desserts

S’Mores Cookie Cups

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Friends! Hello! I feel like it’s been a while since I’ve been over here, and I’m so glad I’m back!

I’ve been staying really busy in NYC, with so many visitors and adventures. I spent a weekend in The Hamptons at the end of June, G came to visit for a long weekend over the 4th of July, my friend Alex was here in the city last weekend, and my parents come on Thursday! I absolutely love being surrounded by loved ones, and in such a big city, familiar faces are always welcome :)

Onto this week’s recipe… S’Mores Cookie Cups! I love anything chocolately, and in summer, not much is more perfect than a roasty toasty s’more. What I don’t like are sticky fingers and a mess, so if you aren’t outside, s’mores can be really tricky!! Because of this, I decided to whip up S’Mores Cookie Cups – s’mores cookies baked in a cupcake tin {with liners}. It was a completely new concoction for me, but let me tell you, they were SO worth it! They stayed m-o-i-s-t {does anyone else hate that word?} and the texture was consistent throughout, sometimes hard to achieve when baking in a cupcake tin. I’m so glad they turned out, because I have so many wonderful memories of sitting around a fire all snuggled up in PJs roasting marshmallows to perfection. But, a perfect fire and the ability to spend a whole day in the country just isn’t happening for me this summer, so these will have to suffice :)

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S’Mores Cookie Cups
Recipe Type: Dessert
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 17 mins
Total time: 37 mins
Serves: 24
Ingredients
  • 1 c. butter, softened
  • 3/4 c. sugar
  • 3/4 c. brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 2 1/4 c. flour
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 c. chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows
  • 1 1/2 c. crushed graham crackers
Instructions
  1. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until smooth.
  2. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla.
  3. Gradually add flour, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Using a wooden spoon, mix chocolate chips into dough.
  5. Add mini marshmallows and crushed graham crackers.
  6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until slightly chilled.
  7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  8. Line a cupcake tin with liners.
  9. Drop balls of dough into each liner.
  10. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until lightly browned on top.
  11. Cool and enjoy!
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I hope you and your loved ones enjoy these as much as we do! I think they’re going to become a year-round staple, reminding us of the wonderful long and lazy days of the summertime, even in the dead of winter.

What reminds you of summer? Any particular foods, smells, or memories come to mind?

Make it a GREAT Monday, and I’ll visit again soon!

xo, Hilari

PS: Remember you can always catch up on my NYC adventures {or southern living starting August 17} by following me on Instagram – my favorite!, PinterestFacebook, or Twitter! Come say hello :)

Red Velvet Mini Donuts

I’m so glad that you liked my first post on the DIY Gumball Machine. Paulina has keeping me informed on the comments and has passed along the news that many of you have created one. It makes me happy to hear you tried it out!

Valentine’s day is coming soon… so I have a delicious and easy recipe for mini donuts that you can make for special someone! It’s so easy to make, Paulina can make it! :)
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Red Velvet Mini Donuts

Recipe Type: Dessert
Author: Krista Nakamura
Serves: 2 dozen
Ingredients
  • 12oz. All-purpose Flour
  • 10oz. Granulated Sugar
  • 3/4 oz. Baking Powder
  • 1/8 cup Cocoa Powder
  • 1T Salt
  • 9.5oz. Buttermilk
  • 3oz. Melted Butter
  • 1T Vanilla
  • 3 Eggs
  • 1 Yolk
  • Red Food Coloring
Instructions
  1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a metal bowl
  2. Mix all wet ingredients together (excluding the food coloring) using a mixer
  3. Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients. Add food coloring to desired redness.
  4. After combined, roll out dough onto a cutting board (that is dusted with flour) to a 1/2″ thickness
  5. Cut to desired shape (using a cookie cutter)
  6. Heat fryer at 375 degrees. Fry mini donuts for 3 minutes per side
  7. Allow to cool. Dust with powdered sugar, granulated sugar, or sugar glaze (recipe above).
 Sugar Glaze
1 cup Powdered Sugar
2T Water
1T Lemon Juice

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Mix all dry ingredients together in a metal bowl

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Mix all wet ingredients together (excluding the food coloring) using a mixer

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Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients. Add food coloring to desired redness.

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After combined, roll out dough onto a cutting board (that is dusted with flour) to a 1/2″ thickness

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Cut to desired shape(using a cookie cutter)

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Heat fryer at 375 degrees. Fry mini donuts for 3 minutes per side

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Allow to cool. Dust with powdered sugar, granulated sugar, or sugar glaze (recipe above).

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I hope you enjoyed these little nuggets of tastiness! If you try them out or are planning to, post a comment! I thrive on comments… no seriously, I do! ;)

krista