Jackie Alpers

I had a revelation about snacking after reading the rules of improv comedy in Tina Fey’s book, Bossy Pants. Snacking is different that cooking. Cooking is often planned and follows a recipe. You could compare cooking to being an actor following a script. Snacking, on the other hand, is about being in the moment; thus, the most creative and inventive snacks are the result of mastering the art of improv.

Every day is someone’s birthday, so celebrate accordingly with this festive sweet treat. It’s easily concocted on a whim from ingredients found in most convenience stores, but also feel free to mix it up by using other kinds of chocolate candy bars or even flavored pre-packaged popcorn. The possibilities are endless! Just make sure you have some sprinkles on hand in order to up the fun factor.

This Funfetti-inspired mug cake is all about you celebrating you. This version is somewhat healthier than a regular cake because it’s made with Greek yogurt and almond milk and calls for less sugar. It’s also smaller than a full-sized cake, so if you mindlessly eat the whole thing in front of the TV, the damage is minimal. (Although, a hefty dollop of whipped cream on top never hurt anyone.) The best part? It takes less than five minutes to whip up.