Summer Yummin'

My kids love to concoct yummy treats, but this time of year, who wants to heat up their house to 350 degrees making cookies or cupcakes?  Give me the microwave, and (if pressed) the stove top every time!  I'm going to share some of my family's favorite warm weather goodies, and I'd love to hear from you: what are YOUR favorite summer time delectables?

Chex Muddy Buddies This treat is a family favorite-- first, because it's delicious, and second, because it's gluten free! Truly, you don't get better than chocolate plus peanut butter plus powdered sugar! And they are great for summer time, because you can use the microwave and finish them in 2.5 seconds (give or take a few)! The recipe is at the Chex Website.     Chex Lemon Buddies While we're on the subject, I saw this recipe on the back of a box of Rice Chex, and couldn't wait to try it out.  Let me tell you, it's even more delicious than it looks--the perfect mingling of sweet chocolate and tart lemon, it's less rich than its "muddy" counterpart.  Which means you will have to be careful to not eat the WHOLE bag in one sitting...OOPS!!!   As you can see, my boys loved shaking the powdered sugar on. It was a job I was happy to let them do--and it didn't cause me any deep breaths or panic! This recipe is also over at the Chex Website.  Might I mention?  Freshly grated lemon peel + freshly squeezed juice?  WORTH IT!    

Jell-O Jigglers

For a sweet low calorie treat, try Jell-O!  A small (3 oz.) box + 2/3 c. of boiling water is perfect for a mold with 6 of these Phineas and Ferb shapes.  No mold?  No problem--use 2 big (6 oz.) boxes, and 2 and 1/2 cups of boiling water in a 9 x 13 pan.  Refrigerate for 3 hours (waiting's the hard part!!) Then use cookie cutters to make fun shapes!  This one's a huge hit at my house.  The highlight of my kids' week was a Jell-O sale at the grocery store, and I let them both choose a flavor.  They thought I was the best Mommy in the whole world!  (Don't grow up.  Let's stay here where we can eat Jell-O together forever and that's all you need to adore me.  Aight?)

No Bake "Mud" Cookies
I mentioned that there isn't a better flavor combination than chocolate, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, but I'm going to have to eat my words already.  In between mouthfuls of these delicious cookies, of course.  Chocolate, peanut butter and COCONUT is what I plan on eating every day in heaven.  This is a great recipe to make with the littles too.  You can make them do the stovetop stirring :D (with proper supervision, of course!!)  I cut the sugar in half (I was making a double batch and it felt too cRaZy to put 2 whole cups in!!) but they turned out delicious!

1 c. sugar 2 T. baking cocoa                   1/2 c. butter 1/2 c. milk

1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 c. peanut butter 4-1/2 c. rolled oats 1 c. coconut

Combine the first four ingredients together in a large saucepan and cook on medium heat until mixture comes to a boil.  Let boil for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and add last four ingredients.  Mix well and drop by teaspoonful onto wax paper.  Let cool.  Eat!
Makes approx. 2 dozen cookies

Raspberry Mojitos
Let's not forget Jamie's non-alcoholic Raspberry Mojitos last year.  We made these as a family after we saw this picture and mmmmm, they were delicious!

Make your own Ice Cream (in a baggie!!)
And of course, if you haven't seen Jamie's post the other day, check out this fun idea!  My boys are going to get a huge thrill making their very own ice cream!


Recipes from around the Blog-o-sphere

I have been looking around the web for other nummy yummy summer treats and I have a couple that I want to try, like these Roasted Strawberry and Toasted Coconut Popsicles from Joy the Baker--really, I can't find the words to describe how this picture makes me feel.

I am intrigued by the title of this baby: Peanut Butter Blueberry Green Smoothie.  Full of veggies folks!  I've tried delicious green smoothies and some less than desirable, but I do love drinking my vegetables.  This sounds like one even my husby and kidlets could get behind!

 As a bonus, the Diva Dish's post is a two'fer--I can't wait to try this Chocolate Covered Berry Green Smoothie!  If you're wanting to eat healthier this summer, that Diva's got lots of ideas!

Well, I could go on and on, but I've been trapped in the "Pinterest gathering" stage before--you've got to stop sometime and give these things a try, or your Pins won't do any good, am I right?  Off to blend, toast, and roast.

But don't forget to leave me links to YOUR favorites, pretty please!  Summer's just begun, and I could use some delicious indulgence masquerading as "playtime with the kids" every day!

Click HERE for more fun summer ideas!