Life
11 Childhood Snacks You Should Make Right Now Because You Are Never Too Old
On most days, we try to be civilized eaters. We talk about French pastry and teatime and the art of homemade pasta. We’ll even eat our sweetbreads and our bone marrow, and we’ll be happy about it — because that’s what good foodies do.
But let’s be honest: sometimes, you just really need a Hostess cupcake. You need to face plant into a bowl of Cheez-Its and shove as many Pop Tarts as you can in your mouth. We get it. So this week, let’s give into the kid in us. We’ll cook like it’s the 90s all over again, and we’ll do it with pride. These are, after all, the foods that saw you through those school projects, through first crushes and breakups. These snacks were there for you then, and they will be there for you always.
Image: Brown Eyed Baker
Pop Tarts
You couldn’t wait for those harried mornings when there was no time for eggs or cereal — because that meant Pop Tarts. Savory Simple goes all out and stuffs hers with cherries and Nutella.
Image: Savory Simple
Graham Crackers
Alone, graham crackers were pretty good, but we all know they were destined to be s’mores. Start out strong with Brown Eyed Baker’s homemade recipe.
Image: Brown Eyed Baker
Applesauce
This is not the bland mush you remember from those little plastic cups. A Pastry Affair’s recipe for applesauce has a bit of crunch — which makes it especially good for flinging onto your friends’ faces. You know, for old time’s sake.
Image: A Pastry Affair
Chocolate Pudding
As much as you liked applesauce, let’s be real here — we were all in it for the chocolate pudding. Take it to the next level with this two-ingredient mousse from Oh, Ladycakes.
Image: Oh, Ladycakes
Cheez-Its
Ah, Cheez-Its. They were crumbly, and you always ended up with a neon coating of dust on your fingers — but they were so worth it. Crepes of Wrath takes your standard cheese cracker to new heights with bacon.
Image: Crepes of Wrath
Chewy Bars
Every day, you probably opened your lunchbox to find one of these, tucked between your PB&J and apple. Do one better than mom and make your own soft-baked granola bars, courtesy of The Messy Baker.
Image: The Messy Baker
Fruit Snacks
If you were really lucky, you got a pack of chewy, gooey fruit snacks — the kind with next to no fruit at all. Kirbie’s Cravings has a grown-up version, made with natural juice.
Image: Kirbie’s Cravings
Oreos
You loved them then as much as you love them now — and the good news? You can still eat them however you want. (We’re in the milk-dunking camp.) Hummingbird High breaks down the recipe.
Image: Hummingbird High
Fudge Stripe Cookies
The other cookie of choice back in the day? Keebler Fudge Stripes. Put the elves to shame with this classic recipe from Brave Tart.
Image: Brave Tart
Hostess Cupcakes
And finally, the crown jewel of snack time: the Hostess cupcake. It’s chocolaty; it’s cute; it’s got a funny white squiggle on top. In short, it’s everything you still want, fifteen years later. Thanks, Brown Eyed Baker!
Image: Brown Eyed Baker