Food and Beverage
Family Fun with a Pop: Kid-friendly snacks and treats perfect for sharing
(Family Features) When hunger strikes and family fun calls for a snack to keep the excitement going, take your kiddos to the kitchen to whip up a tasty treat for all to enjoy. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or watching favorite movies, turn to an ingredient like popcorn that encourages creativity. Plus, it’s a delicious way for adults to turn back the clock and recreate childhood memories while making new ones with the family.
Consider these popcorn-inspired snacks to serve during your next adventure:
- Take yourself back in time to your own childhood with a classic pairing that never goes out of style: Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn. This version offers a fun way to jazz up popcorn for kids and adults alike with a sprinkling of strawberries and dried cranberries on top for added nutrition.
- When it’s time for a little fun in the sun or a trip to the park, sweeten up the celebration with this Graham Cracker Picnic Mix that’s a flavorful, kid-favorite combination of popcorn, bear-shaped graham crackers, marshmallows, fudge-covered pretzels and miniature cookies.
- Pizza is hard to beat as a snacking solution the whole family can enjoy, and this Grab and Go Pizza Popcorn is no exception. Ready in just minutes by mixing popcorn, Parmesan cheese and seasonings, little ones can help prepare a batch quickly before heading out the door.
- Colorful and fun, these Minty Green Popcorn Clusters are simple to make and a perfect treat to share. Just melt together marshmallows, butter, salt, green food coloring and peppermint extract before tossing with popcorn and green candy-coated chocolates.
To find more family-friendly snack time favorites, visit Popcorn.org.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Popcorn
Servings: 4-6
- 8 cups popcorn
- 2 tablespoons raspberry jam
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons smooth natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- In large bowl, stir popcorn and jam until evenly coated. Transfer to parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- In small heatproof bowl over small saucepan of barely simmering water, add white chocolate chips and peanut butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3-5 minutes, or until smooth and melted.
- Drizzle peanut butter mixture over popcorn mixture. Sprinkle with strawberries and cranberries.
- Refrigerate 10 minutes, or until peanut butter mixture is set; break into pieces to serve. Store in airtight container in refrigerator up to 1 week.
Graham Cracker Picnic Mix
Yield: About 12 cups
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 5-6 drops pink neon liquid food color or desired color
- 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn kernels
- 1 package mini pastel marshmallows
- 1 cup bear-shaped graham crackers
- 1 package white fudge-covered pretzels
- 1 cup mini cookies
- In large pot over medium heat, stir oil, sugar and food coloring.
- Stir in popcorn kernels; cover. Cook until popcorn begins to pop. Shake pot over heat until popping slows.
- Remove pan from heat and pour popcorn into large bowl.
- Add marshmallows, graham crackers, pretzels and cookies then toss lightly.
Grab and Go Pizza Popcorn
Yield: 6 quarts
- 6 quarts popped popcorn
- olive oil cooking spray
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Place popcorn in large, sealable plastic container or 2 1/2-gallon plastic sealable bag.
- Spray popcorn lightly with cooking spray.
- Sprinkle cheese, garlic salt, paprika and Italian seasoning over popcorn and shake to distribute evenly.
- To serve, scoop popcorn into reusable plastic cups.
Minty Green Popcorn Clusters
Yield: 32 clusters
- 12 cups unsalted, unbuttered, popped popcorn
- 4 cups mini marshmallows
- 2 tablespoons butter or light olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon green food coloring
- 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup green candy-coated chocolate candies
- Place popcorn in large mixing bowl.
- In saucepan over medium heat, melt marshmallows, butter and salt, stirring occasionally, until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in food coloring and peppermint extract.
- Toss marshmallow mixture with popcorn; cool 2-3 minutes, or until cool enough to handle. Toss with chocolate candies.
- Shape 3 tablespoons of popcorn mixture into small cluster; repeat with remaining popcorn mixture. Place on wax paper-lined baking sheet; cool completely.
SOURCE:
Popcorn Board
Author
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(Family Features) It’s no secret that many grocery store dairy sections are filled with more options today. One choice continuing to gain favor with consumers is 100% grass-fed organic dairy. Nutrition, environmental awareness and animal care are some of the leading reasons consumers choose grass-fed dairy products.
Globally, the 100% grass-fed dairy market is projected to continue growing and some market experts predict annual growth rates as high as 22%. If you’re curious about 100% grass-fed organic dairy, consider these benefits from Maple Hill, America’s original 100% grass-fed organic dairy producer. The pioneer of 100% grass-fed organic dairy took its commitment a step further by celebrating and declaring National 100% Grass-Fed Organic Dairy Day on April 15, which recognizes the positive impact it has on consumers, cows, farmers and the environment.
1. Honoring the Farmers
Unlike large-scale corporate dairy farms, most organic farms are small, family-owned operations dedicated to traditional, sustainable farming. Small dairy farms have been disappearing, but 100% grass-fed organic dairy creates a sustainable, viable path forward for farmers who work in harmony with nature.
This more natural approach to dairy is a “craft” process, favoring small family farmers who are willing to dedicate the extra focus and patience to a better product and process. These family farms are passed on to future generations to grow the “better for you, better for the planet” approach.
2. Commitment to Good Health
Most consumers don’t know the difference between traditional organic and 100% grass-fed organic dairy. One key distinction is the products’ nutritional composition; 100% grass-fed organic dairy provides a 50% healthier ratio of omega 3:6 and 40% higher levels of CLA fatty acids, which may support heart health and provide other health benefits.
What’s more, Maple Hill’s products made with 100% grass-fed organic dairy are GMO free, hormone free and antibiotic free with no additives or fillers. The line of high-quality, rich-flavored products let you experience the organic difference from traditional dairy for a nutrient-dense solution that tastes as nature intended.
3. Happy, Healthy Cows
Cows on a 100% grass-fed diet can live up to three times as long as grain-fed cows and are never subjected to unnatural diets, hormones or antibiotics. More time in pastures filled with lush grass means cows have the freedom to roam, ruminate and graze on diverse, nutrient-rich grasses.
The result is happier, healthier cows, which in turn results in a richer, better-tasting and more nutrient-dense milk.
4. Sustainability and the Environment
Producing milk without grain or corn requires farmers to focus on regenerating soil and the soil life that supports everything else on the farm. In fact, the healthier the soil, the healthier the feed, so farmers have a natural incentive to be as regenerative as possible. Regenerative grazing practices are a powerful and positive tool to improve land and the web of life on farms by actively restoring soil health, promoting biodiversity and reducing the environmental impact compared to conventional dairy.
Well-managed grazing helps pull carbon from the atmosphere into the soil, fighting climate change in the process. In addition, healthier soil retains more water, reducing runoff and protecting water sources from agricultural pollution.
5. Strengthening the 100% Grass-Fed Organic Market
Consumers are increasingly aware of the choices they have in dairy products and how 100% grass-fed organic supports their health, farmers, animals and the planet. Some ways to support this category’s continued growth include choosing certified 100% grass-fed organic dairy, advocating for regenerative farming and helping shape a more sustainable food system.
Learn more about 100% grass-fed organic dairy products at maplehill.com.
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(Family Features) If you’re in need of a soup outside the usual mushroom or celery varieties, turn to another springtime favorite: carrots. More than just a veggie you can serve with dip, they’re creamy, delicious and pair well with ginger in this Creamy Carrot Soup. Discover more easy recipes for family meals at Culinary.net.
Creamy Carrot Soup
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy” Servings: 4-6- 2 cans (14 ounces each) carrots
- 2 cups broth of choice
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons ginger
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- honey
- BLT wraps, for serving
- In blender, blend canned carrots, including juices, until smooth. Transfer to pot and add broth.
- Mix in brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger and orange juice. Bring to simmer then add cream. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Drizzle honey over each bowl. Serve with BLT wraps.
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Food and Beverage
White Castle Unveils a Bounce House (er, Castle) as Part of Its New Line of Branded Merchandise for Spring 2025
New merch collection also includes White Castle tin lunchbox, pickleball paddle set, playing cards, T-shirts and more.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — White Castle is helping customers take their legendary Crave to new heights with the launch of a brand-new line of merchandise. The crown jewel of the spring 2025 collection? An 8-foot-tall bouncy castle with a design inspired by, you guessed it, an actual White Castle! This inflatable fun house reinforces that White Castle isn’t just about satisfying Cravings — it’s about creating memorable moments, too.
White Castle is introducing a bounce castle as part of its new line of spring 2025 merchandise.
- A tin lunchbox. Retro meets modern with a never-before offered classic tin lunchbox. It’s perfect for Cravers of all ages, whether used for packing lunch, storing collectibles, or just showing off an affection for White Castle’s iconic Sliders.
- Pickleball paddle set. As the home of The Original Slider®, White Castle is well-suited to help with your slide action on the pickleball court. Pick up a pair of these paddles and slide away!
- Playing cards. No tricks here, just a simple deck of White Castle-branded playing cards.
- “Only Beef” T-shirt. Proclaiming “The only beef between us is this Slider,” this T-shirt is best bought in pairs.
- Knight-time craver T-shirt. “Dost thou even crave?” asks the knight who adorns this grey T-shirt holding a tray of Sliders.
- A “Follow Your Crave” horn. This long plastic blue horn, similar to a vuvuzela (think soccer stadium noisemaker), can be blown when the Craving hits — or at any time, for that matter.
- Pint glass. Raise this pint glass, painted with the White Castle logo, and toast to memorable moments.
- Bucket hat. Anyone wearing this soft, wide-brimmed bucket hat, adorned with the White Castle logo, will look super cool eating Sliders.
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