Here is my next top 5 summer list for you. This one is super fun for the whole family, especially the kiddos. AND the best part mamas,(and daddy’s), is that you won’t care if they eat these frozen treats because they are all mostly healthy. Way healthier than you will find in the freezer section of the grocery store. All are easy to make and take almost no time and/or effort at all and most can even be made in large batches and since they are frozen, will keep in your freezer for the whole summer! So, here we go… ENJOY!
Granita
A granita is a semi frozen, almost slushy like dessert. Most commonly from Italy and most commonly made with fruit. You can use coffee and/or chocolate to make granita as well, but today we are going to do a fruit based granita. A Watermelon Granita to be exact. I actually just made this for my family the night before last and my 11 month old daughter went nuts for it. She loves watermelon anyway, but the cold little bits, she could not get enough. The nice thing about this recipe is that you can adjust the sugar based on the sweetness/ripeness of your fruit and your audience of eaters. I only use 1 tbsp. of sugar in the whole batch that I made for my family because I knew I wanted to give it to my little one and we don’t really give her sugar yet. Also, the watermelon I used was super ripe and sweet, so anymore sugar and it would have been too sweet.
[lt_recipe name=”Watermelon Granita” summary=”This is such a refreshing summer dessert. This can be made with any fruit you have around the house. Just make sure you taste your fruit first, this way you can adjust the sugar amount if needed.” servings=”4-6″ total_time=”2-4H” print=”yes” image=”https://happychefmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/IMG_7065-e1529508829537-300×284.jpg” ingredients=”1/2 seedless watermelon;2-3 tbsp. sugar, adjust based on sweetness of the fruit;1/2 lemon or 1 whole lime, juiced;pinch of Kosher salt” ]Remove the rind from the watermelon and cut the flesh into medium to large chunks;;Place in a blender and add all of the remaining ingredients.;;Blend on medium/high until the mixture is smooth;;Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a 13×9 inch glass dish;;Place the dish in the freezer and stir with a fork every 30-45 min for the next 2-4 hours. I set a timer on my phone to remind me to go stir. The more times you can do this, the fluffier the product you will get;;After the 2-4 hours are up, you can enjoy the granita right away or put it into a Tupperware container or zip top bag and save in the freezer[/lt_recipe]
Greek Yogurt Fruit Pops
I love to use Greek yogurt in recipes now instead of always heavy cream and/or sour cream. This is a really easy recipe and the kids can even help with this one and make their own popsicle. You can use any berry you want in this recipe and you do not need popsicle molds for this. If you have molds, great! If not, you have a few options. You can use ice-cube trays with small popsicle sticks or you can use paper cups with regular popsicle sticks. No need to get fancy, the kids,(and you) are just going to devour these anyway!
[lt_recipe name=”Raspberry Greek Yogurt Popsicles” summary=”You can do this with any berry or even get super creative and use bananas, granola, jams or even mini chocolate chips in these. This is a really simple recipe for raspberry pops and it is very versatile.” servings=”6″ total_time=”3H15M” print=”yes” image=”https://happychefmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Raspberry-yogurt-pops-e1529509916700-146×300.jpg” ingredients=”2 cups vanilla Greek yogurt ;1 cup fresh raspberries ;1 teaspoon orange juice;*popsicle molds or small paper cups and wooden sticks ;” ]Place yogurt in a medium bowl and whisk together with orange juice.;;Gently mash the raspberries using a fork and push through a fine mesh strainer to remove the seeds and carefully fold into the yogurt.;;Pour mixture evenly between popsicle molds or paper cups and freeze until firm, 3 hours or longer. Remove paper or unmold before serving;;**You can choose to leave the seeds in the berry mixture if you prefer that texture;[/lt_recipe]
Frozen Bananas
This one is really easy and the kids can customize their own bananas here. You can have “toppings” for the chocolate dipped bananas and the kids can go crazy what they want on it. These keep really nice in the freezer as well, so you can make at the beginning of summer and they can pick out their favorite t eat each time for weeks to come.
[lt_recipe name=”Chocolate Covered Frozen Bananas” summary=”This is a fun and creative way to get kids in the kitchen with you to make their own snacks. They can decorate however they want and have a fun treat all summer.” servings=”8″ total_time=”1H20M” print=”yes” image=”https://happychefmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Chocolate-covered-bananas-200×300.jpg” ingredients=”4 ripe but firm bananas;12 ounces dark chocolate, chopped, or semisweet chocolate chips;4 tablespoons vegetable oil;1/2 cup each topping-granola, chopped pecans and walnuts, or sprinkles (optional);” ]Line a baking sheet with nonstick foil or parchment paper. ;;Cut the bananas in half and insert a Popsicle stick into each half. Place them on the baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes. ;;Meanwhile, melt the chocolate with the oil in a Pyrex measuring cup in the microwave (check it every 30 seconds) or over a double boiler until smooth.;;Roll each banana half in the chocolate, then sprinkle with your topping (if using) and place on baking sheet.;;Freeze until the chocolate sets, 30 minutes. Serve or freeze in an airtight container or zip top bag. ;[/lt_recipe]
Ice Cream Sandwiches
These can be made with any cookie, homemade or store-bought. You can use any ice cream flavor you love and you can use any mix-in or “border” you like. My favorite combo to use is homemade chocolate chip cookies, vanilla or chocolate ice cream and mini chocolate chips on the edge. But go crazy and see where your imagination takes you. If you have the time you can even make the ice cream!!
[lt_recipe name=”Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich” summary=”I love this recipe and these ice cream sandwiches. I am not a fan of store-bought ice cream sandwiches. They never taste like real ice cream to me and the cookies are not great. This is a great cookie, with your favorite ice cream and who doesn’t want extra little pieces of chocolate chips on the outside.” servings=”8″ total time=”1H30M” print=”yes” image=”https://happychefmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Ice-Cream-sandwich-300×300.jpg” ingredients=”Chocolate Chip Cookies;1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour ;1/2 teaspoon baking soda ;1/2 teaspoon salt ;7 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature ;3/4 cups brown sugar packed ;2 tablespoons granulated sugar ;1 egg ;1 teaspoon vanilla ;1 cup mini chocolate chips ;; Ice Cream Sandwiches; Chocolate chip cookies ;Vanilla Ice Cream about half gallon choose your favorite brand or make your own;1 cup mini chocolate chips ;;” ]Chocolate Chip Cookies ;;Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.;;In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.;;In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat on medium speed the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about four minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl when necessary. Add the egg and vanilla. Beat until combined, 20 to 30 seconds.;;With the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture to the dough. Careful not to over beat. With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, stir in the chocolate chips by hand.;;Scoop about 2 tablespoons of cookie dough, shape into a ball, and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat placing each ball of cookie dough about 1- to 2-inches apart. Bake for about 12 minutes or until the edges start to turn brown. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Transfer to the freezer for 20-30 minutes before putting the ice cream in. This will help keep ice cream frozen while assembling.;;;Ice Cream Sandwich Assembly;;Take one cookie and place a scoop of ice cream (about 1/4 cup) on the flat side of the cookie. Top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich.;;Place mini chocolate chips in a bowl or on plate. Roll sides of the sandwich in the chips. Serve immediately or wrap tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper and freeze.;[/lt_recipe]
Frozen Grapes
This one has no cooking, preparing or anything really required, but it is an oldie but a goody. Frozen grapes a delicious, healthy, fast snack that kids and parents will both love. You can use green, red or black grapes. I definitely recommend using seedless grapes for this.
[lt_recipe name=”Frozen Grapes” summary=”This is not as much a recipe as it is a how to guide for you on this one. This is so simple, it could not be easier. But also, could not be more delicious.” servings=”6″ total_time=”2H” print=”yes” image=”https://happychefmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Frozen-Grapes-e1529515123416.jpg” ingredients=”1lb green, red, black or assorted seedless grapes” ]Clean, wash and destem;;Wash in a colander and let the water drip off. Gently dry with a clean towel or paper towels and remove from the stem;;Freeze;;Lay the clean, dry grapes on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2-4 hours. Laying them on a sheet pan will prevent them from clumping up;;Enjoy at this point or put into zip top freezer bag and store in the freezer. Frozen grapes can be used in smoothies, drinks or as a wonderful summer snack[/lt_recipe]
