Birthdays are often celebrated with parties, which create excuses to eat cake or some of your other favorite less-than-healthy foods. Although birthday cake is a standard American tradition for birthday parties, cake does not have to be the food of choice. Several cake-less options are available for those who would like to try alternative treats at their next kids' parties. Does this Spark an idea?
Ice Cream Birthday Party
Ice cream is delicious, but it can be extra-special when you serve it with all the trimmings. An ice cream birthday party provides interaction by allowing the kids to make their own ice cream sundaes. In addition to chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream, provide such toppings as chopped nuts, hot fudge, caramel, pineapple topping, strawberry topping, mini M&Ms, whipped cream, bananas and other fresh fruit. One advantage to an ice cream party is that you do not have to provide a lot of different foods, plus you do not have to cook or bake anything. However, if you choose to serve hot fudge, a small slow cooker will be needed to keep the fudge warm.
Fruity Fun Birthday Party
Many children like fruit, and the likelihood is strong that even those who do not will be unable to resist when you offer a sweet fruit dip, a busy chocolate fountain and fondue for dipping. A fruity fun birthday party requires cutting and peeling fruit and making a batch of fruit dip. Chocolate fountains and fondue sets can be rented or purchased relatively inexpensively at some superstores and department stores.
Additionally, you may want to offer chips and dip, pickles or other simple finger foods to appease any picky eaters who may attend.
Easy Fruit Dip Recipes
For a white, sweet fruit dip, place 8 oz. cream cheese and 16 oz. marshmallow creme in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat slowly on medium power for 20 seconds at a time, stirring well between intervals, until melted.
For a light yellow, citrus-sweet fruit dip, place 8 oz. cream cheese and 16 oz. marshmallow creme in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat slowly on medium power for 20 seconds at a time, stirring well between intervals, until melted. Add 2 tbsp. orange juice, and stir until the juice is thoroughly incorporated into the dip.
For a pink, cherry-flavored fruit dip, follow the steps above, but replace the orange juice with maraschino cherry juice.
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