cake
Monday, November 23rd, 2009The The Top 10 Recession Busting Party Tips Part 1
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
In these worrying times, more and more parents are seeking out affordable ways to hold memorable children’s parties for their little ones. And there is a way!
Location, Location, Location!
When choosing a party venus, find out if they offer mid week deals. Many adventure play centre, pet farms, cookery schools, art and craft workshops give discounted rates for mid-week parties. Try and tie your party into mid-term break or perhaps hold an after school party.
Haggle!
Remember now more than ever, everyone is competing for your business. You may find that many businesses may be willing to undercut their competitors in order to secure your euro!
Brand Names Are Not Important!
Purchase non brand name goodies or less well known brands from Aldi or Lidl. Or buy own brand value items from your local Tesco, Dunnes Stores or Supervalu. Use your nearest €2 discount store to buy the party bag treats.
Plan Ahead!
Bargains can often be found at times like the January Sales as stores sell their Christmas Stock for next to nothing and it might be worth shopping for your child’s party at this time even if their birthday is in July! Some shops also have mid-year sales or special weekends during the year when they sell everything at a 50% discount. Sign up for our newsletter and you will always be kept up to date on these events!
Time To Bake A Cake!
Over the coming weeks we will be sharing some fantastic recipes for cakes and treats so make sure to check back. Baking your own cake and making your own treats for your child’s party is a great way to save money. Why not get your child involved and see their pride on the day when they are telling all of their friends how they helped! Homemade cakes usually taste better, are fresher, healthier and are fun to make. The ingredients can usually be picked up for next to nothing and you have control over what goes into your own baking!
The Top 10 Recession Busting Party Tips Part 2
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Can You Do Me A Favour?
Create your own craft workshop and have the children make something they can bring home with them. It’s a great way to entertain the children and at the end of it they have created their own gift to take home in their party bag. Watch this space for craft ideas you can use at your next party over the coming months!
Hell’s Kitchen Ireland!!
Have your own Junior Chef School in your kitchen. Buy or make your own plain biscuits or fairy cakes prior to the party and when the children are all set to go, melt some chocolate and supply them with jelly tots, smarties, hundreds and thousands or anything else that can be used to decorate your treats. The children will love getting messy and if you put down plenty of newspaper or plastic tablecloths, all the mess can be thrown in the bin at the end leaving your kitchen relatively tidy! Remember to warn parents of your plan though so that no one arrives in their best white dress!!!
An Inviting Alternative…..
Why purchase expensive invitations when you can make your own. Save money by creating your Free Party Page here where you can create and print your own invites. For even more savings, take advantage of our free create and send an invite option in the My Party page section where you can choose from an array of wonderful templates, upload your contacts and email them the invite direct from the site. Not only will this save you money but it will also save your guests money as they can instantly RSVP direct to your party page! By not sending paper invites you are doing your bit for the planet also which brings us to ……
Recycling – Not Just For The Planet!
Wrapping paper, party table cloths, unused napkins, decorations and tableware – don’t throw them out! Store them away and reuse them again. You’d be surprised how much you can save!
House Party!
Even if you are not feeling especially creative, you can still hold a hassle free and inexpensive house party. There are some simple, no fuss ideas for party games and entertainment right here on our site. Check out our articles for some inspiration.
However you choose to celebrate, remember the party is all about your child and their guests enjoying themselves. After all, your child and his / her friends won’t remember how much you’ve spent, just how much they enjoyed the day thanks to your creativity and imagination! If you have any recession busting tips or creative ideas, please e-mail us at ideas@childrensparties.ie and we will be sure to include your suggestions in our next posting.
Including Nutrition In Your Party Feast
Monday, November 23rd, 2009
Over the next while, we will be giving you tips on making your child’s party plate a healthy and nutritious one – without them even realising it!! Remember keep the sweet treats hidden until the healthy food is finished!
The main trick to get your child eating healthily is to make the good food fun and here are some ideas how!
Cookie Cutters!
Use some fun shaped cookie cutters to make sandwiches more exciting. Children will love the shapes.
Fruit Sticks!
Chop pieces of fruit into bite size pieces and put them on cocktail sausage sticks. You could even use some pots of fromage frais for dipping and call it a fruit fondue!
Fun Dips!
Instead of crisps, why not serve breadsticks and thin strips of pitta bread. Buy or make some humous or guacamole and let them dip away. Children will love dipping their own food.
Sweet Potato Wedges!
Cut some sweet potatoes into wedges, drizzle with oil and roast in the oven. There you have a simple and healthy alternative to chips.
Fish Bites!
Make your own fish bites or chicken nuggets. The size is perfect for small hands and they are relatively inexpensive and simple to make. Watch out for future recipe pages here on our site!
Wibbly Wobbly Jelly!
Add a fruity twist to your jelly by mixing fresh fruit into your jelly mould when making your jelly. When it sets, the fruit makes a simple jelly look spectacular.
Fruit Punch!
Instead of serving fizzy drinks, pour some juice into a large punch bowl and add some fresh fruit. They will think it far more exciting than fizzy orange!!
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