Pumpkin Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

This time of year, I feel like I’m chained to my oven because all I want to do is bake autumnal sweets and stir great big pots of simmering soup all day. Can you blame me? Pumpkin may be considered basic these days, but whats wrong with basic? You know what else is basic? Worn jeans, bright sunlight and warm bread. Oh, and baking soda. (JK, just a lil’ junior high science joke for you!)

Those things are awesome! So is pumpkin. So are these cookies.

Ingredients

• 1/2 C butter, melted

• 3/4 C brown sugar

• 1/4 C white sugar

• 1 egg

• 1/3 C canned pumpkin

• 1 t vanilla extract

• 1/4 t salt

• 1 t cinnamon 

• 1/8 t nutmeg

• 1/8 t cloves

• 1/4 t ginger

• 3/4 t baking soda

• 1.5 C flour

• 1 C chocolate chips

• 2/3 C chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Mix melted butter with the brown sugar, white sugar and egg in a large bowl.

2. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla extract and mix together well.

3. Stir in salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and baking soda.

4. Pour in the flour in half cup increments, and stir to combine until all flour is added.

5. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.

6. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least one hour.

7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

8. Line a cookie sheet and place 1” dough balls about 2” apart.

9. Cook for 9-12 minutes until edges are golden brown.

10. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes (they’ll firm up a bit) before moving them to a wire rack to cool.

What are you baking this fall?
Any great cookie recipes to share?

Chocolate Heath Bar Ice Cream Recipe

I love ice cream, perhaps more than other people and definitely more than is normal. It is just SO GOOD, but I don't need to tell you that, of course. An ice cream maker has been on my frivolous wish list for some time and when I recently got an Amazon gift card I knew it was finally time to live out all of my Ben & Jerry dreams. 

I'm into anything DIY, and I love the idea of making my own ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt where I can control all the ingredients and know exactly what goes into every creation. Trying out cool, unique flavors (Sweet Corn! Strawberry Basil! Caramel Macchiato! Juicy Peach!) that aren't readily available for purchase is just the cherry on top of the homemade sundae.

After doing much diligent research (a favorite hobby of mine) I purchased this ice cream maker:

For my first try, I went simple with a chocolate ice cream base and Heath Bar pieces mixed in. You should try it too!

WHAT YOU NEED

2 Cups Heavy Cream // 2 Cups Half & Half // 1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder  //  1 Cup Sugar

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract  //  Handful of Heath Bar Pieces

HOW TO MAKE IT

Mix all ingredients, except heavy cream and Health Bar pieces, in a large bowl until fully combined. Stir in heavy cream.

Pour the mix into your ice cream maker, according to your maker's directions.

Process for about 20 minutes, pouring in the candy mix-ins at the 15 minute mark, and enjoy!

Mine was more like soft serve in texture, but after freezing the left overs (this recipe makes about 1.5 quarts) the mixture was much firmer and just like traditional ice cream in texture. 

As far as unnecessary kitchen accessories go, an ice cream maker is really worth it. I hate products that take up space and never get used so the best way to remedy that is to commit to making ice cream all the time. Ugh, the sacrifices I make. I can't wait to try new flavors!

xoxo,
Michelle

ROUNDUP: Valentine's Day Edition

Here's what I'm rounding up this week - Valentine's Day edition!
Breaking Bad Valentines

Show your lover that they're more addictive than blue meth with these hand drawn Breaking Bad valentines.

Custom Couple Portrait Stamp

These amazingly accurate portrait stamps are perfect for wedding invites or just for fun.

Candy Heart Nails

Try a festive nail look for V-Day with this cute design.

Heart Print Tights

Heart print tights so good you'll wear them any time of year.

Dark Chocolate Caramel with Sea Salt

Switch up the classic chocolate gift with handmade delights like these from Etsy.

xoxo,
Michelle