Posts

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

Image
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

Tea Time Baby Shower ~ Recipes, Crafts, and DIYs

Image
This past weekend I had the pleasure of co-hosting a baby shower for my sister.  The theme was a classic afternoon tea party, and the day couldn't have turned out lovelier. Following are some of the project and menu highlights -- some original, some inspired by friends and other bloggers.  I hope you'll find an idea or two that ignites a spark for some creative entertaining of your own. I am so grateful to have had my step-mom (with whom I co-hosted the shower) and my dear friends Geri and Holly over the evening before the shower to whip up some lovely directions over some great conversation and a nice bottle of wine.  We started by having Holly show us how to make some of those now famous Martha Stewart tissue paper Pom-Poms. Click here for the TUTORIAL .  It was also Holly's stroke of ingenuity that led to the Pom-Pom garland that swagged the living room.  We used cotton pipe cleaners to wrap the tissue and create the loops for hanging.  Then we threaded whit

CHOCOLATE IS THE NEW CARBONITE ~ HAN SOLO CHOCOLATE BAR DIY

Image
Last summer I taught a chocolatiering class for children.  We covered a variety of techniques, but my favorite (and the one that really appealed most to my "inner child") was the project using a quick setting, flexible, silicone modelling compound to make custom chocolate molds.     Being a child of the 70s, and a diehard Star Wars fan, my immediate thought was HAN SOLO!  Yes, I am not only a culinary geek, but a pop culture & Star Wars nerd as well (and proud of it).  My friend Giuseppe whose son was taking the class had the same idea, and much to my delight, had the original action figure of Han Solo frozen in Carbonite!  The modelling compound was costly, so I ended up having the kids in the class make molds of sea shells, rather than casting larger toys, so Han got a reprise. A few weeks ago, we had some of our good friends over for dinner, and guess who came along?  Han Solo.  Apparently Giuseppe had decided that we had put off Han's cocoa inca

YOUR VOTE OF SUPPORT FOR THE FAIRY CUPCAKE TOPPER CRAFT

Image
I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to submit my Fairy Cupcake Topper Tutorial to the DIY CLUB Inc. vendor sponsored contest for the month of July.  As a finalist, I have the opportunity to win a $200 craft prize package!  Oh how joyful that would be! If you're a fan of this original project, I'd be grateful for a vote of support!  Voting is super simple -- it's literally two clicks of the mouse and no sign-ups or logins are required.  Anyone can vote. It'll take less than 30 seconds ~ simply click HERE to vote at the DIY Club .  Thank you, so, so very much for your support! If you haven't had the opportunity to check out the project and get inspired for some cupcake topper making madness of your own, here it is: Fairy Cupcake Topper DIY

YOU, uhhh, MUSE me! Featuring Artisan S'mores, Cornbread/BBQ Fusion, AND a Shepherds Bread Fit for a Whole Flock!

Image
One of the best parts of having a blog is the exposure I get to other creative people ~ Their artistic energy is contagious and their ideas SO inspiring!  How lucky we are to be a part of a community of MUSES!  I find this to be true of my life both online and off ~ creative, giving, generous people everywhere!  And in that spirit, I'd like to acknowledge a few people who've inspired me this week: MUSE #1:  FOR HER BEAUTIFUL AND CREATIVE GIFT OF A HOMEMADE S'MORE KIT, MY FRIEND KELLY: As a "thank you" for having her family to our annual 4th of July Chili Cook-off, Kelly and her daughter stopped by to deliver a beautiful box containing homemade graham crackers (you'll never buy the boxed ones again, trust me!) homemade marshmallows (ditto), and the classic Hershey's chocolate! This is one of those cases where I feel that HER "thank you" warrants a "thank you" of its own!  The gift was accompanied by a handmade

Fairy Cupcake Topper & Favor Tutorial ~ Inspirations & DIY for your FAIRY FETE

Image
I am blessed to have had the opportunity to attend a Co-op preschool with both of my daughters.  For those unfamiliar with the co-op experience, parents in the program are required to work as "teachers", rotating in a variety of roles, at the preschool for one day each week.  What results is a wonderful bonding and sense of community with both the children and the parents in the program.  There are two credentialed teachers who are present all week to oversee and administrate, but all the parent "teachers" bring with them a rich and diverse variety of skills, talents, and expertise that benefit everyone.   Each Fall, our co-op preschool hold a fabulous gala event with a silent auction. This year I had the opportunity to take part in the donation of a "birthday party package" for the auction.  One parent donated cupcakes; another invitations, etc.  I donated a set of 12 custom cupcake doll/favors . The Princess & the Pirate were the 

"BABY FOOD" Cupcakes Your Guests Will Go GAGA Over (and a free printable to use for favors too!)

Image
Sweet Little Cakes Baked Right in the Jar! Looking for a unique, yet simple dessert for a baby shower or birthday party that is sure to garner plenty of ooohs and ahhs?   If you can bake cupcakes from a mix, then you can make these wonderful little "Baby Food" Lookalike Cakes. Here's how it's done: Baby Food Lookalike Cakes For milestone birthdays and baby showers Makes one batch, one flavor 2 dozen standard baby food jars, labels removed, sterilized Cake batter Frosting Sprinkles (color coordinated for type of babyfood Baby Food Jar Label PDF (choose birthday or baby shower) Full sheet adhesive labels (or regular paper and adhesive spray) Prepare your favorite cake batter (from scratch or mix). Fill each jar 1/3 full with batter.  I like to place the jars in the depressions of a standard cupcake pan for support while baking. Bake approx 18 minutes (depending on your cake recipe), until cakes are cooked through