{recipe} The Perfect (addicting, non-healthy) Peanut Brittle

The Perfect (addicting, non-healthy) Peanut Brittle

Ingredients:

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. raw peanuts

1 tsp. butter

1/2 c. light corn syrup

1 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. salt

1)  In a 2 quart microwavable glass bowl, mix together sugar, peanuts, syrup, and salt. Microwave for 4 minutes.

2) Stir in the vanilla and butter. Microwave 4 minutes.

3) Stir in baking soda. Pour out onto a silpat or lightly greased cookie sheet.

4) After in hardens, break into pieces, and eat!

*I love to do this with nuts other than peanuts, like almonds or even a mixture of all nuts. Delicious.
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{recipe} What to do when your Aunt gives you peaches...

Make peach sherbert!

Super simple. A mix between ice cream and sorbet, this recipe is perfect for cooling off these summer days.

Peach Sherbert:
6 perfect peaches
1 1/2 cups Sugar in the Raw
1 can evaporated milk
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
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1) peel peaches, cut in half and remove pit. Place peaches in a bowl and cover with 3/4 cup of the natural sugar. Mash together and let sit.
2) Bring to a simmer the milk, evap milk, and rest of the sugar. While waiting on it to heat, puree two cups of the peaches until very smooth. Whisk in the hot milk, vanilla, and salt.
3) Chill until very cold (overnight is best). Churn in an icecream maker.
4) If you have mashed peaches left over after removing two cups, cut into small pieces, and mix into ice cream before freezing.

*If you don't have a wonderful aunt, like I do, to give you peaches, I highly recommed using peaches from a farmer's market rather than a regular grocery store. Produce is usually so much better at the local farmer's market.

{recipe} Summer Berry Cream Cheese Pound Cake

This is the most moist pound cake I have ever had! Definitely a must try. It keeps well even though I doubt it will be around for long. Get to the kitchen!

Summer Berry Cream Cheese Pound Cake:  yields 2 pound cakes

3 cups sugar

6 oz cream cheese

3 oz butter

6 eggs

1/2 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla

3 cups all purpose flour

1 pt whipping cream

fresh berries

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1) Blend together softened butter, cream cheese and sugar. Add in eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla and salt. (the batter should be very light and fluffy at this point) Slowly add in flour alternating with the cream.

2) Gently fold in a generous amount of berries. Pour batter into sprayed loaf pans.

3) Place in a cold oven. Set oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes.

4) Enjoy!



{recipe} 4th of July Tarts

It has been so hot lately, a cool dessert is just what we need for the upcoming holiday!



These tarts are very simple and kid-friendly.

Mixed Berry Tarts:
1 pkg frozen puff pastry, thawed (not phyllo dough).
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese, room temp
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla
fresh berries
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1) Lay out the puff pastry and cut into circles using a large cookie cutter. Place on a cookie sheet and jab each circle with a fork (holes are needed to prevent puffing). Brush each circle with melted butter and bake at 350 until golden brown. Let cool.

2) Mix cream cheese, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla in a bowl until well blended. Spread onto pastry circles. Let the kids decorate with berries!


*I love this recipe because it is so versatile! Peanut butter can be substituted for the cream cheese, and apples for the berries. Or mix in cool whip for a lighter version. GREAT kid-loving snack!


Enjoy the holiday with lots of sweetness!