Berry Vanilla Parfaits {Easy Patriotic Parfaits}

This easy recipe requires no baking and is a perfect sweet treat with berries, sponge cake and ice cream. So easy to assemble anyone can make this scrumptious dessert that combines 5 simple ingredients.

Unless you spend time in my company on holidays, you wouldn't know this secret fact me. On a holiday, I take a nap! I feel drained after all of the preparations usually and my husband is home on every holiday known to mankind, {hooray!} so there is an able bodied adult to keep our little ones happy.

On Memorial Day, I really wanted to have a nap. I shooed the family out the door for a round of frisbee golf and the house was quiet. As I looked around, I realized it was now or never. I attacked the closets, the massive amount of blankets and the aftermath of a what feels like a constant toy tornado with a vengeance. I folded laundry, sorted out items we no longer need for donation and tidied up my office/studio.

As I smiled and surveyed my impromptu cleaning spree I realized I had not made dessert, and my family had let me know several times they wanted cake. Luckily I had 3 slices of sponge cake left over from a recipe I made a few days prior and a few other simple ingredients on hand.

Ingredients

1 pint of strawberries, cleaned, destemmed sliced

1 pint of blackberries, cleaned

1/4 cup of white sugar

Vanilla Bean ice cream

3 x 2" thick slices of sponge cake, cut into 1" cubes

1/4 cup of water

Directions

Add your strawberry slices and blackberries together in a bowl

Add 1/4 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water. Gently stir.

Layer 3 or 4 cake cubes into a pretty glass or parfait bowl

Add 2 small scoops of ice cream {I used a cookie dough scoop for the perfect size}

Spoon berries and a little of the sugar water/ juice mixture over the cake cubes and ice cream

Add 2 more cake cubes to the glass

Serve immediately as the cake will get saturated with the liquid for a delicious flavor infusion

Repeat until the ingredients are depleted.

This recipe will serve 6.

This was the perfect easy patriotic parfait to make for Memorial Day. I will definitely be serving this to guests on the 4th of July and Labor Day as well! Actually, strike that, this is going to be one of those easy recipes for the hot summer months that I add into my rotation without a doubt!

What is your favorite no bake dessert recipe to serve in the summer months?

You might also enjoy this Fruity Waffle Recipe made with Gerber Baby Food.

The Best S'mores Recipes You'll Ever Try

S'mores are the perfect summer treat. They're easy to make, delicious, and fun to eat. Plus, they're the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors on a warm summer night.

Here are just a few reasons why s'mores are the perfect summer treat:

• They're easy to make. All you need is some graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. You can even make them in the microwave if you don't have a campfire.
• They're delicious. The combination of the graham cracker, chocolate, and gooey marshmallow is simply irresistible.
• They're fun to eat. There's nothing quite like the experience of roasting a marshmallow over a campfire and then smooshing it between two graham crackers with a piece of chocolate.
• They're the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors. S'mores are the perfect way to end a long day of hiking, swimming, or playing in the sun.

So next time you're looking for a delicious and fun summer treat, reach for some s'mores. You won't be disappointed.

I gathered some of our favorite recipes to share with you. Check these out to make your next s'mores night extra special.

Mini S’mores Pies by Create Yum

Whether you call them s’mores cups, s’mores bites, or s’mores pies, I call them yummy. Enjoy these easy mini s’mores with graham cracker crust pies for a delicious dessert anytime. These mini s’mores bites are just the right amount of sweetness for a little treat that you can enjoy after lunch or dinner or whenever.




S’mores Mug Cake by Cookie Dough and Oven Mitt

This s'mores mug cake has graham cracker crumbs in it, mallow bits, chocolate chunks and a nice pile of toasted mini marshmallows to top it off with.




Mint Chocolate S’mores by Sweet Silly Sara

S'mores are a summertime staple for good reason. They are incredibly delicious! This recipe takes the tastiness up a notch with the addition of mint chocolate chip to the equation for a melt in your mouth campfire snack!




S’mores Pudding Pots by Entertaining with Beth

My S’more Pudding Pot Recipe is your new favorite summer dessert idea that will WOW a crowd! Just top your puddings with crushed graham crackers and broil the marshmallows and you’re DONE! These desserts are great for entertaining families, since both kids and grown-ups go nuts for these!




S’mores Dip by Spend with Pennies

My S’more Pudding Pot Recipe is your new favorite summer dessert idea that will WOW a crowd! Just top your puddings with crushed graham crackers and broil the marshmallows and you’re DONE! These desserts are great for entertaining families, since both kids and grown-ups go nuts for these!




Easy S’mores Bars by Plowing Through Life

Classic campfire treats baked in a pan are called Easy S’mores Bars. These easy dessert bars feature a graham cracker layer topped with a layer of chocolate and then toasted mini-marshmallows and more chocolate chunks finish off the delicious treat!




S’mores Popsicles by Thrifty Northwest Mom

We are working on our summer bucket list for old-fashioned fun this summer at home and trying new summer recipes is on our list. We love sweet treats & ice cream & popsicles are always high on our list in the heat of the summer for a refreshing treat. So, we thought it would be fun to try some new ideas. I am pretty obsessed with s’mores around the campfire, so love that these s’mores popsicles are just another way to enjoy the flavors of s’mores!




Grilled Strawberry S’mores by For the Love of Food

Add fresh berries to a classic combo and toss it on the grill for a one of a kind summer goodie! Everyone will love these grilled s’mores strawberries!




S’mores Donuts by Dine Dream Discover

If you can’t go camping to have traditional S’mores by the campfire then these will fill the void.




S’mores Cheesecake Bars by Cheesecake It Is

Craving that favorite summer dessert called S’mores? If you are, you are going to love this recipe for S’mores Cheesecake Bars! Such a great combination of s’mores and cheesecake.




Double Dipped S’mores Apples by Boulder Locavore

S’mores flavors in an indulgent candied apple form. These are almost too pretty to eat!




S’mores on a Stick by Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

S’mores on a Stick. The easiest way to get that yummy s’mores taste when a campfire is not available!




S’mores Brownies by Kelly Stillwell

Everyone loves S'mores, and who doesn't love brownies? Make an extra big batch of these smores brownies as they will be gone before you know it!




Rice Krispie S’mores by Leelalicious

The No-Bake Summer is still underway, and this time, a friend of mine, Carla, makes delicious S’more Rice Krispie Treats with marshmallows, graham, and chocolate – the staples!




S’mores Stuffed Cookies by The Banana Diaries

The best s’mores stuffed cookies you’ll ever make that are incredibly easy and undetectably vegan! Stuffed with a melted marshmallow and completely refined sugar free and can be gluten free, you won’t be able to stop with these vegan s’mores cookies!




S’mores Ice Cream by Baby Savers

This simple s'mores ice cream recipe is going to be your new favorite dessert. Packed full of sweetness and that classic s'mores taste, it's a dessert party just waiting to happen.

Here are some additional tips for making the perfect s'mores:

• Use good quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the s'mores will taste.
• Toast your marshmallows until they're golden brown and gooey.
• Use a variety of chocolate. Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate all make great s'mores.
• Get creative with your toppings. Try adding nuts, candy, or fruit to your s'mores for a fun twist.

No matter how you make them, s'mores are sure to be a hit at your next summer gathering. So gather your friends and family, roast some marshmallows, and enjoy the perfect summer treat.

Find more favorite summer recipes here:

S'mores Charcuterie

Popsicles for Adults

Snickerdoodle Cake

Today I am sharing one of my favorite recipes with you. Usually, you bake a cake for a special occasion, but in the case of this recipe, the cake becomes the occasion! The recipe was inspired by a classic cookie that just about everyone loves and this cake is just as fantastic. Best of all, this Snickerdoodle Cake is easy to prepare from scratch!

This cake is gorgeous after baking and I always hesitate to cut it into slices for just about a nanosecond! But it smells divine and it has so much flavor that there is no way to not devour it! This picture does not do it justice, really! But, guys, this is the best I have for you as the cake was devoured in a flash! My husband could be heard groaning in delight. My children could not rest at the thought of this cake!

This post contains affiliate links.

Ingredients for Snickerdoodle Cake

2 cups of white sugar

2 1/2 cups of all purpose flour

2 teaspoons of baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

1/2 cup of butter flavored shortening {I used Crisco}

2 eggs

1 cup of milk

1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

Cake Topping Ingredients

2 tablespoons of white sugar

2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Spray a cake pan (13x9 or a bundt pan) with cooking spray

In a medium sized bowl mix the flour, salt, cinammon and baking powder together, set aside

Cream together shortening and sugar until fluffy

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well

Add 1/3 of flour mixture and 1/3 a cup of milk, mixing well and repeating until all ingredients are combined

Pour cake batter into prepared pan

Combine the Cake Topping Ingredients and sprinkle over the batter 

Place in the preheated oven to bake for 35-40 minutes or until baked. 

This cake is incredible with or without frosting! I top it with my Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting. It is a huge hit with everyone that tastes it. The cake is kind of heavy, there is a simple and scrumptious flavor to it, and everyone will ask for your recipe!

What is your favorite kind of cake? I would love to hear about it in a comment!

You might also like this rice pudding recipe

Appealing Appetizer Recipes

 

If you are planning a summer party, you need to start thinking about appetizers! I gathered 15 of my favorites from my blogging friends to share with you, just in case you need some snack inspo!

From the best stuffed mushrooms to a gorgeous grilled pizza, this collection of appealing appetizer recipes has a little something for everyone!

I don't know if anyone else does this but sometimes when we go out to dinner I just order the appetizer sampler and make a meal of it. I love to try all of the tasty bites that are offered! I can't resist a good appetizer. This collection has a whole lot of goodies in it. I know you will find a few recipes you love. Be sure to click thru the links to get the whole recipe.

Mushrooms Neptune by The Girl on the Bloor

These creamy seafood stuffed mushrooms are the ultimate appetizer for a party! So delicious and easy to serve.

Easy Baked Brie with Nuts and Honey by Gypsy Plate

Baked brie is always a great idea for a starter. This recipe is sweet, creamy and crunchy, and perfect for spreading!

Raspberry Goat Cheese Bites by Quiche My Grits

Goat cheese has such a great flavor on its own; but complemented by raspberries? It is so appetizing!

Chicken Cranberry Brie Wonton Tacos by Powered by Mom

These little wonton tacos have so many great flavors at play! They might be the star of the show when you serve them!

Seafood Nachos by Cooking with Curls

Nachos are always a good idea for a crowd. Adding seafood makes them feel and taste very elegant!

Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers by Through the Fibro

These little pepper bites are stuffed with cream cheese for a great starter to share.

Turkey Taco Cups by Ottawa Mommy Club

Turkey taco cups are bite sized for party food; made with turkey, they are also guilt free. Go ahead and have two!

Caprese Skewers by Low Carb Spark

Simple is always super appealing for appetizers. You can't go wrong with the flavors of caprese when serving a crowd!

Bacon Wrapped Scallops by Summer Yule

Scallops are popular appetizers for good reason; they are delicious. This recipe wraps them in bacon to make them the perfect addition to any spread of food!

Bleu Cheese, Cucumber and Watermelon Appetizers by Amy Casey Cooks

Bleu cheese, cucumber and watermelon come together to make an appetizer that is complex,colorful and so satisfying to serve to guests!

Grilled Olives  by Bakers Beans

Grilled olives make for such an appealing appetizer to offer to guests! They will love the flavor released with the grilling process!

Beef Wellington Bites by Pizzazzerie

Want to serve something small that tastes like the definition of elegance? These beef wellington bites will do the trick, in style!

Cold Marinated Shrimp by Best Appetizer

This recipe is perfect for summer entertaining. No need to heat up the house cooking, you can serve these cold marinated shrimp to rave reviews everytime!

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail by Savoring the Good

Spice up shrimp cocktail by giving it a distinctly Mexican flavor. Your guests will love this spin on classic.

Grilled Arugula Pizza by Joy Filled Eats

Slices of grilled arugula pizza are perfect for a garden party, or as a starter to a great BBQ with friends!

Find more yummy appetizer recipes here:

Loaded jalapeno bites

Cold Veggie Pizza

Chocolate Cherry Floats

I have a recipe for a Chocolate Cherry Float that is so good that even on the coldest fall day, it will appeal to your taste buds!

I love to serve ice cream floats to friends and family. They are easy to make and while it seems like a pretty simple thing, an ice cream float can be as complex and creative as you desire. The combinations for yum are endless.

In this Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream Float recipe, you will find I went with basic ingredients you might already have in the kitchen. If you have them, get ready to dash in and make one of these!

You will need:

Dr. Pepper

Chocolate Ice Cream

Chocolate Syrup

Maraschino Cherries

Begin by drizzling chocolate syrup around the inner rim of your glass so that it dribbles down the sides.

Next, add 2 scoops of chocolate ice cream into the glass

Top with Dr. Pepper.

Drop a cherry in and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

This is completely delicious. If you like chocolate and cherry, this is one easy yet delicious float recipe you won't want to miss.

You might also enjoy this Lazy Affogato Recipe.

Blackberry Cheesecake Floats are a reader favorite you will love too!

Find all of my favorite ice cream floats here

Cake Mix Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies

This is the easiest cookie recipe yet. It is perfect for those times you crave a chocolate peanut butter treat, but maybe don't have all of the ingredients for a totally homemade recipe. This recipe only needs 4 ingredients.

I used a triple chocolate fudge cake mix, but you can use whatever chocolate flavor you prefer! 

1 box of chocolate cake mix

1 cup of peanut butter

1 egg

¼ c water

¼ c granulated sugar for rolling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray lightly cooking spray. 

Combine the cake mix, peanut butter, water and egg in a mixing bowl.

Use a hand or stand mixer to combine.

Blend for 3 minutes.

Form small balls of dough and roll them in the sugar.

Place the cookie balls 3” apart on a prepared baking sheet.

With a fork, press into the balls of dough to flatten them.

Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges look lightly crackled.

Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the cookie sheet.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

This is the recipe I pull out when I have not been shopping and find myself out of an ingredient I might need for cookies, or when I just simply don't want to fuss with too many ingredients.

These have a great texture and a lot of great peanut butter flavor! You are sure to love them.

Have you ever made cake mix cookies? So easy and tasty!

You can find more recipes here:

Reader favorites include:

Coconut Rice Krispie Treats (Dairy Free)

Chicken Taquitos

3 Ingredient Biscuits

Instant Pot Butter Garlic Glazed Carrots

 Carrots are such a good side dish to add to your meal plan because they are so affordable. This recipe makes them super easy to make. Plus this recipe is great for kids; it is lightly sweet, very buttery and has just the right amount of garlic to spice things up.

I know I am not the only one who has been feeling the strain of the economy. Groceries cost more, gas prices are high, and the cost of cooling the house all summer and running the sprinklers to keep the kids cool has caught up with us. I have been trying to shop smart and make the most of our budget at the grocery shops.

I have found that carrots are a great side dish to serve my family. It fills them up, and it is something different. We like carrots, but honestly, I don't know if I have ever really cooked with them, aside from making a pretty good carrot soup on occasion. Carrots are especially nice when they are marked down in the produce section. A few weeks back, I found a one pound bag of organic whole carrots for 49 cents. I sliced them into rounds and prepared them like this. Everyone liked them. So when I found mini carrots at Kroger, marked down to 79 cents, I grabbed 2 bags and worked them into our meals.

This recipe is good because it is so easy to make if you have a pressure cooker. It goes well with a variety of beef dishes, chicken, or fish and I even served it with leftover pasta last night. 

Ingredients

1 pound of baby carrots

3 tablespoons of butter

1 tablespoon of minced garlic

½ c light brown sugar

1 ½ to 2 cups of water

Add brown sugar, butter and minced garlic to the instant pot.

Add carrots, and cover with water.

Give everything a stir to make sure the carrots are covered with the water.

Place the lid on the instant pot.

Seal the instant pot.

Use the manual setting, and set the timer for 8 minutes.

When the timer dings, allow the instant pot to naturally release pressure for 3 minutes, then use the quick release valve.

Remove the lid and stir.

Serve the carrots immediately.

Store leftovers in an airtight container after they have cooled.

These are so tender, and have such a great flavor. I am sure you are going to love it.  Plus it is fuss free and you can probably get 2 meals worth out of a bag of carrots if you are cooking for 4 like I am. If you don't want to eat carrots 2 nights in a row, you can freeze the remaining carrots. You know how I feel about freezing veggies! Do it! I would recommend blanching them first though.

This carrot patch activity might be a good way to get the kids excited about carrots before serving this side.

This sheet pan shrimp, potatoes, carrots and asparagus recipe is also a great way to use up any leftover mini carrots you might have after serving this.

Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

Breakfast has never been easier or tastier than it is with this simple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats recipe.

Some of the best things in life are simple; this recipe embraces that and plays on the goodness of pantry staples. I love that you can literally toss this together in under a moment for a no frills, but tons of flavor start to the day.

This post contains affiliate links.

Ingredients
1 cup of old fashioned oats
1 cup of 1% milk
1/8 teaspoon of vanilla
1 tablespoon of brown sugar

Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a food storage container. Allow to sit in the fridge for at least 3 hours. Overnight is ideal.
Serve cold, or heated in the morning for a nutritious and delicious breakfast.

This recipe will last for 3 days covered in the fridge.

I love this cold and often opt for it over dessert. It is that good! I consider it my happy food these days. If you have a favorite overnight oat recipe I hope you will leave a comment and share it with me.

Find some of my favorite recipes here:
Reader favorites include:
Cold Veggie PizzaLoaded Jalapeno Bites

Crumbl Copycat Golden Graham Cookies

Looking for a really good cookie recipe? These golden graham cookies are just what you need. They have such a lovely flavor and are perfect for anyone who loves cereal and milk. These are even better than Crumbl cookies! I think it is safe to call these a copycat crumbl recipe.

I love to bake cookies, muffins, biscuits and even popovers. It is my dream to someday have a bakery of my own where I can spread cheer and cookies all around. 

Well, until that happens, I keep myself happy coming up with recipes like this one. It is perfect for creating huge, delicious cookies with a wonderful texture. These are so big you can only make 6 to a cookie sheet and you will need your ice cream scooper to form them!

Bake these for a friend, to share with family or for a bake sale, and prepare for compliments! Go on and pin this recipe for later because you are going to want to make these all the time!

.

1 c salted butter, softened to room temperature

1 ½ c sugar

2 large eggs

2 ½ c flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

1 ½ c crushed golden graham cereal

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Line a cookie sheet with a silicon baking mat or parchment paper.

Add butter and sugar to a medium mixing bowl. Beat for 2-3 minutes or until light and fluffy.

Add eggs and vanilla, mix for 1 more minute.

Add baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix for 1 minute.

Add flour and mix until you can’t see any flour in the dough.

Crush the golden graham cereal with a food processor.

Add the crushed cereal to the dough and mix for a minute

Use an ice cream scoop to make large dough balls.

Place them 6 to a cookie sheet.

Bake for 13-15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes.

When the cookies are completely cool you can add glaze or frosting to them.

Garnish with golden graham cereal.

Glaze

1 ½ c powdered sugar

¼ c softened butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

1-2 tbsp of half and half of milk.

Add the powdered sugar and butter to a mixing bowl. 

Add vanilla and 1 tbsp of milk or half and half.

Begin mixing.

If your glaze feels too thick add an additional tbsp of milk and continue to blend until you achieve the desired consistency.

These cookies are SO GOOD. I think they are even better than CRUMBL cookies!

These would be incredible for a cookie exchange, or to add into your cookie tray at the holidays. But, these are awesome anytime of the year. So don't wait for the holidays to roll around to bake this recipe.

Look at those scrumptious cookies! They are great with both milk and coffee. They have a wonderful flavor!

You can find all of my dessert recipes here

Homemade Rice Pudding

Instant Pot Banana Rice Pudding

Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

More copycat recipes:

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings