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tru fru Printable Valentine Tags

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These tru fru printable Valentine tags are the perfect addition to any bag of tru fru candies! The perfect Valentine's gift for teachers or---anyone! 

You might also like our "I chews you" gum printable for Valentine's Day, our deep dish Valentine cookies, or our heart brownie truffles!

Easy Valentine's Gift idea

I was at Target this week picking up Valentine's for my second grader to share with his class. We wanted to get something for his teacher too, but didn't want to get the teacher-themed Valentine chocolates that they had because I was afraid she'd receive those from other kids! They had some cute ones too from Ghirardelli, Lindt, and Merci. I saw these bags of chocolate freeze-dried raspberries and thought they'd be the perfect gift.

tru fru printable valentine tag on bag of candies

Tru Fru Printable Valentine Tags

Of course, I wanted to personalize it a bit so I made these tags!

"You're Amazing it's tru

Happy Valentine's Day to you!"

I made these with teachers in mind, but they'd work for anyone! And there are several varieties of tru fru chocolates (strawberry, blueberry, mango, etc.) to add these to!

tru fru printable tag taped to bag of candies

How To Assemble Tru Fru Printable Tags to Bags

valentine tag folded in half

I made these tent-folded so that you can tape or staple them to bags.

  1. Print a sheet of printables out  (they print 2 to a sheet)
  2. Cut along the dotted lines
  3. Fold in half
  4. Attach using glue dots or staples

digital printable tags

Click here for FREE Tru Fru Printable Valentine Tags

two bags of tru fru raspberry bags

More Valentine's Ideas You'll Love

Heart Plushie Sewing Project For Kids: A super simple heart plushie sewing project for kids! Fill with stuffing, dried lavender, or beans!

Heart Strawberries: A platter of heart strawberries is a healthy and sweet Valentine’s Day treat! Perfect for class parties, preschool, or school lunches!

Heart-Shaped Chocolate Chip Cookies: These heart-shaped chocolate chip cookies are as cute as they are delicious. Crispy edges, chewy center. Perfect for Valentine’s Day!

 

Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookies

By 9 Comments

These copycat Lofthouse sugar cookies are delicious and melt in your mouth. Frosted in a layer of buttercream, they are the perfect texture and rival any purchased from the grocery store! This post contains affiliate links.

You might also like our bakery-style cutout soft sugar cookies, lemon sugar cookies, or sprinkle cookies.

copycat lofthouse cookies

Watch our Step By Step Video!

Sugar cookies are my jam. I love making them all year long, but there’s something about not having to roll and cut out shapes. This copycat recipe for Lofthouse cookies is quick and easy to whip up and totally hits the spot. The perfect amount of sweetness, buttery texture, and flavor.

lofrhouse sugar cookies on parchment paper

Lofthouse Cookies

What are Lofthouse cookies? They are the delicious sugar cookies that almost all grocery stores sell. The ones that are soft melt-in-your-mouth texture, like a cloud, and frosted in colorful buttercream that changes with the seasons. Sold in plastic clamshell containers, they are often brought to class parties! My 16-year-old LOVES Lofthouse cookies, so I wanted to make a homemade version for her. I married this recipe, and this recipe tinkered with baking time and temp and frosted them with my classic buttercream frosting.

lofthouse cookie with biten taken from it

What Makes This Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Recipe A Keeper

No Chill: No need to chill the dough. The dough comes together beautifully and isn't sticky to work with.

Basic Ingredients: No need to go out and buy cake flour or anything you might not already have on hand. This recipe uses basic pantry and refrigerator ingredients. Lofthouse cookies and copycat versions are generally made with margarine, but I always bake with butter and use a combination of butter and oil in this recipe. You can use whatever you'd like.

Easy to customize: I use vanilla and almond extract in mine, but if you don’t care for almond extract simply leave it out. I highly recommend trying this combo though---it tastes amazing.

hand holding lofthouse sugar cookie

Lofthouse Cookie Ingredients

 Cookies

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (my secret ingredient for the best-flavored sugar cookies. Don't leave this out!)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon corn starch
  • 3 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

Frosting

  • ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter
  • 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4-6 Tbsp. milk (start with 4 and work your way up, if needed)
  • food coloring, if desired

copycat lofthouse cookies on baking sheet

How To Make Copycat Lofthouse Cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In the large bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and powdered sugar until fluffy using the paddle attachment (can also use an electric hand mixer). Beat in eggs, oil, and extracts.

Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

cookie dough balls and flattened cookie dough balls

Scoop dough using a 2 Tbsp. cookie scoop and place on baking sheets (6-8 cookies/sheet). Roll each cookie dough ball using your hands until smooth then place it back onto the baking sheet. Flatten cookie dough balls slightly with your fingers or palm (they should look like little hockey pucks).

Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes. Do not overbake! These cookies aren't supposed to be golden or brown at all. When they no longer look glossy they are ready to come out of the oven.

Let stand on baking sheets for 3-5 minutes then transfer cookies to cooling racks to cool completely.

Beat frosting ingredients together with an electric mixer. Start with 4 tablespoons of milk then add up to two more tablespoons of milk, until desired consistency is achieved.

Frost cookies with an offset spatula or frosting spreader.

Add sprinkles.

copycat lofthouse sugar cookies on parchment paper

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Store Lofthouse Sugar Cookies

Store the frosted sugar cookies in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Can You Freeze Lofthouse Cookies?

Yes! You can make and freeze these cookies to enjoy on another day. Freeze the baked and frosted cookies on the baking sheet for 90 minutes then place the frozen cookies in gallon-sized freezer bags.

lofrhouse sugar cookies on parchment paper

Copycat Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Recipe (Printable Version)

copycat lofthouse sugar cookies on parchment paper
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4.67 from 3 votes

LOFTHOUSE COOKIES RECIPE

These copycat Lofthouse sugar cookies are delicious and melt in your mouth. Frosted in buttercream they rival any purchased from the grocery store!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword bakery sugar cookies, bunny sugar cookies, loft house, soft sugar cookies
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 9 minutes
Cool 20 minutes
Total Time 49 minutes
Servings 32 cookies
Calories 275kcal

Ingredients

COOKIES

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

FROSTING

  • ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks butter)
  • 4 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 4-6 Tbsp. milk
  • food coloring if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy using an electric mixer. Beat in eggs, oil, and extracts.
  • Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  • Scoop dough using a 2 Tbsp. scoop and place on baking sheets (6-8 cookies/sheet). Roll each ball using your hands until smooth then place it back onto the baking sheet. Flatten each cookie dough ball slightly with your fingers or palm (they should look like little hockey pucks).
  • Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes. Do not overbake! These cookies aren't supposed to be golden or brown at all. When they no longer look glossy they are ready to come out of the oven.
  • Let stand on baking sheets for 3-5 minutes then transfer cookies to cooling racks to cool completely.
  • Beat frosting ingredients together with an electric mixer. Start with 4 tablespoons of milk then add up to two more tablespoons of milk, until desired consistency is achieved.
  • Frost cookies with an offset spatula or frosting spreader.
  • Add sprinkles.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 275kcal

Copycat Valentine Hostess Cupcakes

By 1 Comment

Copycat Valentine Hostess cupcakes are a sweet treat! Heart-shaped cupcakes, pink marshmallow cream filling, and topped with ganache. This post contains affiliate links.

You might also like our Hostess cupcake COOKIES, meltaway crunch bars, or Valentine sugar cookies!

Watch our step by step video!

What makes Hostess cupcakes so delicious? I love the deliciously moist chocolate cake, marshmallowy filling, and chocolate glaze in each bite.

Hostess Valentine Cupcakes

Hostess makes Valentine's cupcakes, but they don't make heart-shaped cupcakes! These take a couple of extra steps but are super cute. You can absolutely make them in the classic round shape and fill them with pink marshmallow buttercream. Equally delicious.

This Hostess cupcakes recipe IS THE REAL DEAL. Made with cake mix, marshmallow creme for a creamy center, and a super easy chocolate ganache icing. They are always a crowd pleaser.  For a Valentine's version, I added a pink heart to each one. Some are centered and others have the heart offset to the right or the left, but I made sure to add the curly cues of white icing for a classic look.

I blended my favorite marshmallow frosting recipe from Lil Luna, my EASY flavorful chocolate icing from my biscuit donut recipe, the basic royal icing recipe from my Pop Tart Gingerbread houses, and the simplicity of a cake mix to create these iconic treats.

heart cupcakes on cooling rack and table

 

What makes these the easiest Hostess cupcakes to make?

  • Boxed cake mix: Unless you have diet restrictions and need to substitute the basic ingredients, just use a cake mix. It's my biggest tip for making cakes at home. I took a cake decorating class years ago and my instructor let us in on her secret. She used cake mixes for most of the cakes that she made in her bakery. I've been doing this ever since and my cakes always turn out great! You'll still achieve an amazing chocolate cupcake flavor--- with less effort. I'm all about convenience if it doesn't impact flavor. That being said, I DO HAVE a go-to chocolate cake recipe that hasn't ever failed me and is delicious and can definitely be used in this recipe!
  • 3-second filling technique: my technique for filling cupcakes with a creamy vanilla center literally takes 3 seconds per cupcake. So easy! Use a piping bag and tip! I like using a #21 star tip, available at most craft stores but you can also use a Bismark filling tip.
  • Simple ganache made from chocolate chips: No need to use fancy chocolate. Chocolate chips work just fine! For the recipe, I highly suggest using semi-sweet.

valentine hostess cupcake with bite taken out of it.

Heart Shaped Cupcakes

heart shaped chocolate cupcake

I have a silicone heart baking mold that I use for making heart chocolate chip cookies but for cupcakes, I use balls of foil to create the shape! I'll show you how.

cupcakes in pan with small balls of foil to create heart shape

Once the cupcake liners have been filled with batter (don't fill each cavity more than ½ way with batter) you roll small balls of foil (marble size) and place them at the top of each cupcake, in between the liner and the pan. If you have marbles you can use those instead! The weight and uniformity in shape of marbles would probably work better.

ghost shaped cupcakes

I use this same foil method for making ghost-shaped cupcakes and it works like a charm. Yes, some of them will bake up a little wonky, but once you add the frosting it's hard to tell!

Valentine's Hostess Cupcakes Ingredients

boxed cake mix and marshmallow creme

Cake

  • boxed cake mix (dark chocolate or devil's food)
  • eggs
  • oil (vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or canola oil)
  • water

Filling

  • marshmallow creme (the entire 7 oz. jar)
  • powdered sugar
  • butter
  • vanilla extract (have you tried homemade vanilla extract?)
  • pink food coloring

Ganache*

  • chocolate chips
  • milk
  • honey
  • butter

*this is not a classic ganache, but sets up like one! It's the same recipe that I use to glaze donuts. It's easy to make, but can also use a classic ganache with heavy cream and chocolate chips.

Icing

  • powdered sugar
  • water
  • pink food coloring (optional)

process collage for making valentine hostess cupcakes

Make sure to watch my video to see how easy it is to fill the cupcakes with marshmallow frosting.

copycat valentine hostess cupcakes on table

You’ll also want to pick up a #21-star frosting tip for the creamy filling, a #3 or #5 tip (or just cut the corner off of a frosting bag) for the squiggle detail, and pastry bags. I added  hearts to mine; some centered and some off centered. It would be fun to add names or x's and o's.

cooling rack with 15 hostess heart cupcakes on it

This recipe makes 24-28 cupcakes. DO NOT fill the cupcakes more than ½ full or they will be too tall when baked. Store in an airtight container on the counter, at room temperature, for up to 3 days.

Heart-Shaped Hostess Cupcakes Recipe

cooling rack with 15 hostess heart cupcakes on it
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5 from 1 vote

Heart Shaped Hostess Cupcakes

Valentine Hostess cupcakes are a sweet treat! Heart-shaped cupcakes, pink marshmallow cream filling, and topped with ganache.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword creme filled, hostess
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 48 minutes
Servings 24 cupcakes
Calories 290kcal

Equipment

  • 2 pastry (frosting) bags
  • #21 frosting tip
  • #5 frosting tip

Ingredients

Cupcakes

  • 1 chocolate cake mix
  • 1 cup water
  • ⅓ cup oil
  • 3 whole eggs

Marshmallow Creme Filling

  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 7 oz. marshmallow creme 1 tub
  • pink food coloring

Chocolate Ganache Icing

  • 1 ½ cup chocolate chips
  • 3 Tbsp. butter
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. milk
  • 1 ½ Tbsp. honey

Swirl Icing

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 4-5 teaspoons water
  • pink food coloring optional

Instructions

Cupcakes

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan(s) with 24 cupcake liners.
    Roll pieces of aluminum foil into marble-sized balls. You'll need 24.
  • Mix cake mix, oil, eggs and water on low for 30 seconds.
    Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  • Divide batter amongst cupcake liners. Do not fill more than halfway.
    Place a foil ball in between each liner and cupcake pan to create the top of the heart.
    cupcakes in pan with small balls of foil to create heart shape
  • Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely.

Marshmallow Filling

  • Beat butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until whipped and creamy. Stir in marshmallow creme and a few drops of pink food coloring by hand.
    rubber spatula with pink marshmallow frosting on it
  • Fill a pastry bag with icing and a star tip (#21).
  • How to fill a cupcake with marshmallow creme: Insert a frosting tip into the center of the cupcake and press/squeeze for 3 seconds or until the cupcake puffs up slightly.
    piping bag filling cupcake with frosting

Chocolate Ganache

  • Place chocolate chips, butter, honey and milk in a microwave safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds. Stir. Heat an additional 10 seconds if necessary. Stir.
  • Spoon ganache over each cupcake and use a spoon to spread evenly. If the ganache cools and begins to thicken, simply reheat for 10 seconds and stir.
    spoon pouring small amount of ganache over cupcake
  • Allow ganache to set up for 15 minutes before adding decorating icing.

Decorating Icing (Royal Icing)

  • Whisk powdered sugar and water together. Start with 3 teaspoons of water and add more, ½ teaspoon at a time, until desired consistency is achieved. It shouldn't be runny, more of a frosting consistency. 5 teaspoons work well for me.
    If you'd like to add pink details, tint a portion of the icing pink.
    Fill a pastry bag with icing and a round tip (#3 or #5), or cut the corner off the bag to create a small hole for piping the icing.
  • Decorate the tops of the cupcakes by piping on swirls all the way across.
  • This recipe makes 24 cupcakes.

Video

Notes

Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
Cupcake calories for each serving of food and nutrient information based off of box of Duncan Hines dark chocolate fudge cake mix.

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcal

 

Meltaway Crunch Bars

By 2 Comments

Meltaway crunch bars are better than any store-bought candy bar! Peanut butter, chocolate milk chocolate, and Rice Krispies cereal. Crispy, chocolatey, and melts in your mouth.

You might also like our 3-ingredient Twix bites, homemade Take 5 bites, or our peppermint bark cups!

Watch our step by step video!

Meltaway Crunch Bars

Have you tried our peanut butter meltaway cups? I make them in mini cupcake liners and they are the perfect bite-sized treat. They literally melt in your mouth!  It got me thinking about other variations to make. Cue meltaway CRUNCH BARS.

crunch bars on baking sheet

Now these aren't to be confused with Nestle crunch bars. These have peanut butter in them. If you want authentic Nestle bars you can melt down milk chocolate and stir rice krispies into them. That would be delicious too, but I like the meltaway texture that the peanut butter adds. If you want these even crunchier you can use crunchy peanut butter!

stack of crunch bars on parchment paper

I added Rice Krispies cereal to the mixture and then spread them on a cookie sheet before chilling and cutting them into bars. One recipe makes 16 bars!

crunch bar process collage

Crunch Bar Ingredients

I'll share the ingredients that I used, but you can mix and match chocolates to create any variation you'd like! Milk chocolate, semi-sweet, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, dark chocolate, etc. Whatever combination you use, just make sure to use 2 cups.

  • 1 ½ cups chocolate chips: I used semisweet chocolate chips, but use whatever you'd like.
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips: This adds a creamy sweetness to the bars.
  • ½ cup peanut butter: I used creamy because that's what I had on hand, but crunchy would be fantastic.
  • 1 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal

baking sheet with peanut butter meltaway bars

How To Make Homemade Crunch Bars

Line a small baking sheet or 9x13" baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Add chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl.

Heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.

Stir in cereal.

Spread mixture onto parchment paper. If using a baking sheet larger than 9x13 just spread the mixture out into a 9x13" rectangle, about ¼" thick.

knife slicing meltaway crunch bars into bars

Refergerate for 30 minutes then cut into bars.

hand holding meltaway crunch bar

If your kitchen isn’t too warm you can store these in a container at room temperature, but I prefer keeping them in the refrigerator. 

3 More Candy Recipes To Make

Peppermint Patties

English Toffee

Salt Water Taffy

sliced crunch bars on parchment paper

Meltaway Crunch Bars Recipe (Printable Version)

crunch bars on baking sheet
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Meltaway Crunch Bars

The BEST homemade crunch bars recipe. These have peanut butter in them so they aren't an identical copycat recipe, but if you like peanut butter meltaway candy you'll LOVE this variation! Chocolate, rice krispies, and peanut butter.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword chocolate peanut butter, crunch bar, homemade crunch bars, meltaways, nestle
Prep Time 5 minutes
chill 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 16 bars
Calories 125kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups chocolate chips any king
  • ½ cup white chocolate chips
  • ½ cup peanut butter crunchy or creamy
  • 1 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal

Instructions

  • Line a small baking sheet or 9x13" baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Add chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl.
  • Heat in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until melted and smooth.
  • Stir in cereal.
  • Spread mixture onto parchment paper. If using a baking sheet larger than 9x13 just spread the mixture out into a 9x13" rectangle, about ¼" thick.
  • Refergerate for 30 minutes then cut into 16 bars.

Video

Notes

Store meltaway crunch bars in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcal

16 Homemade Candy Bar Recipes

By Leave a Comment

From Butterfingers to Take 5 and Twix to Almond Joy, here are homemade candy bar recipes to try at home!

You might also like my Tootsie Rolls recipe. I also have a recipe for homemade saltwater taffy!

Candy bars are easy to buy at the store. They are inexpensive too, but there's just something about making and creating things at home. Today I'm sharing 16 candy bar recipes that you can make! My absolute favorites are the copycat recipes for Butterfingers, Reese's, and Almond Joy.

Disclaimer: these are not the exact recipes for any name-brand candy bars. All are copycat versions using alternate ingredients. 

16 Homemade Candy Bar Recipes

Click the title of each recipe to be taken to the source. Many offer printable recipe cards to make it easy to save the recipe for later.

butterfinger bites in white bowl

1. Homemade Butterfingers

I actually have two versions of Butterfingers to share. The first, and closest to the original candy bar, is in the photo above! These Butterfinger bites are delicious, and would you believe that they are made with candy corn, peanut butter, and chocolate? It's true! They are a MUST TRY. Obviously real Butterfingers aren't made with candy corn, but you won't believe how close these taste.

If candy corn is out of season, try this version using cheese crackers like Lance or Cheez-its, peanut butter, and milk chocolate.

homemade mounds and almond joy

2. Mounds and Almond Joy

Make your own Mounds or Almond Joy bites that taste like the real thing! Our homemade coconut filling is made with only 3 ingredients! If you like Amond Joy add an almond to the center and if you like Mounds, leave the almond out!

Stack of homemade snickers with chocolate chips and peanuts scattered on the counter.

3. Snickers Bars

Delicious homemade Snickers bars from I Heart Naptime are filled with layers of chocolate, nougat, peanuts, and caramel. These taste like the real candy bar but are made from scratch at home!

bowl of take 5 candy bites

4. Take 5 Bites

If you like the sweet, salty, and crunchiness of Take 5 candy bars, you’ll love our homemade Take 5 bites. They are delicious!

chocolate peanut butter trees in bowl and one cut in half

5. Homemade Reese's Peanut Butter Shapes

Do you like Reese's Trees? How about Reese's Ghosts or Eggs? I have recipes and tutorials for all of them, PLUS a simple way to make your own peanut butter cups!

Cool whip candy that tastes like three muskateers.

6. Three Musketeers

Make this impressive homemade candy with just three ingredients! With milk chocolate and a fluffy center, Cool Whip Candy tastes like a 3 Musketeers bar but even better. Recipe from Shugary Sweets.

english toffee inside jar

7. Homemade Almond Roca (Heath, Skor)

If you like Almond Roca you'll love my English toffee recipe. If you like Heath or Skor candy bars you'll like this recipe too, just leave the nuts out! Buttery, crunchy, delicious, and always a hit.

bowl of homemade Twix bites

8. Twix Bites

These 3-ingredient homemade Twix bites are made from vanilla wafers, Rolo candies, and melted chocolate! That’s right—I said Rolos! They are the perfect bite-sized treat and are easy to make! Be sure to check out my PEANUT BUTTER version (they taste like Girl Scout peanut butter cookies!) or our YORK peppermint bites!

cookie sheet with homemade crunch bars

9. Crunch Bars

The BEST homemade crunch bars recipe. These have peanut butter in them so they aren't an identical copycat recipe, but if you like peanut butter meltaway candy you'll LOVE this variation! Chocolate, rice krispies, and peanut butter. And the peanut butter gives them a meltaway texture. It's to die for. For an authentic version use milk chocolate chips and leave the peanut butter out.

bowl of homemade peppermint patties

10. Homemade Peppermint Patties

If you like York Peppermint Patties you’ll love our homemade peppermint patties! So delicious, perfect for holiday treat platters.

milky way candy cut in half on a white plate

11. Homemade Milky Way

Homemade Milky Ways – make the classic Milky Way candy at home with just 5 ingredients! No baking is required, so they are ready in no time. Recipe from Dinners Dishes and Desserts.

homemade rolos on a white plate.

12. Homemade Rolos

A simple way to make Rolos with chocolate and caramel. Recipe from In the Kitchen with Matt.

bowl of peppermint bark cups

13. Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark (squares or cups)

If you like Ghirardelli peppermit bark you'll love this version! You can make them in a square or round mold and they are easy to make!

 

a photo of kit kats arranged on a polka dotted plate

14. Homemade Kit Kat Bars

2-ingredients Kit Kats from The Domestic Rebel. Crispy, chocolatey and delicious!

A yellow dish of homemade milk duds set on a yellow background.

15. Milk Duds

Make your own bite sized chocolate caramels! These Milk Dud dupes from Serious Eats look delicious.

cut homemade pay day bars on a white plate

16. Homemade Pay Day Bars

These homeamde Pay Day bars are chewy and delicious! Recipe from Lil' Luna.

 

 

Cheez-Its Peanut Butter Bites

By 1 Comment

Cheez-Its bites are delicious and easy to make! Filled with peanut butter and then dipped in chocolate they totally hit the spot!

You might also like my 3-ingredient Twix bites, Take-5 bites, or my aunt's English toffee recipe!

cheez it peanut butter bites

Watch our step by step video!

Cheez-Its Peanut Butter Bites

I was influenced. Influenced by a Cheez-its ad on Facebook, ha! A reel popped into my feed and I knew I had to try the yummy snack being made in it. Cheez-its spread with peanut butter and halfway dipped into chocolate. I prefer dipping the entire thing in chocolate because it stays fresh longer that way, but either way, these are crunchy, peanut buttery, and yummy.

bowl of cheez its peanut butter bites

These are super easy to customize. Use toasty Cheez-its, large Cheez-its, or regular, it doesn't matter. Use semisweet, milk, or white chocolate. It's up to you! They are pretty self-explanatory, but I'll share how I made them anyway. It only takes 3 ingredients to make these treats. One batch makes 36.

cheez it bites in bowl

Cheez-Its Peanut Butter Bites Ingredients

  • 72 crackers (I used classic Cheez-its)
  • ¼ cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
  • 8 ounces chocolate chips or melting chocolate wafers: I used milk chocolate chips* and added a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil to make it extra smooth for dipping.

*I've made these with semisweet and milk chocolate. I prefer milk chocolate for these. I feel like it doesn't cover the flavor of peanut butter as much, but again, it's up to you.

bowl of cheez its peanut butter bites

How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheez-Its

bowl of peanut butter, bowl of chocolate chips and bowl of cheez its

Place 36 crackers onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.

cheez its with peanut butter on them

Spread or squeeze a small amount of peanut butter onto each cracker. I used a frosting bag to make this quick and easy.

cheez its sandwiched with peanut butter on baking sheet

Add a second cracker on top, creating 36 cracker sandwiches. Place the baking sheet of crackers into the freezer for 30 minutes.

bowl of melted chocolate and fork dipping cheez it bites into chocolate

Melt chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. You can use melting chocolate wafers or chocolate chips. I used 8 ounces of milk chocolate chips and a teaspoon of coconut oil then microwaved it for 60 seconds and stirred it until everything was melted and smooth.

Dip cracker sandwiches into chocolate using a chocolate dipping tool or fork. Tap the tool or fork against the side of the bowl to allow the excess chocolate to drip off before transferring the cracker back to the baking sheet.

cheez its dipped in chocolate on baking sheet

Refrigerate the cracker bites until the chocolate has hardened.

hand holding half of a cheez its peanut butter bite

If stored in an airtight container these little snacks will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Cheez-Its Peanut Butter Bites with Chocolate

bowl of cheez its peanut butter bites
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Cheez-its Peanut Butter Bites

Cheez-Its bites are delicious and easy to make! Filled with peanut butter and then dipped in chocolate they totally hit the spot!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword butterfingers, cheeze it treats, chocolate peanut butter
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 36 bites
Calories 45kcal

Ingredients

  • 72 crackers
  • ¼ cup peanut butter creamy or crunchy
  • 8 ounces chocolate chips or melting chocolate wafers

Instructions

  • Place 36 crackers onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper.
  • Spread or squeeze a small amount of peanut butter onto each cracker.
  • Add a second cracker on top, creating 36 cracker sandwiches. Place the baking sheet into the freezer for 30 minutes.
    This will make the peanut butter crackers easier to dip into chocolate.
  • Melt chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. You can use melting chocolate wafers or chocolate chips.
    (I used 8 ounces of milk chocolate chips and a teaspoon of coconut oil then microwaved it for 60 seconds and stirred it until everything was melted and smooth).
  • Dip cracker sandwiches into chocolate using a chocolate dipping tool or fork. Tap the tool or fork against the side of the bowl to allow the excess chocolate to drip off before transferring the cracker back to the baking sheet.
  • Refrigerate the cracker bites until the chocolate has hardened.

Video

Notes

If stored in an airtight container these little snacks will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 45kcal

30 Felt Craft Tutorials (Toys, Gifts and More!)

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From stuffed animals to bookmarks and baskets to candy pouches here are 30 felt craft tutorials to make. A variety of no sew and simple sewing projects!

Felt is one of my favorite fabrics to work with. It sticks to itself, is easy to cut and sew and is inexpensive. It's the perfect fabric for kids to work with because it's soft but stable. While it might not be as durable in the long run, it's a great option for craft projects. I've divided the post into 3 sections to make it easier to navigate. It was fun putting these collections together and made me realize that I have A LOT of felt craft tutorials on here!

30 Felt Craft Tutorials

30 felt tutorials

If you're looking for even more easy sewing projects, check out Sew With Me, my sewing book for kids, with 60 projects!

16 Toys and stuffed animal Felt Craft Tutorials

Lots of stuffed animal softies from our sewing with kids series plus other fun felt projects like a tooth pillow, I-spy bag and felt flower box!

collage of felt toy sewing projects

(click the title of each project to be taken to the tutorial)

1. Airplane Sewing Pattern

Make your own airplane softie! This felt airplane sewing pattern is easy for kids to stitch with a needle and thread! Use felt scraps to create a one-of-a-kind plane.

2. Panda Softie

Make your own panda softie! A simple sewing project for kids using scrap felt and a needle and thread!

3. felt Pig Softie

Make your own pig softie! A simple sewing project for kids using scrap felt and a needle and thread!

4. Hippo Softie

Make your own hippo softie! A simple sewing project for kids using scrap felt and a needle and thread!

5. Corgi Softie

Make your own Corgi puppy softie! A simple sewing project for kids using scrap felt and a needle and thread!

6. felt Duck Softie

Make your own felt duck softie! A simple sewing project for kids using scrap felt and a needle and thread!

7. Penguin Softie

Make your own penguin softie! A simple sewing project for kids using scrap felt and a needle and thread! Such a sweet and simple way to make your own stuffed animal!

8. Teddy Bear Rice Pack

Keep little ones comfy and cozy with a hot/cold teddy bear rice pack. Make a few to keep on hand with this simple tutorial and printable template.

9. Tooth Pillow

A quick and easy tooth fairy pillow, in the shape of a tooth, made with felt scraps that you can make with your little one in about 15 minutes. Includes a free pattern.

10. felt Animal Bookmarks

These felt animal bookmarks take minutes to make and are so fun for kids! You can make 9 different animals with our free pattern (glue or sew). Horse, chicken, pig, hippo, giraffe, narwhal, dog, chipmunk, or a goat. Which one will you make first?

11. Elephant I-Spy Bag

This elephant dry erase I-spy bag is so easy to make and keeps kids busy! A simple sewing project that includes a free cutting template!

12. Felt Apple and Worm Preschool Activity

Felt apple and worm preschool peek-a-boo activity. An easy sewing project, but can also be glued instead of sewn.

13. Felt Flower Box

Make a felt flower box for kids for imaginative play! Kids can plant, pick, and re-plant their beautiful flowers over and over again!

14. Kermit Hand Puppet

Make a Kermit the Frog puppet with this easy hand puppet pattern! You an use it to create so many fun characters out of felt! A quick sewing project for beginners.

15. Felt Make Up Set

Make a set of felt makeup to add to your little lady’s dress-up box! A compact, lipstick, makeup brush, and eye shadow. All made from felt!

16. Race Track Mat

Make a race track playmat to inspire creative play in your home! This double-sided mat is soft to sit on and folds up for easy storage. The perfect place to play with your favorite cars and trucks!

9 Holiday Felt Craft Tutorials

A collection of quick felt holiday crafts! The Easter baskets and Christmas candy cane holders might be my favorite!

collage of felt holiday crafts

17. Felt Carrot Candy Pouches

A quick 10-minute project. These felt carrot candy pouches are perfect to tuck inside an Easter basket!

18. Bunny Treat Bags

These felt bunny treat bags are quick and easy to sew. A great beginner sewing project and perfect for Easter goodies!

19. Easter Baskets

Make a felt Easter basket in under 30 minutes with our easy Easter basket sewing tutorial! An easy sewing project! This project yields 1 Easter basket (6″x6″) that can hold up to 16 regular-sized plastic eggs.

20. Felt Halloween Candy Pouches

This felt Halloween candy pouch sewing tutorial is so easy for kids to follow! Make a ghost, pumpkin, or monster and fill with treats!

21. Kids Halloween Lacing Craft

A simple kids lacing craft that can be customized for any holiday. Simple shapes, simple supplies. Great for kids just learning to use a needle and thread!

22. Felt Candy cane Holders

These felt candy cane holders are a quick, no-sew project and are so fun for the holidays. Make Santa, a gingerbread man, or a snowman!

23. Felt Christmas Tree Advent

A darling DIY Christmas tree advent calendar that kids can sew using a needle and thread, and a collection of other EASY holiday projects that kids can sew!

24. Felt Potato Chip Can Santa

Make a Santa to decorate your home this holiday season out of a potato chip can! This potato chip Santa is an easy craft to make with kids out of felt and pom poms (or cotton balls).

25. Penguin Ornament

Make an adorable penguin craft out of a clear ornament! Add a hanger to use during the holidays, or keep it on a shelf. Kids will love making these cute penguins this winter!

6 Decor and accessories Felt craft tutorials

Make a set of nesting felt baskets to store office supplies or a cute pincushion to add to your sewing kit!

felt home decor projects

26. Felt Jewelry Box

Would you believe it if I told you this DIY earring storage box was made from pencils and felt? Crazy I know but read on to see how!

27. Felt Nesting Baskets

These little felt nesting baskets for storage are the perfect size to hold hair accessories or art supplies. Make one, two, or all three!

28. Cloud Mobile

This darling cloud mobile would be fun to hang in a kid's room. It's a quick and easy project made from felt!

29. Felt Sugar Cookie Pincushion

Make a sugar cookie pincushion out of felt. Complete with your favorite flavor of frosting and colorful sprinkles!

30. Felt Bow Tutorial For Headbands and Clips

DIY felt bows for accessories and crafts. These bows are darling on headbands and hair clips! A no-sew craft with a free template.

31. Felt Olympics Flag

Here’s a fun Olympics craft to make with the kiddos before the opening ceremonies. Do you know what the colored rings represent? When the symbol was created in 1913, the 6 colors (including the white background) represented the colors of every nation’s flag!

Soft and Chewy Sausalito Cookies Recipe

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Soft and chewy Sausalito cookies combine milk chocolate chips and macadamia nuts for a delicious combination of flavors. Better than storebought!

You might also like my copycat Chick-fil-a cookies or my collection of famous chocolate chip cookie recipes! 

sausalito cookies

Watch our step by step video!

hand holding Sausalito cookie

Sausalito Cookies

These are inspired by Pepperidge Farms Sausalito cookies. Sausalito is a city in California, as well as Santa Cruz and Maui (which are Pepperidge Farms cookie flavors as well). They are crispy and loaded with milk chocolate chips and macadamia nuts. I prefer chewy chocolate chip cookies and came up with a variation that is BETTER than its namesake. I used my *Almost* Toll House cookie dough as a base for my homemade spin. It makes soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies that STAY SOFT. If you like macadamia nuts but don’t care for white chocolate chips, then Sausalito cookies are the perfect option for a sweet tooth craving.

large sausalito cookies

What Makes This Sausalito Cookie Recipe a Keeper

Soft and Chewy: More brown sugar and less white make these cookies chewy and delicious.

Don't Go Flat: These cookies don't go flat. They have great texture and an added crunch from the macadamia nuts.

Two size options: I like making mine a little bigger (3 Tablespoon scoop), but I have baking times for regular-sized cookies too.

Freeze well: store in an airtight container or freeze in freezer bags. These cookies stay fresh on the counter for up to 3 days and freeze well.

plate of soft and chewy sausalito cookies

Sausalito Cookie Ingredients

(scroll to the end of the post for a printable version)

  • 1 cup butter, softened (I use salted)
  • 1 ¼ cups brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts

batch of sausalito cookies on baking sheet

How to make soft and chewy Sausalito cookies

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line light-colored baking sheets* with parchment paper (optional)
  2. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of your stand mixer**. Add eggs and vanilla extract.
  3. Add baking soda and salt, then mix in flour (slowly).
  4. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
  5. Portion dough into 2 Tbsp. of cookie dough for regular-sized cookies or 3 Tbsp. of dough for large cookies. You can use a cookie scoop or your hands.
  6. Bake cookies on prepared baking sheet for 10 minutes (regular size) or 12 minutes (large size).
  7. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for a few minutes then transfer to a cooling rack. (Most of the time I just let the cookies cool completely on the cookie sheet unless I need to use the cookie sheet to bake up more cookies.)

*Light-colored baking sheets are what I use for all of my cookies. Lighter metal bakes more evenly than dark and doesn’t brown the bottoms of the cookies too quickly. If using a dark metal baking sheet, adjust the baking time and watch the cookies to prevent burning.

** You can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer.

jumbo sausalito cookies on parchment paper

Soft and Chewy Sausalito Cookies Recipe (Printable Version)

hand holding Sausalito cookie
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Soft and Chewy Sausalito Cookies

Soft and chewy Sausalito cookies combine milk chocolate chips and macadamia nuts for a delicious combination of flavors. Better than storebought!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword best ever, chocolate chip cookies, no chill
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 18 cookies
Calories 240kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter room temperature
  • 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ⅔ cups all purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped macadamia nuts

Instructions

  • Preheat  oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat, if desired.
  • Cream butter and sugars together with an electric mixer. Add eggs then vanilla extract.
  • Mix in baking soda, salt and flour (until just combined)
    Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
  • Use a cookie scoop or form dough using your hands. Place 6-8 balls of cookie dough onto a baking sheet.
    Regular cookies (2 Tbsp. scoop)
    Large cookies (3 Tbsp. scoop)
    Bake 10 minutes for regular cookies or 12 minutes for large cookies, or until lightly golden.
  • Cool 2-3 minutes on a cookie sheet and transfer to wire racks.

Video

Notes

Store in an airtight container up to 3 days on the counter. Can also store in a freezer for a few months.
Makes 24 (2 Tbsp. sized) cookies or 18 (3 Tbsp. sized) cookies.

Nutrition

Calories: 240kcal
Looking for tips on freezing cookies? Make a giant batch and save half for another day! Here are our best tips for freezing cookies and cookie dough.
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Disney Shortbread Cookies Recipe

By 1 Comment

Disney shortbread cookies have a hint of orange zest and are coated in chocolate. This recipe comes from the Disneyland Resort and is a keeper!

You might also like Disney's Grand Floridian chocolate chip cookies or Double Tree's chocolate chip cookies!

disney shortbread cookies

Watch our step by step video!

mickey mouse shaped cookies on baking sheet

Disneyland Resort Shortbread Cookies

I love that Disney shares recipes so freely. I found a pdf of their shortbread cookie recipe and couldn't wait to try it! I have a classic shortbread cookie recipe that hasn't ever failed me. It's made from butter, powdered sugar, and flour---pretty standard. Disney's is a little different and may become my new go-to recipe. They are delicious and easy to make with hints of orange zest and coated in chocolate! The chocolate makes them look fancy, but it's super easy to add. Easier than frosting!

hand holding mickey cookie

What Makes Disney's Shortbread Cookie Recipe a Keeper

  • The recipe can easily be halved, to make a smaller batch of cookies.
  • The ingredients are basic, nothing fancy.
  • The cookies hold their shape, with no spreading.
  • The chocolate sets making them easy to store.

This recipe comes from the Disneyland Resort. It makes a big batch of giant Mickey-shaped cookies! Today I'm sharing a half batch that yields 18 (2.5" x 3.5") Mickey Mouse shortbread cookies. If you'd like to make a larger batch follow their instructions. This recipe would be perfect to use during the holidays. Cut out in any shape you like and top with colored sugar before baking, or frost after baking. Disney coats their cookies in white chocolate.

mickey mouse shortbread cookies coated in chocolate

Disney Shortbread Cookie Ingredients

(this is a half batch of the original recipe)

  • 1 cup salted butter, softened
  • 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 egg white
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-3 teaspoons orange zest
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 squares almond bark (chocolate or vanilla)

bowls of white chocolate and chocolate and coated cookies

How To Make Disney Shortbread Cookies

mickey shortbread cookies cut into shapes

COOKIES

Cream butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg white, vanilla extract, and orange zest and mix on medium speed until egg white is incorporated.

Add flour, one cup at a time, until just mixed. Shape the dough into a disc and  wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll dough onto a floured surface, ½-inch thick.

Cut into shapes and place cookies on baking sheets.

Chill in freezer for 10-15 minutes.

Bake for 12-15 minutes*, until the edges of the cookies begin to brown.

Cool on wire racks for 30 minutes.

*NOTE: The original recipe says to bake for 17-20 minutes. Since I made mine smaller I baked mine for about 14 minutes. 

 

CHOCOLATE TOPPING:

Melt dipping chocolate according to package instructions.

Spoon chocolate onto each cookie and spread evenly. You can also dip the tops of the cookies into chocolate.

Let cookies sit for 15 minutes, until the chocolate hardens.

 

Disney Shortbread Cookies (Printable Version)

Adapted from this recipe.

mickey mouse shortbread cookies coated in chocolate
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Disneyland Resort Shortbread Cookies

Disney shortbread cookies have a hint of orange zest and are coated in chocolate. Cut into cut Mickey Mouse shapes, this recipe is a keeper! 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword disney cookies, disney shortbread, disneyland, shortbread cookies
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
chill 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 29 minutes
Servings 18 cookies
Calories 150kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup salted butter softened
  • 1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 egg white
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2-3 teaspoons orange zest
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 squares almond bark chocolate or vanilla

Instructions

COOKIES

  • Cream butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add egg white, vanilla extract, and orange zest and mix on medium speed until egg white is incorporated.
  • Add flour, one cup at a time, until just mixed. Shape the dough into a disc and  wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Roll dough onto a floured surface, ½-inch thick.
  • Cut into shapes and place cookies on baking sheets.
  • Chill in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes, until the edges of the cookies begin to brown.
  • Cool on wire racks for 30 minutes.

CHOCOLATE TOPPING:

  • Melt dipping chocolate according to package instructions.
  • Spoon chocolate onto each cookie and spread evenly. You can also dip the tops of the cookies into chocolate.
  • Let cookies sit for 15 minutes, until the chocolate hardens.

Video

Notes

Store cookies in an airtight container. 

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal