Everything you need to pull of a back-to-school dinner is right here!
There’s no better way to kick off the new school year than a big back-to-school dinner. It’s a tradition for so many families, and a great way to mark the moment of a new academic year.
Our friend Alex Daynes shared every detail you need to pull it off—from a full menu (with a free printable!) down to the table decor.
Alex wanted this dinner to be themed around color. She chose the motto, ‘Color the world with happiness!’
Her menu includes colorful coleslaw tacos, rainbow fruit kabobs, and even Fruit Loop cookies. Keep scrolling for all the recipes!
Download the menu printable here.
Back-to-School Dinner Table Decor
Instead of a tablecloth, go for butcher paper! Set boxes of crayons along the tablescape and encourage the kids to doodle on the table. Not only does it make for a cute decoration, it lets the kids get creative in between bites. It’s a fun activity to pair with your dinner.
Confetti Salad
“This Confetti Salad is a refreshing summer salad recipe. This recipe is a great side dish, getting its name from the “confetti” looking quinoa.” -Alex
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper,
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red onion, diced* optional
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 3 Tablespoons avocado oil
- Salt & Pepper to taste
METHOD
- Layer the cooked quinoa in a bowl. Layer on the rainbow of chopped vegetables.
- Add the lemon juice, avocado oil, salt & pepper and toss to coat.
Find the full post on Alex’s website, here.
Tricolor Coleslaw Tacos
“This Tricolor Coleslaw recipe is my go-to when I need a delicious coleslaw topping! It’s colorful, flavorful, and the perfect pairing or side dish to almost anything!” – Alex
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (14 ounce) package tricolor coleslaw mix
- ¼ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 2 Tablespoons buttermilk
- 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
METHOD
- Stir together coleslaw mix and onion in a large bowl.
- In a second bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, milk, buttermilk, vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth. Pour dressing over slaw, stir well, and chill for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
Serve this coleslaw with your favorite meat and roll assemble to create a taco. Alex loves to pair it with her Air Fryer Shrimp recipe. Found here.
Find the full post on Alex’s website, here.
Summer Fruit Kabobs
“Easy, colorful, and fun summer fruit kabobs are perfect for any party!” -Alex
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- Fresh Fruit of Choice
- Kabob Skewers
METHOD
- Prepare and cut the fruit of choice up.
- Place on skewers in colorful patterns and refrigerate until serving. Enjoy!
Find the full post on Alex’s website, here.
Rainbow Soda Shop Sugar Cookies
“These Soda Shop Sugar Cookies are a drop sugar cookie, with a beautiful rough edge and buttercream frosting.” – Alex
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup crushed Fruit Loop cereal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tarter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup additional sugar for top of cookies
Frosting
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 2 Tablespoons sour cream
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- Fruit Loop cereal for decorating
METHOD
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place butter, oil, sour cream, and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl with a paddle attachment and mix at a medium speed until smooth.
- Add the flour, crushed cereal, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt and mix slowly until the ingredients come together and a dough forms. Do not over-mix.
- Scoop the dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. I use either 1-inch or 2-inch cookie scoops, depending on the size of cookies I want.
- Place about 1/4 cup sugar into a small bowl. Spray the bottom of a flat cup with cooking spray. Dip the cup in sugar, then press the bottom of the cup against the cookie. Press the cookies so they are flattened, twisting the cup as you press to create a rough edge.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges and bottoms are browned.
- Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely.
- Place the cookies in the fridge until you are ready to frost.
For the Frosting
- Beat the butter, sour cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt together.
- Frost the chilled cookies, decorate with Fruit Loops, and enjoy!
Notes
*These cookies are best served as chilled cookies with room-temperature frosting.
*These cookies can be stored in the fridge with or without frosting!
Find the full post on Alex’s website, here.
Find more from Alex on Instagram, @thealexdaynes, or on her website, www.alexdaynes.com.