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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
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Chanukah in a Jar, Coal Cookies & Tiny Tannenbaums ~
A Little Birdie Told Me...No. 47

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"I've learned that you can tell a lot about person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas lights."  --Maya Angelou  ---------------------------------------- Welcome to  "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday! If you're here to share a craft, recipe or project post, you'll find the linky and the specifics on how to  join the party after the features below. ---------------------------------------- Growing up in an interfaith home, we celebrated both Christmas and Chanukah.  Today's features are in honor of both of these special and sacred holidays. ------------------------------------------------ Chanukah in a Jar from Altered Artworks Filled with menorah candles, a dreidel, matchbox, chocolate gelt and a scroll of candle blessings.  Beautiful!    ----------------------------------------   Coal Cookies (recipe &
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Tiny Pilgrim Hats ~ For Tiny Pilgrims or Thanksgiving Treat Cups

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If you have a die-cutter machine, Lifestyle Crafts has a Thanksgiving die that you're going to want to have for your collection --   The Tiny Pilgrim Hat .     Truth be told, I don't own a die-cutter (yet).  The Epic 6 from Lifestyle Crafts is on my Christmas wish list.  But, in the meantime, I'm very thankful for having crafty and generous friends who are willing to share.  Last week I enjoyed weathering a rainy afternoon crafting with Holly of 504 Main who let me get all "kid in a candy store" in her collection of dies.   Regular readers of Rook No. 17 are already familiar with my weakness and fainting-couch-fondness for miniatures.  So, when I saw the diminutive paper pilgrim hat that Holly had made with the pilgrim hat die fro Lifestyle Crafts, I squealed, swooned, and got right to work making a batch of my own. I had originally thought of using the little hats as treat cups for the kids' table on Thanksgiving, but after
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Eggplant Caviar ~ The Perfect Dip for a Pita Chip

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Smoky, flavorful, and a healthy alternative to cream-based dips, Eggplant Caviar has roots  in both Russia (as baklazhanaya ikra) and France ( as caviar d’aubergine).  It is simple to make and has a marvelously creamy texture and a bright, fresh flavor.    I like to serve my Eggplant Caviar with pita chips or toasted pita wedges. I'm always pleased when those who profess to dislike eggplant try this dip and then go back for seconds... Eggplant Caviar 2 purple globe eggplants (about 1 1/4 pounds each) 2 shallots, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped 1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin Juice of one small lemon salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Step 1: Pierce eggplants all over with a bamboo skewer, then roast. You may do this either by placing them directly on top of the burners of a gas range, turning the flame on high, then tu
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Win the Perfect Holiday Dress from Shabby Apple

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*GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED* Looking for the perfect holiday dress?  Bombarded by excessive shimmer, glimmer and fluffpuffery in the malls, this is one annual tradition that typically gives me a serious case of  the "bah-humbugs".   Why is it so hard to find a chic little dress that is well made, affordable and versatile enough to outlive the mistletoe and the expiration date on the eggnog? Well, truth be told, it's not.  And you don't even have to brave the crowds and at the mall.  Shabby Apple is an online boutique offering beautiful, classic, quality and affordable women's dresses.   Their vintage-inspired designs capture the elegance and sophistication of bygone eras ~ smartly updated and fit to flatter. The Sunset Boulevard Dress from the " Tinsel Town " Collection The Black Oak Dress from the " Yosemite Collection " The Freshwater Pearl Dress from the " South Pacific " Collection Whether you&#
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Eggnog Fudge with Dark Chocolate Ganache

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Inspired by the sweet success of my Pumpkin Pie Fudge with Salted Dark Chocolate Ganache from October, I couldn't help but coax a new holiday confection out of my dreams and in to the kitchen! So here it is...creamy, smooth and delicately flavored Eggnog Fudge with Dark Chocolate Ganache .  There's just enough nutmeg and a touch of rum to give the sweet suggestion of the classic holiday drink, but without being too cloyingly sweet, boozy or spiced.   This luscious layered confection is easy to prepare and goes down easy...too easy perhaps.  Everyone who tasted it agreed -- one piece simply isn't enough (even those who swore they don't like eggnog).   Eggnog Fudge with Dark Chocolate Ganache (For a printable version of this recipe, click the  "Print Friendly' icon at the bottom of this post) Makes 64 1" pieces For the fudge 2 cups granulated sugar 3/4 cup salted butter, cut in to pieces 1/2 cup sweetened conde
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Creative Twists on Classic Holiday Projects ~ A Little Birdie Told Me...No. 46

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My ideas usually come not at my desk writing but in the midst of living. ~Anais Nin ---------------------------------------- Welcome to  "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday! If you're here to share a craft, recipe or project post, you'll find the linky and the specifics on how to  join the party after the features below. ---------------------------------------- This week I'm spotlighting  creative twists on some  holiday favorites... ------------------------------------------------ a creative spin on: The Gift Tag from Flamingo Toes Anthro Penmanship Gift Tags   ----------------------------------------   a creative spin on: The Christmas Card & the Candy Cane from Mommy Minded Candy Cane Photo Card ----------------------------------------   a creative spin on: The Wreath & The Snowman from Northwoods Adventures Simple Outdoor Snowman Decoration
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