Woman's World

Hailey Bieber’s Viral ‘Chicky Meatballs’ Recipe Is the Weeknight Dinner You (and Your Family) Will Love

Ryan Brennan — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:08:06 +0000

Hailey Bieber’s “Chicky Meatballs” have earned a spot in a lot of weeknight dinner rotations, and it’s easy to see why. The recipe leans on pantry staples, comes together in one pan and sneaks extra protein into a comfort food your family already loves. The twist that has home cooks talking? A generous scoop of cottage cheese right on top.

Bieber shared the recipe on Instagram, and it took off online for its simple method and that unexpected finish.

What is Hailey Bieber’s ‘Chicky Meatballs’ recipe?

Bieber told followers she “eyeballs everything” without measurements, according to screenshots shared in a fan-made TikTok video. Her chicken meatballs come together with ground chicken, Italian seasoning, ricotta cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs and one egg.

Here’s how to pull it together.

Combine the ingredients in a bowl and mix until evenly blended.
Shape the mixture into meatballs of your preferred size.
Cook them in a pan until crispy on the outside and cooked through.
Spoon a tomato sauce of your choice over the meatballs.
Finish with a scoop of cottage cheese and a shower of grated Parmesan.

“I’m sorry, but my chicken meatballs with tomato sauce, cottage cheese, and parmesan is seriously to die for and one of my favorite things I make,” she wrote in an Instagram Story, according to Vogue.

Bieber also said she often skips the tomato sauce and eats the meatballs with cottage cheese and Parmesan on their own, which makes for a great lower-carb dinner.

Why the cottage cheese topping works so well

Cottage cheese has climbed back into rotation partly because it packs substantial protein into a mild-tasting food that works in sweet and savory recipes alike. A half-cup serving of low-fat cottage cheese provides about 12 grams of protein, along with vitamin B12, phosphorus, potassium and calcium, according to the Food Network.

Registered dietitian Kristin Kirkpatrick told Cleveland Clinic that cottage cheese works in everything from smoothies and pancakes to pasta sauce and desserts.

“We know that it has a lot of healthy bacteria that help with our microbiome. We know it’s a great source of protein. It’s also something that many of my patients consider clean in the sense that it’s not ultra processed,” she said.

It’s a complete protein, meaning it delivers all nine essential amino acids, and it’s rich in casein, a slowly digested dairy protein. Sodium can run high depending on the brand, so give the label a glance while you shop.

Can you swap cottage cheese for ricotta?

Bieber uses ricotta inside her meatballs and cottage cheese on top, but cottage cheese can stand in for ricotta in plenty of chicken meatball recipes and beyond. The texture is chunkier and wetter than ricotta, so draining off extra liquid helps in dishes where consistency matters.

If the curds throw you off, blending is a simple fix. Registered dietitian Abbey Sharp called the blending trick a “game changer” in an interview with Yahoo Health, saying it turns cottage cheese into a smooth, creamy base that folds into pasta sauces, dips, smoothies, pancake batter and desserts like mousse and cheesecake.

That texture trick is a big reason cottage cheese has become such a flexible ingredient. Even family members who don’t love the curds straight from the tub won’t notice them once they disappear into a sauce or batter.

Other easy ways to add cottage cheese to recipes

Once you have a tub in the fridge, it’s simple to stretch across the week. A few ideas worth trying.

Pasta sauce. Blend it into tomato or cream-based sauces for extra protein and a creamier finish.
Scrambled eggs. Stir a spoonful into the eggs before they hit the pan.
Pancakes or waffles. Add it to the batter for more protein and moisture.
Dips and spreads. Blend with herbs, seasonings or roasted vegetables.
Smoothies. Blending removes the curd texture almost completely.
Desserts. Try it in mousse, cheesecake-style fillings, bark or frozen treats.
Lasagna or stuffed shells. Substitute blended cottage cheese for some or all of the ricotta.

Whether it’s crowning Bieber’s meatballs or disappearing into a smoothie, cottage cheese is proving itself as one of those flexible staples worth keeping on hand.

Is Cottage Cheese Good for You? What Dietitians Say About the Protein Trend Taking Over Your Kitchen

Ryan Brennan — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 00:15:38 +0000

Cottage cheese is showing up in places it never used to. Brownie batter. Pasta sauce. Frozen bark. Smoothies. If your social feed has been pushing cottage cheese as the ultimate protein hack, you’re not imagining it.

The trend has people who’ve never touched the stuff blending it into everything. And the ones who always hated the texture are finding out they don’t mind it once the curds are gone.

But between the hype and the recipe videos, it’s easy to lose track of what cottage cheese actually brings to the table and where the claims start to stretch. Whether you’re curious about the nutrition, skeptical about the trend or just trying to figure out if it belongs in your diet, these are the questions worth answering.

How much cottage cheese protein do you actually get per serving?

More than most people expect. A 100-gram serving (just under half a cup) of 2% cottage cheese has roughly 84 calories and 11 grams of protein, along with 103 milligrams of calcium and 148 milligrams of phosphorus, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

That protein-to-calorie ratio is what makes cottage cheese stand out in the dairy aisle. But not every version delivers the same.

Julia Zumpano, RD, LD, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic, recommends choosing low-fat or full-fat over nonfat. “Nonfat cottage cheese may sound like a good idea, but it contains less protein and won’t be as satisfying,” she said.

Why are so many people blending cottage cheese right now?

The short answer: texture. Cottage cheese has always been nutritious, but the soft, lumpy curds have kept a lot of people away.

“A lot of times it’s the chunks that throw people off,” says Kristin Kirkpatrick, RD, a registered dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic. “You can get a whipped cottage cheese, or you can take cottage cheese, put it in your blender, and it will whip it for you.”

Blending solves the texture problem without removing the protein. That’s why the trend looks less like people eating bowls of cottage cheese and more like people hiding it in recipes.

What can you use blended cottage cheese in?

Once it’s smooth, cottage cheese works as a quiet base in a wide range of dishes. Abbey Sharp, a registered dietitian, told Yahoo Health that blended cottage cheese becomes “incredibly smooth and creamy, making it an easy addition to pasta sauces, dips, smoothies, pancake batter or even desserts like mousse and cheesecake.”

Other popular uses include scrambled eggs, frozen bark, baked goods and higher-protein versions of ice cream-style treats. Anywhere you’d use sour cream, cream cheese or heavy cream is a potential swap.

Why is cottage cheese suddenly so popular again?

It’s not the first time cottage cheese has had a moment. It was widely consumed in the 1970s, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, before yogurt and later Greek yogurt pushed it out of the spotlight.

The comeback is being driven by younger consumers chasing high-protein whole foods. Cottage cheese sales climbed 20% between June 2024 and June 2025, according to Circana data cited by Food Network. Demand has been so strong that The New York Times reported in June 2026 that some producers expect supply shortages to last into 2027.

Sharp hopes the enthusiasm settles into something sustainable. “My hope is that once the social media hype dies down, cottage cheese simply becomes one of many nutritious options people enjoy in rotation rather than another food that’s put on a pedestal,” she told Yahoo Health.

Does adding cottage cheese to dessert make it healthy?

Not automatically. Cottage cheese can add protein to a recipe, but it doesn’t undo everything else in it.

A recipe calling for 1 cup cottage cheese might look high in protein at the batch level. Split that into four servings and each one gets a fraction of the total. The sugar, saturated fat and calories from the rest of the ingredients are still there.

Cottage cheese protein can strengthen a recipe. It can’t transform brownies into a health food.

Is cottage cheese high in sodium?

It can be. A 100-gram serving of 2% cottage cheese contains around 321 milligrams of sodium, according to the Cleveland Clinic. That number varies across brands and climbs quickly with larger portions.

If you’re watching your sodium intake, compare labels before buying. Some products run significantly higher than others.

Does cottage cheese have probiotics?

Some versions do. Certain brands include live and active cultures, but cottage cheese is not automatically probiotic. The Cleveland Clinic recommends reading the label to confirm if gut health is something you’re specifically looking for.

Is cottage cheese good for you if you’re lactose intolerant?

It depends. Cottage cheese is a fresh, unripened cheese, which means it typically contains more lactose than aged varieties like cheddar or parmesan. That can be a problem for people with lactose sensitivity.

Lactose-free cottage cheese exists and may be a better fit. Anyone with a milk allergy or casein sensitivity should avoid it entirely, regardless of the protein benefits.

Do you need cottage cheese to hit your protein goals?

No. Cottage cheese is one high-protein option among many. Greek yogurt, eggs, tofu, beans, fish and meat can all fill the same role in your diet.

The trend has put cottage cheese in the spotlight, but there’s nothing about it that makes it nutritionally irreplaceable. If you enjoy it or find blending it into recipes useful, it’s a solid choice. If not, you’re not missing out on anything you can’t get elsewhere.

Carla Hall's Giant Strawberry Pop-Tart Is Pure Nostalgic Joy

Carissa Mosness — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:00:34 +0000

Remember the joy of biting into a frosted strawberry Pop-Tart as a kid? Carla Hall does—and she’s created the ultimate grown-up version! The beloved chef and TV personality transforms that nostalgic favorite into a show-stopping Giant Frosted Strawberry-Thyme Pop-Tart that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Fresh strawberries simmer with fragrant thyme into a jammy filling, all wrapped in flaky cream cheese pastry and topped with pink strawberry frosting and rainbow sprinkles. “As a kid I loved Pop-Tarts—and strawberry was obviously the best flavor,” Carla admits. This oversized treat serves 12—perfect for any gathering!

For more delicious recipes from Carla, check out her new cookbook, Carla Bakes: Sweet, Savory, and from the Heart, out September 8, 2026.

Carla’s Cream Cheese Pie Dough

Doaa Elkady

Make-ahead tip: The dough, wrapped in plastic, may be refrigerated for up to 1 day or frozen for up to 3 months.Thaw in fridge overnight before using. The recipe makes enough for two 9-inch pie crusts, with leftovers.

Instructions:

In bowl of mixer, mix together (by hand) 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1½ tsp. salt.
Add 18 Tbs. cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes, and 12 oz. cream cheese, cut into 1-inch chunks. Toss with flour until each cube is lightly coated.
Snap on paddle and beat on low speed until dough forms loose mass around paddle. (Dough should have some visible bits of butter and cream cheese.)
Gently pat dough into a 1-inch-thick rectangle or two 1-inch-thick disks. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 3 hrs. (At this point, dough may be refrigerated for up to 1 day or frozen for up to 3 months.)

Carla Hall’s Giant Strawberry Pop-Tart recipe

Doaa Elkady; 4 Color Books

Ingredients:

Strawberry-Thyme Filling:

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbs. cornstarch
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/4 tsp. fine sea salt
2 or 3 sprigs thyme, bundled
1 lb. fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered

Pastry:

Carla’s Cream Cheese Pie Dough (see above), divided into 2 disks and chilled
1 large egg beaten with 1 Tbs. water

Strawberry Frosting:

1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 Tbs. heavy cream
1 Tbs. light agave or honey
Rainbow sprinkles, for garnish

Instructions:

Make Filling: In medium saucepan, whisk together granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and salt. Add thyme and bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring to dissolve sugar. Add strawberries and continue to cook until fruit begins to release its juices, 5–7 min. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened, 10–15 min. Mash fruit with fork or potato masher until no large pieces are left. Discard thyme stems, scrape filling into bowl, and set aside to cool completely. The filling will thicken as it cools. (At this point, filling can be refrigerated for a day ahead.)
Assemble Pastry: Line two sheet pans with parchment paper.Gently roll one pie dough disk into 9 x 12-inch rectangle. Carefully transfer dough to one parchment-lined pan. Place in fridge. This will be your top crust.
Roll second pie dough disk into 9 x 12-inch rectangle. Carefully transfer dough onto second parchment-lined pan. Brush 1-inch border of egg wash on all sides. Spread strawberry jam evenly (about 1/4 inch thick) inside egg-washed border. Remove top crust from refrigerator. Carefully place it on top of filled bottom crust. If necessary, use sharp paring knife to trim edges so they line up and are even. Use fork and crimp edges. Place filled pastry in refrigerator for 30 min. (At this point, pastry can be frozen for up to 1 month.)
Heat oven to 375°F. Remove pastry from refrigerator and brush all over with remaining egg wash. Bake until golden brown, 25–30 min., rotating pan front to back after 15 min. Let cool completely on the pan.
Meanwhile, make Strawberry Frosting: In personal blender or spice grinder, process freeze-dried strawberries until reduced to powder (you will have about 1/4 cup). Place ground strawberries in medium bowl and whisk in powdered sugar. Stir in 2 Tbs. heavy cream and agave and mix to form smooth, pourable, opaque frosting. If it seems too thick to spread easily, add more cream, 1 tsp. at a time. Cover bowl with plastic wrap until ready to use. Once pastry has cooled, use small offset spatula to spread frosting over top, leaving crimped edge as border. Add sprinkles and allow frosting to set before serving. Store wrapped in plastic at room temp. for up to 2 days.

Servings:12. Active time: 1 1⁄2 hrs. Total time: 6 hrs.

This article originally appeared in the September 14, 2026 issue of Woman’s World.

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Rachel Mansfield Recipe Alert: Her Kinda Thai-ish Noodle Salad Magic

Carissa Mosness — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 18:30:49 +0000

We get it: Juggling to-do’s and trying to make three good-for-you meals a day that come together quickly and taste great can get overwhelming. But food entrepreneur and social media sensation Rachel Mansfield, a mom of three, makes it a little bit easier—and Woman’s World readers are getting an exclusive first look at her Kinda Thai-ish Noodle Salad with Steak from her upcoming cookbook More, Please!: Feel-Good Meals for Busy Families and Their Picky Eaters (on sale August 4).

With more than 1.3 million followers on Instagram, Rachel, co-founder of cadootz!, a kid snack brand featuring delicious organic crackers made with clean ingredients, proves it’s not impossible to whip up quick and easy, home-cooked meals the whole family will love.

In this must-make salad, tender, ginger-marinated skirt steak meets crisp vegetables, juicy mango and silky rice noodles—all tossed in a dreamy ginger sesame dressing. It’s fresh, flavorful and surprisingly simple to pull off on a busy weeknight.

“I confess, I pretty much make this noodle salad as an excuse to consume my Ginger Sesame Dressing (Found Below) yet again. (Kidding! Kind of . . . ) This dish has the best balance of all the flavors—a little sweet, a little tangy, and super savory,” writes Rachel. “Also, somehow it’s won over my kids, I think because of their mango obsession? The tenderness of the steak is perfection, and while I do recommend marinating it if you can, it’ll still be delicious if you don’t have the extra time. (P.S. If you have been to a Hillstone restaurant, this dish may remind you of something!)”

Simon Element

Ingredients

Steak

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons coconut aminos
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds skirt steak, excess fat trimmed

Noodle Salad

8 ounces long rice noodles, such as rice sticks or soba
2 cups snow peas, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red or green cabbage
1 large mango, peeled and diced
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional)
1 cup Ginger Sesame Dressing (Below)

Ginger Sesame Dressing

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
3 tablespoons coconut aminos
3 tablespoons rice vinegar, plus more as needed
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger or 1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Make the Ginger Sesame Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sesame oil, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, maple syrup, ginger, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more vinegar or salt as needed.

Make the Steak

In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, coconut aminos, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and a generous amount of salt and pepper. Place the steak in a resealable plastic bag, add the marinade, and move the steak around in the bag to coat. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours.
Heat a large, cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the steak from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and place it in the hot pan. Cook until the steak is well-seared underneath, about 4 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until the steak is done to your liking, 3 to 5 more minutes. Remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the steak to a plate and let rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.

Make the Noodle Salad

In a large pot of well-salted boiling water, cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. When there is a minute or so left, add the snow peas to blanch them with the noodles. Remove the pot from the heat. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
In a large bowl, add the cold noodles, snow peas, cabbage, mango, pepper, cilantro, basil, and peanuts(if using). Add ½ cup of the dressing and toss well to coat.
Thinly slice the steak against the grain and add it to the salad. Drizzle a little more dressing on top, toss gently, and serve.

Excerpted from More, Please!: Feel-Good Meals for Busy Families and Their Picky Eaters. Copyright © 2026, Rachel Mansfield. Photography Copyright © 2026 by Lauren Volo. Reproduced by permission of Simon Element, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. All rights reserved.

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The Loaded Water Trend on TikTok Explained: Why It’s Still Going Viral and What’s Inside It

Lauren Jarvis-Gibson — Fri, 08 May 2026 12:36:28 +0000

Scroll through TikTok or Instagram lately and you’ve probably seen someone building a towering, jewel-toned drink in a giant tumbler—fruit slices, fizzy water, a scoop of bright pink powder, maybe a splash of juice on top. That’s loaded water, and it has become one of the most talked-about wellness habits of the year. The pitch is simple: if plain water feels boring, dress it up until you actually want to drink it.

The trend matters beyond the For You page. Dietitians say a lot of people are walking around mildly dehydrated without realizing it, and anything that nudges them toward drinking more fluids is generally a good thing. But loaded water isn’t just water anymore—and what you put in it can make a real difference in whether the drink is genuinely useful or just a sugary novelty.

What loaded water actually is

Loaded water is exactly what it sounds like: water that’s been “loaded” with extra ingredients to boost flavor, hydration or energy. Instead of drinking plain water, people customize it with things like electrolyte powders, fruit, coconut water, caffeine mixes, flavored syrups or supplements. The base is still water, but the goal is to make hydration feel more like a treat than a chore.

Electrolyte powders are one of the most common ingredients. These powders usually contain minerals like sodium, potassium and magnesium, which help the body maintain fluid balance. That’s part of why the trend has resonated—it borrows the language of sports drinks and IV hydration without requiring a trip to the gym or a clinic.

Why dietitians are paying attention

Registered dietitian Fiorella DiCarlo told The New York Post that the appeal comes down to a problem most people don’t even know they have.

“Most people are dehydrated without even realizing it. Dehydration can cause fatigue, slow metabolism and increased sugar cravings, which can lead to weight gain,” DiCarlo said. “If loaded water can add incentive or flavor to encourage more water intake, I am for it.”

That framing—hydration as an everyday wellness lever rather than a niche athletic concern—is a big reason the trend has stuck. If a colorful drink helps someone reach for water instead of a soda or a third coffee, dietitians tend to count that as progress.

Kezia Joy, a registered dietitian nutritionist and medical advisor at Welzo, made a similar point to Healthline.

“Plain water can be boring for a lot of people, so adding colorful ingredients is an effective way to make hydration feel more fun,” Joy said. “From a behavior-change perspective, if it makes people drink more fluids, then that’s already a win.”

What’s typically inside a loaded water

Part of the fun of loaded water is that no two cups look alike. People mix and match based on what they want from the drink—more flavor, more electrolytes, more energy or just something pretty to sip on through the day.

Typical loaded water ingredients include:

Electrolyte powders or hydration packets
Water enhancers or flavor drops
Fresh fruit like lemon, lime, berries or oranges
Coconut water
Sparkling water
Ice
Caffeine powders or energy drink mixes
Collagen powder
Greens powders
Juice splashes like cranberry or pineapple
Sugar-free syrups

The combinations range from simple—sparkling water, lime and a pinch of salt—to elaborate stacks of powders, fruit and juice that look more like a layered cocktail than a glass of water.

How loaded water fits into a daily routine

For most people, the appeal of loaded water is practical. It turns hydration into a small ritual: filling the tumbler, adding ice, picking the day’s flavor. That sense of routine is part of why the trend has legs beyond a single viral video. It’s less about any one ingredient and more about building a habit around drinking water.

Electrolyte-based versions tend to get the most attention because of the link to energy and recovery. Sodium, potassium and magnesium all play a role in keeping the body’s fluid balance steady, which is why these minerals show up in everything from sports drinks to hospital IV bags. A loaded water with an electrolyte packet can be especially useful after a workout, a long day in the heat or a night of poor sleep—the same situations where people often feel most run-down.

Other versions lean more toward flavor than function. A splash of cranberry juice, a few frozen berries or a sugar-free syrup can transform a glass of water into something that feels like a treat, without the sugar load of a soda or sweetened coffee drink.

What to watch out for

Loaded water isn’t automatically healthy just because it starts with water. The ingredients matter. Some electrolyte powders are high in added sugar, while others contain large amounts of sodium that may not be necessary for someone who isn’t sweating heavily. Caffeine powders and energy drink mixes can stack up quickly if you’re already drinking coffee or tea during the day. And greens or collagen powders, while popular, aren’t a replacement for a balanced diet.

The dietitians quoted in coverage of the trend tend to land in the same place: loaded water is a net positive if it helps you drink more fluids, but it’s worth reading labels and being honest about what you’re actually adding. A drink built around fruit, sparkling water and a measured scoop of electrolytes is a different beast than one stacked with sweeteners, caffeine and multiple supplements.

Why the trend isn’t going away

Loaded water sits at the intersection of three things social media loves: visual appeal, wellness framing and easy customization. It photographs beautifully, it promises a tangible benefit and it lets people put their own spin on it. That’s a durable formula, and it’s why the trend has moved from TikTok hydration content into mainstream conversations about everyday health habits.

For readers curious to try it, the dietitians’ advice is straightforward. Start with a base you actually like—sparkling or still, cold or room temperature—add fruit or a flavor enhancer, and consider an electrolyte packet if you’re active or sweating. The goal isn’t to build the most elaborate drink on the internet. It’s to drink more water, and to enjoy doing it.

Remember Potato Candy? Here's How to Make it With Dollar Tree Staples

strotter — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 19:04:42 +0000

Have you dreamed about whipping up homemade candy for the holidays? Here’s one to try this season: old-fashioned potato candy! It may sound unusual, but it’s a nostalgic delicacy that’s quite simple to make—all you need is a few staples from the Dollar Tree. A dollar store guru on TikTok recently showed her followers how easy it is to whip up the recipe at home. Keep reading to learn more about this historic candy and why you’ll want to give her recipe a try.

What is potato candy?

These old-fashioned treats were first created during the Great Depression, though their exact history is still unknown. It’s believed that cooks in the Appalachian region of the U.S. first created these candies during this time of economic hardship.

One of the reasons this homemade candy became so popular was it was easy and cost-effective to make! Potato candy only requires three ingredients: potatoes, confectioners’ sugar and peanut butter. Since these ingredients are usually household staples, families were able to whip up the sweet treats for children and adults alike to enjoy.

TikToker shows how to make potato candy with Dollar Tree items

Though potato candy has been around for almost 100 years, one savvy shopper decided to give it an even easier spin that’s also budget-friendly! TikTok user @DollarTreeDinners recently made the bite-sized candy as part of her 12 Days of Dollar Tree Christmas Desserts series.

“It’s sweet, nostalgic, no-bake and comes together surprisingly well using Dollar Tree instant mashed potatoes!” she wrote in the caption.

In the video, the shopper purchases a bag of Idahoan Original Mashed Potatoes, a bag of premium powdered sugar and a jar of creamy peanut butter from her local Dollar Tree. Then, she shows how the three ingredients come together with just a few easy steps for a creamy and delicious treat.

What people are saying about this nostalgic treat

Never heard of old-fashioned potato candy? You’re in good company! Many people commenting on the TikTok video were surprised by this unusual treat, with several on the fence as to whether or not they would be willing to eat what the original shopper referred to as a delicacy.

“I’m VERY unsure about this,” remarked one person. “But the other comments are calming me.”

Those who are familiar with the nostalgic candy were quick to chime in and reassure the commenter that it’s worth trying.

“Potato candy is so good!” someone responded. “You would have no idea if you didn’t know it was made with potatoes.”

Others were completely tickled to find the recipe again as it brought back warm memories of their childhood.

“I REMEMBER MY GRANDMA MAKING THESE,” a commenter shared. “But I’m allergic to peanut butter, so she would put cinnamon in the middle, and it was SO GOOD, like a cinnamon roll!!! Thank you for making this [because] I guess I know what I’m making tonight.”

The simplicity and affordability of the recipe has encouraged both longtime fans and those discovering it for the first time to give it a try!

How to make old-fashioned potato candy: Dollar Tree recipe

@dollartreedinners Day 4 of my 12 Days of Dollar Tree Christmas Desserts 🎄✨ Today we’re making Old-Fashioned Potato Candy, a vintage holiday treat made with just a few simple ingredients. It’s sweet, nostalgic, no-bake, and comes together surprisingly well using Dollar Tree instant mashed potatoes! INGREDIENTS: • 1/2 Cup Instant mashed potatoes (prepared and cooled) • 4-5 Cups Powdered sugar • Peanut butter (or any nut/seed butter) INSTRUCTIONS: Mix the cooled mashed potatoes with powdered sugar a cup or two at a time until it forms a thick, dough-like consistency. (it will be runny at first but keep adding powdered sugar until it gets thick enough to knead by hand) Dust your surface with powdered sugar and roll the mixture into a rectangle. Spread a generous layer of peanut butter over the top, then gently roll it up into a tight log. Wrap and chill until firm, then slice into sweet little pinwheels. Simple, nostalgic, and surprisingly delicious for how few ingredients it uses 🎁🍬✨ #potatocandy #NoBakeDesserts #ChristmasTreats #dollartreedesserts #12DaysOfDollarTreeDesserts ♬ original sound – Dollar Tree Dinners

Ready to jump on the trend? The shopper provided her followers with a quick recipe for making the candy using the Dollar Tree items. Here’s how to do it:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup instant mashed potatoes
4-5 cups powdered sugar
Peanut butter (or Nutella or Marshmallow fluff)

Directions:

Prepare potatoes according to package directions and let cool.
Mix the cooled potatoes with powdered sugar a cup at a time until it forms a thick, dough-like consistency.
Dust the surface you’re working on with more powdered sugar and roll the sugar and potato mixture into a large rectangle.
Spread a generous layer of peanut butter over the top of the rectangle, then gently roll it up into a tight log.
Wrap in parchment paper and chill in the refrigerator until firm.
Slice log into pieces before enjoying.

The result? Gorgeous little pinwheels that taste like a sweet slice of history—all for less than $5!

Bucket Coffee Is the Viral Caffeine Trend of Summer 2025

Julianne MacNeill — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 22:30:32 +0000

In the world of caffeine and coffee, there have been dozens of different trends, like 2020’s obsession with instant whipped coffee and every flavor imaginable. Plus, if you grew up watching Lorelai Gilmore drink five cups per day, you’re probably in tune with these viral moments. But the newest TikTok trend that is taking the world by storm and stealing the hearts of coffee lovers is the coffee bucket trend.

Bucket coffee is exactly what it sounds like: a giant bucket full of your favorite iced coffee. Coffee shops around the country are now offering the sweet treat and you can get one right now!

This new viral trend is giving you bucket loads of caffeine. Bucket coffee is a 34-ounce tub of coffee that is perfect for summer. While it’s unclear exactly where the trend stems from, coffee shops in states from Connecticut and Massachusetts to Colorado and Ohio are churning out their own version of the drink.

One shop in Oklahoma, Dulce Vida, is selling its coffee buckets at $14 a piece, which isn’t all that much in comparison to your everyday $8 latte.

Where can you get a coffee bucket in the U.S.?

With the coffee bucket being a fairly new trend, you might not just find it at your local coffee shop. But there are specific cafes that have gotten in on it and it is likely to continue growing across the country.

For folks in the Tri-State area, there are a few shops in Connecticut that are offering the delicious trend. Last Drop Coffee Shop in Monroe, Conn., is taking part in the trend, as well as TJ’s Burritos in Bloomfield, Conn., both of which are selling 36-ounce coffee buckets.

The owner of TJ’s Burritos, Tricia Martin, shared the shop’s reasoning for partaking in this trend, which has since gone viral on TikTok.

“We had decided not only was it perfect for people that were looking for more than just a large coffee to take with them when they were going on a road trip such as to the beach,” Martin said. “It’s really blown up where we see a lot of people from businesses and offices where they want a bigger coffee to take with them to work.”

The shop now sells about 1,000 coffee buckets per week and sometimes as many as 200 per day.

Alaina Roberto, the owner of Last Drop Coffee Shop, said, “It seems like it’s a thing right now. It’s a bucket summer.”

For anyone in Oklahoma, you can stop at Dulce Vida in Tulsa and purchase the “La Cubeta.” The item is just $14 with an additional cost for specific add-ons.

How to make your own coffee bucket at home

Want to try the coffee bucket trend but can’t find one near you? Good news—you can DIY your own version at home with just a few ingredients and a large enough container.

Start by grabbing a large 32–36 oz reusable tumbler or clear takeout container with a lid. Brew a strong batch of your favorite iced coffee or cold brew (about 24–28 oz, depending on how much ice you want), then add milk or a non-dairy alternative, sweetener, flavored syrup or cold foam to taste.

For a true TikTok-style upgrade, top it with whipped cream, cinnamon or chocolate drizzle. Pop in a jumbo straw and you’re ready to sip your bucket of joy—perfect for long drives, hot days, or coffee-fueled work sessions.

If you want to get in on the coffee bucket trend, make sure to check out one of these shops or grab the ingredients to make your very own bucketload of caffeine!

Pizza Croissants Are the 3-Ingredient Snack You’ll Make on Repeat

Isabelle Paquette — Fri, 30 May 2025 15:00:08 +0000

If you’re craving pizza but don’t want to deal with dough, sauce or a sink full of dishes, we’ve found the ultimate food hack for you: pizza croissants. These roll-ups are gooey, cheesy, pepperoni-packed bites that taste like a mini pizza pocket with almost zero effort. Thanks to store-bought crescent rolls, you can whip these up in minutes for a fun snack, game-day appetizer or even a low-fuss dinner. Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or feeding a crowd, this viral TikTok-inspired recipe proves you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to enjoy pizza night.

A brilliant shortcut to that classic pizza flavor

From pizza toasts and pizza bowls to dessert pizza, social media has turned classic slices into a playground for endless creativity. With so many easy, cheesy hacks gaining traction online, it’s clear people are hungry for quicker ways to get their pizza fix, without waiting for dough to rise.

Pizza croissants are exactly what they sound like: buttery crescent dough triangles rolled up with melty mozzarella and slices of pepperoni, then baked until golden. The flaky, soft dough acts as the perfect crust, and when baked, it creates that irresistible combination of crisp edges and gooey cheese pull. This viral snack takes all the best parts of a pepperoni slice and wraps it in buttery crescent dough for a fun twist on the original.

What makes this recipe such a standout is how easy it is. There’s no sauce to simmer, no dough to stretch and no mess to clean up afterward. Most versions use classic mozzarella string cheese and pepperoni, but you can totally customize them based on your favorite pizza toppings.

Tips for making the best pizza croissants every time

Once you make these, you’ll find yourself making them again and again (because why wouldn’t you?) Here are a few tips to get you started:

Don’t overfill. It might be tempting to stuff them with more cheese or toppings, but too much filling can cause leaks during baking.
Seal the edges. Press the dough firmly around the cheese before rolling to help keep everything contained.
Try an egg wash. For a shinier finish, brush the tops with a beaten egg instead of butter before baking.
Make them ahead. Assemble the croissants, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to eight hours before baking.

How to make pizza croissants at home

Here’s everything you need to know to pull off this clever snack hack with just a few ingredients and minimal prep.

Ingredients:

1 (8-oz.) tube refrigerated crescent roll dough
8 mozzarella cheese sticks (or cut a block of mozzarella into stick-like shapes)
24 slices of pepperoni (3 per croissant)
1 Tbs. melted butter (optional)
½ tsp. garlic powder (optional)
1 Tbs. grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Optional: marinara or pizza sauce for dipping

Directions:

Total time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 croissants

Preheat oven to 375° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Separate the crescent dough into eight triangles along the perforated lines and place them on the prepared baking sheet. On the wide end of each triangle, lay down three slices of pepperoni and one mozzarella stick.
Starting from the wide end, gently roll each crescent toward the pointed tip, tucking in the sides slightly so the cheese stays sealed inside.
In a small bowl, mix melted butter with garlic powder and brush over the tops of the croissants. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan for extra cheesy flavor.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the croissants are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Serve warm. Enjoy as-is or with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Storage notes

Leftover pizza croissants can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, pop them in a 350° F oven, toaster or air fryer for five to seven minutes until warmed through and crisp. This helps preserve the flaky crust better than microwaving.

If you’d like to freeze them, you can either freeze the croissants fully baked or assemble and freeze them unbaked. To freeze unbaked, place the assembled croissants on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, pop them straight from the freezer into a 375° F oven for about 18 to 20 minutes. Baked croissants can also be frozen for up to two months.

It’s Häagen-Dazs Free Cone Day! Here’s How To Score Your Sweet Scoop Freebie

Alexandria Brooks — Tue, 13 May 2025 17:00:46 +0000

Ice cream always makes any day extra sweet, and Häagen-Dazs’ Free Cone Day special will definitely do the trick. For today only, the Häagen-Dazs is offering a free ice cream cone to customers at their locations. This features a scoop of one of their signature ice cream flavors on a cone. The promo is through their loyalty program, but you can sign up and score your free cone today! Here’s how to get this freebie to satisfy your sweet tooth.

What’s so special about Häagen-Dazs ice cream?

Häagen-Dazs is known for using premium ingredients, such as Madagascar vanilla and rich cocoa, in their range of flavors. Their ice cream also doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients, which provides a pure-tasting end result. While this brand is a freezer aisle staple, heading your nearest Häagen-Dazs ice shop is a great choice if you want to get their Free Cone Day offering.

The flavors available at Häagen-Dazs ice cream shops

It’s safe to say there’s an ice cream flavor for everyone at Häagen-Dazs’ shops as their website lists the following menu options. Any flavor can be scooped on top of their Belgian waffle cone for an indulgent and crunchy treat.

Belgian chocolate
Butter pecan
Caramel cone
Chocolate
Coffee
Coffee chip
Cookie dough
Cookies and cream
Dulce de leche
Mint chip
Pineapple coconut
Pistachio
Rocky road
Rum raisin
Sea salt caramel truffle
Strawberry
Vanilla
Vanilla chocolate chip
Vanilla Swiss almond
White chocolate raspberry truffle
Mango sorbet
Raspberry sorbet

How to get your Häagen-Dazs Free Cone Day treat

Ready to get your free cone for an afternoon treat or dessert? Well, download the Häagen-Dazs app and sign up for their rewards program to redeem this offer at participating locations. And voilà! You’ve added a sweet touch to your Tuesday.

Hash Brown Toast Is the Comforting Viral Breakfast You’ll Want Every Morning

Alexandria Brooks — Fri, 09 May 2025 21:00:00 +0000

You’re likely familiar with avocado toast, which turned bread into a breakfast sensation — but what about hash brown toast? This latest craze swaps in a hash brown patty for toasted bread. It’s a surprise twist that creates a crunchier base to top with smashed avocado, fried eggs and other breakfast staples. The best part: You can use frozen hash browns, which cook in as little as 4 minutes in a pan, so this dish comes together quickly. Here’s how to make hash brown toast whenever you’re craving a delicious change from your usual breakfast routine!

What is hash brown toast?

With this dish, you’re putting all of the staples from a breakfast platter, hash browns, bacon and eggs, into a single treat. This allows you to taste all of the ingredients in every bite. Plus, if you love finger food, it’s perfect to pick up and enjoy as you’re sipping your morning coffee. This toast has gone viral recently, and for good reason as it’s simple to prepare at home.

Easy one-skillet trick for hash brown toast

Making this dish involves cooking the hash browns, eggs and bacon before assembling the toast. Rather than using separate pans, these ingredients are fine to cook in the same skillet. Just be sure to nail the timing of when they’re added to the pan so everything’s warm and evenly cooked. Try following this order to sauté this ingredient trio without dirtying a ton of dishes.

Give the bacon a couple minutes to cook over medium heat.
Once the slices are starting to brown, add the hash browns to cook for four to five minutes or until they’re golden.
Remove these ingredients from the skillet
If needed, add extra oil to the pan before frying eggs in the pan to your liking.
Take eggs out of the skillet and proceed with remaining steps in the recipe.

How to make hash brown toast

This Hash Brown Toast recipe from blogger Ale Regalado takes the breakfast dish and gives it a turkey twist! She uses both ground turkey and turkey bacon to provide the toast with plenty of protein to the toast without loading up on the fat. Diced onions and cilantro brighten up the dish by infusing it with a sweet and herby kick. You’ll be impressed by this recipe’s simplicity and savory flavors! (Try other delicious viral dishes like Pancake Tacos or Cottage Cheese Flatbread.)

Cilantro Turkey Hash Brown Toast

Ingredients:

½ lb. lean ground turkey
4 slices turkey bacon
4 frozen hash brown patties
1 avocado, pitted and mashed
¼ cup diced cilantro, plus more for garnish
¼ cup diced onions
4 eggs
Salt and pepper
Cooking oil spray

Directions:

Yield: 4 servings

Heat skillet over medium heat, preferably nonstick.
Spray cooking oil before adding turkey to pan; stirring to break up meat into smaller crumbles. Cook about 14 to 16 minutes; midway through add onions and continue stirring. Once meat is fully browned and onions are soft, remove pan from heat. Stir in cilantro and set aside.
Using separate large skillet, heat over medium heat before spraying with layer of oil.
Place turkey slices in skillet and cook 2 to 3 minutes. As bacon starts to brown, arrange hash brown patties on surface. Continue cooking both ingredients, flipping as needed. When golden brown, transfer from cooking surface to plate.
Add another spray of oil to skillet and crack eggs into pan. Fry 3 to 4 minutes or until whites are cooked and yolks are set. Season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
To assemble hash brown toast, spread a layer of mashed avocado onto each patty. Top with spoonful of ground turkey, bacon slice and egg. Sprinkle extra cilantro on top before serving. Enjoy!