Azoresgal~Life on an Island

This buttercream is so light-and-fluffy, with a delicate vanilla flavor. I love the look of all the little specks of vanilla bean. So pretty. So simple. So good. Let´s not forget delicous, I swear you will want to eat it by the spoonful. I have no doubt it will become a favourite recipe, for frosting your cakes and cupcakes! 1 cup salted butter, softened 2 vanilla beans (seeded) OR 1 Tbsp. vanilla bean paste 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract 4 cups powdered sugar 3-5 Tbsp. heavy cream (or milk if you don't have cream) Using a stand mixer, cream together the butter, vanilla bean paste (or the scrapings from 2 beans*), and the vanilla extract with the paddle attachment, scraping down the sides as necessary, continue mixing until it's smooth. Add in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time until it's all incorporated and moist. The mixture will be stiff. When all the sugar is mixed in, you can begin to add heavy cream, a tablespoon at a time until the consistenc...

Cracker what ?? You read that right, a cracker pudding! This dessert is a classic from my childhood, my mom and my aunts always made this for our family parties,birthdays, BBQs. It is fantastic, lots of layers,  nice and light but not to sweet and super easy to make. If you don't tell your guests it is made with saltine crackers, they will think it is puff pastry. The crackers soften up, don't worry they do not get mushy, they flake up, ending up with a puff pastry texture. You will not regret making this, your friends and family will love it ! I promise! Saltine crackers 2 small pkg.  Jello vanilla instant pudding (+ 4 cups of milk) Large tub of  cool whip Topping (pie filling, or fresh fruit) Mix the pudding as directed on the boxes. Put a thin layer of cool whip in a 9x13 pan. Just enough to keep crackers in place. Now start the layers.... 1-Crackers 2-1/2 the cool whip 3-Crackers 4-1/2 the pudding 5-Crackers 6-Rest of pudding 7-Cracker...

 Now why in the world would anyone bake a chocolate chip cookie in a cast iron skillet? Why? Oh perhaps because it produces a super gigantic cookie! A seriously delicious dessert, still warm from the oven, it has a soft gooey middle, and a crispy, crunchy golden edge. The perfect finishing touch, is a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream! Heaven in a pan! Make small individual ones and greedily eat directly out of the pan with a spoon  or make a larger sized pan, to slice up and share with family and friends. Please,  please give it a try,  I just know you are going to love it! ¾ cup melted butter 1 cup brown sugar ½ cup granulated sugar 1 egg + 1 yolk 2 cups flour ¾ tsp baking soda 1 tsp kosher salt 2 tsp vanilla 1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips Preheat oven to 180// 350° In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon, combine melted butter and both sugars. Stir until there are no lumps. Add in vanilla, egg and yolk. Stir until mixture is smooth ...

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! I don´t know if you are cooking mexican tonight for dinner or not. If by chance you are, here is the perfect little dessert to end your meal with, Churros. They require very little ingredients to make, and come together quickly, but trust me, the end result is amazing! The cinnamon-sugar coating adds crunch and just the right amount of sweetness. If that weren't enough, the chocolate dipping sauce takes this dessert to the next level, a great combination of flavors. I promise if you make them, you won’t be disappointed! Churros 2 tablespoons  butter 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 1/4 cups water 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted 2 large eggs vegetable or canola oil, for frying Cinnamon Sugar 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Whisk the sugar and cinnamon together in a wide, shallow bowl. Set aside. To make the churros: Combine the butter, sugar, salt, and water in a...