Snack Idea: Pudding Bar

Are your kids famished when they get home from school? Do they always want to drive through Sonic to get a milkshake and tator tots? I've got a great snack idea that will fill them up and keep them happy until dinner time...a pudding bar! You can make whatever flavor(s) pudding you like and set out lots of different topping to either layer or sprinkle on top.

My girls like banana and vanilla pudding. So yesterday, I made banana pudding and layered it with bananas in individual serving cups. The toppings I had in the pantry were milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, marshmallows, and honey graham crackers. The topping choices are endless...all you need is some pudding as the base.

This is more of an idea than a recipe, but here's how easy instant pudding is to make:

1 large box instant pudding mix, any flavor
3 cups cold milk

Whisk together pudding and milk in a large bowl for 5 minutes until thick. Pudding is ready! How easy was that?!?

Topping Ideas:
chocolate chips: milk chocolate, semi-sweet, white, swirl
peanut butter chips
butterscotch chips
mint chips
marshmallows
granola
graham cracker crumbs
broken up candy bars
broken up cookies
fresh fruit
dried fruit
nuts
whipped cream

This is a quick snack that will please the whole family. We all really enjoyed our pudding snack!

Word to the wise: Don't leave the toppings in front of your kids unattended...they will eat all their goodies, then keep adding more to their cup when you're not looking. My 3 year old had a cup full of chocolate chips!

Now go have some fun with your kids!

I read a post about a pancake bar yesterday on riddlelove: http://www.riddlelove.com/2010/10/piece-together-perfect-pancake-pancake.html.
I thought that was a great idea!

Here are some other food bar ideas:
yogurt bar
ice cream/sundae bar
hot chocolate bar
nacho bar (our favorite)
taco bar
quesadilla bar
taquito bar
hamburger/hot dog bar
soup bar (chili, tortilla, tomato)
sandwich bar
pizza bar
baked potato bar
salad bar (obvious!)

Do you have any other food bar ideas? Please share...

Share your snack recipes...