The day after Christmas holiday decorations come down and the red, white, and pink colors of Valentine’s Day go up. As a chronically single lady, I’m just recovering from the Christmas and New Year’s Eve movies, television shows, and commercials that say: “If you are single, then you are loser.”
Two years ago, I appeared on a television cooking competition show. I usually a second-guess myself and rehash the mistakes I made no matter if they are indeed errors or not. This time (perhaps even the first time) I was on my A game. I did everything right therefore I wanted to take the time to revisit Food Rush’s Cookie Competition.
This Monday I had a wonderful opportunity to be a vendor at the 2nd Annual Sugar Rush: A fundraiser to benefit Spark Philadelphia. As much as I make fun of parents and their offspring, I do want to help kids succeed. Since I have little patience for young humans, I am happy to do what I can otherwise.
Every year as long as I can remember I compiled a list of New Year Resolutions. I think I may accomplish 10%, but I still do it year after year.
It’s the standard lose weight and get a boyfriend (both a various gain and loss), but I feel like I must do so. Like this blog, I do it for myself. I don’t expect others to give me accolades about my accomplishments or chastise for my failure. I do it to for me.
I participated in my first vendor tasting. The kitchen incubator I belong to invited clients like myself that has a small food business to show big-name area vendors our wares.
I thought this was a good opportunity to show what The Pastry Prophet can do. I emailed the director to sign up to present a fan favorite — Gluten Free Cupcakes. I know cupcakes are becoming passe, but people who need to have gluten free food told me it’s one of the best cakes they have ever tried.
Obviously there are people who cannot or choose not to indulge in wheat flours, nuts, sugar, or animal products. Why should they be penalized because of it? I say they should not. That’s why I’m so proud that people who need gluten-free items are so delighted by my cakes.
I scheduled the day off from my day job and planned my pastry battle.
The night before I started to freak out. I sat in my car thinking perhaps I should cancel. What am I doing?
Don’t worry. I got over it.
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| Come at me bro … and try a cupcake! |
That said, I am very appreciative of the help I received. I felt like a little lost lamb and the Executive Director worked her magic to make all the participants appear their very best. I watched her in awe. I aspire to be the business woman that she is. I know it won’t happen overnight, but it’s a goal.
I had the opportunity to try Victory Brewing Company’s new line of ice creams. Yes, I said ice cream!
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| (left to right) Hopped-Up Devil, Triple Monkey, and Storm Drop |
Victory offered ice cream for some time at their brewpubs. This is the first time the ice cream will be available for the public to purchase retail. If you are in the Philadelphia area, this is worth the road trip to their Downingtown location!
Available now are three flavors based on their craft beers called: Hopped-Up Devil, Triple Monkey, and Storm Drop. For my readers who abstain from beer and the like, you should know that they are all non-alcoholic. Made with wort, which is the flavorful liquid that is the base of the beer, each ice cream is distinctly unique.
As I tasted each ice cream, summertime frozen dessert ideas started dancing in my head. More than just sundaes or milkshakes. I wanted to accompany these ice creams with something fun. So every free moment – driving, exercising, or working – I wondered what pastry would go best with each ice cream.
Without further adieu:
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| Storm Drop Ice Cream Cupcakes |
Storm Drop Ice Cream Cupcakes
I originally planned on making an entire cake. Then I thought a cupcake allows one to eat chilly yummies without the guilt of overindulging. I mean who would eat an entire ice cream cake?
:: raises a hand in shame::
As a lover of all things chocolate, Storm Drop combines deep chocolate drops against a creamy chocolate stout base. Because of that, I used Storm King Imperial Stout in the cake base as well. So you will need a bottle of the stout. Actually, you will only need a cup, but waste not, want not.
The original recipe is from Epicurious.com, but I cut the ingredient amount in half.
1/4 cup of milk
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| Peanut Butter Sandwiches featuring Triple Monkey |
This ice cream uses Victory’s Golden Monkey beer wort. Each spoonful combines fruity banana and a crunchy delicious pecan swirl. I thought enclosing Triple Monkey with tender peanut butter cookies would give a nice twist to ice cream sandwiches.
Peanut Butter Cookies
2 and 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
2 sticks of softened unsalted butter
3/4 cups of white sugar
3/4 cups of brown sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup of creamy peanut butter
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Bake for 10-15 minutes.
Cool.
Crunchy Banana / Chocolate Nib Garnish
1 cup dried banana chips
1/4 cup cocoa nibs
Assembly
Eat up!
Makes 6 sandwiches.
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| Hopped-Up Devil Butterscotch Brownies |
Although not as elaborate at the previous desserts, I like this one because it gives a hit of everything: white chocolate morsels and nuts from the brownies; Hopped-Up Devils’ dark chocolate, coffee, spices, and a bit more beer!
1/4 cup shortening or butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of HopDevil India Pale Ale
Makes 5 sandwiches
That’s it and dig in!
Of course, eating it out of the pint is fun too. Let me know what’s your favorite flavor and how you prefer to serve it.
Where I found it:
Victory Brewing Company
Brewpub Retail Store
420 Acorn Lane
Downingtown, PA