Desserts Archives - Simply Sells Kitchen

Molasses Cookies

Sandra Sells — Thu, 22 Dec 2022 02:30:18 +0000

This is one of my top two favorite cookies, only next to our family chocolate chip oatmeal cookies recipe. Every year as the fall and winter approach I give myself permission to indulge at times. I mean it the most wonderful time of year, am I right? Another holiday favorite is my mothers Millionaire Shortbread. It’s divine and a must try! Thinking about the holidays I had to make our molasses cookies to bring on the cheer. The chewiness and rich flavor of molasses is very nostalgic. It reminds me of everything Christmas and all things gingerbread. The outer sugar coating really brings a crunch and sweetness that makes this cookie a delicious treat! In our house we pair the molasses cookies with a hot latte or a cold glass of milk. The ingredients for this are usually a staple in most pantries. I don’t always keep molasses on hand but just happened to have one from last year that I never opened. Molasses Cookie Recipe The recipe is very basic ingredients and the star of the show is molasses. Rolling the dough in sugar creates an amazing crunchy outer layer over the chewy cookie. Begin by preheating the oven to 350℉. To make the dough, I start by adding the softened butter, brown sugar, white sugar, molasses, and Pure Vanilla Extract (the wet ingredients) to my kitchen aid stand mixer. In a separate bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, cardamom, salt, and baking soda. When the dry ingredients are combined you can add them slowly into the wet ingredients (1/3 at a time). Add the tbsp of water to the mixer to help combine the dough. We enjoy using a cookie scoop to keep our cookies even for looks but also for even baking. Take each scoop, roll it in a ball and roll it in the white sugar. Place each ball a couple inches apart on a lined cookie sheet as they do spread. Bake the molasses cookies for about 10-11 minutes. The cookies will look very soft in texture. However it’s in the after baking that the beautiful chewiness with the sugar crunch begins to happen! 🤩 Allow them to cool for 10-15 minutes. Special Family Time My daughter Norah wanted to help this year with the molasses cookie recipe. It was a precious memory. You’ll see her little hands featured in our Instagram reel. It has been a lot of fun bringing her and her brother Jonas into the kitchen and creating memories and traditions. Both kids love to bake with us! The molasses was a new scent to her at the age of 5. At first I wasn’t sure if she’d like the recipe. I quickly found out it took her only one bite to get her high approval. Children can be so skeptical when it comes to new foods. We often make my husbands chocolate chip oatmeal cookies for the children because it is the family favorite and a crowd pleaser. However these molasses cookies are dear to my heart and earned their place. This recipe will be on our Christmas cookie line up and I hope in yours too. There are many recipes for cookies and sweets out there but sometimes having a tried-and-true classic recipe is all you need. Milk and cookies will never be the same. The molasses cookies use very basic ingredients from your cupboard. Of course the star of the show is unsulphured molasses. Try them out this Christmas season. I promise your family and friends won’t be disappointed! 😀

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Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Sandra Sells — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 16:24:01 +0000

I know what you are thinking, “What am I going to do with all those ripe bananas?” Well, I know what you should do—make banana bread! I mean, most of us have more than one banana going a little too ripe anyway. Banana bread is my usual go-to solution, but sometimes we make our paleo banana pancakes or smoothies. I was thinking of how to make the recipe better. Chocolate chip banana bread was the perfect answer! Bananas in our home In our household we love bananas. We go through bundles and bundles every month. The kids have grown up loving them as well. They’re really perfect to incorporate into any sweet treat and add another depth of flavor. One of our favorites is something we call banana whip. We freeze a few bananas and then blend them in our Vitamix blender for a sugar-free treat you can’t beat. This chocolate chip banana bread recipe is a great one that your friends will love! I wrote this as a two-loaf recipe in hopes that you will share one with a friend, or you can freeze it if wrapped well! This past weekend I brought two loaves to our precious friends at church for a post-service snack. I definitely got some thumbs up! It just warms my heart when everyone shows me their mouthful smiles! Banana bread recipe This recipe is so simple! It can be made using a bowl and a whisk or right in your mixer. I opted for our KitchenAid stand mixer. I would ordinarily say to mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then combine them, but let’s be real and save a dish. So, just put the bananas in the bowl (or mixer), and then add the rest of the ingredients and mix them until just combined. It is better not to over mix, so just mix the ingredients until a smooth batter. Add the evenly split batter into your greased loaf pans and bake at 350℉ for 45-50 minutes. I advise you to look at them at the 45-minute mark and decide your desired brownness. We like to spread butter on the bread right after it comes out of the oven, and if possible serve it warm. There is just nothing like a warm slice of this chocolate chip banana bread with a spread of smooth and creamy butter, along with your favorite hot drink! This is something that we had often growing up. I really hope you and your loved ones enjoy this banana bread!

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Baked Oatmeal Muffins

Sandra Sells — Tue, 29 Mar 2022 15:23:42 +0000

Oats are a huge staple in our house! From regular oatmeal to cookies and pancakes, we tend to use oats in a lot of our recipes. These baked oatmeal muffins have been a great addition in our home. My kids started a pass or fail challenge when recipes are finalized, and I got a pass on these. I think I have mentioned they are tough critics, so I am quite pleased. This muffin recipe is versatile and customizable to any palate. They are so easy to make! These baked oatmeal muffins are great to make ahead for quick breakfasts on the go and are a healthy option for your family. Go ahead and bring them to your next brunch gathering; they will definitely be a hit! They stay fresh for 3-4 days in a sealed container on the counter or you can store them in the freezer for a longer period. I like to put one in my kids lunchbox as a nutritious treat option! Recipe You make these baked oatmeal muffins right in the food processor. I am sure a Vitamix would do the job, too. First, preheat the oven to 350℉, and then prep your muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray. I start by mixing all the dry ingredients in the food processor and pulse them until the mixture looks like a course sand texture. Next, I add everything else right into the food processor and pulse them until combined (about 30 seconds). Finally, I use my cookie scoop to scoop the batter into each muffin space. Using the cookie scoop fills 12 muffin spaces pretty evenly if the scoops are even. The toppings I chose for this batch of muffins were blueberries, strawberries, and chocolate chips. I bet you can guess the kids favorite, yep, the chocolate chip ones! My husband was partial to the blueberries! Like I said, these muffins are very versatile. You can even make them mini muffins for your little toddlers. Some other topping options that would be great on these are cooked apples, chia seeds, nuts, granola, or raisins. I bet this recipe would also be a great base for a coffee cake crumble. The options are endless. I hope you enjoy these baked oatmeal muffins and I encourage you to try to make healthy options like these for your family!

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Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Sandra Sells — Tue, 15 Mar 2022 16:47:55 +0000

This delicious vegan chocolate pudding is so silky smooth, rich in flavor, and full of nutrition. You can’t even taste the avocado! As a mother tricking your kids may not be the nicest thing to do, but if it is for their own good it’s not so bad, right? Haha! Well, I am a firm believer in keeping things nutritious for my family. I also love to let them live and enjoy foods in moderation that are delicious. Currently i’m in a clean up the pantry phase in my home. Keeping the thought that nutritious eating can include desserts helps both myself and my kids keep a better overall attitude. Health and fitness are a priority to us but can sometimes be our greatest struggle in our very busy lives. I always try to limit processed foods and am constantly recreating our kids’ favorite food dishes, like french fries. This is especially true for my son who could out eat anyone in the french fry department. 😅 Just a few swaps and you have delicious fries that are a much healthier leaner version. Healthy vs Not Healthy There are such things as good fats and bad fats, good sugars and bad sugars. The kind of ingredients you include in your diet are like building blocks to your health. Usually, we tend to think fats make you fatter, but your body requires a certain amount of good fat. Olive oil and avocados are easily accessible and loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. This is great for heart health and brain function. Avocados are a monounsaturated fat and provide essential nutrients to your body so why not make a dessert out of them! We also love to make our delicious sweet corn guacamole during avocado season. It is also good to think about the natural and least processed sugars when being nutritionally minded; perhaps leaning towards fruit-based sugar or those that are lower on the glycemic index. I do believe sugar is sugar in all forms, but the impact to your body is on a spectrum. Some great choices that we love in our family are date syrup, coconut sugar, agave, pure maple syrup, monk fruit, and honey. Children’s bodies grow and develop quickly. It is so important to make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need. Even as adults we need to make sure we take care of our bodies for long term health. Making smart choices is extremely important! With that in mind, we want to share a favorite in our family. It has a few surprising ingredients that make an extraordinarily rich and luxurious dessert. The Recipe So without further delay, we share our fantastic avocado chocolate pudding! This recipe is vegan, gluten free, and is customizable to fit any lifestyle. The best thing about it is putting all the ingredients in the food processor and no cooking necessary! In my book, that is a big win! Add in your avocados, cocoa powder, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla, and then pulse the ingredients until everything is combined. Open the food processor and scrape down the sides. Place the lid back on and blend about 30 seconds, until completely smooth. Sometimes, instead of maple syrup we use alternative sweeteners such as honey, date syrup, or agave. All the ingredients provide great taste and flavor. Chill the pudding in the refrigerator for about an hour, and then enjoy! You can serve the avocado chocolate pudding in little ramekins with your favorite dairy or vegan whipped cream toppings and a few raspberries. This pudding can compete with any other pudding or chocolate mousse. Other toppings we really like to use are shredded coconut, chia seeds, and whole medjool dates. Delicious! ☺️

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Coconut Cream Cake

Sandra Sells — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 04:42:37 +0000

Anyone that has been to a church potluck hopefully has encountered amazing dessert tables. I love a big gathering that shows off everyone’s culinary efforts. Even though you may encounter some disturbing ones, it’s still a really fun experience. On a personal note, my preference is to try foods from homes that I am familiar with. I have come across quite a few mamas and grandmas that get it right and know how to feed a crowd. They can create desserts and meals that are delicious masterpieces. I want to share with you a coconut cream cake recipe that is a play on our Simply Sells’ tres leches cake that we have shared already. This new recipe shows that with a few ingredient swap-outs this cake is a totally different taste experience. This coconut cream cake was actually a dessert that one of Kodi’s friends used to make in college. The cake seems to have a sense of maturity – if a cake could be mature. In my world, its lightly toasted coconut garnish makes the cake seem very adult. We should share with our kids, but maybe we will keep it our little secret for a while longer. This coconut cream cake’s made-from-scratch-base is the same as our tres leches cake but the flavor is totally new. And, like the tres leches cake, the effort really is minimal. After you make the cake base and let it cool, poke the cake all over with a fork, and then pour the crema de coco (coconut cream) and sweetened condensed milk on top. Top it with homemade whipping cream, and then prepare the coconut garnishment. Place unsweetened coconut flakes on a sheet pan and put it in the oven. Toast the flakes until they turn light golden brown, and be sure to immediately remove the pan from the oven as coconut can burn easily if left in too long. Sprinkle the top of the cake with the toasted coconut. You can even decorate the top with some toasted almonds or fresh fruit. We like to use strawberries, but it can be anything you desire! The moisture in this coconut cream cake fills your mouth with beautiful sweetness, and the toasted coconut is the cherry on top. This cake can really stand on its own at any occasion – party or potluck – but keep in mind that it may need refrigeration. I hope you try this delicious cake at your next gathering (small or large) and indulge in this sweet treat. Enjoy!

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Oat Milk

Sandra Sells — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 16:37:33 +0000

Alternative milks have been around for quite some time. The rise in milk alternatives for those who are lactose intolerant or want to make certain lifestyle changes have really made their mark in the world today. Now many coffee shops have even made the choice to serve several types of dairy free milks. We’ve discovered how simple it is to make some of these milks on your own. If you enjoy the latest oat milk craze, this recipe really is for you! It is extremely simple and very cost-effective. The cost of a carton of non-store brand oat milk is about three to five dollars. So, making oat milk yourself is definitely less expensive and just as delicious. Most importantly, it gives you total control of its ingredients. Why we make our own Most commercialized alternative milks tend to have a bunch of fillers that most people are very cautious about. When making oat milk, we choose to use organic and (most of the time) gluten free oats, which adds to the cost but we feel it makes a better quality product for our family. Some oat brands contain glyphosate, which is a pesticide and something our family would rather not be drinking. Of course, using less expensive products can stack up savings. In our home, we use dairy free milks for drinking, in cereals and smoothies, in recipes that call for milk, and even in our Phillips Latte Go coffee machine. The smoothness of the oat milk is a personal choice. You customize the thickness by using more or less water. For straining, we like to use a nut milk bag, but a mesh strainer also works just fine. As a personal preference, we prefer to strain the oat milk twice through the nut milk bag. Our Recipe Our Simply Sells recipe makes just over three cups of oat milk. The first thing to do is measure 1 cup of organic rolled oats, 3 ¼ cups of very cold water, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, ½ tsp salt, 1 large Medjool date or 3 small, pitted dates of choice, and then blend them up in a Vitamix blender for 20 to 30 seconds. Do not over-blend the mixture. If you over-blend it, your milk can become thick, slimy, and gummy in consistency. This is also why it’s important you use very cold water. Once blended, it is time to strain the milk. Pour the blended milk through the strainer once or twice, until you have the desired consistency. Now you have a delicious oat milk to start enjoying! You can store it in the refrigerator for seven to ten days. To make a delicious banana oat milk, add one whole banana or for chocolate oat milk add a ¼ cup of cocoa powder. No matter how you decide to create your delicious dairy free drink, we really do hope you enjoy this simple recipe. We love making this at home because it requires very little effort, and homemade is always better!

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Millionaire Shortbread

Sandra Sells — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 15:18:18 +0000

I have wanted to make this dessert for our Simply Sells Kitchen family since we started the website. Nothing excites me more than to bring you into our family and share what we enjoy in times of celebration. I come from a family that has very few traditions, but this one seems to have stuck for a long period of time. No pun intended as the caramel in this recipe is no joke, Ha! I wouldn’t say we have generational traditions but we usually bring this millionaire shortbread recipe out during Christmas time and have for years. Christmas traditions help bring on the Christmas cheer. Our Millionaire Shortbread is a layered dessert that has shortbread as the base, followed by a rich caramel in the middle and covered in chocolate. The ingredients are simple in each layer but bring a lot of richness when combined. It is a dessert that you would find in the UK, as it originated in Scotland (the Scottish are known for their shortbread). The layers of this bar resemble the components of a Twix candy bar. The UK is famous for their sweets and buttery pastries, which may be my biased opinion because I was born in England, but I honestly believe they make delicious sweets. Making Shortbread The first step in making Millionaire Shortbread is to make the shortbread biscuit layer. Start by preheating the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit, and then prepare an 8×8 pan by lining it with parchment paper that overhangs the pan so that you can lift the entire dessert out of the pan when it is complete. Next, in a large bowl beat together the sugar and butter till fluffy. Slowly add the flour and salt, and then combine them until crumbly in texture. Press the dough into the prepared pan and then bake for about 35 minutes. The corners should be a light brown and the center like a soft baked cookie. Let it sit out to cool. The second step is to begin the next layer, which is the caramel. This is the part that requires a little muscle but isn’t as hard as you may think. A candy thermometer ensures that you get the caramel to the right candy stage. Start by melting the butter in a medium saucepan on medium heat. To the butter, add the can of sweetened condensed milk, light corn syrup, and salt. Begin to stir the ingredients together and monitor consistently to avoid burning the mixture. While stirring, insert the candy thermometer and bring the temperature up to 220-225 degrees. The consistency should be soft and the appearance a light golden milky color. Next, mix in the vanilla. The last step for this stage is to pour the caramel over the shortbread layer, spreading it evenly. Last but not least it is time melt the chocolate. I have used several types of chocolate and I have never been disappointed. Begin by melting the chocolate over a double boiler or use your microwave. Once the chocolate is melted, pour it over the caramel layer, spreading it evenly. It takes about 30-40 minutes for the chocolate to set, but if you place the pan in the fridge it may speed up the process. To serve your Millionaire Shortbread To serve the millionaire shortbread or “caramel squares,” as my mother calls them, lift the dessert out of the pan by using the overhung parchment paper and transfer it to a cutting board. A tip for cutting the shortbread is that cutting them upside down on the shortbread side is easier. The size of the bars is a personal choice and no judgement will be given (ha ha). The millionaire shortbread bars are so delicious it seems like you can’t have just one. I hope you enjoy these with your family and friends! They are great to package up as a gift, also.

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Tres Leches Cake

Sandra Sells — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 14:55:06 +0000

Baking at the Sells household is always a fun family affair. Whether brownies, cookies, or cakes it doesn’t matter. Kodi and I love it, the kids love it and, of course, neither of us can hardly wait to lick the spoon! This tres leches (three milks) cake is no exception. Baking as a family For us, baking dessert is a sign that we are relaxed and happy. Out come the kid’s stepping stools shortly followed by the young ones slightly arguing about who will be the closest to the mixing bowl action. We get so much happiness from our family coming together. I really do believe baking is therapeutic and brings a sense of hope that something good is just on the horizon. I know that might sound slightly dramatic but it does bring tons of joy in our house! We’ve always had a sweet tooth – who doesn’t – so we want to share a tres leches cake recipe that is sure to cure sweet tooth cravings. Besides satisfying your own sweet tooth the recipe is fantastic for a potluck, party or family gathering. History of Tres Leches Historically, canned evaporated milk used in tres leches started being made in the 1850’s and became more popular in the early to mid-twentieth century during both world wars. At that time it was popular to soak sponge cake in evaporated milk to preserve or sustain the cake’s life. In trying to keep up with demand for canned evaporated milks, companies expanded operations to Central and South America. Some say Nicaragua was responsible for using canned evaporated milk to create the delicious tres leches treat while others trace its origin to England in the Middle Ages. Miami even tries to stake claim to the origin of the popular dessert. Either way, regardless of who’s responsible, we can all agree that tres leches is truly a heavenly and magical dessert! The back story Our recipe started as a cure for Kodi’s sweet tooth back in his college days. It was originally a budget branch-off recipe of a coconut cake that he learned to make while living in Boston, which always hit the spot. After moving back to Florida, he discovered and grew a love for Spanish flavored foods. Tres leches cake has been a favorite of his since. In the beginning, he started with box cake, a few milky toppings, and then covered in sweet whipped topping. The cake was quick, easy, delicious and required very little effort. Now that we are well beyond college days, the cake has been reinvented into an upgraded version made from scratch. The result gives bragging rights to any baker! The tres leches recipe can be adapted for any holiday by decorating the top with colored sprinkles, berries or any other seasonal fruit. By doubling the recipe you can make a very large sheet cake that will really impress at your next gathering. Have fun and let us know what you think! Feel free and be creative!

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Simple Strawberry Banana Crepes

Sandra Sells — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 17:30:13 +0000

About 15 years ago I had the opportunity to go to France with my parents. I know my husband had also been to France before we were married and we’d love to make this a new family trip with our kids in the near future. I obviously know the reputation and the grandness of going on a trip like this. I mean this is usually the trip every American household dreams to take with their family. I’ve never forgotten walking through the streets in places like Bordeaux and Paris, seeing all the sites, and experiencing the culture. I will say that it was the one trip that I was most sad to leave, even up until now. It’s on most family bucket lists for sure. One day while strolling through Paris, we passed a food vendor that was selling crepes. This is a must do! Not only is it an inexpensive treat when in France but it can be customized to be savory or sweet – the filling is up to you and what you fancy. Crepes are really just dressed up pancakes with more protein due to the extra eggs in the batter. We decided to have one of each! The savory was a ham and cheese and the sweet one was filled with Nutella. Classic, right? My mouth is watering just thinking about them. Oh, I can taste them now. This past weekend I felt like making something fancy for my daughter! She watches this cute little show called Fancy Nancy. The character named Nancy has a desire to have all things fancy. She always uses the phrase “ooh la la” as fancy things inspire her. The show incorporates a lot of French phrases and grammar, which is always fun for kids to learn. The Sells’ household enjoys and keeps Saturday breakfast time sacred. It’s a beautiful time of gathering as just the family or with guests, especially on our weekends. Crepes this week seemed appropriate and the something fancy that we were looking for. To my luck, we had a crepe pan that I discovered in our pan collection! This made the process simple. The batter is a combination of eggs, flour, and sugar with a few other ingredients that I know you would have on hand. This recipe can be made in your blender, which I actually prefer because it keeps the batter smooth and it’s less cleanup. The batter must be smooth because the intention is to keep the crepe very thin. The only sad part is that usually the first one comes out as an ugly one. We all know that just like pancakes the first one is never pretty. Let’s just say the first one is the sampler, haha! Don’t lose hope though because as you keep pumping them out you will master the cooking process and be very happy as your platter gets filled with these little delicious pockets ready to fill with the most delicious toppings. We chose to keep it light for this crepe experience and only added fruit, except for dusting them with powdered sugar for a beautiful effect, however, you can add whatever fillings and toppings make you happy. Try some warmed ham and melted cheese or maybe filled with blackberry jam. Go for it! I served our little girl a crepe with strawberries and vanilla yogurt! She loved it! Try this crepe recipe out. Along with being delicious, it’s also a cost-effective recipe that can be served for a crowd. I might just plan a crepe party!

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Midnight Black Chocolate Brownies

Sandra Sells — Sun, 07 Jun 2020 22:08:58 +0000

Dreaming of chocolate, dark chocolate, and indulgent black moist chocolatey brownies? Well these are it! This is the epitome of chocolate heaven. We really LOVE chocolate in the Sells house! Have you ever craved chocolate? Haha, that’s a joke, of course you have. Well, these brownies are not for the faint of heart. Get ready to dive into the chocolate wonderland of flavor that these brownies entail! This recipe is inspired by one ingredient: black cocoa powder. The color of these brownies is like an Oreo cookie – yes, a brownie that’s the color of an Oreo! Exciting, right? In our house we use black cocoa powder quite a bit. Black cocoa powder is super dark in color and full of nutrients and antioxidants. It is made that way by being extra Dutch processed. Dutch processing is a procedure where the cocoa beans are washed in an alkaline solution. Extra Dutch processed means that the cocoa beans are washed just a little bit more than the beans used in regular cocoa powder, causing the beautiful black color. The flavor of Dutch cocoa powder is more mild than regular. We tend to mix the Dutch cocoa powder with a 25% or 3-to-1 ratio of regular cocoa powder to keep that wonderful chocolatey depth of flavor. The decision to use black cocoa powder versus regular cocoa powder in this recipe is just a creative, artistic decision. We also incorporate a really good semi-sweet chocolate chip, like Ghirardelli. If you’re looking for no sugar chocolate to use in any recipe, another great brand is Lily’s Stevia Chocolate Chips. If you’re into chewy, dense, and fudgy brownies like the ones you used to lick the batter off the spoon with your grandmother, then these Midnight Black Chocolate Brownies are it! They always turn out looking so good and are always moist, even if you accidentally overbake them. The deep black color makes this a highly unique dessert that you, your families, and guests will love! Who knows, maybe you’ll even establish a new family brownie making tradition.

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