Pumpkin Pie Soda Float

September 16, 2014September 15, 2014 ~ Angela ~ 6 Comments

I’m just surrounded by people with good ideas lately. Last week a friend provided the inspiration for my Chocolate Dipped Double Caramel Apple Oreos (you heard me right – go check ’em out if you haven’t already) and then over the weekend my mom and brother gave me the idea for this:

My brother had picked up some Maine Root Pumpkin Pie Soda from Wegmans a few weeks ago and he brought me two bottles. I had them in the fridge, waiting for a day that felt a bit like fall (it was almost 90 in Jersey just last week) and Sunday turned out to be the day.

I had plans to just drink the soda while daydreaming about Halloween until my mom mentioned a conversation she had with my brother about adding some vanilla ice cream to it and turning it into a float. So then I had to go to the grocery store in the middle of Sunday afternoon, which I usually try to avoid (you know how mobbed the grocery store gets the few days before Christmas? That’s how our Wegmans is EVERY WEEKEND) to buy some vanilla ice cream.

I have sadly developed some kind of adult onset lactose intolerance (seriously, I couldn’t have developed an allergy to cauliflower or something?) so I got vanilla almond milk ice cream. You can obviously use any kind of vanilla ice cream – the creamier the better! I didn’t have any on hand, but you could top this off with a drizzle of caramel sauce if you like things to be fantastic.

This was really good, and makes an easy fun treat for the kiddos if you have them. You could also make an adult version by adding a splash of Pinnacle Pumpkin Pie Vodka which, of course, I did. Either way you’ll end up with a glass of cold, creamy, pumpkin-y deliciousness.

Pumpkin Pie Soda Float

Ingredients

Pumpkin Pie Soda
Vanilla Ice Cream (or other flavor of your choosing)
Pinnacle Pumpkin Pie Vodka (optional)
Caramel Sauce (optional for garnish)

Directions

1. Pour chilled Pumpkin Pie Soda into a glass. If using the vodka add a splash and give it a stir.
2. Add as many scoops of ice cream as your little heart desires
3. Top with caramel sauce (optional)

The Obsession Continues – Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cookies

September 12, 2013September 11, 2013 ~ Angela ~ 31 Comments

Hey all! I’m back, and I brought more cake mix cookies!! If you happened to miss my last post about these UH-MAYYY-ZING Pumpkin Toffee Cheesecake Cookies that I made using cake mix, you should definitely go check it out! Go ahead, I’ll wait… : )

…So you can see why I am totally digging cake mix cookies, right? They are so easy to make, and every time I have made them the cookies are perfectly soft, chewy and full of flavor! They have yet to disappoint, unlike some other recipes I have tried lately.

Even though it’s supposed to be almost 90 degrees again tomorrow here in NJ, I am in full on fall recipe mode. I spent last weekend baking pumpkin and apple cake mix cookies (as well as a sweet treat for this month’s Spiked Recipe Challenge – Seasonal Beers) and I spend a ridiculous amount of time pinning pumpkin related everything to my Fall Pinterest board. I can’t wait for crisp weather, crunchy leaves and cozy fires in the fireplace.

Fall leaves in Vancouver (Photo credit: VancityAllie)

To help usher in my favorite season, I would like to introduce you to my Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cookies! As I mentioned, these are cake mix cookies and I used another one of the new seasonal Pillsbury cake mixes I found at the grocery store a few weeks ago.

Let me tell you, this cake mix smells heavenly. I mean, it’s got caramel in it – how could it not? I used white chocolate chips in this recipe, but regular chocolate chips would be also be a delicious add-in. I’ve ogled those chocolate dipped caramel apples on numerous occasions, haven’t you?

Same simple concept as the Pumpkin Toffee Cheesecake Cookies. Cake mix, pudding mix, oil, eggs = YUMMY COOKIES!

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Cookies (Once again inspired by and adapted from Kitchen Meets Girl’s Funfetti Cheesecake Cookies)

Ingredients

1 box Pillsbury Caramel Apple cake mix
1 small box instant cheesecake pudding mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup white chocolate chips, divided

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2. Combine cake mix, pudding mix, oil and eggs in a medium bowl until a dough forms. Mix in 1/2 cup of the white chocolate chips.
3. Form dough into balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Use the remaining white chocolate chips to press into the top of each cookie.
4. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cookies begin to brown slightly. Remove from oven, cool for 2 minutes and then move to a wire rack.

Makes about 24 cookies.

I ate quite a few of these and then had to take the rest to work before I ate them ALL. Looking at these pictures now though, I wish I hadn’t. I’m hungry and I could really go for a cookie…

The 12 Daze of Christmas

December 23, 2012December 23, 2012 ~ Angela ~ 5 Comments

Today I got a little break from the pre-Christmas running around madness. Presents are all wrapped, cookies are baked, make-ahead mashed potatoes for Christmas Eve dinner are made…ahead. What better way to enjoy some downtime than with a cocktail?

This drink was inspired by those chocolate covered marshmallow and caramel santas that you can buy at the drugstore this time of year. I love those things!

While I was whipping this up, I thought of a Christmas song called The 12 Daze of Christmas by Fay McKay. It’s not something they ever play on the radio – I’m not even sure how I ever heard it in the first place – but they should, because it’s freaking hilarious.

So if you too could use a little drink and some music to unwind this evening, play that and make this:

Chocolate Caramallow Cocktail

1 oz Pinnacle Marshmallow Vodka
2 oz Godiva Chocolate Liqueur
splash of half & half
ice
caramel sundae syrup, chocolate syrup and marshmallows for garnish (optional)

Combine marhsmallow vodka, chocolate liqueur, half & half, and ice in a cocktail shaker and shake until frosty. Drizzle caramel sundae syrup inside martini glass, then pour in drink. Garnish with marshmallows and chocolate syrup.