6 Memorial Day Desserts to Drool Over!

Frozen Fruit Salad Pops 1

Ever since I was a kid nothing made me happier than the beginning of summer.  In those days, kids stayed home and played outdoors.  The neighborhood kids would get together and play hide ‘n seek, run through the sprinkler or go Slip ‘n Slide, ride bikes together and even ride on the side walk to the park – alone, which might be 4-5 blocks away.  We’d play baseball in someone’s yard, go swimming, wash cars, wash dogs, and play hopscotch.

You name it, if we could come up with an idea, we did it.

I can even remember on 2 occasions having a carnival in my backyard and selling tickets, then donating the dollars we earned to a charity.

On rainy days my mom would load all the neighborhood kids in her station wagon – back then seat belts didn’t exist. We’d be packed in like sardines to go to a matinee to see a double feature that cost a whopping .25 cents. It’s hard to believe!

Of course, it’s so much different today.  If your kids aren’t in summer camp, they’re typically hanging out by themselves when everyone else is off all day at camp, or for the summer at an away camp. What ever happened to the good old days, when life was carefree?

With the onset of summer a Memorial Day celebration was a highlight. Family and friends would all join together in someone’s backyard for a BBQ with lots of sides, and baked goods brought by everyone.  It was like a smorgasbord, and so much fun for everyone! We even played games!!!

This coming weekend be a little nostalgic, and throw a Memorial celebration in your backyard.  Invite guests to pitch in and bring their favorite dish either from their childhood or today. Encourage everyone to make their own, not store bought, and come up with creative outdoor games for children and adults to play.  Have a bucket for everyone to ditch their cell phones in (turn them all off) and actually connect with those in your presence.  WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU ACTUALLY DID THAT?

Below are a couple of treats everyone in my family has enjoyed – young and old.  Plus everyone can pitch in to make them.

The first is a Frozen Fruit Salad that’s perfect on a hot summers day and can easily be placed in Push-Pops or little Dixie Cups with a stick in them.

Frozen Fruit Salad

The second are a favorite of mine – Frozen Smore’s.  I’ve included the video that I posted a couple years ago during the 4th of July, but they’re ideal for any outdoor celebration.

If that’s not enough, here are some other great treats you can bring that are sure to be a hit. Remember simple fresh fruit and slices of watermelon are always refreshing and light.

Triple Layer Orgasmic Brownies
Triple Layer Orgasmic Brownies

Chocolate Brickle Sensations
Chocolate Brickle Sensations

chocolate triple bar sundae
Chocolate Triple Decker Bar Sundae

IMG_0431
7 Layer Magic Bars

Later this week I’ll share some sides you might like to bring………………………By the way, what are you planning for your Memorial Day celebration?

Here’s my Frozen Fruit Salad……………………………

Frozen Fruit Salad Pops 1

Frozen Fruit Salad or Push-Pops

A refreshing summer treat that's quick and easy to whip up!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups water
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 large can frozen orange juice
  • 1 large can crushed pineapple
  • 1 large can sliced peaches
  • 1 large can fruit cocktail, drained
  • 1 (10 oz.) package strawverries, frozen
  • 6-8 bananas, sliced

Directions:

  1. Boil water and sugar for 3 minutes
  2. Removed from heat and mix in 1 large can of frozen orange juice.
  3. Add crushed pineapple, sliced peaches, fruit cocktail, strawberries, and bananas.  Mix well.
  4. Pour all into a large container (I use a rectangular Rubbermaid container covered) and freeze for 24 hours.
  5. Take out 1 hour before serving so it becomes just slightly slushy.
  6. To make the push pops I simply reserved some of the mixture and poured it into the push pop containers and covered them with the lids they come with.  Then pop in the freezer for 24 hours, standing up in a glass or like I did – propped up between the slats of my freezer shelves.
  7. The push pops make it easy to eat right from the freezer.  So if you’re looking for a healthier dessert to give your children, there’s no doubt they will love these.  Of course, we’re all adults now in my family and we have fun eating the push pops too!  It reminds me of my childhood.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

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14 comments

  1. I love the onset of summer, so fun and exciting (even though I get quite tired of it come August). I think any of your desserts would be well received at a picnic, party or potluck!

  2. My mom made a similar frozen fruit salad, but I think hers had a wee bit of plain gelatin in it, too. It was SO good, but I think I like your fruit additions even better. And thanks for the round up as I remember some of these recipes that I wanted to make (but haven’t gotten to yet!). Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

  3. This are so much fun! Don’t you just love the beginning of summer? Although it’s officially a month off, Memorial Day is definitely the beginning of it for me!

  4. I am so happy that summer is almost here too. Those frozen treats sound really great!

  5. You would put a smile on this kid’s face with one of these. I’d have to fight my grandchildren for one of these. 🙂

  6. I like the idea of the frozen fruit salad…and yes, these are perfect for the celebration!
    Thanks for the desserts round-up…hope you are having a great week Vicki 🙂

  7. Great ideas for the long weekend! Love the idea of the frozen desserts that aren’t just ice cream.

    • My husband loves this. In fact I often just make it in a large tupperware container and place in the freezer for everyone to scoop out what they want when they want it. You can definitely scale down the sugar content if you desire.

  8. I can’t wait to find some push-up pop holders so I can make these for my grandsons this summer. What a delicious treat for them! I loved push-up pops as a kid 🙂

  9. Your frozen fruit salads sound wonderful!

  10. I think the good old days were the best. Sometimes I wished I has been born way earlier so that I could have experienced life before. 🙂
    Those pop holders would be a highlight in India right now! So hot there.

  11. Frozen fruit salad pop would be a hit everywhere. Frozen marshmallow sounds so so good.
    I can’t wait for full on summer, it’s still so cold here, but that doesn’t stop me from making and loving frozen treats.
    Have a beautiful weekend.

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