Spritz Cookies

I’m back with another cookie recipe using some of my favorite OXO tools, specifically OXO’s cookie press, disk set, and Ceramic Pan!

Every year, OXO supports Cookies for Kids’ Cancer and the fight against pediatric cancer. Before I share my cookie recipe for Spritz Cookies, I want to share a bit about Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

Cookies for Kids’ Cancer (CFKC) is a nonprofit founded by two OXO employees after their son, Liam, was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. Through grassroots bake sales across the country, CFKC raises funds to develop new, improved and less toxic treatments for childhood cancer. Liam Witt’s legacy lives on as the organization works toward a cure for pediatric cancer, helping children and families everywhere.

Every year, OXO supports CFKC by encouraging people to bake and share.

This year, OXO sent me a Non-Stick Pro Ceramic Coated Metal Bakeware Half Sheet Pan, a Cookie Press with Disk Storage Case, a Christmas Cookie Press Disk Set, and a 2-Cup Recycled Angled Measuring Cup (paid links). When you receive a cookie press and Christmas cookie press disk set, there’s really only one type of cookie to make: Spritz Cookies!

For every cookie baked, OXO donates $1 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer up to $100,000, so here is my new cookie this year to support the cause and spread the word!

Here are some of my old cookie swap and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer posts, in case you’re in a baking mood:

So on to the recipe!

Ingredients (makes about 50 cookies):

Spritz Cookies:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • food coloring, if desired
  • sprinkles, for decorating

Optional Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon corn syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 tablespoon milk, or as needed

Continue reading Spritz Cookies

Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

Every year, I am tasked with bringing a chocolate pumpkin dessert to Thanksgiving. Pumpkin and chocolate is my aunt’s favorite combination so I try to experiment a bit each year. This year’s recipe is actually really simple, and if you use store-bought ice cream, you can make this whole Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie in just minutes (plus freezing time)!

In fact, you can make this Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie as homemade, or as store-bought as you’d like. I personally made my ice cream, but bought the pie crust and the whipped cream.

Ingredients:

  • 1 9-inch chocolate pie crust
  • 2 pints pumpkin ice cream, softened
  • whipped cream, to taste

Continue reading Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie

Homemade Halloween Candy Ice Cream

Every year, without fail, I end up with a ridiculous amount of candy leftover after the trick-or-treaters have gone. I have made Day After Halloween Brownies in the past, but this year, because it is still so warm, I decided to make Homemade Halloween Candy Ice Cream using my leftover candy!

This recipe for Halloween Candy Ice Cream can be adapted for any candy you would like in your ice cream. I went with an assortment of chocolate candy: mini candy bars, Reece’s, M&M’s, Kit-Kats, and Snickers, because that’s what I had on hand.

Feel free to add in whatever candy you have leftover, just make sure it ends up being about 2 cups of chopped candy.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups various Halloween candy, chopped

Continue reading Homemade Halloween Candy Ice Cream

Slow Cooker Venison Chili

Hooray for slow cooker season! I love a good slow cooker (paid link) recipe, and this Slow Cooker Venison Chili is no exception!

I decided it was about time to update my original recipe for Slow Cooker Venison Chili; I figured after 13 years it could use some sprucing up!

The ingredients haven’t changed much, but the method used to develop the flavors is updated. This hearty Slow Cooker Venison Chili will definitely be a family favorite!

Ingredients:

Chili Seasoning:

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

Venison Chili:

  • 4 strips bacon, cooked
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 bell peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon reserved bacon fat, or 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 lbs ground venison
  • 2 (15.5 oz) cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (28 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 1/2 cup coffee

Toppings:

  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  • Sour cream (omit for dairy free)
  • Cheddar or Pepper Jack cheese, shredded (omit for dairy free)
  • Cooked bacon crumbles

Continue reading Slow Cooker Venison Chili

Homemade Apple Cider Donut Ice Cream

You read that correctly. Homemade Apple Cider Donut Ice Cream!

My love of pumpkin is well documented on this blog, so I’ve been trying to start including another fall favorite: apple cider!

This apple cider donut ice cream includes a base of apple cider flavored ice cream with chunks of apple cider donuts stirred throughout.

Ingredients (makes 1 quart):

  • 4 cups apple cider
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1-2 apple cider donuts, roughly chopped

Continue reading Homemade Apple Cider Donut Ice Cream

Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

I made my last ice cream recipe (Dark Chocolate Ice Cream) for my mom, so this time around, I am making Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream for my dad!

I feel like Mint Chocolate Ice Cream can be a pretty divisive flavor, but my dad loves it, so it’s about time I made him some!

This is a pretty simple recipe and does not require you to heat the milk mixture or add in eggs. It does still require overnight refrigeration of the mixture to get it nice and cold before churning.

This recipe also includes some food coloring to get a nice mint green color, but that is completely optional (my dad swears the green mint chocolate chip ice cream tastes better!)

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon peppermint extract (paid link)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon green gel food coloring, optional
  • 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Continue reading Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Sicilian Braciole

The weather hasn’t quite turned cooler yet, but I am already starting to shift into more comfort food type cooking. Every Sunday is pasta night in my house, so this past Sunday, I decided to make something a bit more special than my usual Spaghetti and Meatballs. This recipe for Sicilian Braciole is very loosely based on the Braciole my mother-in-law makes.

I’ve made Braciole in the past, but the addition of pine nuts and raisins is what makes this recipe specifically Sicilian Braciole. The pine nuts become nice and soft in the sauce, and the raisins appear to almost melt away, adding just a touch of sweetness to balance the dish.

This recipe takes a good 5 hours to make, so plan accordingly!

Ingredients:

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium white onion, chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup dry red or white wine
  • 4 (12.5 oz) cans stewed tomatoes
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Sicilian Braciole:

  • 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 1/2 cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste
  • 1/3 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup dry red or white wine
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 1/2 cup olive oil; divided
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 pounds braciole meat (at my butcher, they were referred to as beef roll ups)

Other:

  • 1 (16 oz) box spaghetti, cooked al dente
  • fresh basil, chopped, for garnish

Continue reading Sicilian Braciole

Homemade Dark Chocolate Ice Cream

This Homemade Dark Chocolate Ice Cream recipe has been a long time coming! As I mentioned in my Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream post, I have been trying to emulate Capogiro’s scuro gelato – a beautifully dark chocolate gelato that I have missed since the day Capogiro closed years ago.

This recipe for Dark Chocolate Ice Cream is just that. It’s ice cream, not gelato. Gelato tends to have less egg yolks and is churned at a lower speed. Regardless of the technicality, this Dark Chocolate Ice Cream is silky, decadent, and decidedly dark chocolatey!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups dark chocolate cocoa powder (paid link)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon coffee extract (paid link)

Continue reading Homemade Dark Chocolate Ice Cream

Homemade Peach Ice Cream

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably noticed that I pick up a student-run CSA share every week from a high school in New Castle, Delaware, which means I have a bunch of fruits and vegetables in my home that need using! (If you’re in the area, definitely check out Penn Farm CSA!)

The last couple of weeks have included beautiful peaches so this week, I knew I had to make a homemade peach ice cream!

This rich and creamy homemade peach ice cream can be made in an electric ice cream maker (paid link). This recipe includes small chunks of fresh peaches as well as the juice of the peaches, so it’s chock full of peachy flavor!

Ingredients (makes 1 quart):

  • 2 cups peaches, peeled and roughly chopped (about 3 peaches)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
  • the juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Continue reading Homemade Peach Ice Cream

Homemade Coffee Ice Cream

I am having way too much fun making all these different types of ice cream! Homemade ice cream is so SO much better than store bought, and this Homemade Coffee Ice Cream is absurdly delicious!

If you’re a coffee lover like I am, you may have just found your new favorite ice cream.

Ingredients (makes 1 quart):

Continue reading Homemade Coffee Ice Cream

Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

So, I’ll be honest. I was actually trying to make a different ice cream than what I ended up with. But this oh so chocolatey Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream is so delicious, it was quite a happy mistake!

My original goal/inspiration was to recreate the now defunct Capogiro’s scuro gelato – the most decadent and beautifully silky dark chocolate gelato. It was my mom’s favorite gelato ever and she’s basically been chasing the high of Capogiro’s scuro gelato ever since they sadly closed in December 2018.

I didn’t quite get to dark chocolate status this round (don’t you worry, that will be a future post!), but I am pretty sure this is the best chocolate ice cream ever.  EVER. Don’t believe me? Try this recipe out for yourself!

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Continue reading Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

Homemade Peanut Butter Ice Cream

I took a couple of months off from making ice cream but I’m back at it with this awesome recipe for Homemade Peanut Butter Ice Cream!

We adopted a puppy back in December, so we have considerably more peanut butter in our house now to fill his toppl (paid link).

So this recipe, inspired by what I already had in my house, is chock full of peanut butter: peanut butter ice cream swirled with creamy peanut butter!

This recipe is pretty straightforward. You’ll need an electric ice cream maker (paid link) to make this recipe.

Ingredients (makes 1 quart):

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Continue reading Homemade Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Homemade Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

I love Oreos. They are easily my favorite cookie since childhood, and I used to eat them almost every day as my after-school snack. So, it probably goes without saying that Cookies and Cream Ice Cream is one of my favorite ice creams.

I have no idea why it took me so long to make my own homemade cookies and cream ice cream, but after making this recipe, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go back to the store-bought stuff!

This recipe for Homemade Cookies and Cream Ice Cream uses just 6 ingredients. Because there are no eggs in this recipe, there is no heating of the milk mixture so it comes together pretty quickly. Note that this recipe does still require you to refrigerate the mixture overnight and churn the ice cream the next day.

Ingredients (makes 1 quart):

  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 sleeve Oreos (regular, not Double Stuf), chopped

Continue reading Homemade Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

Potato Farls (Irish Potato Bread)

I personally did not grow up eating Potato Farls, probably because around me, there was no such thing as leftover mashed potatoes. (I am still a mashed potato fiend, but I’ve managed to turn it down to a more respectable level.)

But when I am visiting family in Ireland, Potato Farls is one of the foods I am most excited to eat (along with Irish Brown Bread and the rest of the components of a beautiful Ulster Fry.)

Potato Farls is just mashed potatoes kneaded with some flour, butter, salt, and pepper, then fried up into tasty little pieces, making them the perfect recipe for the day after Thanksgiving!

Ingredients (multiply as needed):

  • 1 lb mashed potatoes
  • 1 cup flour, plus more as needed
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for frying
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • olive oil

Continue reading Potato Farls (Irish Potato Bread)

Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream

You didn’t think I’d let October pass without sharing multiple new pumpkin recipe, did you? Especially with all the ice cream recipes I’ve been making lately, it should come as no surprise that I wanted to share a Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream recipe!

Pumpkin ice cream is my absolute favorite ice cream. More specifically, Woodside Farm Creamery‘s pumpkin ice cream — their version is so wonderfully rich and creamy!

So I knew it was about time I tried to make my own at home. This recipe uses egg yolks to achieve that uber creamy texture!

Ingredients (makes approximately 1 quart):

  • 4 cups heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 8 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree

Recommended tools (paid links):

Continue reading Homemade Pumpkin Ice Cream

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