Category: Food

Easy Homemade Vanilla Extract

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Homemade Vanilla Extract

You wouldn’t think a small change in baking, like using pure vanilla extract, would make a difference – but it does. The simple switch can elevate your baked goods from ordinary to scrumptious. If you are a serious foodie, you may want to take it up an extra level and infuse your own vanilla extract at home!

Homemade Vanilla Extract

All you need to make the extract at home is vanilla beans, your choice of alcohol and a lot of patience! After three months, your extract will be rich in flavor and ready to use. At this point you may want to keep your tincture all to yourself, but if you are feeling generous, this would be a lovely gift to give.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Ingredients:

  • 6 vanilla beans
  • 8 oz. Bourbon, tequila, or vodka

Directions:

  • Slice the vanilla beans lengthwise and place in a mason jar
  • Cover with alcohol and seal shut with the lid
  • Place in a cool, dark room and shake occasionally
  • After three months the extract is ready to use

Irish Creamery Cocktail

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Irish Creamery Coffee

Our favorite breakfast place in town added an array of brunch cocktails to their menu. While I’m not usually in the mood for a cocktail at 10 a.m., as I glanced down the list one caught my eye – Irish Creamery.

Irish Creamery Coffee

A blend of Baileys, hot chocolate, and coffee, this drink was begging me to order it. So I caved. When it arrived I took a cautious sip, then immediately fell in love! It was warm and rich in flavor – perfect to enjoy on a cold winter morning.

Irish Creamery Coffee

While I’m not going to make it a habit of ordering a cocktail with breakfast, I have added the Irish Creamery to my after dinner drink list! Though I admit, this would be a fun cocktail to make when hosting a brunch party!

Irish Creamery Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1 c. coffee
  • ½ c. hot chocolate
  • 1 shot Baileys

Directions:

  • Stir the coffee, hot chocolate and Baileys together
  • Pour into a coffee mug
  • Enjoy!

 

Peanut Butter Granola

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Peanut Butter Granola

Gasp all you want, but I just hopped on the granola bandwagon. I know, I know. Granola has been around forever, but I was never really a huge fan. I’ve boiled this down to the fact that granola is often paired with yogurt – a food item that is not on the top of my list.

Peanut Butter Granola

Recently, I had the realization that granola isn’t married to yogurt. I could nibble on it as a snack or pour myself a bowl with almond milk for breakfast. This was a huge turning point in my relationship with granola! Now I find myself daydreaming about breakfast when I can munch on another bowl.

Peanut Butter Granola

There are endless variations of granola, but my favorite has been this Peanut Butter Granola. The ingredients are simple, but the flavor is rich and creamy. If you have more of a sweet tooth, you could sprinkle in mini chocolate chips and snack on this as an afternoon treat!

Peanut Butter Granola

Ingredients:

  • ½ c. peanut butter
  • ¼ c. honey
  • ¼ c. maple syrup
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 5 C. rolled oats

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350˙ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  • In a small pan, heat peanut butter, honey and maple syrup until melted
  • Remove from heat and add in vanilla, cinnamon and oats
  • Stir until the oats are evenly coated the spread onto baking tray
  • Bake for 20 minutes, take out tray and stir oats, then bake for an additional 15 minutes
  • Remove tray from the oven and set aside to cool
  • Store in an airtight container