Irene here, Brit + Co’s production assistant and resident Disney fanatic. In my opinion, there’s nothing more classic than Beauty and the Beast. This film is celebrating its 25th Anniversary and it’s crazy how it truly is a tale as old as time, as Mrs. Potts would say. I happen to be a child of the ‘90s who grew up watching Disney movies, so I’m a little biased, but it’s hard to find a kid (or an adult!) who doesn’t love that movie. The scene where Belle and Beast are dancing in the ballroom always tears me up. I mean, that happy glint in Beast’s eyes when Belle rests her head on his chest when they dance? Come on! Plus, I’m pretty sure the “Be Our Guest” song and dance number made me want to learn French. Bonjour!
Croque Monsieur Roll-Ups
If you don’t know what a croque monsieur is, prepare to be amazed. It’s a French ham and cheese open-faced sandwich, and it’s delicious. This recipe is a spin-off of this classic French dish and is super kid-friendly to make and eat!
Ingredients:
— premade pizza dough
— 8 ounces sliced deli ham
— shredded cheese
— pat of butter
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll out pizza dough into a 12 x 8-inch rectangle.
2. Place ham slices evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border of dough along the edges. Sprinkle evenly with cheese.
3. Roll dough to form a log. Pinch the dough together to seal. Place the log, seam side down, on a greased baking pan. Melt the butter and brush on the log.
4. Bake for 50 minutes, or until deep golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Roll out pizza dough into a 12 x 8-inch rectangle. Place ham slices evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border along the edges. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Roll the dough to form a log. Pinch the dough together to seal.
Place the log, seam side down, on a greased baking pan. Melt the butter and brush on the log.
Bake for 50 minutes, or until deep golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before slicing.
After all, this is France! And the dinner here is never second best!
Teacup Cupcakes
What better family bonding is there than baking cupcakes? Although if you’re a parent and you’re balancing kiddos in the kitchen, baking from scratch can be little daunting. At the same time, you don’t just want to default on a boxed cake mix. Here’s a recipe that’s just as easy as whipping up a boxed cake but adds extra oomph!
Cupcakes
Ingredients:
— box white cake
— ½ cup of milk
— 4 egg whites
— ½ cup butter
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cupcake tray with liners. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
2. Scoop batter evenly into the tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cake springs back when you touch it.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake tray with liners. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Scoop batter evenly into the tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cake springs back when you touch it.
Decorating Your Cupcakes
Make these cupcakes go from casual to guest-worthy with just a few extra touches!
Ingredients and Tools:
— tub of white frosting
— yellow food coloring
— sugar roses
— X-ACTO knife
— tape
Instructions:
1. Cut the cupcake liner shapes out of the printable. When the cupcakes are done baking and are cool, wrap the liners around the cupcakes. Attach a teacup handle with tape.
2. Mix some yellow food coloring in the frosting. Fill a piping bag with frosting. If you’re using a plastic bag, cut a large hole at the corner to pipe.
3. Pipe a generous swirl of frosting. Top with a sugar rose.
Cut the cupcake liner shapes out of the printable. When the cupcakes are done baking and are cool, wrap the liners around the cupcakes. Attach a teacup handle with tape.
Mix some yellow food coloring in the frosting. Fill a piping bag with frosting. If you’re using a plastic bag, cut a large hole at the corner to pipe.
Pipe a generous swirl of frosting. Top with a sugar rose.
Is this cupcake adorable? I don’t know, is tale as old as time? Is song as old as rhyme?
Enchanted Rose and Teacups Centerpiece
Materials and Tools:
— several copies of the printable
— scissors
— tape
— plastic rose
— glass vase
— cork circle
Instructions:
1. Cut out the shapes in the printable. Tape the teacup together and tape the bottom of the cup to the circle. Fold the handle at the dotted line and tape to Chip’s face.
2. Cut the rose stem so that it fits in the vase. Place the rose in the vase and place the vase upside down in the middle of the cork.
3. Arrange the Chip teacups around the rose. Fill the cups with snacks if you and your kids want to munch between courses.
Cut out the shapes in the printable. Tape the teacup together and tape the bottom of the cup to the circle. Fold the handle at the dotted line and tape to Chip’s face.
Cut the rose stem so that it fits in the vase. Place the rose in the vase and place the vase upside down in the middle of the cork.
Arrange the Chip teacups around the rose.
Fill the cups with snacks if you and your kids want to munch between courses.
Chip, Chip, Hooray!
Setting the Table
Come on and lift your glass, you’ve won your own free pass to be our guest, be our guest, be our guest!
Show off your lettering skills by making a backdrop to frame your delicious dinner. Parents and kids alike will be very impressed.
Staying true to the “Be Our Guest” scene, we had to have the round silver serving platters. Spray paint mixing bowls and plates with silver paint, then with food-safe spray paint. Glue a silver round bead on top. No one’s gloomy or complaining, while the flatware’s entertaining!
Bird’s eye view!
Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!
What else would you serve your guests? Show us your recipes and DIYs by tagging us onInstagram + using the hashtag #iamcreative!
Author: Irene Lee
Food and DIY Production and Styling: Irene Lee
Photography: Chris Andre