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desserts

Brownie ice cream bites (July’s brownie!)

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Happy July, foodie friends! 

Let’s get the patriotic party started with the July brownie from “A Year of Brownies” over at Food Network magazine. 

I used the recipe from the magazine, but made them a little differently. 

I made my brownies a little thicker. and cut them into smaller bites, so that when I made the sandwiches I just scooped about one tablespoon of vanilla ice cream onto each brownie bottom , topped it with another brownie, and sprinkled the sides with patriotic non-pareils.  

Click here for the original recipe.

I made mine in an 8×8 pan, instead of the larger pan they called for.  It made my brownies thicker and denser, so I opted to call my version “brownie bites” rather than full sandwiches. You still get a homemade ice cream treat that takes next to no time to make

I think they will make a nice addition to the July 4th dessert table! They are bite sized, ice cold, and  all dressed up for the fireworks show! 

Let me know if you make this, by tagging @fromginaskitchen in you social media posts! 

Have a wonderful holiday!

Gina

Do you like Pina Coladas?

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Hey there, foodie friends! 

Welcome to the first blog post that combines my baking with my travel side gig! 

As you know by now, I’ll be bringing Disney travel planning into the Kitchen!  I’m very excited about that, as anyone who knows me knows how much I LOVE Disney.

Although the cupcakes in the picture aren’t Disney themed,  you are going to see me posting pics and recipes of foods that pair well with the travel topic of the week! 

What’s the travel topic of the week you ask?  Well, you’ll have to watch me and Alesia House of “I Book Travel For U ” every Monday was we talk about vacations, popular travel destinations, and all the latest on the travel industry! Of course you’ll get your weekly dose of Disney as well! 

This week we had a very special guest on our FB Live, Nicole Ratner of “Cruising with The Family”.  Nicole shared her many years of cruising experience with us, and introduced us to her most recently published book “Choose to Cruise”.

To watch the replay, click here.

We all know cruises are famous for their food, so a  tropical treat was in order.  Since I wouldn’t dream of drinking alone, I opted for a “Pina Colada Cupcake”, instead of the traditional beverage.  But next time… all bets are off when we can chat together. 

Inspired by tropical vacations to sunny destinations and warm beaches, this cupcake has all the flavors of an island: coconut, pineapple and RUM! 

 

Pina Colada Cupcakes

I’ve made this pretty easy… bake up a batch of your favorite cupcakes, and top with this smooth, creamy, taste-of-the-tropics buttercream frosting.  Sprinkle with shredded coconut and add a fancy umbrella pick and get ready to take a tropical trip right from your kitchen table (or patio!)

Pina Colada frosting: (makes enough to frost 12 cupcakes)

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

3-4 tablespoons pineapple juice

1 tsp. coconut extract

1 tsp. rum extract ( you can use your favorite rum, too. I’m keeping this family friendly) 

shredded coconut, maraschino cherries and paper umbrellas for garnish

In large bowl of standing mixer (or large mixing bowl if using a hand mixer) whip the butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, and continue mixing. Add pineapple juice until spreading consistency is reached. Add extracts and whip a minute or two more to incorporate flavors. 

Using a piping bag and 1M decorating tip, frost cupcakes using a swirling motion. Sprinkle with shredded coconut , top with cherry and umbrella topper.  Cheers to summer! 

BONUS recipe! 

Pineapple Dole Whip inspired by our conversation about Hawaii a few weeks ago.   Of course I can get my Disney fix there too, at the Aulani Resort on the island of Oahu.  I also had the chance to enjoy one of these handmade treats at the Dole Pineapple Plantation on my trip there last summer. 

When I can’t get to Disney OR Hawaii, I just bring the flavors home to ME! 

Ingredients to make 4 servings of homemade Pineapple Dole Whip :

2 cups frozen pineapple

1 cup vanilla ice cream

1/2 cup pineapple juice

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth. Serve in ice cream bowls or cones for a cool treat! 

Psst.. for an adult version, add a little rum and call it a cocktail! 

 

Let me know if you make either of these treats, and don’t forget to post to social media and tag @fromginaskitchen AND @ibooktravelforyou!

Thanks for visiting, and come back again soon! 

Gina

 

 

Microwave Mug Brownies for One

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Good Morning, foodie friends! If you caught my FaceBook Live yesterday, you saw me make this quick and easy treat.

I adapted the recipe from the March “Brownies in a Year” post that makes four mugs of chocolate brownie goodness.

Microwave Mug Brownie

So, if you are in the mood for a warm mug BROWNIE, make this recipe ! If you are so inclined, top yours with whipped cream, ice cream, Baileys, or Kahlua! Enjoy!

Microwave Mug Brownie (one serving)

One mug, lightly greased with butter/butter spray

In your mug, add:

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp. cocoa powder

pinch of salt

1 egg yolk

3 Tbsp vegetable oil (I used butter olive oil! )

3 Tbsp. coffee

1/4 tsp. vanilla

Mix together until blended, microwave for 1 minute and 30 secs.

Let me know if you try it, and post pics to social media… dont forget to tag @fromginaskitchen!

Gina

Thirsty Thursday… in a mug?

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Happy Friday Junior, Foodie Friends!

Welcome to what has become a monthly blog post-I really must get better at this writing and posting thing, lol. Well, I am thankful for my Food Network Magazine inspiration for “A Year of Brownies”.

It’s March already! I have been happily baking for my family this week, as I have my son home on spring break, as well as my niece visiting from Pittsburgh on her break. My house is full of happy taste testers! My heart is full having almost all my family together. The rest of my brood returns to the nest this weekend.

Last night I whipped up a batch of the “Irish Coffee Brownies” which happens to be the March featured brownie. You bake them in individual mugs, which are the perfect portion size for individual desserts!

I made a few minor adjustments, and I have to say they were DELICIOUS!! A little boozy (only a tablespoon of Bailey’s Irish Cream) , very dense, rich and fudgy. Highly recommend for all ages (without alcohol of course)! You could substitute the Irish Cream for a coffee flavored liqueur or Irish whiskey if you prefer. This recipe could also be the base of a brownie ice cream sundae!

I was lucky enough to find this mug at Home Goods, perfect size for “Irish Coffee Brownies” AKA “Mug Brownies”

The recipe was easy to follow, had minimal ingredients and serves four hearty dessert or snack portions of these totally cool mug brownies. You divide the batter among four microwave safe mugs, with each mug taking only 1 minute and 30 seconds to bake. Winner -winner for after dinner sweetness!

The recipe called for making your own flavored whipped cream for garnish, but I had store bought whipped cream in the fridge and opted to use that instead for ease and convenience. I had all other ingredients on hand , with the exception of coffee extract. I didn’t have that so I substituted vanilla extract and it was still amazing.

Click the link above for the original recipe. My only tweaks were store bought whipped cream and vanilla extract. We still enjoyed every bite!

I hope you try your hand at this recipe, and if you do, let me know!

Reach out to the Kitchen via email fromginaskitchen@gmail.com! I’d love to hear from you!

Until next time….

Make everyday a sweet one!

Gina

Happy 244th Birthday, USMC!

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Edible images make any cupcake a personal, heartfelt treat. Honored to bake these cupcakes as a surprise for a friend’s fiance!

Today marks the 244th birthday of the United States Marine Corps. Did you know each year on this day you should send a birthday sentiment to any Marine you know? Cards, emails, texts, FB posts… you’ll see birthday wishes all around. Even in the form of edible image cupcakes. Surprise birthday ambush from a friend to her fiance! I love being a part of special occasions, no matter how big or small. And when you turn 244, I’d say that’s HUGE!

Thank you to all who served, and to all who continue to serve.

For more on the history of the USMC, click here.

For more information on edible image logos for cupcakes, cookies, or cakes, contact us. The Kitchen has done many themed desserts using “sugar logos” or edible images. We send your image/logo out to a professional cake supply shop and it’s custom printed on a sugar sheet. What does all that mean for you? It means your party them will carry through all the way to your desserts! Paper products, party invite, company logo, monogram, the list goes on and on. Want to celebrate the grad, bride, mom-to-be, or anniversary couple? We can even put your favorite photo on a dessert! Looking forward to working with you to make your next event a little sweeter, a little more personal, and a lot less stressful!

“Being Intentional Today”

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Happy Monday, foodie friends!

Today’s post is a little spotlight on a recent kitchen guest (I should say repeat guest) that shares my love of Jesus, friends, and desserts!

Sonia Santos is the visionary behind “Intentional Life Ministries”, a multi-generational /multi-cultural group of powerful women who meet monthly to celebrate womanhood in love and prayer. Borrowing from their Facebook bio, Intentional Life Ministries encourages “meaningful and encouraging relationships rooted in the word of God.” One of her focuses in the ministry centers around everyday life and overcoming the stigma of domestic responsibilities. My kind of group!

The ministry recently celebrated their 6 month anniversary with good friends, good food and fellowship. I have been baking for their brunches for the past three months, and Sonia is always gracious and asks me to join them. One day I will, but duty calls on weekends for this baker gal, and I have to let my desserts have all the fun.

If you are looking for the opportunity to unplug from the stresses of daily life and surround yourself with encouraging and uplifting women in a faith filled environment, I suggest you make your way to the next Intentional Life Ministries meeting on April 13th.

Visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/IntentionalLife Ministries, and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/beingintentionaltoday

In the meantime, take a peek at their beautifully striking logo, on both cake and cookies!