Food & Party Planning Ideas

National Snack Food Month

Snacking is part of the American meal pattern. In addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, an afternoon trip to the vending machine at work is part of our routine. The movies and popcorn go hand in hand, whether at the theater or a video rental at home. Yet snacks have also become a part of our meals. Chips are a side dish of sorts to a sandwich, and we often enjoy chips and salsa at the start of a Mexican dinner.

"Snacking is almost an American pastime. Look in anybody's shopping cart at the grocery store, and you're sure to find cookies, chips or crackers and maybe all of the above," says Nancy Siler, Manager of Consumer Affairs at Wilton Enterprises. "Snack foods are a staple at any party or picnic and can be found in every child's lunch box."

Wilton pans are a creative way to spruce up the appearance and presentation of your dips and spreads for chips and crackers. The avocado layer of our Molded Mexicali Dip is a smooth "guacamole" set in our Ring Mold pan. The Ring Mold is ideal for letting party guests serve themselves. The open center makes a convenient place for salsa and toppings, such as crumbled cheese, tomato and chopped fresh cilantro. Be sure to have plenty of tortilla chips on hand for this popular dish! The colorful mold is sure to enhance any table. Blue cheese spread in our Viennese Swirl Pan is a refreshing alternative to French onion dip for chips, crackers and veggies. Singles!™ pans are great for molded individual servings of cereal treats. For a twist on traditional marshmallow treats, mix colored, melted Candy Melts® with popcorn and press into desired pan. Kids will love these after a long day at school.

You can make cookies shaped as animals, hearts, flowers, stars and just about anything with Cookie Treat Pans, cookie cutters, and cookie stamps. Comfort Grip™ Cutters are perfect for cutting foods into so many spectacular shapes. Best of all, the cushion grip provides comfortable control. Your cookies and brownies will be so adorable, you won't want to wash them down with a glass of milk!

Some people find chocolate-covered potato chips an odd combination of flavors, but the sweetness of chocolate complements the saltiness of potato chips for an easy-to-make snack that will undoubtedly produce many smiling faces. Use light or dark cocoa Candy Melts® and your favorite brand potato chips to prepare this delicious and simple snack. Try it out with pretzel rods and Pretzel Molds in sports, bear and clown designs for great fun while munching.

Try something new by livening up your munchies during National Snack Food Month. BEWARE: Your cookies, crackers and chips will never be the same!

Molded Mexicali Dip
Blue Cheese Spread