Cupcake Kids!

Flavored Ice Cubes

2010-08-13 00:00:00 PST

We'll come up with any excuse to add more flavor into our summer! A great tip to keep your ice coffee cold and not diluted, is freezing coffee in ice cube trays and using that as your ice cubes. This concept of freezing your favorite beverage and using that instead of ice cubes can be applied to almost any drink, even to just flavor a glass of water. Freeze lemonade in ice cube trays and use in your iced tea instead of ice cubes adds the perfect amount of citrus flavor. Freezing fruit inside the flavored ice cubes is an added touch to jazz up any beverage. In our "A Taste of Summer" camp we make "Bug Juice" which is filling up ice cube trays with your favorite juice, and a couple blueberries!

Edible Spa Treatments

2010-08-30 00:00:00 PST

Who doesn't love going to the spa? We do, but we don't always have the extra cash on hand to splurge on a day at the spa. So why not bring the spa to you? These edible treats sound like they taste good but are used as great spa treatments!

To rehydrate your skin after a long day in the sun, try our Avocado Mask. Mix 3T yogurt, 1T honey, 2T oatmeal and 1/4 avocado until they form a paste. Apply to face using fingertips. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water.

To rehydrate your hair, try our Honey and Apple Smoothie. Combine 1 apple (peeled, cored and cut into large pieces), 2T baking soda, and 1/2 C seltzer in a blender and mix until smooth. Apply to clean, dry hair. Wrap hair in a shower cap and let sit for 30 minutes. Shampoo and condition for soft silky hair.

Chef of the Month- Ayla

2010-08-11 13:53:06 PST

Congratulations to Ayla, winner of our August Facebook Photo Challenge and a longtime Cupcake Kids! budding chef! Ayla is a true cooking wiz who has been coming to our camps and classes for years, most recently at our Taste of Summer camp in June. You can find Ayla whipping up some amazing dishes in the kitchen in her chef's whites. When she's not in the kitchen, you can find Ayla playing with her friends, swimming, and traveling!

Name: Ayla
Age: 5 years
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village, NYC & Charlotte, NC
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Whisk

Reducing Food Waste

2010-08-02 00:00:00 PST

One of our favorite parts of summer is getting to cook with all the fresh fruits and vegetables from our local farmers market. But have you ever found yourself a few days after a shopping trip staring at all your delicious produce as it dawns on you that you will never, ever be able to eat it all before it goes bad? We've all been there, even the most environmentally conscious (after all, that's why we rode our bike to buy the local fare!), and food waste is a big problem these days. Here are some helpful tips we use that will change the way you shop and store your produce.

1. Always make a shopping list with your weeks meals planned out in advance, sticking to a list helps prevent impulsive buys at the grocery store.

2. Use your supermarket salad bar. Instead of buying an entire head of celery and using only 3 stalks leaving the rest to go bad in your refrigerator use the salad bar's pre-chopped vegetables.

3. Keep track of expiration dates and inventory of you're pantry, this can prevent re-buying of items while also keeping you alert to what produce is nearing spoilage.

4. Use your freezer wisely. Fruit that is about to go bad can be frozen to make a smoothie out of. Portion out tomato sauce and freeze in batches.

5. Schedule a "leftovers night" into your weekly dinners. This can also be fun and creative to use only whats in the back of the refrigerator and challenge yourself. Some great dishes for this are quiches, stir-fries, and stews.

Basil Is Growing Up!

2010-07-28 00:00:00 PST

The Cupcake Kids mascot and our favorite herb, "Basil" the basil plant has quadrupled in size this summer so we had to come up with more basil recipes to keep up! Salads are a great way to use basil and still keep that bright green color. One of our favorite ways to eat basil in the summer is in a fruit salad. Adding basil to warm dishes releases the herb's flavor and scent, but be careful because it blackens fast.

Strawberry Basil Salad
1 Qt Strawberries
2 Tbsp Confectioners Sugar
5 Basil leaves
2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar

We like using strawberries but you can use any fruit. Cut the strawberries into quarters and toss with balsamic vinegar, sugar and a handful of torn basil and you have a refreshing summer salad!

Fun Fact: Basil is part of the mint family and goes great as a substitute in recipes that call for fresh mint leaves.

Drink A Coconut

2010-07-19 00:00:00 PST

We have been seeing coconut water everywhere these days, and had to find out what the fuss was all about! Turns out that coconut water is not only delicious, but also really healthy for you too. Coconut water is the liquid that comes from young coconuts. When a coconut matures this liquid is replaced by coconut meat and air. The coconut water is sweet and refreshing and a great way to hydrate yourself in the summer. In South America, coconut water is packaged and marketed as a sports drink because it is high in potassium and mineral content. In fact, one cup of coconut water contains more electrolytes than sports drinks (like Gatorade) and more potassium than a banana. Coconut water is also a great way to boost your immune system, it helps detoxify and fight viruses and best of all, it's all natural.

Getting "Energy Ready" For Summer

2010-07-13 00:00:00 PST

Now that hot weather is hear to stay, here are our Top 10 Kitchen Tips for saving energy and money.

1. Fix leaky faucets- 1 drop per second can add up to 165 gallons a month.
2. Use the microwave when possible- it cooks faster and doesn't create as much heat as the stove.
3. Keep a lid on it! Covered pots retain heat and cook food more quickly.
4. Take advantage of residual heat. Turn off the oven or stove several minutes before the recipe indicates- both will stay hot enough to complete the cooking process.
5. Most of us eat a lot of pasta. Next time make extra, toss with olive oil, and keep in the fridge so you don't have to boil water next time.
6. Be sure your refrigerator seals shut. If you can pull a piece of paper out while the door is closed, your seal needs to be replaced.
7. Keep your freezer full. The fuller the freezer, the less the cold air escapes when the door opens.
8. Only run the dish and clothes washer when full. They use the same amount of water whether full or empty.
9. Air-dry dishes instead of using the dishwasher's heat drying option and hang your clothes on a line instead of using the dryer.
10. Unplug any electronics that aren't being used.

Bonus Tip: For a fun way to get your kids involved, make Iced Sun Tea (decaf of course!) on your sunny window sill instead of using a kettle. The kids will love it and it's a great way to start teaching them about saving energy. For a sweeter variety, mix in some lemonade to make an Arnold Palmer.

Chef of the Month- Danica

2010-07-09 00:00:00 PST

Congratulations to Danica, winner of our June Facebook Photo Challenge! Just two years old, Danica is our youngest Chef of the Month ever- but she's already a skilled budding chef. Danica’s adventurous personality makes her culinary creations even more special, and she isn’t afraid to get messy in the kitchen- see for yourself! When she isn’t whipping up her favorite dishes, you can find Danica swimming and dancing.

Name: Danica
Age: 2 years
Neighborhood: Putnam, NY
Favorite Food: Cucumbers and anything chocolate (of course)
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Mixing spoon and colander

It's Corn Season!

2010-07-06 00:00:00 PST

When it's sunny and hot outside all we crave is a fresh ear of corn, so sweet and refreshing! Did you know corn, also known as maize, is actually a grass? There are hundreds of varieties of corn and all of them are Indian corn. The number of kernels per ear varies from 500 to 1,200, but a typical ear has around 800 kernels. Corn is planted when the soil is warm enough to germinate the seeds but not so early that the young plants care likely to be damaged by frost. It's peak harvest season is the warm summer months so be sure to head over the your local farmer's market or fruit stand to pick up some local corn soon. If you're anything like me and hate getting little pieces of corn stuck between your teeth, here's a helpful tip! Cut the fresh corn off the cob making sure not to waste any of the liquid that oozes out. This liquid is known as milk and has tons of flavor, and is fantastic when mixed with fresh corn cut from the cob and a little salt, pepper and a touch of butter.

Fun Fact- Corn is eaten in many different ways and in all kinds of shapes, textures, and colors. Corn is an ingredient in more than 3,000 grocery products and many of these are items that may surprise you such as cereal and peanut butter. Corn is also prevalent in all stages of the food cycle - your bacon and egg breakfast, glass of milk at lunch, and hamburger for for dinner are all produced with U.S. corn.

Our New Kitchen Studio

2010-06-30 00:00:00 PST

After months of hard work it's finally here... we recently celebrated the official launch of our new kitchen studio on the corner of 27th Street and 6th Avenue in the historic "Flour" District. Our intimate new location is the first kitchen studio in Manhattan designed and built exclusively for kids and it has allowed us to expand our cooking class schedule to include weekly cooking classes, summer camps and semester classes. The studio offers a fully equipped state of the art commercial kitchen that encourages budding chefs of all ages to participate in hands-on cooking activities in a safe and encouraging environment. The brightly colored space is complete with a retail store full of your budding chefs favorite cooking accessories.

During the Summer months, we'll be hosting an Open House every Tuesday afternoon from 3:30-5:00 for you to stop by and see our new kitchen. As a thank you for visiting, we'll be making my Dad's famous Oatmeal Pancake Mixes for you to take home and share with family and friends. Call us at 212-242-2248 to reserve a spot at an upcoming Open House. We look forward to seeing you soon.

P.S. Check out pictures from the kitchen construction process from start to finish on our Facebook Fan Page.

Watermelon: a fruit or a vegetable?

2010-06-14 00:00:00 PST

Drum roll please...BOTH! Watermelon is a fruit and a vegetable. It is a fruit because it grows from a seed, it has a sweet flavor and refreshing qualities. It is a vegetable because it is harvested and cleared from the field like other vegetables and because it is a member of the same family as the cucumbers, pumpkin and squash. In fact, in 2007 watermelon became Oklahoma's official state vegetable. Either way you think about it, watermelon is very healthy for you. This veggie disguised as a fruit is rich in Vitamin C, which is important for wound healing, healthy gums and teeth. Also high in Vitamin A, this veggie-fruit will help your body make cells that fight infections.

Did you know that watermelon is 90% water? Besides its health benefits the watermelon is also a thirst quenching food and completely delicious. Try this fun recipe for ice pops at home!

Watermelon Ice Pops
Watermelon
Chunks of fresh fruit
try grapes, strawberries, blueberries or anything you have in the refrigerator

Puree the watermelon in a blender or food processor and pour it into Popsicle molds. Drop in your favorite chucks of fresh fruit, and freeze! For an even easier recipe, free the watermelon puree in ice cube trays and add it to your favorite beverage of choice for a sweet treat.

Chef of the Month - Genesis

2010-06-02 00:00:00 PST

Genesis has been a regular at our special Saturday classes, and she just celebrated her 9th birthday with her friends and family at our Cooking Party Extravaganza! Hers was the very first birthday party in our new kitchen studio, and we had a blast cooking with her and her friends. When Genesis isn't cooking, she's dancing. And when she isn't dancing, she's writing. Her creativity shines in everything she does, and we're looking forward to more culinary adventures with her in the future!

Name: Genesis
Age: 9 years
Neighborhood: Washington Heights, NY
Favorite Food: Pesto Penne Pasta (Italian)
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Ice Cream Scooper

Organic Baby Food

2010-05-14 00:00:00 PST

It's no mystery that home-made baby food is fresher, better tasting, cheaper and less wasteful than ready-made commercial baby food, but for those of you out there still wondering "what�s so bad about the jarred stuff, anyway?", here�s a few more reasons to dust off that food processor in your kitchen cabinet and get steaming, boiling and pureeing!

In order to make jarred baby food shelf-stable (it's designed to last for two years past the date of purchase), manufacturers heat the puree to extremely high temperatures and then cool it, eliminating a lot of the nutrients and much of the flavor in the original food. Many brands also add thickeners and stabilizers. It�s certainly not poison, but if it�s all your baby is eating, it�s training him/her to prefer bland, empty calories. Have you tasted a jar of "beef, carrots and corn country dinner" lately? Not exactly an explosion of flavor in your mouth.

Children are also much less likely to become fussy eaters if they are exposed to a good selection of fresh foods, tastes and textures from an early age. More often than not, the picky eaters tend to be the ones brought up on jars of bland commercial purees, and babies given fresh foods from the beginning easily make the transition to joining in with family meals.

There's a health crisis plaguing America�s children today � childhood obesity, diabetes, the list goes on and on � and food is by far the main contributing factor. Do your children a favor and, from the start, let them recognize a variety of simply prepared whole foods, foods as close to their natural state as possible, as the familiar tastes that trigger "home" in their minds and bodies. Feed them what you eat, and make what you eat good enough to feed your baby!

Making baby food is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Join us at one of our upcoming Organic Baby Food 101 classes to help you on your journey to fresh, delicious, home-made baby food or check out one of our favorite books- Superfoods: For Babies and Children & Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel; Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron; and Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair.

Basil

2010-04-30 00:00:00 PST

Basil is an all time fav in the herb category here at Cupcake Kids and we are constantly adding it to our pizzas and pasta dishes. We we�re so tired of getting it at the store all the time, we decided to get a whole basil plant for our sun drenched windowsill in our new kitchen studio. The newest addition to our kitchen hails from the Union Square Greenmarket, the best place around to buy fresh herbs, produce, dairy products, and almost anything else you could think of and we can't get enough of it!

Why is basil so great, you ask? Well for one, it tastes delicious! The basil we eat here in the United States is called sweet basil. It's in the mint family and has a strong, somewhat sweet smell and taste, which is due in part to the flavonoids and oils within. These same essential oils that make each leaf taste so great also offer us some serious health benefits. Studies have confirmed that these oils have antioxidant, anti-cancer, antimicrobial and anti-viral properties! So many benefits packed into such a tiny plant! Next time you want to boost flavor and health in a dish for you and your little ones, try a sprig of basil

CK Crew Spotlight - Kelly

2010-04-12 00:00:00 PST

Meet Kelly! A longtime time Cupcake Kids crew member and a jack of all trades in the kitchen. Kelly spends her week as an advertising consultant and weekends as a top chef at Cupcake Kids! At events there's no need to tell Kelly what to do because she's probably already done it. Everyone in the CK family loves Kelly for her sense of humor and her hard working yet laid back style. Check out her quirky answers to a few "favorite thing" questions below.

Food: Fish tacos and s'mores (separate of course!)
Least Favorite Food: Fake "foods" like twinkies and cheese puffs; what is that stuff?
Spice: Basil...freshly grown from my Brooklyn apartment...but wait a second, is that really a spice?! If not, change that question to favorite "herb."
Dream Cooking Partner: Thomas Keller, or...maybe Lady Gaga (less intimidating, maybe more entertaining).

Chef of the Month - Ronan

2010-04-09 00:00:00 PST

Ronan is a Cupcake Kids regular who loves getting creative both in and out of the kitchen! When this master chef isn't whipping up his favorite dishes, he can be found jamming on his bongos or riding one of his favorite roller coaster rides! He also enjoys spending time playing with his younger brother Liam, another familiar face at CK. Check out Ronan and Liam meeting Jacques Torres at one of our classes last Fall (bottom picture)!

Name: Ronan
Age: 8 years
Neighborhood: Cold Spring, NY
Favorite Food: Root beer floats, PB&J without the crust, Popcorn
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Meat grinder

Chef of the Month - Galena

2010-03-12 00:00:00 PST

Galena is a five-year-old with the cooking talents of a veteran chef! During her recent cooking party extravaganza, Galena championed the art of mixing and kneading to create pizza dough like the pros. Even her skills with cupcake-decorating rivaled the masters. When not whipping up amazing dishes in the kitchen, Galena loves to use her creative talents with arts and crafts, puzzles and playing with her older sister and young brothers.

Name: Galena
Age: 5 years
Neighborhood: Midtown, NYC
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Spatula

Photographs by Jennifer Lee Photography

101 Dalmatians Musical Giveaway

2010-03-01 00:00:00 PST

The 101 Dalmatians Musical is coming to town and we're giving away 4 tickets to the show! Fellow lovers of this Disney classic are in for a fun twist, since this one of a kind musical casts both actors and rescue dogs as our favorite pups! It's a unique experience for the whole family that blends lessons of good versus bad and courage. The 101 Dalmatians the Musical shows how a family bands together to overcome every hurdle and hardship in the most difficult times. It will be tough to walk out of the theater without a smile on your face! The show is only playing for a limited time at The Theater at Madison Square Garden from April 7th through April 18th.

Giveaway Details:
When: Saturday, April 17th at 2 pm
Where: The Theater at Madison Square Garden
What: 4 free tickets to 101 Dalmatians the Musical

Join our email updates to be eligible to win this and future giveaways! The winner will be notified via email the first week of April.

Bananas

2010-02-26 00:00:00 PST

What's the perfect snack for both you and your little ones? It's the vitamin- and mineral-rich super-fruit... the banana!

You probably already know that bananas are rich in natural carbohydrates, which provide a great (and healthy) boost of energy after playtime or as a snack any time of day. Or, you may have also known that bananas contain potassium, which helps to fight muscle cramps and improves nerve function.

But what you may not have know is that bananas also contain vitamins and minerals that boost immunity, help build strong bones, and improve mood! They also help with your child's digestion, and are non-allergenic, so they're the perfect solid food to introduce to your infant

But maybe the best part about bananas... they're convenient! They come in their own natural wrapping and can easily be tossed into a lunch bag, backpack, or stroller bag. So next time you're looking for a good, healthy snack for your child, choose the naturally sweet and delicious banana!

Trivia: Bananas are grown all year round in all different parts of the world, from Southeast Asia to Arizona, so, unlike other fruits, they're always in-season!

Chef of the Month - Kristof

2009-07-01 00:00:00 PST

Kristof is one of our dearest budding chefs whose love for cooking is contagious. In addition to being an expert egg cracker, mixer and taste tester, Kristof is great at sharing with his friends in class. When not in the kitchen, Kristof can be found swimming, singing or watching Star Wars.

Name: Kristof
Age: 5.5 years
Neighborhood: Chelsea, NYC
Favorite food: Blueberry Muffins
Favorite kitchen utensil: Electric Whisk

Green Bakeware

2010-02-19 00:00:00 PST

Did you know that kitchen appliances make up nearly 27 percent of energy used by households across the country? That#146;s more than lighting, home electronics, and laundry appliances combined!

A great (and simple) method of reducing your carbon footprint is to replace metal oven pans with glass and ceramic cookware. Because of their highly efficient forms of insulation, using glass or ceramic cookware in the oven allows you to cook meals at 25 degrees lower in the same amount of time as using their metal counterparts. Glass and ceramics are also long lasting and won#146;t rust! Most importantly, though, they#146;ll save you money on electricity, while also helping the environment!

February Giveaway - Snow Cone Hot Chocolate Mix

2010-02-15 00:00:00 PST

With recent snowstorms reminding us winter's not quite over yet, what sounds better than cozying up indoors with a steaming cup of hot chocolate! This month's giveaway is Snow Cone Hot Chocolate Mix for Two, complete with cocoa mix, chocolate chunks, and marshmallows to top it all off. You'll make coming inside just as fun as playing in the snow with your little ones when you share a warm cup of this tasty cocoa!

Join our email updates list to be eligible to win. The winner will be notified via email the first week of March. Joining will also make you eligible for future giveaways.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-12 00:00:00 PST

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and naturally we're all thinking of the sweet treats that are synonymous with this holiday. It's also the perfect opportunity to hop into the kitchen for some quality time with your budding chef!

To start the day off right, add some strawberry puree to your favorite breakfast pancake recipe. This adds a hint of color to celebrate in style, while adding flavor and a boost of vitamins. For extra fun, shape the pancakes into hearts using a metal cookie cutter!

For snack time, try our Valentine's ants-on-a-log. To start, make your own strawberry cream cheese by mixing strawberry jam and whipped cream cheese. Spread this yummy pink cream cheese on celery, top with craisins, and voila! You've created a simply, healthy snack!

For even more Valentine's Day festivity join us for our upcoming Valentine's Day Sweat Heart classes on the 13th and 14th, where we'll make sweetheart cookies and pink lemonade!

Chef of the Month - Liam

2009-12-03 00:00:00 PST

Any great chef has a serious sweet tooth, and our December Chef of the Month, Liam, is no exception. Liam's first cooking class was Let's Make Cupcakes!, but most recently Liam met his match with a real chocolate pro, Jacques Torres, on our Urban Foodies tour of Jacques's Chocolate Factory where Liam learned all the tricks from the master himself. As a true renaissance man, Liam also loves video games, swimming, Star Wars, ice skating, and playing with his older brother and best friend Ronan - a fellow Cupcake Kids chef extraordinaire!

Name: Liam
Age: 7 years
Neighborhood: Cold Spring, NY
Favorite Food: Chicken Noodle Soup with extra Carrots & Lemon Gelato
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Spatula for making Taco Pancakes

Chef of the Month - Fiona

2010-01-05 00:00:00 PST

This little firecracker can really heat up a kitchen! Along with her older brother, Kristof, Fiona has become a staple at Cupcake Kids events. With a great memory for everything she's learned and a taste for culinary perfection, Fiona brings enthusiasm to every cooking adventure. Whether it's holiday cookies, Harry Potter brews or some other yummy treat, Fiona's got great cooking chops. When she's not in the kitchen, Fiona loves swimming, playing with babies, the color pink, and pretty dresses with lots of flowers.

Name: Fiona
Age: 4 years
Neighborhood: Chelsea, NYC
Favorite Food: Vongole (clams with white wine, oil & parsley)
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Wooden scoop

Chef of the Month - Avery

2010-02-10 00:00:00 PST

One of our tiniest culinary tots, Avery just celebrated her 3rd birthday with Cupcake Kids! A true cooking wiz, Avery loves measuring, tasting and rolling out dough. When not in the kitchen, this little chef sings, dances and plays the saxophone and ukele. Never one to shy away from adventure, Avery also has a wild imagination and loves making up elaborate tales about fairies, princesses and pigs with her big sister Sabine (who is also a Cupcake Kid)!

Name: Avery
Age: 3 years
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village, NYC
Favorite Food: Cookie dough
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Whisk & rolling pin

Late Season Treats!

2009-11-02 00:00:00 PST

If you thought the end of the summer meant the end of its yummy produce, too, then think again! Now is the perfect time to take advantage of late-season produce. Summer staples like snap peas, tomatoes, and peppers can be found on the cheap at your local farmer's market well into the fall. Take advantage of their bargain-basement prices by adding some corn to a creamy chowder, jazzing up an apple crisp with peaches or plums, and roasting some delicious stuffed peppers. Mmm, the last tastes of summer on a chilly fall day!

Fun Fact: Produce gets sweeter as the weather turns colder. Sounds good to us!

Cranberry Sauce: Yum!

2009-11-17 00:00:00 PST

What's Thanksgiving without a generous helping of cranberry sauce? We dare you to dream beyond the can this year, and give the homemade stuff a shot. Surprisingly easy and quick as this recipe is, we suspect that we might be starting a Thanksgiving trend! Don't be afraid to jazz things up by adding some ginger, apples, pears, raspberries or other fruit into the mix, or even replace the water in the recipe with orange juice or apple cider for a kick of flavor.

Basic Cranberry Sauce
3/4 C water
1 C granulated sugar
1/2 t salt
1 (12 ounce) bag of cranberries

Bring water, sugar, and salt to boil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cranberries and simmer until slightly thickened and two-thirds of berries have burst, about 5 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl and cool completely, at least 1 hour. Serve. (Sauce can be refrigerated 1 week)

Hot Chocolate Festival

2010-02-05 00:00:00 PST

We love hot chocolate! It's perfect for a cold winter day or cozy afternoon at home. For a special treat, grab your budding chef for a make your own hot chocolate party. All you need is white, milk and dark chocolate and warm milk. Start off with a little taste test so your little gourmands are introduced to the differences in flavor and then let everyone mix their own combination of chocolate in their mug. Pour in warm (but not hot!) milk and allow it to sit for 1 minute before stirring to combine. To ensure that your chocolate melts, be sure to start with small sized chocolate pieces. Serve with fresh whipped cream and marshmallows if desired. Enjoy!

For a special twist on an old favorite, head on over to City Bakery's Annual Hot Chocolate Festival! Everyday in February, they'll be serving up a different hot chocolate flavor ranging from Ginger to Darkest Dark, Banana Peel and more. And while you're in the area, pop across the street to Books of Wonder, the city's oldest and largest independent children's bookstore to make a day of it!

Trivia: Did you know that hot chocolate and hot cocoa aren't the same thing? Hot chocolate is made with chocolate and hot cocoa is make with cocoa powder or a product containing cocoa powder (think Swiss Mix). At CK, we prefer hot chocolate without a doubt!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

2010-01-18 00:00:00 PST

Today marks the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which honors one of the greatest civil rights heroes in American history. Although your little one may not know much about the life of this historical icon, he or she can still participate in the spirit of service that Dr. King's memory evokes. Invite your little one to honor Dr. King by donating to your local food pantry (check out the Food Bank Locator to find one near you). Not only can you and your budding chef participate in this great day of service, but you can also discuss the nutritional content that makes certain foods most valuable to food pantries.

1) Proteins: Canned tuna, meats, and even peanut butter serve as great sources of protein for those in need.

2) Rice and Pasta: These staple foods not only fill the stomach but provide complex carbohydrates. Whole grains are best if you can.

3) Canned vegetables: Canned vegetables can provide the same nutritional content as fresh vegetables while remaining viable for longer.

4) Canned fruits and fruit juice: Great sources of vitamin C and other important nutritional content for kids and grown-ups alike.

5) Shelf-stable milk: An important source of calcium, vitamin D and protein for kids and grown-ups alike.

CK Crew Spotlight - Kate

2010-01-13 00:00:00 PST

We love Kate! From upstate to downtown, Kate is a favorite among CK Kids and Crew for her enthusiasm, humor, organization and culinary process. Always a teacher extraordinaire, Kate keeps us on our toes and laughing throughout the day. And we couldn't do her justice without mentioning that before anyone can ask, Kate is bound to offer. As a newly married domestic diva, Kate easily plays the role of mother hen among the CK Crew being sure that we're all healthy and happy. When she's not heating up the kitchen or jet-setting off to the latest exotic locale with her beau, Kate loves to spend time with her dog Penelope and go to the gym!

January Giveaway - The Kid's Cookbook

2010-01-04 00:00:00 PST

When it comes to cooking with your kids, you can never have enough tricks for making it easier, special, and more fun. Our January giveaway is the William-Sonoma book The Kid's Cookbook which is chock-full of fun tips for making delicious recipes more exciting for your budding chef! Our favorite part is the special section on "Here's How" about food basics relating to fruit, vegetables, eggs, cheese, pasta and more!

Join our email updates list to be eligible to win. The winner will be notified via email the first week of February. Joining will also make you eligible for future giveaways!

Gingerbread Adventures

2009-12-15 00:00:00 PST

What fun is cooking if you can't identify the ingredients you're using to make your masterpiece? The New York Botanical Garden is currently offering a special kids program called Gingerbread Adventures that will answer all your little one's questions about this holiday staple.

Gingerbread Adventures offers your child a hands-on learning experience where he or she can smell, touch, and taste the spices and other plant parts that make up a classic gingerbread recipe. With his field notebook in hand, your child will learn about all of the special ingredients for gingerbread and match them up with the names in his pamphlet. A good time in guaranteed for all, and there's still time to get in on the fun. Over the next few weeks, you and your child can experience this fun, behind-the-scenes look at gingerbread in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden starting at 1:30 p.m. everyday and at 10:00 a.m on December 21, 24, 28-31 and January 1 and 4.

Be sure to also check out the illuminated winter wonderland of the Holiday Train Show in the Conservatory as you step into a freeze-frame of the perfect holiday season in New York - twinkling lights surrounding replicas of historic landmarks and model trains speeding along more than a quarter mile of track. All recreations are made entirely from natural materials � the towering Brooklyn Bridge in sugar pine cones, a pomegranate torch for Lady Liberty. It's spectacular!

Happy Hanukkah

2009-12-11 00:00:00 PST

It's time for the yearly Festival of Lights, and Cupcake Kids is ready to celebrate with yummy gelt, latkes, doughnuts, rugelach and dreidel games!

Every holiday has keystone traditions that help to make the celebration extra special, and Hanukkah is no exception. The traditional foods celebrate the miracle that Hanukkah commemorates by heavily incorporating oil into their ingredients or preparation. Latkes, doughnuts and other fried foods pay tribute to the purified oil that burned in the menorah at Jerusalem's Temple for eight days when it should have lasted for only one.

This year, take your Hanukkah traditions to the next culinary level by experimenting with your recipes. Keep your latkes crispy by draining them on a drying rack instead of paper towels and top them with applesauce brightened by the unusual addition of cranberries. Also try using sweet potatoes as opposed to the favored Yukon Gold potatoes for a sweet twist on an old favorite. Happy Hanukkah to everyone, and enjoy a great meal!

It's Time For Gingerbread

2009-12-04 00:00:00 PST

Whether they're crispy gingersnaps, soft cookies, spiced cake or fantastically decorated houses, Gingerbread is a staple of the holiday season. This treat made with molasses and flavored with ginger, dates back centuries although it didn't officially get it's name until the 15th Century. Quickly a favorite in Europe, Queen Elizabeth I honored guests in court with a gingerbread portrait decorated with cloves dipped in gold. Over the past century, Gingerbread has been further popularized with stories such as Hansel and Gretel and The Gingerbread Man making it the treasured Holiday tradition that it is day.

At CK, we love this time of year as we get to help hundreds of kids and their parents decorate their very own Gingerbread House Masterpieces! Join us at one of our upcoming classes or invite us to your corporate holiday event, birthday or play date to decorate a house of your very own. If you can't make it this year, don't be intimidated by gingerbread. Check out this easy recipe for gingerbread cookies. Your kids will remember rolling and decorating them for years to come.

Gingerbread Cookies

3 C all-purpose flour
3/4 t ground cinnamon
3/4 t ground ginger
1/2 t allspice
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/4 t fresh black pepper
1/2 C butter
1/4 C vegetable shortening
1/2 C light brown sugar
2/3 C molasses
1 egg

Sift the flour, spices and baking soda in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together the butter and shortening with an electric mixer. Add the sugar, molasses and egg and mix until well combined. Gradually mix in the flour mixture by hand to make a stiff dough. Form the dough into two disc shapes and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until chilled. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/8 inch (slightly thicker for softer cookies). Using floured cookie cutters, cut the dough into a variety of shapes and sizes. Decorate the cookies with raisins, currants or white chocolate chips to make eyes, a nose, a mouth and/or buttons before baking (optional). Place the cookies on a baking sheet, about 1 inch apart, and bake until firm, about 8 to 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Decorate and enjoy! Makes 1 dozen large cookies.

December Giveaway - Celebrate Green!

2009-12-03 00:00:00 PST

When it comes to the holiday season, there's always a lot to think about. In all this hustle and bustle it's easy to forget to keep the fate of our planet in mind, and that's why our December Giveaway is the book Celebrate Green! by mother-daughter team Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell. Inside this book are all the greatest tips for cooking up your favorite holiday traditions, buying gifts, and celebrating without hurting the planet.

Start off the New Year with a new set of easy, Earth-friendly tips for success! Join our email updates list to be eligible to win. The winner will be notified via email the first week of January. Joining will also make you eligible for future giveaways!

Link: Celebrate Green

CK Crew Spotlight - Maddy

2009-11-10 00:00:00 PST

Every member of the CK Crew is important, but Maddy is undoubtedly the glue that holds us together. Whether she's packing up bags, leading classes, or coordinating the CK Crew, Maddy is your girl if you want the job done right. When she's not in the kitchen, Maddy spends her time working at Christie's auction house, putting her artistic flair and business savvy to good use. On her rare days off, you can probably catch Maddy going for a run or scoping out the best barbeque in NYC. As a true Texas girl at heart, Maddy loves everything and anything that has to do with the Lone Star State.

Next time you catch up with the CK crew, look for Maddy for a good high-five and advice on a down-home meal in NYC!

Turkey Time

2009-11-23 00:00:00 PST

What would Thanksgiving be without the turkey? Although you may just think of your turkey as the centerpiece to your holiday meal, it turns out the turkey is a much cooler bird than you probably know.

Besides being renowned for its keen intelligence and sharp vision when avoiding hunters, the turkey was also the favored bird of founding father Benjamin Franklin. He even wanted it to be our national mascot. The wit and cunning turkeys possess are matched only by their superhero strengths, which including the ability to glide for one mile without flapping their wings and the ability to run 18 miles per hour.

The average American eats 15 pound of turkey a year, and nearly a third of that is over the holidays. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, the president takes pity on one turkey every year by granting it a Presidential pardon. That's one lucky bird!

Chef of the Month - Maddy

2009-08-01 09:06:00 PST

Maddy is a chef who is growing into her culinary shoes...literally. After waiting in line for hours to meet celebrity Chef Bobby Flay, he was so enthralled by Maddy that he autographed her Converse shoes! A proud owner of 15 aprons, Maddy loves watching The Food Network, spending time with friends, and playing with her dog Daisy Dukes.

Name: Maddy
Age: 10 years
Neighborhood: Norfeldt, CT
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Whisk

Chef of the Month - Ryan

2009-09-01 04:00:00 PST

From day one, Ryan wowed CK with his eloquent descriptions of food and cooking. His favorite sweet treat is anything with chocolate, especially chocolate chip muffins. This budding chef loves to taste and is always stealing a sneak peak of the batter to be sure his recipe is just right! Ryan is currently working on mastering cracking eggs and making Shirley Temples. When this mixing guru is not in the kitchen, he enjoys swimming, tennis, and playing with his new baby sister Hope and brother Aidan.

Name: Ryan
Age: 6 years
Neighborhood: West Village, NYC
Favorite Food: Penne pasta with butter and Parmesan cheese
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Tongs for picking up stuff

CK Crew Spotlight - Whitney

2009-10-08 00:00:00 PST

Whitney's the best! She loves all things Cupcake Kids: kids, food and fun. When not teaching budding chefs to cook, Whitney can be found testing recipes for her food blog, Nosh & Tell, while donning one of her many colorful aprons. While Whitney does tout that Betty Crocker�s Rainbow Chip frosting is the best of the best, she can whip up some great cookies, bars, cakes and even her own buttercream frosting from scratch. In addition to living in the kitchen, Whit enjoys spending time with friends or heading to the West Side Highway for a run. Originally from Nashville, Whitney is currently at NYU studying PR & Marketing for politics and of course, food!

November Giveaway: Curious Chef Kit

2009-11-02 00:00:00 PST

Want to cook up something yummy with your little one, but don't have the tools to get the job done? We've got the perfect solution for busying up those little hands with some kid-sized cookware! Our November Giveaway and win a Curious Chef 17-Piece Measure and Prep Kit that includes a large spoon, 3-piece prep bowl set & lids, kitchen timer, 6-piece measuring cup set, and 6-piece measuring spoon set (retail value $19.99).

If you want to get in on some cooking fun with all the fixings, join our email updates list to be eligible to win. The winner will be notified via email the first week of December. Joining will also make you eligible for future giveaways!

Link: The Curious Chef

Chef of the Month - Liza

2009-11-04 00:00:00 PST

You'd be hard-pressed to find a chef as enthusiastic as Liza! When Liza celebrated her 10th birthday with us this past fall, she proved herself to be a true whiz kid in the kitchen. She and her friends whipped up lasagna, garlic bread, and chocolate chip mini-pies that would put the greatest chefs to shame. Liza's a life-long fan of food, and her favorite TV shows are Chopped and Ace of Cakes. Even though Liza is an expert in the kitchen, she also loves to sing, play the violin, and be with her family.

Name: Liza
Age: 10 years
Neighborhood: Upper East Side, NYC
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Spatula and Whisk

Pinkalicious Giveaway

2009-10-01 00:00:00 PST

Do you love singing, dancing and eating cupcakes? We do, so we've partnered with Bleeker Street Theater to give away 4 tickets to see Pinkalicious the Musical. This fun-filled play is about a little girl that eats so many pink cupcakes she turns pink herself. What will Pinkalicious do to return to normal?

Join our email updates to be eligible to win. The winner will be notified via email the first week of November. Joining will also make you eligible for future giveaways!

Giveaway Details:
When: Saturday, November 14 at 1pm
Where: The Bleeker St. Theatre (45 Bleeker St.)
What: 4 free tickets to Pinkalicious the Musical

Cookies for Kids' Cancer

2009-10-23 00:00:00 PST

Cupcake Kids! is all about celebrating the joy and fun in cooking, but we also love to use our skills to help others. Cookies for Kids' Cancer is a non-profit organization that raises money for pediatric cancer research with their amazing bake-a-thons. When founder Gretchen Holt's son, Liam, was diagnosed with a rare form of pediatric cancer, she put her baking skills and her community to work with a bake sale that ultimately raised $400,000 for cancer research. Since then, Cookies for Kids' Cancer has become a full-fledged non-profit that has garnered the support of major organizations like Glad, Philosophy, and GoodSearch.com.

On Friday, November 6 from 7am-midnight, Cookies for Kids' Cancer will be extending the success of their first major bake-a-thon by baking up a storm at the Institute of Culinary Education. We'll be helping them meet their goal of baking 30,000 cookies in one day by joining in the fun from 8am-10am. Come and support this great charity with us! For more information, email Emily at emilynfowler@gmail.com or visit www.cookiesforkidscancer.org.

Spice Rack Facts

2009-10-15 04:00:00 PST

Even the most ordinary of dishes can turn extraordinary with the addition of a few herbs or spices. Add a sprinkle of nutmeg to just about anything and you've got yourself a gourmet meal! So how can you get the most from the spices and herbs you've got stored in the pantry? To keep herbs and spices fresh, store them in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Dried herbs and ground spices will keep for up to 6 months, and whole spices will last for up to 2 years. To release more flavor from dried herbs, crumble them between your fingers before adding them to a dish; toast spices in a dry skillet until fragrant (15-30 seconds) to bring out more flavor.

Trivia: Terrified of garlic breath? Chew on some parsley after eating garlic to neutralize odors and freshen your breath!

Current CK Fave: Parmesan-Herb Popcorn
For a yummy, quick, and easy after-school snack, whip up some Parmesan-Herb Popcorn. Start by following the instructions on a plain bag of microwavable popcorn. Once the popcorn is popped, add 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, a teaspoon of rosemary, a teaspoon of thyme and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Give it all a good shake right in the bag, then serve! Yum!

Watermelon Heaven

2009-07-01 00:00:00 PST

It's Watermelon season and we can't wait to sink our teeth into a sweet slice of watermelon on the 4th of July. While most of us will agree that Watermelon is a most delicious fruit, here are a few things that you may not know:

Watermelon is over 92% water, and early explorers used watermelons as a canteen.
Every part of a watermelon is edible, even the seeds and rinds. Contrary to popular belief, eating watermelon seeds will not cause a watermelon to grow in your stomach.
While most Americans associate watermelon with the 4th of July, it is actually consumed much more heavily in other countries making it a truly international fruit.

Chefs of the Month - Eliza & Tory

2009-10-01 00:00:00 PST

Eliza and Tory were our very first Cupcake Kids, and they've become one amazing cooking team! Whether they're mixing, baking, or stirring up trouble this sisterly duo can really call the shots in the kitchen. 5-year-old Eliza loves to show her little sister, Tory, all her favorite cooking tricks, and both girls love learning new techniques in the kitchen. What next for these budding chefs? After Eliza joined us for a special Gingerbread Cookie & House decorating TV segment on FOX 5, we predict a food network show in Tory and Eliza's future. In between their culinary adventures, Eliza and Tory love singing, dancing, swimming and playing with little sister Kate.

Name: Eliza & Tory
Age: 5 & 3 years
Neighborhood: West Village, NYC
Favorite Food: Rice, Lentils, Corn, Broccoli, Pasta
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Whisk & Piping Bag

S'MAC

2009-09-29 04:00:00 PST

Located in the heart of the East Village, S'MAC (short for Sarita's Mac and Cheese) serves up many varieties of Mac & Cheese to comfort food craving customers every day. Can't decide between Pizza or Mac? Not a problem, try the Napoletana Mac made with fresh mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, garlic and fresh basil. With over a dozen different Macs to choose from, S'MAC will satisfy even the most picky of eaters--and if you don't find one on the menu that strikes your fancy then you can build your own! With a bright orange interior and a gourmet twist on a kid friendly staple, S'MAC is the perfect place to take your young foodies for a bite. They offer four different sizes, the "Nosh" is under $7 and it's perfect for little ones. S'MAC even offers Gluten free versions of their menu favorites so that everyone can enjoy this cheesy classic. Visit S'MAC to get your Mac & Cheese fix, or if you can't make it out of the house, just call for delivery!
S'MAC, 345 East 12th Street, between 1st and 2nd avenues, 212-358-7912

Join us for a special Urban Foodies class on
October 3rd for Sarita's private tour of S'MAC's
kitchen and the chance to build your own Mac!
Sign up now

PastryScoop.com Fall Conference

2009-09-22 00:00:00 PST

Cupcake Kids! is excited to be joining the 2009 PastryScoop.com Fall Conference happening Sunday, October 18th at the International Culinary Center. Join us and some of NYC�s top culinary talent for a day of cooking and learning through a series of two-hour classes. From 10am-12pm watch as we bake delicious vanilla cupcakes iced with rich vanilla and chocolate butter cream. Then, we'll teach you to decorate your very own cupcakes using specialized fondant and piping bag techniques. Parent & child class (ages 12 and up).

Event Details
When: Sunday, October 18th from 10am-12pm
Where: The International Culinary Center, 462 Broadway at Grand Street
For more info and to purchase tickets click here.

New York City Wine & Food Festival Event

2009-09-22 00:00:00 PST

We are pleased to announce that Cupcake Kids! will be teaching a cooking class as part of Kids Get Cooking at this year's New York City Wine & Food Festival! We'll go layer by layer to learn how to make delicious parfaits. Join us for good food and fun! Tickets are $12 and all proceeds benefit Food Bank for NYC and Share our Strength.

Event Details
When: Sunday October 11th, 2009, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Where: Chelsea Market Event Space, 75 Ninth Avenue, btw 15th & 16th
For more info and to purchase tickets click here.

Organic, local, or neither? Oh my!

2009-09-17 00:00:00 PST

With so many places to buy fruits & veggies, it's hard to know what's best. Should you shop at the grocery store, the farmer's market or your local street vendor? We decided to do some digging and we think you'll be surprise by what we found. Your standard grocery store shelf produce has the same nutritional value as most organic and local food but they may contain more pesticides and heavy metals. What about those street vendors with their colorful display of produce and signs showing insanely low prices? These fruits & veggies are best for same day consumption--the prices are enticing, but you don't want to let these sit in the fruit bowl too long. Onto the farmer's markets where you'll find produce grown locally and often organically (produced without pesticides, fertilizers, growth hormones, and additives).

So where do we shop? Everywhere! If we're walking down the street on a hot day, street vendor it is. Saturday morning? Meet you at the Union Square green market! For everyday staples, we'll head to the grocery store around the corner. However, there are a few fruits and veggies that you'll get your money's worth when purchasing organic: apples, peppers, carrots, lettuce, and strawberries are among the foods that are grown with the most pesticides, so spring for the organic label if you can. Whatever you decide to buy, don't forget to wash all produce before serving!

Trivia: did you know that the typical carrot has to travel 1,838 miles before it reaches your dinner table? That's over half of the distance of the US. In addition to how produce has been grown, it's important to also consider how far it's had to travel to get to us.

Zany Zucchini

2009-08-18 02:43:00 PST

Have you ever mistaken a zucchini for a cucumber? Mistake no more! Zucchini is a green summer squash whereas a cucumber is in the gourd family. To tell the difference between cucumbers and zucchini use your sense of touch; cukes are cold and waxy while zucchinis are prickly and dry. Zucchini is very healthy because it's low in calories and high in fiber and Vitamin A. It is delicious served raw with dip, cooked as a side, and as a substitute for butter or oil in baked goods. Because Zucchini is easy to grow, especially during the summer months, it has a reputation for producing an overwhelming crop for home gardeners! CK has a way for you to make use of this abundant, healthy, and tasty veggie that will keep you eating it well into the fall months.

Zucchini Boats
1 zucchini, ends cut off and sliced in half
Olive oil
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 egg yolk
2 T bread crumbs
1/2 of an onion, diced
1/2 t garlic, minced
1 tomato, diced
Shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cut zucchini in half and scoop out the seeds with a melon baller or spoon. Sprinkle both halves with olive oil, salt & pepper. Place on a baking sheet in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F. Bake until zucchini is soft, about 15 minutes. Mix together ricotta, egg yolk, and bread crumbs; set aside. Sautee onions over medium heat with oil until translucent and then add garlic and tomatoes. Sautee for a few more minutes until tomatoes are soft. Next, mix this in with the ricotta cheese mixture and add in a bit of Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into the zucchini boats and sprinkle with Parmesan and drizzle with olive oil. Broil in the oven until ricotta mixture cooks up and cheese is lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Add salt & pepper to taste and enjoy!

Jacques Torres Chocolate

2009-08-25 04:00:00 PST

Jacques Torres Chocolate--the only place in NYC you can watch a cocoa bean transform into a chocolate bar. Move over Willy Wonka, Jacques Torres is in town. This chocolatier specializes in hand-crafted chocolate made from only the best ingredients. With one location downtown and another in Brooklyn, JT has got your sweet tooth satisfied. A special "kid's space" in the downtown location makes little ones feel at home as they watch the master at work while making friends with other budding chocolate enthusiasts. Our mouthwatering favorites include hot chocolate, chocolate covered ginger, and truffles galore. Or best of all, try JT's famous Chocolate Chip Cookie, deemed "The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie" by the New York Times. Jacques Torres does chocolate better.
Jacques Torres Chocolate, 350 Hudson St, 212-414-2462

Join us for a special Urban Foodies class on
September 19th for a tour by Jacques Torres
himself! Sign up now.

Jacques Torres's Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes about 2 dozen cookies
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 egg

3/4 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon cake flour

3/4 cup bread flour

1/4 tablespoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 tablespoon vanilla

1/2 lb Jacques Torres House (60 percent cocoa) Chocolate or other best-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Reduce speed to low and add both flours, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, and chocolate; mix until well combined. Using a 4-ounce scoop for larger cookies or a 1-ounce scoop for smaller cookies, scoop cookie dough onto prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake until lightly browned, but still soft, about 20 minutes for larger cookies and about 15 minutes for smaller cookies. Cool slightly on baking sheets before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Giveaway: Built Relish Lunch Tote

2009-08-01 10:00:00 PST

It's almost back to school time we're giving away a free Built Relish Lunch Tote to make getting out the door easier. Built specializes in neoprene totes that are stylish as well as functional. Neoprene is a soft, waterproof material that works great as a lunch box. It keeps grapes, cheese sticks, and juice boxes cold until you're ready to chow down. This Built Lunch Tote will have one lucky CKer going back to school in style!

Join our e-mail updates to be eligible to win. The winner will be notified via email the first week of September.
*Update: Congratulations to Lucy Fielding from Brooklyn, New York. We hope you enjoy your Built Relish Lunch Tote!

Giveaway: Barney Butter

2009-09-01 00:00:00 PST

Did you know that one out of every 125 kids suffer from a peanut allergy? We have a solution! Barney Butter is an all-natural, peanut free, almond butter spread. And best of all, it's just like peanut butter, but it's made from almonds so it's healthier and more friendly to those of us who suffer from peanut allergies. Cupcake Kids! loves BB because it tastes fresh, healthy, nutty, and delicious. Spread it on your BB & J sandwich or try this recipe for Barney Butter Sandwich Cookies!

This month we're giving away a jar of Barney Butter to three lucky CKsers! Join our e-mail updates to be eligible to win. The winner will be notified via email the first week of October.

Barney Butter Sandwich Cookies
Cookie:
Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookies
Cream Filling:
1/2 cup Smooth Barney Butter
1/2 stick butter, room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Cream the BB and butter together with an electric mixer. Add the powdered sugar and beat for a minute more until thick and creamy. Drop by teaspoons between two chocolate wafer cookies and press together to make a cookie sandwich! Recipe compliments of barneybutter.com

Family Fun Day: Saturday, September 12th

2009-09-02 03:00:00 PST

In honor of Cupcake Kids! second birthday and the start the school year, we're throwing a party and it's FREE for all. Bring the whole family for hands-on cooking fun, crafts, and lots of giveaways! Chefs-to-be will have the chance to make their own delicious pancakes for breakfast and tasty and healthy fruit yogurt parfaits. Parents can enjoy free coffee and tea while mingling with other budding chefs and families. Attendees can enter to win multiple prizes, including a free CK class and even STAND Burger freebies! Did we mention that admission to CK's birthday bash is free?! So bring the family to get skilled in the kitchen, eat tasty snacks, and learn more about the events that Cupcake Kids! offers. The first 25 families to arrive will receive goody bags!

When? Sat, September 12th, 10:00-12:00
Where? STAND, 24 East 12th Street
Why? Cooking fun for the whole family!

Green Clean: Vinegar

2009-08-11 00:00:00 PST

Vinegar is a great alternative to chemical filled cleaning products when it comes to cleaning your kitchen (and home). Did you know that vinegar's shelf life is indefinite? That means that as long as you're around, you can use vinegar to clean your home. It's also safe for your family and the environment because it's a natural organic bi-product of fruits, vegetables and grains.

Use Vinegar to...

Disinfect the inside of your dishwasher pour 1/2 cup into the reservoir and run an empty cycle.
Clean your floors add 1/4 cup to a bucket of warm water to clean any type of floor except marble or wood. It also smells a lot better than ammonia!
Get a spotless shine on your glasses hand-wash them with 1 cup added to the rinse water.
Get those pesky deposits off your shower head, pour vinegar into a plastic grocery bag and tie the handles around the neck of the shower head (secure with rubber bands if necessary), and let soak overnight. Rinse with water in the morning.
For pristine clean windows mix 1/4 cup with 2 cups of water and a squirt of soap in a spray bottle. Spritz on windows and wipe clean with a sheet of newspaper.
Fun Fact- in ancient Greek times vinegar was used as an antibiotic.

Tomato, Tomahto, Potato, Potahto...

2009-08-06 02:00:00 PST

It's the age old debate: is a tomato a vegetable or a fruit? Botanically speaking, a tomato has seeds which make it a fruit, just as other foods we think of as veggies are fruits too, including avocados and cucumbers.

Tomatoes are just as nutritious as they are delicious. With over 7500 varieties, they contain a powerful antioxidant called Lycopene and help with Vitamin C intake. Tomatoes are in peak season in August so check out your local market or grocery store for the perfect snack, salad, or sandwich topper. Our favorite is the Heirloom variety.

Trivia: The first time tomato juice was served was in 1917 when a chef in Indiana ran out of oranges to make his morning OJ and he used tomatoes instead. It was an instant hit!

Stand

2009-08-01 08:00:00 PST

Looking for a restaurant with a kid-friendly atmosphere? Look no further than Stand in Union Square. This restaurant has it all: delicious burger combos, amazing fries, and awesome milkshakes. Move over Happy Meals, Stand's "Kid's Pack" includes a mini-burger, small fries, and a drink for only $8. For dessert, try the "Toasted Marshmallow" milkshake, as featured on the Food Network's Best Thing I Ever Ate--trust us, it's incredible. Stand's open air feel, fun music, and large booth seating make this burger joint perfect for families. Don't forget to check out the stars and stripes cow statue on the way out!
Stand, 24 East 12th St, between University Place & 5th Avenue, 212-488-5900.

Cupcake Kids! is on Facebook

2009-07-20 12:34:00 PST

Become a fan of Cupcake Kids! on Facebook to stay up to date on all of our news, updates, giveaways and promotions. Click here to become a fan!

Green Clean: Baking Soda

2009-07-21 11:19:00 PST

Did you know that the average household contains anywhere from 3-25 gallons of toxic materials? Most of which you can find in your household cleaning products. Children are especially susceptible to dangers from toxic materials because their immune systems aren't fully developed. But don't worry, you can make your clean up safer (and more cost effective) by using products you probably already have in your house!

Baking Soda:

Put an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb unwanted odors
To get rid of that coffee stain in your favorite mug or tea cup fill the cup with 1 part baking soda and 2 parts water; soak overnight; rub with a sponge and rinse.
No need to go out and buy one of those magic clean erasers, you can erase unwanted marks on your walls by applying a baking soda paste (equal parts baking soda and water) to white painted walls; let dry before brushing off with a clean cloth.
Fun Fact ~ Baking soda was used to clean the Statue of Liberty on its centennial, that's a lot of baking soda!
There are many other uses for baking soda to clean your home that you can use as a substitute for those chemical filled cleaning products, find out more here.