One of the hardest parts of managing a younger child's peanut is allergy is food related events at school or preschool. (Did I just hear a collective "Ugh!")For our family (and many other PA families), allowing your child to eat something made in a bakery or in a stranger's home is way too risky. Yet, it makes things like Birthday parties for other children and holiday parties a time for your PA child to feel completely left out.
My sister-in-law (who has 2 tree nut allergic children) gave me an excellent idea that I use now that Tyler is in preschool. Keep cupcakes in the freezer at school!
I asked permission at Tyler's preschool for a spot in the freezer and they happily obliged. My SIL's children are 12 and their school has allowed them to do this for years.
I make a batch of cupcakes and put them on a pan in the freezer for them to initially freeze. (If you stick them in a bag or container before they freeze, they will be a frozen blob by the time they freeze). Once frozen, I transfer the cupcakes to a large freezer bag. I put Tyler's name and the date they were baked on the package. Then they are ready for the school's freezer.
I realize they will not look like the other children's cupcakes. Amazingly, however, Tyler does not seem to mind. So they are at least a little festive, I bake Pillsbury Funfetti cupcakes (the ones with different colored sprinkles in the cake mix). Tyler knows they are his cupcakes and he is always thrilled to have them!
6 comments:
What a great idea. . .and what a fabulous looking cupcake!
We keep Hostess chocolate cupcakes (individually wrapped-come 8 in a box-labeled well for allergies) in my son's classroom for things like this. They even have cream inside-yummy! So far he hasn't felt left out that I know of! :-)
K in NC
I love this idea...I also use funfetti and it seems I am always making them. I haven't determined how long they will last frozen? Any thoughts on that? Thanks!!
Hi Dana. I don't know how long they will last for sure. I have a deep freeze and freeze food all the time. Things last for months in there. For me, I would think they would be OK for 4-6 months. Of course in our home they never last that long!!
When we attend birthday parties or a wedding, I always make sure I have a Pepperidge Farm 3-layer Frozen Cake on hand. At this time they are nut-free (with exception of coconut cake if you are not comfortable with that one). I have actually phoned them and also have come to the conclusion that they are safe as far as cross-contamination issues are concerned. The cakes are super moist and delicious and you can thaw the whole cake or a piece of it on the way to any party!
-Lisa
Thanks for the tip! Do you ice them before freezing? How long does it typically take to thaw (morning and then ready by lunch?)?
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