The last few weeks have been some of the craziest imaginable. Aside from finally scheduling my big dissertation proposal exam (this June! eep!!) and rewriting one of my articles from scratch for re-submission to a journal, I have finally registered with the school for medical wrist treatment so I can hopefully type with all of you again soon–write replies, comment on your blogs, and everything else I miss.
I’ll be back in the game again soon, so don’t lose hope in me!
Somehow, in the midst of all this craziness, I still have stories. There’s something about storytelling that makes a girl put on Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” and want to dance around the room singing into a stalk of celery. Loudly. And very badly.
Last night, a bunch of us in the swim club trekked out to the beach for a bonfire. The evening air was cool but mild: even in March, all we wore were light jackets over our tank tops (sorry, East Coast friends!) and flip-flops as we watched the sun set over the shimmering ocean horizon.
It was the quintessential college experience. By the time we arrived, all of the fire pits had been taken, so a group of us (and by “us,” I mean definitively not me) used our bare hands to dig out a 2-foot deep pit before jamming in firewood, lighter fluid, a lighter, and as many marshmallows-on-sticks as we could manage to flambe at once.
Empty pizza boxes to keep the fire from flying away.
Open bags of chips and salsa scattered across the sand, being picked through by oh-so-many dirt-packed fingers.
Rolled-up skinny jeans and late night ocean dashes.
Sand in everything.
My parents–for whom the closest we have ever got to rugged improvisation was reserving one of those tent-style camping cabins instead of the room in the lodge with indoor plumbing–would have been positively scandalized.
For the first time in a very long time, we were watching the world spin around us while time stood still. We laid down in a row, barefoot in the sand, and pointed out the constellations to each other–Orion’s belt, the North Star, Venus, Jupiter. One friend pulled out Star Maps and showed me all the crazy things I never knew existed in the sky.
And soon, the world stopped as well, though none of us could say when it happened, exactly. One by one, my friends got up to cook marshmallows and warm up near the fire, though one of my good friends stayed behind and we watched the world stop together for what seemed like an eternity.
Maybe it happened when he played “Thinking Out Loud” on his phone and we looked up at the stars and thought aloud and tried to imagine what sorts of crazy substances those astronomers were on when they decided to play connect-the-dots with the stars.
Or when we wondered what it would be like if we could reach up to the sky and pull a tiny trapdoor from that black ceiling and climb through it into the unknown beyond.
Or when somebody lit lanterns exactly like these ones from Tangled and launched them into the sky over our heads. And he saw a shooting star flash by.
Or when we fell into a serious discussion about how happiness and sadness come and go, but hope is all we have to keep us inspired to do something good in this world.
Or maybe it was gradual realization that we were just two small people, pausing, there on a beach, in the middle of our crazy metropolitan college lives, staring up into a night sky that everybody looks at but never really seems to see.
Time stood still in that moment, and so it makes sense that I’m sharing a timeless recipe with all of you today–because these Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites really will become part of your retro family tradition after you try them. My office loved these airy, fluffy, frozen, not-too-sweet chocolatey bites of delight. They’re no-bake and so easy to whip together, they’ll leave you time to enjoy the finer points of life that we sometimes miss when we rush headlong through the motions.
So cheers to slowing down and making time for ourselves! You deserve it–treat yourself, and don’t forget to see the stars next time you look at them.
When is the last time you slowed down and did something to enjoy the moment?
Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites for #SundaySupper
Frosty, no-bake heaven! These insanely easy-to-make bites are light, airy, and just the right amount of chocolatey sweetness: like lightened-up ice cream in portable form!
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup caramel topping
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups cold heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer cookies, crushed into semi-fine crumbs
Instructions
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and sugar.
- In a separate microwave-safe bowl, heat chocolate chips at 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until chocolate is completely smooth and melted. Add melted chocolate to cream cheese mixture.
- Add caramel topping and vanilla. Mix into cream cheese mixture until smooth.
- Pour heavy cream into a third bowl and whip with a hand mixer on medium-high speed, until cream is beaten to stiff peaks. Fold gently with a spatula into cream cheese mixture.
- Drop tablespoon-sized dollops of mixture into bowl of vanilla wafer cookie crumbs. Use a spoon to coat each ball completely with crumbs. Place onto prepared cookie sheet.
- Freeze all frosty chocolate bites until firm. Store in airtight container in the freezer for up to one week.
Bodacious Breakfasts and Appetizers:
- Classic Chex Party Mix from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Healthy Green Goddess Dip from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
- Homemade Doughnuts from Cosmopolitan Cornbread
Made in the Shade Main Dishes:
- Bacon Wrapped Individual Meatloaf from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Chicken ala King from Recipes Food and Cooking
- Chicken Rice Casserole from Curious Cuisiniere
- Chicken in a Basket from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Chicken Parisienne from Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen
- Chicken Pot Pie from Whole Food | Real Families
- Creamed Chipped Beef on Toast from FoodieTots
- Creamy Baked Pork Chops from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Individual Beef Wellingtons from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Mom’s Chicken Pot Pie with Cheddar Biscuits from Simply Healthy Family
- Mom’s Shepherd’s Pie from Momma’s Meals
- Ravioli di Magro from Manu’s Menu
- Salisbury Steak with Onion Gravy from Webicurean
- Sweet and Sour Pork Meatballs from Palatable Pastime
- Tuna Noodle Casserole from Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Uptown Goulash from Family Foodie
Swell Side Dishes:
- Creamy Lime Gelatin Salad from Magnolia Days
- Harvard Beets from Take A Bite Out Of Boca
- Retro Crock Pot Crabby Soup from Seduction in the Kitchen
- Roasted Broccoli Cheese Casserole from NeighborFood
- Seven Layer Salad from Lifestyle Food Artistry
- Wedge Salad from Our Good Life
Dreamy Desserts:
- Bananas Foster from The Redhead Baker
- Creamsicle Jello Mold from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl
- Hummingbird Cream Cheese Cookies from Dandelion Greens
- Jello Poke Cake from The Life and Loves of Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Mom’s Heath Bar Cake from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
- Old Fashioned Banana Pudding from Pies and Plots
- One, Two, Three Jello from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Original Mayonnaise Chocolate Cake with No Cook Fudge Frosting from A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake from Eat, Drink and be Tracy
- Raspberry Crunch from Peaceful Cooking
- Tunnel of Fudge Cake from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
The Bee’s Knees Beverages:
- Blood Orange Sidecar from Nosh My Way
- Crème de Menthe Parfait from Food Lust People Love
- Vanilla Bean Old Fashioned from The Texan New Yorker
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement
Wow, what a story! And what a wonderful treat too.
Thanks so much, Renee! You’re a gem. Happy weekend!
[…] Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl […]
That Ed Sheeran song is my FAVORITE!! Seriously, I’m obsessed with it. It just makes me feel good about life, ya know?
I’m going to play it nonstop today while making these dream bites. For sure.
YESSSSSS I’m so obsessed. It came on twice in a row on the radio last night and I was seriously jumping all over the car with my friend. hehehe. cheers!!
[…] Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
What a magical night, Ala! I fear that those of us who live in cities forget what it’s like to lay flat on this earth and peer up at the sparkling night sky. Thanks for taking me with you with your storytelling.
Those frosty chocolate dream bites sound marvelous as well!
You’re welcome a million times over, Stacy–getting out of the city is just so important sometimes! I think we all forget–I hadn’t been to the beach for almost 6 months before our last outing, so it’s never too late 🙂 have a great weekend!
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
this northeastern girl is going to pretend you were having a memory of warmer days. lol brrrr. Ok, these dream balls look lucious! I have never had one but would definitely not shy away from them, no matter how chilly it is outside!
haha Shelby, I’m sorry about your weather right now! I’ve heard about it from my friends….I’ll send you some sunshiney vibes 🙂 you’d love these though, they’ll make you feel right at home in the cold (sort of?) <3 have a great weekend!
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl […]
Oh, I’m loving these dream bites, Ala! Perfect way to beat the winter blues 🙂 And your beach time reminds me of trips to the shore with my high school friends in Vancouver—though, I think booze was more of our focus than the stars or philosophizing! Sounds like the perfect evening. I hope your wrist feels better soon—we need you 100% so you can keep writing and baking up a storm 🙂 xo
haha I’ll pretend you didn’t say anything about the booze 😉 we had our share too on the beach, actually, I think. And thanks so much–I’m in wrist braces, but fingers crossed! Can’t wait to start reading/writing more soon.
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
Yummy!!! These are right up my ally!!!!
As always, that’s a lovely story, Ala. I was being reminded about it too yesterday and now I’m taking a breath…deeply, lol. But these treats are awesome especially when baking is not a requirement. Woot woot!
🙂 I totally agree. I hope you’re getting a chance to slow down this weekend, too, Linda! You deserve it!
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
These sound like little balls of goodness!
Oh, you betcha! They light up my day 🙂 have a great weekend!
What a fun story… and recipe. I love all the yummy ingredients!
Thanks so much, Diana–I do too! I hope you’re having an awesome end of the week 🙂
Your night sounds fun. Those kinds of things always sound like fun to me, but I’m more your parents’ speed. I don’t really do outside, other than walks, during which I typically squeal every time I see a bug!
These bites look super addictive! Oh, and thanks for your comment on my blog. It means even more since I know you are still in pain. Feel better 🙂
Aw, of course I love commenting on your blog when I can! I guess the outdoors can have bugs, but I’m more terrified when I see them INSIDE my house, because WHAT they don’t belong there!! Hehe. So I guess we’re not so different after all!
These look so cute! What a great idea of summer desserts!
Thanks!! I know, it’s like, technically almost summer anyway, right? 😉 Have a stellar weekend!
I must be living this life wrong..I have no cool stories like you!! Oh congrats on getting a date!! Kick some butt 🙂 And of course enjoy these while you are writing and studying. They look amazing.
hahaha it wasn’t a date! But it was still really fun 🙂 I’m nomming on plenty of these to get me through this final week!
Great story, thanks for sharing.
You’re so welcome, Wendy!
Sounds like quite an incredible moment you had. And these bites look so incredible. I am on a no sugar month long challenge right now but as soon as that is over I think these would be perfect to make because we could just freeze some of them and take out only a few at a time. Trying to keep the overindulging we have done in the past to a minimum. 🙂
Ooooh good for you! How is the no-sugar month going? I seriously need to consider something along those lines, because I’ve been having way too much…anyway, this is a perfect once-in-a-while treat! Good luck with the challenge, Laura!
I love a good no bake dessert!
Yesss, my favorite kind, Cindy!
I have never heard of dream bites before, but these sound amazing! Cream cheese AND vanilla wafers?? Sign me up! Also, I’m going to need you to stop with the beach stories until I can at least see grass again. So jealous! 🙂
hahaha I’ll totally stop! At least for now–I guess I won’t go to the beach again for another few weeks at least 😉 cheers, Courtney–you’d love these little bites!
These look and sound delicious! Sounds like the perfect bite.
Absolutely! Thanks so much for reading, Mary Ellen <3
That sounds like such an awesome night! Yes to slowing down and scheduling your proposal exam! Hope your wrist feels better soon! Love these no-bake dream bites! They look amazing!
Thaaaank you, Kelly! <3 As always, you know just what to say. :)
You’re kilin me! These look amazing! They are a dream that I want to taste really soon! Great recipe!
Awww thanks so much, Val!! You’re the best, as always. Have a WONDERFUL weekend!
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You had me at cream cheese.
I think it had me at cream 😉 I love cream cheese so much, too. Cheers!
You brought back memories from when I lived in So Cal and we would hit the beach at night *sigh* good times! I had never heard of these little chocolatey yummies, but I sure need to give them a try!!
Ohhh, that sounds so wonderful! You must miss it so much. Night-beaching is the best! And I hope you totally do try these, they’re FAB–almost as fab as the night beach!
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl. Just the name sounds dreamy. […]
Aww, such a sweet story, and yes, as an East Coast girl freezing my ass off I must be jealous of your beach night. 🙂 Sometimes I find that time stands still when I’m cooking or baking something that’s a big project, and I can get really into it. I blast some music in the background and usually sing along very badly, and it’s an escape from all the worries and problems. I am quite looking forward to getting to a beach again though…
And I think I absolutely NEED these dream bites in my life! They look so amazing!
What! I’ve never seen anything like this before and wish I could try one right this minute.
Oh TOTALLY–I had the same reaction when I saw these for the first time! Hope you do, Erin! 🙂
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Dream Balls from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]
[…] Frosty Chocolate Dream Bites from Wallflour Girl […]