Courtnie Johnson

Winston-Salem

If you’re in America you’re probably well on your way to planning your Thanksgiving dinner for next week, but have you even considered what to feed your guests the morning of? The weekend after? Do you know what yummy treats are going to fuel your early morning Black Friday shopping? This morning you’re in luck, because today I’m sharing this seriously delicious recipe for cinnamon sugar scones! Let’s take a peek!

First, Winstone-Salem

This past weekend, Brett and I took the big kids on a mini road trip to Winston-Salem. The North Carolina city is a little big town with historical roots and loads of offerings for families and foodies alike. I was invited to by the PR team at Visit Winston-Salem, and our time there included tons of food, Christmas cookies, and fun things for the kids to do. I’d be remiss if I didn’t give you the ins and outs of each and every place we visited, so I’ll be sure to list them all out below.

Cinnamon Sugar Scones and our time traveling to Winston-Salem North Carolina by Wood and Spoon blog. Make-ahead breakfast pastries swirled and stuffed with cinnamon filling and topped with a simple icing. These scones are great for holiday breakfast or brunch and go great with a cup of coffee. Read about what to do eat and see in North Carolina including Moravian cookies, best hotels for kids, best breweries and where to eat! Thewoodandspoon.com travelsCinnamon Sugar Scones and our time traveling to Winston-Salem North Carolina by Wood and Spoon blog. Make-ahead breakfast pastries swirled and stuffed with cinnamon filling and topped with a simple icing. These scones are great for holiday breakfast or brunch and go great with a cup of coffee. Read about what to do eat and see in North Carolina including Moravian cookies, best hotels for kids, best breweries and where to eat! Thewoodandspoon.com travels

Hotels

Brett and I are well-seasoned when it comes to traveling solo. However, we were uncertain of how a road trip to a new city would go with two toddlers in tow. Thankfully we found that the city welcomes families in a number of ways. We stayed at The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel, and my kids would tell you it was one of the best parts of the trip. The hotel is located in the historic R.J. Reynolds building in the heart of downtown. While the rooms, lobby, and hotel restaurant are all outfitted with with an art deco meets Southern sophistication kind of vibe, the bottom floor of the building is a rec room straight out of a kid’s dream. A giant slide, bowling alleys, and a basketball court are anchors to the space that also features foosball tables, board games, and TVs.

We spent the pre-dinner hours sipping cocktails while we watched the kids run like crazy people. Bedtime was a bonus too, as the bathroom in our room hosted one of the biggest tubs I’ve ever seen situated smack-dab in the middle of an even bigger shower. The kids splashed and swam, and Mom didn’t give another thought to the water because it was, after all, in the shower. Best idea ever.

Cinnamon Sugar Scones and our time traveling to Winston-Salem North Carolina by Wood and Spoon blog. Make-ahead breakfast pastries swirled and stuffed with cinnamon filling and topped with a simple icing. These scones are great for holiday breakfast or brunch and go great with a cup of coffee. Read about what to do eat and see in North Carolina including Moravian cookies, best hotels for kids, best breweries and where to eat! Thewoodandspoon.com travels

What to Do

Winston-Salem has a strong Moravian background, and the city now has a number of culinary trails that celebrate those roots. Traditional foods like the thin ginger cookies (voted as a favorite by Oprah!), the Moravian sugar cake, and the chicken pie were among the comforting favorites that I taste-tested while there. During the holidays, Old Salem offers candlelight tours, performing arts, and hands-on experiences that give a feel for what life would have been like when the Moravians settled back in the late 1700’s. The immersive activities included a pottery workshop, gardening, and cooking over an open fire, although my kids most enjoyed rolling and cutting out Moravian cookies. The town is quaint, and we really enjoyed getting a taste (both literally and figuratively!) of what life was like back then.

Cinnamon Sugar Scones and our time traveling to Winston-Salem North Carolina by Wood and Spoon blog. Make-ahead breakfast pastries swirled and stuffed with cinnamon filling and topped with a simple icing. These scones are great for holiday breakfast or brunch and go great with a cup of coffee. Read about what to do eat and see in North Carolina including Moravian cookies, best hotels for kids, best breweries and where to eat! Thewoodandspoon.com travels

When we weren’t sleeping, we were eating our hearts out. Winston-Salem has a growing number of breweries and wineries as well as a host of bakeries and restaurants. I visited several bakeries for morning and afternoon pastries, and had a number of family-friendly meals that I’d recommend. You can check out my complete list of recommendations below, but first let me tell you about these cinnamon sugar scones.

Cinnamon Sugar Scones and our time traveling to Winston-Salem North Carolina by Wood and Spoon blog. Make-ahead breakfast pastries swirled and stuffed with cinnamon filling and topped with a simple icing. These scones are great for holiday breakfast or brunch and go great with a cup of coffee. Read about what to do eat and see in North Carolina including Moravian cookies, best hotels for kids, best breweries and where to eat! Thewoodandspoon.com travels

During our trip we visited Camino Bakery and had a number of sweet and savory pastries. A favorite was a cinnamon sugar scone that had a tender crumb and was blanketed in a spicy glaze. Bits of caramelized cinnamon-sugar were edging each piece and I absolutely LOVED them. I’ve had this recipe for  stuffed cinnamon sugar scones on deck for a while, and our trip to North Carolina was the reminder I needed to share them.

Cinnamon Sugar Scones and our time traveling to Winston-Salem North Carolina by Wood and Spoon blog. Make-ahead breakfast pastries swirled and stuffed with cinnamon filling and topped with a simple icing. These scones are great for holiday breakfast or brunch and go great with a cup of coffee. Read about what to do eat and see in North Carolina including Moravian cookies, best hotels for kids, best breweries and where to eat! Thewoodandspoon.com travels

Cinnamon Sugar Scones

The recipe for these cinnamon sugar scones is a mash-up variation of some of my other favorite scone recipes. The special part here is that the inside is “stuffed” with a swirl of cinnamon-sugar filling. Each bite is warmly scented and perfectly sweetened, and the glaze on top gives it an extra decadent bite that really makes this breakfast food feel like dessert. I love to make these pastries in advance and freeze them to warm at a later time which makes these the perfect make-ahead treat for holiday festivities that are on the horizon. Give them a try in the coming weeks and let me know what you think! Be sure to check out my list of what we enjoyed during our time in Winston-Salem, and many thanks to Visit Winston-Salem for hosting our family. Enjoy the cinnamon sugar scones!

Cinnamon Sugar Scones and our time traveling to Winston-Salem North Carolina by Wood and Spoon blog. Make-ahead breakfast pastries swirled and stuffed with cinnamon filling and topped with a simple icing. These scones are great for holiday breakfast or brunch and go great with a cup of coffee. Read about what to do eat and see in North Carolina including Moravian cookies, best hotels for kids, best breweries and where to eat! Thewoodandspoon.com travels

Where We Ate:

The Katharine Basserie and Bar. Casual French fare in in a chic location. We adored the cozy booths and the creative cocktail menu.
Mary’s Gourmet Diner. The breakfast tamale (complete with shredded pork, pico de Gallo, black beans, and poached eggs!) was easily the best dish I tasted in Winston-Salem. Brett loved the grits bowls and my kids destroyed the turnovers.
Mrs. Hanes Moravian Cookies. We enjoyed a mini tour of their space where bakers are hand-rolling and cutting Moravian cookies all year round. These little treats were named one of Oprah’s favorites. We bought several boxes to share as Christmas gifts this year.
Bobby Boy Bakeshop. Elevated pastries and strong coffee anchor the menu at this newcomer bakery with a cool vibe.
The Tavern in Old Salem. This restaurant was built in 1816 and offers a number of traditional Moravian dishes including the famous chicken pie!
Winkler Bakery. One of the oldest, continuously running bakeries in the U.S., and home to classic Moravian baked goods. Don’t forget to take home some baking mixes!
The Porch Kitchen and Cantina. Casual Tex-Mex in a family-friendly atmosphere. Don’t miss the Texas Pete Chicken Flautas!
Camino Bakery. Home to my second-favorite cinnamon scone (wink wink) and a ton of other breakfast faves.
Black Mountain Chocolate. Fair-trade chocolate desserts and coffee. Bring home some artisan chocolates or check out a behind-the-scenes tour!

What We’ll Try Next Time:

Canteen Market & Bistro
Milner’s American Southern
Social Southern Kitchen & Cocktails
Fiddlin’ Fish Brewing Company
Foothills Brewing

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Cinnamon Sugar Scones

This recipe for cinnamon sugar scones makes 16 mini pastries with a simple drizzled glaze!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 16
  • Category: Breakfast

Ingredients

For the scones:

  • 3 cups (380 gm) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon (9 gm) baking powder
  • 3 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (100 gm) plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
  • 11/2 cups (360 mL) heavy cream, plus extra to brush on tops of scones
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 11/2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

To prepare the scones

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and prepare a sheet pan with a sheet of parchment paper.
  2. In a medium/large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt, and ½ cup sugar until combined. In a measuring cup, combine the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Pour the cream mixture on to the dry ingredients and fold or stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until evenly combined. It should be moist enough that there aren’t any dry pieces not sticking to the dough, but not so sticky that the dough is watery or doesn’t hold its shape.
  3. On a floured surface, divide the dough into 4 equal pieces and pat each out into a 6” circle. Do not overwork the dough. Combine the remaining teaspoon of cinnamon and tablespoon of sugar and sprinkle the mixture over two rounds of dough. Top the cinnamon sugar coated dough rounds with one of the plain rounds of dough and gently pinch the edges together to seal. Pat to smooth. Using a sharp knife, cut each of the two circles into 8 wedges. Brush the tops of each with heavy cream using a pastry brush. Place the pan of scones in the fridge or freezer for 10-15 minutes to rest as this will help the scones to rise well. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the edges of the scones have browned and the center of the scones are no longer doughy. Allow the scones to cool for about 10 minutes before covering with glaze.

To prepare the glaze:

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth, adding more powdered sugar to thicken and more milk to thin. Drizzle the glaze over cooled scones and enjoy.

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New York City

I’ve been dying to tell you all about our trip to New York City. My absolute favorite thing in the whole wide world is to eat my way through a new city, and while this wasn’t my first rodeo in The Big Apple, I certainly took in some sights (and bites!) that y’all need to know about. Before we dive into the who, what, and where, let’s first take a look at the granola, as in, the only granola you’ll ever need for the rest of your life.

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

Eleven Madison Park Granola

While in NYC, we dined at Eleven Madison Park (more on that later) and were sent home with our own individual jars of granola. Now, you guys know me. I like butter and chocolate and lots of sugar. I like fluffy cakes and drippy ice cream cones; granola really isn’t on my radar. But THIS granola… this was no ordinary granola. This is actually the best granola of my life.

I realized quickly that the tiny jar they sent us home with wouldn’t last long, and if I was going to make it last forever I’d have to figure out the recipe. Lucky for me, the kind folks at the New York Times had already nosed around about the how-to, and Daniel Humm, executive chef at EMP, had already shared his base granola recipe. With a few ingredient tweaks and modifications, I landed a granola recipe to share with you all that will from here out be known as THE GRANOLA. All others are dead to me.

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

Making the Granola

The recipe for this granola is probably the easiest one I’ve ever shared on my site. We’re literally going to dump a bunch of dry ingredients into a bowl and then dump some wet ingredients on top before baking it. That’s it. The dominant flavor in this granola is the coconut flakes which lend a warm and toasty crunch to the mixture. Hazelnuts follow suit and show off their delicious flavor in cozy chunks that are scattered throughout the granola. The secret star of the show is the cacao nibs which provide just enough savory and smoke to offset all the sweet happening here. Rolled oats, golden raisins, and maple syrup round out the flavor profile, and, oh, it is a sweet flavor profile.

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

This Eleven Madison Park granola needs no toppings. It needs no milk, no yogurt, no janky açaí bowl to carry it; all it requires is a welcoming hand and an open mouth. It’s crunchy, sweet and salty, and has ridiculous depth of flavor. Follow the instructions and you’ll be sure to experience the same level of deliciousness in your own home. Keep in mind that the ingredients make a difference here. Invest in thin rolled oats (I bought mine from the bulk section at Whole Foods) and quality coconut chips for the biggest impact.

If you haven’t left your computers already to make your own Eleven Madison Park granola, let’s talk about New York! This is your official baking blogger, fancy dinner-loving, pampered prego lady guide to NYC. Leh-go!

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

Where We Stayed

We stayed at 1 Hotel Central Park. This whole trip, by the way, was thunk up by my favorite husband and his BFF who decided to plan the trip for me and my BFF. They picked the hotel, booked a few reservations, and surprised us Christmas morning. While 1 Hotel maybe wouldn’t have been the hotel I would have chosen, I am so glad we ended up there. This boutique hotel is situated on the edge of Central Park and is within walking distance to a few great spots and a subway station.

Uniquely appointed in a vibe I would call “Nature Meets Industrial,” the iron-clad hotel sports an exposed pipes and beams look that is softened with rustic wood, an abundance of plants and greenery, and warm, neutral fabrics galore. We stayed in a City King, and while the room was small, it offered a thoughtful details and unique features that added a ton of WOW factor. A few perks to expect with this hotel include free fresh fruit from the farmer’s market every morning, a delicious hotel restaurant on the bottom level, and a street location that is relatively quiet by NYC standards.

Would I stay at 1 Hotel Central Park again? Absolutely. Would I recommend this hotel if you’re looking to capture a more touristy side of New York? Maybe not. You might find yourself better situated closer to Times Square and the Midtown trains for that kind of vibe, but that’s just my opinion. My girlfriend and I decided we’d love to check out The Greenwich Hotel in the future. With excellent restaurants nearby and a decidedly chic urban vibe, that hotel is definitely going to stay on my list.

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

What We Ate

What we didn’t eat might be the shorter list. Since I’ve visited New York several times in the past couple of years, I’m going to list out a few of those options below as well. Keep in mind that the food scene is ever-evolving in NYC, so if you happen to see this list in, say, 2024, maybe do your research and make sure it’s still the best recommendation. Cool?

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

Bakeries

Dominique Ansel Bakery
A James Beard Award-winning pastry chef’s flagship bakery. Everyone loves the Cronuts, but I’d recommend the DKA (Dominique Kouign Amann).
Mah-Ze-Dahr
Chef Umber Ahmad runs this newer hotspot and is up for a James Beard Award this year! I got to meet and speak with her during my visit there and was delighted to taste test some of the most delicious pastry bites I had in the Big Apple. My favorite bite there was the banana bread, but weekend crowds wait for a chance at the giant cinnamon rolls.
Milk Bar
Pastry genius Christina Tosi is known for her playful takes on nostalgic flavors. I’d recommend getting the Cereal Milk soft serve and a copy of her book to-go.
Breads Bakery
Just get the chocolate babka, okay?
Supermoon Bakery
I was promised an “Instagrammable” bakery but received so much more! Flaky stuffed croissants (I loved the PB&J) were among my favorite things I tried here.
Levain Bakery
Pro tip: Stop here on your last day and pick up a dozen cookies to bring home with you. They freeze like a dream and are worth every calorie penny.

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

Upscale Dining

Daniel

This Michelin Star restaurant from Daniel Boulud was a highly anticipated portion of our trip. While the price tag for this meal made me sweat a little, the service was superb and the food was excellent. I recommend dining in the bar lounge.

Eleven Madison Park

Dining at EMP has long been on my bucket list, and this meal delivered on all levels. Every bite was delicious, inventive, and stunning to look at. The service was precise and thorough without being the least bit stuffy or pretentious. A highlight of the meal was getting a mini tour of the kitchen. We requested this at the beginning of our meal and after we finished eating, one of the staff members brought us to the back. They treated us to a taste-testing game and a brief walk-through of the prep areas. Eating at EMP was, without question, the very most enjoyable portion of our trip, and I’d highly recommend to anyone with a taste for an incredible dining experience. For reference, we enjoyed the 4-course lunch menu in the bar area.

Gramercy Tavern

A New York staple, Gramercy Tavern has long been one of my favorite spots in the city. You’ll find cozy, seasonal bites and warm service all year round. I prefer to eat in the bar- it’s beautiful!

Scarpetta

Someone told me to check out the spaghetti at this Scott Conant restaurant. I was hesitant to order something so basic, but it blew my mind. I also recommend the San Remo cocktail which, to this day, is my favorite cocktail of all time.

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

Casual Dining

Uncle Boon’s
Quirky Thai food in a cozy setting. Expect intense flavors and HEAT.
The Spotted Pig
BURGERS AND FRIES. That is all.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
This is the Momofuku franchise’s most casual spot. We saddled up at the bar for big noodle bowls but stayed for the fried chicken.
Pizza Loves Emily
Would you believe that we came here for… the burger?!? We ordered a burger, the Brussels sprouts salad, the loaded fries, and the spicy pizza with the honey drizzled on top. Do the same and you won’t regret it.
Juliana’s Pizza
Owned by the same folks that started the cult favorite Grimaldi’s, Juliana’s in Brooklyn offers the same perfect slices with slightly less wait.

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

Bars

The Aviary
An inventive cocktail experience.
Death & Co.
A self-proclaimed “cocktail institution” with no-fail beverages in a speakeasy-style setting.
Mother’s Ruin
We visited this bar during the wait for our table at Uncle Boon’s and I wish I could have stayed all night.

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.comEleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

What We Did

I’ve done the touristy thing in NYC more times that I can count. We specifically avoided the host of available tourist options on this most recent trip, however, if you’re looking for an out-of-the-box historical option for your trip, please check out the Tenement Museum! I was dying to go and couldn’t reserve a tour at the right time, but this little blip on the Manhattan museum scene offers an inside look at American immigrant life. If you’re looking for a fluffy, pampered NYC experience, check out the things we did below!

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

Makeovers at Saks Fifth Avenue

We treated ourselves to makeup consultations before dinner on our theatre night. They’re totally free and you can book a consult at the link above!

Workout Class at Pure Barre or Soul Cycle

If you live in a rural area (raises hand!) you’ll want to check out the big-city workout offerings. I visited a Pure Barre studio and my friend did Soul Cycle. Both were excellent! I recommend booking in advance.

FaceGym

“It’s not a facial. It’s a workout.” This is the slogan of FaceGym, the studio offering exercise training-inspired facial treatments now in NYC. Expect muscle manipulations, hydrating serums, and high-tech lasers and infusions.

Union Square Market

We tooled around the market to check out veggies, dried flowers, and even small-batch liquors. Highly recommend if you’re in the area!

Shopping in Greenwich Village

Check out the boutique offerings in the village for quirky gifts and fun take-homes.

Theatre

If you go to New York without seeing a show, did you really go to New York? We saw Hamilton for what will probably be my final time, but there are new shows popping up all the time! I’m dying to see Mean Girls and Ain’t Too Proud.

Walked the Brooklyn Bridge

If the weather is right, take time to walk (or bike!) the bridge. We walked to our Brooklyn dinner destination and took the F train home.

Eleven Madison Park Granola Copycat Recipe and what to do in New York city foodie guide by Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a healthy Rolled oat based recipe from NYC famous restaurant. Filled with chopped hazelnuts, cacao nibs, golden raisins, and flaked coconut chips, this is a sweet and salty delicious and easy granola. Tossed in a brown sugar, maple syrup, and olive oil based glaze. It keeps fresh and makes a wonderful food gift to share. Find the recipe and step by step how to on thewoodandspoon.com

What I’ll Check Out Next Time

Via Carota
Buvette
Bar Sardine
I Sodi
Frenchette
Ugly Baby
Estela
Lilia
NoMad Bar

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Eleven Madison Park Granola and Our Trip to NYC

This granola, adapted from Eleven Madison Park’s recipe, features a coconut base and loads of flavor from hazelnuts and cacao nibs.

  • Author: Kate Wood Adapted from Daniel Humm
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 40
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 Cups
  • Category: Breakfast

Ingredients

  • 23/4 cups (250 gm) rolled oats
  • 1 cup (110 gm) hazelnuts, chopped
  • 1 cup (60 gm) unsweetened coconut chips
  • 1/3 cup cacao nibs
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/3 cup (100 gm) maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup (60 gm) extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup (100 gm) brown sugar, packed
  • 1/3 cup (50 gm) golden raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl, combine the oats, hazelnuts, coconut chips, cacao nibs, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan on the stove over low heat, stir to combine the maple syrup, olive oil, and brown sugar. Stir regularly and remove from heat when the brown sugar has dissolved. Pour the syrup mixture over the oat mixture and stir to toss evenly. Spread the mixture out onto a large sheet pan and bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes or so. Once the mixture is barely golden and dry, remove from the oven. Toss in the golden raisins and seal in a large bag or tupperware once cool.

Notes

  • I love the balance of salt here, but feel free to trim back 1/4 teaspoon if desired.

Did you make this recipe?

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Chicago

A few weeks ago, Brett and I traveled to Chicago to celebrate my 29-ish (ok, 30th) birthday. The weekend was packed with SO MUCH FUN AND DELICIOUSNESS that I knew I just had to tell you guys all about it. Oh, and we’re going to talk about chocolate budino too, so happy birthday to everyone apparently.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

Have you been to Chicago? It’s literally the best. The town is clean and beautiful with amazing restaurants, architecture, and shopping to boot. If cool food, professional sports, and really nice locals are your thing, Chicago is where it’s at.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

Where We Stayed

We stayed downtown at the Loews Hotel and spent pretty much every waking moment eating and navigating the city. Although the shopping and tourist attractions were all pretty stellar, the hands-down highlight was the architecture tour along the river. Taking in the city from a boat on a sunny day was a treat I won’t soon forget.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

And Friends Came, Too!

Another day was spent with my dearest friend, Trisha, and her husband who drove from Indianapolis to surprise me for my b-day! This girl has a brand new baby boy at home and still made the trek to hug my neck and celebrate- isn’t that golden? We had a few meals, shopped, and experienced the view from the 96th floor of the John Hancock building during our time together. Let’s raise a glass to the besties that love us well.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

In the evenings, we hung out with my brother, Blake, who lives in downtown Chicago. While together, we visited some of my very favorite restaurants in the city and spared no calorie to make sure that we enjoyed the full culinary experience. My brother is a super adventurous eater and really appreciates good food, so it was next-level amazing to have him join our dining squad.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

On our last day in Chicago, we had brunch at one of my favorite restaurants, Little Goat Diner, and went to see the Broadway musical Hamilton. If theatre or American history or hip-hop or ridiculous musical talent is your thing, THIS SHOW IS FOR YOU. I laughed, I cried, I danced in my seat- this show literally blew my mind and I’m dying to go again. If you have the opportunity to see this show, DOOOO IT.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com Where to eat and stay and play and do in Chicago! find the restaurant bar bakery and scenic must sees in the Windy City.

Be sure to check out my list of Chicago faves below. In a city with a thousand wonderful things to do, I hope you’ll make time for at least one or two of these on your next trip.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com

Chocolate Budino

While in Chicago, we ate dinner at Monteverde, a 2017 James Beard Award winning chef’s restaurant. We ordered things like pesto gnocchi and pumpkin ravioli, but the winner for me was the butterscotch budino. If you’re not familiar, budino is basically a rich Italian take on pudding, sometimes smooth and creamy like a custard, other times light and eggy like a souffle. Always wanting to appease my pudding-loving husband, I started tinkering with a chocolate budino recipe a few months ago, and I am thrilled to share the outcome with you today.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com

This chocolate budino is not your average Snack Pack. There’s no artificial chocolate powder flavor here; this thing doesn’t taste like a Yoo-Hoo. This version of chocolate budino tastes like CHOCOLATE- rich and buttery with the perfect amount of sweetness, but otherwise decidedly chocolate in flavor. Making chocolate budino is quite similar to making a homemade pudding, and once you know the base recipe there are three different topping variations that you can try. Seriously, I see this coming to an intimate dinner party near you.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com

Making the Budino

To make the chocolate budino, we start at the stove. Gently heat some whole milk and cream while you mix together the dry ingredients- cocoa powder, cornstarch, and sugar. A few egg yolks are whisked into the dry ingredients before the steaming dairy is added to the mix. We add the hot liquids in a slow and careful stream, whisking vigorously the whole time to ensure that we don’t scramble our egg yolks in the process. Once the milk and cream have been added, we pour the whole lot of it back into the saucepan on the stove and cook, continuing to whisk, until the mixture has thickened slightly to the consistency of a thick and creamy salad dressing.

Next, we lower the heat and add the remaining ingredients of chocolate, salt, vanilla, and butter, stirring to combine. Immediately divvy the pudding into small heat-safe containers and rest a piece of plastic wrap on the surface of each one to make sure that the pudding doesn’t form a skin (yuck).

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com

Serving the Budino

This chocolate budino can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge just until the time of serving. I like to let mine warm up on the counter for a few minutes prior to serving so that you can realllllly taste the chocolate. While they sit out, you can begin assembling the toppings for these treats! Fresh whipped cream is a must, but from there you have some choices to make. I’ve included instructions for a berry topping, a chocolate crumble (adapted from this cake!), and hazelnut praline. All options are terrific, so pick how you want your chocolate budino and get to work! You won’t be disappointed.

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com

Thanks for always letting me jabber on about desserts and traveling. If you have any must-see spots in Chicago, PLEASE, tell me about them! And if there’s another city you think I need to eat my way through, please inform me so that I can begin negotiations with Brett. Ha! Enjoy these chocolate budinos and cheers to you!

Chocolate Budino Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a rich chocolate Italian pudding with three different flavor and topping variations. Chocolate crumble, hazelnut, and fresh berries! Make the creamy dessert ahead of time and store in the fridge until you're ready to top with whipped cream and nutty crumbly toppings. Find the recipe and how to for this custard based dessert on thewoodandspoon.com

Where We Ate in Chicago:

Fun/ Casual Bites:

Little Goat Diner
My favorite dish (This Little Piggy Went To China) is from here!
Girl and the Goat
Global food served in a family-style setting.
Au Cheval
The best burger and garlic fries in Chicago.
Fat Rice
A mix of Asian, African, and Indian cuisine served in the COOLEST atmosphere.
Pequod’s
Perfect Chicago deep-dish pizza. We called ahead and ordered carry-out to avoid a wait!
The Purple Pig
Highly acclaimed Chicago favorite serving New American cuisine in a shared-plate atmosphere.
Duck Duck Goat 
Stephanie Izzard’s take on Chinese food. It’s RIDICULOUS GOOD.
Rooh
A seasonal Indian menu in a chic setting.

Nicer Vibes:

Monteverde
Italian cuisine with house-made pasta and loads of global influence.
Avec
Rustic Mediterranean small plates and home of the best Chorizo-stuffed dates.
Bavette’s
A classic steakhouse with French flair.
Nico Osteria
A daily-changed menu serving housemade pasta and Italian seafood.
RL Restaurant
American food served in a unique club atmosphere.
RPM Italian
Modern Italian cuisine in a sassy atmosphere.
Gilt Bar
Contemporary American cuisine and small plates in a dark dining setting.

Dining Experiences:

Alinea
Consistently ranked among the best restaurants in the WORLD, Alinea is a fine dining experience that is equally parts meal and show. Expect modern American cuisine, impeccable service, and a bunch of surprises throughout the evening.

Sweet Bites:

Sweet Mandy B’s
Buy as many cookies as you can fit in your carry-on.
Floriole
A fantastic bakery with some of the flakiest, most buttery pasties I’ve ever had.

Where We Drank in Chicago:

Three Dots and A Dash
The coolest tiki lounge in The Loop!
The Signature Lounge
Cocktails from the 96th floor of the John Hancock Building!
Velvet Hour
A moody bar with a speak-easy vibe.
Cindy’s Rooftop
My favorite spot for day drinking in Chicago.
Intelligentsia Coffee
A Chicago-born coffee company with a terrific brew.
Lost Lake
A tiki bar with and island aesthetic.
The Fox Bar at Soho House
A cheeky late-night spot to grab a drink.

Things We Did in Chicago:

Millenium Park to check out The Bean!
Shopping on Michigan Ave.
River architecture tour
Hamilton– the best broadway show I’ve ever seen.
Shopping on Armitage
Took in the view from the top of the John Hancock Building

Places I’m Dying to Try Next Time in Chicago:

Three Arts Club Cafe
Bohemian House
Velvet Taco
Big Star Tacos
Publican Quality Meats
Milk Room

For more posts like this, check out:

Cookie Butter Pretzel Mousse
Banana Coconut Chocolate Cream Pie
Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones and Our Time in Portland
BBC Popsicles and Our Time in St. Barth’s

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Chocolate Budino: Three Ways

Chocolate budino, a rich pudding-like dessert, can be prepared in three ways- with a chocolate crumble, with a berry topping, or with a hazelnut praline!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 15
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 90
  • Yield: 4

Ingredients

For the budino:

  • 11/4 cup (300 mL) whole milk
  • 1/3 cup (80 mL) heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup (30 gm) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup (50 gm) sugar
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the whipped cream:

  • ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

For the chocolate crumble topping:

  • ¼ cup (55 gm) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 21/2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ cup plus 3 tablespoons (60 gm) all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 tablespoon water

For the berry topping:

  • 1 cup mixed berries (I prefer blackberries and raspberries)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water

For the hazelnut praline:

  • ¼ cup (40 gm) chopped hazelnuts
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons butter, melted

Instructions

To prepare the budino:

  1. Combine one cup of the whole milk and the heavy cream in a 6-quart saucepan on the stove. Turn the heat to medium-low while you assemble the rest of the ingredients.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, cocoa powder and sugar. Add the egg yolks and the remaining milk, whisking to combine.
  3. Once the milk and cream on the stovetop are warmed and barely steaming, carefully remove one cup of the mixture and add it to the cornstarch mixture, whisking quickly all the while. Once combined, add the cornstarch and milk mixture back to the saucepan on the stove, whisking together constantly until the mixture begins to thicken. You’ll want the mixture to become a viscous consistency, similar to the texture of a creamy salad dressing. 
  4. Turn the heat to low and add in the salt, chocolate, butter, and vanilla. Whisk quickly to combine and melt the chocolate and then remove from the heat immediately. Pour into four heat-safe containers and place a small sheet of plastic wrap on top so that a skin does not form on the top of the pudding.

To prepare the whipped cream:

  1. Place the cold cream in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat at medium speed until slightly thickened and frothy, then add the sugar. Increase the speed to high and beat just until medium stiff peaks form. Keep in the fridge until you plan to serve the budino.

To prepare the chocolate crumble topping:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Beat the butter and sugar on medium low speed until creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and beat on low until large crumbs begin to form. Chill the crumbs in the freezer for about 5 minutes to set the crumbs.
  3. Spread the crumbs out onto a quarter sheet pan and bake in the oven, tossing occasionally for about 15-20 minutes, or until crumbs are baked and set. All to cool completely.

To prepare the berry topping:

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan and place over medium heat. Mash larger berries to release juices and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened and is bubbling. Remove from heat and cool completely.

To prepare the hazelnut praline:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine all three ingredients and spread out on a small sheet pan.
  3. Bake for about 5 minutes, then stir and bake for an additional 4-5 minutes. The nuts should be fragrant and crunchy with melted sugar. Allow to cool completely.

Notes

  • If desired, add 1/4 cup Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) to the pudding.
  • As an alternative to the hazelnut praline, consider making cookies to top the pudding! Check out my recipe for butter pecan cookies. Substitute hazelnuts for pecans and crumble baked and cooled cookies over top of the pudding.
  • Switch out these toppings for some of your favorites. Salted caramel, pretzels, shortbread cookies, toffee sauce and bananas, and any other number of items would taste delicious here! Change according to your preferences.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Recipe for the budino adapted from Nigella Lawson

Portland

Happy Friday, y’all! I hope that your week has been full of joy and that you’ve got a killer lineup for the weekend. Today I’m sharing some nutty, buttery, caffiene-enhanced treats to jolt your weekends to life- chocolate coffee almond scones. These treats were inspired by a recent jaunt to Oregon that I’m going to splurge about this morning, so bear with me as I take a salivating walk down memory lane.

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe and what to do while visiting wine country in Portland, Oregon by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe and what to do while visiting wine country in Portland, Oregon by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com
Views from The Allison Inn & Spa

Portland, Oregon

A few weekends ago, Brett and I continued our whirlwind travel saga by flying with friends to Portland, Oregon. The trip had no distinct purpose, other than to soak our gullets with pinot noir and outrageously delicious food, and we were thrilled at the opportunity to relax in a new corner of the country. Our time was divided in two with the first half spent touring Newberg’s wine country and the second spent in downtown Portland. This split ended up being the perfect balance of relaxation and sight-seeing, both locations brimming with fun (and plenty of wine.)

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe and what to do while visiting wine country in Portland, Oregon by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com
Friends sipping wines at Bergstrom; views from Soter Vineyards

First: Newberg

We began our trip in Newberg, the comfy cozy, deliciously boozy town just outside of Portland. With a lineup of wineries to visit, we opted for a hotel that would offer premium relaxation and rooms suitable for nursing any morning hangovers. The Allison Inn & Spa was the obvious choice given its proximity to vineyards and the luxurious offerings throughout the hotel.

By day, we snacked on charcuterie and flights of wine, taking in the rolling landscape views offered from the wineries we toured, and by night, we dined at nearby restaurants, rehashing the day’s sites and excitement. On our final day before leaving for Portland, the girls visited the spa, and I’ll just say that it was more than acceptable. My body still feels good from those 90 minutes.

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe and what to do while visiting wine country in Portland, Oregon by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe and what to do while visiting wine country in Portland, Oregon by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com
Vineyard views

Next: Portland

Portland was a drastic change of scenery from the rural setting we were transitioning from. The city had a little big town feel as its expansive footprint was seemingly void of any giant skyscrapers, however there was no shortage of things to see, eat, and do. In planning for this portion of the trip, we were overwhelmed by the number of restaurant options that existed. HOW WERE WE SUPPOSED TO CHOOSE JUST ONE RESTAURANT PER MEAL? In the end, I was more than thrilled with the choices we made, and the food we enjoyed in Portland was some of the best I’ve ever had. (This is not an exaggeration. It was next level delish.)

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe and what to do while visiting wine country in Portland, Oregon by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com
Photos of our crew at the Whiskey Library, and that ethereal moment where my lips touched Pok Pok chicken wings

Where We Stayed

The Nines Hotel hosted us for the second portion of the trip. The hotel was within walking distance of a number of places we wanted to shop, eat, and explore, and it also boasted a lobby fitted with a terrific restaurant and ample group hangout space- perfect for our crew of 8. The girls picked through the shopping scene while the men let out their inner boy at a nearby bar/arcade.

Because we were there on a Saturday, we were able to snoop through the Portland Saturday Market, where we purchased scads of very necessary items that our husbands were more than happy to pack in their luggage (kidding). Our friends spent even more time eating at Bon Appetit’s “Feast Portland” event that was being held that weekend, but I opted to head to Powell’s Books where Joy Wilson (yes, the baker) was signing copies of her newest book (insert the squeals of this fangirl!!!)

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe and what to do while visiting wine country in Portland, Oregon by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe and what to do while visiting wine country in Portland, Oregon by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com
Sunset at the rooftop bar of The Nines Hotel

Highlights

It’s hard to pinpoint one specific highlight of the trip. Certainly the views in Newberg were stunning, and there’s no doubt that the wine was first class. I’m still having dreams about the chicken wings at Pok Pok, and I’d fly back in a heartbeat for the kouign amann at St. Honore Boulangerie. Still, the trips we take with friends are cool just for the sake of spending time with that family in a new setting. You get to know people in a real away when stripped of the familiarity of home, and I’m really grateful for the chance to do that so often.

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones

So now, let’s talk about these chocolate coffee almond scones. While dining at Jory for breakfast one morning, we enjoyed a coffee almond scone that was a delicious accompaniment to our morning brew and eggs. When I got home from Portland, I decided to recreate that treat so that those hours in the Pacific Northwest could live on in my Selma, Alabama kitchen. The end product that I came up with is nothing short of fab.

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com

Making the Scones

To make these chocolate coffee almond scones, we start by mixing a few dry ingredients- flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder. Next comes the ice-cold butter which gets cut in quickly and carefully until large pea-sized clumps exist throughout the mixture. The chocolate chips and chopped almonds are added next, although you could certainly opt for walnuts, pecans, or even hazelnuts if you prefer. Finally, we douse the whole thing in an espresso cream, prepared by dissolving espresso powder or instant coffee into a smidge of dairy. Stir all of the batter just until combined and then cut out tiny rounds of dough.

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com

For this recipe, we chill the dough briefly before baking which will help all of our little treats to rise well. Fresh from the oven, these chocolate coffee almond scones are bronzed, with a crisp, buttery, golden exterior covering the soft and almost cake-like interior. The coffee flavor here is subtle, giving way to melty chocolate morsels and nuggets of crunchy almonds that flavor each pastry throughout. I love the simplicity of these treats, how a one-bowl recipe can yield such rich flavors and textures. These are the perfect addition to your weekend breakfast and brunch plans, although I’ve enjoyed them as an after-dinner treat as well. With so many ways to share these chocolate coffee almond scones with the people you love, I daresay these are a must.

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.comSee below for the lowdown on where we stayed, ate, and played in Portland. If you’re planning a trip to those parts anytime soon, please add these to your list. Happy baking and have a great weekend!

Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. These are crisp and fluffy scones made with real butter and filled with espresso power, mini chocolate chips, and chopped almonds. These scones are made by cutting butter into the dry ingredients and are flavored with mocha and fresh nuts. Find the recipe and how to on www.thewoodandspoon.com

Where We Stayed In Oregon:

The Allison Inn & Spa
Luxurious accommodations in a country setting.
The Nines Hotel
Fun, spunky hotel in the heart of downtown Portland.

Where We Ate In Newberg:

Jory
Hotel dining unlike any I’ve ever experienced.
Thistle
A head to tail dining experience.
Red Hills Market
The perfect place to grab grub in between vineyard visits.

Where We Ate In Portland:

Coquine
James Beard Award winning spot with casual, fun fare.
Pok Pok
Southeast Asian food in a casual setting. Probably the best meal of our trip.
Maurice
Try this French bistro for their quaint lunches and yummy pastries.
Multnomah Whiskey Library
A mammoth collection of whiskeys in a library-esque setting.
Le Pigeon
French-inspired fare in a cozy atmosphere.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
The flagship location for this national brand is in Portland!
Urban Farmer
Hotel dining at The Nines Hotel- a farm to table experience.
St. Honore Boulangerie
Delicate French pastries and coffee to-go.

Wineries We Visited in Newberg:

Hazelfern
Bergstrom
Soter
Scott Paul

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Chocolate Coffee Almond Scones

Buttery with crisp edges and fluffy interior, these chocolate coffee almond scones are a simple, one-bowl treat that is bound to please!

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 10
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup (180 mL) whipping cream, plus additional for brushing
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder or instant coffee
  • 2 cups (260 gm) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ¼ cup (50 gm) sugar
  • ½ cup (113 gm) unsalted butter, cold and chopped
  • 1 cup (110 gm) chopped unsalted almonds
  • 1 cup (225 gm) mini chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. In a small container, stir the whipping cream and the espresso powder to combine and set aside in the fridge to keep cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar. Use a pastry cutter or the back of two forks to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it becomes a coarse meal consistency with pea-sized clumps throughout. Stir in the almonds and chocolate chips. Add the espresso and cream mixture and stir into the dry ingredients, just until evenly incorporated. If a lot of dry ingredients remain in the bottom of the bowl you can add an additional tablespoon or two of cream, just barely enough to make it all come together into a dough.
  3. Pat the dough to ¾” thick and use a biscuit cutter to cut 2” round circles of dough for each scone. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Put the pan in the freezer to chill for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  4. Once the dough is chilled, use a pastry brush to brush a thin layer of whipping cream over the top of the scones. Bake in the oven until golden brown around the edges of each scone, about 25 minutes.

Notes

  • Chilling the dough ensures the scones will rise well. You can skip this step but it isn’t recommended for best outcomes.

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Recipe barely adapted from King Arthur Flour

St. Barth’s

Bonjour, y’all! Is it cool if we get boozy on a Tuesday? Can we agree to put out some beach vibes even if it’s from the desk of our chair at work? Today I’m sharing these BBC popsicles with you (that’s Bailey’s, banana, and coconut!), and in order to do so, I’ve gotta do some backpedaling. You need hear about the vacay to St. Barth’s that inspired these bad boys. So let’s dive in!

St. Barth’s

At the end of May, Brett and I traveled with our main squeeze BFFs to St. Barth’s, the sunny overseas collectivity of France located in the West Indies. The island had long been on my bucket list and I was thrilled to finally have the opportunity to go. Two flights and a dicey puddle jumper was all it took to transport us to a place that felt a world away. Within minutes of landing on the island, I could tell that we weren’t in Kansas (erm, Alabama) anymore.

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

St. Barth’s is a small tropical island with stunning white sand beaches and crystal waters surrounding otherwise green and rocky terrain. While the island is very French in terms of language, culture, and cuisine, it is well-traveled by American and European tourists who are seeking out privacy, glamour, and a few glasses of bubbly from the comfort of their beach chair. It’s basically Posh Spice meets Jimmy Buffet which is somehow right up my alley.

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com
The party scene at Nikki Beach is WILD. We danced on our table (don’t worry, Mom, no stripping) and drank cocktails out of copper pineapples. WUT?!

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com
Some scenes from our stay at Le Toiny.

Eden Rock

Our time was split between two resorts, Eden Rock and Le Toiny, which would provide us with two different island experiences. The first half of our trip at Eden Rock was spent downing frozen cocktails and bronzing our pasty areas, taking those lazy beach moments to do some serious people watching. While the other three read and napped in their beach chairs, I chipped away at another bucket list item of mine, practicing French from the Duolingo app on my phone. By night, we indulged in some island delicacies and absolutely killed the restaurant scene. Trust when I say there was no carb left behind.

I wasn’t prepared for the amount of European-style sunbathing that we would be met with, and we found ourselves eye-to-eye with a few “pairs” on more than one occasion. While most of the gals running around topless were older women sporting  a situation that was most akin to a set of fried eggs on a stick, we did come across some girls who, I can only assume, were Armenian swimsuits models. These were women that had clearly never birthed or nursed children, and I would chalk them up under “People I Never Want to Share a Beach With Ever Again.” 

I don’t have terrible body image, but I learned on this vacation that I’m not ready for that level of distraction while on a romantic vacation with my husband. If anyone is going to be topless, it will be me (and it will be in the privacy and comfort of my own villa, please and thank you).BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com
Le Toiny was the perfect “unplug” location. Also, anywhere that will bring you French rosé in the pool is okay with me.

Le Toiny

Our second resort, Le Toiny, was a quiet retreat tucked in the green mountainside on the other end of the island. Every inch of the resort felt serene, like we had discovered a private oasis of sorts. We spent our days there sipping rosé at the pool, and relaxing in the privacy of our rooms. We trekked the hilly, goat-studded mountainside next to our hotel and visited many of the island’s beaches that each felt like private Caribbean treasures- unspoiled, raw, stunning. Brett tooled us around the island in a little blue Moke, a vehicle that drove like a go-cart and sported a testy gear shift and a tarped roof. I gained a few gray hairs skidding around the island on those four wheels, but I’ll be darned if we didn’t make some memories.BBC Popsicles Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

BBC Popsicles Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com
Eden Rock had some serious rockstar vibes. If you’re looking for cool factor, delicious breakfast, and perfect beachside cocktails, Eden Rock is the place.

BBC

There were a lot of highlights on our trip, but one of my absolute favorite discoveries was the BBC- Bailey’s, banana, and coconut. The BBC is a blended frozen drink made with fresh banana, cream of coconut, and a touch of booze from a shot of Bailey’s. I ordered one on the first day of our trip and it was love at first taste. Creamy, tropical, and ultra-decadent, the BBC replaced every space in my heart previously occupied by pina coladas, mudslides, and the good ole’ Miami Vice. The BBC and I are new forever friends.

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

Upon returning from our vacation, I began taste testing some of my own and eventually decided to up the ante be creating a BBC popsicle. I’m a firm believer that cocktails and dessert are always appropriate, so combining the two seemed like a natural fit. After a few test runs, I landed the perfect mixture of booze, fruit, and cream, and now I can relive my St. Barth’s trip (sans the boobs) with my very own BBC popsicles.

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

How to Make Them

This boozy treat does not disappoint. With only three ingredients, six if you count the chocolate shell and shredded coconut, these BBC popsicles are simple to prepare, inexpensive to make, and the coolest way to bring some booze to your beach parties from here on out. To make your own BBC popsicles, simply combine 1/2 cup of Bailey’s Irish Cream with 1 cup of cream of coconut and 2 large bananas in a blender. Puree until smooth and pour the mixture into a popsicle mold. I use this one at home, but you can check out my post here for some ideas on how to make popsicles if you don’t have a mold.

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

The Chocolate Shell

Once the pops are frozen solid, you have the option of dipping them in chocolate. Simply melt together some bittersweet chocolate and coconut oil, stirring until glossy and smooth. Dip the unmolded BBC popsicles into the chocolate mixture and sprinkle on some toasted coconut, if you’re into that kind of thing. Allow them to firm back up in the freezer or feel free to dive right in! The chocolate shell can soften the popsicle, so just know you’re in for a mess if you opt to eat them right away.

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

The booze in these BBC popsicles is 100% necessary, but be sure to get your measurements right. Alcohol doesn’t freeze so if you add too much booze or not enough banana and coconut, you may wind up with mushy pops on your hands. The chocolate shell is completely optional, but I think it certainly makes them a little more festive.

I’m leaving you all a list with our favorite things to eat and do in St. Barth’s. If you plan to head that way any time soon, please consider these a must. If I ever make my way to St. Barth’s again, I can promise you I’ll find a BBC. In the meantime, what are your favorite beach drinks? Are there any Caribbean locations I need to add to my bucket list?

BBC Popsicle Recipe by The Wood and Spoon Blog by kate Wood. This is a boozy, creamy popsicle made from Bailey's Irish cream, bananas, and cream of coconut. This frozen dessert take on the tropical beach drink is the perfect summer poptail. Boozy desserts have never been so fun and easy to make! Dip the popsicle in a magic chocolate shell and toasted coconut for a festive pretty take on these popsicles. Find the recipe and how to make homemade popsicles on thewoodandspoon.com

Where We Stayed in St. Barth’s:

Hotel Le Toiny
Eden Rock 

Where We Ate in St. Barth’s:

Bonito
Our favorite meal in St. Barth’s. Beautiful view and terrific food in the heart of Gustavia.
Tamarin
Beautiful garden dining in this open air restaurant. Fresh seafood and terrific wines.
Orega
French-Japanese fusion at this Gustavia restaurant. Excellent sashimi and sushi rolls!
Cabane De L’Isle
Beachside dining at Cheval Blanc Resort. We had our best cocktails at this restaurant which also offered a deliciously eclectic menu.
Maya’s To Go
Perfect grab-and-go meals for beach picnics.
25 Quarter
The best bar we happened upon. The widest selection of bourbons on the island and terrific cocktails to match.
Boulangerie Choisy
Lunch, coffee, and french pastries. A must stop.
Hotel Le Toiny
We were happy to dine at our hotel for dinner one evening. Quiet, romantic, private, delicious.

What We Did in St. Barth’s

Snorkle and sunbathe at Gouverneur Beach
Hike to Columbier Beach
People watch on St. Jean Beach
Sunday Brunch Party at Nikki Beach
Shop in St. Jean
Shop in Gustavia

Print

BBC Popsicles

A dessert take on the popular beach cocktail, these BBC popsicles are sweet and creamy, made from Bailey’s, banana, and coconut. The whole thing is dipped in a chocolate shell and sprinkled with toasted coconut. 

  • Author: Kate Wood
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 360
  • Total Time: 6 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 10

Ingredients

For the popsicles:

  • 2 large bananas (about 280 gm total once peeled)
  • ½ cup (120 mL) Bailey’s Irish Cream Liquor
  • 1 cup (240 mL) cream of coconut
  • ½ cup (120 mL) water

For the chocolate shell:

  • ½ cup (90 gm) bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • ¼ cup toasted coconut, if desired

Instructions

  1. Combine all of the popsicle ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Divide the mixture among 10 popsicles molds (see notes), insert the popsicles sticks, and freeze until solid for at least 6 hours but preferably overnight.
  2. Once frozen solid, remove the popsicles from the molds and place on a sheet of parchment paper in the freezer while you prepare the chocolate shell.
  3. Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second bursts, stirring thoroughly after each round until smooth. Once smooth, allow to cool about 5 minutes. Then, dip each popsicle in the chocolate shell and sprinkle with the toasted coconut. Place back in the freezer to freeze solid or enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • I use a popsicle mold that makes 10-2.5 ounces popsicles. Your yield will change if you make smaller or larger popsicles. The preparation and ingredients will remain the same.
  • The alcohol in these popsicles will cause them to melt faster than some popsicles. Be sure to keep them frozen until you’re ready to enjoy them.
  • If you are unable to find large bananas, use a few smaller ones. Total weight of the edible portion should be 280 gm.
  • The chocolate shell is entirely optional. For a quick boozy treat, just skip the shell.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

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