Chonky Boys: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches that Scream Summer!

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Featuring my thick and nuggy Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookies, these ice cream sandwiches are the stuff that summer dreams are made of.  If you've ever had the Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at Disneyland , you are going to LOVE these!  These big and bold chocolate chip cookies are based on a recipe from my culinary school studies at Auguste Escoffier, but with a few modifications to give them that Jennuine touch.  They make the perfectas book for a fat slice of real vanilla bean ice cream.  And those mini chips?  You just gotta have that extra cronch! Thank goodness this recipe only makes 8 sandwiches, otherwise I would be eating them for breakfast lunch and dinner.  This way, my big family can help save me from my inner child diet-saboteur.   Print With Image Without Image Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Yield: 8 Author: Jenn Erickson Loaded with chocolate chips and buttery, brown-sugary vanilla flavor, these mall-sized cookies form a perfect partnership with a

Cupcakes Inspired by a Classic Easter Story -- "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes"


Have you read 
"The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes"
by DuBose Heyward?  

This charming Easter story was originally published in 1939 and has since become a classic with generations of children. It tells the tale of a mother rabbit (a single-parent raising twenty-one children) who dreams of becoming the next Easter Bunny. The book is beautifully illustrated and tells an empowering and inspiring tale of kindness and courage winning over brute strength and convention. Even when the odds are stacked against her, the humble mother bunny persists and sets an incredible example for her children and the readers.  


I first heard the story when I was in elementary school and it's been one of my most favorite children's books ever since.  When my eldest daughter was in Kindergarten, I was delighted when I learned that part of her teacher's Easter celebration included a reading of "The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes".  So, when it came time for the class party, I volunteered to bring a cake.  I decorated the cake with little chocolate shoes that I dusted with edible gold, and each child was able to take home a pair.  

My youngest daughter has the same teacher for Kindergarten this year, and even though I'm working full-time, I didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to share a little bit of Country Bunny magic with her class.  So, I opted for cupcakes rather than the tiered cake.  My daughter helped make the cupcakes and the little chocolate shoes, so it turned into some really nice mother/daughter time too!


I don't have any delusions that this post will inspire the multitudes to make little gold shoes.  What I do hope to accomplish is to introduce a wonderful children's book to those who haven't yet experienced it.  I'm also including a quick little tutorial for making the chocolate shoes. Why not?  You can use the same techniques to make any sort of molded chocolate candy, and perhaps will feel inspired to give luster dust a try.  


Chocolate "Little Gold Shoes"

Materials/Ingredients
Baby Shoe Candy Mold (approx $2), available online HERE
Wilton Candy Melts, light or dark cocoa  (available at craft and cake supply stores)
2g container Super Gold Luster Dust, available online HERE
Soft paint brush

Step 1:  Melt candy over low heat.   I like to put the candy melts in a ceramic bowl and microwave on medium-low heat in 1 minute increments.  


Step 2:  Transfer chocolate to a squeeze bottle or pastry bag and fill cavities of the baby shoe mold.  Use an offset spatula to level off the chocolate.  Gently tap the filled mold on a countertop to remove air bubbles.  Set in refrigerator for 15 minutes.

Step 3:  Remove mold from refrigerator.  Invert over a wax paper lined tray or baking sheet to remove molded candies.  You can trim off any imperfections with a craft knife.


Step 4:  Gently dip a soft brush in to the little pot of luster dust.  Lightly brush all chocolate shoes with dust.  Once the shoes have been covered with gold dust, brush back over them (without adding more dust).  This will remove excess dust, and will bring out the shine.


FOR THE SPARKLY CUPCAKES:  Frost cupcakes, then dip in to a bowl of fine green sanding sugar (available HERE).  To add extra sparkle, add just a touch of edible gold glitter, Disco Dust.  I love this stuff!  It adds a bit of magic to everything it touches, and a little goes a long way.  I bought mine HERE.  

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