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

Pressure Cooker Deviled Eggs

Every time I ask my sister for any food requests I can make for her, she asks for this cornbread and Deviled Eggs. Every. Single. Time.

So, after years and years of her requesting it, I finally decided to make her a batch of deviled eggs using my Instant Pot (paid link).

Ingredients (makes 1 dozen deviled eggs):

  • 6 large eggs, right from the fridge
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 dashes hot sauce
  • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • salt and ground pepper, to taste
  • sprinkle of paprika, for garnish
  • freshly chopped chives, for garnish

Continue reading Pressure Cooker Deviled Eggs

Eggnog Date Nut Bread

Note: I was sent a copy of Baking Secrets from the Bread Monk (paid link) in order to write this post for an Eggnog Date Nut Bread. Opinions are mine alone.

We hosted Christmas this year for the first time, so my house is stocked with half opened and half eaten, well, everything. My husband, a lifetime grazer, is in his element, but I am still trying to best use up ingredients to make new recipes, like using up any remaining eggnog to make this Eggnog Date Nut Bread!

I had exactly one cup of eggnog left in my fridge, so when I was paging through Baking Secrets from the Bread Monk (paid link) and found this recipe for Eggnog Date Nut Bread that uses one cup of eggnog, it felt a bit like destiny.

Baking Secrets from the Bread Monk is filled with Father Dominic’s favorite tips and tricks for baking, so this cookbook is a lovely read. He even includes substitutes for common ingredients, hints for kitchen organization and storage, advice on the best baking tools for the job, and fun historical facts and kitchen wisdom.

Some of you may know Father Dominic Garramone, known as “The Bread Monk,” from the PBS cooking show Baking Bread with Father Dominic that aired from 1999 to 2001. He also has a number of cookbooks (I have another cookbook I’m excited to share with you in the new year). I recently was lucky enough to catch him at a virtual event hosted by the Hillside Public Library and loved hearing about his passion for baking.

This specific recipe for Eggnog Date Nut Bread is found in the “Food Holiday Mash-ups and Recipes for All Seasons” chapter under December and doesn’t require yeast to make, or any kneading at all.

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus flour for dusting pan
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup chopped dates
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature, beaten
  • 1 cup eggnog
  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

Continue reading Eggnog Date Nut Bread

Frozen Key Lime Pie

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

Every December, I love to share a recipe to support Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which is why I’m bringing you this delicious Frozen Key Lime Pie!

Every year, OXO supports Cookies for Kids’ Cancer and the fight against pediatric cancer.  To date there have been 14,000 grassroots fundraising events in all 50 states and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer has granted more than $18 million to the leading pediatric cancer research centers across the country. 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.

Here are some of my old cookie swap and Cookies for Kids’ Cancer posts, in case you’re in a baking mood (this is my tenth year participating!):

Every year, OXO supports CFKC by encouraging people to bake and share. To help inspire me to get backing, OXO sent me (paid links):

  • Steel Pie Server: Designed to cut and serve with comfort, efficiency and style
  • Glass Pie Plate with Lid: Perfect for pies, quiches, crumbles and more; easy to take from freezer to oven to table (or potluck!)
  • CFKC + OXO “Be a Good Cookie” Spatula: These silicone spatulas are the perfect size for removing freshly baked cookies, even the most delicate

For every cookie or dessert baked, OXO donates $1 to Cookies for Kids’ Cancer up to $100,000, so let’s get to that Key Lime Pie recipe!

Ingredients:

Graham Cracker Crust:

  • 1 1/2 cups finely crushed graham crackers (24 squares)
  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons sugar

Key Lime Filling:

  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup Key lime juice
  • the zest of 1 Key lime

Whipped Cream Topping:

  • 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional topping:

  • 1 Key lime, thinly sliced

Continue reading Frozen Key Lime Pie

Ube Crinkle Cookies

Inspiration for new recipes to share on this blog can come from almost anywhere – local restaurants, family traditions, cravings, and sometimes even mystery novels. The latter is where I found inspiration for this recipe for Ube Crinkle Cookies!

I have been reading a mystery series written by Mia P. Manansala. The first book, Arsenic and Adobo (paid link), introduces the protagonist and narrator of the series, Lila Macapagal. Lila, an avid baker, has recently moved back to her hometown, and is helping out at her Tita Rosie’s struggling restaurant. When her ex-boyfriend, a local food critic, dies suddenly, Lila becomes the top suspect and has to start her own investigation to prove her innocence. Throughout the story, Lila bakes up delicious desserts, infusing Filipino flavors into some seriously amazing sounding baked goods.

One in particular stuck out to me: Ube Crinkle Cookies. I’ve made a few crinkle cookie recipes on this blog so you know I love a good crinkle cookie. I’m sure ube crinkle cookies isn’t a new idea, but it’s new to me, and I knew I had to make these!

Ube is a sweet purple yam with a slightly nutty and vanilla flavor which lends itself perfectly for desserts. The bright purple color of ube makes it particularly wonderful for use in crinkle cookies. The contrast with the white powdered sugar makes these cookies a real showstopper!

I couldn’t get the idea of these Ube Crinkle Cookies out of my head, I had to make them! These cookies are made with 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 the color. Both ube halaya and ube flavor can be found at most Asian grocery stores.

There are a couple of tools that I suggest using to make this recipe:

Let’s get baking!

Ingredients (makes about 40 cookies):

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 (12 oz) jar Ube Halaya
  • 1 tablespoons ube flavor
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups confectioner’s sugar

Continue reading Ube Crinkle Cookies

The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been making this chocolate chip cookie recipe for years, and I always get compliments on how soft and chewy these cookies are. So yes, I am hereby declaring these the BEST chocolate chip cookies!

I’m actually surprised I haven’t posted this recipe before. Recently, I made a batch of these chocolate chip cookies, and one of my friend’s kids liked the recipe so much that she asked me for the recipe, and I realized my mistake. So, I am finally rectifying that issue!

This recipe is really easy to make, and the dough doesn’t need to rest in the fridge before baking! I do strongly suggest that you let the butter and egg come to room temperature though, it will make for a better cookie texture.

Ingredients (makes about 2 dozen cookies):

  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Continue reading The BEST Chocolate Chip Cookies

Spiced Walnut Peach Mini Bundt Cakes or Muffins

Note: I was sent a copy of Muffins (paid link) by Cyndi Duncan and Georgie Patrick in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

One of the best perks of being a food blogger is the ability to receive and review cookbooks. Not only are they a great source of inspiration for me and my cooking journey, but they also provide a little peek into other fellow passionate cooks and bakers.

This latest cookbook, Muffins (paid link) by Cyndi Duncan and Georgie Patrick, focuses on one of my favorite foods. Muffins are one of my go-to choices for food prepping for the week.

From comforting favorites to spicy surprises, Muffins cookbook includes delicious recipes for more than 70 nourishing breakfast staples, fruity bites for brunch, and savory morsels that go great with soups and salads. The cookbook also includes ingredient substitutions, helpful baking methods, and other useful kitchen tips.

 

As my husband was paging through the cookbook, their recipe for Spicy Peach and Nut Muffins caught his attention. I used that recipe as inspiration to make these Spiced Walnut Peach Mini Bundt Cakes. Mini Bundt Cakes are essentially fancy muffins anyway, don’t you think?

And, if you have no interest in my fake fancy muffins, no worries! I’ve included info below to make these as normal muffins by using a cupcake pan.

Ingredients (makes approximately 12 mini Bundt cakes or 18 cupcake-sized muffins):

Cakes/Muffins:

  • 1 (15 oz) can peaches
  • ~3/4 cup buttermilk (see directions below)
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Glaze:

  • 4 tablespoons reserved peach juice
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Continue reading Spiced Walnut Peach Mini Bundt Cakes or Muffins

Pumpkin Snickercrinkles

Note: I was sent a review copy of Fabulous Modern Cookies in order to write this post. Opinions are mine alone.

I am well aware that people have strong feelings about pumpkin/fall/cooler weather recipes this early in the year. It technically isn’t even fall for about another week. But I’ve shared pumpkin filled recipes much earlier in the “season” than this so I hope you’ll give me a pass again, especially for these pretty little Pumpkin Snickercrinkles.

I found this recipe for Pumpkin Snickercrinkles, which is a mix of a traditional crinkle cookie and a snickerdoodle, in the recently released cookbook Fabulous Modern Cookies: Lessons in Better Baking for Next Generation Treats (paid link) by Chris Taylor and Paul Arguin.

With bold and fearless suggestions, Taylor and Arguin, scientists turned bakers, explore the deep-in-our-heart love of cookies as well as the philosophy behind them.  Does a cookie always have to be round, sweet, or soft?  Breaking down the essential rules, ingredients, and equipment needed, Fabulous Modern Cookies demystifies the cookie and provides home bakers with fun and unique cookie recipes.
Filled with 100 recipes, Chris and Paul also provide “Cookie Bytes” – short tips, tricks, helpful techniques, and explanations to demystify the science of baking.  The recipes are grouped in chapters like Bar Cookies; Drop Cookies; Rolled Cookies; Filled, Stuffed and Sandwiched Cookies; Savory Cookies and Slice-and-Bake Cookies.
This recipe for Pumpkin Snickercrinkles can be found in the Drop Cookies chapter. Although this recipe is a bit more involved than most drop cookie recipes I’ve made in the past, the result is absolutely worth it!
Ingredients (makes about 3 dozen cookies):
  • 2 1/4 cups flour, divided
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
  • 3 large egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

Continue reading Pumpkin Snickercrinkles

Banana Walnut Bread

I recently came home after a weekend trip to some of the saddest looking bananas I’ve seen in a long time. Which means I spent my Monday making this super delicious Banana Walnut Bread!

This recipe largely uses typical pantry items, so the next time you find yourself with overripe bananas, there is a good chance you will already have everything on hand to make this banana bread — if you don’t have any walnuts, you can substitute another nut or omit them completely.

If kept in a sealed container at room temperature, the bread will last for 4 days so it’s perfect for breakfast for most of the week!

If you want to store it longer, you can also freeze the bread by wrapping it completely in plastic wrap before adding to your freezer.

Ingredients:

  • 3 medium very ripe bananas
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Continue reading Banana Walnut Bread

Chocolate Coconut Cake

I originally made this Chocolate Coconut Cake for my dad for his birthday a few years ago. Since then, my parents request it any chance they get!

The recipe is a chocolate cake that substitutes coconut milk for regular milk in the recipe. It is then topped with a coconut cream frosting and some coconut flakes for extra coconut-y goodness!

Cake:

  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened (or margarine to make dairy free)
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 4 eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 (13.5 oz) can coconut milk

Frosting:

  • 4 sticks (2 cups) unsalted butter, softened (or margarine to make dairy free)
  • 2 16 oz boxes (about 8 cups) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 (5.4 oz can) coconut cream

Topping:

  • 1/2 cup coconut flakes

Continue reading Chocolate Coconut Cake

Exit mobile version