Santa Pancakes

For a meal sure to make little eyes shine bright, try this adorable breakfast.

Ingredients

2 cups biscuit/baking mix

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 medium bananas, sliced

18 semisweet chocolate chips

1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling

Whipped cream in a can

Directions

In a large bowl, combine baking mix and cinnamon. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs, milk and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.

Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a greased hot griddle. Turn when bubbles form on top; cook until second side is golden brown.

Place pancakes on individual plates. For Santa's eyes, place two banana slices on each pancake; top with a chocolate chip. For ears, cut remaining banana slices in half; place on either side of pancake. For nose, remove nine cherries from pie filling; place one in the center of each pancake. Spoon 1/4 cup pie filling above pancake for hat. Use whipped cream to spray the beard, hat brim and pom-pom. Yield: 9 servings.

Peanut Butter Pretzel Pumpkins for Halloween

Cute Peanut Butter Pretzel Pumpkins

Ingredients:

1 cup creamy peanut butter

2 tbsp butter, at room temperature

1 cup powdered sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 bag mini pretzels

1 bag orange candy melts

Mini chocolate chips (if desired for decorating)

Directions:

- In the bowl of an electric mixer beat together the peanut butter and butter until smooth. 

- Add the sugars and pumpkin pie spice and beat until well incorporated.

- Measure out about a tsp of the peanut butter mixture out and roll it into a ball with your hands.

- Sandwich the ball in between 2 pretzels and set aside on a wax or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

- Continue making sandwiches until all of the peanut butter mixture is used.  Transfer the cookie sheet to the refrigerator and chill for about an hour.

- Break pieces of pretzels for stems and set aside. 

- After an hour, transfer the orange candy melts to a microwave safe bowl and microwave on 1/2 power for 30 seconds at a time, mixing well between each interval.  Continue until completely melted and smooth.

- Dunk each sandwich into the chocolate, using a fork to retrieve it.  Tap the fork on the edge of the bowl to help remove excess chocolate.  Transfer pumpkin to the cookie sheet to set.

-  Add the pretzel stems to the top of the pumpkins and if you're adding jack-o-lantern features, gently press the chocolate chips into the chocolate coating before it has set completely.

- When all the pumpkins are dipped, transfer the cookie sheet to the fridge until ready to serve.