Whipping up a quick, healthful, and tasty protein shake that tastes like dessert is a great way of 

satisfying your kid’s hunger and (sometimes picky) palate, while fueling them with protein.
(Image: Julia Mueller)

Some easy-to-hide foods that are full of protein include nut butters, protein powders, scrambled eggs (it may sound strange, but you can’t taste them in a smoothie), almond milk, and yogurt. A great fruit-flavored protein shake can include any combination of fresh or frozen fruit, nut milk, protein powder, and/or yogurt. As an alternative, a shake that tastes like dessert, such as a chocolate shake, is a brilliant way of tricking children into thinking they’re consuming something decadent, when really, they’re drinking something healthy. We've included a delicious recipe here, but feel free to mix and match a variety of flavors.
Things You'll Need

    1 large ripe banana, peeled and frozen
    2 tablespoons unsweetened almond butter
    1–2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (to taste)
    1 scant scoop vanilla protein powder (about 1 ½ tablespoons)

    ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    1 cup unsweetened almond milk
    4 large ice cubes

Step 1: Assemble Your Smoothie Ingredients

Choose your flavor scheme and add it to a high-powered blender. This high-in-protein recipe option calls for three sources of protein: protein powder, almond milk, and almond butter. If choosing a fruit smoothie, try adding blueberries or strawberries, banana, almond milk, and vanilla protein powder (and/or cashew butter or almond butter).
(Image: Julia Mueller)
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
(Image: Julia Mueller)

Turn the blender on high or use the smoothie setting, if available. Blend until completely smooth, pour into a glass, and enjoy!
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How to Make Homemade Protein Shakes for Kids

Whipping up a quick, healthful, and tasty protein shake that tastes like dessert is a great way of  satisfying your kid’s hunger and ...

How to Make Homemade Protein Shakes for Kids

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Bring the magic of a Parisian patisserie into your kitchen by creating any or all of these classic French desserts. With the simple instructions from each recipe, you'll learn time-honored French techniques and create some rich and sophisticated desserts and pastries like croissants, creme brulee and soufflés. Bon apetit!
(Image: Demand Media)
Chocolate Stout and Mixed Berry Galette

If you've been too intimidated to attempt making this pastry in the past, you're in luck! This recipe for chocolate stout and mixed berry galettes breaks down the process into simple steps. You can use the basic galette recipe and concoct your own fillings, buy do try the chocolate stout and mixed berry -- it's a fantastically rich, sweet and tart combination.
Impress friends and family at your next brunch by making a chocolate stout and mixed berry galette.
Impress friends and family at your next brunch by making a chocolate stout and mixed berry galette. (Image: Jackie Dodd)
Traditional Crepes

Thin and delicate crepes are like French pancakes that you can stuff with sweet or savory filling. Crepes traditionally use wheat or buckwheat flour, but this version simplifies the process by using pancake mix for crepes. With a myriad of filling options, crepes are perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Many restaurants serve sweet crepes with strawberries, bananas and Nutella.
Many restaurants serve sweet crepes with strawberries, bananas and Nutella. (Image: Angela Wenum/Demand Media)
Nutella Crepe Cake

Blow your guests away with an elegant, sweet and light Nutella crepe cake. Whipped Nutella frosting holds this delicate cake together and adds to its delightful fluffiness. The most time-consuming portion of this recipe is in making the crepes, but you can always buy ready-made crepes from the freezer section at the grocery store. Either way, you'll end up with a beautiful, sophisticated and delicious cake.
(Image: Jennifer Farley)
Classic Croissant

Reward your family and yourself after a long, hard week with classic croissants from scratch. If working in the kitchen relaxes you after a stressful day, this recipe is just for you. Due to the time it takes to pre-ferment and chill the risen dough, it requires a few days to prepare these croissants. But fear not! Each step is broken down with easy instructions so even a novice cook can make mouthwatering, rich, buttery and flaky croissants at home.
The time and effort to make classic croissants is totally worth it.
The time and effort to make classic croissants is totally worth it. (Image: Thalia Ho)
Almond Croissant

Traditional almond croissants, or croissant aux amandes, are made out of day-old or stale croissants -- so this is the perfect way to use up any leftover classic croissants. A sweet and buttery frangipane cream filling, a dusting of powdered sugar and a few brushes of brandy syrup make this a divine and indulgent delight.
Almond croissants are nutty and rich.
Almond croissants are nutty and rich. (Image: Thalia Ho)
Chocolate Soufflé

Competitive cooking shows would have you believe that soufflés are incredibly difficult to make. Although timing is very important in the execution of this dessert, the process is actually very simple. Follow this guide on how to make chocolate soufflé for a light, fluffy and superbly decadent dessert.
A chocolate soufflé is a sublime end to a romantic dinner.
A chocolate soufflé is a sublime end to a romantic dinner. (Image: Pamela Follett/Demand Media)
Creme Brulée

Four ingredients is all you need for an irresistibly creamy and rich creme brulee. The beauty of this dessert lies in the textural difference between the smooth custard underneath a layer of brittle, caramelized sugar. Try to use real vanilla beans for a deep vanilla flavor.
Creme brulee is also called burnt cream, crema catalana or Trinity cream.
Creme brulee is also called burnt cream, crema catalana or Trinity cream. (Image: kayako sareen/Demand Media)
Pain au Chocolat

You can make chocolate croissants, or pain au chocolat, from scratch or by using ready-made puff pastry. Either option will result in a sinfully decadent treat. Dark chocolate provides a lush, complex and bittersweet finish to this delightfully flaky and buttery pastry.
Making these at home gives you control over how much chocolate you devour.
Making these at home gives you control over how much chocolate you devour. (Image: Thalia Ho)
Chocolate Macarons

Sophisticated and utterly charming chocolate macarons are surprisingly easy to make at home. The textural contrast between the crisp, chewy chocolate-and-almond meringue cookies and the luscious dark chocolate ganache will make you giddy for this classic French confection. The hardest part will be waiting for the macarons to chill before serving.
Chocolate macarons don't take long to make.
Chocolate macarons don't take long to make. (Image: Thalia Ho)
Butterscotch Pots de Creme

Butterscotch pots de creme present a beautifully silky cross between pudding and custard. Humble ingredients compose this creamy, rich and ultra-decadent dessert that is ready to serve with 12 simple steps. Finish it off with a dollop of tart creme fraiche and a sprinkle of sea salt to balance the sweetness of the butterscotch.
Make butterscotch pots de creme with creme fraiche and sea salt for a truly elevated dessert.
Make butterscotch pots de creme with creme fraiche and sea salt for a truly elevated dessert. (Image: Thalia Ho)
Palmiers

A palmier or elephant ear is a classic French cookie made of puff pastry and filled with anything from a sprinkling of sugar to fruit jam or Nutella. These caramelized cookies have a satisfying crunch to its bite and a lovely finish as the browned sugar dissolves on your tongue.

11 Delicious Classic French Desserts

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You may not be a superstar athlete or a supermodel, but you can certainly eat like one. While some might think that New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady and wife Gisele Bündchen (and kids) have a limiting diet, it's actually not all that crazy... it's simply clean.

What do they eat?

    Vegetables (a lot -- it's about 80% of their diet according to their personal chef Allen Campbell)
    Gluten-free grains (think quinoa, millet, brown rice)
    Legumes (lentils and beans)
    Lean meats (organic steak and chicken) and fish (mostly wild salmon)
    Coconut oil

No fun? Not so fast! Even if you don't follow their diet to a T, you can still incorporate some of their dos and don'ts into your meal planning with these delicious recipes.

Kids, tell the Good Humor man to keep on driving. We've got your back with these frozen coconut milk and berry pops. Mom and Dad will approve. Make them as the weather turns warmer.

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The list of people you still need to buy presents for is growing incredibly long. You don't want to brave the cold and snow to go shopping and it's too late to order a present online. Most of the people on your list are impossible to buy for. What are you to do? You can't show up to Christmas empty handed.



This year, skip the store bought gifts for gifts from the kitchen. Everyone loves food — and everyone loves homemade food as gifts! You can save money, time and stress by making one of these delicious food gifts that will make everyone on your list love you.
(Image: eHow)
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1. Chocolate Sea Salt Toffee

You can't beat a food gift that requires only four ingredients. Your active time to make this toffee is only about 20 minutes — you can decorate the tree while you wait for the toffee and chocolate layers to cool. Use Christmas candy boxes and ribbon to package the toffee up to make it feel extra special.
(Image: Courtney Whitmore)
2. Easy Chocolate Peppermint Fudge

Fudge is a staple of the holiday season. Put those candy canes to use as a topping in this vegan fudge. Tip: Add an extra tablespoon of cocoa to make this fudge extra rich.
(Image: Ashlae Warner)
3. 10-Minute Stout Chocolate Fudge

Do you have a beer lover in your life? Find out their favorite stout beer then whip them up this decadent fudge. Gift with a six-pack of beer for even more brownie points.
(Image: Jackie Dodd)
4. Three-Ingredient Peanut Butter Fudge

When it's crunch time during the holidays, it's no time to get involved in a difficult recipe. Instead, grab a bag of white chocolate chips, your favorite peanut butter and some maple syrup to make this fudge in 15 minutes or less.
(Image: Ashlae Warner)
5. Chocolate Macarons

If you have someone on your list you need to impress, this is the food gift you have to make. Homemade macarons seem difficult but they are much easier to make than you think! You can even turn your holiday baking party into a macaron baking party this year — pre-make the cookies and have your guests fill in their own macarons.
(Image: Thalia Ho)
6. Marbled Chocolate Bark

For the chocolate lover in your life, gift this marbled chocolate bark that includes four (yes, four!) different types of chocolate. This stays good in an airtight container for up to three weeks so keep a batch on hand if you have unexpected gifts after the holidays.
(Image: Thalia Ho)
7. Sweet, Salty, Nutty Chocolate Bark

The best gifts are sweet and salty. This chocolate bark will cure any sweet, salty or crunchy craving! Use up leftover crackers, pretzels or even quinoa for the crunch.
(Image: Thalia Ho)
8. S'mores Cake Ball Truffles

Cake balls are possibly the most fun baked good to make because you don't have to worry if your cake comes out cracked or crumbly! Your loved ones will remember summer (and warmer days!) with this campfire favorite-inspired treat. Use holiday-themed swizzle sticks to make these easy to eat.
(Image: Thalia Ho)
9. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Chocolate and peanut butter were made for each other. If you're tired of baking this holiday season, skip turning on the oven and make these no-bake cookies instead. Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to make these feel extra fancy.
(Image: Ashley Manila)
10. Three-Ingredient Salted Chocolate Matzos

Matzo gets a bad rap for being bland but really, being bland is great because it means you have a blank slate to work with. If you have extra matzo left over from Hanukkah celebrations, dip it in melted chocolate and sprinkle sea salt on top to make these irresistible treats.

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Chocolate + peanut butter = classic flavor combo. The sweet, the salty... they're just meant for each other. These no-bake chocolate peanut butter balls are an easy way to cure even the fiercest chocolate peanut butter craving. The fact that they're no-bake and make-ahead friendly just puts this treat over the top.

This recipe makes about 36 balls, leaving you with plenty to share.
Things You'll Need

    3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
    15 oz jar of unsweetened creamy peanut butter
    1/4 cup unsalted butter, very soft
    1 teaspoon all natural vanilla extract

    2 to 3 tablespoons milk
    3 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
    1 tablespoon canola oil

(Image: Ashley Manila)
Step 1

In a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, or in the body of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the powdered sugar, peanut butter, vanilla and softened butter. Beat on low-speed until combined and slightly crumbly. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, and continue to beat until the mixture becomes a workable dough. It will be a little sticky, but scoop-able and easy to work with.
(Image: Ashley Manila)
(Image: Ashley Manila)
Step 2

Scoop 1 tablespoon-sized rounds of filling out onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll each round into ball. Place the baking sheet in the freezer to firm up for one hour.
(Image: Ashley Manila)
Step 3

During the last few minutes of the chill time, make the chocolate coating. You will make the chocolate coating in the microwave. Place the chocolate and oil in a heat-proof glass measuring cup and melt, on low-power, in 30 second increments, stirring after each increment, until completely melted. Whisk chocolate smooth and let it slightly cool before dipping.
Tip

    If you don't own a microwave, you can make the chocolate coating in a double broiler.

Step 4

Remove peanut butter balls from freezer. One at a time, carefully dip each chilled ball in the melted chocolate. When lifting the peanut butter ball out of the chocolate remember to allow excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Transfer the chocolate covered balls back to parchment paper lined baking sheet after dipping each one.
(Image: Ashley Manila)
(Image: Ashley Manila)
Tip

    For easy dipping use a small fork or specialty truffle dipping skewer.

Step 5

Transfer the peanut butter balls to the refrigerator to set, about 1 hour. Serve chilled.
(Image: Ashley Manila)
Tip

    If you like, garnish with half of a peanut and a sprinkling of flaky salt. Do this step while the chocolate is still warm, prior to chilling in the refrigerator.

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