The BEST Milkshake Recipe!

Now that summer has arrived my family is obsessed with these strawberry milkshakes!

They couldn't be quicker and easier to make, they need just a few ingredients, and they are a shortcut semi-homemade dessert (since they use store-bought ice cream).

Not to mention they are great way to use up seasonal strawberries and you'll find them to be one of the most refreshing treats on a hot sunny day.

Simply put these are completely and utterly delicious in every way!

Possible Variations

You can make them with a variety of different ice creams or fruit, or even try them with different jam.

• Ice Cream Flavors: Try them with cheesecake ice cream, blueberry, raspberry or vanilla ice cream.
• Fruit: Make this shake with a triple berry blend (strawberries, raspberries and blueberries), or use just blueberries, or even try them with something like cherries or mangos.
• Milk/cream substitute: Instead of using both milk and cream use 3/4 cup half and half.
• Healthier milkshake: For a healthier option try using a no sugar ice cream, and use low fat milk or a low calorie dairy free milk like almond milk in place of regular milk and cream.

The BEST Ice Cream Cake!

This is truly one of the ultimate celebrations cakes! You get four layers of distinctive decadence in each slice of cake.

And with it's combination of homemade layers and store-bought layers it's simple enough yet perfectly impressive enough. The cake and whipped cream are made fresh while the ice cream and fudge sauce are store-bought to save time.

I don't really care to admit how many slices I was able to polish off within a weeks time. Let's just say this cake is dangerously delicious!

The chocolate cake is perfectly fudgy (something between brownie and cake texture) and you wouldn't believe how easy the batter is to make. It was inspired by my Easy Chocolate Cake but I adjusted it for a slightly smaller size and swapped buttermilk for sour cream so it didn't freeze icy.

I recommend making the cake a day in advance so it has plenty of time to firm up completely in the freezer before serving.

Spoil yourself this weekend with this chocolate ice cream cake, no need to wait for a birthday to make something this tempting!

Easy Fried Ice Cream without the Deep Fry!

Several months ago, I went to a local Mexican restaurant for dinner and finished with one of my favorite desserts, fried ice cream. As I sat there slowly savoring each bite and all of the delicious flavors it had to offer, I really thought about the process and asked myself, what is the purpose of frying it if you really are only frying the coating?

Well, I thought, I'm going to try a cheater's fried ice cream recipe.

This homemade fried ice cream has everything the normal version has to offer, but it lacks all the tedious steps, lengthy prep times, and oily mess that comes along with the real deal. I decided to try simply frying (more of sauteing really) the crunchy cornflake coating and then rolling the ice cream scoops in the coating of crumbs.

Plus, butter vs. oil, that's a no brainer! Butter tastes way better so I went with butter instead for the sauteing.

I hope you have a chance to try this soon, especially if you've been scared away from preparing fried ice cream at home due to its frying method. You'll love this deliciously indulgent, easy-to-make dessert!

Chocolate Fudge Cake, AKA Chocolate Cobbler

There are two main recipes for this cake online, there's a version that uses vegetable oil and more water and another that uses butter and less water. I went with the butter option because

1. Butter is better.
2. I like that it used less water which would mean a thicker sauce.

The only thing I thought the recipe needed was more salt, which I've added to the recipe below. Other than that it's golden! And how I can't wait to make it again!

Move on over Root Beer Floats because you have met your top competitor! Pina Colada Floats. They are out of this world incredible! Floats are always a big hit with kids, but even adults can get behind this beachy treat. You'll feel like you're lounging poolside with the sun on your skin with the very first sip.

Family-Friendly Pina Colada Floats

Fresh pineapple sherbet is drenched with a mixture of lemon-lime soda, creamy coconut milk, and coconut flavor for a delightful float that contains the most coveted flavors of the tropics.  I can tell you beforehand this is going to be one of my summertime favorites.  It is such a fun, exciting twist on a classic.

It's an easy party punch for a summer bash or pool party, but if you want to make it in the dead of winter to pretend it's summer vacation... I won't tell. Adding a wedge of pineapple on the edge is a fun garnish, and silly straws are extra festive for kids. I've also thought about sprinkling coconut flakes on top or swirling in a spoonful of crushed canned pineapple! Topping it with a maraschino cherry in a tall glass will also give you that grown-up Pina Colada vibe.

Other variations could be using a pineapple soda, which I occasionally see at my local stores, coconut sorbet or coconut milk-based ice cream, or blending up frozen pineapple for a healthier icy treat.

Go on now, it's time to kick back in the warm sun rays that are finally coming out of hibernation, and enjoy one of these utterly refreshing Pina Colada Floats.

Homemade Balboa Bars

For this recipe I followed the directions from Williams-Sonoma's site, but I made a few of my own changes.  I used 20 oz. milk chocolate chips (rather than 20 oz. bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped) and I used 6 Tbsp canola oil (you could use canola, vegetable or coconut). Then the last change I made was adding assorted toppings.  I did this immediately after dipping the ice cream bar before the chocolate hardened.
*A side note, be sure to allow your ice cream to harden completely in the freezer before you begin dipping, otherwise you're likely to have a messy disaster.  This will likely take more than 1 hour as recipe states.  I'd recommend freezing them 3 hours or overnight before dipping.

Here are some topping ideas I love:
-Toffee bits or chopped heath bars
-Toasted almonds, chopped
-Pretzels, chopped
-Sprinkles
-Chopped Oreos
-Your favorite candy bar, chopped
-Pie crust, crumbled (or graham crackers)
-Shortbread, chopped
-Candied or dried fruit, chopped
-Peanuts or any other nut, chopped
-Toasted, sweetened coconut
-Peppermint candy canes, crushed
-Mini marshmallows

...you get the idea =), make up your own the possibilities are nearly endless.