Easy Healthy Brownie Recipe From Scratch!

First of all, let me tell you that this is the first time in my life I've ever made brownies from scratch and it was so much easier than I thought!  The only brownies I've ever made in the past have come out of a box and, for some reason, the thought of making homemade brownies completely intimidated me.

So, if you read my post a few months ago, I thought I found the ultimate quick and easy healthier brownie recipe.  But, now, there's a new recipe in the running.  It started when a friend and I were trying to come up with new recipes to use the zucchini from her garden.  She found a great recipe for Zucchini brownies and we were  both blown away!

The original recipe can be found on AllRecipes.com. But, here's my version:

• 1/2 cup Olive Oil (or you can also use Canola oil)
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups shredded zucchini
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Note:  In an attempt to bake healthier, I only use Whole Wheat Flour.  This recipe takes good with Whole Wheat Flour, but, it definitely tastes better with White flour.  So, if you're trying this recipe for the first time, you may want to use White Flour or half Wheat / half White.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F . Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2. Mix together all of your ingredients in a large bowl and spread evenly in your baking pan.
   
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until brownies spring back when gently touched. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares.

Zucchini Brownies and Black Bean Brownies are totally different. 

Zucchini Brownies are very moist and delicate.  My sister compared it to a chocolate Devil's Food Cake.  They are so light that I tried to make them into mini brownie bites and they were so fluffy and moist that it was difficult to get them out of the pan.  This recipe only takes about 5 minutes to prepare and is completely kid-approved!  So far, about 7 kids have tasted them and all 7 have loved them.

Black Bean Brownies only involve two ingredients: a box of brownie mix and a can of black beans.  You can get my recipe for these healthier brownies here.  They are very moist and dense.  The kids love these too, and you really can't tell their are beans in there. 

So, this is an easy way to use up your zucchini this summer.  Do you have any unique ideas for using veggies or herbs from your garden?

Summer Reminder: Safely Installing Car seats and Boosters

According to a NHTSA study, about 3 out of 4 kids are not as secure in the car as they should be because their car seats are not being used correctly.

When my first son was born, my husband went to a car seat inspection center and learned all about properly installing car seats and shared his knowlefge with me.  I think some parents take it for granted that they just know what to do, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen other people's car seats that weren't fastened in correctly.  So, I just wanted to take a minute to share this information with you. 

Happy summer travels,  everyone!

Easy Recipe: Crescent Veggie Pizza

Summer is in full swing! Thanks to beautiful weather, we've been spending more time outside than in. We had two barbecues with friends and an exciting Day out with Thomas (the train), which I'll write about later. The kids had a blast, but they are completely wiped out.

I just wanted to share a quick recipe with you that is perfect for a summer appetizer, because it showcases fresh in-season veggies and it's very simple to make.

Here's the recipe for this quick and easy veggie pizza:

2 packs of Crescent rolls
1 (8oz) cream cheese (regular or 1/3 less fat)
 1/4 cup of mayonnaise (regular or light)

1/2 packet of dry Ranch Salad Dressing / Seasoning Mix

Diced fresh Veggies of your choice

Press the crescent rolls on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. 

While this is baking, mix up your Mayonnaise, Ranch seasoning and Cream Cheese.  You may want to add more ranch mix depending on your personal taste.  It's pretty flavorful, so I don't like to over-do it.

When the crescent rolls are finished cooking, take them out of the oven and let is cool slightly. Then, spread on the creamy ranch mix.  Then, sprinkle on your diced veggies.

I used cucuumber, carrots, spinach and red peppers, because that's what I had at the time, but you can use whatever you want.

If you're short on time and want to cut out some prep work, just get some precut/prewashed veggies from the salad bar at your supermarket.   This is so easy but always looks so pretty on any table. And, of course, it tastes amazing!

Some of my Favorite Linky Parties

Become a Jedi: Training Academy at Hollywood Studios

Is the force with you?  I mean...have you experienced Jedi Training yet? 

Before we left for our trip to Disney World, this past spring, my friend told me a great tip to getting your child into Jedi Training Academy.  The Disney folks only take a limited number of kids every day, and you need to get there early to register.  We got to the Disney Hollywood Studios theme park almost as soon as it opened and quickly ran over to the registration point near Star Tours.  You must have your child with you to register.  They won't let an adult register a child who isn't present.  As soon as you register, they'll give you a time to come back for Jedi Training Academy.

Here's a sneak peak at my son becoming a Jedi at Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida.

If you're not headed to Disney World or Disney Land anytime soon, you can still have Star Wars Fun at home.  Here are some ideas that you can do anywhere:

Star Wars Coloring Pages

Star Wars Inspired Recipes

Free Online Games at StarWars.com

Star Wars Crafts Ideas at StarWars.com

Do it Yourself Lightsaber Craft from Disney Family

 Star Wars Party Ideas

Jedi Training Academy Party at Home

 Do you have any other fun Star Wars inspired activities to do with kids?  Let me know or leave a link in the comments. 

“Truly wonderful, the mind of a child is”

Simple Summer Recipe: Make Ahead Corn Dog Muffins

I love cooking, but some Summer days, I get in a rut.  Packing up sandwiches for the pool, beach or camping can be so time consuming.  Sometimes, it's nice to have something I can make ahead, grab and go. Corn Dog Muffins to the rescue!

My sister gave me this recipe for corn dog muffins.  She actually made them back in the winter for my son's birthday party and we were all amazed at how good they were.  But, this is actually a great summer recipe too.  It's so easy and makes a ton of mini muffins. You can cut the batch in half or just bake the whole batch and freeze any left overs if you're overwhelmed by the quantity.

This recipe will make about 18 full size muffins or about 54mini muffins

Here are the ingredients:

2 boxes of cornbread mix (8.5 ounces each)

1.5 cups of Milk

1.5 cups grated Cheddar cheese

2 eggs

2 tablespoons of brown sugar (optional)

7-9 hot dogs - Cut into quarters for small children.  If you're making these muffins for bigger kids, you can probably just cut them in half.)

Here's how to make them:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Combine all of your ingredients and keep stirring untl it's combined andthe mixture is moistened. Then, fill paper lined muffin cups about 2/3 with the mixture.  Full size muffins should bake for about 14-18 minutes, mini muffins will probably need to cook for about 12 minutes.

As I've mentioned before, I love mini muffins for the kids because you never know how much they're are going to eat.  I prefer to give them a few mini muffins vs. one big muffin because it's easier to store the untouched minis instead of a half eaten crumbled full sized muffin. Plus, adults love them just as much as the kids.

What's your favorite on-the-go meal or snack for summer time?

Find my Corn Dog Muffin at some of these Linky Parties.

Our Segment on the Rachael Ray Show

Did you see it?

Yesterday was a fun day at our house!  Our segment on the Rachael Ray Show aired.  If you missed it, you can see it here. If I seem really nervous, it's because I was.

You might be wondering how I got to do a product review on the Rachael Ray show.  Let me tell you...

A long time ago, I was at home cruising the RR web site when I decided to answer a few questions on the site.  I wrote in about something related to cooking - not kids products or reviews.  It was long before I started this blog.  Clearly, they read what viewers write about, and one day they called me.  It's as simple as that.  I don't know anyone in the business, and I've never been on t.v. before.

In all honesty, the best part of being on the RR show was getting to share the experience with my family.  My little guy may have been a little noisy in the audience, but, he completely exceeded my expectations.  Being on the show with him made it so much fun.  It was a very long day (with no nap) and he was smiling and happy the entire time.  My husband took the day off so he could come up to NYC with the boys and I.  It was hard for my 5 year old to be left out of some of the action. But, before we went to the studio, my kids had their first yellow taxi ride and nice long visit to FAO Schwartz.  We ended the day with a quick stop at a pizza place and then headed back home.  The day was filled with moments I will never forget.

We do not remember days; we remember moments. 

~Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

Greek Inspired Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe

I definitely don't have a green thumb, but for the past few years, I've had a kickin' herb garden.  The ground hogs and deer that live in our neighborhood are constantly snacking on my neighbors vegetable gardens, but no one seems to bother with my herbs.  And, the lush green herbs in my garden are inspiring me to come up with some new summer recipes.

A few years ago I was living near a market that had the best Greek orzo salad with feta.  I don't live near that store anymore, and wanted this side dish for dinner last week, so I just decided to improvise and make it myself.  I skipped the feta on my version because, even though I love it, my husband does not. This is inexpensive, quick and easy.  Plus, I was able to use some fresh herbs from my garden which made it extra special.

Ingredients:

• A box of Orzo Pasta
• About 1/2 cup of seedless Kalamata Olives - cut into slivers
• About 1.5 cups of fresh Spinach leaves - cut into peices
• About 1 cup of Grape Tomatos - cut in half
• A few tablespoons of fresh chopped Oregano
• A few tablespoons of fresh chopped Chives
• About 4-6 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 cloves of garlic - minced
• Garlic Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Directions:

Cook the Orzo according to the directions and drain it. Then, pour it into a large bowl, add all of your ingredients and mix it all up.  You can eat it immediately or refrigerate and eat the next day.  In my opinion, this is one of those recipes that almost taste better after a day in the refrigerator.

You can change it up and leave out the olives to make it a little more kid friendly.  I think it would also taste good with diced cucumber and red onion instead of the chives.  It was amazing using the ingredients I used, but probably would have been phenonemal with feta too.  When you make yours, just add whatever makes you happy!

I'll be linking up my Easy Orzo Pasta Salad here.

I'm Going to be a Guest on the Rachel Ray Show

For the longest time, I've been debating how much to reveal on this blog. 

Should I put my name, my picture, my kids pictures? 

If you've been following this blog for a while, you know I haven't put too much personal information on this blog and I kind of like being private.  I think I'm a very average Mom.  I have an awesome husband and two sons that I adore.  I work part-time while being a full time SAHM.  I am truly blessed in so many ways.

One day, I was at the playground with my boys and my cell phone rang.  It was someone from the Rachel Ray Show.  Now, normally, I'm just kissing boo-boos and holding the sippy cups at the playground, so this was really exciting! The producer and I spoke for a while but in the end, that segment didn't work out.  I was thrilled that she called, but the segment just wasn't for me.

Fast forward a few months...

I'm at the mall and my cell phone rings again.  It was a cold winter morning, and desperate times call for desperate measures.  So, I was letting my kids play on the arcade rides in the mall just so we could have a cheap morning out.  The producer told me that they were looking for Moms with small children, and she thought I might be a good fit for the show.

Not long after that, I got a call to confirm that they wanted me to be a guest on the show with my son.  Woohoo!!!  My husband took the day off from work and we all went up to the Rachel Ray studio in New York City.   My son is so young that he probably won't remember our big day.  But, it really was a once in a lifetime experience that I'll never forget.

After the show airs, I will post some photos and more details.  But, for now, I just wanted to let you know to watch!  I'll be doing a product review on Rachel Ray's Human Lab Segment - Kids Edition this Friday, July 1st. See a clip here. So, if you've been reading this blog and wondered who the heck 'Local Fun for Kids Mom' was... well tune in on Friday to find out.

Costume Discounters - Review & Giveaway!

Do you have a child who loves to dress up in costumes?  There are days where my boys are completely consumed by pretend play and they dress up to play the part.  Is doesn't matter what time of year it is.  When it comes to kids, costumes are not just for Halloween.  Pretend play not only nurtures the imagination, but it can also help enhance social, language, and problem solving skills too.

When Costume Discounters contacted me to do a review for their website I knew my 5 year old would be the perfect partner to collaborate with.  He received a Get Real Gear Fireman Costume for his 4th birthday, and ever since then,  he has worn it at least 100 times.   He's starting to outgrow his fireman costume, so this was perfect timing to let him pick out a out a new costume from Costume Discounters amazing selection of costumes.  He chose this kid's doctors costume which is perfect for playing veterinarian.

Here are a few things you should know about Costume Discounters:

• I love their Price Match Guarantee.  They guarantee the lowest costume prices on the Internet. If you find the identical costume elsewhere within 10 days of purchase, they'll match the costume price and take off an additional 20%.  Nice!

• Quick Shipping.  Orders received before 3:00pm EST are shipped the same day. They strive to make their costumes shippable all over the world including the US, Canada, Australia, France, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. 
• They offer a huge selection of adult Halloween costumes as well as toddler,child & teen costumes for Halloween! Some of the top costumes are: Buzz Lightyear, Harry Potter, Disney Princesses, Iron Man and Batman.

Disclosure can be found here.

Quotes About Parenting That I Love!

When my kids become wild and unruly, I use a nice, safe playpen. When they're finished, I climb out. ~ Erma Bombeck

Man does not cease to play because he grows old; man grows old because he ceases to play. ~George Bernard Shaw

A little girl is sugar and spice and everything nice - especially when she's taking a nap.  ~ Author Unknown

While we try to teach our children all about life,
Our children teach us what life is all about.
~ Angela Schwindt

The work can wait while you show the child the rainbow, but the rainbow won't wait while you do the work. ~ Patricia Clafford

There are three ways to get something done: do it yourself, employ someone, or forbid your children to do it. ~ Monta Crane

If your kids are giving you a headache, follow the directions on the aspirin bottle, especially the part that says, "keep away from children." ~ Susan Savannah

Homemade Popsicle Recipe: Orange Cream Bears

Orange.

Yep, "orange" has always been the answer when I ask my 5 year old what flavor ice cream he wants.  So, when I decided to make some homemade popsicles, of course, I had to make something with orange.  And...you can't make Winnie the Pooh popsicles without honey, so we decided to add honey to the recipe too. Yum!

Now, I love trying new recipes, but I also like using things around the house to come up with new recipes too.  Sometimes, I come up with some amazing new recipes, and other times it's a miss.

This recipe is a keeper! 

Here's the recipe for this all natural popsicle:

1 Cup of Fat Free Greek Yogurt

   5 Tablespoons of Honey

   1 Large Ripe Seedless Naval Orange -Peeled and cut into small pieces

Here's how to make it:

Just put your yogurt and honey in the blender. Then add your orange pieces. Blend it all up until it's nice and smooth. Pour into your popsicle mold. Freeze and enjoy!

I have these super cute Winnie the pooh molds that were perfect for this.  I wish I could tell you that you can order them online somewhere, but I got them a couple of years ago in a freezer jam kit, and don't think their available anymore.  If you have a good resource for fun popsicle molds, let me know. : )

Find some of my favorite linky parties here

Summer Essentials: How to remove a tick, Water Safety, Sun Protection for Kids

Ah, Yes... Summer is almost here and we all want it to be safe, happy, and fun!

Preparing for tick removal, water safety & sun protection will help keep me on top of my game.
We're all so busy, that I thought it would be helpful to put all of these important links in one post to reference for the summer. So, here's some helpful information I've found, from sources I trust, that I wanted to pass along to you.

Over the past two weeks, I've already found two deer ticks on my son, so this video from the CDC, How to remove a tick has definitely come in handy.

What's the best way to protect your child from the sun?  The American Academy of Pediatrics answers this question and more on their website. They give advice on How to pick sunscreen, Sunscreen for babies, and  How to apply sunscreen.

And, if your child does get sunburn, KidsHealth.org has some great advice on what to do.

If your kids are going to be anywhere near the pool or beach this summer, you'll want to check out this information from The National Drowning Alliance: Pool Safety Tips, How to escape a rip current and other beach related dangers, and Simple Steps to Safer Pools. 

I already posted about this, so you can skip this paragraph if you already read my post about children's vision and the sun.  But, my son has been in glasses since he was a baby, and I definitely don't take my children's vision for granted.  Whether your child has absolutely perfect vision or wears glasses, protecting his/her vision should be a top priority.  The Prevent Blindness America / Star Pupils website tells you exactly what you need know know to protect your child's eyes from the sun. For instance, did you know that kids should be wearing sunglasses and a hat to block harmful UV rays when they're outside?

Maybe you're reading this and think 'I already know this stuff.'  But, if you're anything like me, sometimes it's nice to have a reminder and freshen up on some of the basic details.  Prevention is the best medicine, right?

What is your best tip for summer?

Homemade Popsicles: A Recipe for Summer Fun!

I don't care what the calendar says... SUMMER IS HERE!

It is so hot outside that a day doesn't go by that we're not eating popsicles in my house.  Actually, my 3-year old is a popsicle fanatic, so he was eating popsicles all winter long.  But, now, we're all joining him. 

Yesterday, I used banana dan-o-nino yogurt by Dannon, slices of banana, and mini chocolate chips to make these popsicles. 

I just layered the yogurt, banana slices and mini chocolate chips in the dan-o-nino cup, poked in a popsicle stick, and froze them.  It tastes just like a chocolate covered banana and it is so good!

My friend Jo from Smile Monsters is on a mission to make mouth-watering popsicles all summer long.  She has already come up with some yummy creations, including Rootbeer float on a stick.

Doesn't that sound so good right now? Jo's recipe is very simple and these popsicles look so amazing. And... if you really want to get all root-beered-out... you could make my Root Beer Pulled Pork on the same day.  Why not get in the spirit and cook up an entire Root Beer themed dinner? (just kidding)

If root beer isn't your cup of tea... Jo's Coconut Cream Popsicles look just as good. 

As I'm writing this, I am starting to wish that Jo lived closer to me so that I could sample some of the cool popsicles she's dreaming up this summer.  Keep checking here for all of Jo's popsicle creations in addition to an ongoing link-up of Popsicle Recipes from across the blogosphere.

Keep cool everyone!

Simple & Easy Tzatziki - Cucumber Yogurt Dip

I have to admit I don't have an ounce of Greek in me. But, luckily, I have a good friend who was born in Greece and lived there most of her life.  She showed me how to make this quick and easy Tzatziki sauce and it is phenomenal!

This is a great recipe for summer because it takes minutes to make and it's flavorful, tangy and cool.  You can eat it with pita bread, grilled chicken, veggies, and any other way you can think of.  It's a great addition to your summer barbecue.

This is a very family friendly recipe.  You can go light on the garlic and add some mint if you want to make it less intense and even more refreshing.  I've even spread it on the inside of a pita pocket and gave it to my 5 year old for lunch.  He loves this! 

You'll need:

1 Large Cucumber

16-18 ounce container of Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream

2 Cloves of Finely Minced Garlic

About 1 tsp of Salt

About 2 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

1. Peel your cucumber and shred it (as shown in the first photo above)

2. After you shred the cucumbers, you will need to drain the juices.  Discard the excess juices from the cucumber. (as shown in the second photo above)

3.  Combine your cucumber with the yogurt or sour cream.  Mix well and add in olive oil.

4. Add Salt and Minced Garlic to taste.

Mix it all up & Enjoy!

Doesn't this look good? 

It tastes even better than it looks!

 Linking this recipe up here: Skip to my Lou

Less is More & Happiness is Contagious

Yesterday, as I was waiting in line at the grocery store, the cashier asked an old man how we was doing.  His response was "I've never felt better and had less."  Hearing this made my heart smile, and I told myself it was going to set the tone for my weekend. It is so simple, yet, so profound. 

I came home from shopping and felt good.  Not only did I get 90 minutes of kid-free grocery shopping accomplished (yippee!), but almost everyone I crossed paths with was warm and pleasant.   

It is contagious.

Over the past few days, people around me have been spreading the love:

* A friend of mine had leftovers from a dinner party which she graciously shared with us on Thursday night.  It was a simple gesture, but it was so nice.  Everyone knows that food tastes so much better when someone else makes it & these side dishes were delicious.

* Another friend is letting us use her gorgeous pool for the weekend while her and her family are at the beach.  We're staying home this holiday weekend, but using the pool is making us feel like we're on a fabulous staycation!

* Our neighbor found an old baseball bat in his house and brought it over for my son to have.  This neighbor is so good to my boys and always so generous.  I've heard the saying "good fences make good neighbors", but no fence is needed around here.

Here's the best part yet...

* Yesterday, we had a contractor do some work at our house and he actually charged us $100 less than expected, because it took him less time than he anticipated.  I've never had this happen before. But, he said he wants to treat customers good because he knows they will use him again. He is right.

Showing my gratitude to all of these people is important.  Paying it forward it more important.

Go West Young Mom has a blog post about the "500 Things Project" which is so relevant.  I think a lot of people are now realizing things are just things.  We are not defined by the material things that we have.  You can make more of an impact with what you give vs. what you have.   And, giving is contagious.

Fun for Kids Friday * All New Crafts, Recipes Activities and More!

Hello & Welcome Back

to 'Fun for Kids Friday'

 with Co-host, Smile Monsters : )

Feel free to browse all of the creative ideas and if you have one to add, just link it up!

1. Link directly to your best kid crafts, activities, kid related projects or family friendly recipes. Please no giveaways.

2. Become a follower of  Local Fun for Kids and Smile Monsters if you want to be extra sweet.

3. Please grab a button so every one can see where you like to party. It doesn't matter where you put our button, it's just nice to put it somewhere. If you don't like buttons simply link back with text.

Here is the code for the button: 

<center><a href="/"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Jo1971/combinedbutton4.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a></center><br />

 By entering your link, you are giving Smile Monsters & Local Fun for Kids permission to highlight any part of your post including pictures in a Fun For Kids Finds feature with proper credit going to you, all you.

A big *Thank You* to everybody who participates. Now get to linking! : )

Easy Styrofoam Pipecleaner Craft / Activity for Kids

This activity couldn't get any simpler.  It's especially good for kids like my 5-year old son who is very imaginative, but not necessarily the crafty type.  It allows your child to experiment with shapes and dimensions without the need for scissors or glue. 

From a parents' perspective, I like this because it's easy, cheap, and relatively mess free.  Plus, you're upcycling the Styrofoam and the pipe cleaners can be used again and again.  Once you're done with the Styrofoam, you can recycle it, or find another way to use it.

You will need any size or shape Styrofoam, and any type of pipe cleaners / chenille stems.

Poke a couple of pipe cleaners into Styrofoam, and then let your child do the rest.

 Both of my kids had fun with this, but my 5 year old was completely fascinated by it!

It didn't take long for them to create their pipe cleaner creation.  You could probably call this an activity, craft, or even a sculpture because it's kind of a combination of all three.  I call it: fun for kids!

Half Off Zoolu! with Mamapedia

Check out his new deal from Mamapedia:

Pay Only $25 for $50 Worth of Name-brand Products from Zoolu!

I've shopped from Zoolu! before and had a great experience with them. Their customer service is top-notch. They have all of the name brands you love like Melissa & Doug, Munchkin, Baby Legs and more.  Plus, they also have custom jewelry and other personalized gifts.  Getting all of this at half off is a great deal!   Read more here about Mamapedia and this offer here.

Fun For Kids Finds - 5 New Crafts and Activities

This past week's 'Fun for Kids Friday' linky party was our best yet! 

These Moms know how to have fun and, as usual, there were so many original crafts, recipes, activites and other creations to keep us inspired.  Thanks to everyone who linked up and explored the links.

Today, I'm featuring fantastic ideas from five creative Mamas that joined us this past Friday! (Is that a toungue twister, or what?)

Mom's Crafty space shows you how to make an adorable Baby Ribbon Tag Blanket. 

When my son was an infant, he received on of these as a gifts and he loved it!

I can't wait to do this with this Color Walk kids' activity by Strong Start. 

This is an easy and free activity for any season.  

Moms of girls need to check out this adorable Fairy Cottage by Our Pumkin and Sweet Pea. 

I have a feeling that you're going to be putting this on your summer to-do-list.

I've seen so many creative sensory boxes, but I especially love this one by Shining Our Lights. 

This post tells you how to make a Sight Word Sensory Box to help teach your child their first sight words.

This No-sew Shopping Cart Cover by Little Rays of Sunshine really caught my eye.

It's a soft, customizable, and affordable do-it-yourself alternative to expensive store bought covers. 

Don't you love it?

I can't wait to see everyone again this Friday so you can show off your stuff!

Be sure to check out Smile Monster's Fun for Kids Finds here.

Inside Out S'mores Recipe

Everybody knows s'mores, right?

A s'more is a traditional nighttime campfire treat popular in the United States and Canada, consisting of a roasted marshmallow and a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two pieces of graham cracker.

Chocolate + Marshmallow + Graham Cracker = Yum!

But, what happens when you take the traditional recipe to the next level and turn it inside-out?  Well, I experimented with a new recipe & the results are delicious.  These inside-out s'mores have everything you love about traditional s'mores, but you don't need a campfire to whip up a batch.

Here are the ingredients:

5 Jumbo Jet-puffed Marshmallows

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup of mini milk chocolate chips (or any dipping chocolate)

3 graham crackers

How to make them:

• Once you've filled all of the marshmallows with the graham cracker mixture, dip the marshmallows in melted chocolate.

 You can drizzle them in chocolate, or sprinkle them with some mini chocolate chips.

These jumbo inside-out s'mores are really rich, so you probably only need to make one per person.  They are a fun dessert that is so simple to make. Yum!