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Sibling Shower: Food and Beverage

LilSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:12:09 -0700

Nibbles and sweets for your sibling soiree.

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Summer of Sandwiches: Strawberry & Banana Ice Cream and Nilla Wafers

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:01:31 -0700

When I was a kid, one of my favorite desserts was banana pudding with Nilla Wafers. My mom used to make it often, and my siblings and I would chow down on it like there was no tomorrow. I haven't had it in years, but recently someone mentioned Nilla Wafers to me, and they've been on my brain ever since.

So naturally, when it came time to make this week's ice cream sandwiches, Nilla wafers were my first choice. Originally I wanted to make my own banana ice cream, however my ice cream maker wasn't ready. So I picked up a pint of the next best thing - Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey - and headed over to my sister's house.

While there I decided that her strawberry ice cream looked great too, and that a slice of banana would be a nice touch - cut yours thinner than mine so the sandwiches stay bite-sized. The Nilla Wafers were smaller than I remembered them, so I ended up using a melon baller to scoop the ice cream out. I then created a little assembly line - wafer, ice cream dollop, banana, ice cream scoop, wafer - in order to make a bunch to enjoy at once. I then stuck them in the freezer and counted down until dessert time. They made perfect appetizer sized sandwiches, and would make great desserts for a party.

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Summer of Sandwiches: Vanilla Berry Brownies

YumSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 08:03:28 -0700

It was my turn to make ice cream sandwiches this week - I know, tough task! - and I was staring at some leftover rich, fudgy brownies when it hit me. Duh! Why not cut the brownies in half and fill them with ice cream?!?

Once I had a plan, it was time to determine the flavor. I really wanted mint-chip, but we had vanilla in the house, and more than one open container of ice cream at a time is really bad news in our house... However, I wasn't totally thrilled with plain vanilla, so I took some fresh blueberries and raspberries and mixed them in.

To learn how to do it yourself, as well as more pictures of brownie-ice cream goodness, read more

First you need to take the ice cream out of the freezer and let it thaw for a while. Next you'll gently fold in the berries. You want to make sure to be gentle so that you don't mash the berries. Once they're mixed in, put the mixture in an air tight container and stick it back in the freezer until it firms up. Or, alternatively - if you have the space in your freezer - spread the ice cream on a flat baking sheet. This will make it easier to cut into ice cream sandwich sized pieces.

When the ice cream is firm, cut into squares the same size as brownies, cut the brownies in half horizontally and stick the ice cream in between! You can serve immediately, or put back into freezer (in a container or wrapped in foil) until ready to serve.

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Summer of Sandwiches: Chocolate Citrus Biscotti with Orange Ice Cream

YumSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 08:01:31 -0700

While I was chomping down on the biscotti I made the other day, I realized that it would be an even better treat if there was ice cream involved. The biscotti had an citrus hint to it, so I figured why not up the ante a bit and add an orange flavored ice cream. I found a recipe for a simple (no cooking involved, just mix, chill and freeze) recipe for orange ice cream, and the results were fantastic. It was almost like adding a creamsicle between two crispy crunchy cookies! The cornmeal in the biscotti really paired nicely and this ice cream recipe is one I'll definitely be making again. To get the recipe, and see more photos of drool-worthy ice cream sandwiches, read more

You can either make the biscotti and ice cream yourself, or pick up two pieces of your fave biscotti and a pint of a complementary ice cream. Also if I make this recipe again, I am definitely going to cut the biscotti into thinner, easy to eat pieces before their second bake.

Orange Ice Cream
From Joy of Baking

1 1/2 cups (360 ml) heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (120 ml) half-and-half
2 cups (480 ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar (or to taste)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon orange zest (optional)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In a large bowl or measuring cup combine all the ingredients.
Cover and place in the refrigerator until it is completely cold (several hours or overnight).
Transfer the mixture to the container of your ice cream machine and process according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Once made, transfer the ice cream to a chilled container and store in the freezer. If the ice cream becomes too hard place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving so it can soften.

Makes about 3 cups.

Print recipe with images | without images

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Summer of Sandwiches: Crave Treats and Coffee Ice Cream

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:28:31 -0700

A few weeks ago Grace of Crave Treats sent us a care package containing three packs of adorable, miniature cookies. Naturally we had to taste them all, and although they were lovely (even if the mint was a bit overpowering in the brownie mint), we immediately knew that they would be the perfect vehicle for ice cream. So the next day we purchased a pint of Häagen-Daz coffee ice cream and set about making mini-ice cream sandwiches.

Of the three cookie flavors - brownie mint, pb chip and mocha chip - our favorite was the mocha chip. The way the flavors blended with the ice cream caused a taste explosion in my mouth. To make your own mini-ice cream delights, you can order a dozen mini-cookies and have them shipped to your front door. A dozen will cost you $9 or you can get a combo pack for $24. Personally I want to try her PB+Jellyness cookies, I think they would be smashing with creme fraiche ice cream. What do you think? What flavors would you choose and what ice cream would you use?

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Summer of Sandwiches: Vanilla Caramel & Saltines

YumSugar — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 10:01:38 -0700

What I'm about to say is going to sound a little crazy, but you're going to have to just trust me on this one. When I was a little kid, my uncle took me to an ice cream factory that made the most amazing ice cream sandwiches. There was a rich layer of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two crisp saltine-style crackers. That's right, salty thin crackers. Before you knock it, you must absolutely give it a try - the salt/sweet combo works well, and the texture is perfect. I personally think they taste best when they're firm, but they're pretty good when the ice cream is gooping out of the sides too.

In order to indulge in this taste sensation, all you have to do is pick up a high-quality ice cream (I suggest vanilla, strawberry, or some sort of vanilla/caramel) and plain saltine crackers.

Choose a rectangular-packed ice cream (this way you can remove the packaging and cut into perfect squares) if possible - else scoop ice cream, place between saltines and use a knife to cut off the excess sides. Place into freezer until slightly-firm and serve!

Alternatively, if you plan on making a lot of sandwiches, you could spread ice cream onto baking sheet, place into freezer until firm and cut into perfect sized squares. No matter which route you choose, remember to have fun! Oh and trust me on this one, it's a delicious combo!

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Summer of Sandwiches: Living the Americone Dream

YumSugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:16:39 -0700

Let's face it, some nights there's barely enough time to make a main dish, let alone dessert - especially if you're pulling together an impromptu dinner party. In a pinch, you've probably picked up a bakery cake or pie and said, "that'll do." However, now that the weather's warmer, I suggest a dessert that's just as simple and wonderfully seasonal: ice cream sandwiches. Everyone loves them and are always amazed by the effort. If you use completely store-bought ingredients (like Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream and and Pepperidge Farm cookies) the entire dessert comes together in about 2 minutes. I won't tell your guests if you don't!

To read a few tips on flavor pairings, how to choose the right cookies and how to keep your sandwiches firm, read more

When making ice cream sandwiches, try to let either the ice cream do the talking, or the cookie. For example, when I made my sandwiches, I chose Ben & Jerry's Americone Dream, vanilla with a caramel swirl and chocolate covered waffle cone pieces and decided to pair it with simple chocolate cookies. However, if I had gone for a lemon-ginger cookie, I probably would have paired it with plain vanilla.
When choosing a cookie, look for ones that are large and chewy when fresh. If they're too firm they're likely to crack when eating. The best ones are cookies you can really sink your teeth in. If you're going with store-bought cookies, look at the ones they offer in the bakery first. If your grocery store doesn't have a bakery, look for large ones that are labeled chewy.
Use an ice cream scoop to portion out the ice cream. One large scoop in the center will be easier to deal with than several smaller spoonfuls.
Before scooping, take the ice cream out of the freezer for 15 minutes. This will make the ice cream softer and easier to scoop.
You can serve your sandwiches immediately, but they may be quite runny and the ice cream will squish out the sides while eating. To prevent this, make them and put them on a baking sheet (covered in wax or parchment paper) and stick them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes (tip: make them before you start making dinner). If you plan on keeping them around for a few days, be sure to transfer them to an airtight container.

Know any great ice cream sandwich tips? How about great store-bought cookie recommendations? Tell us all in the comments below!

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