Kids' Treats Go Gourmet: Popcorn Mousse, Fancy Marshmallows and More

Aug. 9, 2013— -- With cupcakes being basically an entire genre of reality TV these days and cronuts being scalped for five times their retail price, it's no wonder every food entrepreneur is out to kick-start the next big snack craze. This summer's assortment of frozen fruit cocktails, popcorn mousse and, most recently, "gourmet" crisped-rice treats is proof: Kiddie treats have grown up and gotten sophisticated. So indulge without shame.

"Krispy" treats, Treat HouseWho would have ever thought that the simplest no-bake dessert in the daycamp handbook would someday become gourmet enough to merit an Upper West Side store? Moomba co-founder Chris Russell and wife Jennifer – inspired by their kiddies, no surprise there – think so. They're going all-in on the gourmet version of the Krispie treat, offering 16 handmade flavors like Chocolate Raspberry and Caramel Sea Salt. Everything's made in-store…and if it's too early to start with sweets when you visit, there are breakfast bars too.

Gourmet marshmallows by Mallow ArtisanSpeaking of marshmallows, these days grownups can admit to snacking on the fluffy treats without even needing them to be part of some composed dessert. People who used to beg their parents for the bulk-size bags of Kraft minis can now indulge in handcrafted Mallow Artisan flavors like Lavender and Key Lime Pie. The melt-in-your-mouth handcrafted treats contain no artificial flavors or preservatives.

S'More Tart, BLT SteakAnd what would a summer sweets roundup be without everybody's favorite campfire treat? In this version, you don't have to roast your own marshmallows, nor get a lap-ful of cracker crumbs. This is a fancy s'more you eat with a fork: graham cracker ice cream, blackberry marshmallow, and a gooey rich chocolate center.

Root Beer Float, Red's at Sea CrestAnother ultimate summer treat, the root beer float used to be a staple of ice cream parlors and soda fountain. While soda fountains are disappearing, this refresher has found a new position on frozen cocktail menus – especially ones that cater more to guys, like Red's beachfront sports bar in Cape Cod. No self-respecting Massachusetts man would sip a Pina Colada during the ball game –even on a record-breakingly hot day – but a root beer/ice cream concoction is fine, with or without booze.

Stuffed mini-cupcakes, Baked By MelissaTiny multi-colored cupcakes are adorable enough in their own right, but when stuffed with fudge, peanut butter and other yummy fillings, they became the half-dollar-sized diet cheat of choice for chic Manhattan ladies. They come ready-made in flavors like Peanut Butter Cup and Double Cookie…plus, taking bite-sized indulgence to the next level, the "In Chocolate" line featuring flavors like Coffee Caramel and New York Cream, dipped in chocolate.

Boozy Ice Pops, Loopy DoopyBooze-infused popsicles are a common enough summertime cocktail treat, but the problem is, they melt messily and rapidly. One Manhattan rooftop bar solves the problem by serving its frozen fruit pops in a large glass of Prosecco – so as your popsicle melts, it creates a delicious and well chilled Prosecco spritzer. Your fingers will still get sticky, but you're far less likely to drop half your cocktail on the floor.

Popcorn mousse, Caesars Atlantic CityPastry chef Deborah Pellegrino surprised some of her colleagues when she announced she'd be doing a popcorn mousse for a special event at the resort this summer. Mainly because how does that even work? No matter. The dessert's resounding success and very distinctive buttery-popcorn flavor have made it a signature of Pellegrino's dessert presentations. Oh, and by the way…it's topped with toffee and bacon. She doesn't miss a trick.

Liquor-filled empanadas, Havana CentralLatin America's ubiquitous street food takes a surprising twist in Yonkers, by way of Cuba. Not only does the mini-empire (Four restaurants in New York and counting) put empanadas on the dessert menu, but also morphs the mini-pie into a quasi-cocktail. You gotta chew to get to the booze. Flaky, buttery handmade pastries are filled with sinful centers and given mischievous names like Drunken Monkey (ripe banana, chocolate and Bailey's Irish Cream).

Neuhaus PralinesMost of us associate the chocolate-nut praline with ice cream, or with folksy candy shops in Charleston where they're sold by the bag. In Belgium, though, candy makers do away with the nuts and add a soft center – and sometimes, they put a little liquor in it as well. Belgian chocolatier Neuhaus sells a sampler box of 20 liqueur-filled praline candies…and just to underscore this product's gentlemanly luxury status, the box itself is leather.

Rock candy by StickySometimes, though, the most basic candies don't need a liquor infusion or even a fancy preparation to elevate them to "gourmet" standing. Sticky, the Hollywood candy store known for custom-made candy displays, will make just about any kind of sweet for its celeb and socialite clientele. The thing they're known for though is lollipops and rock candy…the simplest sugary suckers in the pantheon, hand-sculpted into rainbows, fruits, flowers and even monogrammed wedding centerpieces.