This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.
Welcome to spring! I’m dreaming of everything green – which is why I was so, so excited when Melissa’s Produce sent me a big bunch of fresh mint. Mint is something I grow in my garden each year so having some before garden season was such a treat – and I knew I needed to make it the star of the show.
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is a family favorite, but this version is next level. There are no flavoring extracts or food coloring here – that gorgeous color and all the flavor comes from the mint!
This ice cream is incredible. It’s fresh, creamy, and minty with an hint of earthiness from the mint leaves. It is a process to make, but trust that the time invested will be so very worth it when you take that first bite!
Oh, what a week it’s been here! Why is buying and selling a home so stressful?! Isn’t there a better way to do this?
If you’re thinking, “Wait! I didn’t know you were moving!”, don’t fret – we’re not even sure we are. But we did happen upon a house we just love so we’re doing everything we can to make it ours. The past week has been an endless parade of offers, showings, back-and-forth with lawyers/realtors/mortgage brokers… I’m emotionally spent.
And, do you know when everyone wants to look at your house? DINNER TIME! We’ve been fast-fooding it up. Jake has declared McDonald’s his favorite, and I’ve been going with it because it means I get a shamrock shake. Those things are seriously like stress relief in a cup.
When I started flipping through pie recipes to celebrate today with, this one jumped out. A pie version of my beloved shake? Too good to be true! But this is actually a really close to the real thing taste-wise – and you could totally freeze the pie to make it even closer!
Everyone here loved it – and with only a few ingredients and about five minutes to prep, it’s a no-brainer if you’re having a crazy week like I am but still want to do a little celebrating – either for pi day or for St. Patrick’s Day!
Looking for more Pi Day inspiration? The Redhead Baker is hosting an awesome link-up of pie recipes – both sweet and savory – from lots of bloggers!
2 3-oz boxes instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups cold milk
1/2 tsp. mint extract
Green food coloring
8 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed
Graham cracker crust
Whipped cream and cherries, for serving, optional
In a large bowl, whisk together the pudding mix and the milk until the mix is dissolved. Stir in the food coloring (about 15 drops), and the mint extract. Fold in the frozen whipped topping until no longer streaky.
Transfer to a graham cracker crust and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Top with whipped cream and a cherry before serving, if desired.
If you like the idea of mint for the holidays, but aren’t a huge peppermint fan, these are the cookies for you.
For me, these are a nod to my Grandma.
For as long as I can remember, my Grandma’s contribution to holiday dessert has been a box of Andes Candies. We’ve all come to expect them and holiday dessert is not quite right without them on the table.
When I ran across this recipe that uses Andes chips, I knew Grandma would love them – and I just had to make them.
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 package Andes mint pieces
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
In a stand mixer, cream together the sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet in batches and mix until just combined. Fold in mint pieces.
Roll dough into 1″ balls and place on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Can’t get enough cookies? For #ChristmasCookies Week, I’m linking up with lots of other bloggers sharing awesome recipes. You can find today’s batch of goodies below!
12 Days of Cookies by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
Note: I received complimentary products for this post. All opinions are my own.
Choctoberfest is, by default, a pretty indulgent event. Barlean’s is a great, healthy spin on the chocolate theme so I’m always excited to work with them as a sponsor.
This recipe is a dessert – but it’s not one you’ll feel guilty indulging in. Once chilled, the texture of this mousse is perfectly fluffy. It gets it’s flavor from two Barlean’s products – and they also pack it with flaxseed oil, greens, and other good stuff. A total win-win – especially when you have chocolate-loving little ones.
This also can be easily adjusted to your taste – leave out the mint, go light on the mint, make it super minty – do what you love!
Mint Chocolate Mousse (a Kate’s Recipe Box original) Serves 4
In a stand mixer, whip together the coconut milk, Barlean’s Essential Woman Omega Swirl Chocolate Mint Flavor, and Barlean’s Greens Powder Chocolate Silk Flavor until light and fluffy. Pour into four small bowls or ramekins. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving.
You know what the best part of today’s snow storm is? That most news outlets are calling it the “last” of the season. I have a feeling they’re just getting our hopes up to crush them with a late-March blizzard but instead of irresponsible reporting, I’m choosing to see it as optimism. I am over winter.
To be fair, we haven’t gotten that much snow this winter. Instead, we’ve been getting ice storms. I prefer snow.
I’m using the “last” storm today to do all the things I feel like I’ve been missing out on this winter – more snowman making, more cuddling under a blanket reading, more hot chocolate drinking while watching the flakes come down and, of course, more snow ice cream.
Mint Chocolate Chip Snow Ice Cream (a Kate’s Recipe Box original) Serves 4
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. mint extract
1/2 c. milk
Large bowl of snow
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, vanilla, mint and milk until well combined. Stir in snow until you reach the desired consistency. Fold in chocolate chips. Serve immediately.
