One of the best decisions we made a couple of years ago was adding a concrete pad off of our deck. It has become a popular hang out spot when we entertain…which we do a lot of!
As our flowerbeds have filled in and the trees and shrubs we planted have matured, it has become a private little spot to spend a summer evening.
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| Do you see my sweet Zoe? She wanted in on the summer fun! |
Bama Boy purchased my little patio set on clearance at the end of one summer as an anniversary gift, and we have gotten so much enjoyment out of it.
Of course if you don’t see Bama Boy hanging out up there you might find him here…
In his hammock. It’s a double one too…so often I find the girl snuggling up next to him enjoying a snooze in the sun.
At the same time as we made our patio area, Bama Boy also built our fire pit! He did such a lovely job on it and we get so much use out of it almost year round. I love that it’s a square! So unusual. We’ve become known as the “fire pit hangout” and we love to see it surrounded by neighbors or teens over for a Friday night bon fire!
We love making s’mores in our fire pit. In fact having s’mores at our family get togethers has become a family tradition.
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| My nephew Ian enjoying a s’more…really enjoying a s’more. 😉 |
but if you like the taste of s’mores and not the mess you might enjoy this recipe!
Mini S’more Cheesecake Trifles
It’s a perfect way to serve the taste of a s’mores to a large group!
With all of the goodness of the traditional S’more in a sweet little package.
Mini S’mores Cheesecake Trifles-At The Picket Fence
Ingredients:
8-10 graham crackers squares
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 tsp. course salt
1 tub Philadelphia ready made cheesecake filling
12 oz. bag of semi sweet chocolate chips
1 jar marshmallow creme
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 tsp. course salt
1 tub Philadelphia ready made cheesecake filling
12 oz. bag of semi sweet chocolate chips
1 jar marshmallow creme
1 cup mini marshmallows
Directions:
Allow cheesecake filling to come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. finely crush graham cracker squares by either pulsing in food processor or placing in Ziploc bag and crushing with rolling pin. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt and melted butter. Press into bottom of small metal pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and crumbly. Allow graham cracker crumble to cool.
While graham crackers are baking, melt approximately 1/2 of chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl according to package directions. Allow chocolate to cool slightly and then combine half of cheesecake filling in with chocolate mixing well. If chocolate starts to cool and harden put mixture in microwave for 10 seconds to warm back up and incorporate fully. Set aside.
Remove lid from marshmallow creme and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Combine 1/2 to 3/4th of marshmallow creme with remaining cheesecake mixture. Set aside.
In small trifle dishes, layer a generous tablespoon of graham crackers, 1 large dollop of chocolate cheesecake filling, 1 large dollop of marshmallow cheesecake filling, layer with additional tablespoon of graham crackers. Top with toasted marshmallows*, a few chocolate chips and a quarter of graham cracker square.
Allow cheesecake filling to come to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. finely crush graham cracker squares by either pulsing in food processor or placing in Ziploc bag and crushing with rolling pin. Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, salt and melted butter. Press into bottom of small metal pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown and crumbly. Allow graham cracker crumble to cool.
While graham crackers are baking, melt approximately 1/2 of chocolate chips in microwave safe bowl according to package directions. Allow chocolate to cool slightly and then combine half of cheesecake filling in with chocolate mixing well. If chocolate starts to cool and harden put mixture in microwave for 10 seconds to warm back up and incorporate fully. Set aside.
Remove lid from marshmallow creme and microwave for 10-15 seconds. Combine 1/2 to 3/4th of marshmallow creme with remaining cheesecake mixture. Set aside.
In small trifle dishes, layer a generous tablespoon of graham crackers, 1 large dollop of chocolate cheesecake filling, 1 large dollop of marshmallow cheesecake filling, layer with additional tablespoon of graham crackers. Top with toasted marshmallows*, a few chocolate chips and a quarter of graham cracker square.
*If you do not have a butane torch to toast the marshmallows; you can place a layer of mini marshmallows on a cookie sheet on the top rack of the oven under the broiler for 45-60 seconds. Watch carefully because the will burn! Use a spatula to remove and layer on each trifle.
Sure wish y’all lived closer and could come spend an evening with me in our favorite summer space to entertain….
….Our lovely backyard!
Now it’s your turn to share your favorite Summer Space and/or your Summer Entertaining Posts! Head over to visit Sherry at No Minimalist Here to see her fun post on Summer Entertaining and Jenna at SAS Interiors to see her lovely post on Summer Spaces. When you link up any of your summer themed posts they will appear on all 12 blogs hosting the Blogger Block Party! So head on over to both of these fabulous blogs and link up!
Also we have 12 items we are giving away! The only requirement to be entered for a giveaway is to…LINK UP (a summer themed post) and LINK BACK!
Also we have 12 items we are giving away! The only requirement to be entered for a giveaway is to…LINK UP (a summer themed post) and LINK BACK!
And thanks for hanging out with me in my backyard…at the picket fence!
This post is partying with:
Great outdoor area to enjoy. Love your fire pit and that recipe sounds good. I love smores.
What a great place to have a party, Looks like you all are having fun.. love all the lights
Pattie
What a great setting, Heather! I love that umbrella ~ it covers a lot of area! Love the fire pit, too. We did the store bought version of a fireplace(?) and enjoy sitting out by it at night in the Summer.
Looks great out there! I’d be spending a lot of time out there, too. Lovely sitting area with lots of green… and nice fire pit! I love s’mores : )
You have created such a lovely spot to sit and relax and just hang out. Love the fire pit! I’ve been wanting to add one to our backyard for a while now.
This is such a lovely & inviting space!
What a fun cozy area! I wanta come over and have a s’more or two!
and Oh the cheesecake!! I’m pinning this recipe!
Happy Summer Ladies!
Your backyard is indeed a lovely place to hang out! I love the firepit! What a great place to have a fun family evening!
What a great spot! Love that firepit, oooohh, and i also love smores, yum!
Heather your backyard looks so comfy!! We have that exact Better Homes & Garden patio set that we got on clearance too last year!! Everything looks fabulous!
What a gorgeous place to spend and entertain all summer long!! I love the fire pit, here, in Cuenca, we used them a lot, they’re perfect! I’d be dropping over for some BBQ! Have a nice weekend, I will be linking, thanks for hosting too! FABBY
Love it. I am getting tons of ideas from your party. We are having a concrete patio put in our next house so great timing. I would LOVE to see a tutorial on that fire pit. That would be the perfect addition to our new backyard!
Amy
Now that’s one great place to have a party! I love the fire pit.
Dee
What a lovely place to entertain. I love s’mores so I grabbed your recipe and I’m going to give them a try. Sounds yummy!!
Fabulous outdoor space.
One more s’more gone 🙂
It is such a beautiful spot Heather, I love everything!!! Thank you for the recipe too, I book marked it and will have to try it soon!!
Enjoy your outdoor space!!
xo
Well, Heather, you know if I lived closer I WOULD be over there enjoying a bonfire with you…we could talk about your sister!;>) shhhh… And I could see those kids up close and personal. Love the firepit..we have one and don’t use it near enough. xo Diana
What a beautiful outdoor space. Love your fire pit and hammock too.
Gorgeous Heather~ What a wonderful outdoor area! Love your fire pit!! 🙂 Hugs, Courtney
What a beautiful outdoor space. Love the firepit!
This is a great outdoor space, Heather. Love the firepit and yes I would love a smores.
xo,
Sherry
Beautiful place to hang out! I LOVE yalls firepit! We enjoy hanging around our firepit roasting marshmallows as well.