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  4. Easy Birthday Party Recipes Kids Will Love (And You Will Too!)

Easy Birthday Party Recipes Kids Will Love (And You Will Too!)

Jenna Sims, Associate Digital Editor at Southern Living
By Jenna Sims
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Classic Birthday Cake
Credit: Micah A. Leal
Once you've picked a theme and finalized the guest list, the next step in planning a birthday party for your little ones is to choose a menu. Whether you're having a small get together with family or planning a backyard soiree with friends, no birthday party is complete without kid-approved snacks and of course, a celebratory dessert! Some of these quick and easy recipes can even be prepared in advance to help save you valuable time on the day of the party and allow you to spend more time celebrating. 
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Pizza Pie Pinwheels

These cheesy wheels will become one of your new favorite snacks, and kids will absolutely love them. Simply roll up your preferred pizza toppings into pre-made pie dough, bake until golden brown, and serve with lots of marinara (and fresh basil!). Pizza Pie Pinwheels are incredibly easy to make, and they're a great handheld appetizer to pack up in the car and tote to the tailgate party.

Pizza Pie Pinwheels

1 sheet refrigerated pie dough

3 oz. pizza sauce

½ teaspoon dried basil

½ teaspoon dried oregano

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ cup pepperoni

1 cup Cheddar Jack cheese, shredded

½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line jelly-roll pan with parchment. Stir together pizza sauce, basil, oregano, and salt. On a floured surface, roll out pie dough. Spread sauce mixture onto dough, then top with both cheeses and pepperoni. Roll dough together from the longest side, then slice into ½-inch slices.

Put sliced dough onto cookie sheet, flat side down, a few inches apart. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and wheels are golden brown. Serve with additional pizza sauce, topped with basil, for dipping.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

If the honoree likes cake and cookies, this recipes brings the best of both together.

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Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Bacon Bow Tie Crackers
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Tami Hardeman

Recipe: Bacon Bow Tie Crackers

Depending on how many guests you're expecting, you may want to double (or triple) this easy recipe. They'll fly off the plate in record time.

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Funfetti Sugar Cookies

Funfetti Sugar Cookies
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Funfetti Sugar Cookies

You'll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to make homemade sugar cookies.

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Crack Crackers

Crack Crackers Recipe
Credit: Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

Recipe: Crack Crackers

Elevate cheese crackers with ranch dressing mix for an easy kid-pleasing snack.

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Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake

Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake
Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake

This cake can be refrigerated for up to three days, so you can prepare before the day of the party.

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Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
Credit: Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

No matter the crowd, chocolate chip cookies are always a good idea.

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Sheet Pan Nachos

Sheet Pan Nachos
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Sheet Pan Nachos

Create a nacho bar by offering various toppings like onions, avocado, sour cream, cilantro, and tomatoes.

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Party-Perfect Meatballs

Party-Perfect Meatballs Recipe
Credit: Photo: Brie Passano

Recipe: Party-Perfect Meatballs

Use the warm setting on your slow cooker to ensure they're ready to serve throughout the party.

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Classic Birthday Cake

Classic Birthday Cake
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Classic Birthday Cake

Clear vanilla extract is essential in this recipe for providing the nostalgic flavor of a classic birthday cake.

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Mini Potato Skins

Mini Potato Skins
Credit: Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop styling: Claire Spollen; Food styling: Chelsea Zimmer

Recipe: Mini Potato Skins

A party-perfect snack.

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Homemade Pretzels

Homemade Pretzels
Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Homemade Pretzels

Serve with your choice of dipping sauce.

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Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
Credit: Micah Leal

Recipe: Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes

No artificial flavors or colors needed.

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Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Let your slow cooker do the work cooking the sauce while you prepare the meatballs.

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Cheddar Cheese Straws

Cheddar Cheese Straws
Credit: Lee Harrelson

Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Straws

Most of the ingredients for this easy snack can be found in your pantry.

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Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake

Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake

With a marble cake, you don't have to choose between flavors. Preparing it on a sheet cake makes cutting and serving a breeze.

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Homemade Onion Dip

Homemade Onion Dip
Credit: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Homemade Onion Dip

This homemade version of a party classic will become an instant favorite.

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Mini-Cheeseburgers

Ground Beef Recipes: Mini-Cheeseburgers
Credit: Tina Cornett

Recipe: Mini-Cheeseburgers

Sometimes burgers just taste better in slider form.

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Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas

Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas

The best kind of party is a pizza party.

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Chicks in a Blanket

Chicks in a Blanket
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicks in a Blanket

For a picky crowd, you can omit the seasonings on top.

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Caramel Apple Dip

Caramel Apple Dip
Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel Apple Dip

A caramel dip will entice kiddos to eat more fruit.

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Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Put your best foot forward with this homemade ice cream.

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By Jenna Sims

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 22 Pizza Pie Pinwheels
    2 of 22 Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
    3 of 22 Bacon Bow Tie Crackers
    4 of 22 Funfetti Sugar Cookies
    5 of 22 Crack Crackers
    6 of 22 Cream Soda Confetti Sheet Cake
    7 of 22 Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
    8 of 22 Sheet Pan Nachos
    9 of 22 Party-Perfect Meatballs
    10 of 22 Classic Birthday Cake
    11 of 22 Mini Potato Skins
    12 of 22 Homemade Pretzels
    13 of 22 Fresh Strawberry Cupcakes
    14 of 22 Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
    15 of 22 Cheddar Cheese Straws
    16 of 22 Chocolate Marble Sheet Cake
    17 of 22 Homemade Onion Dip
    18 of 22 Mini-Cheeseburgers
    19 of 22 Mini Deep-Dish Pizzas
    20 of 22 Chicks in a Blanket
    21 of 22 Caramel Apple Dip
    22 of 22 Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

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    Easy Birthday Party Recipes Kids Will Love (And You Will Too!)
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