Caramel Apple Bites

This autumn treat calls for only three ingredients! 2 green apples, one package of mini pretzel twists, and one package of Rolos. Start by preheating the oven to 250 degrees, then on a baking sheet, spread out the pretzels (in a single layer) and place a Rolo candy on top of each one. Be sure to only let these sit in the oven for about 3-4 minutes – the goal is to get them just a little soft. Then, chop your apples into your desired size (we recommend small chunks) and connect the apples with the Rolo/pretzel portion with a toothpick. The perfect bite-sized snack idea!

Mini Pumpkin Pizzas

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. Then, spread a thin layer of pumpkin puree on both halves of an English muffin. Drizzle on some olive oil and sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Now it’s time to get creative! Throw on whatever toppings sound best! We recommend mozzarella cheese, spinach, and mini pepperoni. Bake pizzas in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!

Do you love pumpkin? Check out some of these additional recipes:

All Things Candy-Corn

Here at the Nanny Authority, we appreciate candy corn season and always love a candy corn-inspired snack like rice krispie treats cut into wedges and dipped in candy melts to get those famous layers of color. The same can be done with yellow and orange Jell-O poured into glasses and topped with a little whipped cream!

Apple Nachos

Do you like apples? How about these apples!? Thinly slice your favorite apples and spread them out over a plate. Get your favorite topping and go nuts! We recommend drizzling with peanut butter, homemade caramel sauce, or Nutella (maybe all three!), then sprinkle with granola, chocolate chips, and cinnamon! This fall snack is especially great for picky eaters who may not like all the same ingredients as their siblings—everyone can make a personalized plate!

Turkey Hand Snack Bags

This one is easy because all you need is clear plastic gloves, a rubber band, or a ribbon to secure the opening, along with the snack filling of your choice. We love the idea of using popcorn, Chex Mix, homemade trail mix (see links below), goldfish, and (of course!) candy corn as the yummy snack filling.

Trail mix ideas: &

Never forget that chocolate melts with a bit of color, and decoration (like sprinkles) can really up the spook factor, making things like fruit, cookies, or pretzels stand out.

If you’re looking for someone to help teach your kiddos how to celebrate the season in the kitchen, contact us at Nanny Authority today! Email info@nannyauthority.com, call (973) 466-2669, or visit www.nannyauthority.com. Wishing you a delicious fall!

If you’re looking for someone to help teach your kiddos how to celebrate the season in the kitchen, contact us at Nanny Authority today! Email info@nannyauthority.com, call (973) 466-2669, or visit www.nannyauthority.com. Wishing you a delicious fall!

The post Fall Snack Ideas Nannies Can Make with Kids: Fun and Healthy Recipes appeared first on NannyAuthority.

Food memories can transport us to a different time and place, bring tears to our eyes, and fill us with overwhelming emotion through the taste of nostalgia – not unlike Anton Ego in Ratatouille when he arrives to critique little Remy’s culinary expertise at Gusteau’s. Food around the holidays brings our loved ones together, embodies togetherness, and helps us form traditions that keep our heritage, values, and beliefs alive. What better way to introduce our favorite holidays to our children than creating core memories with seasonal treats?!

Find some of our favorite kid-friendly snacks and confections below

Christmas Candies, Cookies, and Confections

GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Is there anything more classic than a gingerbread house during the Christmas season? Bring the Christmas spirit into your home with a classic spiced gingerbread house or make your own to assemble and decorate with your little elves this holiday season. Keep things easy and organized for your tiniest helpers with easy decorating tasks, preassembled structures and lots of ingredients and candies sorted into separate bowls.

MELTING SNOWMAN COOKIES

Using our Nanny Authority Sugar Cookie Recipe which was in last year’s Thanksgiving blog, get your kiddos excited for the snow with these adorable melting snowman sugar cookies! Have your children help with mixing, measuring, pouring, and other kitchen skills that naturally develop their fine motor skills. Grab some edible markers and don’t forget to create chilly faces on the marshmallows before placing their icing! See a great example

PEPPERMINT BARK

Candy canes are a telltale sign of the Christmas season from the colors to the classic pinstripe wrapped around the hard candy. With just a few ingredients (and a lot of fun!) your family can create this easy holiday confection. Have your kids help with unwrapping the candy canes and place them in a Ziploc bag before using a rolling pin to pulverize the candy into smaller pieces to sprinkle on top of white and dark chocolate to share! See an easy recipe .

See more fun and festive Christmas treat ideas .

Hanukkah Sweets and Treats

CHOCOLATE GELT

For most Jewish children, spinning dreidels and trying to win the aluminum-wrapped chocolate in the middle of your dining room table is one of the best ways to begin Hanukkah! For a more mature twist for the cool and creative teens in your life, try creating with one ingredient and a few crafting supplies to wow their cousins this season. There are so many unique wax seal stamps and this unique holiday activity can engage any pre-teen or teen with a sweet tooth.

LATKES

During Hanukkah, there is nothing like watching a latke sizzle on the stove, watching your parents transfer the latke to a paper towel-lined plate and grabbing it while it’s still far too hot to eat as your mom watches all of her hard work disappear within seconds. Making potato pancakes can be a kid-friendly activity with a little bit of patience, a little bit of salt, and a whole lot of potatoes. Let your kids get messy and help mix your latke mixture and drain the starch before frying. Looking for something non-traditional?

SUFGANIYOT (JELLY DONUTS)   

Oil is an important part of Hanukkah as Jews remember the miracle of the lantern that burned for 8 days and nights. One of the ways the Jewish people celebrate the festival of lights is with food cooked in oil as a symbolic nod to the oil lamps that continued to stay ignited. Donuts are a classic Hanukkah treat, typically stuffed with jelly. Donuts, while delicious may not be something you have time to make from scratch – that is ok! This semi-homemade may be right up your alley!

Kwanzaa Foods and Feasts

FRIED PLANTAINS           

Kwanzaa is a non-religious holiday that celebrates African American heritage and culture celebrating African harvest festival traditions. Engage children by having them help pick out ripe plantains to fry and enjoy , a Ghanaian fried plantain recipe you may find on some tables during Kwanzaa!

SWEET POTATO PIE

Sweet potato pie is a wonderful dessert to have after a feast during Kwanzaa. Have children help with this dessert by practicing their measuring, scooping, and pouring skills before baking. You can also make these kid-sized by using a cookie cutter and cutting individual pies after the dessert has cooled completely for all to enjoy! Find a recipe .

COLLARD GREENS

During Kwanzaa, those who celebrate typically eat stewed collard greens as a symbol of good fortune. One of the other most significant foods eaten during the holiday feast is black-eyed peas which symbolize good luck! Read more about the foods and traditions of Kwanzaa !

Looking to introduce your children to different cultures or create a new food-focused family tradition? Get in touch with ĐÓ°É´«Ă˝ today to find a top-notch nanny to help bring creative, fun (and yummy) holiday foods and fares to your home. Reach us by emailing info@nannyauthority.com or calling us at 973-466-2669 today.

The post The Best Holiday Treats to Make & Bake this Season appeared first on NannyAuthority.

Hosting a holiday party can be difficult enough without trying to plan for fussy little eaters. Below are some of our childcare professionals’ recommended appetizers for kids that will have even your pickiest eater licking their fingers.

Mini Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

You can’t go wrong with grilled cheese sandwiches, especially miniature ones! They’re great to have on-hand for when you have last-minute guests. The recipe below makes 48 servings. The ingredients are as follows:

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 egg
• 13 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 loaves (1-1 ½ pounds each) thinly sliced sandwich bread, crusts removed

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and egg until blended together. Gradually add 13 ounces shredded cheddar cheese. Spread about 1 tablespoon cheese mixture on each slice of one loaf of bread. Top with remaining bread. Cut each sandwich into four squares, and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes.

To spice up the recipe, you can add sundried tomatoes, mushrooms and arugula. Another twist on mini grilled sandwiches is a combination of brie, bacon, and apricots with a smidge of balsamic reduction. See for the recipe.

To freeze until you’re ready for the appetizer, place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place in the freezer for 1 hour. Remove from the baking sheet and store in an airtight container in the freezer until needed.

When you’re ready for them, place squares on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes, or until browned.

Crunchy Taco Cups

This recipe serves 12 and the 5 easy ingredients are as follows:

• 1-pound lean ground beef
• 1 envelope (3 tablespoons) taco seasoning
• 6 ounces diced tomatoes
• 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 6 large flour tortillas

First, preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, in a large skillet, brown the ground beef and drain any remaining fat and oil. Transfer to a bowl. Add taco seasoning and tomatoes to the ground beef and stir to combine.

Cut flour tortillas into a square shape and cut each into 4 smaller equally-sized square pieces.

Using nonstick cooking spray, generously coat a standard size muffin tin. Line each muffin cup with a tortilla sheet. Add 1 ½ tablespoons taco mixture. Top with 1 tablespoon of cheese. Press down and add another layer of tortilla sheet, taco mixture, and a final layer of cheese.

Lightly brush the top edges of the tortilla with cooking oil. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the cups are heated through and the edges are golden brown.

Veggie Cups

These veggie cups are the perfect add-on to the caramelized onion dip below! They are also easy to make, with a preparation time of only ten minutes and a great healthy appetizer option for your little one. The ingredients are as follows:

• Tumbler cups, or any other clear plastic cup
• 4 carrot sticks per cup
• 3 celery sticks per cup
• 3 grape or cherry tomatoes, per cup
• 1 spoonful of ranch or onion dip per cup

First, place a spoonful of dip on the bottom of the cup. Arrange the vegetables accordingly, sticking toothpicks onto the tomatoes for easier access. Refrigerate until ready to serve!

Caramelized Onion Dip

A good dip is a must for a go-to snack or appetizer for kids. However, why not deviate from the standard onion dips and try this delectable caramelized onion dip?

The ingredients are as follows:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 ½ cups sour cream, at room temperature
• ½ pound cream cheese, softened
• 1 table spoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

The first step is caramelizing the onions. In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the onions, cooking over medium heat. Stir occasionally until they’re golden. This takes about 25 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of water and continue to cook, stirring until the water has evaporated. Let the onions cool for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Next, transfer the onions onto a cutting board and coarsely chop. In a large bowl, combine the sour cream with cream cheese, parsley, onion powder and Worcestershire sauce until it’s all blended together. Add in the onions, season with salt and pepper, and lastly, serve at room temperature with whole-grain pita chips or vegetables!

The total preparation time takes about an hour, depending on your ingredients.

Cucumber Bites

This bite-sized kid friendly appetizer is a great option to satisfy any hungry child. The ingredients are minimal, calling for 4 large English cucumbers, 1 pint of grape tomatoes, an 8-ounce block of cream cheese at room temperature, 3 tablespoons fresh minced dill, and 1 tablespoon of powdered Ranch dressing mix.

First, slice cucumbers into rounds, about ½-inch thick. Slice grape tomatoes into half, or quarters, if too large, and set to the side. Next, in a bowl, combine cream cheese, Greek yogurt, dill and Ranch dressing powder. Mix thoroughly.

Once it’s all blended together, transfer the cheese mixture to a piping bag. If you don’t have one, use a large Ziplock bag with the corner cut off. Pipe the cheese mixture onto the cucumber rounds, and then top with the cherry tomato half!

Spinach and Red Pepper Mini Frittatas

Having guests over for breakfast or an early brunch? Serve these Spinach and Red Pepper Mini Frittatas!

Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• ½ red bell pepper, diced small (about ½ cup)
• ½ small yellow onion, diced small (about ½ cup)
• About 3 cups loosely packed spinach, coarsely chopped
• 4 eggs with yolk
• 4 egg whites
• ÂĽ cup skim milk
• 2/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, grease or spray a tin for 12 muffins. In a medium-sized frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat. When hot, throw in peppers and onions, sautéing until softened. This should take you about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally, adding spinach as you go. Remove from heat after the spinach has wilted.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, skim milk, and cheese. Add salt and pepper if you’d like. Pour mixture into the muffin tin until each one is about ½ full. Add sautéed vegetables. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let them cool for about 5 minutes before serving.

Contact the Nanny Authority Today!

For additional ideas on other kid friendly appetizers to serve at parties, visit our . If you are attending a holiday gathering, make one of our cookie recipes to bring with you. Getting ready for the festivities can be an overwhelming process but it doesn’t have to be. With our extensive screening process, the Nanny Authority can assist you during this busy time by pairing you with an experienced caregiver to serve as an extra set of hands. Contact a placement specialist at 973-466-2669 or via e-mail for more information today!

The post 6 Kid Friendly Appetizers for Your Holiday Party appeared first on NannyAuthority.