Tag: Sundaes

Summer Sweets: Chocolate Waffle Ice-Cream Sandwiches

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Summer Sweets: Chocolate Waffle Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Good Morning and Happy Monday, everyone!

We are in the midst of a three-day heat wave here in New England, with temperatures hitting the high nineties on Saturday, Sunday- and expected to do so again a little later on today. I don’t mind it at all- even if it means being a little sweaty and uncomfortable now and then, but it does make cooking/baking things- particularly things that need to stay cold- slightly trickier.

Case in point: these chocolate waffle and ice cream sandwiches I made yesterday afternoon prior to heading out to Western Massachusetts to meet a friend for dinner. As I tried to assemble the sandwiches, they were melting quicker than I could keep up- and more than once I had to pop them back in the freezer to get them more solid again before continuing sprinkling on the sauces and toppings.

But, they were worth it- since they were cold and delicious- and just what I needed on such a hot day!

And best of all? They’re pretty easy to make and completely customizable!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2¼ cups whole milk
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 pints ice cream (any flavor you want! I used sea-salted caramel!)
  • ½ cup caramel sauce
  • ¾ cup chopped salted almonds
  • ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
  • ½ cup melted dark chocolate

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

  1. MAKE THE WAFFLES: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder and salt to combine.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the milk with the melted butter, eggs and vanilla to combine. Add the milk mixture to the flour mixture and whisk to combine.
  3. Preheat the waffle iron. Lightly spray the iron with nonstick spray. Ladle batter into the waffle maker. Prepare the waffles according to the manufacturer’s instructions, 3 to 6 minutes. Repeat until all the batter is used.
  4. Cool the waffles to room temperature, then cut each into quarters.
  5. ASSEMBLE THE SANDWICHES: Scoop ½ cup ice cream onto one piece of waffle and top with another to make a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining waffles and ice cream. Transfer the sandwiches to the freezer until very firm, at least 2 hours.
  6. Dip or garnish the frozen sandwiches as desired into your caramel sauce and/oror melted dark chocolate sauce.
  7. Return the sandwiches to the freezer until ready to serve.

I’d like to try these again with mint chocolate chip (an even colder, more refreshing flavor) and incorporate different toppings in, as well! Maybe when the weather isn’t bordering 100 degrees outside, though. That might make these a little easier to put together!

Here’s hoping you all have a great start to your week! I have plenty more to share in the coming days!

In the meantime- have you entered my Beach-themed Summer Giveaway? There’s still time!

xx

– Ashley –

Summer Treats: Grilled Pineapple Split Sundae with Cherry Sauce

by Ashley DeLargeLeave a Comment on Summer Treats: Grilled Pineapple Split Sundae with Cherry Sauce

Good Morning, everyone- and hello, August! Before I get to work at my office (and prepare to fight off a migraine from staring at my screen so intently for such long periods of time)– I wanted to share this quick and easy Summertime dessert recipe I recently discovered floating around the internet that I’ve been whipping up at home for guests that pop by- and for myself!

I love pretty much anything with pineapple in it, which is why I’m sort of shocked I’ve never thought to grill it before until now. Sure, I’ve cooked and baked with slices or cubes of it in the past- but to simply grill it and substitute it for a banana in a sundae/split? It never crossed my mind- but it’s a game changer!

You can use any type of ice cream you want for this recipe, too. It calls for vanilla- but I had some pineapple-coconut Häagen-Dazs (with pieces of fruit mixed in!) already inside of my freezer- and it tasted just fine with that, instead!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

  • 2 cups pitted and halved cherries, plus more cherries for serving
  • 1 pineapple—peeled, quartered and cored
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 quart vanilla ice cream (or any flavor of your choosing- I picked coconut-pineapple for this one!)

READY? HERE’S WHAT YOU DO:

  1. In a small pot, combine the cherries with the sugar and ¼ cup water over medium heat and cook until the cherries break down, 10 to 12 minutes.
  2. Remove the mixture from the heat and use a potato masher or a fork to mash it into a paste. Strain into a small bowl, stir in the vanilla and set aside.
  3. Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Add the pineapple quarters and cook until charred all over, about 4 minutes per side. When cool enough to handle, cut the pineapple quarters into long strips or bite-sized pieces.
  4. Scoop the ice cream into bowls and top with pineapple, fresh cherries and cherry sauce. Serve immediately.

This is such a light, tasty, sweet (and a little tangy) treat to enjoy on a hot day. The pineapple has a certain crispiness to it when it’s grilled- and if served right away the ice cream melts just enough to coat all of the wedges. You can serve the dish with as much cherry sauce and whole cherries on the side as you want- depending on your preference. I personally love a ton of them on mine!

I’m thinking when I make this again this coming weekend- I’ll include some grilled bananas and maybe some strawberries, too!

xx

– Ashley –