This month we were lucky enough to take a trip back home to Florida before Ava heads back to school. Ashton unfortunately had to work so my Mom came to Louisiana then drove to Florida with us. We had a fantastic end of summer vacation with my parents and made memories I will treasure forever. We explored Farmer’s Markets in both Pensacola and Destin, spent our afternoons playing at the splash park and having picnics, filled out bellies every night with local seafood, and, my favorite, enjoyed the beautiful Northwest Florida beaches.
My babies both love water and they are happiest at the beach and pool. Ava loves feeding the seagulls with her Papa, combing the sand for shells with her Oba, flying kites with her Daddy, and splashing in the warm ocean water! Stella, my happy baby girl, wasn’t too sure about the sand at first, but boy did she loves the water and the waves!
I just love the pictures I captured of my girls on the beach during our trip. They look so happy and carefree and I hope they always stay that way!
In honor of our Florida trip I made Beach Sand Pudding for my girls and I to enjoy on our final vacation days. The recipe was sent to me by my friend Jennifer last summer and I simplified it and made them in mason jars so they were perfectly portable for beach picnics! Add cute little chocolate shells on top and tie on a spoon and you are all set!
Sunset on Okaloosa Island with Papa.
My butterfly baby girl!
Stella wasn’t afraid to get messy! No surprise there.
Woah! Sometimes it’s hard to keep your balance!
Splish, splash! Ava {pretty much} got a bath!
Always the fashionista, Ava was all ready to scoop up some shells at Navarre Beach!
Stella loves her Oba and playing in the sand together is one of her favorite things!
Mason Jar Beach Sand Pudding with Chocolate Shells
Ingredients:
Fills 4 4-6 oz mason jars
- 11 oz box Vanilla Wafer cookies
- 2 chocolate Oreo cookies {or 4-5 minis}
- 3.4 oz box Vanilla Pudding
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups candy melts or melting chocolate
Directions:
- In a large bowl, prepare pudding according to package. It should say to mix the packet together with milk until smooth.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the chocolate shells using a candy shell mold {found at Walmart}. I used pink and chocolate color candy melts. Melt according to the package in small bowls and fill candy molds. You can swirl the colors too!
- Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to harden.
- Then pop out the chocolate shells from the mold and set aside.
- Next, add the vanilla wafers and the Oreos to a food processor.
- Pulse until crushed and the texture and look of sand.
- Layer pudding and sand in small 4-6oz mason jars {or you could do sand buckets too} starting with sand.
- Top with a few chocolate shells.
- Tie a wooden spoon on each jar with raffia and screw on lids.
- Then you are all set to take your puddings to the beach!
Adapted from: http://manouvellemode.com/2011/08/02/sand-pudding
In a large bowl, prepare pudding according to package.
It should say to mix the packet together with milk until smooth.
Chill for at least 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, make the chocolate shells using a candy shell mold {found at Walmart}.
I used pink and chocolate color candy melts.
Melt according to the package in small bowls and fill candy molds. You can swirl the colors too!
Place in the fridge for 10 minutes to harden.
Pop out the chocolate shells from the mold and set aside.
Add the vanilla wafers and the Oreos to a food processor.
I use 2 Oreos or 4-5 mini Oreos for this recipe.
Pulse until crushed.
It should be the texture and look of sand.
You can use any size mason jar you want.
I like the smaller personal size 6 oz ones.
Layer pudding and sand in mason jars {or you could do sand buckets too}.
Start with sand.
Add pudding.
Then repeat layers.
Top with a few chocolate shells.
Tie a wooden spoon on each jar with raffia and screw on lids.
You are all set to take your puddings to the beach!
Be sure to eat your chocolate first because it will melt fast under the hot sun!
My little beach babes loved their Beach Sand Pudding and their Florida vacation!
Can’t wait until we can visit again.
These pudding mason jars are adorable!! Looks like a great vacation too!
Destin!!! I grew up in Dallas and we vacationed in Destin a few times – we could get there by driving a couple days. It was always SO beautiful, I loved it. And the recipe looks incredibly yummy! Love that mold pan!
-Julie @ Texan New Yorker
Oh, wow! This is so creative and so adorable! I bet the kids (and big kids) enjoyed it!
These are simply adorable! We love spending time at the beach!
These are so cute. Perfect for kids of any age.
What a great way to have a dessert that reminds kids of the beach! I can't wait to make this for my little ones!
This is the cutest idea! And I love anything with vanilla wafers. I know that sounds boring, but I love how versatile they are. So cute to make them into "sand"!
I love these so much!! You know I love the beach and these are just perfect!
Looks fun! Beautiful family! Great pictures! Gorgeous recipe!