dessert Archives - Page 5 of 7 - Simply Happenstance

Raspberry Shortbread Ice Cream

January 28, 2014

:: Raspberry Shortbread Ice Cream ::

Sara and I are so very excited to be Blogger Ambassadors for Walkers Shortbread! You know your favorite plaid cookie tin that you have been enjoying every holiday since you were a kid? We were asked to come up with recipes using their delightful cookies. {A thrill for us, as these classic cookies are made from only four pure ingredients… and are GMO, vegetarian, and preservative free.} The family owned company still makes all of their traditional cakes and cookies in the same secluded village in Scotland that they have been running since 1898. We LOVE that! What’s even more exciting, Walkers is sharing the love of their cookies with our readers for a limited time {until January 31st, 2014}, with this discount code on their site SHMINI2014.

I decided to create this Raspberry Shortbread Ice Cream recipe using the Walkers Mini Shortbread Fingers. I know what you are thinking! Ice cream in February? It’s been hot in Southern California. It feels like July in January, and believe me… we could use some rain! With this crazy summer like weather, it’s the perfect time to enjoy a scoop of Raspberry Shortbread Ice Cream!

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Blueberry Croissant Bread Pudding

December 12, 2013

:: Blueberry Croissant Bread Pudding ::

Oh… do I have a tasty indulgence for you today! My friends, this is definitely my favorite breakfast treat at the moment! It’s delicious served warm for breakfast {or dessert}… and it’s even good cold, straight out of the fridge {don’t ask me how I know that}! One of my dearest friends recently gave me the recipe to try out with my family. We’ve made it two times in the last week! Remember my husband who doesn’t like anything sweet? He LOVED it! In fact, I totally caught him with a fork sneaking bites out of the fridge. That never happens!

So, before I get started on the details of this amazingly delicious dish {that would be the perfect addition to your Christmas morning, I might add}… I must first tell you about my friend who passed on this recipe. I typically call her “Pretty”… because she’s so pretty, of course {inside & out}! I’m hoping that one day she’ll decide to write a guest post for Simply Happenstance and tell you all about her testimony and issues she’s faced over the past few years. She is hands down, one of the strongest, most God-loving, positive, and wonderful mamas I know! She has taught and encouraged me so much over the past five years that I have known her. The most cherished girlfriends that I have in my life are definitely the ones that bring me closer to God. “Pretty” is one of those. We don’t live near each other any longer {now that our family has moved to the mountains}, but we talk on the phone almost daily. She uplifts my spirit in so many ways. I hope that all of you have a friend like that in your life. It is such an incredible gift… [Read more…]

Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff

November 12, 2013

:: Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff ::

I don’t know about you, but this long weekend allowed for ample time to start thinking away about Thanksgiving and the holidays. No… it wasn’t just me thinking about them, but my family as well. “What would you like to bring to Thanksgiving?” Well for starters, my first choice will always lean towards dessert {obviously I have a sweet tooth}. I also like to think of simple recipes that I know will be an easy addition to my traditional dishes {that can be found here and here}. This Gingerbread Pumpkin Fluff is simple, yummy, and can be either an appetizer or a dessert {whew… a two-fer}! It is a great sweet appetizer for family waiting for the turkey to be done, or a wonderful dessert for those who like pumpkin pie, but maybe aren’t fans of the crust. This dip is similar to pumpkin pie but with the twist of cream cheese and marshmallow fluff.

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M&M Skillet Cookie

October 8, 2013

:: M&M Skillet Cookie ::

It’s fall and I am feeling inspired by all that I see. Target really has a way of taking a hold of oneself with it’s lovely displays of Halloween and all its seasonal M&M’s. I can’t help it….the kids want chocolate chip cookies, and I am thinking we need something new… something that I actually have to think a little bit about and use one of the many gadgets that I like to covet. How many of you have this problem? I love kitchen appliances, cake plates, pans, and coffee mugs….I can go on and on. The problem is I buy them and then I sit and wait. I wait to decide the best possible recipe I will create to use in that special addition to my kitchen. So I am breaking out my Lodge cast iron and I am making it simple. Two dishes to clean and I don’t have to roll out cookies, set them aside to cool, and repeat. One pan and you get to slice your cookie out of it. Genius and easy! This M&M Skillet Cookie is simply inspired by BJ’s Restaurant. When I first arrived at Long Beach State as a Freshman, BJ’s in Belmont Shore was a fun meet-up for food, friends, and family. We would always end our meal with a Pizookie. Since my kids have recently had their first try of one, I am making an at home version… and its not going to be in a small pan. No rush to finish and we did top it with ice cream. Yum! [Read more…]

Maple Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting

September 24, 2013

:: Maple Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting ::

Confession…. this post was totally supposed to be about Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Maple Cream Cheese Whipped Frosting {whew… that’s a mouthful}, but…. the frosting literally STOLE the show! I decided that this entire post had to be dedicated to its light, airy, sweetness!

So, a little background… I first had this whipped cream cheese frosting when one of my lovely friends/coworkers made me cupcakes for my surprise baby shower with Mr. Amazing. Thankfully, my dear friend gave me the recipe, which I then passed on to Nicole, and some of my other close friends. In fact, Nicole also loves it, and has shared the recipe with you here. This time around… I made a minor {dare I say…. remarkable} adjustment, which turned this perfect summer frosting into the perfect one for fall. In fact… I couldn’t sleep last night because I was thinking of all the ways one could eat this heavenly confection!

Here are my thoughts… this would be incredibly delicious topped on pancakes, waffles, spice cakes, pumpkin, apple, or pecan pies, graham crackers, sugar cookies, or even fall muffins! It could be used as a sweet filling for dessert crepes… or you could simply dunk sliced apples right into it! Of course, there’s always my favorite option… eat. it. straight. out. of. the. bowl. If you choose that last option, just know you’re going to lick that bowl clean! It’s just that good! [Read more…]