So are they bored yet? Summer’s just begun, but if your kids are anything like mine, they’ve already succumbed to the torpor of the Dog Days. Despite what our parental instincts tell us, summer boredom is actually quite good for our kids (learn why here).
Eventually, though, they’ll shake off the summertime blues. When they do, be ready for them. Bookmark 72 Days of Summer Fun and check in daily to win cool stuff — including tickets to the area’s best family attractions — and get tips on how to fill these extralong days.
One thing you won’t find on our 72 Days to-do list is the ubiquitous summer BBQ. (I’m sure you’ve already been to your fair share of backyard cookouts.) When my family’s invited to a barbecue, I usually bring what’s become something of a signature dessert: the cheeseburger cake.
This impressive-looking but supereasy confection is an amalgam of several Internet recipes I found about five years ago. The “bun” is made from two layers of vanilla cake; the “burger” is a circular brownie. “Cheese” is actually Cool Whip tinted with yellow food coloring. “Condiments” include kiwi “pickles” and strawberry “tomatoes.” The cake pictured here was for a championship victory party for my younger son’s roller-hockey team, but when I whip one up for a more adult get-together I sprinkle sesame seeds over the top — a fun optical trick that makes the layer look more like real bread.
Find the full recipe and further step-by-step pics on the cheeseburger cake board at Pinterest.com/metrokidsmag. Then make your own, take some photos and send them to [email protected] so we can share them. Don’t forget to ask the kids to help you assemble the cake; you’ll foster some of the self-reliance we talk about here.
Smile and say cheese,
Cheryl
Click here to marvel at some really amazing "That's a Cake?" cakes.
