Giveaway Winner + Vanilla Gelato with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache Topping

Congratulations to Jennie over at The Messy Baker Blog for winning the Redwood Hill giveaway!

She is a lucky girl!  But, if you didn’t win, don’t worry… I will have more giveaways.

Okay, two really exciting things happened this week:

1.  The president of Micronesia visited my college on Sunday.

2. I got Homecoming Queen.  Funny story, though… they got two “Homecoming King” sashes, so I got to rep a king sash all night long.  Don’t care!

Anyway, before it gets too cold, I want to share one more freezing cold recipe with you.

I have eaten Gelato a few times, but this is the first time I had ever made it.  I could not believe how creamy it was.  So decadent and the chocolate peanut butter topping was also smooth and creamy, so there were some nice textures going on.

If you happen to get another unseasonably warm day, I suggest you make this Gelato.

Vanilla Gelato with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache Topping

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups vanilla Kefir (I’m obsessed with Kefir right now if you can’t tell)
• 1 cup greek yogurt
• ¼ cup creamer
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp oil

Directions:

1. Mix sugar, cornstarch, salt, and Kefir in a medium saucepan. Whisk and heat over medium heat, frequently scraping the bottom, until the mixture begins to barely simmer around the edges.
2. Then, stirring constantly and scraping the sides and corners of the pan to prevent scorching, let the mixture simmer for 2.5 to 3 minutes to fully cook the cornstarch.
3. Scrape the hot mixture into the bowl and whisk until well blended
4. Set in the freezer to cool for about 10-15 min.
5. When cool, whisk in the frozen yogurt until you get a smooth consistency.
6. Pour the Gelato mixture into the canister of an ice cream maker. Freeze according to manufacturer’s directions.
7. Once frozen, melt the peanut butter, chocolate chips, and oil in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave until melted, about 1 minute.  Whisk until blended and spread evenly on top of the Gelato.
8. Freeze again until the chocolate layer has hardened.

Peanut Butter Fudge with Chocolate Topping

I never really crave peanut butter.  I’ll eat it, but it’s not one of my favorite flavors, so I don’t use it very often.

I’ve also never made fudge before.

You’re probably wondering why I made peanut butter fudge, then.  Well, Kellen asked for it… but I had to make another batch for myself because I could not get enough of this stuff.

I dreamt about it, I couldn’t get it off my mind… it was haunting me.  I tried so hard not to make more for myself once I gave the first batch away, but, I have no will power.  Fortunately (or unfortunately?), my dad asked where all the fudge went, so I had to make it, then.  Right?  Right. 

This is super easy to make, so make it!!! You won’t regret it, and if you do, well.. send it to me.

Just a question, but would you guys like to see an occasional video on steps for making a recipe?  I was talking with a coworker today and he mentioned how he’s going to make videos for singing, and I thought “Hey, I could do that for baking.”  Plus… Joy the Baker does it, and who’s cooler than her?  No one.

 *Don’t forget to melt chocolate first! Sorry for lack of a picture.

 Mix in peanut butter after boiling brown sugar, butter, and milk.

This is what it’ll look like after it’s mixed.

This is what it will look like after adding the powdered sugar.

Pour it in the pan.

Add the melted chocolate.

 

Finished product. Good luck waiting on it to chill.  It’s good warm, too.

Peanut Butter Fudge w/ Optional Chocolate Topping
Adapted from: All Recipes

Ingredients

Fudge:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar

 Topping:

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Combine together chocolate chips and whipping cream on a double broiler, or in the microwave until melted.
2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. 
3. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
4. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, beating until smooth.  Mixture should be thick, but not crumbly. (May not use all of the powdered sugar) Pour into an 8×8 inch dish. 
5. Pour chocolate topping evenly over the top.
6. Chill until firm and cut into squares.

Peanut Butter Fudge with Chocolate Topping

I never really crave peanut butter.  I’ll eat it, but it’s not one of my favorite flavors, so I don’t use it very often.

I’ve also never made fudge before.

You’re probably wondering why I made peanut butter fudge, then.  Well, Kellen asked for it… but I had to make another batch for myself because I could not get enough of this stuff.

I dreamt about it, I couldn’t get it off my mind… it was haunting me.  I tried so hard not to make more for myself once I gave the first batch away, but, I have no will power.  Fortunately (or unfortunately?), my dad asked where all the fudge went, so I had to make it, then.  Right?  Right. 

This is super easy to make, so make it!!! You won’t regret it, and if you do, well.. send it to me.

Just a question, but would you guys like to see an occasional video on steps for making a recipe?  I was talking with a coworker today and he mentioned how he’s going to make videos for singing, and I thought “Hey, I could do that for baking.”  Plus… Joy the Baker does it, and who’s cooler than her?  No one.

 *Don’t forget to melt chocolate first! Sorry for lack of a picture.

 Mix in peanut butter after boiling brown sugar, butter, and milk.

This is what it’ll look like after it’s mixed.

This is what it will look like after adding the powdered sugar.

Pour it in the pan.

Add the melted chocolate.

 

Finished product. Good luck waiting on it to chill.  It’s good warm, too.

Peanut Butter Fudge w/ Optional Chocolate Topping
Adapted from: All Recipes

Ingredients

Fudge:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 1/4 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar

 Topping:

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Combine together chocolate chips and whipping cream on a double broiler, or in the microwave until melted.
2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. 
3. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
4. Slowly mix in powdered sugar, beating until smooth.  Mixture should be thick, but not crumbly. (May not use all of the powdered sugar) Pour into an 8×8 inch dish. 
5. Pour chocolate topping evenly over the top.
6. Chill until firm and cut into squares.