As a kid, was there anything better than opening your lunchbox to discover your favorite treats inside? From Scooby Doo gummies to vanilla Dunkaroos, these snacks will always hold a special place in our hearts. That said, a closer look at the ingredient lists has definitely taken some of the fun out of the nostalgia, and we can’t say we’d feel as great about eating our old favorites now as we did as children. Fortunately, some food bloggers have taken it upon themselves to develop copycat recipes without any of the preservatives or artificial flavors. Take a trip down memory lane and them for yourself.
Cosmic Brownies
Tessa Arias, baker extraordinaire behind the popular food blog Handle the Heat’s expertise is on full display in this copycat Cosmic Brownie recipe. A surprising amount of work went into creating a recipe that could stand up to the original, and the final result does not disappoint. These brownies are fudgy, chocolatey, and out-of-this-world delicious.
Chocolate Hostess Cupcakes
In keeping with the theme of nostalgia, we have no choice but to paraphrase a scene from one of our favorite TV shows, Friends: “Chocolate cake? Good. Marshmallow? Good. Ganache? Goooood.” Curly Girl Kitchen’s recipe combines everything we love about these classic chocolate cupcakes, and unlike Rachel’s trifle, it does not disappoint.
Zebra Cakes
Another Little Debbie Favorite, Zebra Cakes are made of a layer of cream between two pieces of classic yellow sponge cake, enrobed in white chocolate with dark chocolate fudge “stripes.” This recipe by Stella & Co Bakes not only ditches the artificial preservatives but is also grain-free and safe for those with certain food intolerances. We promise you won’t miss the gluten.
