Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Miniature Ice Cream Cupcakes: Even I Can Make These!

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So last week when we had 3 snow days in a row, the kids and I got a little bored. And boredom is great fuel for creativity! We decided to do a little baking, but we also wanted to pay tribute to the freezing temps outside, so we knew we wanted to use ice cream. As we were digging around in the pantry for inspiration, we found some of our beautiful Reynolds Baking Cups, and an idea came to me: let’s make ice cream cakes in baking cups! And so, friends, I present to you, ice cream cupcakes!

  miniature ice cream cakes

Why not let cake and ice cream join forces for your next birthday party, or for any upcoming celebration (like Valentine’s Day!). They make for a tasty hand-held treat. And they are easy (if I can do you, you can do it!).

Ingredients:

 Preheat your oven according to the package directions for your cake mix. Line your muffin tin with Reynolds Baking Cups, and add 1 Tbsp of the combined mix to each baking cup. Bake for 10 minutes and then remove from the oven to cool completely.

base of ice cream cupcakes in Reynolds baking cups

 Once your cupcakes have cooled completely, add a scoop of ice cream to each baking cup. Be sure to pat it down a bit to ensure that theice cream is taking up all the remaining space inside the baking cup. Then return the ice cream cupcakes to the freezer until you are ready to serve.
Just before serving, add whip cream and the toppings of your choice. Enjoy immediately!
example of ice cream cupcake or miniature ice cream cake

Affiliate links may be included at no cost to you. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

How to Bake the Perfect Sugar Cookie

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My friends over a Reynolds just put together a great tutorial on how to make the perfect sugar cookie. I found it useful, so I thought I would share it with you! Happy baking, everyone!

how to bake sugar cookies

For Your Next Party: Sweet and Spicy Barbeque Meatballs

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I wrote this post as a Reynolds Real Mom. For more fantastic recipes with effortless clean-up, be sure to check out the Reynolds recipe page! 

For your next potluck gathering, I’ve got a very easy recipe that will be the first dish to get polished off on the buffet line! Two very surprising ingredients form the perfect sauce for these oven-baked meatballs.

sweet and spicy barbecue meatballs

Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Meatballs

Ingredients:
2.5 lbs ground chuck
2 lbs ground pork
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tsp steak seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
2 eggs

for sauce:
1 32 oz container barbecue sauce
1 32 oz container grape jelly
hot sauce (optional)

cocktail meatballs

Preheat the oven to 375 and line 4 baking sheets with Reynolds non-stick aluminum foil. Combine the meat with all other ingredients except for the sauce and form into bite-size meatballs. Place 20 meatballs on each pan, and bake for 35 minutes or until browned all the way through.

While the meatballs are baking, pour the barbecue sauce and the grape jelly into a sauce pan and heat over medium until they are well combined. If you want your meatballs to have a little extra kick, add some hot sauce to the mix.

Once the meatballs are finished, you can slide them right off the pan an into your serving dish. Pour your sauce on top and serve immediately. The finished dish does well in the microwave if you are taking it to a party and need to reheat it.

Yield: 80 meatballs (sounds like a lot, until you see how quickly folks inhale them!)

Thanksgiving Recipe I’ll Be Making: Gorgeous Roasted Veggies!

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Special thanks to Reynolds for sponsoring this Thanksgiving recipe content through the Reynold Real Moms program. Parchment Paper is a total game changer, y’all!
Today I’m excited to be sharing with you the main vegetable dish I will be serving to my family on Thanksgiving Day. It is absolutely gorgeous, is loved by every member of my family (even my 4-year-old who could live on peanut butter!), and is likely going to be the easiest recipe on the table because it is so flexible. Check it out and see if you might want to try it for your family feast, or even for the next time you have company over!
Harvest Bounty Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients:
  • various in-season vegetables of your choice (great options include most varieties of squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, new potatoes, miniature onions, brussels sprouts, eggplant, carrots, radishes)
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • other seasoning of choice (we use Italian seasoning)
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • Reynolds Parchment Paper
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Tear a sheet of Reynolds Parchment Paper to fit a baking pan with raised edges. If your sheet is too large and hangs over the edges, just grab a pair of scissors and cut it to size. Depending on the number of guests you are serving, you may need more than one pan for roasting.
Scrub your vegetables and slice as needed for optimal roasting (you will see in my example that I cut squash into bite-size pieces, cut brussels sprouts in half, and left the miniature onions and carrots whole).
In a large bowl, add roughly 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, pepper, and selected seasoning. Mix well to combine. Then add the vegetables to the bowl and toss well to ensure they are all coated with oil.
When the oven is ready, place your oiled and seasoned veggies on your parchment paper, and spread them out so that they aren’t piled on top of each other. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip over the vegetables. Return to the oven for an additional 15-20 minutes.
  thanksgiving recipes: harvest bounty roasted veggies
Serve immediately! The vegetables will slide right off the parchment paper with no sticking, and the cleanup will consist of simply tossing the parchment paper. One less thing to clean on a very busy day is something we all can be thankful for!
What are you thinking about serving for your veggies this Thanksgiving??? 

Summer “Thyme” Spritzer with Reynolds Baking Cup Covers

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I am a Reynolds Real Mom, and as such, have been compensated for my time. All thoughts and opinions express here are mine, as always.

Are you planning any summer soirees this year? When the weather is gorgeous, the great outdoors become the perfect backdrop for a gathering with family and friends. But the bugs in the air can definitely put a damper on things, especially if they land in your drinks! There’s a clever solution to this problem that takes just a second to create, and that makes your event look totally swanky.

Aren’t these Reynolds Baking Cups drink toppers awesome?! Here’s how to make them:
Simply flatten out a Reynolds Baking Cup and then form it around the top of your glass. Stick your straw through the top (I recommend cutting a small hole in the top of the baking cup with a pair of scissors first) and your beverage will be bug-free. It will also look pretty darn cute! What an easy way to dress up your drink and solve a problem all at once. That’s how this Real Mom does it! Here’s a link to the exact baking cups I used if you are as in love with them as I am!

Now for what’s inside those beautifully covered cups!

Summer “Thyme” Spritzer

Ingredients
  • 32 ounces lemon flavored sparkling water
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 lemons, sliced thinly
  • fresh thyme
  • ice cubes
Fill your small pitcher with the sparkling water. Add 2 Tbsp lemon juice to give the beverage a little extra kick. In 4 individual glasses, place a slice of lemon, a few sprigs of thyme and some ice cubes. Pour drink into each glass, cover with a Reynolds Baking Cup, add a straw and enjoy!
This post contains an affiliate link. I only promote what I already love! 

Let the Journey Begin: Reynolds Real Moms!!!

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I wanted to take a moment to send out a huge and very heartfelt thanks to all of you who read this blog. I know many of you took the time to vote for me for the Reynolds Real Moms contest, and your support really meant the world.

It also really made a difference, because here’s what just got posted on the Reynolds Facebook page this afternoon!

reynolds real moms winners

 

What an honor it is to be part of this campaign. And it is all thanks to you!!! We are going to have so much fun learning great new tips and tricks this year. I can’t wait!!!

Here are the other winners. Definitely take a moment to follow their blogs, as they are not-to-miss!

Utokia from She’s Got Flavor

Karen from 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Emily from Clever Housewife

Whitney and Ahsley from Shanty 2 Chic

Let the journey begin!

9 Blogs You Should Be Reading

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The Reynolds Real Moms Finalist competition is now over, and we will be getting word any day now about who will be moving on. Before that happens, though, I want to take a moment to highlight the other 9 blogs represented in the competition. The women behind these blogs are all extraordinary. They are gifted writers, talented photographers, and skilled networkers. And yeah, they are also all real moms. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading their blogs over the past few months, and want to suggest that you check them out for yourself!

Real Moms

Here’s the list of great blogs in the order that the picture above was snapped, left to right (skipping Stuff Parents Need, because if you are reading this, then you clearly already know about my site!)

Double Duty Mommy

A Southern Fairytale

MomDot

She’s Got Flavor

365 Days of Slow Cooking

Clever Housewife

Close to Home

GoodLife Eats

Shanty 2 Chic

 

I hope you enjoy these blogs as much as I have. Are there any blogs you are currently loving? Please share!

Final Week for Reynolds Real Moms! I Need Your Vote Today! (Giveaway Reminder)

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Hi friends,

What a fun road it has been! I have had a blast working on the Reynolds Real Moms campaign and sharing lots of great tips and tricks that get me in and out of my kitchen FAST. I don’t want the journey to end, and that’s where you come in! Today (Wednesday) is THE LAST DAY for voting! Please take a moment and head over to the Reynolds Real Moms Facebook app and vote for me, Tiffany Merritt (bottom row, second from the left in the blue top). The voting button is on the left side of the screen once you are on my specific page. A thousand thank yous! I can’t do it without your support!

Here’s my final tip for you today, and it is a REALLY good one! Take a minute to see why you might need to change the way you store cheese in your home. I have, and I can really taste the difference!

Also remember that I’m currently hosting a giveaway for a 6 MONTH SUPPLY OF REYNOLDS PRODUCTS!!! Don’t miss out on it!

And if you are just tuning in to this whole project, here’s a recap of my tips and recipe ideas:

Baking Cookies with Parchment Paper

How to Cook a Whole Chicken

Baking Cups as Snack Holders

Meat, Potatoes and Dessert in 90 Seconds

Slow Cooker Liners are a Game-Changer!

Kid-Friendly Comfort Foods with No Cleanup

Customized Veggie Foil Packets

Perfect Pork Chops and Oven Rice

 

I am a Reynolds Real Moms finalist, and as such have received complimentary products. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. If I win this competition, there will be more opportunities for me to spread the Reynolds love (and offer Reynolds prizes!) to my readers. Will you take a moment today to vote for me? Thank you! 

Baking Cookies with Parchment Paper (Voting Day! Giveaway!)

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It’s voting day for the Reynolds Real Moms campaign! We’re in the home stretch…just two more weeks! Please take a moment to vote for me. It takes just a few seconds and it can change my life, just like Reynolds products have already done! In case you are new here, I’m Tiffany and can be found on the bottom row, second from the left. 

Are you using parchment paper when you bake cookies? Its ok…I wasn’t either, until just a few months ago. But now I will NEVER EVER EVER EVER bake cookies without Reynolds Parchment Paper. Yes, it really does make that big of a difference in the baking process, as well as during clean up. Let me show you all the ways parchment paper will rock your chocolate chip world!

Are you thinking to yourself, “Looks cool, but I don’t even own any parchment paper!” No worries, friends. I’ve got you covered. Here’s a parchment paper coupon that will save you a buck. You’re welcome! 🙂

Many of you know that I already gave away a 6 month supply of Reynolds products. Well guess what? Reynolds said, “Let’s do it again!” That means one more person is going to

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win a 6 month supply of Reynolds products, including foil, parchment paper, baking cups, slow cooker liners, oven bags, bake ware pans, freezer paper and pan lining paper. Oh heck yes!!!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

I am a Reynolds Real Moms finalist, and as such have received complimentary products. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. If I win this competition, there will be more opportunities for me to spread the Reynolds love (and offer Reynolds prizes!) to my readers. Will you take a moment today to vote for me? Thank you!