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Wednesday 14 August 2013

Review: 150 Best Desserts in a Jar by Andrea Jourdan

I knew I would love this book as soon as I saw the title. I don't know about you, but I am a huge dessert fan! To have a book jam pack 150 different dessert recipes inside was fantastic! Some healthy, some indulgent, something for everyone. I felt like the author of this book wrote specifically to me in most of her recipes. She seemed to know what types of dessert (sweet, sweet and salty, sweet and spicy) I like to eat and there was a great variety of each of them.

It was nice to see some easy, quick and delicious desserts! Author Andrea Jourdan touches on all the sweet spots I knew I had, and some that I didn't know were even there! She shares 10 KEY Tips to making Jar desserts, things you wouldn't even think of! At least, I didn't.

The book itself was comfortable to read, a good size, lots of coloured pages. Being a very visual person, having coloured pages is really important to me in cookbooks. It helps me understand what my attempts should look like after I'm done. I've had some pretty interesting results in the past, not having a picture reference ;).

On top of the 10 key points, there are a lot of other tips that will help even the most novice in the kitchen with making these recipes. All throughout there are Make Ahead tips too! Seriously, a mothers' best friend! Make ahead anything is helpful when you're strapped for time. And what mother isn't strapped for time? This book is definitely for you moms out there who love to save time and money. Think about it, you spend one afternoon a week making jarred desserts for the week....no more spontaneous trips for ice cream/snacks/what have you. No need :)

These would be delicious and would go over well with a crowd for those special occasions. I appreciate that this is an eco-friendly way of individually packaging goodies. No little cupcake liners, or disposable dishes required!

I couldn't even just choose one recipe to share with you...I'll be sharing another great recipe tomorrow! So I hope you'll come back to see what it is!


Peach and Mango Parfait

Peach and Mango Parfait, page 198

Two of everyone’s favorite fruits in one scoop, plus a dash of maple syrup to sweeten. Not only is this dessert delicious, it is especially easy to prepare. 


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Tip: For better results, use pure maple syrup. Maple-flavored and other artificially flavored syrups should be avoided because they have none of the benefits of real maple syrup and they contain too much sugar. Pure maple syrup is actually a healthy sweetener. It provides manganese, zinc, potassium and riboflavin, among other nutrients.

You can purchase canned mango purée at most supermarkets. You can also make your own. To produce the quantity required for this recipe, purée 4 large mangoes (you may need a bit more or less, depending on the variety), 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) granulated sugar and 1 tbsp (15 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice.

• Six 8-ounce (250 mL) tall jars


PEACHES
4 peaches, peeled and sliced 4
1⁄2 cup maple syrup 125 mL
MANGO PURÉE
3 cups plain yogurt 750 mL
2 cups mango purée (see Tips) 500 mL
2 tbsp sliced almonds 30 mL


1. Peaches: In a bowl, combine peaches and maple syrup.
2. Mango Purée: In another bowl, whisk together yogurt and mango purée. Fold in almonds.
3. Assembly: Spoon half the mango mixture into jars, dividing equally. Cover with peach mixture, dividing equally. Top with the rest of the mango mixture and serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings


 Excerpted from 150 Best Desserts in a Jar by Andrea Jourdan © 2013 Robert Rose Inc. www.robertrose.ca May not be reprinted without publisher permission. Credit for photos: Philip Jourdan




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Disclosure: I received the item in this post free of cost for review purposes. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

145 comments:

  1. My husband would love this!

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  2. i'm going to remember this my bf would love this!!!!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Natasha! I hope you both love it.

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  3. I just started seeing the meals/desserts in a jar a few months ago. I'm very intrigued by the idea & I think I'm going to have my daughters & daughters in law come over for a day & we'll make some up together.

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    1. That sounds like fun, and such a great idea! :)

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  4. I have a daughter in law who is our dessert maker for most all of our get togethers and she is constantly bringing desserts to church functions and likes to give personal gifts to others she would love to have a book like this. I like that you in your review talk about how visual it is and how easy it is to read and follow directions. Thank you for sharing your review with us.

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    1. Thanks Dorothy! I think she'd definitely love this book. There are tons of great gift ideas!

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  5. That peach and mango parfait looks fantastic. I like the idea of desserts in a jar.

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    1. Same here, Marti! Such a unique dessert idea.

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  6. What a neat book! I'm always looking for unique desserts! That peach/mango parfait looks VERY good.

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    1. Mmm...I agree Talia! So yummy looking, I bet it tastes even better ;)

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  7. I never thought there were so many recipes for desserts in a jar. These would make great Christmas gifts.

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    1. Yes! I was thinking along the same lines of christmas gifts :) I'm sure your family and friends would love something like this!

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  8. This would be great! The only dessert I've seen in a jar is cookie mix.

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    1. Hmm...cookie mix is probably the one that I haven't seen. I'll have to look that up, sounds like a great gift idea as well!

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  9. Well I have lots of empty jars that I could use

    meikleblog at gmail dot com

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    1. It's the perfect recipe to put those jars to good use! :) Thanks for reading Vesper.

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  10. This is perfect! printed it out!

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    1. Yay! I'd be curious to know how you like it, feel free to come back and share!

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  11. They sound great!

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  12. Love this idea. These would really make great gifts.

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  13. Wow. That looks delicious! :D

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  14. I just finished a jar of Peach and Mango preserves and I though that was good-this is incredible, and easy! I need easy since I'm a wreck in the kitchen! Pinned it to remember and going to put the book on my wish list. Thanks for the post-can't wait to try it! ~Raine~ buzzyngabe(at)yahoo.com)

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  15. Oh yum - that parfait!
    This would be a great gift.

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  16. Yum! I love mango anything, so this looks great.

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  17. The peach and mango parfait looks amazing I will be trying this real soon.

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  18. This book looks awesome! I am going to be checking this one out very soon and trying stuff cause I live with just my daughter and she won't eat desserts so dessert for one is absolutely perfect! Thank you for the recipe to try too!

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  19. Oh wow, this looks amazing! I would love these for a party, easy to make up ahead, and easy for the guests to walk around with!

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  20. This looks delicious! I really want to try this, thanks for the recipe!

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  21. That peach dessert sounds so yummy!
    And you've inspired me. I'm making a rainbow jello dessert for my DD's birthday. I think I might try it in cute mason jars.

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  22. It sounds delicious and also healthy. I'd try it with 0% fat Greek yogurt.

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  23. I would love to pick up this book. I've been trying new things and these ideas are marvelous.

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  24. I have always wanted to try to make a desert in a jar, but could never find a recipe so thanks

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  25. I would love to try some of these recipes

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  26. I didn't know there were so many dessert in a jar recipes!

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  27. These look like fun. This would be neat to use with my kiddos.

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  28. This looks so yummy, I love that we can make these delicious treats in jars. Thank you for sharing.

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  29. Looks like fun to make and eat for the kids!

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  30. That parfait looks delicious!

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  31. i have a ton of jars i could use!

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  32. I will have to check this out, I love cooked ahead meals and cook ahead desserts would just be that much easier.
    upstatemissy@gmail.com

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  33. This is so cool,,looks like a great book,and that parfait,,yum!!
    (Karla Sceviour)

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  34. Mmmm...that sounds so delicious! Thanks for sharing :)

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  35. Very interesting and neat way to serve your dessert. This book looks like it have very different recipes to tempt any taste. Yum!

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  36. ooooh! that looks delish! book looks great too! thanks for sharing a recipe! yum!

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  37. Thanks for the recipe example...sounds easy and delicious!

    Barrie

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  38. I love making desserts, i have to give this a try

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  39. I love this, would be fun to make and a cool gift to give to others.

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  40. I love desserts in jars, mugs, etc. This sounds awesome!

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  41. Lookes like a great book. My wife is huge dessert fan and she loves trying out new dessert recipes.

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  42. Looks yummy !!! I could really use this book, I am not very good at desserts lol :)

    shebebes@yahoo.com

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  43. I would love to have this book, I had read about it on another site a few months back and thought how awesome.

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  44. Oh, I just love peach and mango together. I'll definitely have to make the Peach and Mango Parfait!

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  45. The Peach and Mango Parfait looks amazing and I want to try it. YUMMY :)

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  46. That peach and mango parfair looks delicious :)

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  47. How genius is dessert in a jar?! Just make a bunch and eat as you have a craving. So much easier than making dessert every night!

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  48. That sounds really yummy - going to have to try making tonight

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  49. Dessert in a jar ... I've died and gone to heaven! What a great idea! And perfect for my son who's in residence at university :)

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  50. My mom has a coworker whose son got married a few weeks ago. They did an outdoor country-style wedding and instead of traditional wedding cake they had different cakes in a jar. I thought it was a neat idea, and clearly there are a lot of different desserts you can make in a jar.

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  51. sounds perfect for picnics - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  52. YUM YUM YUM, I think I now have hunger pangs lol. I am a cook at home and a chef during the day, think its up my alley? I think so.

    Kevin Linkie

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  53. These both look so good and I can't wait to try them.

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  54. This would be an awesome book to have around for the holidays! It contains some great gifts for not a lot of money!
    Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

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  55. abrennan09@hotmail.com
    Desserts in a Jar!! What could be better! They sound easy overall - I love the ideas. And the small tips are so useful, esp. when you don't bake as much as others might. The thing about using the pure maple sugar was interesting - and I learned that "Pure maple syrup is actually a healthy sweetener. It provides manganese, zinc, potassium and riboflavin, among other nutrients." Makes this recipe even better!! Thanks - I'd love to win!!

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  56. This is a fantastic idea! My husband would really like this because he often says that big desserts go to waist sometimes because we can't eat it all. This way I could make something for him in his own size jar that he really likes!!

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  57. this is a great idea - think this would be perfect for "take-homes" at a dinner party!

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  58. Ooh, beautiful AND delicious!!

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  59. Peaches and mangos, oh my! And it looks pretty too.

    slehan at juno dot com

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  60. I love the idea of this... I have never thought about desserts in a jar, but the desserts look nummy!

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  61. I had no idea that such a thing existed to begin with, but now I certainly got some inspiration for dessert. Thank you.

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  62. What great ideas/recipes, I am going to share with my friend who is a great cook.

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  63. Can't wait to try this for my kiddies as a special after school snack!

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  64. Great that there are tips for remaking the recipes in a jar.

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  65. This Peach and Mango Parfait looks so good! I'll have to check out more of these recipes.
    (rafflecopter name: Cheryl Grandy)

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  66. I love these . Thanks for sharing these great recipes !

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  67. I think these would be great for a child's birthday party,in the smaller jars.These look so delicious and festive.Thanks for the great recipes.

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  68. Thank you so much for sharing. I have been talking with my daughter and we are going to make some gifts in jars for Christmas this year. I know everyone will enjoy them, of course we will too because we get to try them first.

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  69. Thank you so much for sharing. I have been talking with my daughter and we are going to make some gifts in jars for Christmas this year. I know everyone will enjoy them, of course we will too because we get to try them first.

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  70. Thank you so much for sharing. I have been talking with my daughter and we are going to make some gifts in jars for Christmas this year. I know everyone will enjoy them, of course we will too because we get to try them first.

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  71. The desserts look so yummy! I'd love to try some of those recipes!

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  72. Josh - they look and sound delicious - yumm

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  73. Wow, jar desserts are adorable! I never thought of that before.

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  74. I have always liked jar desserts. My husband and I just enjoyed a black forest mouse jar dessert. They are so yummy!

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  75. These look mouth watering, going to have to ask my wife to make these for me. Thank
    you for the excellent recipe.

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  76. I would love to get my hands on this book! These desserts would be great for parties. :)

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  77. I think I would love this too! I am having all kinds of sweet tooth cravings this pregnancy. Also, thanks for sharing that recipe :) we have about 20 lbs of peaches that we picked at the orchard the other weekend and not sure what to do with them all.

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  78. Wow, peach and Mango sound amazing together! Thanks for the recipe!

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  79. This looks tasty! What a great idea. I love the simplicity of it and peach and mango are so good!

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  80. Makes me hungry just lookin at it!

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  81. Yum, that looks delicious! I also need pictures for any recipes I am making.

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  82. I've never done this - it looks like fun.

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  83. What a cool idea, now I'm hungry!

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  84. Going to try this tonight Thanks!

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  85. These look absolutely amazing! I need to try this!
    addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

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  86. Oh my mouth is watering! It's nice to treat yourself to a dessert when it's healthy and fruity, theres less guilt! :) x

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  87. This would be fun and easy to make, and something you could store for a few days for a grab-and-go snack. I love this! So refreshing! Can use stuff right from the garden during the nice weather!

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  88. This is a great idea. My children would love eating dessert in this manner. I will definitely be trying this at home.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

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  89. The peach and mango parfait looks amazing.

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  90. This would be a cute gift for my bridesmaids at my upcoming wedding! :)

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  91. This recipe sounds and looks yummy! I love pure Maple Syrup, it can't be beat. This would be a very nice addition to my cook book collection. The Make Ahead Recipes are an especially nice added touch and such a time saver for any busy woman today.

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  92. wow this is really amazing.. great idea.. thanks for sharing.

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  93. Love all the recipes! Im a huge desserts person!

    Amanda Sakovitz

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  94. i like that so many of the desserts are healthy!

    rafflecopter: daniel

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  95. I love peaches, mangoes and dessert in a jar. This looks so yummy.

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  96. I love making things like this for Christmas gift baskets.

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  97. Looks interesting. Would like to get some ideas from this book.

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  98. I really love this and the recipe sounds yummy.

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  99. When I'm in a rush, a jar of peanut butter seems like a tempting dessert.

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  100. Dare I say it... this incredible dessert looks very Canadian to me, eh??!

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  101. At first, I would have thought this was a summery dessert. But with peaches in full ripeness, and a new jug of pure maple syrup, I would love to try this! It sounds delish!

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  102. That sounds good and looks pretty. Thanks for the recipe.

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  103. My guys, jr and his dad, love anything mango....a must try!

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  104. Oh that sounds delicious. I think once peaches are in season it will be time to try this recipe.

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    1. That sounds like a great plan! I think I may just do the same ;) Thanks for stopping by Lori!

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  105. Yum looks really good. I love peaches & just became a fan of mango. I'd deff. have to try this and maybe try a strawberry & yogurt or something. Thanks for the recipe!

    Live Laugh Love
    Tara L

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    1. ooo, I'm glad you have discovered the goodness of mango! :) The strawberry and yogurt sounds like itd be good too. Thanks for reading Tara!

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  106. This is a super unique cookbook I would love to have, the pictures are so good looking. Thank you, Jerri Davis

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  107. this looks so yummy i should really start making things instead of pinning them LOL

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  108. my grand daughter would love this, thanks for sharing the recipe!

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  109. Yummm, mango is one of my favorite fruits, and I enjoy pretty much everything that it is made with. This looks delicious and easy to make! I think this is going to be made this weekend!!

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  110. I love the recipe. I will definitely be using it. Thanks.

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  111. Two of my most favorite fruits ever I will make this thank you so much sweeps.nerd@aol.com

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  112. My desserts have gotten, well, um boring. This is cute, unique and oh, so eye catching. I can't wait to try. I pinned it- to remind myself to try this soon. Thanks!

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  113. This is a great idea-looks like something kids and grownups would love! (Rafflecopter: Taj Kingston)

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  114. I've yet to try my hand at the recipe in a jar phenom - but this one is just too tempting - and not just because I LOVE both Peaches and Mangoes...

    When we were kids my Grandparents retired to Florida and had MANGO Trees in their backyard. I was like being in a magic kingdom and the mangoes (which we could not get back home!) were growing like weeds!. She made EVERYTHING with them - from breads to pies, to salsas - but our favorite were her divine Mango Parfaits which she only made for special occasions.

    While this recipe has peaches too (which I also love) even in this rotten weather year - around here mangoes are now in abundance just about all year 'round. So I look forward to making this recipe (like Grama did - sans the peaches as my Honey/Hubby is allergic to them!) But otherwise I will follow the recipe (Grandma never wrote her's down) and we will enjoy it and "toast" her on what would have been her 122 Birthday on April 17th. Thanks! For the recipes and the happy memories it brought back.

    Jesselyn A/Jesstinger
    jessterlyn(At)aol(dot)com

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  115. Mmm, dessert! I love getting new dessert ideas, I may need to give this a read! :D Thanks for sharing.

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  116. YUM! We're huge suckers for dessert! Looks like a fantastic read!

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