These Food Products Literally Require No Effort to Prepare (& Moms Everywhere Rejoice)

by Erica LoopJuly 19, 2019

Convenience rules. Between work, carpool, preschool pick-up, soccer, dance class, karate, story-time, grocery shopping, finding your toddler’s other shoe and everything else that happens daily, you just don’t have time for those little extras. Don’t stress mama. With these creative solutions it looks like a few major brands want to make every parents life easier—in the kitchen.

So forget about the hard work (or any work at all, for that matter) and check out these not-so-much-effort-required products.

Mac & Cheese in a Can

No time to boil water? Heinz’s Mac & Cheese in a can is here to take the sting out of that obnoxious wait time. While the product isn’t exactly new, you can stock up on the dinnertime essential on Amazon that boasts a creamy cheese sauce, and would likely make a great camping meal.

Stuffed Puffs

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Is stacking a marshmallow, one piece of chocolate and two graham crackers together just way too much work? While sandwiching the sweetest part of a s’more may seem like child’s play (pretty literally), it looks like the makers of Stuffed Puffs chocolate-in-the-middle marshmallows might not agree.

Dessert Toppers

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Forget about crinkling up your own candy bar to top your kiddo’s ice cream sundae. With Butterfinger Bits and Buncha Crunch, you can add extra sweetness with a simple pour. Add if opening a box of Nerds is too much of a time-suck, you can simply pour out the dessert toppers!

Spoonable Smoothies

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Yum in a bowl! Dole’s Spoonable Smoothies are here and they make breakfast (or a snack) super-crazy-easy. With Strawberry Banana and Pineapple Banana flavors, now you can make your very own on-trend smoothie bowl—without having to mix, blend or do anything more than lift a spoon.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Sara Dubler via Unsplash

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These Are the Best Ice Creams to Try this Summer

by Shahrzad WarkentinJuly 5, 2019

What’s the best way to cool down on a hot summer day? Ice cream, of course! But what flavor should you choose? PEOPLE’s Best Grocery Store Ice Creams of 2019 is a good place to start.

The magazine’s editors sampled over 83 varieties (no easy task) to determine the best desserts available in the freezer aisle. Popsicles, gelato or plain old fashioned ice cream, no matter which is your favorite there’s a selection on this list.

Best Ice Cream

Target

Talenti Gelato Layers: Salted Caramel Truffle is like an entire sundae in a pint. Stacked with salted-caramel gelato, chocolate-cookie crumbles, dulce de leche caramel, sea-salt gelato and chocolate-caramel truffles, this is a sweet summer indulgence everyone will love.

Available at Target for $6 a pint.

Best Ice Cream Bar

Walmart

Satisfy your ice cream and Snickers cravings all in one with the Snickers Dark Ice Cream Bar.

Available at Walmart for $2.87 a box.

Best Single Serve Ice Cream

BlueBunny

Kids in bed? Pop out the perfect dessert for one, Blue Bunny Load'd Sundae Cherry Cheesecake. Cherry sauce swirls, graham cracker pieces and cherry-coated candies all in one cup.

Available at BlueBunny for $3 a cup.

Best Novelty

Ben & Jerry's

Get your dose of cookie dough without eating the entire pint thanks to Ben & Jerry's Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Chunks, available in a snackable bag.

Available at Ben & Jerry's for $7.

Best Non-Dairy

Jeni's

The winner is Jeni's Frosé Sorbet so you can rosé all day sorbet style. The frozen rosé features a blend of fresh pear, strawberry, watermelon and tart lemon blended together with just 0.5 percent alcohol per volume.

Available at Jeni's for $12 a pint.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Patrick Fore via Unsplash

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You Won’t Believe What the Pioneer Woman Is Up to Now

by Erica LoopMay 1, 2019

It looks like the Gaines family doesn’t have the market cornered when it comes to taking over the world, one lifestyle-branded step at a time. The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is a force to be reckoned with. And now she’s branching out into the sweet treat business!

Drummond recently announced, via Instagram, a brand-new eatery—featuring everyone’s fave summer-time treat. The post features a pic of Drummond’s son Bryce, his friend Kevin and a cherry-topped sundae, with the caption, “When you’re about to open an ice cream place in town, it helps to have teenage boys on hand to taste the sundaes.”

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Between another upcoming cookbook, her successful Food Network show, boutique hotel, restaurant, pizza shop, dog treat line, bedding collection and cookware line, you’d think that Drummond’s plate is full. But apparently the Pioneer Woman has room for at least one more entrepreneurial idea.

While Drummond hasn’t released specifics, she did note (on her blog) that the ice cream shop’s name is to Pawhuska, Oklahoma soon (as in “later this week” and, “It might make you cry.” Sweet and sentimental? Yes please!

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: The Pioneer Woman via Instagram

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Fancy Plates: The Best Fine Dining Restaurants That Love Kids

by Ayren Jackson-CannadyApril 26, 2019

Itching for a great culinary night out but want to make it more of a family affair (maybe a Mother’s Day adventure? You’re in luck. There are tons of great restaurants around the DMV that offer kid-friendly accommodations. Click through to discover some of our favorites.

Trummer’s on Main

Trummer’s on Main’s Petit Gourmand program is a kids' tasting menu created with the goal of offering families the opportunity to introduce younger guests to fine dining—glass cups, shiny silverware, and all—at a young age. Inspired by experiences dining with their own young sons, owners Stefan and Victoria Trummer say it’s a way for both parents to be able to enjoy a tasting menu with their kid, but also for kids to be able to get involved and eat real food. Move over nuggets; the Petit Gourmand menu has included dishes such as smoked mozzarella Fried Arancini with escabeche mayo for kid-friendly dipping and a Make Your Own Sundae with all of the usual fixins’ like Cap’n Crunch and chocolate syrup.

7134 Main St. (Clifton, Va)
703-266-1623
Online: trummersonmain.com

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady and Kristina Messner

Iconic San Francisco Desserts You Need to Try at Least Once

by anitachuSeptember 18, 2018

Just like the Golden Gate Bridge and cable cars, there are desserts that make San Francisco uniquely special and memorable. It’s not surprising that such a food-loving city would have beloved local favorites; many of these sweet treats can only be found by making a visit to the city. Some of the desserts on our list have been part of San Francisco tradition for years, while others are recent newcomers eagerly embraced by foodies. Read on for the most iconic desserts of San Francisco.

Ghirardelli's Hot Fudge Sundae

Ghirardelli Hot Fudge by Lorraine P — Lorraine P via Yelp

When you imagine a classic ice cream sundae, you’re probably envisioning Ghirardelli’s famous sundae: vanilla ice cream, handmade hot fudge, tons of whipped cream and a cherry on top. Although there are several Ghirardelli stores around the city now, go to Ghirardelli Square for the full experience of eating an ice cream sundae in an old-fashioned ice cream parlor with gorgeous bay views just steps away.

900 N. Point St.
San Francisco, CA
415-775-5500
Online: ghirardellisq.com

Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Cruffin

CLOSED as of 8/2021

The two main goals when going to Mr. Holmes Bakehouse are 1) get there early enough to snag a cruffin before they sell out and 2) take a victory photo holding the cruffin in front of their “I got baked in San Francisco” sign. Their cruffin, a croissant baked in the form of muffin, is a flaky, sugary sweet delight. They start selling them at 9a.m. so your best bet is to arrive a little before then.

1042 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA
415-829-7700
Online: mrholmesbakehouse.com

Tartine Bakery's Banana Cream Tart

Pretty much anything at one of San Francisco’s most famous bakeries is guaranteed to be delicious. But the banana cream tart has a devoted fanbase for good reason: it’s a fancy take on classic banana cream pie with banana pastry cream over a chocolate and caramel filled tart shell. Try it once and you’ll be back again.

600 Guerrero St.
San Francisco, CA
415-487-2600
Online: tartinebakery.com

B. Patisserie's Kouign Amann

It’s a testament to chef Belinda Leong’s talents that she took a relatively unknown pastry called kouign amann and turned it into the hottest sweet in town. This supercharged cousin of the croissant is buttery, sugary addictiveness. B. Patisserie offers kouign amann every day and in special seasonal flavors throughout the year.

2821 California St.
San Francisco, CA
415-440-1700
Online: bpatisserie.com

20th Century Cafe's Russian Honey Cake

Russian Honey Cake by Julia Y — Julia Y via Yelp

The charming 20^th Century Café gives you a taste of Eastern European café culture, with an array of Austro-Hungarian classics like linzertorte, sachertorte, knishes and pirogies. What you’ll see most customers eating, though, is their signature Russian Honey Cake, a towering confection of delicate cake layers sandwiched with honey cream. It’s richer than it looks and utterly scrumptious.

198 Gough St.
San Francisco, CA
415-621-2380
Online: 20thcenturycafe.com

Bi-Rite Creamery's Ice Cream

Bi Rite Creamery by Shelley Z — Shelley Z via Yelp

Standing in the ever-present line at Bi-Rite Creamery and then triumphantly walking with your ice cream cone to nearby Dolores Park is a time-honored San Francisco ritual. It’s a fun dilemma to choose between the flavors of the day, but don’t forget to check out the popscicle and soft serve options too.

3692 18th St.
San Francisco, CA
415-626-5600
Online: biritecreamery.com

Dandelion Chocolate's S'more

Dandelion Smore by Lisa I — Lisa I via Yelp

Dandelion Chocolate’s beautiful, modern pastries are a perfect showcase for their bean-to-bar chocolate. Their s’more is a delicious example: a toasted-to-order marshmallow on a crisp graham cracker, with a dollop of chocolate ganache in the center. It’s an ideal accompaniment for their hot chocolate or coffee.

740 Valencia St.
San Francisco, CA
415-349-0942
Online: dandelionchocolate.com

Golden Gate Bakery's Egg Custard Tarts

Egg Custard Tarts by Ann S — Ann S via Yelp

Temporarily closed as of 8/2021

Be warned: lines regularly form outside Golden Gate Bakery when a fresh batch of egg custard tarts is about to come out of the ovens. They are worth the wait. Golden Gate Bakery has perfected this traditional Hong Kong pastry of creamy, eggy, golden yellow custard in a flaky pastry shell. Check before going as they sometimes close unexpectedly for the day or for vacation.

1029 Grant Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415-781-2627
Online: goldengatebakery.com

Zanze's Cheesecake

Sam Zanze only sells one item in his shop and he’s been selling it for almost 40 years, which tells you all you need to know about how good his cheesecake is. Its very soft, almost soufflé like texture is its claim to fame. Your best bet is to call ahead to make sure they are open and to reserve a cheesecake for pickup—they’re that popular. Once you’ve tried it though, you’ll hope he never closes shop.

2405 Ocean Ave.
San Francisco, CA
415-334-2264

Bob's Donuts Giant Donut

A girl bites into a giant chocolate sprinkle donut — Ciara Lene G via Yelp

Donuts may be practically a dime a dozen in SF, but a donut bigger than your hand is a true rarity. A giant (almost 10″ across) donut covered in glaze and sprinkles may be your kid’s wildest sugar-filled dreams come true. Although Bob’s Donuts has a standing challenge to finish a giant donut in three minutes for immortalization in their Hall of Fame, it’s probably a more reasonable strategy to take the donut home and let the kids enjoy it slowly over the week.

1621 Polk St.
San Francisco, CA
415-776-3141
Online: Bobsdonutssf.com

—Anita Chu

featured photo courtesy Ghirardelli

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The Best Floats and Sundaes in Portland

by Katrina EmeryJune 28, 2018

The heat has arrived, and it’s time to cool off with some tasty treats! Elevate your game a bit and try one of these amazing floats or sundaes—we promise you won’t be disappointed! Read on for a dozen of the best spots to float on this summer.

Photo: cloud city via yelp

Cloud City Ice Cream

It sounds like a wondrous place, and you’re not far off. Cloud City on Woodstock serves up fluffy scoops of delicious flavors like Sparkle Magic, Totes Ma’Goats, Circus Friends, and Unicorn.

Their magical storefront with unicorn murals and coloring pages is sure to please the under 9 crowd (or, let’s be honest, under 99), and the options of floats, milkshakes and freshly pressed waffle cones are divine.

4525 SE Woodstock Blvd.
Daily, Noon-10 p.m.
Online: cloudcityicecream.com

Cool Moon Ice Cream

If it’s a hot day in the Pearl, you’re probably already cooling off at Jamison Square. That means your a stone’s throw away from delicious treats! They make everything right there in their storefront kitchen, so it’s as fresh as it can get when it hits your mouth. A hot fudge sundae or a root beer float are perfect choices at this classic ice cream parlor.

1105 NW Johnson St.
Sun.–Thurs., Noon- 10 p.m.
Fri. & Sat., Noon- 11 p.m.
Online: coolmoonicecream.com

Tillamook Cheese Factory

If you love something, go to the source. And now with the newly remodeled visitor’s center, just opened this year, there’s a whole new reason to visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory! Get the background scoop on how all your favorite dairy products are made, then relax with a sundae, malt, float, or more of your choice!

4165 Highway 101 N
Tillamook, OR
Daily 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Online: tillamook.com/creamery/index.html

photo: linh v via yelp

Wiz Bang Bar

The makers of Salt and Straw knocked it out of the park with their soft serve bar in the downton food hall, Pine Street Market. Their magic cone sundaes include pastry right in the cone, like homemade brownie bites in the Rocky Road Sundae. For a smaller treat their mini sundaes, and top them all off with hot fudge, party nuts, sprinkles and homemade candies.

126 SW 2nd Ave.
Daily, Noon- 11p.m.
Online: saltandstraw.com/wizbangbar

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House

This cafe could almost be called a relic of Old Portland, but don’t think of skipping it. With almost 40 years of being in business, they know how to please. Cultivating an almost-spooky vibe (ask for the “special” tables), they deliver on the handmade desserts. The Hot Fudge Sundae is a classic winner, or mix it up with the Ship Goes to Pieces Against a Rock (mint chocolate chip ice cream, hot fudge and whipped cream). It’s small place that fills up quick, so get there early!

707 SE 12th Ave.
Sun. – Thurs., 7 p.m. – midnight
Fri. & Sat., 7 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Online: facebook.com/Rimsky-Korsakoffee-House

Ruby Jewel

The popular ice cream sandwich joint has gone from ranging food cart to 3 whole storefronts in the last years! No one’s complaining, though, as their cookies are big and chewy and their ice cream is delicious– you can’t beat Honey Lavendar or Caramel + Salted Chocolate! Mix your favorite up in a sundae with your choice of topping (like sprinkles, marshmallow fluff, chocolate sauce, and more). You just made summer even better.

West: 428 SW 12th Ave.
Mississippi: 3713 N. Mississippi Ave.
Hawthorne: 4703 SE Hawthorne Ave.
Daily, Noon-11 p.m.
Online: rubyjewel.com

What’s the Scoop?

This magnificent sundae promises 4 whole scoops of ice cream topped with something wonderful called magic dust. If that’s not enough to convince you, you can also make your own ice cream sandwich– it comes on a tray for a build-it-yourself experience!

3540 N. Williams Ave.
Sun.- Thurs., Noon- 10 p.m.
Fri. & Sat., Noon-11 p.m.
0664 SW Gaines St.
Mon. – Thurs., 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Fri., 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Sat., Noon- 11 p.m.
Sun., Noon- 10 p.m.
Online: whatsthescooppdx.com

photo: dan p via yelp

Angel’s Donuts and Creme

This old-school neighborhood shop is mostly popular for donuts, but they also have an almost-secret menu item: the handwritten “doughnut sundae.” You can choose whatever donut you want then add any number of ice cream scoops (pick from over 16 flavors!), and of course all the fixin’s: sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, fudge, finished off by the perfect cherry on top.

2805 NE Alberta St
Portland, OR
Online: travelportland.com/directory/tonallis-donuts-cream/

Fifty Licks

Scoops, shakes and floats dominate at this ice cream shop, but you won’t miss a sundae one bit. Flavors like Blood Orange Creamsicle, Caramelized Honey, and the adventurous Thai Rice and Cornbread with Honey Butter await! Pick your favorite to mix in a root beer float, or in a creamy milkshake.

2021 SE Clinton St.
2742 E. Burnside St.
Sun. – Thurs., Noon- 11p.m.
Fri. & Sat., Noon- midnight
Online: fifty-licks.com

Back to Eden

You’ll have a choice of nine sundaes from the menu, or build your very own! A favorite is the Columbia River Highway: soft serve, dark chocolate chips, chocolate cream cookies, and Holy Kakow chocolate sauce. Adults might like the kombucha float, or there’s a whole menu of shakes to choose from. Oh, and did we mention? It’s all vegan! And delicious.

2217 NE Alberta St.
8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
2880 SE Division St.
Daily, 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Online: backtoedenbakery.com

photo: sharyce via yelp

Churros Locos

What could possible make a sundae any better? Adding churros to it! This loco food cart whips up amazing soft yet crispy churros and adds them to their popular sundaes. Topped with sprinkles, whipped cream and your choice of sauce, it’s a winning treat. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook to see where to catch the roving cart next.

Online: churroslocos.com

Cheese and Crack

For the sophisticated kid. Because when you have a sundae in front of you with chocolate ganache, cinnamon butter cracker crumble, vanilla soft serve, and torched housemade marshmallow, you know you’re a special kid. They also have vanilla soft serve with strawberry dust, making one very pretty pink cone. Or try matcha, beet, or espresso! Watch their instagram for specials, like the recent glitter cone or strawberry shortbread sundae.

22 SE 28th Ave.
Daily 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Online: cheeseandcrack.com

photo: tiva via yelp

Dairy Hill Ice Cream

Your neighborhood ice cream joint in Hillsdale, this shop scoops all the local treats, like fresh ice cream from Alpenrose Dairy. Design your own stunning sundae with a range of topping options like gummy bears, waffle cone pieces, crushed oreos or the classic hot fudge. Get your scoop or sundae served in a little baseball hat for extra fun!

6352 SW Capitol
Daily 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Online: dairyhillicecream.com

—Katrina Emery

Just Opened: Creme & Sugar Brings Unicorn-Inspired Desserts to Del Mar

by Beth SheaMarch 25, 2018

photo: Creme & Sugar

Del Mar just got a whole lot sweeter! Creme & Sugar has arrived on the scene with amazing desserts including ‘epic milkshakes,’ ice cream sundaes, ice cream floats, hot chocolate, cookies and cakes. These sweet treats go above and beyond a typical ice cream shop with flavor, color and character combinations inspired by everything from unicorns and Harry Potter to E.T and Snow White! Read on for where to gallop, not trot, to try unicorn-inspired desserts and creative confections that seem straight out of a storybook.

photo: Creme & Sugar

Picture Perfect Confections Almost Too Good To Be True
Unicorns may be a myth, but at Creme & Sugar, there really is such thing as a unicorn milkshake, unicorn hot chocolate and unicorn cakes. Those with an affinity for the horned horse will be in heaven at this new dessert haven where the unicorn trend soars to new heights in colorful creations that kids may have only dreamed about before now.

Standout menu item the ‘Unicorn epic milkshake’ is a magical concoction that consists of a cotton candy and vanilla shake, topped with whipped crème, marshmallows, sprinkles, a unicorn horn (lollipop), charm bracelet and rainbow belt. It costs $9-$10 depending on the size you order, so it’s definitely a splurge in every way, but well worth the indulgence–– and the look on your kid’s face will be priceless.

Good to know: Many of the dessert items are large enough to share between 2-3 people, so order accordingly!

photo: Creme & Sugar

The Woman Behind the Magic
Nicknamed Willy Wonka by her friends, Joanna Czikalla is the brainchild behind Creme & Sugar which she opened in Anaheim Hills. Due to the immense popularity and Instagram-cred of her desserts, she has now expanded Creme & Sugar to this second sweet spot in Del Mar. More than just something good to eat, her desserts are an otherworldly experience to be had––eliciting an emotional reaction of joy, happiness and cheer which certainly sets them apart.

photo: Beth V. via Yelp

It Truly Takes the Cake
As previously mentioned, the unicorn theme may also be enjoyed in the forms of layer cake, ice cream sundae and hot chocolate in addition to the milkshake. All of the vibrant offerings are colorful, playful twists on their classic counterpart desserts. If you’re not in the market to buy an entire cake, not to worry, because cake is also offered by the slice! If you do want to go big, order one of Creme & Sugar’s 9 inch cakes which feed 15-20 people and range in price from $55-$100. These cakes will certainly bring the wow factor to any event––the Mermaid cake boasts chocolate shells and a gold mermaid tail while the Wonka cake drips with an assortment of candy and lollipops.

photo: M R. via Yelp

Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Beyond the rainbow-hued unicorn delights are an endless array of additional menu items. The s’mores hot chocolate (above) even comes with a toasted marshmallow skewer on the side! A nod to Harry Potter, the Butterbeer ice cream float features butterscotch soda, vanilla ice cream, sixlets and a lighting bolt. The E.T sundae is appropriately comprised of chocolate ice cream, chocolate whipped crème, peanut butter sauce, hot fudge, Reese’s chunks, and Reese’s pieces! The Snow White sundae boasts plenty of pink peppermint and the Mermaid ice cream float includes piña colada ice cream and pink rock candy! There’s nothing “basic” about the shop’s “basic milkshake” offerings that pair flavors including Oreo & Mint and Lavender & Honey.

photo: Beth V. via Yelp

Sweet Decor
The whimsical mural on the shop’s wall reads “Where the unicorn turf meets the mermaid surf in Del Mar,” an homage to the Del Mar Race Track and Bing Crosby’s song promoting the races: Where the Turf Meets the Surf. The family-friendly, sleek ambiance gives the desserts center stage while kiddos are made to feel at home.

Good to know: For parents, coffee, tea, espresso and amazing latte offerings are all on the menu as well.

2646 Del Mar Heights Rd.
San Diego, Ca
858-925-7868
Online: cremeandsugar.com

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun.-Thurs. 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fri. & Sat.

What are you going to order first at Creme & Sugar? Share in the comments!

–Beth Shea

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6 Dessert Tacos That Will Sweeten Up Your Dinner Plans

by Leah R. SingerOctober 4, 2017

Get ready to take your Taco Tuesday to a whole new level! From mini s’more tacos to apple pie and ice cream, these dessert tacos will leave you wishing Taco Tuesday was every day.

photo: Alana Jones-Mann

Sugar Cookie Tacos
These taco cookies by Alana Jones-Mann are super adorable and surprisingly easy to make. The dessert taco shells is made of a sugar cookie. Layer it with sour cream (buttercream), meat (brownie bits), chopped tomato (red candies) and lettuce and cheese (shredded coconut). Kick it up a notch and make dessert DIY with a taco bar.

photo: Chris Andre

Mini S’mores Tacos
What do you get when you combine a favorite camping food with a Mexican food favorite? S’mores tacos, of course! These mini tacos from Brit + Co are made with a graham cracker shell, brownie filling and a topped with toasty marshmallow. Couple this dessert with a backyard fire and camp fire tunes, and it doesn’t get much better than this!

photo: Crunchy Creamy Sweet

Peaches and Cream Taco Boats
This refreshing dessert is quick and easy, and will leave your family wanting to eat their fruit. Crunchy Creamy Sweet made the recipe simple by using store-bought mini taco boats. The cream cheese filling can be whipped up in minutes with cream cheese, vanilla, sugar and whipping cream. Then top with diced fresh peaches and dessert is served!

photo: Kaitlin Flannery

Mini Pancake Tacos
Whoever said tacos are only for dinner or dessert was mistaken. These mini pancake tacos from The Kitchn are sweet, light and perfect for breakfast. The taco shell is a light and thin pancake. Stuffed inside is Greek yogurt, fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey. Mini pancake tacos are the perfect dessert taco without the sweet guilt at the end of the meal.

photo: A Subtle Revelry

Ice Cream Sundae Tacos
I scream. You scream. We all scream for … tacos! These sweet tacos from A Subtle Revelry take everyone’s favorite ice cream sundae dessert and turn it into a sweet taco treat. The secret to making these tacos easy and adorable are the shells that are made with toaster waffles. Dab some honey on the edges, roll in sprinkles, fill with ice cream, top with a cherry, and you’ve got the makings for a sweet dessert in taco form.

photo: Kelsey Banfield

Apple Pie Tacos
Who says fall desserts need to be all about apple pie? Kelsey Banfield’s apple pie tacos are a sweet dessert that is the perfect autumn treat. You’ll feel like you’re eating a slice of apple pie with this taco’s crispy cinnamon-sugar shell and fresh apples. Top the taco with whipped cream and caramel to give it an extra bite of sweetness.

How do you turn this traditional favorite into a tasty dessert treat?

—Leah R. Singer

The Ultimate City Slicker Campout: Rob Hill Campground in the Presidio

by Erin FeherJuly 19, 2016

No tent? No camp stove? No car? No problem. Every little urbanite should get a chance to sleep under the stars, and the one and only campsite located in San Francisco offers camping with all the convenience one has come to expect from the city that coined the phrase “there’s an app for that.” So whether you are an expert outdoorsman or green to the camp scene, everyone should experience this one-of-a-kind camp experience. Here’s how.

Nowhere Prettier than the Presidio
For starters, visitors to Rob Hill Campground get to pitch a tent in the stunning 1,500-acre national park that is the Presidio. The campground is just across the road from one of the more breathtaking Bay views—Immigrant Point Overlook—and a walking trail can take you right down to Baker Beach. The sites themselves are as special as you would expect considering the locale. There are four group sites, each sleeping up to 30 campers. Each site has a collection of picnic tables, a fire pit, a bbq grill, lockers to keep food away from critters (and critters away from you) and access to shockingly nice bathrooms (sinks and toilets, but no showers). And while camping within proximity of 90 other people (mostly school groups) sounds like it could be everything BUT serene, the sites are situated in such a way that we barely heard or saw the other campers. Each site comes with 4 parking permits, and the walk from car to site is about 100 easy feet. The cost is $125 per night.

No Gear? No Problem
It’s as simple as click and camp. Nearby Sports Basement rents everything novice campers could need for a night out in the woods. Tents, sleeping bags, air mats, and camp stoves …just click, pick up and pitch your tent (although we are sure, if you really feel like a clueless camper, there’s a Task Rabbit out there who will fit those pesky tent poles together for you). But as for what you should be sure to pack in: we suggest fire wood (scavenging for wood/kindling in the Presidio is a no no), drinking water and plenty of ingredients for s’mores!

The Perks of City Camping
If you grew up eating camp meals of hotdogs cooked over the fire on a stick, be prepared for a major upgrade. For the group that doesn’t feel like packing in dinner for 30, there are countless options for scoring gourmet grub. If you are camping on Thursday evenings, simply head down to the Main Parade Ground at 5 p.m. for Off the Grid Presidio Twilight, where cabanas, fire pits and nearly a dozen food trucks await. Our crew enjoyed everything from bacon burritos to lobster rolls to garlic noodles. And to fend off the fog rolling in (the large open field gets CHILLY) there was plenty of hot mulled wine to warm up our bones.

Photo: Smitten

If you are camping any other night, consider stopping into the Presidio Social Club or Traci des Jardin’s Arguello. If you would rather keep it wild, and dine at the site, any of the dozens of local food delivery apps will delver right to the camp ground. We rang up Smitten Ice Cream and had then drop off their new sundae picnics—insulated bags filled with absolutely everything you need for an ice cream sundae bar, from ice cream and toppings to spoons and bowls—even the ice cream scoopers!

But it was the next morning when we were really praising our iPhones: Postmates delivered piping hot coffee for 30 from Peet’s Coffee. We could camp here every night!

So Much Cool Stuff for Kids
But beyond the perks, the coolest thing about camping in the Presidio is all the incredible stuff there to absolutely blow your kids minds. From a visit to the Officers Club where history, plant and animal activities and art converge inside a stunning centuries-old building (and all for FREE!), to hikes to fit every ability to, well, just nature at its most stunning. We took a meandering 45-minute hike from the Officers Club to El Polin Springs that included countless birds, whimsical “fairy huts” contracted from sticks, two bees getting busy, a traditional Ohlone chant and so much more. It was an experience our troop will never forget—and it happened practically in their own backyard.

Rob Hill Campground
1475 Central Magazine Rd.
San Francisco, Ca
Online: presidio.gov

Good to know: The camping season runs April 1–October 31. Reservations are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and are confirmed via email. As of press time, all Friday and Saturday dates are booked through July, 2016. There are a few Sunday through Thursday dates available in August, September, and October. For questions, call 415-561-4200.

Have you camped in the Presidio? Tell us about it in the comments below!

–Erin Feher

All images by the author unless otherwise noted.

Scoop Up Tickets to the Museum of Ice Cream Now!

by Mimi O'ConnorJuly 18, 2016

Yes, it’s a thing, and lucky us, the Museum of Ice Cream is coming to New York City’s Meatpacking District. The (genius) invention of a group of “ice cream-obsessed” designers, artists and friends, this sweet celebration of everyone’s favorite summer treat will welcome visitors from July 29 to August 31. Read on to get the scoop!

photo: TheCulinaryGeek via Flickr

I scream, you scream…etc.
Billed as a “lick-able, likeable, sharable ice-cream-centric experience” (and, no doubt, a star of Instagram feeds everywhere next month), the Museum of Ice Cream seems to skew more arty and fun immersive ice cream-inspired happening than chronicler of the frosty desert’s history. That is, you’re more likely to swim in a giant pool of (faux) rainbow-colored sprinkles than read about the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair, where the ice cream cone was born. We have no problem with that.

You’ll find the pop-up museum steps from the Whitney Museum of American Art as well as the Gansevoort Street entrance to the High Line, so you can plan a veritable arty/groovy/tasty outing for the family if you so choose.

photo: Sweet Flour Bake Shop via Flickr

Did you say, “giant pool of rainbow colored sprinkles?”
Yes — and that’s just the tip of the ice cream cone. Organizers also promise “edible balloons”, an immersive chocolate room and a collaborative massive ice cream sundae.

In addition, visitors can swing on an ice cream sandwich for two, seesaw on an ice cream scooper and engage in some kind of ice cream matchmaking via a custom app in Tinder Land.

Plus, 20 renowned NYC artists will contribute presumably ice cream-inspired visual designs to the space.

photo: Shari’s Berries via Flickr

Real ice cream included
It would be kind of a cruel joke to open a Museum of Ice Cream and not serve any; visitors to the pop-up will get to enjoy two customs takes on the frozen treat.

“Food futurist” and founder of the Future Food Studio Dr. Irwin Adam will be cooking up inventive flavors exclusive to the museum that will be available for tasting, and celebrated ice cream purveyors such as Black Tap and OddFellows Ice Cream Co. will serve the featured Scoop of the Week. (Tastings are included in the price of admission.)

How to get in — and get free ice cream
So excited you can’t stand it? Visitors who arrive between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on opening day July 29 get free admission and ice cream! (We’re guessing the lines will be…long.)

Admission all other times will be $18/person, or $30/couple.

Museum of Ice Cream
July 29-Aug. 31
Sun., 11 a.m. 8 p.m.; Mon. & Wed. – Sat., 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Closed Tues.)
100 Gansevoort St.
Meatpacking District
Online: museumoficecream.com

Will your family be heading to the Museum of Ice Cream? Let us know in the comments below!

—Mimi O’Connor

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