Celebration Cupcakes

I'm constantly on the hunt for the perfect chocolate cupcake recipe. I think this one comes pretty close to perfect! The cake is soft and fluffy. The flavor is rich, with the perfect combination of chocolate and coffee. They bake up round and don't fall when cooling. I think I've found my new favorite chocolate cake!

I've called them celebration cupcakes simply because they make me so happy! The fluffy, white marshmallow frosting paired with the shiny chocolate drizzle and colorful sprinkles make this cupcake the perfect one to bring to any special event. Even though they look like they took all day long, each component of the cupcakes comes together really fast! 

I made the cupcakes while my lunch was heating up in the microwave. The frosting requires a bit of attention to heat the eggs, but then you toss it in the stand mixer and walk away. The chocolate glaze is as simple and melt, mix and drizzle.  Trust me, you can make these treats in under two hours. If you have helpers, you can probably knock them out in an hour!

I don't really have anything special to celebrate right now, so I'm sending these cupcakes to work with the boyfriend! Otherwise, I'll eat the entire batch. Maybe in a few weeks we'll have something to celebrate in the Wilde household. Until then, I'll try to eat healthy this summer and keep my cupcake consumption down to one per day!

One year ago: Celebration Sprinkle Cake
Two years ago: Neapolitan Cake
Three years ago: Momofuku Celebration Cake
Four years ago: PB&J Mallomars
Five years ago: Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Buttercream

Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches

Summer has unofficially arrived! I had planned to post these treats a week ago, but silly work got in the way. I was off in Chicago for a conference and completely neglected to share these before I left. Thankfully photos don't go bad and these ice cream sandwiches will be amazing all summer long.

I made something similar last year, but with a different brownie recipe. This recipe (inspired by Cookies & Cups) worked so much better for this purpose! The thin brownies are soft and chewy and perfect to eat right out of the freezer. No need to wait before diving in with your face! 

As per usual, I only celebrate summer with Perry's Ice cream. These brownie ice cream sandwiches were made with the new summer flavor - Deep Sea Treasure. It's caramel ice cream with salted caramel swirls and chocolate bits and paired really well with the sweet and chocolaty brownies. If you aren't in the Perry's Ice Cream shipping zone (Western NY & PA), you can fill these brownies with your favorite flavor. I can't imagine a flavor of ice cream that wouldn't pair well in this recipe. 

I cut the recipe into six ice cream sandwiches and thought they were a little bit big. You might want to cut the slab of browniewich into eight bars when making these yourself. If you want an even thinner layer of brownie, try making them in a 10x15-inch sheet pan! 

You can personalize these browniewiches in so many ways. Add chocolate chips to the brownies! Dunk them in chocolate magic shell! Roll the edges in chocolate sprinkles! Make them your own and then share them with your favorite people. 

Disclaimer - As a part of Perry's Ice Cream Inside Scooper team, I received several pints of the new summer ice cream flavors. I have been a fan of Perry's ever since I was a kid in school. I only work with brands that I love and enjoy and all opinions are my own. Other than free ice cream, I receive no compensation for posting.

One Year Ago: Grasshopper Pie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Three Years Ago: Momofuku Celebration Cake
Four Years Ago: Cinnamon Roll Cupcakes (These are amazing, you should make these too!)
Five Years Ago: Coconut Joys

Raspberry-Lemon Soda Floats

With the unofficial start of summer here, it's time to celebrate all things ice cream! All this week we will be enjoying ice cream-based recipes to help keep you cool all summer.

Today we start with a classic summertime recipe - the ice cream float. I remember drinking many floats during my summer vacations. I think they consisted of cherry Crush poured over vanilla Perry's Ice Cream. For ice cream week 2016, I decided to amp up my ice cream float with a homemade soda and a new Perry's flavor.

The ice cream featured in my raspberry-lemon soda floats is called Lemon Chillo. It's a lemon ice cream with cookie swirls. If you don't have access to Perry's Ice Cream (i.e. you live outside of the WNY area) you can go ahead and use a lemon ice cream or sorbet.

The raspberry soda comes together really quickly too. The only ingredients you need are raspberries and sugar! I carbonated my soda with a siphon, but you can use bottled, plain seltzer water if you haven't bought a siphon yet!

What are you waiting for? Stop making boring ice cream floats. Mix up your flavors and toss chocolate ice cream into cream soda. Pour coconut seltzer over pineapple ice cream. Don't limit yourself to just plain vanilla! (And let me know what unique flavor combinations you come up with!)

Disclaimer - As a member of Perry's Ice Cream Inside Scoopers team, I received the new summer ice cream flavors to test out. I've been enjoying Perry's Ice Cream since I was a kid and I'm so happy to be able to support a locally owned and produced (and delicious) product. Other than free ice cream, I have not received any compensation for this post. All opinions are my own and I totally ate all of the ice cream they sent me. All by myself.

One Year Ago: French Toast Ice Cream Crepes
Two Years Ago: Quiche with Sweet Peppers & Sausage
Three Years ago: Funfetti Mallomars
Four Years Ago: Tarragon Chicken & Pesto Potatoes
Five Years Ago: French Baguettes