Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

This rich and satisfying, strawberry cream cheese based fruit dip really is one of the easiest, quickest things you'll ever make. I make it a few times every summer and it's always raved about at parties!

It's one of the best fruit dips yet one would have any idea that it was such a breeze.

My favorite fruits to serve with it are strawberries, peaches or pineapple but just about any fruit will do. I mean it's marshmallow creme and cream cheese, what sweet fruit wouldn't you eat with that?

Then if you want to make it a little prettier tint it with a hint of color (I like beet powder for a natural option, you don't taste).

Serve it chilled on a hot summer day for a perfectly refreshing treat!

Do you have a weakness for chocolate? Also try my favorite Chocolate Cake, this irresistible Edible Chocolate Cookie Dough (with two other flavor options) and my go-to Brownies. February is national chocolate lovers month after all so we'd better celebrate.

The delicious whoopie pie (also known as Gobs what a funny name)!

You'll find a many variations of this New England and Pennsylvania favorite. But the most common chocolate version you'll find online seems to be a butter based cookie.

This in my opinion creates more of a dense and dry cookie, but for whoopie pies I'm all about keeping them light and fluffy (that classic Amish style). So I go with a vegetable oil and water based batter, just like a classic chocolate cake which these cookies are mimicking.

And traditional filling is usually made up of raw egg whites (which I'm fine eating myself but not comfortable serving to other people) and shortening (which I'm not a fan of altogether). So I instead I go with a store-bought marshmallow fluff and butter to build up the flavor and texture of the filling.

What do these Whoopie Pies taste like? Well of course chocolate cake, or something similar to a Ding Dong but obviously a hundred times better!

They're rich and deeply chocolatey, they're perfectly moist and that fluffy marshmallow whoopie pie filling keeps that light as air texture going throughout.

These are such a dreamy, easy to make sandwich cookie you'll get requests for time and time again!

People of all ages love this sweet, bubbly drink. You can try it at Universal Studios' Wizarding World of Harry Potter, or brew your own Butterbeer for a Halloween party. Here I also share a lot of DIY Harry Potter Party ideas so you can bring a piece of the magic into your home too!

Homemade Butterbeer Recipe

It's now become a tradition in my house every year to host this party. And of course, the highlight of the party every year is hanging globes with tea lights (to mimic the floating candles in the movies) and the Butterbeer.

I've yet to meet someone who doesn't love Butterbeer. I've tried two Butterbeer recipes and I prefer this one by a long shot. The other one consisted of butter, cream, sugar, cream soda, and rum flavor and it was just too much—even for me. I love that easy Butterbeer recipe isn't overwhelmingly sweet and rich.

I've never had the real deal Butterbeer from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but this is just what I'd imagine it to be like. So, in other words, I can't say it's a total copycat recipe but no matter, it's amazing!! And the best part—it's so easy to make! All you have to do is flavor the soda and whip together the toppings.

For this year's party, we also had something like a Thanksgiving feast, sans turkey because I couldn't find one this time of year. So instead I went with ham, mashed potatoes and mom's ham gravy, pumpkin cornbread with cinnamon honey butter, butternut squash and pomegranate spinach salad, corn, pumpkin cheesecake with salted caramel sauce, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and apple pie (also, here is the recipe of the caramel apples or you can use the microwave caramel recipe which is also delicious).

They always had those big feasts in the Great Hall so of course a big dinner is a must at the party!

Keep scrolling down for more fun DIY Harry Potter Party ideas, and to view the recipe and learn how to make easy Butterbeer at home!

DIY Harry Potter Party Decorations

You can find the glass globes in multiple places online as well as the battery tea lights. And a must are the class banners.

The lanterns pictured reminded me of the lanterns they'd carry into the Forbidden Forest in the movies. Then of course I found a Hedwig for the centerpiece.

Harry Potter-themed Candy Bar

Here we have a very mini version of Honeydukes candy shop. Including chocolate frogs and wands, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, caramel apple pops and real caramel apples, "muggle munch" which is candy corn, and "candied worms" which are the gummy worms. Ferrero Rocher chocolates make the perfect snitch truffles. For the wings, I cut one template and then used that for tracing so all the wings were the same and glued them on with hot glue.

Harry Potter Chocolate Treats

Here is the mold for the chocolate frogs. My kids helped me make the chocolate wands, just chocolate-covered pretzels dipped in sprinkles.

DIY Harry Potter Party Decorations

This dementor below actually moved, it was originally a ghost Halloween decoration but we made it work with some black cloth. And the deer is a patronus (a Christmas decoration). The glitter potions are a mixture of corn syrup and glitter. The gold potion is a combination of sprinkles, cocoa powder, leaves, water, and herbs. These mimic the floating jack-o-lanterns in the Great Hall. The dementor was a skeleton, again, I just covered it with black cloth. Little spiders leading to...Aragog.Wanted signs you can search and print online. Since there were so many kids instead of buying 10 ties I just made felt ones for the kids and bought some cheap Harry Potter glasses. We also played games with the kids like "Find the Horcuxes" (similar to a treasure hunt), a wand/class choosing with a Sorting Hat, and pin the scar on Harry. Candles were everywhere. For those in reach of kids/or near cobwebs I used the battery-operated ones.

Easy S'mores Dip

I'm slightly obsessed with s'mores, and I crave them all year round.

I hear people say they've never tried a real s'more. You know, the kind where you go out into the wide open mountainous wilderness, light a blazing campfire under a gentle breezy, starlit sky and then wait for the mesmerizing flames to die down to hot coals.

That's when you slowly rotate and toast a perfectly soft vanilla marshmallow to golden brown perfection and sandwich it between two crunchy honey Grahams along with a square of milk chocolate.

And the moment you've been waiting for, you get to either shove it all in your face or slowly savor each and every bite...and then proceed to make another. I never stop until my stomach starts to hurt with those things! S'mores probs, people, s'mores probs.

So, middle of winter stuck in the house, what's a woman to do? I either toast marshmallows over my stovetop or find recipes like these that taste just like a s'more but don't require a campfire to get all those flavors.

This is going to be one of my go-to dip recipes. It may be challenging to get it to look pretty but this time around I don't care about appearance.

It's all about the melty chocolate and that gooey marshmallow goodness! And did I mention this s'mores dip only requires three ingredients and a few minutes of prep? Oh yes, three decadent ingredients all melted and marbled together!

Just a word of advice, don't make this if you are home alone. You'll quickly lose track of how much you ate, and before you know it half the bowl might be gone. It is just that good!

S'mores Dip Ingredients

For this simple s'mores recipe, you'll need:

• Semi-sweet chocolate chips
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Marshmallow creme

How to Make S'mores Dip

• In a medium microwave-safe mixing bowl, add chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk.
• Microwave for 30-second intervals until melted and smooth.
• Pour into a wide serving bowl or pie plate, then dollop with marshmallow creme.
• Microwave again just until the creme is melted, then use the tip of a knife to swirl the creme into the chocolate mixture.

Can I Make This S'mores Dip Ahead of Time?

If you want to bring this dip to a potluck or party, I'd wait until you arrive to make it. This dip is best served warm, and it tends to harden over time.

What Should I Serve with This Dip?

Serve this s'mores dip with fresh strawberries and graham crackers. You could also serve it with pretzels, apple slices, Nilla wafers, or any other fruit you'd like.

Tips for the Best S'mores Dip

• For a slightly less sweet dip, use bittersweet chocolate chips.
• Regular marshmallows can't be substituted for the marshmallow creme. If you can't find marshmallow creme at the store, you can easily make it yourself.
• Double-check that you're purchasing sweetened condensed milk and not evaporated milk. They're two completely different products!

More S'mores Desserts You'll Love:

• S'mores Cupcakes
• S'mores Bars
• S'mores Pie
• S'mores Mousse
• Chocolate Chip Cookie S'mores

More Homemade Dips to Try:

• Chocolate Fruit Dip
• Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Sugar Chips
• Peanut Butter Fruit Dip
• Lemon Cream Fruit Dip

Perfect S'mores Bars

Summer may be nearly over, but with these delicious s'mores bars you can have a taste of summer all year long! I know in the middle of the winter I'm totally going to be making these decadent bars.

They taste just like a s'more, but in more of a soft and chewy cookie bar form. They are over the top and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! I'm thinking I'm going to have to start replacing some of the flour in this Chocolate Chip Cookie S'more recipe with fine graham crackers crumbs so I can get the same taste these have.

If you love s'mores, then trust me, this is a dessert you don't want to pass by! They just make life feel more complete somehow.

S'mores Bars Ingredients

For this s'mores dessert, you'll need:

• All-purpose flour
• Graham cracker crumbs
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Unsalted butter
• Light brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Hershey's chocolate bars
• Marshmallow creme

How to Make S'mores Bars

Whisk together flour, baking powder, graham cracker crumbs and salt. Set aside. In a separate bowl, blend together butter and sugars until creamy. Add egg and vanilla extract, then mix in dry ingredients.

Divide dough in half and press one half into a parchment paper-lined baking dish.

Place chocolate bars side by side over dough.

Top the chocolate bars with the marshmallow creme.

Flatten remaining dough on top of the marshmallow creme layer. Bake s'mores bars until top is golden brown, then let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Can I Use Another Type of Chocolate?

Yes, of course! Feel free to use whatever chocolate bars you have on hand. Personally, I wouldn't recommend using white chocolate since I think that'd be too sweet. But it's up to you!

Can I Use a Graham Cracker Substitute?

Yes, if your store doesn't sell graham crackers, you could use something similar, like digestive biscuits. You want a cookie that's slightly crumbly and not too sweet.

Tips for the Best S'mores Bars

• To make adding the top layer of cookie dough easier, first shape the dough into a square on a piece of parchment paper. Then gently flip the parchment paper over the baking dish so the graham cracker cookie dough lays evenly over the marshmallow creme.
• Let the bars cool completely before cutting into them, otherwise the marshmallow and chocolate will ooze out.
• Crush the graham crackers very finely so there are no big chunks left.

More S'mores Dessert Recipes You'll Love:

• S'mores Mousse
• Mini S'mores Cookie Cups
• S'mores Dip
• S'mores Pie
• S'mores Cookie Sandwiches

I was eating it by the spoonful it was so good! Forget the fruit, just give me a bowl of this dip :). I would recommend serving this with strawberries, raspberries or blueberries, you'll love the way it pairs with each of those fruits.

The name for this dip might be a little deceiving, I didn't really know what to call it. It contains no cream, but  it has cream cheese and marshmallow creme so I thought it had it needed cream in the title somewhere just so you could get an idea of just how amazingly creamy and delicious it is.

This dip is so incredibly easy to make, it requires only 4 ingredients (I'm counting zest and lemon juice as one since it comes from the same lemon) and if you don't want to purchase the lemon extract you could probably narrow that down to three ingredients .

Trust me, you need to keep this recipe on hand this summer (and always for that matter). I don't know of anyone who wouldn't absolutely love it! Even my brother who wants nothing to do with sweets and dessert loved it. Yes, just that good!

You may look at the ingredients list and directions and think, no way that's too much, but don't. If you like Snickers you've got to try these!

Everyone in my family agreed they taste just like a Snickers but with a soft and chewy brownie added in. If you bring these to a party, you'll likely find that they become the talk of the party and everyone will be wanting the recipe.

Save this recipe for your next celebration when you want to go all out or treat yourself this weekend and make a batch of these incredible Snickers Brownies.

Seriously you guys, I can't stop with the pumpkin flavor. All you pumpkin haters out there are probably hating my blog lately. Being Fall (and all) it is basically a must that I make pumpkin-something at least once a week. Today's pumpkin treat comes in cookie-cream pie form, inspired by your favorite sandwich cookie snack cake. Everyone will be asking for more!

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cream Pies

Copycat Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies

One of my favorite treats growing up were the Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies. My mom rarely made dessert, so my options were to make dessert myself or have store-bought oatmeal cream pies — if I were lucky enough to find some stocked in the cupboard, that is.

Back then, I really didn't know good dessert. I thought those cookies were completely delicious. In my little mind, I thought they were somewhat of a delicacy really. Yeah, I didn't get out much...

Well, someone gave me one just a few days ago as a little thank you. I was pretty excited because I hadn't had one in over 10 years (simply because I try to avoid buying stuff like that).

I didn't like the flavor of the preservatives, and also the over abundance of shortening they contain. It totally took me back in time though, and it was fun to enjoy one of those tasty little treats again.

Oatmeal Cream Pie Ingredients

As I was eating that soft cookie oatmeal cream-filled cookie sandwich, I was inspired. I thought, of course, I need to make these at home and recreate a childhood favorite! But skip out on the overload of shortening and leave out all the preservatives. I looked up the ingredients list (is there anything Google can't help you find?) and went to work.

Yes, I skipped out on the ground raisins and concentrated apple puree (I think it was), then I tried to keep all the other flavors in this upgraded copycat. And how is it upgraded you may be asking?

• They're homemade. Everything is better homemade.
• Butter is used in place of much of the shortening/oil. The flavor of butter is far better than shortening, that's just a fact of life. However. I did still use some shortening for textural purposes. Upgrade
• Fluffier filling. It basically melts away in your mouth.
• A little more flavor. I added just a bit more spice then the Little Debbie version has. I also went with a full 1/4 tsp of coconut extract in mine because I love the flavor of coconut.
• You could make the homemade marshmallow creme I have posted and add 7 oz of that to the filling instead of a store bought (just store the filling in the fridge until ready to serve, then bring to room temp and spread on cookies).

If you are (or have been in the past) a Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pie fan, then you will most likely love and appreciate these cookies as much as I do.

Two of these old fashioned, what your great-grandmother made-style, chewy oatmeal cookies are loaded with so many exciting flavors that surprisingly all blend so deliciously well together. They sandwich this dreamy marshmallow buttercream filling that has the softest, creamiest, most luxurious texture.

How to Make Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookies

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk together flour, oats, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger. Set aside.
• Whip together butter, shortening, sugar and molasses until pale and fluffy.
• Stir in eggs, then mix in vanilla and coconut extract.
• Add in the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
• Shape dough into balls, then bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Completely cool before spreading with buttercream filling.

Can I use Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose?

No, I think wheat flour would make these cookies too chewy and tough. All-purpose flour is a must for these homemade oatmeal cream pies.

Do I Have to Use Shortening?

To achieve the right texture in both the cookie and the marshmallow buttercream, you really should use unflavored shortening.

How to Store Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookies

Store these homemade oatmeal cream pies in an airtight container on your counter.

Tips for the Best Oatmeal Cream Pies

• For a stronger coconut flavor, use 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract.
• Use only a little bit of food coloring to achieve the right color. A little goes a long way!
• Let the oatmeal cookies cool completely before filling them, otherwise the buttercream will melt.

More Classic Cookie Recipes You'll Love:

• Neiman Marcus Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Homemade Circus Animal Cookies
• Red Velvet Oreos
• Soft and Chewy Snickerdoodles 
• Mini S'mores Cookie Cups

Super Easy Fruit Dip Recipe

I got this marshmallow fluff fruit dip recipe from my sister, who got it from her mother-in-law... and it's been passed down over and over. Basically what I'm saying is this recipe is not my creation, so if you know who came up with it please let me know because I would love to credit them. They seriously came up with something genius!

This strawberry fruit dip recipe literally can be made and ready for dipping in 60 seconds. It doesn't get much easier than that!

It's creamy, fluffy, sweet, and oh-so delicious. It will have you doing the finger swipe to get every last lick in the bowl.

If there's any left the next day (which is very very rare), I always want to eat it for breakfast. It is served with fruit, so that's healthy right?

Fruit Dip Ingredients

For this easy fruit dip, all you need is:

• Strawberry cream cheese
• Marshmallow creme

Strawberry is my favorite version, but try other flavors like blueberry, orange, or cinnamon!

How to Make Fruit Dip

To make this marshmallow fruit dip, simply stir together the cream cheese and marshmallow creme. You'll likely need to use a fork for this to ensure everything is well combined.

What Should I Serve With This Two Ingredient Fruit Dip?

This is a lightly flavored strawberry dip that pairs well with pretty much anything! I'd avoid using softer fruits like banana slices or mango, but heartier berries and fruit slices pair well with this.

My favorite things to serve with this fruit dip include whole strawberries, diced pineapple, apple slices, graham crackers, and mini pretzels.

Can I Make This Ahead of Time?

Absolutely! Although it's so easy to make that there's no need to make this fruit dip with marshmallow creme ahead of time. But if you do want to prep this before a big party, it will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to three days if kept in the fridge.

Tips for the Best Fruit Dip

• You can use any cream cheese flavor you'd like in this recipe. Honey, blueberry and mixed berry cream cheese would also work.
• Set toothpicks beside this fruit dip so it's easier for guests to dunk in their fruit.
• If you can't find marshmallow creme where you live, you can make it yourself quite easily. Check out my marshmallow creme recipe for instructions!

More Easy Appetizers You'll Love:

• Fruit Salsa with Baked Cinnamon Sugar Chips
• Easy Chocolate Fruit Dip
• Cheese Ball
• Spinach Artichoke Dip
• Ranch Hummus
• 3-Ingredient Queso Cheese Dip