Get Ready for #MinionsMovieNight With Scarlet Overkill Stuffed Peppers, Groovy T-Shirt Cookies, Stuart's Hypnosis Goo, and King Bob Party Mix Recipes!

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Momma Told Me: Go bananas.

Long before it was 'cool' to make 'VHS' release themed food for your child's favorite movie, my mother was earmarking magazines and test-tasting in her laboratory kitchen for fun ways to make our family movie nights more fun. Back 'then' there was no Pinterest, and Momma herself was the person all the other mothers would go to if they wanted a creative idea for their child's party or sleepover. I was a bit spoiled, in a sense, but I've also never forgotten the magic of reliving a new favorite film surrounded by plushies, family, and delicious food. As a result, family movie nights are somewhat of a tradition we've continued- and the release of Illumination Entertainment's Minions (c) 2015 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. movie on Blu-Ray and DVD is quite the reason to celebrate!

It's highly unlikely anyone who has visited our blog before doesn't know that I am a minion nut- from decals on the back of the PT Cruiser to random selfies with Fluffy Unicorn, and my 2 month social media profile selfie of myself with minion Kevin. Yes, the highlight of my year was our trip to Universal Studios, where we rode the Despicable Me ride multiple times, at at Super Silly Fun Land, and counted down the days until the Minions movie theatrical release. This Summer we made minions care packages, lip balms, snack mix, a minion wreath, and more because it's virtually impossible NOT to smile when these little yellow guys are around!

And now, at last, the wait for the Minions movie on Blu-Ray/DVD is over at last and I'm finally able to take home the 3rd installment in the saga that is 'minions.' Actually, the Minions movie is more of a prequel, really- but it's the first full length feature film dedicated solely to them and their shenanigans. And, right now, you can even pick up 1 of 5 exclusive Blu-Ray/DVD bundles featuring exclusive packaging, bonus merchandise, and 3 all new mini-movies from these retailers only! I actually picked up 3 copies of the Minions movie to add to our collection because I simply couldn't decide between the collectible tin, minion water bottle, or lunch bag! There are so many wonderful Blu-Ray/DVD bundles, but they won't be around for long, so check our where you can pick these limited edition packages up today!

With my Minions movie copies in hand, I hit the store to pick up some simple ingredients to make our movie night a big sucess. I'll admit, I avoided the toy aisle because I, personally, am a big kid and have several items on my holiday wish list (hello King Bob vinyl figure!) We have plenty of cuddle-ready minions plush and toys around to celebrate with for now.

Back when we first saw the Minions movie in theaters this past Summer, I'd instantly known I'd be making Groovy T-Shirt cookies for our in-home premiere. This idea is so simple it can be made with a bag of sugar cookie mix, food colors, and a butter knife. Simply split your dough into 5 even portions, color each a different color, mash and swirl the dough together, then roll it out and cut it into t-shirt shapes. You don't have to be an artist either- the point is to get a little groovy- flowing arms and fun shapes fit the theme of these psychedelic cookies!

Next I prepared a King Bob themed party mix, because every movie night needs a good snack mix. Traditional popcorn is boring, and we love to much on a variety of things when enjoying a movie at home- so a snack mix offers something sweet, savory, and crunchy to please everyone.

We make 'puppy chow' style popcorn often because it is an easy base for just about any snack mix and can be colored to fit any theme or event. All you need is a low sugar juice drink, some powdered sugar, granulated sugar, kettle popping corn, and food color. Heat the granulated sugar and juice over medium heat until the mixture is even and thick like a syrup. Allow the mixture to cool, add food color, pour over your popped popcorn and toss in powdered sugar. The powdered sugar will stick to the color in your syrup and make the colors pop even more!

To complete our King Bob Party Mix we added yogurt covered raisins and mini chocolate chips to tie into the red 'puppy chow' popcorn for Bob's 'cloak' and yellow butter popcorn with teddy graham crackers to represent Bob, himself. I also tossed around adding some pretzel sticks for King Bob's scepter- perhaps we will do that next time!

Movie night definitely requires a lot of yummy snacks, but it wouldn't be complete without a delicious meal! As soon as I saw the Minions movie evil villain character Scarlet Overkill I knew she's make a delicious, healthy, stuffed pepper meal. Her dress is the perfect color and shape for stuffed peppers!

Because I knew we'd be snacking and munching while watching the movie I decided to keep meat out of this recipe and stuff our peppers with Jasmine rice, broccoli, onions, diced peppers, and cheese. I sauteed the vegetables in a pan with some olive oil and pepper, then mixed them into a cheese and rice filling and stuffed our peppers before sending them into the oven for 30 minutes at 415F. I've found that children often prefer meals that aren't over seasoned and have simple, fresh, ingredients- getting the kiddos to eat smart can be tough so the fun Minions movie character theme, and minion quesadilla companion truly made this meal a hit.

Honestly, even the name Scarlet Overkill is kind of perfect for stuffed peppers, don't you think? And these peppers pair perfectly with the gooey, cheesy quesadilla minion served on the side. Need inspiration for the blue overalls? We colored some sour cream blue to paint them on!

Movie night would not be complete without a little, silly, fun- so I also whipped up a little surprise for the kids to play with. And, if you're thinking I must have spent forever planning this Minions movie night; this particular treat took me 2 minutes with a cup of water, 1 tablespoon fiber supplement (psyllium) and some food coloring. I present to you Stuart's Hypnosis Goo!

If you haven't seen the film yet, I don't want to give too much away, but this secret weapon plays a hilarious role in the Minions movie. Besides, what child, or child at heart, doesn't like playing with slime? Even better, this recipe is entirely safe too eat (bonus- mine smells like orange from the fiber supplement,) and is entirely Borax free. So the littles can play along with the fun too!

Well, that's a wrap on our Minions movie night fun, but there's plenty more to discover here on the blog. Browse some of our favorite original minions themed recipes and projects below, and be sure to pick up the recipe for Scarlet Overkill stuffed peppers. Still don't have your fix of these adorable mischief causing little yellow people? Grab your goggles and head to the #MinionsMovieNight social hub where you'll discover literally over 100 creative Minions movie night recipes and ideas! My Pinterest board can hardly contain all the awesome! Speaking of Pinterest, follow the minions on there too! And, if you ever hear a grown woman saying 'Bee-Do-Bee-Doo' from the next aisle over, stop by and say 'Hi' to me, this minion thing is kind of an obsession! Have you seen the Minions movie yet? Do you know someone who would love to enjoy a Minions movie night?

What Daughter Says: We always go bananas when minions are involved. B-A-N-A-N-A!!!

Scarlet Overkill Stuffed Peppers

***Click here for printable Scarlet Overkill stuffed peppers recipe

My Despicable Me Minion Birthday Cake

Momma Told Me: Sometimes it's okay to get a little crazy in the kitchen.

 I make cakes. I make them because I enjoy it, never by request, and almost always spontaneously. Friends and family have often suggested I make them professionally, for me, that would take all the fun out of it. I'm a perfectionist by nature, and crafting cakes is not something I'm professionally trained in, therefor there will always be stray frosting, a crooked layer, or the inevitable bleeding frosting. It happens.

This year I bought myself a cake with the solemn resolve that I would not make myself a cake this year, as I have every year before. I was unmotivated, and looking forward to skipping the crazed planning that usually comes when I'm trying to figure out how to craft a unicorn out of Rice Krispies without fondant. Then, a few days before my actual birthday I felt the itch. The 'what if I just did this....' phrase began running through my head, and before I knew it I was running through the grocery store tossing random ingredients in my cart with Sabrina (11) by my side. It was quite appropriate giving the theme I had chose; minions.

If you're not familiar with Minions, then you've somehow missed both installments of the Universal Pictures Despicable Me films. Minions, traditionally yellow with a variance of eye and hair quantity, wear blue overalls and work for the evil mastermind Felonious Gru, while moonlighting in their syndicate cover, a Jam factory. They are disaster on two feet, highly unpredictable, and love bananas above all. Which is why the current range of Banana Cream Twinkies made an obvious selection for my traditional minion base. With some Oreo cookies of choice (in our case cookie dough), candy eyes, and blue melting chocolate we whipped up some adorable minions to top my standard square birthday cake.

As adorable as my tribe of hard working, slightly zany, but good intentioned minions were, no Minion cake would be complete without the presence of the second film's nemesis; Evil Minions, in all their purple glory. For these, we used Jumbo Marshmallows mounted on cake pop sticks, dipped in melting chocolate for a base. Next, the part Sabrina was talking about for weeks; I placed 4 Grape Jolly Ranchers in my Pyrez measuring cup and slow melted them at 70% in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Once the Rancher had began to lose form and bubble it was tacky enough to swirl onto parchment paper for our Evil Minion's 'hair.'

One thing I learned quickly, after cake assembly, is that the traditional Wilton candy eyes bleed when they are refrigerate (or frozen) and return to room temperature. This sweating makes the eyes seep green food color, which can be touched up with a damp Q-Tip for photography, or left to add to the zany look of your minions. I am usually entirely hands on with my birthday cakes; this year I let Sabrina do the bulk of the building, and went with many of her personal minion creations. The imperfections only served to give our minions more character!

Inside our Minion Cake we layered a thicker layer of yellow cake atop a thinner layer of Blue Velvet (both boxed, nothing fancy this year) and frosted with a thick cream cheese layer. I was especially proud of how each slice resembled a minion in profile! Both of our minion concept creations could easily be adapted for cupcake toppers for a children's party, and I'm already thinking of making them again for our Winter league potluck!

Have you ever made a themed character cake from scratch? 

What Daughter Says: Sometimes the best form of perfection is imperfection- This cake is perfect for small handed helpers and big smiles!