The Sweet & Simple Kitchen

October is here 🎃🦇🍂
The other day I watched E.T. for the first time in well over a decade, and it was such a trip to watch it again. I highly recommend watching that classic for your spooky season viewing pleasure.

Anyways I was totally inspired by that movie to bake this Halloween treat, and for that reason I'm calling them E.T. Cookies. Perfect for Halloween, yes - but also all year round because, yum.

To make these I just started with my classic Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and swapped some chocolate chips for some festive Reese's Pieces (a personal favourite Halloween Candy)

The ingredients are below, and you can just follow standard chocolate chip cookie instructions for baking. My website has lots if you need the details :)

E.T. Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup dark chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup Reese's Pieces

1 tbsp flaky sea salt for sprinkling, (optional)

Whether it’s waffles for breakfast or waffles for dinner, it’s all just music to my ears. For me there is something truly magical about a plate of warm crispy waffles - they just make the day extra special. Today we’re going savoury with a stack of Cheddar Chive Cornbread Waffles topped with fried farm-fresh quail eggs from Spring Creek Quail Farms, crispy ham, and a drizzle of honey. This might just be my new favourite way to waffle…

Just in time for your weekend brunch, this recipe is waiting for you on the blog (link below)


http://thesweetandsimplekitchen.com/cheddar-chive-cornbread-waffles-with-fried-quail-eggs-crispy-ham/

California Strawberries & cream for the dream team! Who’s ready for strawberry season!? The minute I spot fresh, luscious California Strawberries at my local markets, I can’t wait to scoop up a bundle and get into the kitchen to whip up sweet nostalgic recipes.

Juicy California Strawberries are the star of these simple No Bake Strawberry Waffle Cone Cheesecake parfaits. Layers of cheesecake mousse, plump California Strawberries, fluffy whipped cream and crispy waffle cone crumbles. This naturally sweet and delicious dessert is also an excellent source of Vitamin C. If I had it my way, I would eat one of these for dessert all Spring & Summer long! Who else is on board?

Find the recipe for these on my blog (link below)
http://thesweetandsimplekitchen.com/strawberry-cheesecake-waffle-cone-parfaits/
And for more delicious California Strawberries recipes, head to californiastrawberries.com!

If I had it my way, I would eat this Strawberry & Blackberry Vanilla Shortcake Skillet Pie for dessert every night! And you know what, my Kana Milo Cast Iron Skillet makes it so easy to whip up, I just might have to do that! Warm berry pie filling topped with fluffy vanilla buttermilk shortcakes and a scoop of vanilla ice cream… who’s coming over?

I love how the classic design of the Kana Milo Ultimate Skillet functions seamlessly from to oven, to table. Not to mention, it’s so beautiful, I can’t help but want to have people over for a Spring gathering around the table.

Not to mention, their products are made in part from recycled cast iron through sustainable manufacturing - and that’s something to feel good about!

I am so excited to spread the word about their new Kickstarter Campaign offering the 3-Piece Milo Set in 6 beautiful new colors! To secure your beautiful Kana cookware for yourself, and be part of the sustainability movement, use the swipe up link in my instagram stories to learn more!

This Strawberry & Vanilla Shortcake Skillet Pie was inspired by their new Dusty Pink colour, and if you want the recipe, you can find it on my blog (link below)!

http://thesweetandsimplekitchen.com/strawberry-blackberry-vanilla-shortcake-skillet-pie/

Back in the kitchen mixing up a little something sweet with the new Honey coloured KitchenAid Canada K400 Blender! Let’s spread a little joy and make Honey & Cookies Milkshakes together! Find the full recipe below!

Cookies & Honey Milkshake
Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
3 scoops ice cream
1 tbsp honey + extra for drizzling
1 oatmeal cookie (homemade or store bought) crumbled

Whipped cream to serve

Directions

Place milk, ice cream, honey and half of the oatmeal cookie into your KitchenAid Artisan Blender. Turn the dial to 3 and blend until smooth.

Divide milkshake into two glasses. Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of honey and remaining half of oatmeal cookie crumbles.

Enjoy!

I believe food has the power to bring people together; That through cooking and baking we make connections that last a lifetime. That’s why I am so excited to be partnering with KitchenAid Canada as they launch their 2021 colour of the year… Honey. Baking is my way of spreading warmth and joy - whether it be with the loved ones in my home or by sharing virtually here, I believe that a feeling of togetherness can always be felt in our kitchens - even when we are far apart. So let’s add a bit of honey and warmth to the mix, and make the world a sweeter place. I’m starting with this Milk & Honey Cake topped with Whipped Mascarpone Cream and Toasted Spiced Almonds. The recipe is waiting for you on the blog and if you want this beautiful, rich, golden orange honey colour for yourself, it is available in both The Artisan Series Stand Mixer and the K400 Blender!


http://thesweetandsimplekitchen.com/milk-honey-cake-with-whipped-mascarpone-cream-and-spiced-toasted-almonds/

Not pictured: Me slicing a chunk of this cake off everytime I walk past it on my kitchen counter... Who's joining me in this rainy Saturday vibe? Double Chocolate Chip Snack Cake is waiting for you on the blog

I'm loving seeing all you guys bake these Chewy Oatmeal cookies! Best thing is that you can add whatever you want to this recipe... Chocolate chips, toasted nuts, dried cranberries... Show me all the oatmeal cookie love!

I’m getting extra with my Holiday Cookie Boxes this year! That means I’m adding a jar of Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix and a bottle of my all time favourite, Baileys Original Irish Cream to go with it.

Every holiday season I bake up a storm and prepare personalized holiday cookie boxes for all of my loved ones with the intent of showing up at their doorstep to invite myself in for some quality time and a mini cookie feast.

But this year, the holidays look a little bit different, and so I may not be able to enjoy the cookie boxes with them - but that’s not going to stop me from leaving a little something sweet on their doorstep.

This ultimate holiday cookie box is my way of showing my loved ones that they are in my thoughts, and that although we may be apart, we can still be together in spirit.



http://thesweetandsimplekitchen.com/holiday-cookie-and-hot-chocolate-box/

Coming at you hard with all the holiday spirit, because it’s my favourite time of the year! If anyone needs me, I’ll be spending the next month at home, cozy in my kitchen, baking treats whilst listening to Christmas music on repeat. First on my Holiday baking list were these Winter Spiced Cranberry Brioche Buns, prepared with my favourite Watkins 1868 Organic Ground Cinnamon, Organic Ground Ginger and Organic Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla Extract!

I had way too much fun dressing these buns up for the holidays with fluffy cream cheese frosting, sugared rosemary and cranberries for a snowy Christmas tree look, but you could dress yours up any way you like, and I would love to see all your creations!

This recipe and more holiday favs are on the blog (link below)! Happy Holiday Baking friends!

http://thesweetandsimplekitchen.com/spiced-cranberry-brioche-bun-christmas-tree/

How do you make Chewy Ginger Cookies even better? Take two of them, and sandwich vanilla ice cream in between! I’m uniting two of my all-time favourite desserts with these Homemade Chewy Ginger Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches, made extra delicious with my favourite Watkins 1868 Organic Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Ginger and Ground Cloves and Organic Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla Extract. The best part? They are SO easy to prepare, and they make for the perfect make-ahead dessert. Just go and see for yourself!

The recipe is on the blog (link below)
http://thesweetandsimplekitchen.com/chewy-ginger-cookie-ice-cream-sandwiches/