Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake

Recently we celebrated Little Devil's Birthday.  When I asked her what kind of dessert she wanted, at first she said, "Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes."  But we had those last year, so I wanted to try something new.  She sent me a few ideas on Pinterest.  Now I've told you before she loves Asian food.  She sent me a bunch of Asian desserts and candy I'm not familiar with.  When I said I wanted to try something new, I meant within my wheelhouse.  Then I remembered my pal Michaela and her fabulous ice cream cakes.  She authors the blog: An Affair From The Heart and she is a wonderful friend and cook.  I knew she had a Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Cake on her blog and I knew it tasted great because I've eaten it at her house!  I didn't even tell Little Devil what we decided on because I wanted to surprise her.  This is such a wow dessert.  Surprisingly simple to make, with semi-homemade style ingredients, but the presentation is stunning and you're guests will think you bought this at a bakery.  It's delicious and over the top.  Perfect for a birthday party!

I got a new phone the day after Little Devil's birthday.
Sadly I lost all of my ice cream cake pictures except
for this one.  But that's okay, you can still
tell how fabulous it looks!

Mason Jar Ice Cream

We recently enjoyed my Mom and Aunt's birthday.  Since they have a June birthday it's always fun to do something that screams summer to celebrate.  Since mason jar everything is all the rage, I thought I'd try the mason jar ice cream.  I love desserts that can be made ahead and that are individually served.  It just looks so cute.  I made these the night before the party to allow time to freeze.  To make things extra simple I used store-bought ice cream toppings and nuts.  Only three ingredients.  So easy!  The only hard part is the muscle power to shake these up.  I made twelve, and should have invited to body builders over to help me.  They turned out great.  It's a smooth, creamy consistency, almost like gelato.  I opted for plain vanilla and let everyone choose their toppings.  Clean up was a breeze, and the folks that couldn't finish their jar in one sitting took them home for later.  Truly a fun party treat!

Super Easy.  You just need muscle power!

Fill the jars with cream, sugar and vanilla.

Shake each jar thoroughly for 5 minutes and then freeze.

Add toppings of your choice.
We chose: Hot Fudge, Hot Caramel, Chopped Pecans
and Whipped Cream.

Top with a cherry of course.
The perfect way to serve ice cream.

Mason Jar Ice Cream

For each individual serving you'll need:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 quart glass canning jar with lid
ice cream toppings optional

Pour the whipping cream in to the jar.  Add the sugar and vanilla.  Place the lid on and shake for 5 minutes.  Place in the freezer several hours or over night.  Serve with the ice cream toppings of your choice.

Prep Time:  Approximately 5 minutes     Cook Time:  Needs to Freeze

{Gluten Free} Mississippi Roast in the Slow Cooker

I've made Mississippi Roast in the past.  I love the ease of opening a few packets and turning on the slow cooker.  I've always served the roast and peppers on sandwich rolls with chips.  Recently I saw it served over mashed potatoes and I thought that might be a nice alternative to sandwiches.  With a little tweaking I was able to find gluten free ingredients that kept this recipe simple to prepare.  Just a few ingredients and a few hours in the slow cooker and we had a wonderful, comforting meal.  Very easy and very tasty!  You'll never miss the bread or the gluten and you'll love how simple this is to prepare.

A comfort meal, gluten free!

Only 5 ingredients...

Serve over mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.

{Gluten Free Mississippi Roast}in the Slow Cooker

1 (3 pound) chuck roast
1 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
1 packet gluten free brown gravy mix
1 stick unsalted butter
1 (16 ounce) jar whole Pepperoncini Peppers, drained--reserve half of the brine

In a large skillet over high heat, add the olive oil.  Season the roast on all sides with salt and pepper. Cook the roast in the skillet about 2-3 minutes on all sides.  You want to sear the meat and have a nice brown crust.  When the meat is browned on all sides, transfer to a slow cooker.  Sprinkle the packets of ranch dressing and gravy mix over the roast.  Top with the stick of butter.  Pour the reserved brine over the roast and place the peppers on and around the roast.  Cover and cook on low setting for 8 hours.  Shred the meat, discarding any fatty pieces.  Serve over mashed potatoes.


Prep Time:  Approximately 10 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 8 hours
      
           

 

{Gluten Free} Chocolate Cheerios Treats

College football is finally here and I couldn't be happier.  That means lots of tailgating, tv watching and of course: snacking!  My beloved Sooners open their season tomorrow against the University of Texas El Paso and of course our tailgate will be open for business.  Keeping it simple with hamburgers and hot dogs.  I'm making sauerkraut to top the dogs and a big batch of baked beans on the side.  Since it's still hot in Oklahoma I needed a dessert that can stand up to the heat.  (No cupcakes with melting frosting!) Recently my friend Barbara told me about the Chocolate Cheerios  She loves them and I was super excited to have another gluten free item to add to my pantry.  In the past I've made Lucky Charms Bars substituting Lucky Charms cereal for Rice Krispies.  (They are so good too.  More marshmallow!) So this time I'm making the bars with Chocolate Cheerios.  I thought about adding some peanut butter chips or some mini Reese's cups but I figured they might melt in the 85 degree weather, so I opted for a traditional Rice Krispie style treat using the Cheerios instead.  So good!  The Chocolate Cheerios are flavored with real cocoa, lending the perfect amount of chocolate to the treats.  Chocolate and marshmallow are the perfect combination.  Just in time for Kick-Off!

Chocolate Cheerios Bars

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 (10 ounce) package marshmallows
6 cups Chocolate Cheerios cereal


Grease a 9x13-inch pan and set aside.  In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat.  Add the marshmallows stirring constantly until melted.  Stir the Chocolate Cheerios into the melted marshmallow mixture.  Combine and press into prepared pan.  Allow to cool before slicing into squares.

Prep:  Approximately 10 minutes     Cook Time:  Approximately 10 minutes