Casey Major-Bunce, a popular influencer and author, has shared a simple yet cost-effective recipe for making school lunchbox snacks. Known for her practical home and life hacks, she has attracted a significant following online. Major-Bunce’s latest creation, “pizza cups,” can be prepared for as little as 30p and takes just 9 minutes to make.
The mother of four expressed her enthusiasm for this quick recipe, stating that it has become a staple in her household. “These pizza cups are a firm favourite for lunchboxes or a quick snack,” she noted. While she often finds cooking dinner a chore, she enjoys making these budget-friendly treats.
To prepare the pizza cups, Major-Bunce starts by using a cookie cutter to create circles from slices of bread. She then presses these circles into a cupcake tray using the end of a rolling pin. Mixing Italian herbs with melted butter, she brushes the mixture inside the bread cups before baking them in the oven at 170°C for approximately three minutes. Once toasted, she adds a spoonful of tomato puree or pizza sauce, a slice of cheese, and another layer of sauce, finishing with a sprinkle of grated cheese before returning them to the oven for an additional 6 minutes.
For the cheese component, Major-Bunce suggests using half a Babybel cheese, though she notes that any cheese with good melting properties, such as mozzarella, works well. Her followers on Instagram, where she goes by the handle @majormumhacks, have responded positively to her idea. Comments from her audience included, “These look fab,” and “Oh my kids would love these!!! Yum!”
In addition to the pizza cups, Major-Bunce has recently revealed a budgeting strategy that allows her to save up to £900 a year on her children’s school snacks. She emphasizes organization and efficiency in her weekly lunch prep, which takes about 20 minutes each Sunday. This method involves purchasing popular brands to ensure taste while preparing the snacks herself, utilizing products like “Dip Pots” from the discount retailer B&M, priced at £2 for eight containers.
Her approach includes creating homemade versions of popular lunch items, such as cutting flower shapes from turkey and cheese slices to pair with crackers. This DIY method offers a significant cost advantage; where commercial lunch kits like Dairylea Lunchables cost around £1.60, Major-Bunce’s homemade versions amount to just 66p. Leftovers are either used in toasties or given to pets, minimizing waste.
Major-Bunce’s innovative techniques have garnered attention online, with many followers expressing enthusiasm for her money-saving methods. One commenter exclaimed, “This is going to save me so much money; I spend a fortune on lunches, thank you!” Another remarked on the simplicity of her ideas, calling them “game changers.”
Through her practical advice and engaging content, Casey Major-Bunce continues to inspire families to create affordable and enjoyable meals. Her focus on budget-friendly solutions resonates with many, proving that healthy and delicious snacks can be both easy and economical.
