tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77747838285986863532024-02-06T18:40:25.006-08:00Let Them Eat Cake!and ice cream.Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-39548197716452623662016-11-12T12:11:00.000-08:002016-11-12T12:12:52.165-08:00Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5576/25305589559_cc71752b5d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting" border="0" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5576/25305589559_cc71752b5d.jpg" title="Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melt in your mouth goodness! Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting</td></tr>
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My favourite cookies of all time are soft sugar cookies. You know the ones — soft and sweet, with the best buttercream frosting on top. The frosting is always piled on generously, slightly set, dusted with colourful sprinkles. These Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting are SO much better!<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5809/25305589609_f0de16f765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting" border="0" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5809/25305589609_f0de16f765.jpg" title="Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin spice all the things!</td></tr>
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I could enjoy one of these cookies any time, but now that it is fall, my craving has changed. I love pumpkin spice lattés, and this cookie has that same spiciness. And the frosting? To. Die. For. It is rich and buttery, with a smooth, caramel flavour that pairs perfectly with the spicy sweet pumpkin cookies. They literally melt in your mouth!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5649/30941507885_77eb60ddbe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting" border="0" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5649/30941507885_77eb60ddbe.jpg" title="Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft, spicy, sweet. And that frosting is also delicious eaten with a spoon! Yup, that happened.</td></tr>
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Recently a good friend gifted me a batch of these cookies, and for about a week, I spent cool, autumn mornings on my patio with an Americano coffee and a plate of these yummy bites. I’ve made several batches since, and trust me, they make an excellent breakfast!<br>
</div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2016/11/pumpkin-spice-cookies-with-brown-sugar.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-38806328443620691972016-07-27T19:28:00.002-07:002016-07-28T19:38:29.005-07:00Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8766/27982703603_d4f963baf6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake" border="0" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8766/27982703603_d4f963baf6.jpg" title="Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake</td></tr>
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Summer here in southern BC is a veritable cornucopia of fresh, ripe berries of all kinds. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries – all are plump and sweet from the summer sun. This Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is easy to whip together and highlights the best of our summer fruit.<br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8751/27982702833_ac7dd5cd18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake" border="0" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8751/27982702833_ac7dd5cd18.jpg" title="Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cake: it's what's for breakfast. Yep, you heard me.</td></tr>
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Since summer has arrived in full force, I’ve been a busy bee; buzzing from one activity to the next. As a result, my garden has been — shall we say — gently neglected. Oh who am I kidding? It is overgrown on the west side with blackberries. 10-foot tall raspberry canes as thick as a baby’s arm, with razor-sharp thorns just waiting to bleed any unsuspecting passers-by. The up side? The branches are so heavy with giant, glossy berries, they are practically laying on the ground. We love berries of all kinds, and this is my absolutely favourite coffee cake to make with fresh berries. Any berry will do – use whatever you have.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8585/27982702163_34534edee1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake" border="0" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8585/27982702163_34534edee1.jpg" title="Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prepare to inhale several slices of this raspberry goodness.</td></tr>
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Click through for the recipe....</div>
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</div></div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2016/07/raspberry-cream-cheese-coffee-cake.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-49617600232698379822016-07-01T12:20:00.001-07:002016-07-01T12:22:38.689-07:00Red + White Recipes for Canada Day!Happy Canada Day! That special day where we celebrate ourselves with fireworks, beer, barbecue, <a href="https://youtu.be/5JjX-F7AFso" target="_blank">The Tragically Hip</a>, and all thinks red & white.<br />
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Here is a round up of some of my red and white recipes. Wishing you have a safe and fun long weekend, from me, Handsome Rob, and Cooper!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYWTM1Z8Es9YzI3dbu9LnlbaMFyw_QWlU-sfWs6R98fZoz-r3o5LnS2oS9ua72nGNi3uDIwdWZ8NiZz3gv1pwDLEmNe5-hL6jGJan8ddRQX2qUehYSMfHQ0Lnzx4DkoFQ6vYGAEsLBp0/s1600/IMG_9842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYWTM1Z8Es9YzI3dbu9LnlbaMFyw_QWlU-sfWs6R98fZoz-r3o5LnS2oS9ua72nGNi3uDIwdWZ8NiZz3gv1pwDLEmNe5-hL6jGJan8ddRQX2qUehYSMfHQ0Lnzx4DkoFQ6vYGAEsLBp0/s320/IMG_9842.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper wishes you a Happy Canada Day!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2013/05/red-wine-roasted-rhubarb-strawberry.html" target="_blank">Wine Roasted Rhubarb & Strawberry Shortcake</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2013/05/red-wine-roasted-rhubarb-strawberry.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Wine Roasted Rhubarb & Strawberry Shortcake" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNiFpMBI15cZvf4DASkmx47-Ym9UWjOf3mJmDRq_FOEKzEb2prpVqVRKsWG3CHuAPL-RqVJCJuwZO5wMUZv_raQaIEFEt8C6uZiuOy6oQ3z5aZWc_vBALseYdUgrc2fwpv2fdDj-M6BY/s400/8731010114_8410a53093.jpg" title="Wine Roasted Rhubarb & Strawberry Shortcake" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2013/05/red-wine-roasted-rhubarb-strawberry.html" target="_blank">Wine Roasted Rhubarb & Strawberry Shortcake</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/10/red-velvet-cake.html" target="_blank">Red Velvet Cake</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/10/red-velvet-cake.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Red Velvet Cake" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQvWLOksZky1X8fLQdT310y963e2_EA4r4EOBeAw7P_s-gHoMIZ-oUxepAUUUMg68Sm0JylxHDxSqy5fEd-0qrtUoztMhN55cXtMQlp0Iid_ZXCxSK6DgESpxEfAFNCdqgknUBJJ-0O0/s400/6236843838_c2e5038bfb_z.jpg" title="Red Velvet Cake" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/10/red-velvet-cake.html" target="_blank">Red Velvet Cake</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2015/06/no-bake-white-chocolate-cheesecake-with.html#more" target="_blank">White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Vodka Sauce</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2015/06/no-bake-white-chocolate-cheesecake-with.html#more" target="_blank"><img alt="White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Vodka Sauce" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUpxIkrHKI4y2ibkqwhe_pm9P2xbNHMDg6qdTOL0vNZAfxORU0nYLfEEno1uyQrEVt7ksQphRbQfEvIguaybd0jc2OV9KSokgpKCfd9gILI2omTj0sS9YquDzmQa5WoT6xvQeExyWEco/s320/18845394040_1b90404a7f_o.jpg" title="White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Vodka Sauce" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2015/06/no-bake-white-chocolate-cheesecake-with.html#more" target="_blank">White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Vodka Sauce</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/06/strawberry-rhubarb-pie-with-mascarpone.html" target="_blank">Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with Mascarpone Whipped Cream</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/06/strawberry-rhubarb-pie-with-mascarpone.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with Mascarpone Whipped Cream" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHJp1Vu3JWsUOTST_5QuJuHM1oICtZxS2ABX5KQPHcpGG_mt_w1HQRry5WSMi00fITz-07eoqmPo0TJhi8bLOzMWv3NCw1jeT6qSrKjFLIliOYKPTduNTEIMcB_zY_0R66WQUbC21r3w/s400/5847547864_4ed2dec33a.jpg" title="Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with Mascarpone Whipped Cream" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/06/strawberry-rhubarb-pie-with-mascarpone.html" target="_blank">Strawberry Rhubarb Pie with Mascarpone Whipped Cream</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/09/sweet-cherry-tart-with-port.html" target="_blank">Sweet Cherry Tart with Port</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/09/sweet-cherry-tart-with-port.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Sweet Cherry Tart with Port" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdufuKN9DdH_WsNzeexvBWFNJFgj4rfqJ_aDRvSvvKfe3pjfbdYILXXi_SK96ct_xePaAmcicbQ2l3H9tWnLH1VtyqneiX-VOpYV_NLpR9uB01GAWrrG4eaBA_4bIBrcuo-NkINux5pQw/s400/6121907483_594224fd32.jpg" title="Sweet Cherry Tart with Port" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/09/sweet-cherry-tart-with-port.html" target="_blank">Sweet Cherry Tart with Port</a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/12/12-days-of-christmas-baking-day-5.html" target="_blank">Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/12/12-days-of-christmas-baking-day-5.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuA4USyL4hMgh7U0FaD39tGooVSL_RozALvFEvQfBILCiFq8e4GZW3GuXcx0N4ezvB_YmFfCQWZ_J5zmApboZHyeH518WEX1wWVVsIJjyMklaRKKNTbDQ4HWZLMcSLXxhrPAycGJRYDw/s400/6456535669_d918d65d83_z.jpg" title="Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2011/12/12-days-of-christmas-baking-day-5.html" target="_blank">Raspberry Almond Thumbprint Cookies</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLR_9t_D0nsYwCF16Pth2HPwpggPtEmQnbYaAAc-8ZsoT-XzDeZc7BTg6YPQeM1DUXAmMOnat_JGjukn2UQ53WJUujz3sVgnEfV0I91S-EiDB2R3dqaDj0WkvzH133dqwcwAj4XSD79Y/s1600/Red-and-white-for-Canada-Day-Recipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Red & White Recipes for Canada Day" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLR_9t_D0nsYwCF16Pth2HPwpggPtEmQnbYaAAc-8ZsoT-XzDeZc7BTg6YPQeM1DUXAmMOnat_JGjukn2UQ53WJUujz3sVgnEfV0I91S-EiDB2R3dqaDj0WkvzH133dqwcwAj4XSD79Y/s1600/Red-and-white-for-Canada-Day-Recipes.jpg" title="Red & White Recipes for Canada Day" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red & White Recipes for Canada Day</td></tr>
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<br />Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-31315861813788804192016-06-30T06:00:00.000-07:002016-06-30T06:00:35.136-07:00A Very Dog-tastic Birthday Cake<h2>
A Very Dog-Tastic Birthday Cake</h2>
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My sweet little boy turned one on Sunday! Yes, you are correct in assuming my sweet little boy is actually a big, drooling, furry, dog!</div>
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Here's Cooper when he was a wee pup:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7423/27872391851_fdfa0871b0_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cooper as a wee puppy" border="0" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7423/27872391851_fdfa0871b0_z.jpg" title="Cooper as a wee puppy"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper as a wee puppy; only 6 weeks old.</td></tr>
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As I am always making cakes for everyone in the family, I wanted to make one for Cooper. It had to be special; quality, dog-tummy-friendly ingredients, and still look somewhat birthday cake-ish. I think I was successful!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7476/27336313923_082300b014_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Birthday Cake for a Dog" border="0" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7476/27336313923_082300b014_z.jpg" title="A Very Dog-Tastic Birthday Cake"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's in a dog-tastic cake? Wild salmon, brown rice, free range egg, mashed potatoes, and greek yogurt. Drooling yet?</td></tr>
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Coming up with ingredients wasn't that difficult. I pictured a meatloaf-type construction and went from there. I used canned wild salmon and mixed it with some cooked brown rice for a binder. Then I mixed in a free range egg. I divided the mixture into two 4" springform pans and baked them until set. The mashed potatoes are simply instant mashed (perfect for a frosting texture!) mixed with greek yogurt.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7297/27872403621_e8682e03ae_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Birthday cake for a dog" border="0" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/8/7297/27872403621_e8682e03ae_z.jpg" title="A Very Dog-tastic Birthday"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh please can I just eat it right now? Hurry and take the photo already!</td></tr>
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I think he liked it.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7440/27872397231_8feb3d50f4_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Birthday Cake for a dog" border="0" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7440/27872397231_8feb3d50f4_z.jpg" title="A Very Dog-tastic Birthday Cake"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sluuuuurrrrpppp!</td></tr>
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Want to make one for your pooch? Click through for the recipe...</div>
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</div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2016/06/a-very-dog-tastic-birthday-cake.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-25435660466538009582016-06-27T18:33:00.001-07:002016-06-27T18:33:39.139-07:00Frozen Cocktail Pops<h2>
<b>Frozen Cocktail Pops</b></h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7519/27336500654_9a2799e232_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7519/27336500654_9a2799e232_o.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deliciously boozy cocktail pops will cool you off in no time</td></tr>
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When the weather heats up and summer is in full swing, get ready to grab one of these icy, grown-up treats to cool down.<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7709/27336500424_6fc7cb78f4_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7709/27336500424_6fc7cb78f4_o.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We tested 3 flavours: Coconut Cream Limoncello, Tequila Sunrise, and Gin + Tonic</td></tr>
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Ah, summer! I'm a fan, for sure. I love lazing around in my backyard, pretending it's a tropical resort. You can bet I'll be lounging in my oversized sunglasses and maxi dress, clutching a colourful cocktail. And when the temperature rises, a frozen cocktail cools me off perfectly. The fact that it's on a stick is beautifully effortless. </div>
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Frozen pop molds come in all shapes and sizes. The mold I use makes ten pops, using about three cups of liquid. These recipes have been designed to fill my mold; you may need to adjust the amounts to fill your mold. If you have liquid leftover, well consider that your bonus cocktail! Your mold may also have its own sticks, saving you from purchasing extra.</div>
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Click for all the recipes...</div>
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</div></div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2016/06/frozen-cocktail-pops.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-20814987064412345632016-03-04T20:27:00.000-08:002016-04-24T20:16:25.865-07:00Healthy Edible "Candy" Bracelets<b><i>Make Your Own Healthy Edible Candy Bracelets!</i></b><br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1645/25501352314_d59eb35e38_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Healthy edible candy bracelets" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1645/25501352314_d59eb35e38_o.jpg" title="Healthy edible candy bracelets"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A healthy, fun craft for kids!</td></tr>
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Spring break is here! I remember my idyllic spring break days fondly. Since it was always raining, my afternoons were spent colouring, reading, staging fantastically melodramatic movies starring Barbie and her crew — it was a time of imagination and creativity. When imagination wore thin, Mom would break out some arts & crafts project that would occupy bored minds for a short time. Eventually, bored kids would drive our Mom to give up and we would embark upon a rare outing to the corner store, meagre allowances in hand. How exciting that was! My sister and I would chatter excitedly about what we would get — Mike & Ike’s, Bottle Caps, Pixy Stix, and Lik-m-aid Fun Dip were usually on our list. But the one we would ALWAYS run for first, was the Candy Necklace.<br>
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To this day, I can still see myself unwrapping the necklace from its crinkly cellophane package and jamming the necklace over my head. Usually hair got caught in-between the candies, but I didn’t care. I always tried to make it last forever. I would then go about my day with an elastic cord hanging out of my mouth, pink stains on my lips, until the necklace was gone. Later came other candy jewelry — bracelets and rings. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1548/26039752191_89a8ca6d88_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Healthy edible candy bracelets" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1548/26039752191_89a8ca6d88_o.jpg" title="Healthy edible candy bracelets"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are endless patterns to create – and better for you than candy!</td></tr>
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Candy jewelry is so much fun, but can you imagine how much sugar and food colouring they contain? With people cutting back on sugar and artificial everything these days, why not try a healthy, natural alternative? These Healthy Candy Bracelets are fun to make, and healthy, too! You need very few ingredients and tools. Smaller children may need assistance getting the needle through some of the tougher fruit, or help with scissors, but the delicious result will be worth it!</div>
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</div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2016/03/healthy-edible-candy-bracelets.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-8539009673042609242016-02-19T20:20:00.000-08:002016-03-28T20:21:11.888-07:00Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1460/25501094184_0a4e1f7952_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1460/25501094184_0a4e1f7952_o.jpg" title="Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm peanut butter everything!</td></tr>
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Friends, I have a dilemma.<br>
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I absolutely LOVE peanut butter cookies. As a kid, my sister and I would make them all the time. They were so easy, required very few ingredients, and our mother would trust us to be able to make them with minimal supervision.<br>
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Fast forward sound effects to years later, and I met and married this wonderful dude who is my best friend and husband. He only has one teeny tiny flaw, though. He HATES the aroma of baking peanut butter cookies. I know, right?! Because of this, my enjoyment of peanut butter cookies is limited to those rare occasions when he's not at home.<br>
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Like recently! Yay, friends, peanut butter cookies! I didn't want to make the usual, I wanted to make over-the-top-peanut-butter-awesomeness-in-a-cookie. These are oatmeal peanut butter cookies, with chopped, roasted peanuts, peanut butter chips, and sandwiched around the creamiest, peanut-butteriest peanut butter frosting ever. I am dying over these, they are so good. I keep them in the freezer, and that makes them even better, if you can believe it.<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1570/25501094604_b38f371116_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1570/25501094604_b38f371116_o.jpg" title="Peanut Butter Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Try one of these Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies – frozen! Wow!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2016/02/peanut-butter-sandwich-cookies.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-31705795562298399522016-01-29T20:00:00.000-08:002016-03-28T20:01:14.884-07:00Cheesy Dog Cookies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1589/25500614284_411e2aa66b_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Cheesy Homemade Dog Cookies" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1589/25500614284_411e2aa66b_o.jpg" title="Cheesy Homemade Dog Cookies"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheesy homemade dog cookies — great for training or for gifting to your fur friends!</td></tr>
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So you've made all these goodies for your family and friends; but what about your fur friends?<br>
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We recently welcomed a new addition to our house — a bouncing bundle of fur and teeth who requires A LOT of training. Like, a metric ton of training. And all that training requires a LOT of treats. Like a metric ton of treats!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1549/25832643450_87590671a3_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bouncy pup likes cheesy dog cookies" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1549/25832643450_87590671a3_o.jpg" title="Bouncy pup likes cheesy dog cookies"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our bouncing bundle of <strike>shark</strike> puppy — he requires a lot of training!</td></tr>
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I was not feeling great about buying treats from the store. I needed so many, and the decently-made cookies were expensive. The cheap ones? Who knows what's in those. Yuck. With these cheesy homemade dog cookies, at least I know exactly what's in them. And I can adjust the recipe slightly if a friend's pooch has any food allergies. And the best part? Dogs LOVE them!</div>
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Let me know in the comments if your pup loves them, too!</div>
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</div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2016/01/cheesy-dog-cookies.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-12189177482534600082016-01-15T19:13:00.000-08:002016-03-28T19:29:00.097-07:00Rich Chocolate FudgeOh chocolate fudge, how I do love you. You are creamy. You are rich. You make me hide batches of you around the house so no one but me knows where you are. I am a squirrel in your presence.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1718/26038703931_c0665da05a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rich decadent chocolate fudge" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1718/26038703931_c0665da05a_o.jpg" title="Rich decadent chocolate fudge" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No fudge here – move along.</td></tr>
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We made fudge a lot when I was a kid. In fact, that original fudge recipe is on this blog, and you can find it here. It doesn't quite taste the same, however, because I think the manufacture of marshmallows has changed since then. When I stumbled upon this variation, I was ecstatic! This tastes <u>exactly</u> how I remember it from childhood! It really is very, very close to the original. I know you will love it, too.<br />
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A quick note about marshmallows — do not use old marshmallows, where the bag has been open for awhile. Trust me, freshly opened bags of marshmallows really do make a difference.<br />
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<b>Rich Chocolate Fudge</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Based on <a href="https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/144348/nestle-very-best-fudge/" target="_blank">this recipe</a> from Nestlé</span><br />
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<b><u>Ingredients</u></b><br />
3 cups white sugar<br />
1 can evaporated milk<br />
1/4 cup butter<br />
4 cups miniature marshmallows<br />
24 oz chopped bittersweet chocolate<br />
2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br />
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<b><u>Method</u></b><br />
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<li>Line two 8-inch-square baking pans with foil and set aside.</li>
<li>Combine sugar, evaporated milk, and butter in large saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 4 to 5 minutes. Time it! Remove from heat.</li>
<li>Stir in marshmallows, chopped chocolate, and vanilla extract. Stir vigorously for 1 minute or until marshmallows are melted. Pour into prepared pans. Refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into pieces. Store tightly covered in refrigerator.</li>
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<br />Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-79852210541301124072015-12-23T18:12:00.000-08:002016-03-28T18:30:07.467-07:00Pecan Pie<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1663/26078206446_4fa0b35bd0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Decadent Pecan Pie" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1663/26078206446_4fa0b35bd0_o.jpg" title="Decadent Pecan Pie"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pecan Pie, a decadent, sugary circle of nutty goodness.</td></tr>
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I am often asked to bring dessert to family dinners. This Christmas, I wanted to bring a touch of the south to dinner with a rich, decadent Pecan Pie. True to form, I ran out of time to make my own pastry, so for these pies I used purchased pie shells (gasp!) which is perfectly FINE if you are BUSY and working full time and running around and don't want to show up at dinner without dessert! Stop judging me! LOL<br>
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I spent a year of my teenage life in Mississippi, in what you would call the Deep South. I was a fish out of water, being a Canadian girl suddenly living in a small town where foreigners never visited. My family never quite fit in there, however, my mother and I embraced the cuisine of our new home wholeheartedly.<br>
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I have so many fond food memories, but Pecan Pie is one that stands out, especially around the holidays. I never had a pie made of nuts before — it seemed so weird! Put a slice of Pecan Pie in front of me, and I am transported back to that time. And don't forget a scoop of vanilla ice cream!<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1578/25501525123_013e150ef9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Decadent Pecan Pie" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1578/25501525123_013e150ef9_o.jpg" title="Decadent Pecan Pie"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You beautiful, beautiful, pie.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2015/12/pecan-pie.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-45743348179352738122015-12-15T11:38:00.000-08:002016-03-28T17:59:40.151-07:00Sparkling Cranberries<br>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1588/26011306162_6c620c214c_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sparkling Cranberries" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1588/26011306162_6c620c214c_o.jpg" title="Sparkling Cranberries"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparkling Cranberries — a fun, festive way to present cranberries for the Christmas holidays!</td></tr>
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I love cocktail parties! It’s so much fun getting dressed up and having your besties over for elegant appetizers, fun cocktails, and champagne, celebrating the holidays together. Between choosing the right outfit and decorating your space, you could easily get overwhelmed with too many complicated dishes. Why not make something simple, yet glittery and pretty, to serve at your next soiree?<br>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1535/25501221793_eed4f858ba_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sparkling Cranberry and Brie Appetizer" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1535/25501221793_eed4f858ba_o.jpg" title="Sparkling Cranberry and Brie Appetizer"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A delicious way to use sparkling cranberries: a cranberry and brie appetizer... so easy!</td></tr>
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These Sparkling Cranberry appetizers are beautiful, elegant, and tasty. The cranberries pop with sugar-coated tartness, enveloped by creamy brie. A basil leaf adds just a touch of savoury spiciness to balance the sweetness, and the tiny hint of raspberry jam holds it all together. Serve these with a glass of pink bubbles to complete the sparkle effect!</div>
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Click for the recipe…<br>
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</div></div></div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2015/12/sparkling-cranberries.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-30517908755916785272015-12-05T18:47:00.000-08:002016-03-28T19:04:55.967-07:00Cream Cheese Mints<b><i>Gifts from the Kitchen</i></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1649/26038363091_7cd55139b5_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pretty Cream Cheese Mints" border="0" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1649/26038363091_7cd55139b5_o.jpg" title="Pretty Cream Cheese Mints" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Give the gift that doesn't <i>mints</i> around... get it? See what I did there?</td></tr>
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If you're stuck for a gift idea, these Cream Cheese Mints are super easy, quick to whip up and look incredibly pretty! Package them up in little jars, throw on a sparkly ribbon, and you have an almost-instant gift. And who doesn't like getting candy as a gift? (That's a hint, by the way).<br />
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<b>Cream Cheese Mints</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Based on <a href="http://www.kraftcanada.com/recipes/cream-cheese-mints-175742" target="_blank">this recipe</a> from Kraft Canada</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Makes 8-12 dozen tiny mints, depending upon the size you make them</i></span><br />
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<b><u>Ingredients</u></b><br />
1 pkg. (8 oz) Cream Cheese, softened<br />1 tsp. peppermint extract<br />5.5 cups icing sugar<br />Blue food colouring (I used AmeriColor gel)<div>
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<b><u>Tools Required</u></b></div>
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Piping bag</div>
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Rosette piping tip<br /><br />
<b><u>Method</u></b><br />
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<ol>
<li>Prepare 3 baking sheets by lining with parchment paper and set aside.</li>
<li>Beat cream cheese, peppermint extract, icing sugar and food colouring together until smooth.</li>
<li>Spoon mixture into piping bag and pipe little swirls onto the parchment paper. Let mints dry overnight, then package them into pretty jars, decorated with ribbon.</li>
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Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-28850892101469055602015-07-05T15:48:00.002-07:002015-07-05T17:37:17.838-07:00Lavender Gin & Tonic<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/294/19451960101_29fe0117a1_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/294/19451960101_29fe0117a1_o.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavender Gin & Tonic: The perfect way to cool down on hot summer nights.</td></tr>
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Ah, summer! It’s been hot, hot, hot here, with no rain or cool nights in sight. My perfect cocktail to cool down with is a Gin & Tonic.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/325/19452416331_fdd258af4a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/325/19452416331_fdd258af4a_o.jpg" width="400"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gin, gin, ginny gin gin :)</td></tr>
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Did you know that June 13th was <a href="http://www.worldginday.com/" target="_blank">World Gin Day</a>? I know – it sneaks up on me every year, too! I celebrated this auspicious day with some of my friends. We all brought a selection of gins, tonics, bitters, and other add-ins, and shared some cocktails, good food, and laughter.<br><br>My favourite Gin & Tonic of the evening was a Lavender Gin & Tonic, make with <a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2015/07/lavender-simple-syrup.html" target="_blank">Lavender Simple Syrup</a> and this gin from <a href="http://www.ampersanddistilling.com/products.php" target="_blank">Ampersand Distilling Co.</a> on Vancouver Island, BC. It would also be great with Bombay Sapphire gin. The tonic I used was Indian Tonic from Fever Tree. The lavender really brought out the floral and citrus botanicals in the gin.<br><br>Try this Gin & Tonic and let me know what you think – if you come up with something interesting, post it in the comments. Enjoy!<br><br><br><h3>
Lavender Gin & Tonic</h3>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Makes 1 Cocktail</span></i><br><br><u>Ingredients</u><br><ul>
<li>2 oz. Lavender Simple Syrup (recipe <a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2015/07/lavender-simple-syrup.html" target="_blank">here</a>)</li>
<li>1 oz. Gin</li>
<li>Tonic water</li>
<li>Ice cubes</li>
<li>Blueberries and sprigs of lavender for garnish</li>
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<li>Pour syrup into an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Fashioned_glass" target="_blank">old-fashioned glass.</a> Add gin, and stir until combined. Add ice cubes and top with tonic water. Garnish with a lavender sprig and blueberries. Enjoy!</li>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7774783828598686353%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fc1.staticflickr.com%2F1%2F325%2F19452416331_fdd258af4a_o.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=BUjcV4NuorZx&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 543px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D7774783828598686353%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2Fc1.staticflickr.com%2F1%2F325%2F19452416331_fdd258af4a_o.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=BUjcV4NuorZx&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 543px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-45635454322855413602015-07-05T15:03:00.000-07:002015-07-05T15:03:23.772-07:00Lavender Simple Syrup<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lavender Simple Syrup – add it to your cocktail and instantly up the class factor!</td></tr>
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<br />Simple syrup’s name does not lie: it is very, very simple to make. Add lavender, and this sweet syrup becomes something amazing. The syrup becomes this rich, rosy colour. It tastes like sweet, herbaceous and floral, but not bitter and perfumey.<br /><br />You can add this Lavender Syrup to cocktails, lemonade, iced tea – whatever your imagination can dream into being. I made a refreshing cocktail for my friends – a Gin & Tonic with Lavender Syrup.<br /><br />I hope you come up with some interesting uses for this syrup. Post your creations in the comments!<br /><br /><h3>
<b>Lavender Simple Syrup</b></h3>
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Makes about 1 cup of syrup</span></i><br /><u>Ingredients</u><br /><ul>
<li>1 cup water</li>
<li>2 cups granulated sugar</li>
<li>3 tablespoons dried lavender flowers</li>
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<u>Directions</u><br /><ol>
<li>Bring water and lavender to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Stir in sugar until dissolved. Reduce heat to medium low, and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for another 10 minutes to cool slightly.</li>
<li>Strain syrup to remove blossoms.</li>
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Syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Enjoy!Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-34987246572234652782015-06-28T06:00:00.000-07:002015-07-05T15:05:04.980-07:00Lavender Panna Cotta with Blueberry Riesling Sauce <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On a recent trip through Okanagan wine country in central British Columbia, I was sitting in the pretty flower garden at <a href="http://peachcliff-bb.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Peachcliff B&B</a>, enjoying the scents of lavender and roses. As I sipped the crisp local white wine, I was inspired by the aromas and the countryside to create this unique dessert. Lavender had been in the forefront of my mind anyway, and I was lucky to be in the area just as it started to bloom.<br>
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At first I thought, "Will this taste like hand lotion?" The answer? It doesn't! Lavender adds a slightly herbaceous, almost fruity flavour, with a very faint, flowery note. I also made Lavender Syrup from the flowers (recipe <a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.ca/2015/07/lavender-simple-syrup.html" target="_blank">here</a>).</div>
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<a href="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/471/19188813415_375d47d707_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Botrytis-Affected Riesling from Wild Goose Vineyards, Okanagan Falls, BC" border="0" height="200" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/471/19188813415_375d47d707_o.png" title="Botrytis-Affected Riesling from Wild Goose Vineyards, Okanagan Falls, BC" width="83"></a>This decadent dessert is not overly sweet, so it pairs wonderfully with a slightly sweet white wine that has great acidity, like this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Noble_rot" target="_blank">botrytis-affected</a> Riesling from <a href="http://wildgoosewinery.com/" target="_blank">Wild Goose Vineyards</a> in Okanagan Falls, BC. </div>
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I hope you try this decadent, creamy treat, and that it evokes images of wine country for you as well. <br>
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Click through for recipe and instructions...<br>
</div></div></div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2015/06/lavender-panna-cotta-with-blueberry.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-69629329204228760452015-06-21T15:22:00.000-07:002015-06-22T17:43:11.072-07:00No Bake White Chocolate Cheesecake with Raspberry Vodka Sauce for Father’s Day<h2>
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I once again volunteered to bring dessert to the family get-together. This time, it was a potluck BBQ for Father’s Day. My Father-in-law’s favourite dessert is cheesecake (psst it’s mine, too), so I knew I would be making one. Since we have been having unseasonable hot weather here, I thought I would whip up a no-bake cheesecake to bring. “I love having the oven on for hours during hot weather,” said no one ever.<br>
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<span style="text-align: start;">This cheesecake is simple and quick to throw together. The sauce is to die for, with intense raspberry flavour. It’s worth the extra elbow grease to strain out the seeds, pressing the mixture through a sieve to get the tasty pulp along with the juice. Why add vodka? You can certainly leave it out, but the alcohol is cooked away. The vodka adds a rich body to the sauce, giving it a buttery mouth feel without adding butter. I wouldn’t use flavoured vodka, as the bright acidity of the raspberries would be lost.</span></div>
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Click through for recipe and instructions...<br>
</div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2015/06/no-bake-white-chocolate-cheesecake-with.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-32200272084121514552014-05-25T21:57:00.000-07:002014-05-25T21:58:02.837-07:00Angel Food French Toast with Mascarpone Cream and Raspberries<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yup, it's french toast. Made with cake.</td></tr>
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I made french toast with angel food cake.<br>
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Yes, my dears, you read that correctly! We have been on a little french toast kick lately. We have tried different breads, thicknesses, egg-to-milk ratios, toppings and the like. I got this idea – the angel food cake idea – from an older issue of <a href="http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/raspberry-fool-with-toasted-angel-food-cake" target="_blank">Bon Appetit</a> magazine. What a great resource! Their suggestion: substitute sliced angel food cake for bread in your favourite french toast recipe. My eyes glazed over and after I finally retrieved my chin from the floor, I had made a decision. Challenge accepted!<br>
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I find angel food cake to be very sweet. While I was sure the egg dip would tone that down a little, I wanted to offset that sugar-hit with the tartness of fresh raspberries, and the tang of creamed mascarpone cheese. I also made raspberry sauce (my sis-in-law calls me the Saucy Saucier, because sauce is awesome, and should be consumed in mass quantities).</div>
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The night before my experiment, I baked up an angel food cake. I left it to cool overnight on the kitchen counter, and to dry it out a little as well. OK, OK, you caught me. I forgot about it and went to bed. In spite of my neglect, the resulting cake was just a teensy bit dried out – perfect for soaking up some lightly-beaten eggs mixed with a bit of milk. </div>
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The result? Angel food french toast, served with a dollop of mascarpone cream, fresh raspberries and drizzled with raspberry sauce was a little bit of heaven. Dessert for brunch, if you will. I think this would also make a great dessert <i>after</i> a fancy brunch. The toast is very delicate and sweet, and soaks up the raspberries and cream like a dream. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm deliciously messy</td></tr>
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I ended up with some leftover cake, and you probably will as well. Store it in an airtight container in your fridge, and get creative with some layered desserts!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden brown goodness!</td></tr>
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Click through for recipe and instructions</div>
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</div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2014/05/angel-food-french-toast-with-mascarpone.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-11235913992332549482014-03-30T12:52:00.000-07:002014-03-30T12:52:53.153-07:00Raspberry Greek Yogurt Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raspberry Greek Yogurt Layer Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream</td></tr>
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<br>One fun benefit of belonging to a large family is plenty of birthdays. Each birthday means another birthday cake, of course! We recently attended a party for my Mom-in-law's birthday, and for her celebration, I wanted to try something special. This Raspberry Greek Yogurt Cake fit the bill perfectly.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has fruit in it so it's healthy, right? Right? Hello?</td></tr>
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This cake is very moist, and the fresh raspberries add bright flavour. The recipe below makes four layers, but I only used three for the cake. Yup, that left one layer leftover for me! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy birthday to a special lady! Photo by Marlee O.</td></tr>
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Because this was a birthday cake for a special lady, I made lots of frosting so I could make the cake look extra special. To make a regular, two-layer cake, simply halve the recipe below and use only the Lemon Cream Cheese Buttercream.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yogurt makes this cake moist and rich.</td></tr>
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Click through for the recipe and instructions.</div>
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</div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2014/03/raspberry-greek-yogurt-cake-with-lemon.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-56605374835531093882014-03-21T06:00:00.000-07:002014-03-21T06:00:05.512-07:00Soft Chewy Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soft, chewy, Oatmeal Cranberries Cookies go well with a cup of tea!</td></tr>
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My favourite cookie in the whole, wide, wonderful world is the Oatmeal Raisin Cookie. I love the soft, chewy texture and the rich bursts of sweetness from the raisins. In my opinion, they must always be enjoyed with a cup of tea. Unfortunately, my family does not share my high opinion of these cookies. This is a typical exchange: "What are you baking? It smells great!" "Oatmeal raisin cookies," I smile. "Yuck!" is the usual reply.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's time for tea!</td></tr>
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As a result of my family's raisin revulsion, I rarely have them in the house. When I get a craving for oatmeal raisin, I am usually out of luck. This time, I decided to try dried cranberries as a substitute. Guess what happened? I loved them! They are even better than raisins, in my opinion. The tart cranberries are a bright counterpoint to the rich butter and brown sugar cookie base. Now I have a new favourite!<br>
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Click through for the recipe and instructions<br>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2014/03/soft-chewy-oatmeal-cranberry-cookies.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-66705842850286970932014-03-08T20:12:00.000-08:002014-03-08T20:12:06.789-08:00Orange & White Chocolate Chip Cookies<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange & White Chocolate Chip Cookies taste <i>exactly</i> like a Creamsicle!</td></tr>
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As winter marches on, I have found myself drifting off to my “happy place” more and more often. You know the place; sunshine, sandy beach, nothing to do but splash around in the water. Summers spent lakeside. Walking to the general store in flip flops – I could feel the heat of the pavement through the thin rubber of my shoes. At the store, I slid back the misted glass of the freezer, full of frozen delight. Which one to choose? I usually chose the creamsicle; not quite ice cream, not quite popsicle. Tart, creamy, and sweet. Orange and milk doesn’t seem like it should mix well, but here, it came together and somehow it just worked. Clutching my frozen treasure, I slapped my sticky stack of quarters on the counter and immediately ripped off the paper wrapping. Outside, not ten steps later, the treat already melted down my arm. The last bites were almost liquid, dripping down my chin in a fluorescent orange line, flavoured every so slightly with the woody tang of the stick. What did it matter if it was messy? Another jump in the lake soon washed away any dinner-ruining evidence.<br><br>The creamsicle flavour strongly evokes summer for me so much, that one bite of these Orange and White Chocolate Cookies immediately took me back to that sunny lakeside, full of laziness and fun. <br><br>What memory takes you back to summer?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Try freezing the cookies before eating — deloosh!</td></tr>
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<br>Click through for the recipe & instructions…</div>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2014/03/orange-white-chocolate-chip-cookies.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-121133826007136102014-03-02T12:20:00.001-08:002014-03-02T12:21:34.007-08:00Gluten-Free Apple Spice Cake with Bourbon Whipped Cream<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gluten-Free Apple Spice Cake with Bourbon Whipped Cream</td></tr>
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I have noticed that more and more people are eating gluten-free. Chances are, you probably know someone who can’t tolerate gluten. I’ve been curious about trying a recipe, but had been holding back — the lack of flour-substitutes seemed an overwhelming hurdle to me. When I saw a gluten-free all purpose flour mix at my local grocery store, I knew I would seize the opportunity to try one!<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you like coffee cake, you'll love this spicy apple cake!</td></tr>
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Now, what do you make when you only have 2 apples in the house, and some spankin’ new gluten-free all purpose flour? Apple Cake! This coffee cake-style cake is moist, spicy, with a bite of apples and a caramelized brown sugar & butter topping. It is excellent with whipped cream, and the Bourbon Whipped Cream is a special treat, indeed. Vanilla ice cream or caramel sauce would also rock.<br>
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Click here to read the recipe and instructions</div>
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</div></div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2014/03/gluten-free-apple-spice-cake-with.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-85615700619490024362014-02-21T06:00:00.000-08:002014-02-21T06:00:00.284-08:00Blood Orange Mini Cheesecakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wee little Blood Orange Mini Cheesecakes – get in my belly!</td></tr>
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Is it raining again? It feels like winter will never end. Some days, I feel like I absolutely NEED to see a bright colour, or taste a bold flavour or I might turn into a mushroom. Aren’t we lucky ducks, because this time of year — smack dab in the middle of the dullest of days — it just so happens that it is citrus season!</div>
<br>Most citrus is at its best flavour and price right now. You have probably noticed many new and unusual varieties at your grocery lately. If you’ve never tried blood oranges before, do so now! These juicy orbs are sweet and fragrant. Inside, the orange can range in colour from dark pink to almost burgundy-black, however, there’s no difference in flavour.<br><br>This is a no-bake cheesecake — how easy is that? Mix the ingredients together, pour it on the crust, and refrigerate. That’s it! No worrying about cracked tops or over baking. The blood orange gelled topping is a ruby red jewel on top that adds a bright hit of citrus to counterbalance the richness of the cheesecake. The secret, “stealth health” ingredient to this cheesecake is... greek yogurt! I used 2%, but you could use fat free if that’s what you have. Greek yogurt contains more protein than regular yogurt. That makes this cheesecake, healthy, right? Right.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spoonful of Oh My Goodness</td></tr>
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Just for fun, I decided to make these into tiny mini cheesecakes, but you could make one full-sized cheesecake if you prefer. Can’t find blood oranges? Use oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruit — whatever you can get. This is an easy, versatile recipe you will make again and again. I hope you find your brilliant bit of citrus to brighten your grey day. Cheers!<br><br>Click through for the recipe and instructions…</div>
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</div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2014/02/blood-orange-mini-cheesecakes.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-10571017271807006072014-02-14T06:00:00.000-08:002014-02-14T06:00:02.128-08:00Dark Chocolate & Blood Orange Pots de Crème with Blood Orange Caramel Sauce<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Chocolate & Blood Orange Pots de Crème with Blood Orange Caramel Sauce</td></tr>
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Happy Valentine's Day, sweeties!<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredient Gang Wars: Bloods vs. Dark Chocolate</td></tr>
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Are you feeling romantic? Do you have some Plans of <b><i>Love</i></b> later today? I am staying home with my sweetie darling, hiding from the Love Fest and all of its heart-shaped pinkness. I sound cynical, but I'm not! We love to go out for date nights, but doing this on Valentine's Day is often more annoying than enjoyable.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm squishing your head!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squeezed.</td></tr>
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My Valentine's Day-at-home will probably look like a nice, home-cooked dinner, followed by a completely rich, decadent, fancy, chocolate dessert. I absolutely love pots de crème — a French custard that falls somewhere between pudding and mousse — and chocolate ones, especially. Just a few mouthfuls are all you need to satisfy that chocolate craving.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep pouring.</td></tr>
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I somehow ended up with a bag of blood oranges, and needed a reason to use them. Into the pots de crème they go! The custard itself only uses the zest of one orange, so you can leave that out if you prefer. The blood orange caramel, however, is probably the best caramel I have ever made! You MUST make it. It takes a lot of juice — I needed five oranges to get enough — but the results are amazing. I hooted like a monkey when I tasted it for the first time.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pass me that PO-duh-CREMM, merci</td></tr>
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Instead of a traditional ramekin, I used small canning jars. This amount of custard is perfect — it won't fill you up or weigh you down. You know, in case you will be doing anything, uh, <i>athletic</i>, afterward.<br>
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Click through for the recipe and instructions.<br>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2014/02/dark-chocolate-blood-orange-pots-de.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-84109649007843793582014-02-07T06:00:00.000-08:002014-02-07T12:27:03.717-08:00Champagne Cupcakes for Valentine's Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/12281634103_6b133dee83_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7333/12281634103_6b133dee83_o.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a cupcake. With booze in it. What's not to love?</td></tr>
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Valentine's Day. Cue the twittering birds and soft music flowing from tiny harps! This, the Day of Love, evokes visions of heart-shaped chocolate boxes, bouquets of red roses, and romance. For me, it is simply a glass of bubbly and a special dessert shared with my sweetie.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's a cupcake without sprinkles? It's nothing. It's dead to me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tart Little Dollop is my middle name.</td></tr>
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These romantic, Champagne Cupcakes combine a crisp, refreshing sparkler with a sweet, vanilla cupcake with champagne buttercream. There is a surprise inside, too – a tart little dollop of raspberry filling.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut a wedge out of the middle, put a wee bit o' jam in there, then squish the lid back on. Once you put the frosting on, it holds the lid in place.</td></tr>
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For the bubbles, I chose The Bub, from <a href="http://www.haywirewinery.com/" target="_blank">Haywire Winery</a> in Summerland, BC. The Bub is a Traditional Method sparkler made from chardonnay and pinot noir. It's fresh and crisp and not too sweet – making it the perfect ingredient for these champagne cupcakes.<br>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Any time is the perfect time for Bubbles!</td></tr>
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I hope you try my Bubcakes and share them with your love, maybe with a little glass of The Bub. Happy Valentine's Day!<br>
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Click through for the recipe and instructions.<br>
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<a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2014/02/champagne-cupcakes-for-valentines-day.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774783828598686353.post-54503162920344113312014-01-31T06:00:00.000-08:002014-01-31T06:00:03.085-08:00Soft Frosted Chocolate Sugar Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puffy pillows of chocolate amazingness.</td></tr>
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Recently, my husband came home from work with some random store-bought baked good and declared, “these are awesome!” Skeptically, I tasted the offending baked item, and immediately disagreed. Also, (only slightly) offended. He asked me to reproduce the recipe. Of course, he had suggestions — not very helpful suggestions, at that. “Make it more chocolate.” “Make it more different.” “Can you make it taste better?” “I don’t like pink.”<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You heard the man.</td></tr>
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The candidate for this baker’s makeover was a soft, white sugar cookie with fluffy pink icing, decorated with sprinkles. You know the one! It lives, wrapped in plastic, forgotten on a shelf in your local supermarket’s bakery department. My challenge was to convert this usually stale, dry and chemically-laden sugar bomb into a chocolate delight. Done right, these cookies are tender, full of flavour and not overly sweet. The hit of sweetness comes from the rich chocolate frosting (just a little).<br></div>
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Oh yes, and sprinkles. If you like that sort of thing. (I do.)<br><br>Click through for the recipe and instructions.</div>
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</div></div></div><a href="http://let-them-eat-cake-and-icecream.blogspot.com/2014/01/soft-frosted-chocolate-sugar-cookies.html#more">Read more »</a>Luluhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01635789175903022275noreply@blogger.com0