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S'mores Ice Cream "Sand" Bucket - This layered ice cream sundae has all the components of s'mores without the fire. The fun presentation makes this perfect for backyard get togethers!
This past weekend, Josh (my 6 year old) and I had a "Mom & Josh" day. We used to do this all the time when Nora (3) was a baby. It was a lot easier to leave her with a sitter to take him out for one on one time back when she didn't understand. Now, at 3, she understands that she will be missing out on something fun, so it's a rare occurrence. For some reason (who really knows why 3 year olds do anything they do), Saturday, she declared she was NOT coming out with us and she was "staying with Daddy".
While we were out and about, I had to stop at Walmart to grab a planter for some flowers I got on Mother's Day (I know, I'm a bit behind) and the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Demo Station caught Josh's eye. Free Ice Cream! How (and why would I want to, really) could I say no to that? Josh was pretty psyched to try the Vanilla Bean! Psyched enough, in fact, that he decided that we should buy some. Again, how could I say no?
Since we've all been craving S'mores lately, I thought I would make something fun, sort of a nod to S'mores without having to break out the chiminea just yet. So I grabbed a few sand buckets, a package of graham crackers, marshmallow ice cream topping and chocolate syrup. I hadn't told Josh exactly what I was making and he didn't ask too many questions, he just knew he liked what was in the shopping cart. That boy knows just when to keep quiet.
Layers: Graham Cracker, Ice Cream, Marshmallow Sauce, Chocolate Syrup, Repeat....
Once we came home the kids were playing outside and I quietly put together my S'mores Ice Cream "Sand" Bucket. It came together super easily. I first broke up some graham crackers for the bottom. I then added a layer of ice cream, marshmallow sauce and chocolate syrup. I continued to layer until I reached the top. For the "sand" topping, I ran a few extra graham crackers through the blender and put them on top.
I wish I could even explain the look on the kids' faces when I brought this outside. It was awesome. And, let me tell you this, it's not just for kids. Our 18 year old popped out to tell me she was heading out for the afternoon and next thing I know, she's got a shovel in her hand and she's in Ice Cream Heaven. As you can see, she even used the shovel as a spoon. See, fun for all.
You can use any flavor ice cream you want. I made two buckets, one with Blue Bunny Vanilla and one with the Blue Bunny Peanut Butter Panic. The Vanilla one was made special for Nora because she has a peanut allergy, so I didn't fill the entire bucket. Just enough for her. The fun thing about the bucket is that you can either scoop it out into bowls for each kid, or you can do as I did and just let them dig right in. Literally, dig in with shovels. I think next time I make this (because obviously there will be a next time), I will buy a few really small buckets and make individual servings.
I think this goes without saying, but just in case, please make sure to use new/clean buckets and shovels!
You can check out the demo happening June 4-7, featuring Blue Bunny Premium Ice Cream Sandwiches and Wet Ones at Walmart. I guess I know what me and Josh will be doing on those dates!
Now you know what kinds of treats I like to surprise my kids with in the summer. What kinds of special treats do you make for your little ones during the summer?
Printable Recipe Card
S’mores Ice Cream “Sand” Bucket
Ingredients
- 1.75 Quart Ice Cream
- 10 Graham Crackers sheets of 4 sections
- 6 oz Marshallow Topping
- Chocolate Syrup
Instructions
- With your hands, break 3 graham crackers sheets into large pieces and place in the bottom of the bucket. Add a layer of ice cream, top with half the marshmallow topping and chocolate syrup. Repeat layers again.
- Place remaining 4 graham crackers in blender or food processor and pulse until you have fine crumbs. Place graham crumbs as your final top layer.
- Serve with shovels as spoons.
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Paula - bell'alimento says
That is super cute! What a great snack or party idea.
foodyschmoody says
Thank you, Paula.
Carlee says
That looks delicious! My little guy loves ice cream and would have so much fun digging in with a shovel. We'll have to do this sometime this summer!
foodyschmoody says
Thank you Carlee! I must warn you though, once you do it once for him, be prepared to do it often! My kids are now obsessed w/ eating out of sand buckets, lol!
Katerina says
So lovely and unique! Pinned, yummed and stumbled!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
This is the cutest idea ever!! I am pinning this! Love the shovel "spoons"!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks. My kids are now obsessed w/ shovels for spoons!
Patty Haxton Anderson says
Now this is thinking outside of the box - or in this case outside of the pail! Love this.
The Food Hunter says
I would eat the entire bucket
Debi @ Life Currents says
This is so cute! I think it would be totally fun at a pool party this summer! Thanks for the idea! And I love their ice cream!
Christine @ So TIPical Me says
What a fun idea! My kids would love making this.
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
How fun! Your kids are all adorable!
Diana Rambles says
What a totally cool idea!!!
Jamie S. says
My kids would love this!
Debra Clark says
Oh YUM! Love the pic of your son with the shovel!! Wouldn't this be perfect for a birthday party? My hubby has such a sweet tooth, I'm going to make this for him, he will love it! We are all kids at heart, right? 😀
foodyschmoody says
It would be PERFECT for a birthday! Too bad all 5 of us are winter babies!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
Oh my gosh! What a fun way to serve ice cream in the summertime. I'm sure it's something the kids will never forget! It so funny too, because I was looking at all your photos with the kids, when it came to the recipe instructions, the first step I read was "wash your hands" and not "with your hands." Too funny!
foodyschmoody says
Maybe I SHOULD lead w/ WASH YOUR HANDS, lol!
heather | girlichef says
What an absolutely adorable idea. Fun for the entire family (I know my 17 year old would have been digging in, as well)!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking says
This is so fun! I can't wait to have kids so I can make stuff like this. 😉
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Erin. No kids needed, make one and dig in yourself!!!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
S'mores are pretty much one of my favorite things in the whole world haha. Love the sand bucket idea!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
What a cute idea! We have a kids party coming up to celebrate the end of school and now I'm rethinking our dessert idea...they would love this!
Healing Tomato says
This is the cleverest idea I have seen for Smores.
foodyschmoody says
Thank you Rini!
Lora @cakeduchess says
What a fun ice-cream idea! My kids would be giddy if I brought these out to them by the pool. Super fun party idea!!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Oh my gosh - so cute! My little niece and nephew would go crazy over this!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
This is such a fun, summer idea...for young and old alilke!
Miranda @ Cookie Dough & Oven Mitt says
What an awesome idea! I bet the kiddies loved it!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
Looks like so much fun for the kids. Mine would love it.
Joanne T Ferguson says
What a very cute idea Christine! Pinned and shared!
Cindy @ Hun... What's for Dinner? says
This is such a super cute idea! What a super fun dessert 🙂
Joy @ Joy Love Food says
What a fun idea, my kids would love it!
Tara Noland says
Great post, this is so much fun!!
Cookin Canuck says
Mum and son days are the best...such a treasured time with the kids! This sand bucket is such a awesome idea for summertime.
foodyschmoody says
Thank you. Yes, the entire day was very special!
Faye Wilkerson says
Cute serving idea.