Friday, August 28, 2009

Homemade Pazooki

My boys always want to go to Oregano's (a great local pizza place) for their Pazooki. Pazooki is a large chocolate chip cookie, baked in a skillet, which is served slightly undercooked and right from the oven. If that wasn't enough yummy goodness, they top it with vanilla bean ice cream. The ice cream starts to melt from the heat of the cookie and soaks in with ultimate perfection. Imagine my delight this morning when I saw this on Martha Stewart! Why didn't I think of making this before? I love how the food stylists cut perfectly proportioned slices-we won't have time for that at my house. All we need is spoons, glasses of milk, and I will have some happy boys!

Ingredients
Serves 8

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups (about 9 ounces) mixed milk- and semisweet chocolate chips
2 pints vanilla ice cream
Caramel Sauce
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla; mix until they are fully incorporated. Add flour mixture, and beat until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
Transfer dough to a 10-inch ovenproof skillet, and press to flatten, covering bottom of pan. Bake until edges are brown and top is golden, 40 to 45 minutes. Don't over bake; it will continue to cook a few minutes out of the oven. Transfer to a wire rack to cool, 15 to 20 minutes. Cut into 8 wedges. Serve warm; top each wedge with a scoop of ice cream and some caramel sauce.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Desserts To Go

I like sending my guests home with a little something sweet. Recently, Garnish posted an ice cream exchange party which would be perfect for a take home treat. I love the idea of letting guests create their own flavors by adding their own mix-ins & taking home a pint of their original flavor!
Or how about these yummy cupcake jars from cakespy blog? Cupcakes & frosting all in an easy take home jar for a late night treat. And these cute cookie jars from Bakerella. Of course, you can change the M & M color & label to fit your event.


love these for party favors

Happiness is the best medicine

I love the packaging from Happy Pills, an amazing candy store in Barcelona. Perfect for the favorite nurse or doctor in your life! I also love this packaging gift idea for a little one who has a broken arm or leg, new mommy or daddy to be, or anyone who needs a little cheer. this is where you can fill your prescription in Barcelona or you can set up your own
"candy bar pharmacy" for your next party
How cute are these gift boxes-love it for Grey's Anatomy or Nurse Jackie fans too!


don't forget your prescription-great invitation idea or for a personal note