Category: Food

Peppermint Marshmallows

Peppermint Marshmallows

Time for a bit of honesty. The photographed marshmallows are the product of my second attempt. The first batch ended up in the trash and I had a moment of defeat. I tried switching up my recipe to make them vegan-friendly, but let me tell you, my method was a disaster! I’m sure there is a way to swap out gelatin successfully, but I’m still working on perfecting my technique. In the meantime, I’ve gone back to my traditional recipe with a small seasonal twist.

Peppermint Marshmallows

By swapping out the vanilla extract for peppermint, you can enjoy a batch of holiday marshmallows! I’m a chocolate lover so deciding to add dark chocolate to the mix wasn’t a question. I love adding a marshmallow to my mug of hot chocolate, but they are also a sweet indulgence to enjoy on their own.

Peppermint Marshmallows

Peppermint Marshmallows

Ingredients:

  • .75 oz unflavored gelatin
  • 1.5 C sugar
  • 1 C honey
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbs mint extract
  • Powdered sugar
  • Dark chocolate (optional)

Directions:

  • Pour the gelatin and 1/2 C cold water into your stand mixture. Set aside.
  • In a saucepan, bring the sugar, honey, 1/2 C water, and salt to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the mixture reaches 240 degrees. Remember to stir constantly.
  • Remove sugar mixture from heat and slowly mix into the gelatin mixture. Increase to a high mixing speed for 15 minutes or until a thick consistency is reached.
  • Pour marshmallow mixture into a pan lined with parchment paper and dusted with powdered sugar.
  • Let sit overnight, then cut into squares, dip in dark chocolate and set aside for one hour.
  • Store in an airtight container.

 

Chai Apple Cider Syrup

Chai Apple Cider Syrup

As much as my heart doesn’t want to admit it, the Midwest heat wave is over and I need to embrace the cooler weather. To do so, I simmered a batch of chai apple cider syrup to have on hand when I catch a chill. One of the best parts of the syrup concentrate is its versatility. I enjoy mixing two tablespoons into hot water and sipping on it to warm myself from the inside out, but you can also drizzle the syrup on ice cream, pancakes, or get crazy and make a hot toddy!

Chai Apple Cider Syrup

Whichever way you decided to enjoy the syrup, it is a seasonal treat that can help ease the pain of the cooler weather. Plus, with the holidays around the corner you can double the batch and make enough to gift a friend! Bonus: It is relatively inexpensive to make! That’s something we all can appreciate as holiday ads are circulating and we are feeling a bit spendy!

Chai Apple Cider Syrup

Chai Apple Cider Syrup

Ingredients:

  • 4 C apple cider
  • 4 Tbs loose leaf chai tea
  • 1 C brown sugar

Directions:

  • Combine the apple cider and loose leaf tea together in a large saucepan and boil for 30 minutes
  • Remove the from heat and strain the mixture using a cheese cloth
  • Pour liquid back into the pan and add the brown sugar
  • Boil for an additional 10 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved
  • Let the mixture cool before storing in an airtight container
  • Store syrup in the fridge for up to one week

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

I have a love/hate relationship with fall. I love crunching through fallen leaves on the sidewalk, bundling up in cozy sweaters, and switching from iced lattes to warm cappuccinos. However, in the back of my head, I know the season will be over before I’m ready and winter will be upon us. Oh, how I hate the cold! So while I’m enjoying fall, I feel the impending weight of winter dragging me down.

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

To keep my spirits lifted I made a batch of pumpkin spice muffins. This may seem too simple an act to brighten one’s day, but it transforms your home into a cozy abode. The warmth of the oven and sweet scent of spiced pumpkin lingered in our apartment throughout the evening. As I savored one of these cupcakes I allowed myself to forget about winter and fully enjoy the beauty of this season. Follow the recipe below to make these cupcakes at your own home and celebrate fall to the fullest!

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 C flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 C pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 C maple syrup
  • 1/2 C coconut oil, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • Cream cheese frosting

Directions:

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
  • Line a muffin tin with liners
  • Mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice together in a large bowl
  • In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, coconut oil and eggs
  • Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry until well combined
  • Divide the batter into the muffin tin
  • Bake for 15-20 minute
  • Let the cupcakes cool before frosting