Every April Fool’s Day, my mother loves to give us trick foods. One year, she swapped the sugar for salt. I’ll never forget my horror after taking a sip of my tea (which tasted like warmed-up seawater, FYI).
There’s actually a good reason for my confusion. Sight plays a larger role in identifying food than taste does. In fact, the American Chemical Society found that people asked to taste a glass of white wine dyed red described the wine as having characteristics of a merlot. Translation: your sight has a heck of a lot of power over your taste-buds. Check it out for yourself with this list of trick foods.
1. Pumpkin Pie
You might think that you’re sinking your teeth into a creamy slice of Thanksgiving pie, but this recipe calls for cheese and crackers. Talk about taking your cheese platter to the next level.
2. Traditional Oreo
This recipe is the ultimate Oreo-ception. From a distance, it looks like a single Oreo on a plate, but it’s actually an Oreo-flavored cake that looks like an Oreo. Honestly still trying to get my head around that.
3. Cupcakes
Your mouth is probably drooling at what you think are chocolate cupcakes, but this recipe is for meatloaf. No joke. You’re looking at meat, mashed potatoes, and a tomato on top.
4. Mini Hamburgers
These lil’ sliders might have you dreaming of a juicy hamburger, but they’re actually made out of cake mix. As a vegetarian, I’m all for a bit of sugar, but meat-lovers may be less pleased.
5. KFC
This might look like a bucket of fried chicken, but this recipe is made out of rice krispies and marshmallow. Even Kentucky natives would be confused by this fake-out.
6. Grilled Cheese
It’s hard to believe that this recipe has nothing to do with a good ol’ cheese sandwich. What you’re looking at is grilled pound cake and frosting. I know, right? Even when I blink, it still looks like grilled cheese.
7. Fried Eggs
As a breakfast lover, I eat a lot of fried eggs, but even I would never guess that this recipe is actually meringue and lemon curd. Looking for an April Fools’ prank? Try this at home by using a dollop of yogurt and half a canned apricot.
8. Candy Corn
If you were scrolling quickly, you might think that you’re looking at a close-up of candy corn, but this recipe is for a pumpkin-banana cookie. I’m not complaining; both would make good desserts to serve at a Halloween party.
9. Pumpkins
Looks like a mini squash, tastes like a slice of heaven. Guests might be confused why you’re serving them pumpkins for dessert, but these mini cakes will be a pleasant surprise.
If these trick foods confused your taste-buds, just imagine what they could do to your friends. Whip up a few recipes for an April Fools’ prank. I know I will be; Mom, if you’re reading this, you better watch your back. This April 1st, you might find that your eggs aren’t eggs at all.