Tiny and I were on a mission to get a Cupkates cupcake, because we had followed the truck out of its parking spot the week before, until the driver signaled to me that they were sold out. We tided ourselves over with a cupcake and a Mexican chocolate bread pudding from Whole Foods. But when the weekend came we were ready to try again. We chose a Sunday when we knew we'd have plenty of time to meet the truck and enjoy the little cakes. I ordered a Mexican chocolate cupcake which they got just right. Tiny picked vanilla, and she loved the frosting which is the only part of any cupcake she generally eats. I'm not a big lemon meringue pie person, but the cupcake of the same name is an experience. It is literally the pie in a baking cup, and so good in this small scale. Let them be little. ~ What treats does your family go out of its way for? ~

What could be better than having someone in your family own a frozen yogurt shop? Having them live closer! Until our cousin Tanya in Florida decides to open up a FroYo Fresh shop in California, we'll just to have settle for hearing about the cool, rather warm, toppings she offers, like walnut sauce and Nutella. And she loves hearing about the frozen yogurt that Tiny and I enjoy on a rather regular basis. She always chooses mint chip and strawberry yogurt. She varies her topping choices, but always gets one pink wafer cookie. I don't judge, but I don't understand the parents who only allow one topping choice. I don't know that the topping bar is the place to teach restraint. Yet again, maybe it is. ~ What frozen yogurt or ice cream toppings do your kids like? ~

Most kids first experience a snow cone from the Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine. But not my Little Guy. His first shaved ice came from the gourmet Skylite Snowball Truck, which we tracked down this afternoon in Emeryville. Tiny wanted me to get chocolate since I love it, so I got blood orange topped with Tcho chocolate syrup. It was delicious. Being the Disney Princess fan that she is, once she knew Jasmine was a flavor choice, she was set on that one! We found a shady spot on the sidewalk by the truck and enjoyed our frozen treats. We both had fun feeding the Little Guy with our small and large compostable spoons (which we kept). He preferred the blood orange flavor as far as I could tell. No chocolate for him yet though. ~ Have you partaken in the food truck revolution yet? ~

My friend Alicia, mother to a picky eater, an elementary school teacher and a very creative home cook, came up with her most ingenious idea yet. She has proven first, that if she puts sprinkles and white chocolate chips on anything, her daughter will eat it. And also that you can camouflage a lot of nutrition within a bowl of chocolate pudding. Her recipe is below, and it really is good. Tiny and I had to try it to believe it.

Sneaky Chocolate Pudding
Heat 2 cups unsweetened chocolate almond milk. Add 1 scoop 365 Whey Protein Powder, 1 scoop Amazing Grass Kidz Superfood Chocolate Flavor, 1 jar of baby food prunes and 1 small box of Cook and Serve Chocolate Jello Pudding. Keep stirring with a whisk until smooth. Pour into small bowls or cups and top with sprinkles and white chocolate chips. Refrigerate for at least one hour.~ Have you tried any sneaky recipes? ~

Well snack anyway. When helping host a trunk show for PeeWee Patch Kids, I needed one more treat to serve our shopping guests. Tiny had just picked out these cute butter pretzels at the store. I looked to see what else I had on hand, and found three dessert staples: chocolate chips, peanut butter and various sprinkles. I melted the chocolate chips with some peanut butter and a little milk in the microwave. I stirred it all up, dipped the pretzels squares halfway, and topped them with sprinkles. Tiny made some of her own too. The treats were a hit, almost as sweet as the outfits we were offering. ~ What last minute treats have you created? ~

The first email I received this morning was from my friend Mindy, and attached was a beautiful photo of hot chocolate cupcakes, topped with snowman-shaped marshmallows!  She made them for a holiday party today at her little Peanut's pre-school.  I have been thinking about them all day, wondering if they really taste like hot chocolate, and how much cocoa they have sprinkled on top. My Frrrozen Hot Chocolate obsessed friend knows that of anyone I would appreciate her newest baked goods.  I have searched and found a recipe that looks both simple and authentic. Now I just need to make up a reason to make them! However, I will top each little cake with a giant marshmallow, leftover from our menorah project. ~ Parents: What unique desserts have you replicated? ~