Sweet and Simple Vanilla Ice Cream

Vanilla ice cream is one of those basics that you need a great recipe for. 4 ingredients and you can add anything to it. Sweet and Simple.

Sweet and Simple Vanilla Ice Cream
Recipe Source: AllRecipes.com

2 cups Heavy Cream
2 cups Whole Milk
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1 Tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1. In a large bowl mix the cream and milk. Whisk in the sugar and vanilla until combined. 

2. Refrigerate or put in an ice water bath until the temperature reaches 40 degrees. Whisk to blend and freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturers directions. I usually put mine in my mixer about 15 to 20 minutes and then freeze for 2 or 3 hours before serving.

Rock Salt Roasted Chicken

When I found this recipe I was intrigued but to me roast chicken sounds like something you would have for Sunday dinner and I never make Sunday dinners. We always go to my parents for dinner, its actually a pretty sweet set up. So when my parents went out of town I had a chance to make it for Sunday dinner.

Cooking a chicken on rock salt, how would that make it so moist it melts in your mouth? I have no idea but I was so surprised and in love! It was moist, flavorful, and we ate it on sandwiches for days after and it stayed moist. I don't know what words to say but its the BEST roasted chicken I've eaten. Seriously. Make it. Stay home on Sunday and make this.
 

Rock Salt Roasted Chicken

Recipe Source: MelsKitchenCafe.com

1 Whole Chicken, about 4lbs
4lb box Rock(Ice Cream) Salt
1 Lemon
4 Sprigs Parsley
3 Garlic Cloves, peeled and sliced

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 9X13 pan with foil. Pour the rock salt into the pan, making it even and smooth.
 

2. Discard the giblets from inside of the chicken. Rinse the inside and outside of the chicken and drain. Salt and pepper the inside and outside of the chicken. Poke the lemon with a fork several times. Put the lemon, parsley, and garlic into the cavity of the chicken.
 

3. Secure the chicken closed with some toothpicks. Place the chicken on the salt and bake for 40 minutes, then flip the chicken over and bake for another 50 minutes.
 

4. Check the thickest part of the chicken breast with a thermometer. It should read 165 degrees F. Cook for an additional 10 minutes at a time checking the temperature after each until the desired temperature is reached.

Thin Mint Muddy Buddies

Last but definitely not least, well at least for me, nothing beats chocolate and mint. Its my favorite combination. Next time I make muddy buddies, these will be the kind I make.

Thin Mint Muddy Buddies
Recipe Adapted From: YourCupofCake.com

2 1/2 cups Corn Chex
5 oz Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 teaspoon Shortening
1/4 teaspoon Pure Peppermint Extract
8 Thin Mint Cookies, finely crushed
1/4 cup Powdered Sugar

1. Put Chex mix in a medium bowl. In a small bowl put chocolate chips, shortening, and peppermint extract and melt in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.

2. Pour melted chocolate mixture over the chex and stir until well combined. In a gallon size ziploc bag combine the Thin Mint crumbs and powdered sugar. Pour in chocolate covered chex and shake until well combined.

Cookies & Cream Muddy Buddies

One of my favorite cookies are Oreos so when I decided to make all of these muddy buddies I knew that I had to make a cookies and cream version. This has 2 different kinds of chocolate chips and lots of sweet Oreo crumbs on the outside. These are a must make, just try not to eat them all in one sitting!

Cookies and Cream Muddy Buddies
Recipe Source: YourCupofCake.com

5 cups Corn Chex, divided
5 oz White Chocolate Chips
5 oz Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1 teaspoon Shortening, divided
1 cup Powdered Sugar, divided
8 Oreos, finely crushed, divided

1. In 2 separate medium bowls put 2 1/2 cups of corn chex in each. In a small bowl melt the white chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon shortening, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Do the same with the semisweet chocolate chips.

2. Cover the chex with the melted chips and mix until covered. In 2 separate ziploc bags put 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and 1/2 of the Oreo crumbs. Pour in the chocolate covered chex mixes and shake until completely combined.

Nutella Muddy Buddies

There is something about Nutella... It might be that I can have a chocolate sandwich and my kids think I'm having peanut butter and jelly just like them for lunch. Or it might be that its just delicious and its even better on cereal covered in powdered sugar.

Nutella Chex Mix
Recipe Source: GirlPlusFood.net

3 cups Corn Chex
1/2 cup Nutella
1/4 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 teaspoon Shortening
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar

1. In a medium bowl place the chex. In a small heat proof bowl put the nutella, chocolate chips, and shortening. Melt in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Pour over the chex and mix until covered.

2. In a gallon size ziploc bag put the powdered sugar and nutella covered chex. Shake until combined.

Funfetti Muddy Buddies

Today's muddy buddies are sweet and taste like cake but much more fun to eat! If you like funfetti cake you need this on your 'to make' snack list!

Funfetti Muddy Buddies
Recipe Source: TheRecipeCritic.com

5 oz White Chocolate Chips
1/2 teaspoon Shortening
2 1/2 cups Corn Chex
3/4 cup Vanilla or Funfetti Cake mix
1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
3 Tablespoons Sprinkles, divided

1. Melt the white chocolate chips and shortening in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Add 1 Tablespoon of sprinkles and stir to just combine.

2. Pour the cereal into a medium bowl and pour the melted chocolate over. Mix until well combined.

3. Put cake mix, powdered sugar, and 2 Tablespoons sprinkles into a gallon size Ziploc bag. Add the chocolate coated Chex and shake until completely coated and enjoy!

Peanut Butter Brownie Muddy Buddies

Are you ready for one of the sweetest weeks?! Cause its all Muddy Buddies are here this week!  5 different flavors all sweet and delicious. Easy to make and such a fun snack.

Today I made a peanut butter brownie muddy buddies. The peanut butter is more powerful than the brownie part but its peanut buttery, chocolatey and delicious to eat!

Peanut Butter Brownie Muddy Buddies
Recipe Source: YourCupofCake.com

2 1/2 cups Corn Chex
1/2 cup Milk Chocolate Chips
1/4 cup Creamy Peanut Butter, creamy
1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Boxed Brownie Mix

1. Pour cereal into a medium bowl and set aside. In the microwave, in a heat proof bowl, melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and vanilla. Stirring every 30 seconds until smooth.

2. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the cereal and fold until completely covered. Then pour into a gallon size ziploc bag and add the brownie mix, shake until coated. Add cut up peanut butter cups if desired.

Hostess Cupcake Clone & Secret Recipe Club

First things first, I have added a couple new features to my blog... You can now hover over a picture with your mouse and a flag will appear so you can 'Pin It' to Pintrest! This is one of my favorite features on some of my favorite blogs so I am really excited to have it!!

I have also started a Cupcakes with Sprinkles Pintrest Page and a picture of EVERY recipe on my blog is over there. So you can see what delicious things you want to pin more easily!

Lastly, on the left side bar you are able to enjoy by email every time something new is posted. So lots of new things over here! Now onto some sweet stuff!

For the Secret Recipe Club this month I got Camilla from Culinary Adventures. She has done so many exciting things in her life! And now she is sharing all the great food she makes! She has recipes for a bunch of things that I never would've thought to try! Its a great place to go find something new and delicious! 

The recipe I chose was Hostess Cupcakes. I have had these on my 'to make' list for a while so I was really excited she had a recipe on her blog! The cupcake was soft and moist, the filling was sweet and fluffy, and the chocolate frosting was dark and rich. Enjoy and go check out her blog!!

Hostess Cupcakes
Recipe Source: Culinary-Adventures-with-Cam.blogspot.com
Also Adapted From: TheNoviceChefBlog.com

Cupcakes
1 1/3 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 cup Dutch Process Cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
3/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 Egg
1 cup Granulated Sugar
1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1 cup Milk

Filling
4 Tablespoons Butter, room temp
1 cup Powdered Sugar
2 teaspoons Pure Vanilla Extract
1 Tablespoon Milk
1 cup Marshmallow Creme

Chocolate Ganache

2 Tablespoons Butter
1 Tablespoon Milk
2 teaspoons Corn Syrup
2 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar, sifted

Icing

1/4 cup Butter
1 cup Powdered Sugar
1/2 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extrac
1 Tablespoon Milk
 

Cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners. 

2. Whisk flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl whisk egg, sugar, oil and vanilla. Then add flour mixture, alternating with milk, untilthe batter is smooth.

3. Fill cupcake liners 2/3 full with batter. Bake 18-20 minutes. 

Filling

In a medium bowl, beat together all ingredients. When the cupcakes are cool, cut a cone out of the middle of each cupcake. Put filling into a piping bag and pipe cupcakes with marshmallow mixture and replace the tops.

Chocolate Ganache

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add the milk, corn syrup and chocolate. Stir slowly until the chocolate is melted. 

2. Once its melted, remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar. Immediately dip the top of each cupcake into the icing and transfer to a wire rack.

Icing

Using a mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Beat in the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla and milk and mix until smooth. Transfer to a pastry bag with a small piping tip. Pipe a swirl decoration on the cupcakes. 

Strawberries and Cream Bars at Sawdust and Embryos

I posted today over at Sawdust and Embryos. Go get this sweet recipe!!