Page 32 July 2015 but also had her boss putting in orders. A few months, a kick-starter campaign and an Etsy business later, Fluff It entered Gilbert. Selling handmade and homemade marshmallows (many covered in intricate and tasty toppings), marshmallow pops and other gourmet treats, Fluff It has found a fanatical following looking for an out-of- the-box type of dessert. The most awesome aspect of the Fluff It shop however, has to be the s’mores bar! Kids – as well as grown-ups – can create their own handmade s’mores served in a graham cracker cup, stuffed with a large handmade marshmallow and topped with Tracia’s bounty of toppings, before toasting to perfection! This all-American treat has been taken to new heights. RITA’S ITALIAN ICE 4730 E. Indian School Road ritasice.com Rita’s Italian Ice, also known as Rita’s Water Ice, is an international franchise selling Italian ice, frozen custard and other specialty creations. A sensation on America’s East Coast, Rita’s arrived in Phoenix about five years ago and immediately found a following. With Italian ice made daily, most using fresh fruit, Rita’s is the ideal refreshment for the Phoenix summer. Custard is another Rita’s staple and when served together, Italian ice and custard become a marriage made in heaven. Try a Florida Orange ice with vanilla custard swirled in for an instant creamsicle. An Oreo cookie ice mixed with chocolate- vanilla swirled custard creates a rich and creamy dessert with just the right amount of chill. Or go for a plain ice: Lemonade, cherry, Sour Patch Kids or Starburst flavors are a big hit in our house. By Amanda Goossen When the sun is shining brighter than ever and the temps tend to rise above 113, we Phoenicians are always on the lookout for a way to beat the heat. For me, a food enthusiast, many of those ways happen to include food. Recently I took a tour around the Valley, searching out fun ways to treat the kids while also keeping them a bit entertained. Summer calls for pulling out all the stops and a few local shops not only satisfy a sweet tooth, but also get creative for the kids. FRACTURED PRUNE DOUGHNUTS 50 W. Jefferson St. Suite 100 fracturedprune.com The Fractured Prune has been an Ocean City, Maryland landmark since 1976 and a tradition for doughnut lovers far and wide. Recently making their way to Arizona, Phoenicians finally get to join in the fun. When entering any Fractured Prune around the Valley, doughnut lovers are presented with a pen and a paper menu, which looks similar to the sheets of paper you’re given at a sushi restaurant. All doughnuts are of the simple cake variety, but when decisions are made on glaze and toppings, each doughnut becomes a one-of- a-kind masterpiece. These doughnuts are fresh out of the fryer, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. If you ask me, they’re perfect. Create your own with the pen and list of choices, or simply decide on a tried and true menu item. I went with the maple glaze and cinnamon sugar. The final result was like a French toast doughnut! Whatever your creation, the kids will enjoy a moment of culinary creativity! MELT 910 N. Fifth St. meltphx.com Located in downtown Phoenix, Melt only serves locally produced ice cream from Udder Delights, made by Superstition Farms in Gilbert. While the ice cream is some of the most decadent (think super creamy and rich), it’s the flavors concocted by the ice cream creators that make this treat spectacular. Varieties range from Fruity Pebble, Nerds, Birthday Cake and then something as simple as vanilla. They even dish up each serving in a Chinese food takeout box, topped with a fortune cookie, putting this downtown hangout in a league of their own. FLUFF IT MARSHMALLOWS 1034 N. Gilbert Road Suite 3 fluffitmarshmallows.com Fluff It Marshmallows reinvented the American classic to bring you the biggest, fluffiest gourmet marshmallows around. When owner Tracia Medina entered an annual cooking competition at work three years ago, she never imagined that a marshmallow business would be the result. Her decision to try and create a great homemade marshmallow for the competition not only won her the prize amongst her peers, Treat the kids with desserts they can create themselves

Lara Broadrick Shawna Warner Rebecca Clayton Robin Orscheln