Toasted Marshmallow Milkshakes

Mmmm. . .fall got me thinking about campfires. Campfires got me thinking about s'mores. S'mores got me thinking about toasted marshmallows. . . and once I started thinking about that, the wheels started turning and I had to find fun ways to capture that taste!

I LOVE the ooey, gooey, delicious, messy, taste of toasted marshmallows. My kids love milkshakes. . .thus the Toasted Marshmallow Milk Shake. It's so good. So marshmallowy.

This is a good one for summer, spring, winter, or my favorite, FALL!!! My kids wanted to dunk graham crackers in it, and told me next time to add ground chocolate to it! Just may have to give it a try!

Toasted Marshmallow Milk Shakes
Serves 4

1 bag of large marshmallows
5 cups vanilla ice cream
2 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

1. Spray a large pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Spread marshmallows out evenly on pan.

3. Toss under broiler for a few minutes or until marshmallows are toasted and lightly browned.

4. Add to blender, ice cream, milk, and vanilla.

5. Toss in all but 8 marshmallows.

6. Blend until smooth and creamy.

7. Pour in glasses, and top each with two toasted marshmallows!

Icy Watermelon Cooler

I have bought so many watermelons this summer. My kids love it. It's the perfect snack on a hot day. I am always looking for new ways to use the kids favorite foods. I came up with this concoction today. It's very light tasting. Not too lemony, and has great watermelon flavor.

I will say, if you're looking for a highly sweet juice, this isn't for you. I add no sugar, so it's truly just a refreshing fruity drink.

Icy Watermelon Cooler

Chopped watermelon
Lemonade
Ice

1. Fill blender about 3/4 of the way full of watermelon.

2. Pour in about 2 cups lemonade.

3. Add in a few handfuls of ice.

4. Cover, and blend on high until slushy and liquefied!

5. Serve with a watermelon wedge!

Justin's Peppermint Hot Chocolate

My kids are Hot Chocoholics! They like it in just about any shape or variety. With whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate chips, Andes Mints, candy canes, you name it! I think his love affair with hot chocolate started when he was three. I have a picture of him enjoying his very first cup of hot cocoa. It was after a chilly afternoon playing in the snow while his dad was shoveling the driveway. He came in, frozen to the core, runny nose and all, and a full head of sweaty "hat hair." I try to change it up a bit every now and then but this is Justin's favorite way to enjoy his hot chocolate. Not too chocolatey, with a bit of mint, and tons of marshmallows!

Justin's Peppermint Hot Chocolate
4 Weight Watchers Points with One Candy Cane, and No Marshmallows

1 cup milk
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp dark cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 mini candy canes
Lots of marshmallows!

1. In a microwave safe bowl, whisk together milk, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla.

2. Toss in two of the candy canes.

3. Microwave on high until chocolate is hot, and candy canes are melted.

4. Pour into a cup, top with marshmallows, and garnish with third candy cane.

Kids Cocoa

My kids LOVE hot cocoa. I can honestly say, that I have not, at least since I've had kids, bought the pre-packaged hot cocoa mixes. I made home made hot cocoa one time, and we were all hooked. Yesterday when the kids came home from school it was pouring rain. I mean raining hard enough that from the walk out of the school to the car they were drenched. When they got home we had cookies and cocoa to warm up. I made it before I left to pick them up and heated it a little longer than usual. I wanted it to be made and on the table when they got home, but still piping hot when they took that first sip. It was the first time we had made cocoa since last winter and they were so excited.

Kids Cocoa

1 cup milk
1 1/2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa, I use Hershey's dark chocolate
1 1/2 Tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp instant Folgers coffee
Dash of salt

1. Pour all ingredients into coffee mug, and microwave on high for about 1 minute.

2. Remove from microwave and stir with a spoon or mini whisk to combine all ingredients. Heat for a bit longer if you want it any hotter.

TIP: This is a basic recipe, you can change it to add different flavors. My kids like to toss an Andes mint in the bottom and stir till its melted. Turns into a creamy minty cocoa.