S'mores Candy Bars

Creative:

I was asked to teach a Relief Society class on Fun Family Home Evening Treats. I wanted to provide a refreshment that was both classy, but also fun! So I came up with S'mores Candy Bars.

I had made them before using marshmallow creme, as The Pioneer Women had, but it appeared in her blog that the marshmallow creme turned out too runny. So I used the tips from The Tip Junkie and ended up using real marshmallows instead. 

   

These are super easy to make. Simply line up graham crackers on a cookie sheet and place a marshmallow on every other cracker. The crackers without the marshmallow on them then get a few mini chocolate chips placed on them. Place the whole sheet pan in a 350-degree oven for about 2-4 minutes or until the marshmallow begins to poof. Remove from the oven and put the chocolate side on top of the marshmallow side and squish it down. Place the s'mores in the freezer. 

While they are in the freezer, melt baking chocolate - I used vanilla and chocolate-flavored - in the microwave. Let it cool for about 2 minutes before dipping the cooled s'mores into the chocolate and placing them on waxed paper. I finished them off with sprinkles for a whimsical touch!

Compassionate:

Like I stated earlier, I made these for a ward RS activity. Not only was I assigned to teach a class, but I was also asked to bring something to share with everyone that I would call a "fun" FHE treat. My family loves making campfires. And what goes better with campfires than s'mores? Thus, the idea became a reality. 

Some of these also found their way over to a family's home with a new baby as a congratulation gift. And yet more ended up at work with Shaner. They were a big hit in all situations.

Happy:

I am going to share what was included on the handout for my class. In a way, the things that make my family happy during FHE - treats - make me happy as I see my family become closer to the Savior and each other.

Fun FHE Treats

As defined on lds.org, “Family home evening is a time to strengthen family ties. We do this by learning the gospel together, by listening to each other’s feelings, thoughts, and ideas, and by enjoying activities together. It is usually held on Monday evenings.” President Monson has said, “We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest.”

Brothers and sisters, we are engaged in a battle with the world. In the past, the world competed for our children’s energy and time. Today, it fights for their identity and mind. Many loud and prominent voices are trying to define who our children are and what they should believe. We cannot let society give our family a makeover in the image of the world. We must win this battle. Everything depends on it…President Russell M. Nelson taught us in our last general conference that, from her on out, we must be engaged in “intentional parenting”. (Bradley D. Foster, It’s Never Too Early and It’s Never Too Late).

·         The Friend

o   Family Night Fun 2016

o   Family Fun Time 2015

·         The Ensign

o   Family Home Evening Ideas

·         For the Strength of Youth

o   Agency and Accountability

§  After discussing our ability to “choose”, enjoy some “chewy” cookies with milk

o   Dating

§  Make or buy a treat that reminds you of your first date with your spouse

o   Education

§  Learn about a new area of the world and, as a family, create or put the finishing touches on a dish from that region

·         For example, fry up some box-mix beignets and sprinkle them with powdered sugar – NOLA

o   Entertainment and Media

§  Popcorn and a wholesome movie! Get creative with the popcorn if you want by adding homemade caramel sauce, jello mix, m&m’s, or chocolate

o   Family

§  Campfire with s’mores

o   Friends

§  Invite a family over to play games. Each family provides their favorite game-playing snack

o   Gratitude

§  Thanksgiving-themed…Make (or buy) a pie and let your kids place the whipped cream on it using a spray-can

o   Physical and Emotional Health

§  Go to the park…and get ice cream after!

§  Or choose the more obvious treat and cut up each family member’s favorite fruits and veggies and serve on a tray with dip.

·         To be creative, make individual fruit/veggie cups with the dip at the bottom and sliced fruits/veggies on top

o   Sabbath Day Observance

§  Have a special Sunday Family Home Evening and end with an ice cream sundae bar (including, but not limited to: sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, caramel, and m&ms)

o   Service

§  After performing a service project as a family, share homemade cookies with the person/people you served

·         Scriptures/Seminary

o   Have your youth report to the family in a fun way, something that they have applied to their lives that they learned in seminary. Have that family member provide a special treat.

§  Noah’s Ark: Banana boat/splits with animal crackers.

o   Feast upon the words of Christ:

§  Each family member brings

·         Their favorite scripture story from the Book of Mormon (or any of the other Standard Works)

·         One dish that they like to FEAST upon

·         Family Home…Treat Night

o   Start with a prayer and simply make a fun treat together as a family

Treats to make with young children

Kids can actually help with anything. It all kind of depends on time limitations. A few classic kids-make-the-treat ideas include:

1.       Favorites: Each kid writes a few of their favorite treats on a popsicle stick. Every Sunday night, pick out one popsicle stick and prepare that treat for Family Home Evening the next night.

2.       Chocolate-dipped…anything. Have kids help dip fruit, cookies, truffles, cake balls, etc. into melted chocolate. Either eat right away like a chocolate fondue, or sprinkle with sprinkles and exercise patience while the chocolate hardens.

3.       Decorate sugar cookies. Have kids put sprinkles on pre-frosted cookies.

4.       Decorate cupcakes/cake. Same as above.

5.       Vegetable/fruit cups. Put dip in the bottom of clear cups and have kids place sliced fruits/veggies in it for the whole family.

6.       Milkshakes. Let kids pick out their favorite ice cream and flavorings to put into the blender.

*Pinterest is full of different kid-friendly treats. In fact, you can even just search for FHE Treats and a plethora will pop up. Get creative…by using others’ creativity J