The last time I needed Star Wars and Yoda party ideas was when my now-adult kids turned 8 and 9 years old. Thirteen years ago we served  Yoda Soda (and Princess Punch) at the local Papa Gino’s pizza restaurant near Boston.

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My two oldest kids are one year and one day apart. So for my son, the theme was a Star Wars party and for my daughter a Princess Party; with all of their classmates invited. 

A few months prior, I had found an old tattered book at the thrift store called, The Star Wars Cookbook: Wookie Cookies and Other Galactic Recipes. We really didn’t use it for recipes though, it was just a fun book for the kids to thumb through. The book itself survived many years, eventually losing it’s binding though, it wound up in the recycle bin.

Fast forward many years later, the older kids were chatting fondly about this book with my youngest. He seemed interested so I hopped over to Ebay and found the same book, in much better condition, with all of its stickers intact. If nothing else, I figured it would make a great item to add to his Star Wars collection. The 

The book, to be honest, the book is kind of ridiculous in terms of ‘recipes’ Essentially it is just regular food with a Star Wars name twist. Nothing too spectacular. Think Han-Burgers and Hoth-Chocolate. But, it is fun to own. 

 

But there was one cute ‘recipe’ that I adapted for the party called Yoda Soda. The cookbook called for seltzer, sherbet and food coloring but I figured I could recreate the same thing with just sherbet and Sprite.

This was a much easier option for a crowd of 35 kids and their parents in a pizza shop dining room. 

I simply poured in some Sprite, mixed around a spoonful or two of green sherbet to color the soda, added some extra sherbet to the top and done! You could even serve these in small, clear shot glasses and truly make them a Baby Yoda snack idea!

Who is Baby Yoda? 

Unless you’ve been living under a Kyber Crystal for the past few months, you’ve seen or heard about Baby Yoda. You know, “The Child” that the Mandalorian rescued in the Disney Plus series.

Baby Yoda is everywhere and his popularity isn’t waning soon. So you’re likely going to run into a kid (or adult) somewhere that wants a Baby Yoda themed birthday party, or Baby Yoda party food and snacks.

We’re going to see some adorable Baby Yoda Halloween costume ideas as well, I’m sure. 

In the meantime though, if you’re anticipating having to create a magical birthday party for a special Padawan in your life, give this simple Baby Yoda Soda a try. I’m sure it will make someone smile!

 

I’ve got the hook-up if you’re looking for additional Baby Yoda ideas for meals, drinks, and crafts. There are even adorable, Baby Yoda Valentines for a candy-free classroom Valentine exchange!

Baby Yoda Snack Foods and Party Ideas 

If you’re making Star Wars cupcakes, these Baby Yoda cupcake toppers are the perfect addition to the festivities. Taty also recommends making these for a Baby Yoda Baby Shower as well, which I think is pure genius!

Baby Yoda Valentine’s Day Party Printables

Melissa over at Farm Girl Gabs created some super-cute Baby Yoda Free Printable Mandalorian  Valentines Day Cards for you to print out and have your kids exchange with friends. Kami from The Momma Diaries also has some Free Baby Yoda Valentines Day Printables

Healthy Baby Yoda Soup Recipe 

For a healthy immune-boosting winter soup, because you know Baby Yoda likes his soup, Kita from It’s Really Kita has this delicious looking Baby Yoda Soup Recipe! I’m excited to try this one very soon!

Shaye at Popcorn and Tequila has a comprehensive list of places to find Baby Yoda and Mandalorian Funko Pop for some fun birthday gift ideas! 

How to Make Baby Yoda Cookies 

Chrysa at Thrifty Jinxy shares some cute Baby Yoda Cookies and she offers step by step decorating tips with process photos, which I find super helpful!

Baby Yoda Nachos and Guacamole Dip 

Finally, Laura at Little House Big Alaska created these adorable Baby Yoda Nachos. Check out that the presentation, I’m giving these a go very soon, I mean – check out those ears!!

These Baby Yoda party food ideas and printables are a great way to get your Mandalorian fix. Hopefully later this year we’ll learn a bit more about The Child. In the meantime, we can only speculate, and make all the Baby Yoda things we can! 

These DIY Taco Bell style Crunchwraps are a great variation for Taco Tuesday! Its versatility makes for a great dinner option when your family has varied tastes and food preferences. My adult kids introduced me to Crunchwraps several months ago.

 

For years though, I’ve always cringed whenever I have handed over my hard-earned money for a taco-style meal somewhere. I always think about the money I’m spending and how I could easily recreate the item at home, with fresh ingredients and customize it to my own tastes.

What I love about tacos or Tex-Mex dinners is that they’re 100% customizable and I can lay out ingredients on the kitchen island and let everyone create (and cook) their own masterpiece.

 

 

One of my daughters is a vegan, so I’ll include vegan ‘cheese’ spreads and plant-based proteins or tofu.

Sometimes I’ll cook ground turkey (we don’t eat beef often at all). Other times I opt for shredded and seasoned chicken breast. These Taco Bell style Crunchwraps are easy to assemble, younger kids will enjoy this activity. 

 

 

Well, unless said younger kid is picky like mine is; I just give him some of the protein in a bowl, let him break a tostada and use it to scoop up his meat and/or beans.

Sometimes you just gotta do what ya gotta do! Because it comes together so easily, this is a perfect busy-night meal. I hope you’ll enjoy this super-easy Crunchwrap dinner idea! 

DIY Taco Bell Style Crunchwrap

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Ingredients

• 1 lb browned ground turkey/beef/vegan option flavored with 1 packet taco seasoning
• Burrito Sized Flour Tortillas
• Cheese dip (can use vegan:
• Tostada Shells
• Sour Cream (vegan options like:
• shredded lettuce
• diced tomato
• shredded cheddar cheese
• salsa and/or taco sauce
• black beans (optional)
• vegetarian refried beans (optional)

Instructions

Much like tacos, these Crunchwraps are so versatile; you can customize them to your family's tastes and dietary preferences.

Lay out the burrito sized flour tortillas.

Take one scoop of cheese dip and spread in in the center of the flour tortilla. For a vegan option, we used vegetarian refried beans for this step. You could also use a vegan cheese dip.

Place a tostada shell on top of the cheese dip.

Add protein - can customize to make vegetarian, vegan, etc.. A good plant-based option is No-Evil Chorizo or Gardein Crumbles. We also added black beans to the protein layer.

Sprinkle cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes on top of the protein. Vegan shreds from Follow Your Heart are our favorite!

Add a scoop of sour cream & salsa. I used salsa verde for this step because it's amazing. You could also incorporate vegan sour cream or leave that out. We also enjoy spicy foods, so everyone added a drizzle of chipotle sauce (the ones from a can) to theirs.

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To fold crunch wrap, start with the bottom of the tortilla and fold the edge up to the center of the fillings. Keep doing that, folding as tight as possible, as you work your way around the tortilla.

Place on skillet and heat on medium heat. Cook for 2min each side or until golden brown.
Serve & enjoy!!!

 

 

If you happen to have leftover Challah, try this French Toast recipe for your next lazy weekend breakfast. 

Challah French Toast For a Lazy Weekend Breakfast 

My youngest is a very picky eater, so I often make French Toast for him to ensure he gets some much-needed protein from the eggs.

This French Toast Challah is a great recipe to try to use up leftover Challah. Though, if I’m being 100% honest, we’ve never had ‘leftover’ Challah or any other type of bread in our house.

When we lived in Massachusetts, the Panera Bread near us made Challah every Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, here in South Carolina that isn’t the case.

I’ve been on a search for a great bakery here in Charleston so I can grab some Challah every once in a while. I try to grab two loaves whenever I see it in a local grocery store bakery and use one to make this Challah French Toast. 

Challah French Toast

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Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 large loaf challah
• Unsalted butter, for frying
• Vegetable oil, if desired for frying

Instructions

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Slice the challah into ¾ inch to 1 ½ inch slices, depending on how thick you want the toast to be. Be aware, a thicker toast will increase the cooking time slightly.

In a shallow baking dish (like a pie plate), beat the eggs with the milk, cinnamon, honey, vanilla, and salt until well blended. 

Place two slices of challah into the egg mixture and allow to soak for up to two minutes, turning over once to coat both sides.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter (and oil if desired) and heat until the butter has melted.

Add two challah slices to the skillet at a time and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn and cook until golden brown on the second side, about 2 minutes longer. 

Repeat with the remaining challah. Keep completed french toast in a warm oven (200 degrees) on a parchment-lined baking sheet, if desired.)

Serve hot with maple syrup, powdered sugar, and/or preserves.

Notes

Using both vegetable oil and butter for frying keeps the smoking point down, protects the butter from browning, and yields a more golden, crispy texture to the toast.

One of these days I’m going to have a marathon weekend baking session and bake all of the bread. When I do, I will definitely try my hand at homemade Challah. In the meantime, storebought will have to do and this Challah French Toast recipe is a new family staple.

These Vegan Princess Anna Cupcakes will put you in a Disney Frozen state of mind. If I’m being completely honest here, I was never fully on-board with Frozen when it came out in 2013.

Print out some of the Disney Frozen printable coloring pages and activities and so the kids have something to do while the cupcakes are baking and fondant is hardening. Or, for a fun craft or party favor, try these easy DIY Winter Sensory Bottles. 

Vegan Princess Anna Mickey Ears Cupcakes 

I was intentionally tried not to pay attention to all of the online references, videos and countless “Let it Go” performances and parodies across social media.

It wasn’t until a few years later that I finally watched Frozen. Now that I’ve seen both Frozen and the 21-minute featurette, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, I’m looking forward to Frozen 2 on Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately, my family has decided they’re not fans of our short-lived Disney Thanksgiving Day movie, so we likely won’t see it in theaters. 

Easy Fun and Vegan Princess Anna Cupcakes to Make with the Kids 

I’m thinking of making these Vegan Princess Cupcakes for Thanksgiving to help myself feel better about not seeing Frozen 2 in theaters. What I love about this recipe is that, if you opt for vegan fondant, this is a 100% vegan cupcake recipe!

 

Decorating the fondant Mickey Ears could be a fun activity to do with the kids, from cutting out fondant circles, mixing food coloring into the frosting and painting the design on the fondant, it’s a pretty kid-friendly recipe.

Princess Anna Mickey Ears Cupcakes

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Ingredients

• Supplies
• Cupcakes
• 2 cup flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1 cup of water
• Decoration
• 1 Can (3 cups) of Your Favorite Vanilla Frosting
• Light Blue Food Coloring
• Red Food Coloring
• Black Food Coloring
• Purple Food Coloring
• Dark Blue Sprinkles
• Purple Sprinkles
• Rose Decorating Tip & Piping Bag
• Black Fondant
• Gold Edible Glitter (luster dust)
• Parchment Paper
• Paintbrush
• 2-inch Circle Cookie Cutter

Instructions

To make the cupcakes, preheat oven to 350-degrees.

Mix dry ingredients together in a medium bowl.

Mix wet ingredients together in a medium bowl.

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients in 1/3 cup increments and mix until smooth.

Fill muffin cups almost full as this recipe does not rise a significant amount.

Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from heat and cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Frost immediately or freeze until ready to use.

Once you’ve made your cupcakes, set them aside to cool completely. 

To make Mickey's ears, roll out the black fondant to about ⅛-inch thick on a sheet of parchment paper. You definitely want it to be thick, in this case, because you need it to stand up. 

Cut out 2 rounds of black fondant for every cupcake. Do not try to transfer the rounds, rather pull the excess fondant away from the ears. That way you don’t mess up the shape.

Set these aside for a minimum of two hours to dry out. If you can leave them overnight, that’s even better.

To make your blue icing, combine blue food coloring (about 5-10 drops will do) with your icing and stir.

To decorate the Mickey Ears, I used a bit of the blue icing, painted on, to make the top of Anna’s dress in a “V” shape. 

Then I combined about ⅛ teaspoon of water with about 1 teaspoon of edible glitter and painted the ears with swirls like Anna’s dress bodice.

Then I combined ½ teaspoon of icing with 2 drops of red, 1 drop of black and 1 drop of purple food coloring to make the little purple jewels on Anna’s dress.

Set the ears aside to let the icing crust over.

Using your largest decorating tip, cut a hole into the top of the cupcakes and fill with a small amount of dark blue sprinkles for a fun surprise.

Replace the top of the holes in the cupcake.

Ice each of your cupcakes with about half of the icing you would normally use. Then add purple sprinkles on top.

Tuck two ears into each cupcake on each side. Immediately place the cupcakes in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to set the icing and help hold the ears up.

Once the icing has set, finish icing each cupcake and add a few more sprinkles.

Elsa and Anna have been delighting kids and adults for 6 years now and I don’t anticipate the adoration waning any time soon. 

If you decide to make these cupcakes, leave a comment below and let me know how it went. Or, if you have opinions on Frozen 2, let me know, I’d love to hear them!

  

If you’re looking for Vegan Christmas Cookie recipes for your holiday dessert table, your wish has been granted. 

Vegan Christmas Cookies Everyone Will Love 

When my daughter became vegan a few years ago, I learned quickly how to make many of our family favorites vegan. Whether by swapping out regular butter for a vegan version like Earth Balance or using almond milk in place of dairy milk, it was an easy transition.

When it comes to baking, however, getting the proportions correct is an exact science so it takes a bit of trial and error when developing vegan recipes yourself. Whether you are looking for a festive vegan cookie for a holiday party, or just something to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can’t go wrong with any of these cookie recipes!

These cookies are all vegan-friendly and some are even gluten-free.  

Ginger Cookies

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

An oatmeal cookie with chocolate! I also added some pecans because they are delicious, but you can leave them out if you prefer.

Sugar Cookies

Everyone needs a staple sugar cookie for decorating. These vegan sugar cookies are the exact palette for creating adorable decorated Christmas cookies.

Ginger Molasses Cookies

I think its almost a rule that molasses remind us of a cozy, winter visit to Grandma’s house. 

My grandmother was all about molasses and I’m sure even she, with her real butter, real dairy upbringing would approve of these Vegan Ginger molasses cookies.

Pine Needle Shortbread Cookies

I’ll be honest, when I first came across this recipe I was a little taken aback. Eating pine needles is not on my Christmas bucket list, but I’m interested in exploring these Pine Needle Shortbread Cookies a bit further. 

Snowmen Meringue Cookies

Normally meringue is not something you’d consider as vegan-friendly, but these Snowmen Meringue Cookies, are in fact vegan, so enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

Get the Aquafaba!! A Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie that uses normal ingredients? Finally, a vegan recipe that uses ingredients I likely already have on hand.

Crinkle Cookies

A Christmas Tradition, these Vegan Crinkle Cookies are easy and fun to make with the kids.

Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies

Crinkle cookies are an ideal vegan cookie recipe, they’re easy because they’re mostly just sugar but they’re also very versatile.

These Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies just scream Holiday Cheer!!

Gingerbread Cookies 

What would Christmas be without Vegan Gingerbread Cookies; this holiday favorite goes vegan and gluten-free. It’s the perfect allergy-friendly Christmas cookie!

Apple Pie Protein Cookies

It’s almost like a portable caramel apple pie. These Vegan Apple Pie Protein Cookies pack a powerful punch of wellness with a healthy dash of deliciousness thrown in.

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies

It’s the ultimate Christmas flavor and if I’m being totally honest, my favorite year-round flavor. These Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies will cure your cravings for Girl Scout Cookies too.

Caramel Cookies

Another vegan and gluten-free option, these Caramel Cookies will become a holiday staple on your Christmas dessert table.

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

These amazing, healthier Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies are vegan and use Justin’s Mini Peanut Butter Cups. How could a cookie get any better than that?

Jam Filled Thumbprint Cookies

These Vegan Jam Filled Thumbprint Cookies make a pretty presentation on your table and are perfect for a cookie swap or gift-giving. 

Christmas cookies are a holiday tradition in most families. When trying to accommodate various tastes, dietary preferences or allergies, it can be challenging. These vegan Christmas cookies are a great go-to option to ensure everyone is happy and healthy. Do you have a favorite Vegan Christmas cookie recipe? Share in comments and let me know.