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chocolate

How to Make a Christmas Dessert Board

December 20, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

One of the best parts of the Christmas holiday season is all of the delightful desserts! But what do you do with all of the cookies, candies, and baked goods that people give you? Before you know it, you have bags and boxes of them on your kitchen counter. A Christmas Dessert Board is the solution! A beautiful assortment of sweet treats, the board is the perfect way to bring winter cheer to any holiday happy hour or family gathering.

The brilliant part of assembling a Christmas dessert board is that it only requires opening packages and artfully arranging ingredients on a surface. Just as you would design a meat and cheese charcuterie board, you want to vary color, height, and textures as much as possible. I combined soft cocoa truffles alongside crunchy shortbread cookies and I let cinnamon gummy bears nestle up to a river of holiday popcorn.

Not sure what to include on your board? Use my list as a helpful shopping guide or gather your favorite sweet confections and just have a blast making your own desert board:

CHOCOLATE:

  • Cocoa Truffles (Trader Joe’s)
  • Chocolate Caramel Turtles (The Farris Wheel)
  • Chocolate Covered Nuts (The Nifty Nut House)
  • Chocolate M&Ms

COOKIES:

  • Decked Out Tree Cookies (Trader Joe’s)
  • Peppermint Pretzel Slims (Trader Joe’s)

NUTS:

  • Baked Cinnamon Sugar Pecans

POPCORN:

  • Jingle Pop (Kernel’s Popcorn Express)

COCOA BOMBS:

  • They were a fabulous gift from a friend, but you can find them at many bakeries and gift stores.

Other items you could include chocolate spreads, mini cupcakes, assorted berries, marshmallows, or gingerbread men cookies.  However, I should warn you about something. If you leave the dessert board on your kitchen counter, you will eat from it at EVERY passing. I highly recommend you gift this Christmas Dessert Board to someone or serve it at a party unless you don’t mind the holiday weight gain. ::laughing:: I didn’t!

Christmas is about showing kindness to others and I can’t think of a better way to bring the joy of the season to someone else than by serving them a gorgeous assortment of sweet treats! I hope you enjoy your Christmas Dessert Board as much as I had making mine.

Happy Holidays, friends!

Filed Under: Desserts, Taste Tagged With: candy, charcuterie, chocolate, Christmas, cocoa, confection, cookies, dessert, dessert board, holiday, popcorn, sweet, truffles

Creamy No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream with Cherries and Chocolate

July 11, 2017 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

What if I told you that you could make ice cream with only three ingredients plus your favorite mix-ins and it didn’t require fancy equipment? You can!

I’m on a major sugar bender right now. It’s unusual for me to eat sweets three days in a row but nothing beats my homemade Creamy No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream with Cherries and Chocolate. Not movie candy. Not baked goods. This dessert is it for me. It’s incredibly delicious and I want to give you the “scoop” on how to make it at home.

If you can use a hand mixer and a spatula, you can make this yummy recipe. Preparing the ice cream is easy. Waiting about eight hours for it to freeze is the tough part. If you would prefer different fruit or candy mix-ins, you certainly can swap them for the fresh cherries and chocolate. In fact, I almost wish I remembered to add chopped walnuts to this recipe, but that’s okay! I can just sprinkle them on top of my ice cream or get wild and create a sundae with whipped cream too.

Can you believe how amazing that scoop of ice cream looks topped with chocolate dipped cherries? As vanilla ice cream as the base, the possibilities for flavor combinations is limitless. Why not peanut butter and chocolate? Or a take on Smores using mini marshmallows? Or perhaps chunked pieces of apple pie from the grocery’s bakery department?

I was inspired to use the cherry-chocolate flavor pairing after purchasing a pound of fresh dark cherries from the grocery store. If you buy fruit that is in season, it forces you to use your creativity to build a recipe around it. What goes well with cherries? Say it with me…chocolate! To keep the recipe inexpensive, I used semi-sweet chocolate chips. You’ll also need two cups of cold, heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and one can of sweetened condensed milk to make the ice cream base. Preferring big chunks of fruit in my ice cream, I halved each cherry rather than chopping them.

no-churn ice creamBe sure to lay out all of your kitchen tools and ingredients before starting this recipe, a method many chefs refer to as “Mise en Place.” This is French for putting everything in place. You’ll need to be organized so you can quickly move the Seran wrap covered ice cream pan to the freezer, which if you’re like me, means first clearing a flat space in the deep freeze.

To prepare the ice cream base, beat the heavy whipping cream in a large bowl until stiff peaks form on the hand mixer’s beaters. In a separate large bowl, mix a can of sweetened condensed milk and one tablespoon vanilla extract with spoon by hand. Gently fold in the whipped cream a large clump at a time until all of it is gently incorporated into the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract mixture. If you mix too the whipped cream into the ice cream base in a hurried fashion, you’ll end up with sweet soup. Patience pays off.

I added about 2 cups pitted and halved fresh cherries and 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips and gently mixed them into the ice cream base mixture. When finished, pour the bowl of ice cream into a glass loaf pan. Cover tightly with Seran wrap and freeze at least 6 up to 8 hours before serving. It was harden just like any other scoopable ice cream. This is not ice milk or soft serve ice cream.

onedelightfullife.com

8-10 servings

Creamy No-Churn Vanilla Ice Cream with Cherries and Chocolate

Better than store-bought ice cream, this no-churn recipe doesn't require fancy kitchen equipment and tastes delightful.

30 minPrep Time

6 hrCook Time

6 hr, 30 Total Time

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Ingredients

  • Ice Cream Base:
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 can sweetened condense milk
  • 1 T. vanilla extract
  • Mix-Ins:
  • 2 cups pitted, halved fresh cherries
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Pour heavy whipping cream into a large bowl.
  2. Using a hand mixer on a middle speed setting, mix the heavy whipping cream until it begins to thicken. You'll know it's done when it forms stiff peaks on the beaters. When finished, set the bowl aside.
  3. In a separate large bowl, add vanilla extract to the sweetened condensed milk and mix thoroughly. Set the bowl aside.
  4. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the whipped cream a little at a time into the condensed milk and vanilla mixture. Continue adding the whipped cream and gently continue mixing until all three ingredients are well incorporated.
  5. Add in the pitted, halved cherries and chocolate chips (or your mix-ins of choice)
  6. Pour ice cream base mixture into a glass loaf pan.
  7. Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
  8. Freeze 6-8 hours.
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Nutrition

Calories

3199 cal

Fat

224 g

Carbs

190 g

Protein

23 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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I hope you enjoy this easy, no frills ice cream recipe. It’s super simple and inexpensive to make as a dessert for several people.

I promise to bring more blog posts to keep your time in the kitchen fun and budget-friendly as summer long. Until then, get more inspirational recipe and travel posts on ODL Instagram and receive daily updates on Twitter. Have an idea for a recipe you’d like me to test? Leave it in the comments section below.

Filed Under: Desserts, Taste Tagged With: berries, cherries, chocolate, cold, condensed milk, dark cherries, dessert, freeze, freezer, fresh fruit, frozen, ice milk, mix-ins, no-churn, scoop, semi-sweet chocolate, vanilla ice cream

Home for Christmas Cocktail

December 24, 2016 by Vanessa 2 Comments

This is my first Christmas home with my family in six years.

I know, right?! It seemed appropriate that the cocktail I created for our holiday dessert be named Home for Christmas Cocktail. Usually I travel to upstate New York with my boyfriend to visit his family and then celebrate with my parents when I return just before the new year, but this time I don’t have vacation days.

Nonetheless, we’ve vowed to make this Christmas fabulous with our families and this drink makes it all the more delightful. I love that its cinnamon flavor comes from the Rumchata which mixes well with the deep, rich flavors from coffee. The creme brulee latte coffee creamer smoothes it out so well. It’s easy to prepare and just the late night (or early morning;-) cocktail Santa needs!

Don’t forget to set out a bit of Ghiradelli Peppermint Bark to savor after the cocktail is gone. Cheers and Merry Christmas!

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Smooth, velvety and with a touch of cinnamon, this cold coffee cocktail is ideal for parents who are up late on Christmas Eve.
Smooth, velvety and with a touch of cinnamon, this cold coffee cocktail is ideal for parents who are up late on Christmas Eve.

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One Delightful Life

1 cocktail

Serves 10 oz

Home for Christmas Cocktail

Santa will love this coffee flavored cocktail when he stops by your home this Christmas Eve!

5 minPrep Time

5 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 3 oz. Rumchata
  • 6 oz. cold coffee (I prefer 8 O'Clock)
  • 1.5 oz Kroger Creme Brulee Latte Coffee Creamer
  • ice

Instructions

  1. Fill a cocktail glass with ice.
  2. Pour in the first three ingredients.
  3. Stir gently.

Notes

You could opt for another coffee creamer flavor such as hazelnut, vanilla or peppermint mocha.

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Filed Under: Drinks, Taste Tagged With: chocolate, Christmas, Christmas Eve, cocktail, coffee, cold coffee, creme brulee, Ghirardelli, happy hour, holiday, holiday cheer, holiday party, home, latte, Rumchata, Santa

How to Enjoy Vegas Luxury at The Bellagio on a Budget

October 12, 2016 by Vanessa 13 Comments

A week prior to my fortieth birthday in Las Vegas, my first trip there, I heard Elvis singing in my head.

So, you have no idea how pumped I was to hear the flight crew cue up “Vive Las Vegas” as we waited to exit the plane. Not a gambler, I was unsure if I would place my bet on Vegas.  I did and I can tell you with confidence that Vegas is a must-have life experience you simply can’t miss out on. It’s that fun.

I want to share with you the many ways you can get the most out of a few days in Vegas using my super, awesome insider tips when staying at The Bellagio. Yes, you can enjoy Sin City without completely blowing your budget. Let’s do this!

The Flight

We booked our trip two months in advance with Allegiant. It’s not easy departing so late at night (9pm) and the airline’s many cost restrictions didn’t help. But when you’re as hyped for The Strip as we were, it was worth the booking it direct with them.

You need to realize when flying Allegiant that they charge you for EVERYTHING. Want to check a bag? It’s a fee. Want to bring a carry-on? It’s a fee. Drink water? Say it with me…it’s a fee. Oh, and don’t have the agent print your boarding pass. That’s a fee! And don’t expect reclining seats or free snacks either. The reason your flight is so cheap is because they charge you for every detail of your experience to maintain their discount airline status. You may wonder why so many people fly Allegiant. Because it’s a direct, inexpensive flight.

But, I know how to help you survive flying Allegiant!

Roll your clothes in order to get three days worth of clothes into your carry-on. I packed for my boyfriend and myself in one carry-on bag. Yes, three nights in one carry-on for two people and that included three pairs of shoes too. It’s possible to pack efficiently if you roll your clothes and carry a backpack per person on the plane. (I did not carry a separate purse but stashed a clutch bag and an empty cross body bag inside my backpack.) Pay for your bags online in advance and be sure to download the Allegiant app to receive notifications. 

Pro Tip: Pack light snacks and an empty water bottle. Fill the bottle at the drinking fountains after you pass through security. Don’t forget to also pack a neck pillow and eye mask. When you sit super close to neighboring passengers on a discount airline, falling asleep on a dark plane is awkward when you doze in their direction. Your neck pillow keeps you comfortable and upright when sitting in the middle seat. Ladies: The cabin is very cool on the flight there, so I recommend wearing socks and sneakers to keep your feet warm rather than some bedazzled sandal and to pack a light sweater.

Transportation from the Airport:

Now you’re ready to head to the hotel and start the Vegas fun! You have several transportation options from the airport to your hotel. Taxis and shuttles are always lined up outside of baggage claim exits. However, be prepared to wait awhile for one. If you don’t mind stopping a numerous hotels in route to your own, take a shuttle with strangers. Prefer a private taxi? Get in line…a l-o-n-g line that winds for a mile inside of a sectioned off area near the street. Share a cab (up to 5 people) and you’ll spend probably spend about $25 to your hotel on The Strip not including tip. When the cabbie asks you, “Do you want to take the route of The Strip or the highway?” opt for The Strip. It will cost much less and you can see the city scenery. Vegas cabbies are typically not friendly and drive incredibly fast.

Pro Tip: If taking a cab from the airport to your hotel, ask them to stop at a liquor store on the way. Stock up on canned beer and wine enclosed in plastic (to take to the pool later). Our cabbie turned off his meter for us so we hurried to make our purchases. The final cost, including the stop, to The Bellagio from the airport was $21 plus tip.

See the bridges over the streets? Pack your walking shoes because to cross the 2.5 miles of The Strip means you're going to have to walk over bridges and take escalators often.
See the bridges over the streets? Pack your walking shoes because to cross the 2.5 miles of The Strip means you’re going to have to walk over bridges and take escalators often.

The Hotel: 

You have dozens of choices for hotel accommodations in Vegas. While you could save some money by staying off The Strip or at an older hotel, I want to give you the information you need to stay at a luxury hotel for less cost. We booked The Bellagio as part of a package deal with flight on Allegiant’s site at $800 per person for 3 nights and four days. While that sounds like a lot, consider that the same hotel charged $700 a night only a week later on their site. If there are conventions in town (and when isn’t there in Vegas?), the hotels jack up the prices. Our booking also included a buffet meal allowance of each day. Once we arrived, we used The Twenty Dollar Trick and mentioned that it was my birthday (true) to try to score upgraded accommodations. It worked! Not sure what The Twenty Dollar Trick is? Read about it here.  

This water feature divides the hotel lobby check in area from the conservatory.
This water feature divides the hotel lobby check in area from the conservatory.
Conservatory gardens are surrounded by tiny shops and a cafe.
Conservatory gardens are surrounded by tiny shops and a cafe.
Main entrance to the conservatory gardens. Bellagio staff works on the flowers during early morning hours.
Main entrance to the conservatory gardens. Bellagio staff works on the flowers during early morning hours.
The lobby ceiling is feet of breathtaking hand blown glass.
The lobby ceiling is feet of breathtaking hand blown glass.

The desk agent upgraded our room to the floor directly below the penthouse suites that included a nice view of the pool. He called his manager to try to give us a room with the view of the famous fountains, but it was a no-go. We were given a VIP business card that allowed us to the cut the l-o-n-g line at the hotel’s buffet. Our package deal included $80 per room per day in buffet credit, which was deducted from our itemized bill at the end of our stay. Don’t underestimate the buffet! The food options are endless and include more than the usual omelette or prime rib station. You can enjoy endless mounds of crab legs and shellfish or sushi. They serve king crab legs cold, but will heat them up for you by request. Prefer a culinary delight from another country? The Bellagio serves that as well from pastas to unique salads. If you want to eat like a high roller, dine on caviar or eggs benedict at brunch at no extra cost.

Caviar for brunch anyone? The Bellagio buffet options are definitely not basic.
Caviar for brunch anyone? The Bellagio buffet options are definitely not basic.

We highly recommend opting for a bar seat when dining at the buffet. The bartenders are hospitable, hilarious, and they work hard to make sure your dining experience is top-notch. One of our bartenders had worked there for 18 years! Each one took an interest in where guests traveled from, how they preferred their drink, and even answered concierge-worthy questions. You can pay at the bar so by-pass the cashier station when you arrive.

Pro Tip: Get a table for the buffet at 2:45pm and enjoy a cocktail while you wait for the kitchen staff to switch lunch to dinner. You’ll get to enjoy savory dinner entree options or the price of a lunch ticket. Sit at the bar to avoid a wait. Sometimes the bartenders will come out and recruit guests to sit at the bar instead of regular seating. Go! It reduces your wait by 30 minutes or more.

The Room:

From the tile bathroom floors to the pillow top mattresses, the room is luxurious. Guests can hang their clothes on wooden hangers in a well-lit amoire that also contains an ironing board and iron, a must-have item when you roll your clothes to pack everything in a carry-on bag. Sit in velvety soft chairs to view the oversized flat screen television or use the provided barware to pre-game before hitting the strip. The only drawback to the room is that it does not include a coffeemaker. After a night of drinking, you need your own bottled water and coffee in the room.

bellagio-hotel1 bellagio-hotel2

Each bathroom comes with a large glass enclosed shower and deep bathtub.
Each bathroom comes with a large glass enclosed shower and deep bathtub.

If you prefer your room temperature on another setting, you can change them using this life hack to override the thermostat. It worked for us!

Pro Tip: Do not drink or eat from the provided snacks in your room. In fact, don’t move an item at all to make room for your liquor store booze. The hotel charges $50 if they have to replace items. Call the front desk and tell them you need a courtesy refrigerator brought to your room. The same size refrigerator is wheeled to your room at no cost.

Four elevators whisk hotel guests up and down each section of the hotel. You never wait more than a minute for an elevator.
Four elevators whisk hotel guests up and down each section of the hotel. You never wait more than a minute for an elevator.

The Pool:

Swimming or lounging at The Bellagio pool is amazing. The weather, the people watching, the water, the view…oh my! Vegas weather in October was a perfect 75-80 degrees the day we visited so we dipped our toes in the water. It’s not so warm that you can’t enjoy one of their many hot tubs and it’s warm enough you can swim at your leisure in their temperature-controlled pool.

Pro Tip: Don’t order poolside drinks, including water, from the waitresses. A Bloody Mary ($17) in a plastic cup with lid will set you back quite a few bucks and the bar charges a “service fee” on top of your cash tip. If you order a filtered water, you’ll pay $10. If you bring an empty bottle, you can fill it at a water station near the bar service area. Thankfully, we (and other guests we witnessed) were able to bring in liquor store booze in cans and plastic containers without issue.

The pool staff never searched our bags or asked us about it while we openly drank. Also, if your friends are staying at another hotel, have them meet one of you in the lobby and slip them one of your room cards. Couples only need one room card to enter the pool area. Each person is issued a towel upon entry.

Head down to the pool before 10am to claim your chairs.
Head down to the pool before 10am to claim your chairs.

The Casino:

You can wear casual to business attire on the casino floor and fit in just fine. You will see people dressed sequins and birthday sashes to jeans and t-shirts. You’ll be hard-pressed to get a spot to play a table game on a busy night during a holiday weekend. If you’re not willing to wait, take Uber ($11) to Old Vegas and walk right up to one of Binion’s tables. (Note: Uber is the safest, cheapest, and easiest way to get around Las Vegas. Just remember that Uber drivers are not allowed to pick you up in hotel valet or limousine pick-up areas. Sometimes signs indicate where Uber picks up, but if not, follow the small crowd around the corner to the side of the casino. Ask the valet where Uber pick up is located. When in doubt, call your Uber driver and ask where they will pick you up.

Pro Tip: Like many hotel casinos in Vegas, as long as you’re gambling, you’re drinking for free. Well, nearly free. Don’t forget to tip your waitress. A good rule-of-thumb is to tip them $2-5 the first time they stop by your gaming table or slot machine and then a $1 per drink after that. The more you tip, the more likely they are to visit you. The casino floor is busy on a Saturday so don’t expect to see them often. However, the early morning shift of waitresses is depending on your tips since it’s not as busy so tip big and take advantage of speedy service. The drinks are not weak! You can sip on anything you desire from champagne to craft beer.

Head to Old Vegas (Freemont Street) to enjoy cheaper bar drinks and easy access to gambling tables. This LED sign seems to sum up Vegas pretty well, don't ya think?
Head to Old Vegas (Fremont Street) to enjoy cheaper bar drinks and easy access to gambling tables. This LED sign seems to sum up Vegas pretty well, don’t ya think?
The mega LED screen over Fremont street plays a music video show every hour on the hour.
The mega LED screen over Fremont street plays a music video show every hour on the hour.

The Grounds:

Many of Las Vegas’ best venues are on the grounds of the hotel. It has impressive restaurants and bars, a Cirque du Soleil show “O”, high-end shopping, and botanical gardens. If you want to watch your budget, window-shop. While it may be tempting to buy a designer purse or watch in one of the many fancy stores, don’t.

The Bellagio has a grab and go convenience shop that is a bit hidden. At one point, I was hungry for a snack while other guests slept in until the brunch hour. I was able to buy whole fruit ($2) in a store across from the convention rooms. Did I mention how important it is to pack your own snacks for Vegas?

Pro Tip: Buy show tickets on the day of the show from the hotel ticket counter, but do it early in the day. If you’re staying at The Bellagio, you save 20%. You can also buy discounted tickets on the strip the day of the show from Tix4Tonight. We opted to see Penn and Teller’s show at The Rio instead, which set us back about $100 per person including taxes and fees for lower level seating close to the stage. Some Vegas show tickets start at $100 or higher, so consider any show under that price a good deal.

This show sold out after we bought our tickets the same day or the show. Buy your tickets during early morning hours.
This show sold out after we bought our tickets the same day or the show. Buy your tickets during early morning hours.

Not interested in a show? Put on comfortable walking shoes and cruise the hotel. The Bellagio’s Conservatory & Botanical Garden changes with the seasons and is a whimsical wonder of flowers and outdoor features. It’s free and makes a nice backdrop for selfies or family photos.

Just around the corner from the gardens you will spy a floor to ceiling chocolate fountain behind glass. It’s nestled inside a grab-and-go cafe that sells gift items. It’s a must-see stop for dessert lovers!

Sometimes it's fun to leave the Bellagio and check out other hotels and features on The Strip. This photo was taken inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel restaurant, a stop on the Bellagio free tram.
Sometimes it’s fun to leave the Bellagio and check out other hotels and features on The Strip. This photo was taken inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel restaurant, a stop on the Bellagio free tram.

The Fountains:

A breathtaking water show, the Bellagio fountains run on a frequent schedule and are best witnessed at night. The most surprising element about viewing the fountains is how powerful the water canons are to spray water to the height of the hotel’s top floor windows. Amazing! A crowd forms around the fountains and cheap beer and water can be purchased off of local vendors with coolers for $5.

When the fountains come alive, so do the people watching them thanks to the dance-inspiring music that plays.
When the fountains come alive, so do the people watching them thanks to the dance-inspiring music that plays.
View the Fountains of Bellagio schedule here.
View the Fountains of Bellagio schedule here.

Check Out:

One look at the checkout line on Sunday and we knew we were not going to wait in it. We called the front desk and asked for a late check out, an accommodation they provided at no cost. Usual check out was 11:00am but they gave us until noon. Does that mean the cleaning crew is knocking on your door at noon? Probably not. While guests in our party on another floor were asked if the cleaning crew could get in their room at noon, we were not. The hotel key card will work one hour after your check out time.

Pro Tip: Use your room’s TV remote to go to the channel “Check Out” and simply check out with a few clicks of a button. As long as you agree with the charges on the screen, the hotel will automatically charge the card on file. Don’t agree with the itemized invoice? Call the front desk. Bypassing the long lines in the lobby affords you the time to relax before catching your flight home or try one last attempt to win at video poker.

If you’re one of those travelers that has put off a trip to Vegas because you think it’s just a mecca of 21-year-old partiers and high rollers, you’re wrong. Vegas has something for every kind of traveler. Book a trip this year!

Let me know what you think of Vegas in the comments below. What questions do you have? Ask me!

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Filed Under: Nevada, Travel, United States Tagged With: accommodations, airlines, airport, Allegiant, bellagio, big city, botanical garden, budget, budget travel, buffet, cafe, chocolate, chocolate fountain, flying, fountains, free, free drinks, frugal, gambling, hotel, hotel check out, inexpensive, las vegas, luxury, magic show, mandarin oriental, neon, nevada, Old Vegas, poker, Pro Tip, taxi, The Bellagio, The Rio, the strip, The Twenty Dollar Trick, thermostat, transportation, travel tips, uber, vegas, Vegas show, Vegas Strip, VIP

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Apple Cocktail

September 25, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

I dreamt of making this cocktail while at work on Friday. Don’t judge me. One taste of my Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Apple Cocktail and you’ll know why I was a tad bit distracted by my day dreams.

pumpkin-spice-and-everything-nice-apple-cocktailAll you need to make this cocktail are two ingredients: apple juice and pumpkin vodka. I use Barnett’s pumpkin vodka, a cheaper distilled variety, but it has great flavor for any fall seasonal drink. So where does the spice come from? Add pumpkin spice to sugared graham cracker dust and rim your glass in it before pouring your shaken cocktail. I garnished this one with an red apple slice.

I bought these amber colored plastic wine glasses on clearance from World Market this week. They considered them "summer" but I saw potential as a golden goblet for the perfect fall cocktail.
I bought these amber colored plastic wine glasses on clearance from World Market this week. They considered them “summer” but I saw potential as a golden goblet for the perfect fall cocktail.

Ripe with seasonal flavors, Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Apple Cocktail is crazy simple to make and is like fall in a glass. Cheers!

Rim the glass with a piece of apple and then your sugared graham cracker dust.
Rim the glass with a piece of apple and then your sugared graham cracker dust.

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onedelightfullife.com

1 glass

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Apple Cocktail

Reminiscent of pumpkin pie and apple cider, this cocktail is fall in a glass.

10 minPrep Time

10 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • Cockail Mix:
  • 4 cups apple juice
  • 3 oz. pumpkin vodka
  • cubed ice
  • Rim Sugar:
  • two finely ground graham crackers
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp pumpkin spice
  • half an apple

Instructions

  1. Mix the rim sugar ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. Rim your small cocktail glass with an apple slice to moisten it.
  3. Turn your glass upside down in the bowl of graham cracker mixture.
  4. Fill glass with cubed ice.
  5. Add the apple juice and vodka to a martini shaker and shake vigorously.
  6. Pour into iced filled glass.
  7. Garnish cocktail with a slice of apple.
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Filed Under: Cocktails, Drinks, Taste Tagged With: alcohol, apple juice, brown sugar, chocolate, cocktail, fall cocktail, graham cracker, martini shaker, pumpkin spice, pumpkin vodka

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

June 21, 2016 by Vanessa Leave a Comment

Break out these sweet treats at the pool for your kiddos and watch them do the happy dance. Grown men are also known to act giddy when handed these Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches. This dessert is so good you may not make it to the pool to deliver these sweet treats because you’ll eat them all first. Take it from me, the food blogger who ate three warm cookies before even pulling the ice cream from the freezer, you’ll thank me for this recipe later.

ice cream sandwiches

Admittedly the cookie recipe isn’t my own. I couldn’t resist smashing scrumptious ice cream in between two warm cookies and rolling them in candied sprinkles on a hot summer day.  The combinations of flavors are endless. Today, I’m sandwiching cookies around Private Selection’s Carmel Hazelnut Fudge Truffle with chocolate sprinkles and another one with Double Vanilla.

Until next time ice cream truck man. I’m happy with this homemade sweet treat and you will be too! These sandwiches are served best after they sit in the freezer for at least a couple of hours to harden.

Recipe by Martha Stewart

16 large cookies

Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Sandwiches

I dare you to find a better soft, chewy chocolate chip recipe, which is why Martha gets the credit for this one. Perfect for ice cream sandwiches!

10 minPrep Time

12 minCook Time

17 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 c. granulated sugar
  • 1 c. packed light-brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsps pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine butter, vanilla, salt, sugars, eggs and mix about one minute. Mix dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until well incorporated. Add chocolate chips and mix again.
  2. Heap large tablespoons of cookie dough on to lightly greased cookie sheets leaving at least an inch between cookies.
  3. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
7.8.1.2
13
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Nutrition

Calories

1071 cal

Fat

3 g

Carbs

222 g

Protein

29 g
Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info
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Filed Under: Desserts, Taste Tagged With: chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate chips, cookie sandwich, cookies, dessert, ice cream, ice cream sandwich, sprinkles

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Ammar
Hello! I'm Vanessa. Welcome to One Delightful Life, a blog created to add more delight to your life with delicious recipes, travel destinations, and lifestyle improvement ideas. Thanks for exploring my blog!

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