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Cookies baked in a car and other hot weather favorites

Cookies baked in my car

When it gets very hot outside, it’s tempting to turn on the air conditioning and pour a big glass of icy cold lemonade, then simply sit around and enjoy the respite from the heat. I’m all for this approach but there are many other ways to take advantage of the summer heat. I’ve covered a number of my favorites on this site already and decided that a recap was in order to give us – you and me, both – a little hot-weather inspiration.

The ultimate summer baking project is one I tackled last summer: Cookies baked in a car. The inside of a car can get up to more than 180F when the temperature outside is above 100F – just hot enough to bake a batch of cookies. It takes a bit longer than a conventional oven, but doesn’t heat up the house and will leave your car smelling amazing.

To beat the heat, I like to make frozen desserts. On the top of my list for this summer are Homemade Ice Cream Drumsticks, which are wonderfully nostalgic and can be made at home with any flavor of ice cream you like. I’m also a big fan of Homemade Pudding Pops, in Cookies and Cream or Classic Vanilla flavors. You can make chocolate by starting with chocolate pudding. Crunchy Banana Pops are quite healthy compared to the two previous types of frozen treats, but are incredibly good for something so simple. This is one that it’s easy to make with the kids around.

Drinks are another way to cool down. Ice water and lemonade are always good options. For something a little different, go for an Arnold Palmer mix of iced tea and lemonade, a Strawberry Lassi that uses lots of fresh fruit and yogurt, or homemade ice blended coffee drink. Adults might want to have some margaritas or mojitos on hand, as well, since both are ideal drinks for hot summer nights and entertaining.

homemade ice blended coffee and a pudding pop

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4 Comments
  • Katrina
    July 22, 2008

    How fun! This would have worked great when we lived in AZ, as I was sure it would often get over 400 degrees in the parked car! You have such great, tempting to try recipes.
    We have a black car, I wonder if the cookies would bake faster because black gets hotter. Hmmm. My kids would think that is the coolest experiment ever.

  • KK
    July 23, 2008

    Thats a cool idea making cookies in the car. The ice cream looks yummy… Its too much hot here. And this will be a absolutely great treat.

  • Zoxtienteemax
    January 29, 2009

    bakingbites.com – now in my rss reader)))

  • CowEnawnboace
    February 1, 2009

    bakingbites.com – now in my rss reader)))

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