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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

LAST MINUTE STOCKING STUFFERS FOR THE HOME CHEF

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 KITCHEN TOOLS EVERY HOME CHEF SHOULD NOT BE WITHOUT 1. SILICONE SPATULA ~ the essential tool for getting every last bit clinging to a bowl, container, or jar. The silicone spatula is non-stick, so it’s perfect for candy-making (caramels, marshmallows, etc.). They’re heat resistant (usually up to about 600 degrees f), so they’re perfect for stirring pots of hot stuff on the stove. 2. MICROPLANE GRATER ~ eliminates the need for such costly tools as a zester, nutmeg grater, and fine cheese grater. The microplane is positively the best zester for your citrus. Works beautifully on hard cheeses for a fine grate, and is a whiz with nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon sticks and fresh ginger. Makes those delicious little chocolate shavings on your hot cocoa too! 3. BENCH SCRAPER ~ makes clean-up a breeze. Great for cleaning crumbs from the table, removing flour and sticky dough from a counter or board, and carmelized bits from your stainless steel pans. You can find bench-scrapers i

O CHRISTMAS TREE, O CHRISTMAS TREE

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WELCOME FRIENDS! A PEEK INSIDE "THE ROOKERY" OUR CHRISTMAS TREE ~   Cherished ornaments in antique white, shimmery beige, and lots of German glass glitter  Vintage silver christmas candle clips hold German beeswax candles  Little papier mache angels by Nicol Sayre spread holiday magic throughout  My vintage music Magnolias And, of course ~ birds Papier Mache, glass glitter, crepe paper, and candles ~ Christmas tree decorations of a time gone by. What traditions or decorations from the past do you cherish in the present? Wishing you and yours a most joyful, magical, and peaceful holiday season! ~ Jenn

WINNER WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER...

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First, I just have to say a big thanks to my friend Sam who first introduced me to the phrase, "Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner."  It's just so homey!  It evokes thoughts of warm biscuits wrapped in a blue gingham napkin, a favorite quilt passed down from one generation to the next, a rocking chair on the porch, and of course that comfort of all comfort foods, good-old fashioned fried chicken.  Must be near dinner time, because I'm thinking food!  Ah yes, 5:00 P.M. PST, and that means it's time to announce the winners of the lovely jewelry, so generously donated by my friend Iris of Arco Iris and Till Death Do Us Art .  Here's how it all broke down: Holly Entered by following TDDUA & Rook No. 17, and commenting on fav jewelry piece Holly Posted Giveaway on Sidebar Holly Posted Giveaway on Sidebar Holly Posted Giveaway on Sidebar Holly Is a FB Fan Kys Entered by following TDDUA & Rook No. 17, and commenting on fav jewelry piece carma

FREE CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY CLIPART ~ another installment of "Graphics & Gratitutde"

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I'VE RECEIVED ANOTHER GENEROUS DOSE OF LOVE AND AFFIRMATION FROM MY FELLOW BLOGGERS IN THE FORM OF THREE NEW AWARDS.  THANK YOU! As is becoming my custom, I like to "give back" when something nice like this happens to me.  So, in continuing with the tradition, I give you some free Christmas clipart from my vintage postcard and German scrap collection: And now, those lovely awards: The " Heartfelt Blogger Award " from Morgan at " Becoming Homegrown " Made me feel all warm and happy inside! I'm passing this one on to Nicole at Miss Dot's Cupcake Spot   and now also at Saving the World One Cupcake at a Time   because she always puts a smile on my face, especially on Mustache Mondays! The " Superior Scribbler Award " from Dana at " Feeling Fit with Dana " Another tremendous compliment from a blogger I greatly admire. This one goes to Nicole at " Tattoos and

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN ~ Lost in Translation

I received a visit from my pal Marilyn over at A Lot of Loves today, and returned the favor with a visit to her lovely blog. She had a delightful post about her family’s animatronic snowman with an adorable video of her children dancing along and swaying their hips to the tune. It reminded me of another, less talented, linguistically challenged snowman that my husband and I received as a “bonus gift” from a travelling salesman when we owned our store. This Frosty hails from China, and is for all intents and purposes benign and an adequate representation of the classic Christmas character. But, wait! Apparently something was lost in translation when his melody was recorded. Here are the “lyrics” as best as we’ve been able to interpret them: "Frosty the Snowman Was a Happy, Tolly Shmoe With a Coined-up Pipe And a Boddon Nose And two Eye made I Don’t Know !" We are, of course, completely enamored with this Misfit Toy! So much so, that F

WONKATEERS, PROJECT #4: CLASSIC DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES

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Classic Dark Chocolate Truffles For this recipe, use a high quality chocolate. If making a large batch for holiday giving, I recommend the bittersweet “Pound Plus” Bar from Trader Joes. You can in this instance use chocolate chips, but you will get better results from a higher quality of chocolate. If you’re limited to what you can find at your local grocery, try Guittard or Ghiradelli semisweet chocolate chips. Ingredients: 1 ½ cups (350 grams) semisweet chocolate (around 50-62% cacao), finely chopped 1 cup (250) grams heavy cream (I prefer organic) 3 Tablespoons (50 grams) unsalted sweet cream butter, room temperature Cocoa powder for coating • Finely chop the chocolate and place in a medium bowl. • In a microwave or on a stovetop, boil heavy cream. • Pour over the chopped chocolate. • Allow to sit for two minutes. • Whisk until cream and chocolate are fully incorporated and no lumps remain. • Stir in butter. You have now created a

WONKATEERS, PROJECT #3: OREO TRUFFLES (ON A STICK!)

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These delicious treats are ridiculously easy, make a lovely presentation, and are always the first to go at parties and bake sales. There are only three ingredients: One package of oreos, one 8 oz. package of cream cheese, and chocolate candy coating. Sprinkles are optional. Chocolate Dipped Oreo Truffles Here is my favorite source for Nonpareils:  BETTERBYEZ ON EBAY And my favorite source for fancy sprinkles:    FANCY FLOURS NEXT UP...CLASSIC DARK CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES