Whipped Cream

I am never buying store-bought whipped cream again.

Whipped Cream
makes about 1.5 cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Put a clean, medium, glass bowl in the freezer.  The bowl NEEDS to be very cold while mixing.
2. Using an electric mixer, add the cream into the bowl and begin mixing.  When the cream begins to thicken, add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time.  Pause mixing to add the vanilla extract.
3. Keep mixing until you reach the desired consistency. 

Garlic Bread

Grilled or Baked Garlic Bread
Adapted from the Neely's Grilled Cheesy Garlic Bread recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup EVOO*
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• salt
• bread of your choice (Italian bread, Kaiser rolls, etc.)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Directions

1. (If grilling) Preheat the grill to low-medium heat.
2. In a small bowl, combine EVOO, garlic, red pepper flakes, basil, and salt.  Brush bread with olive oil mixture.
3. If grilling, brush and grill both sides of bread until golden (5 minutes).  If using a toaster oven, brush one side and toast for 3-4 minutes. 
4. Sprinkle one side with Parmesan.

*You may also use 8-9 tablespoons of butter and spread mixture on Italian bread.  Heat in a 400 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.  The first 5 should be should be with pieces on top of each other and spread the Parm within the last 4 minutes.

Snickerdoodles

Out of all the cookies I've baked, Giada's Peanut Butter Cookies with Blackberry Jam are definitely my favorites.  My second favorite cookies are my latest batch-- Snickerdoodles.  This is subject to change, but, right now, I am loving them.  It also helps that they are only 80 calories each...80 calories of deliciousness.

Snickerdoodles

Ingredients
makes 20 cookies

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and cinnamon.
3. In a separate large bowl, cream together butter and sugar with a wooden spoon.  Using an electric mixer, add egg and vanilla.  Gradually add the flour mixture until combined.  The mixture may seem crumbly; at this point, use your hands to squeeze and combine the dough.
4. Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and line them up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Place about 1-2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
5. Bake for 12 minutes, until slightly crinkly. Allow cookies to cool on wire racks.

White Wine Sangria

White Wine Sangria

Ingredients

• 2 peaches
• 1 green apple
• 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1.5 liter bottle Sauvignon Blanc
• 1 bottle dry champagne (no shame in Andre!)
• 1 cup peach liquor
• ice

Directions

1. In a large pitcher, add the white wine and peach liquor.
2. Slice the peaches, apple, and lime and add to the pitcher.  Add the lemon juice.
3. Stir with a long wooden spoon and keep in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours.
4. Right before serving, add the bottle of champagne to the pitcher.  Stir with wooden spoon.  Serve with ice.

See also: White Wine Sangria 2 and Red Wine Sangria

Hershey's Pretzels

These tiny treats are perfect for parties, whether you're the hostess or the guest.  Everyone loves them, and everyone should know how to make them!








Hershey's Pretzels

Ingredients

• Hershey's Hugs
• Snyder's Snap Pretzels
• milk chocolate m&m candies

Directions

1. Preheat oven 300 degrees F.
2. Line pretzels on a baking sheet and place an unwrapped Hershey's Hug on each pretzel.
3. Bake for 6-7 minutes.
4. Remove pretzels from oven and immediately press an m&m candy into the center of each Hershey's Hug.
5. Let treats cool to room temperature.  They taste best after being refrigerated!