What is more, they look super cute on the festive table. And it sure feels like we’re on vacation!

It’s only April but here I am dreaming of the beach.  I guess I’ll have to eat a Pudding Sand Cup instead…

What do you need to make this Pudding sand cups recipe?

In fact, these are so easy to make, you will need no more than 10 minutes tops. In addition to the ingredients in the recipe, you will need small cups and some more decorations such as cocktail umbrellas. You can find these in the party section of your grocery store or a party supplies store. 

Remember that you make these for the grandkids, so they don’t have to be in large cups. They will be a hit at your beach-themed party!

These pudding sand cups are:

• easy to make 
• tasty 
• don’t require any special skills
• summery snack
• creamy

Make a Pudding sand cups recipe for your beach-themed party

To begin with, planning and organizing a party for the little ones can be a difficult task. If it is possible, begin preparations the month before to be sure you won’t miss anything. 

Make a party plan, choose the theme, cake, decorations, and schedule the activities and games for the grandkids. Make a food menu, and organize it all in a folder on your tablet. It helps the party to be less stressful for you.  

Helpful tips:

• You can crush the biscuits in a food processor or a ziplock bag using a rolling pin.
• Feel free to use the candy you already have.
• Instead of gummy bears, you can use different types of summer-themed treats.

What do you need to make the perfect beach-themed party?

Save on time and stress by choosing the theme first. If you decide on a beach theme party, start with the cake and then plan the decorations for the room and the table. You should include the theme colors in the appetizers, desserts, and other tasty treats you serve.

For your party you will need:

• Party theme
• Invitations
• Cake
• Food menu
• Table and room decorations
• Fun games and activities for the grandkids

What is more, make sure you send out the invitations a few weeks in advance. For more excitement, grandkids can get involved in making the invitations and get crafty. They can make the invitations by using paper, pencils, stickers, and other craft supplies. 

Write a list of all the beach-themed items you want to include at your beach party:

• seashells
• starfish
• sand
• beach or pool
• umbrellas
• fish
• boats
• palm trees
• pineapples
• flamingos
• beach balls

Make super funny food names and put labels on the table

Would you like to try these pudding sand cups with bears? Or some beach party dip? How about a starfish sandwich? Come up with cute and amusing names for the tasty treats and label them.

Put the labels on the table. It will make the party a lot more fun! Even the picky-eaters will be enjoying this party food!

Try some of these ideas:

• Starfish sandwiches
• Swimming teddy bear dip
• Bikini beach bear cupcakes
• Beach party pops
• Surfing bear cupcakes

Plan the party outside

Grandkids need to be outside to get more Vitamin D. Also, to have more space for running and expressing their excitement. They need to play outdoors for at least 30 minutes a day. This party will give them lots of reasons to stay in the sun and have fun.

Easy-to-make party food snacks

Party food should be related to the topic. And it is great to have beach theme shapes and decorations, too. Get creative in the kitchen! Search the internet for some party food ideas and create them with the products you want to use. 

We have many recipes on our blog where your grandkids can help make the food item. This Pudding Sand Cups Recipe is no different. I’ve mentioned before that these are my favorite kind of treat to make because it keeps my little ones busy for a bit in the kitchen and then they always love to eat what they make. Just wait until they see this!

In addition to our Pudding Sand Cups recipe, here’s another “beach” type snack that I have made many times with my littles and they love it! It’s our Beach Theme Fruit Dip and it’s always a hit!

With summer quickly approaching, you may want to grab some of the ingredients for this recipe so that you have everything on hand. I know that my refrigerator is often sparse because there is just my husband and me at home. We don’t eat that much. 

Our little 6-year-old granddaughter was here the other day, and she opened our refrigerator, and then she said “Grammy, now I know why you and Pa come to our house for Sunday dinner because you don’t have a lot of food!”

I may not have a lot of food. But I do have lots of things to make recipes for with my grandkids. I guess I better go to the store and get some pudding! Using instant puddings makes this recipe an easy one. So let’s get started! 

Print

Pudding Sand Cups Recipe

Kids of all ages love to make this Pudding Sand Cups Recipe. Using instant puddings makes it so easy!

Course Snack

Keyword Pudding Sand Cups

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Chill time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Author WritersID2

Ingredients

• 1-2 pkg small box (3.4 oz) instant vanilla or white chocolate pudding mix
• 2 cups cold milk
• 1 tub 8 oz whipped topping (thawed)
• Blue Food Coloring
• 6-8 Golden Oreos, crushed
• Gummy sea creatures, stars or shells
• Teddy Bear Grahams

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, add cold milk
• Sprinkle pudding over top and whisk until well combined
• Add food coloring and mix well
  
• Place in refrigerator about 10 minutes or until set
• Fold in whipped topping until well combined
  
• Add to glasses or cups
  
• Place in refrigerator 20 minutes to chill
• Crush cookies in food processor or resealable plastic bag until fine
• Sprinkle on top
• Add your gummy sea creatures and Teddy Bear Grahams
  

Notes

You can adapt this recipe to a "dirt cup" recipe by following the same recipe but using these ingredients:

 

1-2 small box (3.4 oz) instant chocolate pudding mix
2 cups milk
1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed

10-12 regular Oreo cookies, crushed
Gummy worms

 

How to make table and room decorations for the beach-themed party?

It is no surprise that the general color is blue. You can combine it with white and other bright colors for accent. White table cloths will make your dishes and decorations more visible. 

For the perfect beach themed-party provide:

• decorative fishnet wall hanging
• fish and boat ornaments
• seashells centerpiece for the table
• white table cloth
• beach signs
• colorful balloons
• a small pool with inflatable fish and boats

For the table setting, you may use a blue scarf or organza fabric to drape in the center of the table. Put decorations on the top. For example, seashells, and boats. Stretch a fishing net across the table cloth or hang it on the wall. Use blue napkins and straws. You can even put an umbrella on each straw to make it more fun!

Fun party activities for the grandkids

Thirty minutes for each game is enough for the grandkids to have fun and then move on to the next activity. Plan some quiet games, too, such as puzzles or board games. This way grandchildren won’t be exhausted before the cake arrives.

You can give all the grandkids some beach-theme items like goggles, sunglasses, flippers. Make them participate in the beach-themed photo booth wearing them and take photos.

For instance, hide some beach-themed items somewhere in the garden and organize a scavenger hunt. Grandkids will be having a lot of fun while finding them. Leave clues in different places and watch them playing. 

Schedule different beach-themed party activities, such as:

• scavenger hunt
• decorating seashells
• craft with tropical items
• beach-themed photo booth
• make a beach-themed sensory bottle
• catching fish in the small pool with inflatable fish

Get some seashells, paint, glitter, and get crafty. The grandkids can make their painted seashells and take them home as a gift from the party. 

Besides, we have already shown you how to make a sensory bottle in some of our blog posts. You can use this idea as a great party activity. 

Provide bottles, cooking oil, paint, glitter, different seashells, and window stickers. Grandkids will have fun while making their ocean-filled bottles. Homemade toys are great for developing grandchildren’s skills. 

These activities will create meaningful conversations and lots of long-lasting memories. And most importantly, grandkids will be having fun!

Healthy party food

Create a well-balanced and healthy menu for the party. Include vital nutrients such as proteins, carbs, and healthy fats. Minimize using sugar as much as possible. Substitute it with fresh fruit. 

Here is what you can do to make your party food healthier:

• Why not go sugar-free? Grandkids won’t be able to tell if you use sweeteners instead of sugar. But it will make it much healthier. Try stevia or erythritol. You can use sugar-free chocolate, too. 
• Instead of artificial food coloring, put some blue spirulina. It will make the pudding the desirable blue color. 
• Make sure you have lots of colorful fresh fruit on the table. Bright colors will attract the grandkids, and they would want to have some.

In fact, cooking food at home is always a better option to make it organic or eliminating food coloring and artificial food enhancement agents. If you decide to buy prepackaged food, make sure it contains less sugar and no preservatives. 

Allergy-friendly Pudding sand cups recipe variation

When you gather more grandchildren together for a party, you have to consider whether some of them have food allergies or not. Make sure your food is allergy-free. Use dairy-free milk to make the recipe lactose-free and vegan. 

Why not make a homemade ”biscuit sand” for the Pudding sand cups? Use a gluten-free mix of flour and add sweetener to make it tasty.

For example, you can mix equal quantities of buckwheat flour and gluten-free oat flour with some erythritol to make it sweet. There are gluten-free crackers or biscuits you can use, too. 

The bottom line

How to throw the perfect beach theme party for your grandkids? We have you covered with tips and ideas to make your occasion memorable. Everyone will love these delicious and cute Pudding sand cups.

Not only are these easy to make but also look super cute on your party table. Your grandkids will be looking forward to the party! 

Moreover, get them involved in making the invitations and even the Pudding sand cups. They will be so excited to take part in the whole preparations! It is an affordable and money-saving idea for a sweet treat that will take your party to the next level! 

Are you already enjoying our pudding sand cups recipe? You have to check out these other posts, too:

• 23 ideas for a beach staycation
• 16 healthy kid snacks
• 31 easy pirate ideas
• 16 nautical DIY projects
• Quick and easy DIY seashell artwork

The post Pudding Sand Cups Recipe appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

Hey Everyone! It’s Dini from The Flavor Bender again! I hope you guys have had an amazing February so far and a very romantic Valentine’s Day weekend as well. I’m not too big on Valentine’s day, but any excuse for chocolate is a good one for me and that’s exactly what I did these last couple of weeks with this Self Saucing Chocolate Pudding, Rosemary infused French Chocolate Mousse and these Chocolate Eclairs! Today, I’m sharing another one of my favorite desserts coming your way from Italy – Layered Butterscotch and Chocolate Panna Cotta! With a beautiful, buttery butterscotch layer and a deliciously creamy chocolate layer, this panna cotta is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a fancy dinner party or just a family gathering.

Butterscotch and Chocolate Panna Cotta: An easy to make layered Panna Cotta dessert, perfect as an everyday dessert or for a special occasion!

I do have a soft spot for panna cotta because they are a simple yet very impressive dessert to put together and can be personalized with different flavours and ingredients. Check out this White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Hibiscus syrup and this Coconut and, Lychee and Orange jelly that I have shared on my blog previously. But this Layered Butterscotch and Chocolate Panna Cotta is divine!

The base in this Layered Butterscotch and Chocolate Panna Cotta (the butterscotch base) is divided into two, and then chocolate is added to one and then butter with an extra bit of brown sugar are added to the other. Then you let the panna cotta set in a glass or a mold, and then either serve it in the same glass or unmold in onto a separate dish.

It’s super simple. This Layered Butterscotch and Chocolate Panna Cotta recipe will make 2 very generous portions or 4 smaller dessert portions.

Print

Butterscotch and Chocolate Panna Cotta

Servings 2 larger / 4 mini portions

Author Dini

Ingredients

• 220 mL / 1 cup whipping cream
• 150 mL / 5 fl oz half and half
• 3 tbsp cold water
• 1 ¼ tsp powdered gelatin
• 115 g / 4 oz brown sugar plus 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 42 g / 1.5 oz semi sweet chocolate chopped
• 2 tbsp half and half
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• Salt

Instructions

• Add the cold water to a small bowl, and sprinkle the gelatin evenly on top. Leave it to bloom (about 15 minutes).
• Lightly coat your molds with some vegetable oil. Use either two large 1 cup capacity glasses, or four ½ cup capacity molds.
• Combine the cream, half and half, a generous pinch of salt and 4 oz of brown sugar in a saucepan and heat over medium heat while stirring, until the sugar has completely dissolved.
• Add the bloomed gelatin into the warm milk mix and stir until the gelatin has melted. DO NOT BOIL. Divide this cream-gelatin mix into two and set aside.
• Place the butter in the empty saucepan and heat until melted. You could heat it further to turn it into brown butter if you like. Add the extra brown sugar, plus one portion of the cream-gelatin mix. Remove from the heat and whisk to combine. (You don’t want the oil in the butter to be floating on top. If this happens - whisk vigorously OR place the mix in an empty bottle with a secure lid and shake it well to emulsify the mix).
• Divide this butterscotch layer into the prepared molds. Place them in the freezer for about 40 minutes, or until the surface has just set.
• Combine the chopped chocolate with the 2 tbsp of cream in the saucepan and melt the chocolate over medium heat to get a smooth sauce.
• Add the second portion of the cream-gelatin mix in a stream while whisking, to completely incorporate the cream-gelatin mix into the chocolate. Do not boil. Set aside to cool down.
• When the butterscotch layer has just set, gently pour the warm chocolate layer on top. Divide evenly between the molds. (Adding warm chocolate will help it stick to the butterscotch layer at the bottom so that they will not separate when you unmold the panna cotta).
• Let it cool down to room temperature. Then cover and let it set in the fridge overnight till completely set and chilled.
• To unmold, place the glass or mold in hot water for a few seconds, OR under running water for a few seconds. Then hold it over a dish and gently shake to loosen it. If it’s doesn’t come out, wrap the glass or mold with a warm paper towel to warm up the panna cotta.
• Serve with whipped cream and berries.

You can also find me on all of the following Social Media platforms too.

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Here are some more recipes from The Flavor Bender

White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Hibiscus Syrup Pearls

Cinnamon Dessert Nachos

Mango Jalapeno Jam

The post Layered Butterscotch and Chocolate Panna Cotta appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

This week, we saw a lot of creativity in the kitchen during Super Saturday #41.  You guys were dynamite, combining flavors like gourmet chefs!  Topping the list of things we need to whip up in our own kitchens are these new taste sensations.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Pudding Parfaits from The First Year Blog

Pavlovas with Strawberries and Balsamic from Bake a Moment

Bacon Peanut Butter Cookies from Tammilee Tips

Lemon Honey Tart with Salted Shortbread from Simply Suzanne’s

Philly Cheese Steak Pizza from My Family Mealtime

Golden Oreo Strawberry Cheesecake Bars from This Silly Girl’s Life

Bacon Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich from Practical Stewardship

Lemon Angel Pie from Grandparents Plus

Strawberry Wonton Cups from Best of Long Island and Central Florida

Thanks again to everyone who participated in our linkup!  Please come back  for our next Super Saturday Link Party, starting at 7 P.M. EST on Friday night!  And keep an eye on your social media over the weekend, too.  We like to showcase links that catch our eye during the party via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.  You might see your link featured there!

The post Share It Thursday from Super Saturday #41 appeared first on TGIF - This Grandma is Fun.

And being the great older sister that I am,  I used to terrorize my sister Tracy with this movie.  I would force her to watch it and then off I would go to bed to sleep like a baby.  But Tracy would be freaked out and couldn’t sleep at all.  It’s the stuff older sisters are made for.

Nowadays I still love Halloween.  If you read yesterday’s post,  you know that Halloween is my second favorite holiday!  But now I like Halloween for the cute decorations instead of the scary movies.  Like these Graveyard Pudding Cups that I pinned from Party Pinching!   Aren’t they darling?

These would be perfect for an after school snack or to bring for a classroom treat.  Here is what you will need:

Oreo cookies, chocolate pudding snack cups, marshmallow ghost peeps and pumpkin candies.

Remove the sealed lid on the pudding snack cup.  Then blend some Oreo cookies in a blender until it looks like dirt then spread on top of the chocolate pudding.  Top with a marshmallow ghost peep and a pumpkin candy.

These are so easy it’s scary!

But maybe not as scary as  The Brain That Wouldn’t Die.

Tracy will be grateful.

This Pin Rocks!

 For more Halloween ideas, take a look at these!

Mummy Mason Jars

Washi Tape Mason Ring Wreath

Bloody Shirley Temples

It’s a wild Wednesday party at these sites today!

seven thirty three – Life of Jennifer Dawn – Someday Craft – Lady Behind the Curtain – And So We Craft – Ginger Snap Crafts

Ivy & Elephants – Ducks ‘n a Row – Fluster Buster – The NY Melrose Family – Sugar and Dots – Kitchen Meets Girl

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