Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze

Halloween inspired with fall flavors, Vanilla Spice Donuts with Maple Glaze:: Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze ::

Who doesn’t love a warm glazed donut? These Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze are tasty and full of fall flavors with a hint of Halloween wrapped into one.  Both kids and adults alike love donuts .  I think donuts bring along a sentiment of childhood in all of us.  I remember going to Winchell’s as a kid on a special occasion and being able to pick out the largest apple fritter with a little carton of milk.  I loved that! 

Today, my kids love going to get donuts.  I have over the years built some sentiment into their childhood with us going to get a donut on Sunday morning.  Sometimes, we bike to the store, or walk, either way it’s time with my kids that I have enjoyed.  It gives us an activity to do as my husband is often scheduled to work on family day, Sunday. This particular Sunday, the kids had asked for donuts and I decided it was time to make a homemade version of a simple frosted donut.  These Vanilla Spice Donuts With Maple Glaze are kid friendly and adult approved, oh yeah did I mention, they are baked and not fried. [Read more…]

The Perfect Dutch Baby

Dutch Baby {simplyhappenstance.com} #dutchbaby #breakfast:: The Perfect Dutch Baby ::

I may need an intervention! I recently made my first ever Dutch Baby {which is sometimes called a German Pancake, a Bismarck, or a Dutch Puff}.  I’ve since made a few more batches, using my new favorite cast iron skillet. I may be addicted, friends! I love the simplicity of the ingredients, and how you can easily change the taste by the toppings you choose.  I also love the flavor and texture! It reminds me of a mix between a pancake, crepe, and an omelet. {Is that strange?! I promise it’s utterly delicious!} The edges end up golden brown in color, and slightly chewy/crispy {sort of omelet-like}, while the inside of the Dutch Baby becomes an almost custard-like consistency. It’s hard to put into words — but trust me, it’s crazy good! 

The first Dutch Baby I made, I topped with a sprinkling of powdered sugar and a drizzle of raw honey. I dressed the second batch with a dusting of powdered sugar, and fresh blueberries {pictured}. The third batch I made, I simply dipped each bite into a bath of  pure maple syrup! I’ve yet to try a hint of fresh squeezed lemon and butter, but I’ve been told it’s a favorite among many! [Read more…]

Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

vanilla chia seed pudding:: Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding :: 

So… I’m on a healthy recipe kick this week on the blog! Could you tell? I made this Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding for the first time last week, and absolutely LOVED it! I’ve made a few chia pudding recipes in the past, but none were successful until this recipe. I have a few tips for you that should make it thicken nicely and come out with a pudding-like consistency. I think this would be lovely as a healthier dessert, but honestly… I’ll be eating it for breakfast! There are no refined sugars in this lovely dish – just a little pure maple syrup to sweeten things up! 

I actually plan on making this pudding again tonight, in preparation for my son Ryan’s 10th Birthday on Friday! Since the poor guy has to go to school, I thought he could at least start his day on a tasty note! {Little does he know that we are also surprising him with a fun family getaway for the weekend, as well!}

vanilla chia seed pudding

[Read more…]

S’mores Malt

S'mores Malt:: S’mores Malt ::

Let’s squeeze a little more summer time fun in with this S’mores Malt! My kids are big fans of Ruby’s. Recently we had been walking around The Irvine Spectrum {one of our favorite places to go} when we were given a sample of their new S’mores Shake.  Mason begged to go to Ruby’s!  We tried the shake and I thought it was great, but Mason {my picky eater} said, “Let’s make these at home minus the coffee”… so, here is what we came up with {and by the way… I don’t think there was coffee in them in the first place}!

Delicious S'mores Malt [Read more…]

Lemon Bar Smash

Lemon Bar Smash

:: Lemon Bar Smash ::

Sometimes life gives you lemons, and sometimes those lemons turn into lemon bars that don’t turn out! It’s why I turned this recipe into a Lemon Bar Smash and let’s just say, I am so glad for these lemons.

The pressure was building, the kids were fighting, and we needed to be out the door an hour ago.  It was time for a station visit so that we could see my husband at work.  If you know anything about firefighters, they like to eat! It’s an unspoken rule that when you visit the station, you need to bring a tasty treat.  My goal was to make a semi-homemade batch of lemon bars.  Much to my dismay….the speedy method did not turn out the way I wanted them to.  So in my panic state of mind and in between the he said she said tattle tales by the kids, I remembered everything tastes better topped with ice cream. [Read more…]

Peach and Toasted Pecan Ice Cream

peach and toasted pecan ice cream:: Peach and Toasted Pecan Ice Cream ::

I recently sat down and reminisced about my favorite 4th of July celebrations over the years. They were spent at my Aunt Jean’s house in Fullerton. She had the most beautiful Spanish style house, with a big backyard, and dreamy swimming pool. She invited everyone!  Her yard was always packed full of close friends and family. After dark… we would crowd the usually quiet street in front of her house {which was situated on a hill}, and watch the local firework show. 

Looking back, I have the fondest… most cherished memories of the 4th of July because of my sweet Aunt Jean and the wonderful annual gathering she created! The conversation was always delightful, the pool nice and cool, and the food… absolutely scrumptious! Of course, the homemade ice cream {that seemed to take forever to churn by hand}, was always my favorite!

peach and toasted pecan ice cream

Fresh peach ice cream seemed to be a tradition at her 4th of July celebrations, which is why I decided to make my own version to share with my family! I’m hoping to carry-on the lovely homemade ice cream tradition to celebrate Independence Day this year… and in the many years to come!

peach and toasted pecan ice cream [Read more…]