I’m not a fan of most April Fool’s Day jokes, but I can’t resist cute, edible food pranks to “fool” my children. Most of my ideas are from the pages of Family Fun magazine, a publication I can’t recommend enough if you have kids.
Sunny Side Up Egg Food Prank
Serve them this tasty breakfast and see how quickly they spot that the “egg” is made with dairy-free vanilla yogurt and an apricot half! To make this food prank, thoroughly stir the yogurt (for a smooth egg white) and carefully spread it in a circle on a plate. Then place a canned apricot half carefully in the middle. Family Fun recommends a canned peach half for the yolk, but I think a canned apricot half is more proportional. I’ve seen people make pound cake “toast” to go with it, but I stuck with regular dairy-free bread for the side. Allergy Note: Be sure to pick a dairy-free yogurt that is safe for any other allergy needs in your family.
Worm in an Apple Food Prank
Pack an apple with a worm in it for your child’s lunch! This one is more obvious, but tasty and fun nonetheless. With a paring knife or apple corer, make a worm-sized hole in the side of the apple. Brush the exposed apple flesh with lemon juice, and insert a gummy worm. The worm stays in best if secured with a toothpick, but be sure the person eating the apple knows it has a toothpick in it! Otherwise, you can use a broken spaghetti noodle to secure it. Allergy and Vegan Diet Note: Choose allergy-friendly and gelatin-free gummy worms like Surf Sweets and Organic Candy Factory.
Sushi Candy Food Prank
Sushi for dessert? Why not! Make a half batch of dairy-free rice crispy treats but leave them in the saucepan. Lay out four fruit roll ups. Divide the rice crispy mixture among the four roll ups and press it flat, as you would sushi rice. Place one long or several small fruit gummies in the center of the rice crispies and roll up as you would a sushi roll. Slice into rounds and serve. I used all natural fruit twists for the centers of the sushi, but I must admit that traditional fruit roll ups work better for the outer wrap than all-natural ones do. They are thinner and stickier. Allergy and Vegan Diet Note: Use dairy-free, non-hydrogenated margarine to make your crispy treats and choose Dandies marshmallows and Surf Sweets gummy bears for vegan.
Deceptive Drinks Food Pranks
Last but not least, I have three fun drink ideas for a fool’s dinner include “juice” and two types of dairy-free milk.
For the juice (pictured on the left), mix 100% juice (I used a cranberry blend) and gelatin using the directions on the gelatin box. The gelatin needs to be the “jiggler” or “Knox Blox” thickness so that it stays secure in the glass. Pour the “juice” into glasses and let chill until dinner. This makes about 4 glasses of juice, depending on the cup size.
For true blue milk (pictured in the center), just add a few drops of all-natural food coloring to your favorite dairy-free milk beverage.
For undrinkable “milk” (pictured on the right), try this fun idea that was inspired by Catherine Newman (who writes for Family Fun). Dissolve 1 packet of plain gelatin in 1/2 cup boiling water, stirring until it’s really dissolved, then stir in 3/4 cup refrigerated coconut milk beverage (in a carton, not canned), 2 tablespoons cream of coconut, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a dash of salt. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. This about two glasses of quick, tasty panna cotta “milk”, depending on the cup size, which they’ll end up enjoying for dessert!
Allergy and Vegan Diet Note: Be sure to pick a milk beverage that is safe for all of your allergen needs. To make these food pranks vegan, use Clear Jel or a vegan gelatin dessert like Jeannie Prebiotics.
