Dream Of A Far-Away Beach Vacation While Keeping The Kiddies Entertained.

Maybe you're like me and had to postpone your Spring beach vacation this year. For us, it's the second year in a row that life got in the way of our vacation plans. Instead of whiling away the time with your feet deep in powdery sand and your nose even deeper in a good book, you're home trying to work while your kids are home from school. There are no play dates, no sleepovers and no playground time either.

Well, if we can't get to the beach, let's bring the beach to us!

Happy Cooks to the rescue with this quick and fun craft project that doubles as a snack or dessert! Nothing's cuter than a cup of blue jello that happens to look like a sunny day on the beach. The trick to getting suspended fish in the jello is to let it fully set and then make little cuts in the tops of the jello cups to slide in the fish at the end. Make these even more ocean-themed with other gummy candies such as gummy life savers, sharks, or different colored Swedish Fish. Whipped cream makes great sea "foam" too!

Feel free to make an adult-only version by substituting a 1/4 to a 1/2 of the amount of water with your favorite spirit. Yes, they are bigger than the usual jello shot, but extreme times call for extreme measures. And remember, you didn't hear that from me.

Mini Jello Beaches

Servings: 4 | Prep Time: 20 Minutes | Chill Time: 2 Hours

Ingredients:

• 1 Box of Blue Jello
• 8 Swedish Fishes
• 3/4 Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs
• 3 Tablespoons Butter, melted
• Cocktail Umbrellas
• A couple of antsy children

Directions:

1. Mix the Jello: prepare jello according to package directions and pour into 4 clear cups. Refrigerate and let set 1-2 hours. These stemless glasses work great.

2. Make the sand: Mix together graham cracker crumbs and melted butter, set aside.

3. Assemble the Beaches: With a wet knife, cut two slits in the jello in each cup. Slide 1 Swedish Fish* into each cut. Top with graham cracker sand mixture to cover the cuts in the jello. Top with a cocktail umbrella. Enjoy the beach!

Tip:

Run your knife and Swedish Fish briefly under water before sliding into the jello - this keeps them from catching and tearing the jello as they are added.

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