Desserts

With this weekend marking the unofficial start of summer (says me), maybe you’re looking for some delicious warm weather treats? Maybe you’re still looking for ideas to make for your Memorial Day picnic that is in 8/24/48 hours? Maybe you’re a super planner and have stockpiled ideas since March? That would not be me. I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants, what-sounds-good-right-this-instant type of party food person. We have to talk burgers. Cheeseburgers with mustard aioli are a must. Be untraditional and make some sweet potato burgers or crab cake sliders. Actually, just browse this entire section of sandwiches and burgers and please make me one. Or four. You can make this chicken in the crockpot and be insanely low maintenance. It includes beer. Happy happy joy joy. Don’t forget the hot dogs! Simple, traditional hot dogs may be best for your get together this weekend but promise me you will trash up a dog before September 2013. Pinky swear? What is summer without baked beans? Nothing. That’s what it is. P.S. they are made with bourbon. I have a dip dependency. Last year I consumed this white pizza dip with just a few other humans. Like the entire dip. Blueberry cheddar dip sounds weird but has never been followed up with a complaint. JUST DO IT. Cheesy caramelized corn dip is a food group. And this recent beer cheese queso should be a given. No words needed. If you’re a corn fanatic like I am, you might enjoy some grilled corn cheddar quinoa. If quinoa makes your head spin you may as well just grill your corn then cover it in bacon butter. Yeah I said it. Bacon. Butter. If you want to feel good about yourself, or as I call it “project don’t feel like crap on holidays” (which, by the way, I’m currently completely failing at) then you should probably make this summertime chopped salad. But my one and only vote goes to some roasted tomato caprese panzanella. I ate that at least once a week last summer. Since it’s a salad the bread doesn’t count. #truth Thirsty and hot? Please have a margarita. If tequila frightens you (as it should), this cantaloupe coconut lassi is so fun. I could never choose a favorite summer dessert, but I hope you’ll make some ice cream cupcakes or this gin and tonic cake. Super refreshing. So real. What’s your summer treat of choice? Are you picnicking this weekend? That’s a verb now, you know. Tell me! I like to share. ©2012 How Sweet It Is

Whenever I used to make cookies, my three boys would always find something they didn't like about them. After some trial and error, I finally came up with a cookie they all enjoyed.

After I experimented in the kitchen mixing and matching ingredients to come up with a new and different cookie recipe, my husband proclaimed these the winner! With a little peppermint extract, these cake-like cookies bring a nice close to any meal.

I can't resist these soft cookies topped with a maple-flavored frosting. Dates, pecans and coconut add some unexpected wholesomeness.

[new for 2013, available May - August] So Edy's ( Dreyer's ) is rocking a set of summer flavors this year that are available now through the end of summer. We've got German Chocolate Cake Spectacular and Sea Salt Caramel Pretzel, both in regular and slow churned versions. Then we've got Take the Cake slow churned ice cream versus Three Stripes your out grand ice cream. So that's three of each or

4.13 / 5 Stars | 4 Reviews by Sadie "This is a very light almond gelatin that chills and sets up beautifully. Chill in a large pan so that it can be cut into squares and tumbled into serving dishes and topped with fresh fruit." View Complete Recipe Details and Reviews

4.24 / 5 Stars | 22 Reviews by Jen "A sweet and moist cake. Blueberries can be used instead of strawberries." View Complete Recipe Details and Reviews

4.49 / 5 Stars | 63 Reviews by 1335ANNI "In search of an all whole wheat cookie recipe, I created this one. My family gives it rave reviews!" View Complete Recipe Details and Reviews

4 / 5 Stars | 0 Reviews by kdonovan "Grandma's noodle kugel is a sweet, rich, but light concoction of noodles, apples, raisins, and nuts bound together with eggs." View Complete Recipe Details and Reviews

4.25 / 5 Stars | 3 Reviews by SCOOBYVC "Lemon lime soda is flavored with drink mix, and poured over ice cream so that it bubbles up. This is a fun drink to make with a group of children. My daughter's Brownie Troop loved it. Use any flavor of drink mix that you like!" View Complete Recipe Details and Reviews