Fun in the Sun: Reannah

Hello One Artsy Mama fans! I’m Reannah and I write over at Shaped by Grace! On my blog I share decorating, crafting and recipe ideas, incorporating my faith and life as a single mom along the way. I am so, SO happy to be here today as part of Amy’s summer fun series!! I am always inspired by the crafts and fun Amy has with her little crafter! And summer is my boys’ and my favorite time of year! {It has nothing to do with the fact that I’m a teacher and get the summer off OR that my birthday is in the summer -wink} It DOES have everything to do with the fact that I get a chance to spend lots of time with my kiddos! One of our favorite activities we enjoy as a family is camping! And what is THE BEST camping food?? You guessed it – s’mores!! Today, I’ll be sharing three easy s’mores variations for you to make your own summer treats! Any of these are perfect to bring to a summer barbeque or make with your kids! VERSION ONE – S’MORES CUPCAKES I love these cupcakes simply because they are SO cute!! They’re an easy way to wow your friends with an awesome looking treat! Here are some basic directions~ You will need:

• your favorite chocolate cupcake recipe (not shown)
• graham crackers
• a hershey bar or two
• mini marshmallows
• butter

(not shown)

• sugar
• toothpicks
• a kitchen utility (candle) lighter (shown in the picture below)

Basically these are chocolate cupcakes with TWO DIFFERENCES inside: 1) The base of the cupcake is actually a graham cracker crust mix. I used this recipe without the cinnamon. Press the graham cracker crust mix about 1/4 of an inch think into the bottom of your cupcake liners: 2) Pour your chocolate cupcake mix to about 3/4 of the way up the cupcake liner (just like you would when you normally make cupcakes!) 3) BONUS – add 2-3 mini marshmallows into each cupcake. They disappear/bake away but add a little extra flavor into your cupcake. (I’ve made the cupcakes without this step and they are still really delicious!) ~Of course, what makes these cupcakes super cute is the decorative top!! I frosted each one with white buttercream frosting and sprinkled mini chocolate chips on top. ~I then took it one step further and cut a little graham cracker rectangle and broke off one hershey rectangle square from a big hershey bar and set them in the frosting. ~And the marshmallows?? Look closely! Yeah, I roasted mini marshmallows! I used my bic kitchen utility lighter. {Shown below – use very carefully!} It doesn’t take much time or heat to roast a mini marshmallow! I think those final steps puts these s’mores cupcakes at the top of the coolness meter!! How about you? BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!!! I promised you three  types of s’mores remember? And these last two are the easiest of all!! VERSION TWO – CRESCENT ROLL S’MORES All you need to make these babies is Pillsbury crescent roll dough, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows! Roll up and bake as directed for the dough and you’ll have your own s’mores crescent rolls to enjoy! If you want the full tutorial and recipe –  click here. And finally…. VERSION THREE – SUMMER S’MORES You only need 3 ingredients  to make this delicious treat – can you guess what’s in the middle? If you guessed BANANA – ding! ding! ding! You were right!! All you need for this treat is graham crackers, bananas and chocolate chips! EASY STEPS: 1) Cut a banana in half (width first) and then cut in half again lengthwise. 2) Place 1-2 of the banana quarters on top of a half piece of graham cracker. (Another option is to mash and spread the banana; whatever you prefer.) 3) Melt chocolate chips carefully in the microwave and drizzle on top of bananas! 4) Cover and press with another graham cracker half, let cool and enjoy!! WARNING – if you enjoy any of these treats, things may get a little messy… But, hey – that’s what summer is all about right? For more summer fun, I’d love for you come by and say hello on my blog or Facebook!! I love meeting new blog friends! Thank you so much for having me Amy!