Category Archives: Dessert

We recently went on a camping trip, and it was HOT.  Hotter than normal this time of year which was both pleasant and unfortunate.  Pleasant because it was nicer than cold, rainy days but unfortunate because we didn’t have AC 😊 The only way to beat the heat was to make homemade ice cream.  Yes, you read that correctly.  We made ice cream, from scratch, while camping.  And it’s actually quite easy. First, you need to purchase an Ice Cream Ball.  The one we have is YayLabs! Soft Shell Ice Cream Ball.  You can find it at your local sporting goods store or online by doing a simple Google search.  They are reasonably priced and very fun to use. The ball has 2 sides that twist open.  You add heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla to one side, and ice and ice cream salt to the other side.  Roll around for 10 minutes, stir the ingredients and scrape down the sides, add additional salt, and roll … Continue reading

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Three words that come to mind when I think of key lime are citrus, sweet, and tart.  Key limes have a distinct lime flavor that can be hard to explain.  It’s tart without being overly acidic, very aromatic, has an elevated sense of flavor (more so than a standard lime), citrusy, and has a very subtle sweetness.  If you know, you know 😊 The flavor pairs well with many desserts, which is what I plan on sharing with you today.  Even better, it’s such a refreshing flavor that it’s perfect for this time of year! These are the recipes I have for you: Key Lime Pie Rice Krispie Bars Key Lime Pie Ice Cream Key Lime Cheesecake Parfait Key Lime Pie Martini   Key Lime Pie Rice Krispie Bars are a great combination of traditional Rice Krispie Bars loaded with key lime flavor.  They are sweet and slightly tart and everything you want in a Rice Krispie … Continue reading

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I love this time of year because all things pistachio start to appear in grocery stores 😊 Pistachio is a flavor I can’t get enough of.  It’s mildly sweet and has a slight almond flavor.  Sometimes they are salted but can be enjoyed raw, and they have this lovely pastel green color when used in recipes.  Most commonly, pistachios (or pistachio flavoring) are used in breakfast/brunch or dessert type dishes.  You can however use them on top of salads or perhaps in a pasta dish like Pistachio Fettuccine.  Pistachios can be on the expensive side, but I think they are worth the cost and make you appreciate cooking with them that much more! I have a handful of pistachio themed recipes to share with you today: Pistachio Bread Pistachio Pudding Bars Pistachio Cookies Pistachio Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting   Pistachio Bread is the perfect breakfast item because it can be enjoyed at home or … Continue reading

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Star Wars Day is upon us!  If you aren’t familiar, it’s an informal commemorative day observed annually on May 4th to celebrate all things Star Wars.  It’s not an official holiday by any means but any diehard fan is aware as observance of the day has spread quickly.  The title of this blog, May the Fourth Be with You, is a play on the popular catchphrase May the Force Be with You.  It you’ve watched the movies, you know what I’m referring to 😊 It’s a popular day for franchise fans and whether you plan on celebrating at home or in a galaxy far, far away, I hope you enjoy the recipes I’m going to share with you.  As expected, all are Star Wars themed. Here is a list of the recipe: Copycat Blue Milk Copycat Green Milk Stormtrooper Cheeseball Rebellion Pizza Chocolate Covered Pretzel Lightsabers   Copycat Blue Milk and Copycat Green Milk are beverages popular to … Continue reading

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Cinco de Mayo is coming soon – it’s Friday, May 5th.  Cinco de Mayo quite literally means the 5th of May in Spanish so it’s easy to keep track of the date 😊 If you aren’t familiar, here are 3 fun facts about Cinco de Mayo, 1) it’s not Mexico’s Independence Day, 2) it’s not a national holiday in Mexico, 3) it celebrates Mexico’s victory against Imperial France.  As you can see, it’s a relatively minor holiday that is celebrated regionally in Mexico….and pretty much everywhere in the United States.  In Puebla, Mexico it is celebrated with parades, parties, music, folk dancing, and traditional foods.  In the United States, it’s celebrated with Mexican food.  Are you sensing a theme to my blog post?  I’m going to share fun Mexican fares to enjoy for Cinco de Mayo or anytime you are craving Mexican food. Here’s my lineup: Homemade Flour Tortillas Slow Cooker Shredded Salsa Chicken Spicy Grilled Queso Chunky Guacamole Mexican Fried … Continue reading

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With Easter right around the corner, I want to share a few fun ideas for your celebration.  I’m strictly sticking with dessert, cocktail, and snack options here.  You don’t need me telling you what to bake for brunch or cook for dinner (or where to go out to eat if you prefer) 😊 My family has the same conversation every year about what we’re going to eat…and we always go with the exact same thing as the previous year.  It’s tradition, we know what to expect, and everyone looks forward to the meal.  I think the same applies to a lot of families out there.  So, that’s why I like to focus on the “sides” if you will.  It’s themed food that’s delicious, easy to make, and adds to the celebration in a way that doesn’t break tradition yet lets us enjoy something new.  So please enjoy the “treats” I’m sharing with you … Continue reading

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St Patrick’s Day is next week, and in an effort to get everyone excited about the holiday, I want to share some of my favorite St Patty’s Day recipes.  All are easy to make, themed for the holiday, and taste amazing.  The 4 recipes I’m going to cover in this blog can be standalone meals/appetizers or could be combined into one big SPD feast!  Here are the recipes: Irish Nachos Guinness Pulled Chicken Sandwiches Lucky Charms Marshmallow Bars Drunk Leprechaun   Irish Nachos are a fun twist on traditional nachos because they are essentially the same thing, but you use potatoes in place of tortilla chips.  The potatoes are sliced thin and baked until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.  They are topped with melted cheese, crumbled bacon, green onion, sour cream, etc.  It’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer or side dish that is perfect for your St Patrick’s Day party. The recipe can be … Continue reading

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Mardi Gras falls on Tuesday, February 21 this year.  It’s traditionally celebrated on “Fat Tuesday” which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.  It’s a wonderful celebration filled with plenty of food and drink…New Orleans style!  We like to celebrate Mardi Gras every year with a fun and festive meal at home.  Sometimes we are with friends and family and sometimes it’s just us.  Either way, the drinks are flowing, and the food is plenty.  Any reason to make a themed meal, right? I like to have a big entrée that allows us to have plenty of leftovers.  This year we are making Spicy Gumbo.  To keep us lubricated, we’ll be enjoying a cocktail while we cook.  And for an appetizer and dessert, we’ll be snacking on a simple themed treat.  It’s an easy menu that I’ll walk you through how to make! Mardi Gras White Chocolate Covered Pretzels – These are a wonderful finger food … Continue reading

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Valentine’s Day is a few short days away.  Do you have plans or know how you’re going to celebrate?  A lot of people have set traditions each year and like to go out to dinner or prepare a fun meal at home with their friends and/or loved ones.  We prefer staying in and making a meal at home.  We feel less rushed, it’s fun to cook together, and we can make something special to celebrate the holiday.  Two things I like to focus on when creating new Valentine’s Day recipes is desserts and cocktails.  Both will enhance your dinner and make the event more memorable and are required to complete the meal (in my opinion).  So, let’s walk through my new recipes and hopefully something will catch your eye to prepare for Valentine’s (or Galantine’s) Day! I’m going to start with the cocktails because 1) they are easy to make, 2) they are delicious, and 3) you need … Continue reading

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I previously posted a blog called Individual Dessert Cups where I discuss easy, no bake desserts that are mini-sized and served in 2oz cups.  They are perfect for a holiday gathering (especially with Christmas and NYE coming up) or would make great treats for a birthday party, picnic, or even a bake sale.  I think they are JUST the right size to satisfy your sweet tooth yet are small enough that you can have more than one without feeling bad about overindulging. You can make them in a variety of flavors, complete with cookie base, creamy filling, and themed toppings.  Here are the recipes I’ll be walking you through today: Individual Cookies & Cream Dessert Cups Individual Strawberry Cheesecake Dessert Cups Individual Pumpkin Spice Dessert Cups   Let’s start with Individual Cookies & Cream Dessert Cups.  These are easy to make, delicious, and perfect for any Oreo lover! There is an Oreo crust, creamy … Continue reading

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