A Little Convincing
I can be very persuasive when I have to be.
It started when I was little and my brother and I would try to convince my dad to stop at Dairy Queen on the way home. We’d sit in the backseat with our imaginary line between us that we weren’t ever supposed to cross, each of us walking one pointer finger over the line periodically just to aggravate the other. As we neared fast food row, though, all tormenting was cast aside in favor of a common goal: DRIVE-THRU.
We had a ridiculous amount of faith in our ability to make convincing sound effects with our own mouths. That or we just thought our father was really, really stupid.
Time and time again, we actually believed that if we, at the exact moment my father passed the driveway to Dairy Queen, managed to make a sound that sounded like a turn signal, our father might honestly be convinced that he had turned the signal on and was in fact planning to turn in to pick up some “hot eats and cool treats” for the entire family.
And it worked, or so we thought. You see, my dad didn’t need any convincing, he just needed the power of numbers. Our “click-tok,” “click,-tok,” “click-tok,” between our tongues and our teeth would just give my dad the incentive to turn to my mom with a look that fell somewhere between “What are we going to do with those crazy kids?!” and “Puhleez, puhleez, can we stop, puhleeeeeez?!”
My mom would say, “But we’ve already passed the driveway?” Damn. We should’ve started “click”ing and “tok”ing 500 yards earlier!
“But we can just turn around,” I’d chime in.
“I guess we could…” Dad was on our side!
“Turn around! Turn around! Turn around!,” my brother would start chanting. There’s a fine line between being persuasive and being annoying, Brother.
At some point though, my mom would have to give in or else look like the Wicked Witch of the Minivan. Victory never tasted so sweet.
And now I am the convincee and not the convincer.
Gigi’s convinced that she’s a strong swimmer.
She’s definitely improved in a week.
We’re still working on that holding her nose thing, though.
Lulu’s convinced this is “Mr. Tomato Head.”
“No Lu, Mr. Po-ta-to Head. You try.”
“Mr. To-ma-to Head.” Right.
Then, a few days ago, my friend Holly tried to convince me to veganize the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard.
Okay, twist my arm.
Peas’ Peanut Butter Cup Shake
Makes 2 large or 4 mini- shakes
Peas’ Peanut Butter Cups: (based on this recipe)
- 1/2 c. non-dairy chocolate chips
- 1/4 c. natural peanut butter
- 1 t. nutritional yeast
Milkshake Base:
- 1 can light or regular coconut milk
- 1/4 c. organic powdered sugar (more or less)
- 1/2 t. vanilla extract
- 1 c. non-dairy milk
- 1/2 t. guar gum (optional)
- 1/2 t. xanthan gum (optional)
Melt chocolate in a microwave safe dish or a double boiler.
Set out four muffin papers on a plate.
In a smaller bowl, mix peanut butter and nutritional yeast.
Spoon one tablespoon of melted chocolate into each muffin paper.
Top with one tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture.
Carefully spoon an additional tablespoon of chocolate on top of each cup, so that the peanut butter is completely covered.
Freeze peanut butter cups until set.
Meanwhile, pour coconut milk into an ice cube tray.
Freeze for several hours or until set.
When both the milk cubes are frozen and the peanut butter cups are set, place coconut milk ice cubes in a blender, along with milk, vanilla, powdered sugar and gums, if using.
Blend until thick and creamy. You should also taste it at this point and see if the sweetness should be adjusted.
Cut the peanut butter cups into bite-size pieces,
and then carefully fold pieces into the vanilla base.
Serve.
Cry tears of joy.
I’m going to try to convince myself that if I add a scoop of protein powder, I can eat this for a meal.
Next stop, breakfast. “Click-tok,” “click-tok,” “click-tok.”
You are a genius. That’s all I can say right now. Dairy Queen better watch out, new competition is here.
Oh goodness!! I think you have outdone yourself! There can’t possibly be anything you can’t veganize between yesterdays cheese burger and today’s DQ!!!!
You are the official “Non-Dairy Queen”… Recreating the blizzard is something you should be inducted into some sort of Hall Of Fame for! You crazy.
I totally want to try out that milkshake base
Milkshakes are something I rarely consume, let alone make, but do love so much. And vanilla has always been my fave. Mmmm, milkshake.
HOLIGAMOLI! that looks awesome! your a geniusi tell you a genius!
Wow this looks amazing – I’m totally impressed! PB cup was always my favorite, followed closely by cookie dough and snickers =)
I see my PB Cup recipe came in handy.
I used to love love love DQ Heath Bar Blizzards when I was a kid. I was dairy intolerant then, and knew it, and ate them any way even though I got horrifically sick. I just didnt care b/c there was nothing better than going to swim lessons, riding my bike to DQ, and eating a blizzard during the summer. It was the stuff summer and memories were made of. I still have memories of those Blizzard-inducing stomach issues though!
Glad you have health-ified the almighty Blizzard. Oh I love the coconut milk cubes frozen, first. Then the rest into the Vita. Even the texture looks blizzard like!
Yes, I would like one mini-Pea PB Cup Blizzard and one Vitamix to get creamy and thick shakes at home. Thank you.
Order’s up!
No joke I just bought 3 cans of the coconut milk at TJs. Apparently I’m going to need it since I want to make this every day for the rest of my life.
Oh wow, that looks even better than a blizzard. I just had a mini blizzard the other day and it was a HUGE mistake. I knew it would reek havoc on my stomach, but I couldn’t resist and I paid for it miserably. I love that you have given me hope to still enjoy a milkshake without feeling like my stomach will blow up. You’re vegan ways are amazing!
I LOVE this. Blizzards were always a favorite treat when I was growing up!
My brother and I had the exact same invisible line but we would slap each other if we crossed the line! We are best buds now!
That is a lot of effort! Nicely done
Holly is a genius to ask you to do this and you are a genius to make it!!!!!
Looks so yummy! I used to ALWAYS get the pb cup blizzard at dairy queen, it was my fave!!!!!
love this!
So glad Gigi is doing so well with swimming too!!!
This looks so good. I’ll definitely be making this soon. Thanks!
holy cow – genius.
that looks so stinking good!!!
Oh my goodness. Amazing, amazing, amazing. I love this.
YUM! I love veganizing old family favorites and shocking them with it. Makes for a very happy family and a happy mama!
My FAVORITE childhood treat! Story is so similar except we were in a wood paneled station wagon…… Trying this today.
I think I just drooled on my keyboard!
OMG! That is all.
I love the imaginary line in the backseat comment. My brother and I did the same thing. We weren’t so much in to fast food however. Toys r’ Us was the name of our game. I’ll never forget the time our Dad told us we would stop, and then because of some cruel joke he was playing, whizzed right past the kingdom of toys. We sobbed. I still won’t let him live it down.
Laura
Your recipes are so creative. You definitely make me want to come up with more of my own ideas (even if they end up being flops!). This makes me want to eat a vegan milkshake!
Man, you’re getting more and more ballsy with your reinventions!!! Cheese-stuffed burgers, and now this?! You’re taking veganism to the next level
You are so awesome. Now can you make a vegan DQ chicken finger basket, with the fries and gravy?
Ew. But yum.
wow!!! cool!!! i LOVE DQ blizzards.. but they just kill my stomach.. so its one of those things where i have to plan to be in agony for a few hours after eating one.. lol
do you have a suggestion on how to make that for someone who may be allergic to coconuts?! (points at myself) i know everyone is using coco milk for stuff but, i cant eat that either, and it makes a great base for ice creams! so unfair.. lol
Amy, I’m assuming soy is also a no for you? If not, you could put soy milk in the ice cube trays or even (gasp) soy creamer. If soy’s out, you could use almond milk for the whole thing. I’m fairly certain MimicCreme is soy/coconut free, so that might be another option.
whoooo that is a great idea!!! i have seen Mimi Creme too, and i tried it before, it’s not so bad.. but i think that i liked the taste of the soy creamer better (horrible i know.. LOL)
good idea!!! that might have to be my weekend treat!!
“Healthy” vegan dairy queen redo!!! Sooo excited!
You AND your recipes amaze me day in and day out!
holy shiz, yes. i thought like okay…coconut milk ice cream and some vegan peanut butter cups = blizzard. this whole coconut milk in the ice cube tray and all that…GENIUS. i have amazing plans to make these as well as the burgers from last night for my family on labor day.
thank you friend! and let’s chat soon anyways – even if you haven’t started EPL yet
tears of joy indeed! excuse me while i go beg my husband a vitamix…
My bro and I drove my parents nuts on car rides. He always made us listen to Monty Python (what the heck??) and I wanted to listen to Barbie or my mousercize tapes. Crazy!
I have just recently found Dairy Queen, and I have to say… it is really good. especially plain vanilla in a cone. However, I have a feeling that it is completely unnatural and would LOVE to try this healthier version…
You’ve outdone yourself (and that is saying a lot!).
Oh my…now that looks fantastic! Makes me want to turn vegan….almost! Hehe.
Holy crap this is the best ever! I totally want to do something like this! Nice job MP on creating a fun and healthy treat.
P.S. The ad at the top of your page today is for Purdue chicken strips. Oh the irony. I also loved that!
You can blend my blizzard any day you evil genius you
Oh my gosh, that used to be my favorite Blizzard! I am in awe, Mama Pea. You’ve done it again!
You are the Non-Dairy Queen!!
Your version of a blizzard is pure genius! You can beat coconut milk and peanut butter cups together. Yum, I will be making this one soon!
Oh my goodness, this looks heavenly! I am definitely going to try freezing coconut milk in ice cube trays. I’ve only ever put it in my ice cream maker, and each time I have gotten nothing but a mess. You’re a genius.
Genius! I love it!
Ughh…this is such a cute story and looks like a phenominal recipe! My entire family used to go on vacation together, and every morning my Grandpa and I would “go get the paper” from the corner store, which was our secret for eating ice cream together at 8:00 am. No one caught on for years.
These look BETTER than the real things! Yup, I said it. Who knows what DQ adds to their delicious mixes. Here, we have MamaPea approved – obviously trumping DQ.
Those peanut butter cups look better than Reese’s and they look so easy to make! Definitely trying that out sometime.
You.are.my.hero.
“blizzard” for bfast is acceptable, right…?
this is so ingenious!!!!! kudos to you! i would never know how to make that!!! thanks for sharing a healthier version! cool!!!
Holy Vegan Ice Cream Love!
That seriously makes me want to have that for dinner tonight! Ok – I’m making that ASAP!
Hmm……My husband is the king of saying no to eating out. Sounds like me and the kids. My brother and I used to do that too, although when I was a kid and we would go on long trips one of us would get the floorboard and one would get the long seat. What were our parents thinking in those days, lol! My mom never required convincing though! My husband had 8 kids in his family and eating out was a rarity, but he has fond memories of singing McDonald’s songs when passing one!
I hope this one is going in your book – yum yum!
I mean- This is pure genius. I am making this very, very soon!
And that story about you and your brother in the back seat with the imaginary line…sounds verrry familiar
What a divine treat! I love that you made the “click” “tok” sound as a child. Very creative!
Truly amazing – you should win some sort of award for this!! Between the burgers the other day and a vegan blizzard, I might come move in with you. I’ll babysit. And you and Billy can talk about being attorneys but not really BEING attorneys.
*Standing ovation* I had a homemade sugar-free ice cream smoothie for breakfast yesterday morning and than scoop of protein powder took all the guilt away. It became a legitimate breakfast food. Love it!
I’ve made those PB cups – they’re fantastic!
W-O-W! This looks amazing!!
dang it mama pea! you keep pumping out one great recipe after another. i’m so far behind but i love trying to keep up. hmph, i have to wait an entire year before i can get your book (pouting), huh?. lol. well, it’s all good because i’m sure it’s more than worth the wait.
dude, can I move in? PUH LEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
I am at work right now and am seriously considering going home sick just so I can make one of these treats. I love anything with peanut butter and chocolate and used to go crazy for the peanut butter cup blizzards. This looks AMAZING! Can’t wait to try it.
You and Pea Daddio should def consider having another one. I mean seriously. They are precious and so smart for their age, and considering all the healthy food your pumping into them I’m not surprised (okay fine good parenting may have some to do with it..) But really, I think its time to get moving on to numero tres. I also think everyone here can agree with me. So thats 53485738465873 against 1 (or two) so HA!
I amy or may not be in love with you after this post.
I think I just drooled on the keyboard. That looks delicious — I am SUCH a blizzard fan. They were “born” the same year as me, so I use that as justification for having them.
I may have to give this a whirl!
Aww yeah I am pumped….I LOVE LOVE Blizzards and Reece’s is my favorite!!!! Definitely going to be making some this weekend and I just happen to have all the ingredients, sa-weeet!!!
THANK YOU!!
I am so glad that you’re not a lawyer anymore! That’s what I think every time I read one of your posts that is as good as this! It’s not just your recipes, but your writing skills are top notch! Very clever. Just thought you should know
Aw, me too, Cat. Being a lawyer was literally sucking my soul out of me. It’s nice to be me again.
OMG I love the coconut milk/ice cream. I was totally expecting to see some banana soft serve, but coconut milk. Amazing. I’ll have to give this a whirl.
brilliant! i haven’t had a blizzard in forever, i think i’m overdue!
hahaha.. that is hilarious that you’d make the blinker sound. what a classic childhood story. i love it. and your recreation of the blizzard is fabulous! yours looks better than the original. and of COURSE you can add a scoop of protein and call it a meal. that’s what i did this morning with my shake made with nesquik…
xo
Wow. Can I move in with you?
I have to make this.
Oh my! I’d take this over a blizzard anyday! I wonder if a food processor would work for the ice cream part?!
First of all – yum! This looks amazing. But I was wondering, what is the purpose of adding nutritional yeast to recipes? Is it just an extra vitamin and protein boost or does it have some effect on the texture of the ingredients? Just curious!
There’s hardly enough “nooch” in this recipe to make a nutritional difference. It just kind of adds a grittier texture to the PB (kind of like a Reese’s) and also a nutty, salty flavor. You could certainly omit it, though.
this looks BETTER than a blizzard!
mama, when are you gonna open up a restaurant so i can fly up and visit?
Anything with peanut butter AND nutritional yeast already counts as a complete meal! I am torn between my desire to eat this and my desire to shrink down and do synchronized swimming in the fluffy white cream.
This looks amazing. I cannot wait to try it, but unfortunately I may have eaten one (and by one I mean 5) too many of your double chocolate and cherry cookies last night. I think this recipe will have to wait until I recover from my binge.
Woah! You just created perfection in a dish. Seriously. That looks amazing, whether someone is vegan or not. Totally trying this.
Mama pea. You are just plain naughty. But I LOVE YOU!!!!!!! omg. drooool.
wow does that look good! Do you think I can use vanilla almond milk instead of the coconut milk? Or will that not work? (oh…just read above that would work….haha) What about the gums? If I leave them out, will it be runny instead of thick and creamy?? I really want to make this!!
The vanilla almond milk will work, but just won’t be as rich. And I think it will work fine without the gums, it just won’t be quite as thick and creamy. Good luck!
Great. About how many cubes did the can of coconut milk make?? so I can make the right amount.
1 can filled a 12-cube tray exactly!
Yum. Dairy Queen was actually my first “real” job. That looks fanastic. One suggestion though, I’m 90% certain the real thing has a little fudge mixed in as well (I htink I remember that from my DQ days) so next time you may want to consider adding that in as well.
If you use Maca instead of nooch, it tastes even MORE like a reese’s…i swear.
YUM!!!
There are even vegan PB cups if one is too lazy to make one. They are called Sjack’s. Soooo good. They also make mint, caramel, and almond butter ones.
Good point, bitt. I’ve had Sjaak’s and they’re good; though, of course, nothing tops homemade. Actually, the biggest variety of those was found Sundance Natural Foods when visiting Eugene, OR! Otherwise, http://sjaaks.com.
This looks so delicious! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… if I lived with you and had you to cook up yummy food for me all day long, I’d most definitely be a vegan!! It all looks so yummy!!
Wow! So yummy! I LOVE DQ’s Reese’s Blizzards! You are awesome when it comes to veganizing recipes!
YUM. i miss dq blizzards. my fave was the banana cream pie. oh heaven. i remember trying to recreate it at home, too. i should try it again…
one word: GENIUS.
can you make it for me when i come post 1/2 marathon race? except not coconut milk…i hate that stuff. almond breeze? i’ll even bring the carton!!!
Please don’t pack milk in your suitcase
Yes, I will make it for you.
My effing GOODNESS!!!!! Mama Pea, I cannot wait to try this! Finally, a Blizz that won’t kill my stomach and give me a headache (all dat shoog). I feel honored that I saw the original tweet that started it all…
I say Blizzard knock-offs morning, noon and night! xoxo
Okay, really?! I’m not vegan but blizzards kill my poor stomach… thank you SO much for this!