It is just starting to drizzle here in the ATL metro area. I love it when it rains here. We’ve had several days this week of thunder and lightning and pouring down rain. I’ve loved it.
Our older son loves to stand at his window and look out at the rain and explain “whoa” or “wow” or “oh” every 10 seconds. He must be fascinated at the creation of God. I love how God is so in charge of the weather! Every rain drop falls at his bidding. Amazing.
And, in God’s amazingness – He gives us chocolate and marshmallows and heavy whipping cream.
Don’t you love how life teaches you lessons? We all have days where we learn valuable lessons that will profit us to use them in the future.
Like don’t go out without an umbrella if skies are threatening rain.
Don’t date guys who don’t love Jesus first and foremost.
Always wear the same shoes – vital.
Love above all else.
When you get hurt (and you will), don’t hurt in return because it doesn’t do anyone any good.
Leave your heart open for new relationships and friendships.
And this S’mores Pie.
I found out on Instagram yesterday that today is National S’mores Day (who is in charge of making these things up, anyway?). So, all I had to do was get a few things from the store and this pie is all set for when we get home from church tonight. It is dark, fudge, not too sweet, and topped with fluffy, sugary goodness. Slightly burnt edges – just like the perfect campfire marshmallow before you smush it between some chocolate and graham crackers.
The lesson I learned in making this pie? Buy a culinary torch. It will just do you wonders and save bunches of time (because my life as a full-time mommy comes first to my adventures in The Charming South Kitchen, so I’ve gotta use those nap times wisely). At least I was able to sip on my McDonald’s diet coke while I was waiting for my lighter to slightly burn the edges of the marshmallows. (I adapted this recipe from Brown Eyed Baker)
No Bake Fudge S’mores Pie
Recipe Type: Dessert
Cuisine: Pie
Author: The Charming South Kitchen
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 8-10
No need for a campfire or an oven for this pie. Chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows.
Ingredients
1 graham cracker crust, chilled
6 oz bittersweet chocolate
2 oz dark chocolate
1/3 cup plus 1 T heavy whipping cream
1 3/4 teaspoon light corn syrup
3 T unsalted butter
3/4 bag large marshmallows
handful mini marshmallows
Instructions
Heat the cream and light corn syrup on stove until slightly boiling (you don’t want to overheat it because it will burn).
Pour the heated cream mixture over the chocolate and stir until smooth.
Add the butter and stir until creamy.
Gently spread the chocolate mixture in the bottom of the graham cracker pie crust
Place the marshmallows on top, gently pressing them into the fudge filling.
Heat with a torch or match or however you want to light them, to the crispiness of your liking.
Just in time for the Super Bowl too – so I could have a reason to make these wonderful bites of deliciousness and not eat them all.
Enjoy.
I searched the internet, then combined a couple of recipes.
1/2 cup self-rising flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond
1/4 cup sugar
8 ounces Nutella –
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons skim milk
Cream eggs and butter and extracts, add in nutella. Scrape sides. Add in dry ingredients, alternating with the milk. Mix until you get a smooth consistency.
I used mini cupcakes liners – makes about 30-36. Fill no more than half way. Spray liners of course. Bake at 325 for about 15 minutes, don’t overcook these babies.
Frosting:
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup Nutella, mine was pretty heaping of a 1/2 cup
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 Tbs skim milk
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
Mix butter and nutella. Then vanilla and milk – finish with sugar.
Don’t eat it all before you get it on the cupcake.
In the middle of the Brightleaf Square corridor sits a little cafe that serves desserts and real food.
I spend 4 hours there on Sunday, taking pictures, talking w a dear friend, and sipping on an espresso macchiato.
The cake we chose was moist, texture-perfect, and delicious. I could have easily eaten the entire cylindrical – goodness, but I shared, like a good girl. We chose the coconut tres leche cake and the toasted coconut on the outside was supreme. The filling of the tres leche cake was rich and pale yellow taste-bud delight with every bite.
They serve many other beautiful creations and then have a full menu as well. You can sit there for hours and have no one bother you. And they have refills on their coffee – serve your own. So, I’ll definitely be heading back there, especially when it gets warmer and I can sit outside.
Finds like Amelia’s are what makes Durham a great place to eat!
Only negative: their photos both on their website and menu need help. Hey folks at Amelia’s: I’m available. Contact me!
I think every other cupcake business in Wilmington needs to just close up shop and that Coastal Cupcakes needs to bake more cupcakes.
Best cupcake I’ve had, hans down. I’ve had cupcakes in Chicago, RDU, Publix (which are a favorite of mine), TN, CO. Cupcake bakeries and “shoppes” are all the rage right now, so there seems to be one on every corner. They do it right!
A friend and I share the coconut with cream cheese icing and coconut on top. The most moist, fall apart, not dry at all cupcake. Flavorful and just melt in your mouth. Most cupcakes I’ve tasted in bakeries taste like they are frozen. I would have though these were baked right before we walked in (though the icing wasn’t melting, so I know they weren’t). The coconut wasn’t hard. The cream cheese frosting was just bliss.
I would love to have tried all of them, and the shop clerk that day was so kind and gracious to let me come behind the counter to not have the glass in all the pictures!
Thank you Coastal Cupcakes! Keep baking! I will return!
Ice. That is what today is about. There is ice, not snow, in RDU. This has been one of the coldest winters I’ve experienced in RDU since moving here in 2000. Note: we haven’t had 24 inches of snow (like in January 2000) or TONS of ice like we had in 2005 (or was it 2004)? But, with temperatures not even reaching 50, really, not even 40, for most of the days for the past 6 weeks, its cold.
So, I thought I would talk about something happy and fun: favorite places in the Triangle. There is a reason I love this place and am glad to call it home!
These are in no particular order:
Fosters Durham/Chapel Hill: I love her home-cooked food but upscale. It is a place to sit all day with a book or a laptop and enjoy a scone with some snickerdoodle coffee or a glass of wine. Her omelettes are fantastic and any of her baked goods are usually just what the doctor ordered. I haven’t figured out which location I like better.
Best Dessert I’ve tried so far in RDU: Butterscotch Blondie at Bogart’s. I had to share, it was my birthday, but I could have eaten the whole thing – with the ice cream. So good. Oh, and the inside out pb cup from Cafe Carolina . So good. Wish I could make.
Best Wine Experience: Sip in Cary. Such a quaint, decorative place that you want to stay and get to know the owners and everyone who stops in. They know their stuff: and everything is eco-friendly!
Best Thai Food: Chai’s in Durham on Erwin Road. I haven’t been back since I returned to the state, because I’ve been trying out new places. But, hands down, this is the best place by far if I want some delicious salty steamed edemame or a huge bowl of spicy chicken pad thai.
Go sit all day: Panera Crabtree. The reasons are this: refillable unsweet tea, wifi free usage, overhear engaging conversations, 5 minutes door to door, and cheap, somewhat healthy food.
What other places do I need to try? I can branch out to anywhere in the Triangle. I love new things. What are some of your favorite things about living in the Triangle?
