Sweet Cream Cold Brew Fudgesicles

I've created a cold brew addict.

Michael just started drinking coffee regularly a few years ago (I don't drink it, though) and when I first learned about cold brew I knew it was the thing for him. It's less acidic and harsh on the tummy and higher in caffeine and flavor. Pretty much exactly what he loves-and he's super apathetic about if it's hot or not so I started making homemade cold brew for him (I use this recipe, btw) and his life was changed.

And then I spotted the recipe for these fudgesicles and revolutionized everything.

The only thing Michael likes better than coffee is CHOCOLATE and coffee, bonus points for refreshing. So hi yes these are fudgesicles made with cold brew and then oh yes also a sweet creamy layer.

He was very excited.

You initially taste the sweet cream layer before that gives way to the chocolatey coffee fudgesicle and while both are delicious and interesting on their own, when you can taste both flavors at once it comes together and is just magic. Trust me-these got the full Michael seal of approval. They're epic and you need them. Make them while the weather's still warm! (Or make them when it's cold out, I'm a strong believer in eating what you want no matter what the weather is.)

Homemade Mocha Pudding

Michael asked me to buy him pudding cups for work. I groaned and asked if I had to and he asked why and I told him how unhealthy they are and can't I just make you pudding instead??

"...Oh. Yeah. You can do that."

"OOOOOH can you make me mocha pudding?"

So here we are.

Fun fact: homemade pudding really isn't tough to make. And this one in particular is ultra easy-there aren't even any egg yolks involved! And actually...I mean...in the scheme of desserts...it's not that bad for you. Really. Could be way worse-and it's definitely sooo much better than all the junk they put in the processed stuff. I'm totally gonna be "that mom" guys. #sorrynotsorry

Also, I can personally attest that this makes really delicious just chocolate pudding as well-you just need to omit the espresso/coffee powder portion of it. Then it's yummalicious chocolate pudding! It's thick and comforting and tasty. And hilarious how you can serve it in a little cup or bowl with a spoon and think of being a child, or all fancied up in little glasses with whipped cream and feel sophisticated. Life's all about perspective, ya know?

Homemade Mocha Pudding

Adapted from Foodie with Family

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 2 and 1/2 tsp. instant espresso or coffee granules
• 3 cups milk (any kind you prefer)
• 5 oz. dark, semisweet, or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• Optional-whipped cream and grated or shaved chocolate, for serving

Preparation:

• In a dry, heavy bottomed, 2 quart saucepan whisk together the cornstarch, sugar, cocoa powder, kosher salt, and coffee granules-making sure to get any big lumps worked out.
• Slowly add a little bit of the milk at a time, whisking after each addition until combined, until it is all thoroughly incorporated and smooth. 
• Turn of medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Once it boils, still whisk constantly and boil for about 2 minutes or until thickened. 
• Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate and vanilla extract, whisking slowly until everything is fully melted and combined-when it has darkened and turned glossy.
• Pour immediately into serving containers or storage container(s). You can serve hot or lay a piece of plastic directly on the surface of the pudding and transfer carefully to the refrigerator (it will be hot!). Chill for at least 2 hours or store for up to 4 days (pudding may start to separate a bit in the fridge, just give it a good stir before serving). 
• If desired, serve with whipped cream and chocolate garnish. 

Might I entice you to try a bite? 

Espresso Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Way back, for Christmas 2016, (long...long ago... :P) I drew Michael's Uncle Jim for his family's "Kris Kinder" gift exchange. It's essentially secret santa but with homemade gifts. Kayle is not crafty. So whoever Kayle draws always receives foodstuffs. And Uncle Jim is a big coffee guys SO I decided to make the most amazing, complex, and coffee-flavored cookies I could. And I think I succeeded in my goal.

So pretty much I just took a great chocolate chip cookie base recipe and added instant espresso to the dough and THEN, instead of adding chocolate chunks, I chopped up chocolate covered espresso beans. It really brings the coffee factor up to optimal levels, methinks.

The cookies were chewy and fairly firm, yet gooey (when warm), and seriously...if you like cookies...espresso...and chocolate, you're gonna be a fan. Michael tried one to assure me that they were good. And Uncle Jim seemed very pleased with his gift! I'm pretty pleased with this recipe. I think you will be too <3

Coffee Chocolate Chip Ice Cream {No Cook, Egg-free}

Michael's about to get spoiled by ice cream again, now that I've gotten the hang of my ice cream maker. Almost immediately after polishing off his strawberry ice cream, he requested coffee ice cream with chocolate chips. And I, being the nice wife that I am, obliged. Luckily this is another super easy, no cook, recipe! Hooray!

I technically used instant espresso powder in this recipe, so I wasn't sure if I should call it Espresso Ice Cream but....it's a kind of coffee so...whatever. Anyway this recipe turned out super gorgeously creamy and smooth. The coffee flavor is very present without being too overwhelming, and it has just the right amount of sweetness (sort of like a cup of coffee with a good amount of sugar and cream--just the way Michael likes it, lol.) And even when it had been in the freezer for days it was still super easy to scoop and never got too hard! I'm really pleased with how it turned out, and Michael is obsessed with it. Extra bonus-it makes a good amount of ice cream so he can happily eat it without running out for awhile. And I can focus on making cookies. Everyone wins :)

(Yes...there's a cookie recipe coming soon.)