The Dahlia Bakery named these Peanut Butter Sandwich cookies the "Nora Ephron" cookie because these cookies were her favorite and she had asked Tom Douglas for the recipe after she tried them at their bakery. I choose call them "When Harry Met Sally" cookies because it is my favorite movie (Nora Ephron or otherwise, although...
Dessert
Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
You know what makes this ice cream better than the ice cream from ice cream shops? The sweet vanilla smell that fills your kitchen while you're making it. Trust me, it smells much better than any candle you can buy at the mall. Of course, it tastes pretty amazing too. Shamefully, I have owned an...
Arborio Rice Pudding with Cinnamon and Vanilla
This was my first experience with rice pudding, and I must admit, I was a bit unsure if I would like it. However, Hubby is a lifelong fan of cream of wheat and oatmeal (me, not so much), so when he discovered what I was making, he was excited to try a dessert version. Let's...
Frozen Chocolate Custard
One of our favorite warm-weather outings is a visit to Jones' Homemade Ice Cream in Baldwin, Mi. They make all their own ice creams, sherbets, custards, etc. Michael's favorite thing from there is a waffle cone with chocolate ice cream. While I have no intention of reducing the frequency of our visits, it is very...
Homemade Chocolate Syrup
What's not to love about chocolate syrup? I have been known to enjoy chocolate milk on occasion, not to mention drizzled on my ice cream. I will definitely be saving a bit of this syrup for my homemade vanilla bean ice cream that I'm planning to make over Memorial Day Weekend. Plus, it's gluten-free and...
Peach Raspberry Tart
This was a great dessert after our ribs. Very easy and delicious. I love fruit desserts in the summer, so I'm sure we will be making this again. Peach Raspberry Tart Credit: Homemade with Love by Jennifer Perillo Ingredients: 1 batch Sweet Butter Pastry Crust 4 peaches, peeled and sliced ½ pint raspberries 2 tablespoons...
Sweet Butter Pastry Crust
Sweet Butter Pastry Crust Credit: Homemade with Love by Jennifer Perillo Makes one 12-inch tart Ingredients: 1 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt ¼ cup granulated natural cane sugar 1 ½ sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into 12 pieces 3 tablespoons ice cold water Directions: Add the flour, salt, and sugar...
Cinnamon Glazed Almonds
Cinnamon Glazed Almonds I have made these cinnamon glazed almonds dozens of times, usually around the holidays. They make the house smell so amazing! Make sure to snack on a few when they're still nice and warm. They make a nice hiking treat too, a little something sweet for the trail. Hubby loves them, and they...
Blackberry Hand Pies
These remind me of little pies that my hubby and I often pick up at a bakery along our route to our cabin up north. They make for a good snack midway through our drive. Blackberry Hand Pies Credit: Gourmet Today edited by Ruth Reichl Ingredients: 2 cups (12 ounces) blackberries 1 large Golden Delicious...
Basic Pastry Dough
Basic Pastry Dough for a double-crust pie Credit: Gourmet Today edited by Ruth Reichl Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ sticks (12 tablespoons) cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes ¼ cup cold vegetable shortening, preferably trans fat-free ½ teaspoon salt 5-7 tablespoons ice water Directions: 1. Blend together flour, butter, shortening, and...