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Coffee Cake Muffins

Thanks to Google Analytics, I’m well aware that a lot of you here are kinda like me. 9 out of 10 of you are female, over half of you are in my age bracket, and we share a variety of other common interests like shopping, entertainment, and traveling. While there is no cookie cutter, run-of-the-mill prototype for what you might call “The Average Woman,” experience and life have taught me that a lot of us, at our core, have similarities. So today I want to write about something I’ve been learning, in hopes that it might speak to you.

Where the Green Grass Grows

I’ve spent many days of my life on the side of the road where the grass wasn’t as green. While I always had a supportive family, at least one good friend to my name, and a host of other things to be grateful for, I struggled with little insecurities and spent most of my life with a measuring stick in hand, trying to determine where I stood in the lineup of people around me. Even today as a 30-year-old woman, I find myself occassionally tiptoeing onto the scale of comparison because I’ve convinced myself that I should be more or that someone else is better.

Do you feel this? Is your life riddled with doubt and shame? Do you find yourself filling up secret, lonely places with the weightiness of jealousy? Even small, seemingly insignificant areas of self-doubt can create mountains of pain in the strongest of humans, and it happens to me so frequently that I’m certain I’m not alone in this; some of you are struggling to stay afloat in this boat with me.

So here are my two cents, the truth that I am using to Drain-O my brain from the lies that sneak in from time to time:

Your life is significant. The things that make you who you are- the hopes and the history, your personality and your passions, every curve of your body and outline of your words- those things have value. There is beauty spilling out from every corner of you, and with an ounce of confidence and joy to back up that grace in your life, the world around you won’t be able to stop watching. Your gifts are a unique contribution to the universe and they matter.

Celebrating Others

I listened to a podcast recently that completely blew my mind with these truths. While I was listening, it was like the blinders were removed and suddenly I was able to see how much I had hurt myself by not recognizing the value of own my life. By failing to treasure myself and the things I had to offer, I was unable to fully appreciate the beauty in the lives of the people around me. My perception of myself was so clouded by what I lacked that the beautiful hair and athleticism and freedom and talent and awards and opportunities that everyone around me had felt like a threat. Instead of admiring it, cheering it on, and broadcasting its awesomeness to the people within my reach, I mentally chalked up another point for them and sagged lower under the weight of my own insecurity.

Whether we admit it or not, I think we all do this to an extent. Today’s world has made the comparison game a full-on mental slaughter for some of us; at some point we have to say no. We need to open our eyes to how much we truly matter. In doing so, we can appreciate the value of our lives and admire the gold in others. We were all created with such intentionality and precision, so we can rest in knowing that we are lovely simply because God made us that way.

That’s my soapbox for the morning. If you need encouragement today, please reach out to me. Additionally, if you need delicious breakfast, please try these coffee cake muffins.

Coffee Cake Muffins

This recipe for coffee cake muffins was adapted from my Mimi’s coffee cake recipe. It’s a special occasion food for my family, however I knew I needed to make it more accessible. Unsurprisingly, these coffee cake muffins turned out springy, fluffy, and perfectly cinnamon-sweet. Also unsurprisingly, I LOVED them, and will be making them for all of the special mornings coming up.

Making the Muffins

First, to make them, simply cream together the butter and sugar before adding an egg and some vanilla. Next, add the dry ingredients, alternating with some buttermilk, and scoop the batter into a lined muffin tin. Finally, there’s a cinnamon and brown sugar filling that you can use to top and fill your muffins too. That an extra bite of sweet makes these coffee cake muffins divine.

Happy baking and Happy Sunday to you all!

So if you like these coffee cake muffins, you should try:

Whole Wheat Carrot Muffins

Peach Crumb Muffins

Hummingbird Muffins

Bananas Foster Cinnamon Rolls

Maple Oatmeal Biscuits

Coffee Cake Muffins

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 4 reviews

These coffee cake muffins are like individual servings of buttermilk coffee cake, complete with a cinnamon sugar sprinkle topping. Simple and perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Author: Kate Wood
Prep Time: 15
Cook Time: 30
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 12

Ingredients

For the batter:

½ cup (113 gm) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup (150 gm) sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
¾ teaspoon vanilla
1–1/2 cups (195 gm) all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup (168 gm) full-fat buttermilk

For the filling:

½ cup (100 gm) brown sugar, packed
1–1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 12-compartment muffin tin with liners and set aside.
In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed until smooth, about one minute. Add the egg and vanilla and beat to combine. Add ½ cup of the flour, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt and beat on low just until almost combined. Add the buttermilk, stir, and then mix in the remaining flour. Beat on low until the batter is smooth and uniform, but do not over-mix. Combine the brown sugar and cinnamon for the filling in a small bowl. Spoon 1-1/2 tablespoons of batter (I use a medium cookie scoop) into the bottom of each muffin tin. Moisten your fingers slightly to push the batter into the bottom of the tins. Sprinkle each battered tin with ¾ teaspoon of the filling and then divide the remaining batter among the 12 compartments. Sprinkle each muffin with the remaining filling and bake in the preheat oven for about 18-20 minutes, or until the muffins are puffed and a toothpick inserted to the center comes out clean.

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Brown Butter Blondies : Two Ways

16 Comments / Cookies and Bars

Brown Butter Blondies by The Wood and Spoon Blog by Kate Wood. This is a recipe for how to make brown butter blondies with a few different variations. First, a fluffy blondie filled with white chocolate chunks / chips and shredded sweetened coconut. Second, a snickerdoodle type blondie filled with cinnamon and sugar- rich, buttery, and delicious. These blondies can be whipped up in one bowl and serve a crowd. Perfect for tailgating, parties, or to make with kids. You can substitute your favorite toppings- nuts, chocolate chips, or toffee! Find the recipe and the how to on thewoodandspoon.com

Happy Thursday from sweet home Alabama! This time of year, at least in these parts, means that college football season is near. Yes, in just a few short days I will kiss my husband goodbye and re-familiarize myself with that far-off gaze that only a football game and a plate of buffalo hot wings can render. So to start this season off on the right foot, I’m sharing TWO super easy, crowd-pleasing, one-bowl recipes that you can show off at the tailgate nearest you. Yes, these brown butter blondies will make even the least interested college football fan (guilty) show up at your party tent ready to rumble.

Go Sports!

Growing up, I was not what you would call a football fan. At the time, I had a healthy interest in professional and college basketball (GO CATS!), but football really wasn’t on my radar. It wasn’t until I moved to Birmingham, Alabama for college that I learned of the vicious football rivalries that existed in my new state. “So who do you pull for? Auburn or Alabama?” I heard that question a time or two and I’m pretty sure I laughed every time. I could have written a dissertation on the birthplace of jorts (thats “jean shorts” for those of you not from North Florida) with more interest than I could have aligned myself to one of two schools that I knew or cared nothing about. BYE FELECIA.

My Own Sports Career

By junior year, I had dated one (okay, one and a half) players from our school’s football team, so my knowledge in the sport had increased by at least 250%. I joined my sorority’s C-list flag football team, bought some knee socks and a fresh pair of Sophies, and determined I was ready to go pro.

Our team was, to say the least, bad. Okay, we were terrible. AWFUL. In one particular game, a girl on our team lost her shorts (and panties) to a flag pull gone wrong. Later, we executed our best play dubbed “The Eagle” where we all stopped running and began dancing on the field as some sort of means of distraction; it was not successful. The single time I touched the ball that evening was on a punt return where I caught the ball and ran towards the wrong end zone. I realized my mistake at the 15 yard line, immediatlely panicked, and hurled the ball at an unassuming teammate. (Spoiler alert: she didn’t catch the ball. We lost the game. I’m told that everything I did was wrong.)

If you, like me, aren’t a savvy football fan or wouldn’t know a tailgate if it sat on your face, let me help you. Learn from the mistakes of the diehards and wannabes that have gone before you. Here are a few football fan fun facts that will keep you on the invite list for games to come.

How To Not Be A Loser At A Football Game:

DO know which teams are playing in the game. People will laugh if you show up sporting your Keyshawn Johnson jersey and you don’t even know what team the Bucs are playing for the ring. Not like I know from experience or anything.
DO try to sit with people you know. You’ll regret that single scalped ticket if you wind up in the opposing team’s section next to a bunch of potty mouths.
DON’T show up to a tailgate empty-handed! Cookies, a dip, or Chex mix are always appropriate.
DO wear your team colors, but avoid silks, rayon, and form-fitting clothes that will most certainly show off your pit stains and swamp butt. That is not winning.
DON’T drink too much in first quarter of the game. The bleachers are no place to sleep one off.
DO avoid the concession stand at halftime. No amount of chili dogs are worth those lines.
DON’T sit next to the shirtless guys with the body paint unless you’re totally okay with the potential of this happening.
DON’T leave a game early. It only takes one second to miss something.
DO remember that tailgating is a marathon, not a sprint. Those Frito’s and sausage balls might go down smooth, but you don’t want to lug that with you to the upper bowl.
DO make all the brown butter blondies, all the time. FACT: people who bring blondies have more fun.

Brown Butter Blondies

These brown butter blondies are tailgating staples. This recipe make a huge pan of treats, perfect for sharing, toting across the quad, and shoving in your pockets to get through game day security. Even better, this same batter can be prepared two ways, so with the same handful of ingredients you can have a variety of chewy goodies to share with the world. Ya welcome.

Making the Blondies

To make these brown butter blondies, we start by browning some butter. Lucky for you, you’re a pro at browning butter, so you whip that up quickly and let the golden fat cool. From there, it’s a one bowl and done kind of recipe. Stir some brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla into your butter and then fold in the dry ingredients. That’s it! The batter is done.

Choose Your Own Adventure!

Next comes the fun part. Will it be white chocolate chips and coconut or cinnamon sugar snickerdoodle brown butter blondies? The world is your oyster here, so you take the pick. Hey, you could even go with dark chocolate and pistachios, toffee and pecans, whatever you darn well please. These brown butter blondies would taste good after sitting in a paper bag on the roof of your car for three days, but please, don’t ask me how I know that.

After baking, these brown butter blondies are chewy and oh-so flavorful. The white chocolate chip and coconut babies are a bit thicker and a little fluffier, while the snickerdoodle brown butter blondies are dense, intensely buttery, and perfectly spiced. The batter is the same for both variations, save for the toppings and the salt, and I think you’ll find both to be equally satisfying.

Don’t be a loser at this year’s football games. Don’t be like me. Just make these brown butter blondies and thank the heavens that someone (*raises hand*) has figured out the hard stuff for you. Get your game on this weekend and think of me when you sink your teeth into these bad boys.

Also, there’s only ONE MORE WEEK to vote for your favorite bloggers in the Saveur Blog Awards. You’ll find me in the best baking and sweets category. Click here to vote today and as often as you’d like!

If you like these brown butter blondies, be sure to check out:

Pecan Toffee Blondies

Derby Pie Bars

Pretzel Shortbread Peanut Butter Brownie

Blueberry Lemon Bars

Trail Mix Cookies

Brown Butter Snickerdoodle Blondies

Print Recipe

Brown Butter Blondies made in two different ways- a cinnamon sugar snickerdoodle or a coconut white chocolate chip. Make your own variation with this adaptable recipe!

Author: Kate
Prep Time: 30
Cook Time: 30
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 24

Ingredients

1 cup (230 gm) unsalted butter, cubed into equals sized pieces
1–3/4 cups (360 gm) packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (260 gm) all-purpose flour
1–3/4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
2–1/2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
1–1/2 tablespoons sugar

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line 9”x13” pan with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
Add the butter to a light-bottomed pan over medium heat. Melt the butter, stirring regularly. Once the butter is melted and has stopped sizzling as frequently, begin to whisk constantly until the butter has browned to a medium-dark hue. (See notes for help.) Remove the butter to a separate large bowl. Allow to cool briefly, about 5 minutes.
Once slightly cooled, add the brown sugar to the butter and whisk to combine. Add the eggs and the vanilla to the brown butter mixture and whisk to combine. Stir the flour, baking powder, salt, and 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon in a separate small bowl and then add it to the brown butter mixture, folding to just barely combine.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan. Combine the remaining cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle over top of the blondie batter. Bake in the preheated oven, about 23-25 minutes or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted to the center just barely comes out clean.

Notes

See my previous post on browning butter if you need a little help in this area.

Coconut White Chocolate Chip Brown Butter Blondies

Print Recipe

Brown Butter Blondies made in two different ways- a cinnamon sugar snickerdoodle or a coconut white chocolate chip. Make your own variation with this adaptable recipe!

Author: Kate
Prep Time: 30
Cook Time: 30
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 24

Ingredients

1 cup (230 gm) unsalted butter, cubed into equals sized pieces
1–3/4 cups (360 gm) packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups (260 gm) all-purpose flour
1–1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1–1/2 cups (115 gm) sweetened shredded coconut
1–1/4 cups (200 gm) white chocolate chips

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9”x13” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
Add the butter to a light-bottomed pan over medium heat. Melt the butter, stirring regularly. Once the butter is melted and has stopped sizzling as frequently, begin to whisk constantly until the butter has browned to a medium-dark hue. (See notes for help.) Remove the butter to a separate large bowl. Allow to cool briefly, about 5 minutes.
Once slightly cooled, whisk the brown sugar into the brown butter. Add the eggs and the vanilla and whisk well to combine. In a seprate small bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the brown butter mixture and fold to combine. Add the coconut and white chocolate chips and fold just until combined.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan and then bake in the preheated oven, about 25-30 minutes or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted to the center just barely comes out clean.

Notes

See my previous post on browning butter if you need a little help in this area.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

30 Comments / Breakfast

As a mom, one of the concepts I teach on repeat to my eldest is sharing. At two years old, my daughter already knows when she’s done wrong by refusing to share her toys, snacks, or even love and affection with others. I don’t expect her to master such a skill for quite some time, but I keep pushing her to do so, recognizing that learning to share from an early age will only benefit her.

Sharing is Caring

We adults, though…. man, we really suck at sharing sometimes. We love to make things all about ourselves, and often withhold love, time, energy, and tangible items from those around us who want to share in it. I know that degree of selfishness is all over my life, so I’m thinking I can’t possibly be the only one, right?

This blog is intended to be a platform for sharing. Of course I want to give you recipes and ideas, tips and techniques, how-to’s and pretty photos to look at. But I also want to share thoughts. I want to give you encouragement and laughter and joy via words on these pages, and although I’m sure I’m not always successful in that, I wouldn’t dare quit trying. What use are your passions if you don’t share them with someone? What use are your gifts if you don’t give them away?

So, a challenge to you: share with someone today. Spend yourself on someone else. Volunteer, give a compliment, go the extra mile. Share a coffee, a lunch table, or ANYTHING. Whatever it looks like, just share. I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

And speaking of sharing, let’s talk about this cinnamon swirl bread. I have to tell you that my message on sharing comes with the most selfish of motives. A long time favorite of mine is the cinnamon swirl bread from Edgar’s Bakery here in Alabama. It’s perfect, and if you’ve had it, you know why I’m raving about it. A girlfriend of mine asked them for the recipe, and I have questioned them for tidbits on the bread on countless occasions, but CAN YOU BELIEVE THEY DIDN’T SHARE IT WITH ME?? Ok, that’s sarcasm. If I had that recipe and was willing to bake and sell to the masses, I would retire early and spend the rest of my days baking those sweet baby angel loaves for anyone who would buy them from me.

A Bread Months in the Making

I spent months trying to get the filling on this bread right. MONTHS. I’m talking at least 15-20 test bakes. The end result is worth it. This cinnamon swirl bread, made with butter, sugar, and eggs, is straight up magical. Similar to a babka, the dough for this bread is moist, buttery, and a bit stringy while being mixed up. After an initial rise, we roll it out super thin and spread it with a cinnamon sugar schmear that, if it weren’t entirely weird, I would consider scrubbing all over my bod. A few rolls, twists, and a rise later, the bread is popped in the oven until it’s dark, golden and fragrant enough to scent your entire home.

This cinnamon swirl bread is the most delicious thing that I know how to make. It’s not the easiest thing I know how to make, but you can bet every bag of sugar at the grocery store that it’s the tastiest. If you have free time this week, I really think you should make this bread. Read through the instructions carefully, set out enough time for the rising of the bread, and plan on being patient with the process. The end result is life changing delicious, and you’ll be glad you have an extra loaf to stick in the freezer. You can do the extra kind thing and share your second loaf with a friend… but even I might be selfish enough to save it for myself. No judgement.

Happy Tuesday, Happy Baking, and Happy Sharing! Cheers to you!

Cinnamon Swirl Bread

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

This cinnamon swirl bread recipe makes two loaves of fluffy, buttery bread that is spiced with cinnamon and swirled with brown sugar.

Author: Kate Wood
Prep Time: 90
Cook Time: 60
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 2
Category: Bread

Ingredients

For the dough

3/4 cup warm milk (not hot or cold)
1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 1/4 cups (about 1 lb) all-purpose flour, with more for flouring surfaces
2 eggs
1 egg yolk, white reserved
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon salt
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

For the filling

8 tablespoons melted butter, slightly cooled
1 cup brown sugar
6 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons flour
pinch of salt
1 egg white

For the loaves

1 egg, lightly beaten with two teaspoons of water
parchment paper

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Instructions

To prepare the dough

In the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the warm milk and 2 teaspoons of sugar. Evenly sprinkle the yeast over top of the milk and allow the yeast to activate, about 5 minutes. The mixture should froth and foam slightly. You can stir it gently to make sure all the yeast has been moistened, but if the yeast does not foam, dump it out and start over. Once yeast has been activated, beat 1/2 cup of the flour in to the milk mixture using the paddle attachment. Once combined, add the remaining sugar, eggs, egg yolk, vanilla, and salt, and beat the mixture on medium speed until combined. On low speed, add the remainder of the flour, 1/2 cup at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Once evenly combined, increase the speed to medium (I use speed number 4 on my Kitchen Aid stand mixer) and add the softened butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Scrape the sides of the bowl and then continue to beat on medium speed for an additional 4 minutes. The dough will be quite moist and sticky, and will hold together in long strands when you attempt to scoop it from the bowl.
Lightly grease a large bowl and place the dough inside, covering it tightly with a piece of plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rest until it has approximately doubled in size, about 1-1/2-2 hours. Once the dough has nearly doubled in size, prepare the filling.

To prepare the filling

Combine the cooled, melted butter, sugars, cinnamon, flour, and salt, stirring until combined. Add the egg white, stirring just until combined. You will use approximately ½ cup of filling for each loaf.

To prepare the loaves

Once the dough has doubled in size, line 2 loaf pans (8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ x 2 3/4″) with parchment paper. Cut two sheets of parchment paper- one to fit the pan lengthwise and one to fit widthwise- with some extra paper to hang over the sides.
Generously flour your work surface and rolling pin. Prepare your egg wash by whisking together the egg and water. Set aside.
Gently punch the dough down into the bowl once and divide the dough in half. Take one half of the dough and lay it on your floured surface. Generously dust the top of the dough with flour as well. Using your rolling pin, roll your first piece of dough as evenly as possible into a 22″x10″ rectangle. (I even use a ruler!) You may need to re-flour your work surface if the dough begins to stick. Using a pastry brush, lightly paint the outside 1/2″ edges of your dough with your egg wash. Spread half of the filling (about ½ cup) evenly inside the egg wash border.
Standing with one of the long edges closest to you, begin to tightly roll your dough away from you, forming a 22″ long roll of dough. Gently pinch the dough together at the seam to seal the filling inside the roll.
Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of filling on the top of the roll of dough and then fold it on top of itself, forming an 11” long folded roll of dough. Shape the loaf, by pulling the ends of the dough roll together to form a “U” shape. Twist the two ends over each other twice to form a figure 8 shape and tuck the end pieces under the dough. Place your rolled loaf in one of the prepared pans and repeat the entire process with the remaining half of dough. Once both loaves have been formed, cover again with plastic wrap and allow to rise again for about 1-1/2-2 hours. The dough should rise about 1/2-1″ over the top of the pans. Do not let them over-rise.
When the dough is nearly risen, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and brush the remaining egg wash over the tops of the loaves. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the tops are a dark golden brown and no longer squishy or underbaked looking. Look especially for underbaked parts in the creases of the twists on top of the loaves. Allow to cool in the pans on a cooling rack for about 20 minutes and then remove from the pan to cool completely.

Recipe Adapted From: NYT

Oatmeal Cookie Chunk Ice Cream

6 Comments / Frozen Desserts

Just so we’re clear, small talk is not my forte. I did not go through the effort of starting this blog so we could chat about the Yankees, the news, or the weather. But on days like today, it bears mentioning that it is hot. It is too. darn. hot.

A Brief Lament Regarding the Heat

If you happen to be reading this blog from some idyllic land where the temp is currently a comfortably breezy 75 degrees and sunny, please, don’t tell me. Over here, in what is quite possibly America’s armpit, I have pools of sweat collecting behind my knees, in between my boobs, and in just about every other undesirably hot place on my body. Ignorance is bliss and I would rather pretend everyone resides in a town that scorches similar to the surface of the sun, ok?

This should be an example of my dedication to baking: even on Africa-hot days like today, my oven and stovetop still get a workout. Today, I’m testing out a bread pudding recipe, which, to be honest, sounds about as yummy as a bowl of ghost pepper chilies, or, I don’t know, a serving of liquid hot magma.

Ice Cream: The Cure for Summer

What I really want on days like today (besides a margarita and a one way ticket to Antarctica) is ice cream. All the ice cream.

I think having to choose a favorite ice cream would be similar to having to pick a favorite child. There’s just so much to love in every flavor. Except for rum raisin. WHO ORDERS THAT?

One flavor that has always comes close to the top of my favorites list is Ben and Jerry’s Oatmeal Cookie Chunk. Do you guys remember that flavor? According to my research, it was a limited batch ice cream that B&J are no longer offering. It was creamy, sweet, and deliciously reminiscent of an oatmeal cookie (sans the raisins.)

Let’s have a moment of silence in remembrance.

Oatmeal Cookie Chunk Ice Cream

The good news? Today’s recipe is a show off. This oatmeal cookie chunk ice cream is really, really close to my memory of the original. Which means it’s really, really spectacular.

Yes, it’s stuffed to the brim with oatmeal cookie pieces, and of course there’s a little cinnamon sugar swirled in there too, but what really makes this ice cream special is that the milk and cream are steeped in oatmeal. So even the ice cream base tastes like a cookie. WHAT?!?! Mind blown.

How to Make Oatmeal Cookie Chunk Ice Cream

We start with a perfect ice cream base recipe, which, for me, is Jeni Britton Bauer’s recipe. (Sidenote: If you don’t have her book yet, just quit stalking it on Amazon and buy it already. The recipes work, are delicious, and are worth every second of stovetop time in this summer heat.) To Jeni’s vanilla ice cream base, we add in some oatmeal because we want every bite of this oatmeal cookie chunk ice cream to be reminiscent of those flavors we all know and love. From there, we fold in some chewy oatmeal cookie chunks and a few drizzles of cinnamon sugar goodness. That’s all there is to it!

The only thing that would make this oatmeal cookie chunk ice cream experience more enjoyable on a day like today is if I could just go to the store and buy it from Mr. Ben and Mr. Jerry. I really don’t want to crank up my stovetop any more on a steamy afternoon like today, but I will since the forefathers of oatmeal ice cream decided to call it quits on us. Is there a petition we can sign to bring it back??!!

I hope you’re somewhere on a beach with a cold drink in your hand, but if you’re like me, stuck at home with a bad case of boob sweat– make this oatmeal cookie chunk ice cream. You deserve it.

(PS– Mom, I’m sorry for mentioning my boobs on the internet . Don’t be mad.)

Oatmeal Cookie Chunk Ice Cream

Print Recipe

This oatmeal cookie chunk ice cream is an oatmeal flavored ice cream base filled with chunks of chewy oatmeal cookie and cinnamon sugar swirls.

Author: Kate Wood
Prep Time: 45
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the oatmeal cookie pieces

1–1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups of quick cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 sticks unsalted butter
1–1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs

For the cinnamon swirl filling

1/3 cup corn syrup
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons sugar

For the ice cream

3/4 cup old fashioned oats
2–2/3 cups whole milk
5 teaspoons cornstarch
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1–1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup

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Instructions

To prepare the oatmeal cookie pieces

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Stir together the flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined in a medium sized bowl.In a large bowl, cream the butter until smooth with an electric mixer. Add the sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla and eggs, beating well to combine thoroughly. Add the dry ingredients slowly and mix just until combined.
Pat out the dough into the bottom of an 8″x8″ baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the dough at the center of the pan looks nearly done. Allow to cool at room temperature or in a fridge. Dice 1/2 of the pan into 1/2″ squares just before using. The remaining pieces can be stored at room temperature for 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To prepare the cinnamon swirl filling

Combine the corn syrup, cinnamon, and sugar by stirring. Set aside until ready to use.

To prepare the ice cream

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the oats out on a small sheet pan and toast in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. The oats should become fragrant but not burned.
Meanwhile, mix two tablespoons of the milk with the cornstarch in a small bowl. In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk the cream cheese and salt together until smooth.
In a 4 quart saucepan, combine the remaining milk, cream, sugar, corn syrup, and oats. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 4 minutes. Using a fine mesh strainer, strain the oats from the milk mixture and discard. Pour the milk mixture back into the saucepan and return to the heat. Gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry and bring back to a boil, stirring constantly. Mixture will thicken slightly and should coat the back of a spoon after about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
Whisk the milk mixture into the cream cheese mixture until smooth and without clumps. Pour the mixture into a gallon sized plastic bag and place it, sealed, in to the ice bath. Allow to chill until cold, adding ice as needed.
Once cold, pour the mixture into a prepared ice cream maker canister and prepare ice cream according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Once ice cream is finished, smooth, and creamy, layer large spoonfuls into a dish (I use a loaf pan), drizzling with the cinnamon swirl filling and topping with cookie pieces as you layer in the ice cream. Once all of the ice cream has been layered in the dish with the cookies and swirl filling, drag a knife through the ice cream 5-6 times to swirl the components together. Cover and allow to freeze in the freezer for at least 6 hours prior to eating.

Recipes Adapted From: Jeni Britton Bauer

Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls

6 Comments / Breakfast

I’m really into the term “Throwback Thursday.”

For most of us, Throwback Thursday is an opportunity to post 10 year old bikini shots from before we had stretch marks, or the photo from that time we ran into some obscure daytime television star in the airport, but Throwback Thursday can also be used as an opportunity to reminisce on on fun, tasty memories. While I know today is not Thursday, we can totally pretend it is, or, if you’d prefer, we can say today is “Throwback Tuesday.” Cool? OK, awesome.

Today I’m throwing it back to my early teenage years (mentally wincing). As a now late 20-something, my teenage years were heavily characterized by AOL instant messaging via my dial-up desktop computer, making up dance routines to N’Sync songs in my best friend’s bedroom, and trolling the mall for cute boys and a Cinnabon. Thank God, I’ve since moved on from instant messaging and checking out long-haired, pimpled skater boys, but I am still 100% into Cinnabons. Let’s be honest- you didn’t go to a shopping mall 10 years ago without stopping at Cinnabon, did you? If I close my eyes and think hard enough, I can still smell the scent of warm Cinnabons wafting through the heavily perfumed entryway of Abercrombie and Fitch, while a friend and I try to decide on which matching polos we’re going to buy for the upcoming weekend’s JV basketball game (pause for more mental wincing). I can remember as a kid being able to put away 2 or 3 Cinnabons in a day (assuming I had saved enough babysitting money to purchase that many) with little to no effort. There’s something super nostalgic about those flavors for me and while I have yet to find a recipe that comes close to those gooey, giant rolls we all know and love, I’m still really OK with logging the man hours required to whip up those hot little buns. Today, I’m sharing a recipe for a grown up cinnamon roll: hazelnut cinnamon rolls

The recipe for this dough is adapted from The Pioneer Woman, and if you know ANYTHING about her, it’s that she makes ridiculously awesome breakfast rolls. This dough is buttery, soft, and the perfect platform for a a variety of fillings and toppings. My take on her rolls is prepared with a crunchy hazelnut filling that is sweetened with brown sugar and warmly scented with cinnamon. Instead of cutting smaller, shorter rolls, these buns are closer in size to a traditional Cinnabon: large and in charge. Once risen and baked, they’re topped with a sweet, cream cheese glaze that can easily be thickened or thinned out according to your preference.

I’ve also prepared this dough into a hazelnut cinnamon roll cake by rolling 2″ strips of dough into one giant cinnamon roll that I let rise and cook in an 8″ springform pan. If you get ambitious, I highly recommend it. A great tutorial for this method can be found here.

If you’re wanting to go even more next level, I would totally try out a Nutella cream cheese glaze. Whisk a couple of tablespoons of Nutella into the cream cheese and butter and thin out with milk as needed. YUM. If you try this, you better send me one in the mail because I’m dying to taste it.

Give hazelnut cinnamon rolls a try and proudly re-live your version of Throwback Thursday. If you need me, I’ll be attempting to recall my original choreography to Christina Aguilera’s “What a Girl Wants.” Don’t judge.

Hazelnut Cinnamon Rolls

Print Recipe

These hazelnut cinnamon rolls have a sweet, buttery dough, with a crunchy hazelnut and cinnamon brown sugar filling.

Author: Kate Wood
Prep Time: 90
Cook Time: 60
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the dough

2 cups (480 mL) milk (whole or 2%)
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick, 85 gm)) unsalted butter
1/2 cup (100 gm) granulated sugar
2–1/4 teaspoons (1 package) active dry yeast
4–1/2 cups (540 gm) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the filling

1/2 cup (60 gm) hazelnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup (100 gm) brown sugar
1/4 cup (50 gm) sugar
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick, 110 gm)) unsalted butter, softened

For the glaze

4 ounces (110 gm) cream cheese, room temperature
4 tablespoons (55 gm) butter, room temperature
2 cups (250 gm) powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons (30 mL) of milk or cream, plus more as desired

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Instructions

To prepare the rolls

In a large pot, combine the milk, butter, and sugar over medium heat and allow to warm just before the milk is scalding. Remove from burner and allow to cool until luke warm. Add the yeast and allow to dissolve, about 2 minutes.
Add 3-1/2 cups of the flour to the milk mixture and stir to combine. Cover with plastic wrap or a tea towel and allow to rest and rise for 45 minutes to 1 hour. If your dough hasn’t doubled in size within that hour, place the dough in a slightly warmer spot of the kitchen.
Combine the remaining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and add to the risen dough. Stir to combine. At this point, you can refrigerate the dough overnight or roll out to use immediately. If you decide to save it, punch dough down into bowl if it over-rises.
Roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface to a 12×14″ rectangle. Combine the hazelnuts, brown sugar, sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Spread softened butter out across the dough , leaving a 1/2 inch border around the sides. Evenly sprinkle the hazelnut mixture over the dough.
With one of the long ends closest to you, begin to roll the dough away from you, pinching the dough together at the end to seal your roll. Trim off any shaggy ends (no more than 1 inch) Using a sharp knife, cut 8 equal slices buns from your log of dough.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Space out buns on a large sheet pan and cover again with a sheet of plastic wrap or a tea towel. Allow to rise for 25-30 minutes, or until buns are puffed and rounded. Bake in the oven until buns are golden brown, about 30 minutes. Allow to cool on pan for 10-15 minutes and then top with glaze.

To prepare the glaze

Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add sugar and vanilla, beating until evenly combined. Add milk slowly, 1-1/2 teaspoons at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Add extra liquid to thin out frosting to a drizzling glaze.

Recipe Adapted From: The Pioneer Woman

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