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Baking with Bridget: Summer Sweets

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UCD chapter.

With plenty of warm weather approaching, it’s time to ditch those wintertime “oven-and-stove” recipes and transition to simple and easy ones that allow us more time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors with friends and family!

The recipes I’m sharing with you today, all courtesy of Kraft Foods, are delicious, refreshing desserts ideal for college students – very few ingredients, with little to no prep work. It’s easy on our wallets and is manageable given our busy class schedules. Hooray!

So whether it’s for a special occasion, a picnic at the Arboretum, late night sweet-tooth cravings with roommates, or you’re just in the mood for a refreshing treat- these recipes are sure to be a hit on any sunny Davis day, and you’ll be returning to them for years to come. Find your favorite!

Calling all coffee lovers….

 

1. Iced Cappuccino Crème

You will need:

·       2 cups cold milk

·       1 pkg. (4-serving size) Jell-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

·       1/2 cup Maxwell House Suisse Mocha (or other flavored instant coffee)

·       1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip, thawed

Directions:

·       Pour milk into large bowl. Add the dry pudding mix and flavored instant coffee. Beat with wire whisk for 2 min.

·       Add whipped topping; stir until well blended. Cover.

·       Freeze 6 hours or until firm and enjoy this creamy treat! Store leftovers in freezer.

Bridget’s tips:

·       Serve with Pirouline rolled wafers – they can be found in the dollar section at Target and make for a cute presentation.

Nuts about peanut butter?

 

2. Peanut Butter Cup Pie

You will need:

·       1 Oreo pie crust (6 oz.)

·       1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened

·       1/2 cup Creamy Peanut Butter

·       1-1/4 cup cold milk

·       2 pkg. JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

·       1 tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

·       2 pkg. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (optional)

Directions:

·       Beat peanut butter and milk in large bowl with whisk until well blended.

·       Add dry pudding mixes; beat 2 min. (Pudding will be thick.)

·       Stir in half the Cool Whip; spoon into crust.

·       Cover with remaining Cool Whip. Cut and arrange Reese’s peanut butter cups onto pie if desired.

·       Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm.

Bridget’s Tips:

·       Pretty presentations… When ready to serve, microwave 1 tbsp. peanut butter in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 15 sec. or until melted. Melt 1/2 oz. Baker’s Semi- Sweet chocolate as directed. Drizzle peanut butter and chocolate over pie.

Lemon Lush…

 

3. Lemon-Berry Parfaits

You will need:

·       2 pkg. JELL-O Lemon Flavor Instant Pudding

·       1-1/14 cup cold milk

·       14 lemon cookies, coarsely crushed

·       1/2 cup PLANTERS Sliced Almonds (optional)

·       2 cups strawberries

·       1/2 cup COOL Whip Whipped Topping, thawed

·       Directions:

·       Beat pudding mixes and milk in medium bowl with whisk for 2 min. (Pudding will be thick)

·       Stir in Cool Whip.

·       Spoon filling into 6-8 dessert dishes or cups; Layer pudding mixture, cookie crumbs and almonds, strawberries, and additional whipped topping if desired.

Bridget’s Tips:

·       Substitute the almonds & cookies for granola as a healthier option!

·       Add pound cake to the parfaits to transform it into a more luscious and lavish dessert!

·       Use raspberries or blueberries in place of strawberries, or whatever fruit you have on hand.

Find more easy, fun recipes here!

Bridget is a second year student at UC Davis with a passion for fashion and writing. She is involved in the Student Fashion Association and hopes that her love for fashion shows through her blog and #OOTD posts. :) She is also a diehard San Francisco Giants fan and enjoys watching baseball, basketball, and football in her free time.
Editor in Chief, UC Davis chapter founder.