Funfetti Muddy Buddies

Funfetti Muddy Buddies.  Fun and perfect for a party! {The Mommy Games}

Although I’m not exactly sure what classifies as a “funfetti” flavor, I sure know that I love it! Maybe it’s the sprinkles that give it that extra sweet and fun punch. Do you remember way back when instead of being in sprinkle form, there were little sprinkle type balls? Those were amazing and I wish would make a reappearance on the boxed cake mix scene. I’m certainly not above busting out some boxed mix to make a quick batch of cupcakes or even a last minute birthday cake. I say, as long as it tastes good, than there’s no matter whether it took me an extra 30 minutes to make or not. Just hide the evidence and no one will be the wiser.

These muddy buddies (or Chex snack mix/puppy chow) are the sweetest, cutest snack around. They would be perfect set out at a party, since it’s easy to make a large bowl full and are so fun for guests to eat. Scatter some extra sprinkles around and I guarantee that bowl will be empty before you even get around to serving cake. I might need to include a warning that they are super sweet – so if you find yourself alone with said huge bowl, try and utilize a  little self control, or you might just find yourself with one heck of a tummy ache (not that I would know from experience…).  The greatest part is that these are ready in no time, with only a little microwaving and stirring involved, so you’ll be party ready in no time.

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S’mores Icebox Pie

S'mores Icebox Pie | Super easy and quick dessert that both kids and adults will love! | {The Mommy Games}Is there any more quintessential summertime dessert than s’mores? Just type “s’mores” into Pinterest and you will be privy to a variety of desserts that have all gotten their inspiration from this much loved classic. There’s just something about the whole graham cracker, gooey marshmallow, and chocolate combo that wins over adults and children alike. This pie combines all of that, with the addition of ice cream. In my book, everything is better with a little ice cream. This took no more than 10 minutes to put together and there’s no actual cooking involved, just a little microwaving and assembly. This was such a light and refreshing dessert, with just a hint of decadence from the chocolate and marshmallow layers. A great spin on a classic, and one I know your family will love.

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Blackberry Lime Sorbet

Blackberry Lime Sorbet {The Mommy Games}I have a confession to make….I pretty much hate doing anything artsy with my kids. Yep, play-doh, painting, markers – I could live a happy life without any of it. Every time I get brave and bust out the arts and crafts, we end up with spilled paint, crayons in the mouth (repeatedly), stickers stuck to the floor, and a very stressed out momma. My type-A tendencies just can’t handle it. Thankfully, what the kids miss in the arts department, we more than make up for with our culinary adventures. For some reason making a mess in the kitchen is so much easier to handle. Like the kitchen is meant for messes (not to mention, everything is at least somewhat wipeable).

There are still days when I really don’t want to deal with spilled flour and sticky floors though, and on those days, we make sorbet. Sorbet is the perfect thing to make with your littles because there is little mess involved, and a lot of cool gadgets. Just make the simple syrup during nap time, so that way all you’re doing is a little blending (do your kids love to push the buttons as much as mine?), straining, waiting (admittedly, the hardest part, but I consider this a teachable moment about patience), and the most fun – watching the ice cream maker turn our bright purple liquid into a frosty treat. It’s like magic in their kiddo eyes.  So go ahead and try making this super refreshing, and very pretty sorbet with your kids. If I, in all my neat-freakness can handle it, then I’m sure you can too.

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Apricot Almond Crumb Bars

Apricot Almond Crumb Bars by The Mommy Games

I’m in a bit of denial about the fact that we are already halfway through June. The weather here has been topsy turvy, and until very recently, it’s felt more like fall than summer. As a Floridian living in the North, I crave hot summer months. While everyone else is complaining about the heat, I am happily soaking it all up. My running friends want to push our runs earlier and my mommy friends want to move our playdates inside to avoid the heat. I, however, love to get out there and get my share of the hot weather because I know it will gone all to quickly. Unfortunately, my kids seem to have inherited my husband’s Canadian blood because they become totally flushed and uncomfortable the minute the temp goes above 70. There go my visions of summer picnics!

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Homemade Ice Cream Cake

Homemade Ice Cream Cake by The Mommy Games

Ice cream cakes are now officially my favorite desserts to make. Nearly zero effort or time involved, endless flavor and mix-in possibilities (think frozen yogurt toppings endless), and ridiculous deliciousness. And you don’t have to turn on the oven, which is a major plus in the summer. I actually made this particular cake a few weeks ago for my brother-in-law’s birthday. He doesn’t like traditional cake (I know, I know) so I was racking my brain to come up with something different that we could still stick a candle in. Et Voila. Make this. Then, when you’ve eaten it all a day later, make another one with whatever ingredients your mind can dream up. You won’t think of buying one from DQ ever again. Make whatever alterations to the ice cream and fillings you want – there is no going wrong here!

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Potato Chip Cookies

Potato Chip Cookies by The Mommy Games

My husband and I went out of town a few weeks ago while my wonderful parents stayed with the kids. Not only did we come back to 2 happy little kiddos, but also a freezer full of banana bread (my mom’s specialty) and a huge container of these cookies. That huge container didn’t last long. Seriously, these cookies should come with a warning. Just like potato chips themselves, I bet you can’t stop with just one. They remind me of Danish wedding cookies, shortbread covered in powdered sugar, but slightly lighter and with a tiny crunch. If you don’t tell people that you’ve thrown in potato chips, I doubt anyone would figure out just what gives this cookie its extra special element. These would be the perfect treat to bring to a party or barbecue. Just don’t keep them around the house because they are dangerously addicting! Thanks mom for this amazing recipe!

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Glazed Meyer Lemon Tea Cake

Glazed Meyer Lemon Tea Cake by The Mommy Games

I love having a snack cake around the house. It’s perfect for dessert after dinner, an afternoon snack, a quick (albeit unhealthy) breakfast, and if you have one around to serve unexpected guests you automatically look like Martha Stewart for having something so fabulous baked up and sitting prettily on the counter. And this is just the cake to kick-off Spring. If you’ve never used Meyer lemons in baking before, you most definitely should grab a few before they’re all gone (the season is pretty quick). They are more mellow than a regular lemon and a flavor that is uniquely their own. Once baked, this cake is topped with a warm dessert wine glaze that seeps into the cake, and when cooled, adds an extra sweetness and richness without being sticky. A great twist on a classic lemon cake!

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Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by The Mommy Games #1stbirthday

A first birthday cake can be a tricky thing. You want something that your baby will love and can safely eat, but you also want something yummy for the adult party goers. After much consideration, I decided to make a banana cake for Rylan, since he loves bananas, and top it with a cream cheese frosting. Blueberries are also his current fruit obsession, so I used those as decoration. This was a huge hit with everyone, including the birthday boy. Rylan devoured his piece and then tried to steal his brother’s as well. This cake isn’t too sweet, and has no nuts or chocolate (though it does have eggs), making it a perfect first dessert. I made one 2-layer cake, but if you are having lots of guests over, you might want to make a smaller “smash” cake or cupcake for the birthday girl or boy, then a separate cake for everyone else. And it’s not just for birthdays, this cake would be fabulous any time!

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