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

Cannoli Cookies

With Thanksgiving so late this year, I hope you’ll forgive me for sharing a Christmas cookie recipe before Black Friday; these Cannoli Cookies are too good to keep a secret!

If you’re a cannoli lover, these Cannoli Cookies are sure to impress, especially because they are quite a bit easier to make than homemade cannolis!

Cannoli Cookies are spiced ricotta cookies with chocolate chips, pistachios, and orange zest, delivering the flavors of a classic cannoli in cookie form!

Ingredients:

Cannoli Cookies:

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
  • the zest of one orange
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped pistachios
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting

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Election Cake

I had no clue that Election Cake used to be a thing until I saw an article recently about this lost tradition! Recipes for Election Cake are found back to the late 18th century, but apparently the tradition has fallen off in recent years.

This yeasted spiced bundt fruitcake was traditionally prepared prior to Election Day and served to hungry voters.

For years, I was the machine inspector for every general and primary election in my South Philly polling location, so any attention I can bring to voting is super important to me! I am also down for any and all food holidays so let’s bring back Election Cake!

I don’t have a ton of experience using yeast, so I looked up a recipe from NY Times Food. Because of the yeast, there are two proofing times in this recipe, so set aside 4 to 6 hours to make this cake.

Ingredients (serves 10):

  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 (¼-ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 lemon, divided
  • 2 eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 cup brandy, divided
  • ⅔ cup golden raisins
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar

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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

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Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

We hosted friends recently at our house for the weekend. Whenever we have guests, I prefer to do as much of the prep work ahead of time as possible. So it should come as no surprise that I lean on recipes like this make ahead breakfast casserole as a go-to breakfast option when entertaining people for the weekend.

Not only is this recipe super versatile, but you can assemble it entirely ahead of time and then pop it into your oven when ready to eat!

The vegetables and protein in the below Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole recipe are honestly more of a suggestion than a rule; I was using up a bunch of vegetables I had on hand, so feel free to use whatever sounds good to you as well!

Ingredients (serves 8):

  • 1 (10 oz) loaf sourdough bread, cut into cubes
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound breakfast sausage, casings removed
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (16 oz) container sliced mushrooms
  • 1 (6 oz) bag baby spinach
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 dozen eggs, large
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 (8 oz) bag shredded cheddar cheese

Continue reading Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole

Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies

This recipe for Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies was a result of my desire to bring a different dessert to a gathering with some of my college friends. My friend who was hosting is a big fan of Strawberry Shortcake. That, plus my love for whoopie pies made Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies a no brainer!

These Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies are made of fresh whipped cream and sliced strawberries sandwiched between two vanilla cake-like cookies.

Ingredients:

Whoopie Pies:

  • 1 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon white vinegar
  • 5 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Whipped Cream:

  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Other Ingredients:

  • 3 cups strawberries, sliced

Continue reading Strawberry Shortcake Whoopie Pies

Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Note: I was sent some baking tools from OXO in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

It’s the holiday season which means another cookie recipe inspired by some goodies from OXO! This year, I’m making something a little different for me: Christmas Pinwheel Cookies.

I tend to gravitate toward drop cookies because they are simple, decidedly not fussy, and still delicious! These Christmas Pinwheel Cookies are slice and bake cookies instead, which means you roll them into a log, slice them into equally sized slices, and bake.

Every year, OXO supports Cookies for Kids’ Cancer and the fight against pediatric cancer. Before I share my cookie recipe, 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 GG Non-Stick Pro Cookie Sheet, a Slice and Bake Cookie Maker, and a Silicone Cookie Scoop & Small Spatula Set (paid links), which is why I decided to share these Slice and Bake Christmas Pinwheel 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:

On to this year’s recipe: Christmas Pinwheel Cookies!

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon red gel food coloring
  • 1 tablespoon green gel food coloring
  • sprinkles for decorating, optional

Continue reading Christmas Pinwheel Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love all things pumpkin, both savory and sweet. Despite already sharing over 30 pumpkin recipes, I have yet to share a recipe for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!

I am happy to finally rectify that huge oversight, and I promise these cookies were worth waiting for!

Ingredients (makes about 30 cookies):

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (I used mini, regular size work too)

Continue reading Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Apple Cider Whoopie Pies

My love for all things pumpkin is no secret. But it’s about time I gave apples their autumnal spotlight! These Apple Cider Whoopie Pies combine two of my favorite things – whoopie pies and apple cider donuts – to make an absolutely wonderful fall dessert.

If you’ve never had a whoopie pie before, they are just two cake-like cookies with a creamy frosting sandwiched in between. These Apple Cider Whoopie Pies have two spiced apple cider flavored cookies, coated in a cinnamon sugar, and then filled with a cinnamon cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients (makes 10 whoopie pies):

Cookies:

  • 1 1/4 cups apple cider
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, divided
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 egg, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup apple butter
  • 1/4 cup sugar

Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2  vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 8 oz powdered sugar

Continue reading Apple Cider Whoopie Pies

Homemade French Vanilla Ice Cream

Note: I was sent samples of Vanilla Bean Powder, Vanilla Beans, and Vanilla Extract from The Sweet Bean in order to write this post for Homemade French Vanilla Ice Cream. All opinions are my own.

I am still madly in love with my ice cream maker (paid link) and the delicious homemade ice creams I can now make! Today, I am excited to share a classic: Homemade French Vanilla Ice Cream, featuring The Sweetest Bean‘s Pure Vanilla Bean Powder.

The Sweetest Bean, a woman-owned company based in Colorado, sources its organic, whole-bean vanilla from Uganda where they employ a team who hand cures all of their gourmet vanilla. The company has a purpose of building an economy on the other side of the world, and is committed to one-single-supplier, their workers, their children, their futures, with the hope of true sustainable economic growth. Ugandan vanilla beans are known for their strong vanilla flavor, so the flavor stands out more in recipes.

source: thesweetestbean.com

The Sweetest Bean’s Pure Vanilla Bean Powder is made from 100% pure, ground, Ugandan bourbon vanilla beans. The vanilla beans spend months curing our beans in the sun, and then are ground fresh, to produce a fine powder rich in flavor and aroma. Pure vanilla bean powder was touted recently by the Wall Street Journal as the next spice you need to own.  The powder can be used in both savory and sweet recipes, including barbecue rubs, soups, stews, fish, pork, smoothies, and coffee — vanilla adds a touch of sweetness without additional sugar.

The Sweetest Bean sent me their 3 Product Gift Set and have generously offered an additional set to one lucky I Can Cook That reader! Details for the giveaway after the recipe.

So let’s get churning! This Homemade French Vanilla Ice Cream has just 6 ingredients. The egg yolks, which makes this ice cream “French Vanilla,” adds wonderful richness without competing with the vanilla flavor.

Recommended tools (paid links):

 

Ingredients (makes 1 pint, multiply as desired):

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Bean Powder (or 2 teaspoons vanilla extract)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Continue reading Homemade French Vanilla Ice Cream

Homemade Ube Ice Cream

When I first realized how surprisingly easy it is to make homemade ice cream, Homemade Ube Ice Cream was at the top of my list. I’ve been doing my best to space out my ice cream recipes so you don’t think this has completely changed into just an ice cream blog, but this one is too good to keep to myself much longer!

If you haven’t had ube before, ube is a sweet purple yam with a slightly nutty and vanilla flavor which lends itself perfectly for desserts. To add ube flavor, this recipe uses both Ube Halaya and Ube Flavor. Ube Halaya is mashed purple yam combined with condensed milk. Ube Flavor, or extract, obviously adds more ube flavor, but it also contains purple dye in it to amp up that beautiful purple color. Both ube halaya and ube flavor can be found at most Asian grocery stores.

Let’s get churning!

Recommended tools (paid links):

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon ube flavor
  • 1/2 cup ube halaya

Continue reading Homemade Ube Ice Cream

Homemade Pistachio Ice Cream

It’s no secret how much I love ice cream, but I haven’t really tried to make much at home. With the beautiful weather we have been having, I figured it was time to try! I happened to have some shelled pistachios on hand, so why not make some Homemade Pistachio Ice Cream?

Pistachio ice cream is one of my absolute favorite flavors, and I had no clue how easy it was to make my own homemade version!

Recommended tools (paid links):

Ingredients (makes 2 pints):

  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups shelled pistachios, divided
  • 1 (12 oz can) evaporated milk
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tablespoon almond extract

Continue reading Homemade Pistachio Ice Cream

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Is it possible to have a crinkle cookie obsession? This time around, I am here to share a citrusy version: Lemon Crinkle Cookies!

My mom absolutely loves all things citrus, so I try to create new lemon treats for her each Mother’s Day.

These Lemon Crinkle Cookies pack a lemony punch, balanced nicely with the sweetness of the powdered sugar.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • the juice and zest of one lemon
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract (can substitute vanilla extract)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon extract
  • 4 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups confectioner’s sugar

Continue reading Lemon Crinkle Cookies

Italian Sausage Bread

Some recipes, like this one for Italian Sausage Bread, are so easy and yet are oh so satisfying. My mother-in-law seems to have an endless supply of sausage bread prepared at her house, so I never really thought to make it myself until this past year. Now that I have, I know it is the perfect make-ahead option to keep in your freezer!

This sausage bread can be made with either hot Italian sausage or sweet Italian sausage. I suggest changing the color of the pepper you use inside so that when you have it out for snacking, everyone knows what they are about to bite into. (I used red in these photos because I was making one with hot Italian sausage; I use green in my sweet Italian sausage breads.)

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 or 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 1 lb hot or sweet Italian sausage
  • 1 (13.8 oz) tube of refrigerated pizza crust
  • 1 (8 oz bag) shredded mozzarella
  • 1 egg, beaten

Continue reading Italian Sausage Bread

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

A friend reached out to me with a food challenge: how to make baked ziti that will be hot and ready when they come back from a christening. A Slow Cooker Baked Ziti recipe seemed like the perfect solution!

Naturally, I had to do some experimenting so that I could give her a recipe to use that I know will work for her needs.

This recipe for Slow Cooker Baked Ziti involves layering ingredients in your slow cooker (paid link). letting it cook for 2 1/2 hours, and then adding some mozzarella cheese on top for ultimate cheesiness!

Ingredients:

  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (28 oz) can tomato puree
  • 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 (16 oz) box ziti pasta
  • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Continue reading Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

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