Chocolate Bourbon Mousse

Posted by Paula in Desserts | 0 comments

Chocolate. Bourbon. Mousse.

I’m all about dessert. I’d be okay eating dessert first and on occasion as my only course. I realize that’s not a great idea but sometimes you just wanna eat the damn dessert. Here’s the thing though, I don’t like to spend a ton of time making said desserts. Something that I can throw together in the morning or early afternoon and let it set up until I’m ready to eat it later in the day is a winner winner mousse jar get in my mouth winner. Clearly I shouldn’t write any songs, but I can make a mean sauced up chocolate mousse.

No Bake Strawberry Chocolate Cheesecake

Posted by Paula in Desserts | 7 comments

Frands, this is the easiest cheesecake you can possibly make. I know it’s a bold statement, I’m a bold kinda girl after all, but it’s true. It’s NO BAKE. No baking involved. Crushing and mixing. You can do that, right? The hardest part is a toss up between waiting on the cream cheese coming to room temperature OR waiting on the cheesecake to set up. I would argue that you COULD eat it without actually chilling the cheesecake if you’re impatient. I am impatient. I know my weaknesses. So for me, the hardest part would be waiting on the cream cheese. Either way, it’s still easy peasy to pull this baby together and did I mention it’s NO BAKE?

Pina Colada Sorbet

Posted by Paula in Desserts, Vegetarian | 7 comments

Pina Colada Sorbet. Sounds good right?

I’m having all the pineapple feels right now. Have you seen the PINEAPPLE GRANITAS we shared a little while back yet? They’re pretty awesome. Like 3 ingredient awesome. That’s right THREE ingredients. They’re light, refreshing and perfect all summer long. What’s even better than that you ask? Turning them into Pina Colada Sorbet with just a few additional ingredients, including rum, because you can’t have a pina colada without rum can ya. Y’all thought I was going to say bourbon didn’t you? It’s understandable, but you know you need rum for Pina Coladas. Paper umbrellas are optional. Also optional is singing “If you like Pina Coladas”. It was stuck in my head so it’s only fair it’s stuck in your head now as well. I’m a giver, what can I say. I don’t however like getting caught in the rain, especially if I’m on my motorcycle. That hurts y’all.

Bourbon Roasted Cherries

Posted by Paula in All Recipes, Gluten Free, Vegetarian | 7 comments

Bourbon Roasted Cherries. Hello lovah. I’m going to go ahead and implore you to double this recipe because for one you’ll already have the oven on so you might as well roast more. Second, you’re going to be eating these with a spoon, or if you’re even remotely like me, you might just pluck them out of the jar and pop them right into your mouth. They’re borderline addictive. I’m okay with that.

Roasted Cherry Bourbon Ice Cream

Posted by Paula in Desserts | 8 comments

Roasted Cherry Bourbon Ice Cream.

Ice cream is my jam y’all. Specifically homemade ice cream. I give my little Cuisinart ice cream maker a workout all year long but especially in the summer time. I make my ice cream the way my Momma taught me. Custard based. It’s all that and a bag of chips. From her base vanilla ice cream recipe the flavor options are limitless. I’ve made at least a dozen variations here on the blog. Everything from your basic chocolate to a Sweet Corn Ice Cream with Blueberry Balsamic Sauce. Something for erryone to throw in a waffle cone and go to town on.

Pineapple Granitas

Posted by Paula in Desserts, Gluten Free, Vegetarian | 7 comments

Pineapple Granitas.

It’s getting hot already y’all and it’s not quite June. That tells me it’s going to be a sizzler of a summer. I’ll be looking for all kinds of ways to keep cool all while hoping my air conditioner doesn’t conk out on me. Since I don’t happen to have a pool with water misters, large polka dot umbrellas and giant doughnut floats to lounge around in an sip drinks while being misted (sigh, yes that was super specific) with giant black sunglasses, I’ll be making lots of frozen treats. Like these fresh pineapple granitas.

Devil’s Food Doughnuts

Posted by Paula in Breakfast, Desserts | 8 comments

Devil’s Food Doughnuts.

I never expected I’d enjoy my doughnut pan so much. I thought maybe I’d buy it and use a few times and then find it a few years later in the back of my cabinet when I was pulling everything out to organize it because I finally got tired of chaotic state of my cabinets. Pans falling out onto the floor every time I go to get the ONE pan I’m looking for. I can’t be on the only one with a hot mess of kitchen cabinets?

If I am don’t tell me, how about just offer to come over and help me organize. We can bake doughnuts while we’re working on it. Sound like a plan?

Old Fashioned

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 9 comments

Old Fashioned.

Where are all my whiskey people? Probably in the back of the room raising their hands and hollering right now. I see you and I’ll join you soon. I am a bourbon girl. I typically take my bourbon neat, but every once in a blue moon when I’m feeling like stepping out of my box I’ll throw everyone off and order (or make) a good Old Fashioned.

Because I can’t leave well enough alone, and I’m not going to start at this point in my life, I do things a little differently, this rendition of an Old Fashioned is no exception. This is MY take on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail. I feel like I’ve stuck to the bones of this iconic drink so hopefully the purists can appreciate that.

Cereal Doughnuts

Posted by Paula in Breakfast, Desserts | 8 comments

Cereal Doughnuts.

I traveled to Sevierville, TN last year on a media trip. One of our stops in and around the surrounding towns was at a quaint little donut shop called Courthouse Donuts. It was in fact located across from a courthouse with a giant statue of Dolly Parton in the courtyard. Aptly named. All these months later one doughnut has stuck with me. A colorful Fruity Pebbles topped doughnut.

I have to admit, I wasn’t sure how this doughnut was going to taste. It was a doughnut with cereal on top. I am however willing to always (okay most always) take a bite. Sometimes out of those random – how bad can it be – bites you’ll come across something kinda magical.  So take the bite.

Classic Coconut Cake

Posted by Paula in Desserts | 3 comments

Classic Coconut Cake.

It’s all kinds of classy. I’m going to start off telling you that I’m not normally a big fan of coconut cake. If I see it on the menu It’s not high on my ordering list. I know, gasp. I might lose my Southern card. Before you write me off, it’s only because I’ve had a few absolutely mind blowingly delicious pieces of coconut cake in my life (Peninsula Grill in Charleston SC) and I compare all others to those quasi perfect slices. Most of the time they fall short and I’m disappointed, so I go for the sure dessert bet instead. But this cake, in all it’s coconut glory, I am a fan of. If you’re going to eat dessert it should be good right. It needs to be worth those extra miles I’m going to have to put in. This one is worth it.

Limoncello Cookies

Posted by Paula in Cookies, Desserts | 10 comments

Limoncello Cookies.

I’m practically giddy that it’s Daylight Savings this weekend. We’re springing forward y’all. I don’t know about you, but I’m beyond ready for longer days. Longer days mean spring and summer are right around the corner along with warmer weather. I’m not a cold weather person. Winter is not my jam. I like boots and a roaring fire but otherwise I could skip the entire thing and be okay with it. I’ve considered moving even further South every winter. Truth. These Limoncello cookies are like spring and summer all balled up into a few glorious bites.

Pink Macarons

Posted by Paula in Cookies, Desserts | 1 comment

Feb 13, 17

Pink Macarons.

It’s the month of all things pink, red and everything heart shaped. You know the holiday. They’ve had the shelves stocked with chocolates and goofy little stuffed animals since Christmas Eve reminding us it’s coming. I’ve never been a jewelry and flowers girl but food, yes I’m all in. Especially when it’s carbs or dessert. Pretty pink dainty French cookies, most definitely fall into the yes category for me. Better known as macarons. It’s a sweet meringue-based confection made using: egg whites, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, almond flour, and food coloring. They’re delicious and you can fill them with whatever your heart desires.

DIY Edible Holiday Gifts

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 2 comments

DIY VANILLA EXTRACT – The baker on your list will appreciate this gift. I use my extract almost daily and make several bottles at a time so I never run out.

It’s almost here. Christmas is just a few days away. I still haven’t finished my shopping. I know. I know. Maybe some of y’all are in the same boat? Maybe. In comes DIY EDIBLE HOLIDAY GIFTS to rescue us. For not a lot of money and very little time involved you can make gifts that are sure to please the culinary enthusiasts on your lists. From Homemade Vanilla Extract to Homemade Amaretto to Infused Olive Oil we’ve got something to choose from to help you cross some names off your list. If you wanted to go even further you could even create gift baskets using your Edible Gift and create a theme around that gift.

Naked Cake with Sugared Berries

Posted by Paula in Desserts | 1 comment

Naked Cake with Sugared Berries.

I like cake. No, not true. I LOVE cake. I don’t mind baking cakes, because I get to eat said cake. However, I have never considered myself a cake decorator. I can bake you a delicious cake, but the decorating part isn’t my forte. I know my strengths and weaknesses. Doesn’t stop me from trying to do things I’m not the best at though. It does however encourage me to find different paths, and this is one of those paths. The Naked Cake. It’s my new cake best friend. Why? Because it’s a not so good at cake decorating kinda cake. Never mind that it’s currently super trendy. I will be making this cake for all of always.

Reserve Angus Steakhouse Roast

Posted by Paula in All Recipes | 7 comments

A steakhouse strip roast isn’t as hard to prepare as you might imagine. I know the upscale steakhouses would like you to believe that they are, but I’m here to tell you they’re really not. It’s the perfect centerpiece for your upcoming holiday meal this month, and with a little help from Harris Teeter you’ll be well on your way to impressing your family and dinner guests.

Besides having all the ingredients you need for your holiday meals, Harris Teeter can make your life a little easier when you use its Express Lane service. Have you heard of this service? I went through the Express Lane and can tell you firsthand it couldn’t be easier. You simply do your shopping online (in your pajamas, if you choose), select the date and time you’d like to pick up your order, then show up in the Express Lane to pick it up. Easy peasy, right?

No Bake Turtle Cheesecake

Posted by Paula in Desserts | 8 comments

No Bake Turtle Cheesecake.

Yes, I said no bake. It’s my favorite kind of cheesecake. Because as much as I love a baked cheesecake, they take time and tend to crack. I get a little sad after all that work and it cracks down the middle. Am I the only one? Please tell me the cracks bother you too? I realize it’s an easy fix you just slather it with your favorite topping. I still it’s under there. Taunting me. Okay I may have cheesecake issues. Also, as a side note, I’m always perplexed that a cheesecake has the word cake in it’s title. I mean, it’s more pie like isn’t it?

Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Posted by Paula in Cookies, Desserts | 0 comments

Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

Posted by Paula in Cookies, Desserts | 3 comments

Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies. I’m kinda of a cookie fiend. I can never ever eat just one. I’ve tried.  In fact I keep trying just to prove myself wrong. I’m winning on this bet even though I’m losing. Know what I mean? I prefer soft chewy cookies. I’m not really a crispy cookie kinda girl. Not that I would turn that one down mind you, I’d just have to dunk it in coffee or what not. I’m resourceful like that. These are melt in your melt good cookies that remind me of gingerbread just better.

Holiday Cookie Roundup

Posted by Paula in Cookies, Desserts | 1 comment

WHISKEY BROWN BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Tis the season for baking cookies. Amiright? If you have a cookie swap to go to, or friends to gift edible goodies (your children’s teachers, the mailman, neighbors – the list is long), you’re more than likely looking at cookie recipes. Instead of having to search and bookmark multiple ones, I’ve put together a dozen plus cookie recipes all in one convenient location to make it easy on you. Now all you need to do is choose which one. Can’t help you on that one, I like them all.

Momma’s Sugar Cookies

Posted by Paula in Cookies, Desserts | 6 comments

Momma’s Sugar Cookies. I’ve had this post in draft form for 6 years. It just never seemed right to share because I didn’t think I could do the writing or the photography justice to convey how special this is for me. Let me say, I still don’t think I’ve done the photography justice, not really possible, it was taken with shaky hands, I just needed to do this for me. It’s taken me an entire week to cook and shoot because, as the title implies, this is my Momma’s recipe. I’m still missing her beyond belief. This is my first Christmas without her. It’s been a year of firsts without her. They’ve all stung.

I finally understand what it means when people say to remember those hurting and/or alone during the holidays. Growing up, I was aware of this, because my Mom was a natural mother hen. She would always invite people over (mostly the stray Air Force personnel) that didn’t have family, either at all, or close by and they couldn’t get home for the holidays. It was something we just got used to. Having extra people at the house. There was always room at her table. Always. I was aware, but didn’t fully understand what it meant to feel that way until now.  I used to love Christmas. This year it’s just,well, different. I’m trying to find joy in the little things, and making these cookies was one of them.