4th of July Round-Up

 

4th of July Round-Up  Part One

4th  of July charcuterie Cups

a step-by-step tutorial on how to assemble so easy 

https://www.number-2-pencil.com/fourth-of-july-charcuterie-cups/

Ice Cream Sandwiches 

My tutorial on how to assemble ice cream sandwiches was challenging 🤣as I had to work quickly and needed my husband's help taking photos. The beauty of this recipe is that any ice cream flavor works, and any cookie, whether homemade or store-bought, can be used. I just happened to have chcolate chip cookies on hand. For me, there's something nostalgic about peppermint bonbon ice cream, and pairing it with chocolate chip cookies.     

1. I used a small cookie sheet with sides and spread out 1/2 qt of ice cream in an even layer. I  covered the ice cream layer with wax paper and put it in the freezer to harden.  

Use a metal spatula to assist with assembly. 

2. I placed one cookie on the baking sheet and, using my biscuit cutter, cut out an ice cream circle, which I then placed on top of the cookie. Then I added another cookie on top. I used a butter knife to trim off the edges of the ice cream to equal the size of the cookie.  

3. The sandwich was rolled in sprinkles and placed in a pie pan and put in the freezer to harden before adding plastic wrap. 

3. If not serving right away, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and put in a freezer bag for storage.

4. Take out sandwiches 10 minutes before serving.

Option (dare I write this?) sprinkles could be eliminated.  

Another recipe using sprinkles offers numerous possibilities, especially when paired with ice cream, sorbet, or yogurt flavors. 

Sparkle Cones

Ingredients:

• 1 box of ice cream cones, either cake or sugar
• 1 container of microwavable white chocolate for dipping fruit
• Red, White, and Blue sprinkles and/or sanding sugar

Directions:

• Melt the white chocolate according to the instructions. Dip the edge of each cone and spread melted white chocolate with the back of a spoon. 
• Holding the cone over a plate, add sprinkles and sparkles. 
• Allow to dry and serve with your favorite ice cream, sorbet, or yogurt.

Patriotic Blondies

Cook's Notes: I found that the best-tasting ones are right out of the oven, when candies are still warm and melt in your mouth with their glorious chocolaty taste. Use a metal pan. This recipe does call for a bit of preplanning to find red, white, and blue M&M's. I had to make an hour-long grocery run to find them in a larger supermarket. I bought two bags so Iam covered for another use and finished other grocery shopping. 

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup butter
• 1- 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1-1/2 cups red, white, and blue M&M candies
• Patriotic Sprinkles

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray the bottom of an 8 x 8 pan with cooking spray. Then cover the bottom and sides using 2 large pieces of foil and respray. This will help to remove the cooked bars.
• Place butter and brown sugar in a medium-sized saucepan and heat.
• Whisk constantly until the sugar and butter are well combined and smooth. Cool for 5 minutes.
• Pour the mixture into the mixing bowl, adding the eggs one at a time. Stir until incorporated, and add the vanilla.
• Add the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder and beat just until combined. Stir in the candies. The batter will be thick. Spread it out evenly in the foil-lined pan using greased hands or a sheet of wax paper to smooth out the dough.
• Add sprinkles evenly over the batter.
• Bake for 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Do not overbake, or the bars will become too dry.