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Harold’s Diner – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

October 15, 2016 by rachelle 11 Comments

Harold’s Diner – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

FULL DISCLOSURE: This is NOT a sponsored post.  Neither Harold’s Diner or The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa compensated me for this post.  I just love that resort and we discovered Harold’s Diner while vacationing.  We loved Harold’s so much we ate there three times in four days.  All of my opinions are totally my own, but I absolutely recommend both of these places. 🙂

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

The door sign says it all.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

I want to go back.  Again. And again. And again.  We found this place on our Labor Day Vacation to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Let me tell you how we actually found this place.  It was a complete accident.  As you know, we drove through Hurricane Hermine to get to our beach vacation at The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa.  When we arrived, we checked into the hotel and went in search of booze and food.  We missed the turn to the resort and found an intersection with a gas station to turn around and happened upon the closed (for the night) Harold’s Diner.  It was looking pretty sketchy and sharing the parking lot with the gas station.  We agreed immediately that this is our kind of place and decided to check it out for breakfast.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

I’m so glad we did.  That’s mine. Corned beef has and gravy biscuits.  Done. And done.  That’s my idea of breakfast!

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Chris got pancakes and eggs.  These were seriously the most fluffy pancakes I think I’ve ever had.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

The next breakfast Chris got an omelette that was also delicious.  I had the gravy biscuits and corned beef hash.  Again.  Why mess with perfection?  I know what I like, right?

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

It was also totally wallet (if not waistline) friendly.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Now that we’ve established that the food is legit, let’s talk about the place.  It’s super small, y’all.  I mean, think of the size of a small mobile home or an airstream trailer.  No joke.  There is a counter, a very small walkway, and a few tables attached to the front wall with the windows.  They’re all two-seaters.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Oh!  And it’s cash only.  See the lady in the white shirt on the right?  She didn’t realize that.  They were super nice and told her just to go get some cash and come back when she can.  I’m not shaming her.  We can’t even see her face, so she shall remain the anonymous lady with plastic and no cash.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

You grab a menu from the wall on your way in.  Or after you sit down.  When you realize that’s the deal. Yeah. That was us.  But we had cash. 🙂

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina One side is breakfast and the other is lunch.  That’s all they serve.  In case you didn’t read the sign on the door.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

A reminder.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

They have these crazy hilarious bumper sticker type signs all over the place.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

You get the idea.  It’s a very interactive place.  When someone knocked her (not me!) coffee cup off the counter, everyone in the place shamed them with boos and such.  When she picked up the pieces and handed them to one of the three guys that man the place, he said, “Are you kidding me?”  It was awesome.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Because they’re sign indicated that holidays are optional, we felt it prudent to call ahead on Labor Day to see if the opted to be open.  He said something along the lines of “Of course we open!  Come on baby, come on! We waiting for you!”  We went.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

While we were there another call came in.  He said, “Yes, of course we open.  Our boss is an asshole.”

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

You can see why we love this place and went back.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

We went back again for a burger lunch on our way home.

Harold's Diner - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: breakfast, harold's diner, hilton head, hilton head south carolina, lunch, restaurant, restaurant review, vacation

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

October 12, 2016 by rachelle 16 Comments

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

 

I seriously have a problem with pumpkin.  And donuts.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

I have no earthly idea when or how my love affair with pumpkin came about, but for as long as I can remember, it has been one of my absolute favorite flavors – and not just for fall.  I know we’ve talked about this, but don’t judge me.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Moving on.  I’m relieved to say that those of us in the Charlotte area fared pretty well with Hurricane Matthew, unfortunately the eastern part of the great state of North Carolina is still having some trouble with flooding.  When it hit here Saturday, it was pretty much just a big old windy rain storm here.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

I’m sure you won’t judge me if I tell you I spent the day with friends and family in a bar drinking beer and watching college football.  I can 100% assure you that what I saw of the NC State game was one hot muddy mess and there was a slight delay for lightening.  I’m just glad I don’t have to do that laundry. Help me, Rhonda.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

I know if may come as a great shock to find out that we went to a brewery for some lunch and beer on Sunday.  All I can say is that there was much beer to be had this weekend.  The food was good too!

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

We spent Monday watching the Panthers lose.  There was a lot of profanity up in here.  That’s all I’ve got to say about that.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

So let’s forget all about any of our teams that didn’t fare so well this weekend and stuff our faces with some pumpkin spiced donuts covered in white chocolate ganache.

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Ya dig?

Pumpkin Spiced Baked Donuts with Whit Chocolate Ganache Recipe
Print

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups cake flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs at room temperature and lightly beaten
  • 3/4 cup Greek yogurt plain
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup pumpkin
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 3 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preheat over to 350
  2. Whisk together cake flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, yogurt, buttermilk, and pumpkin
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir to combine
  5. Coat 2 donut pans with cooking spray
  6. Fill the donut pans with batter almost all the way to the top
  7. Bake 15 - 17 minutes
  8. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 - 7 minutes, then turn out of pan and cool completely
  9. Combine white chocolate chips and heavy cream and microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until combined and no lumps
  10. Dunk each donut in the white chocolate ganache or use a spoon to pour over tops

NOTES:

  1. Be careful not to burn your fingers when glazing the donuts as ganache will be hot
  2. You will also want to work quickly because ganache will get thick and harden when it cools, but you can reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds at a time until it warms up again
  3. If the donuts stick to the pan, just use a rubber spatula to go around the edges and they’ll release
  4. This recipe made 24 donuts
  5. This recipe contains alcohol and shouldn’t be served to minors

Pumpkin Spice Baked Donuts with White Chocolate Ganache Recipe

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: baked, breakfast, dessert, donut, doughnut, frosted, ganache, glaze, pumpkin, pumpkin donuts, recipe, white chocolate

Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe

October 5, 2016 by rachelle 31 Comments

Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe

Note: This post is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by the National Football League (NFL) or any of its teams. All opinions and views expressed on our blogs are our own, not that of the NFL and/or any of its 32 teams. Any team names, logos or other symbols referenced are properties of their respective organizations. We are just big fans — and we want to share our love for our teams, the game and the food that brings us all together on game day.

easy-slow-cooker-buffalo-chicken-sliders-recipe-9

Football season is here! In celebration, I’ve joined a group of bloggers from all over the country — all of whom are big football fans! — to bring you football-inspired recipes this season. Last month we shared our favorite tailgating recipes, and now we are sharing more than 60 recipes ideas for celebrating on game day. Click on their links below to join in!

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Are you ready for some football?!?!?!?!

Print

Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders Recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup chicken stock or water
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 bottle of prepared Buffalo sauce
  • 1/4 head of purple cabbage shredded or thinly chopped
  • 2 - 3 jalapeno peppers sliced
  • 4 ounces blue cheese crumbles
  • Slider rolls

Instructions

  1. Add chicken and stock or water to a slow cooker and cook on low 5 - 6 hours or until the fat part has an internal temperature of 160
  2. Remove chicken from slow cooker, drain most of the liquid but leaving a little in the pot
  3. Shred chick with two forks
  4. Return chicken to slow cooker
  5. Add prepared Buffalo sauce, reduce temperature to warm or keep on low until warmed through
  6. Keep warm
  7. Serve on slider rolls and top with cabbage, jalapenos, and blue cheese crumbles

NOTES

  1. I recommend making a slider bar near the slow cooker to avoid soggy buns.  Just keep warm and set out the toppings for guests to make their own
  2. There was plenty here to make 12 – 15 sliders
  3. Serve with carrot and celery sticks and some ranch and/or blue cheese dressing

60+ recipes inspired by football teams! Show off your team spirit with everything from appetizer recipes, entree recipes, cocktail recipes, dessert recipes, side dish recipes and more as you cheer on your team! #foodiefootballfans
60+ recipes inspired by football teams! Show off your team spirit with everything from appetizer recipes, entree recipes, cocktail recipes, dessert recipes, side dish recipes and more as you cheer on your team! #foodiefootballfans

Red Sea Party Punch by Celebrating Family
Bird Gang Sonoran Nachos by Love Bakes Good Cakes
GameDay Cheesecake Bars by Body Rebooted
Healthy Dirty Bird Dip by Dash of Herbs
Purple Potato Salad by The Culinary Compass
Chocolate Blackberry Cheesecake Parfait by Mom’s Messy Miracles
Easy Buffalo Chicken Sliders by Beer Girl Cooks
Quick and Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Sliders by The Life Jolie
Blackened Steak + Blue Cheese Nachos by Feast + West
Easy Pimiento Cheese Crackers by Family Food on the Table
Chicago-Style Deep Dish Breadsticks by Honey & Birch
Italian Beef by Bread Booze Bacon
Welcome to the Jungle Cocktail by Love & Flour
Bengal Striped Bundt Cake by Foodtastic Mom
Polish Boy Potato Skins by A Mind Full Mom
Sweet and Salty Brownies by The Secret Ingredient Is
Cowboy Cookies by The BakerMama
Cowboy Chili by See Aimee Cook
Green Chili Pulled Pork Poutine by Cake ‘n Knife
Blue and Orange Jello Shot Gummies by Sustaining the Powers
Greek Town Loaded Potato Skins by The Mexitalian
Marbled Scotcharoos by Club Narwhal
Beer Cheese Fondue by Off the Eaten Path
Easy Beer Cheese Soup by Hello Little Home
Chicken Stack Sandwich by Around My Family Table
Bratwurst Sandwiches with Pub Mustard by What A Girl Eats
Game Day Cupcakes by Polka Dotted Blue Jay
Brownie Batter Dip by The Crumby Cupcake
Chocolate Coconut Cupcakes by Two Places at Once
Tomahawk Cooler by Mixplorology
Spicy Jalapeno Popper Cheese Dip with Real Cheese by Simplify, Live, Love
Game Day Snack Tray by Coffee Love Travel
Bacon Mac Cups by West via Midwest
South Beach Punch by 2 Cookin Mamas
Miami Mahi Mahi Sandwich by foodbyjonister
Swedish Meatball Dip with Tater Tot Dunkers by Peanut Blossom
Fruity Dessert Pizza with Peanut Butter Chocolate Glaze by Bucket List Tummy
New England Rum Punch by Order in the Kitchen
Crawfish Etouffee by The Speckled Palate
Cajun Crawfish Fritters with Remoulade Dipping Sauce by For the Love of Food
Reuben Sliders with Homemade Russian Dressing by A Dish of Daily Life
Big Blue Cheese Steak Stromboli by Simple and Savory
Spinach & Artichoke Bites by Lauren’s Kitchen
Herb Pesto Arancini by A Little Gathering
Beluga Lentil Hummus by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Philly Cheesesteak Nachos by And She Cooks
Philly Cheesesteak Cheesecake by Nik Snacks
Game Day Cookie Cups by Me and My Pink Mixer
Primanti Style Sliders by Macheesmo
Pineapple Salsa by Living Well Kitchen
Tex Mex Cream Cheese Wontons with Bacon by Shaws Simple Swaps
Blue Cheese Blitz Dip by Cafe Terra
Chicken Adobo Fries by Brunch-n-Bites
Game Day Candy Bark by Life’s Ambrosia
Chicken Teriyaki Pizza by Loves Food, Loves to Eat
High Seas Sour Cherry Slush by Lizzy is Dizzy
Buffalo Chicken Deviled Eggs by Casa de Crews
Avery Williamson American Cake by Loaves & Dishes
Game Day Sriracha-Honey Nut Mix by An Oregon Cottage
Double-Stuffed Potato Skins by A Simpler Grace
Red Skin Potato Chili Nachos by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen

easy-slow-cooker-buffalo-chicken-sliders-recipe

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: appetizers, blue cheese, buffalo, buffalo chicken sliders, burger, cabbage, chicken, crock pot, football, jalapeno, sandwich, sliders, slow cooker, tailgate

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

October 3, 2016 by rachelle 15 Comments

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

Heeeeyyyyyy, pumpkin!  Where in tarnation have you been hiding?  Well, the truth of the pumpkin matter is that I’m a closet pumpkin eater in all socially unacceptable seasons.  We don’t just save it for fall and holidays.  Pumpkin in August?  Why, yes, I believe I will.  Pumpkin pie in July?  Sign me up. Pumpkin cookies in February?  Be mine.

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

You get the picture.  Don’t judge me.

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

This pumpkin spice whoopie pie recipe is a regular around these parts.  I originally made and posted them a couple of years ago.  In AUGUST!  OMG!  Scandalous!

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

What was I thinking?  I was brand new to blogging then and no one was reading this here website except Lisa, Jennifer, and my mom.  They don’t judge.  Well, Jennifer totally judges.  If there were any negative comments I either didn’t care or forgot about them.

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

The point is that I did make and publish this recipe a couple of years ago, but I upgraded my website and had a new one designed.  I also upgraded my hosting company, which was an excellent idea.  Anyhoo, when my original content got transferred to my new site and new host, not all of the photos survived the trip.  The Pumpkin Whoopie Pie was one that didn’t make it.

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

So, we (and as usual, when I say we I really mean me) decided to have a do-over.

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

And here we are with some new and delicious pumpkin spice whoopie pies.  I just have to tell you that they are just as delicious in August as they are in October!  Happy Pumpkin Season!

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe
Print

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Cakes

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 can pumpkin 15 ounce
  • 1 stick butter
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

For the Filling

  • 1 8 oz block of cream cheese softened
  • 1 stick butter softened
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

For the Pumpkin Cakes

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Beat together sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin, and butter
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice
  4. Add dry ingredients to the wet and stir to combine
  5. Coat whoopie pie pan with cooking spray
  6. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the batter into each of the whoopie pie pan cups
  7. Bake 15 - 17 minutes or until done in the middle and golden brown
  8. Cool completely on a wire rack

For the Filling

  1. Add cream cheese and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until fluffy and combined
  2. Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and beat slowly at first, then increase speed until combined and smooth

For the Assembly

  1. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of filling on to the flat side of one of the pumpkin cakes then top with the flat side facing filling of another pumpkin cake, repeat

NOTES: 

  1. I used my trusty, but not rusty whoopie pie pan for this recipe.  If you don’t have one, you can either buy one here or just use a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a slip mat.  Just be sure that you use a measuring spoon or something to make them all even sizes or you’ll have some clumsy looking whoopies.  They’ll still be delicious though. And this is not a sponsored or affiliate post, I just love my whoopie pie pan.
  2. I like to chill my cream cheese frosting a little bit after making it to firm it up a bit.
  3. These can either be served immediately or made ahead of time – just refrigerate until about 15 minutes before serving.

 

Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies Recipe

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: cookie, cream cheese, cream cheese frosting, dessert, fall, pumpkin, pumpkin cake, pumpkin spice, pumpkin spice whoopie pie recipe, pumpkin whoopie pie, stuffed, sweet, whoopie, whoopie pie

The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa

October 2, 2016 by rachelle 5 Comments

I don’t normally share travel related experiences because with four big special needs dogs, we rarely get to have travel experiences.  Fortunately, we have a neighbor who loves dogs and takes care of said animals which has allowed us to take two beach vacations this summer. Woo-hoo!  Since we have two glorious three day weekends in our immediate future, I thought I’d share our Hilton Head getaway.  To say it was awesome is an understatement.

FULL DISCLOSURE: None of the content of this post is sponsored.  I just love sharing good stuff.

We went to Fort Fisher at Kure (pronounced curry) Beach in July and that was a fun, yet a crazy crowded busy beach trip filled with family and lots of little people.  Our Hilton Head vacation was just Chris and me relaxing with lots of booze and books and John Denver Pandora radio on the beach.  No joke.  I kid you not when I say that except for breakfast and exactly two dinners out – and one of those may not count because it was in the hotel – all we did was chill out on the beach during the day and on our room’s balcony at night.  It was amazing.  I want to go back.  Like right now. The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa is totally calling my name.

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

You may or may not remember that we had a friggin’ hurricane here on the east coast Labor Day weekend.  We drove through that mess and broken trees on the highway Friday afternoon to get there. When we arrived there was debris, trash, branches, etc. everywhere but after a quick booze and grocery run, the sky had cleared and we could see some stars.  The sun came out the next morning and stayed that way the whole weekend.

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

This place is pretty swanky.  They even have a living wall in the lobby.  One of the staff offered to take my picture in front of it.  I declined. 🙂

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

Chris should have bought me that night shirt.

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

I didn’t go to the spa this visit, but the last time we were there I spent an entire day in that place and it was beyond heavenly.

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

No fishing.

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

We didn’t hang out at the pool this time either, but it’s super nice.  You can rent a cabana if you feel like being all Hollywood.

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

They actually have 3 pools here.  I know.

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

Don’t ask me about this because I have no idea.

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

The Westin Hilton Head Resort and Spa

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The property has several restaurants, but we only ate at one of them.  We had dinner at the pool side restaurant because there was an Uber surge and we couldn’t get a ride anywhere else.  Trust me.  After a day of drinking beer on the beach, no one but Uber had any business driving.  As hotels go, the restaurant was expensive, but the food was good.  I had some fish and chips and Chris got some sort of grouper thing that was red snapper on the menu, but the were out of red snapper.  He was annoyed.  We investigated the breakfast buffet too.  It was $23.50.  No thanks.  We went to a place we accidentally discovered when we missed a turn.  More on that later.

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I know that’s gross, but I forgot to take a picture when our food arrived and looked all plated and pretty. I recommend the fish and chips if you want to blow $20 on what is essentially bar food.  It was truly delicious though.

Now, let’s talk about the beach.  As a full disclosure, I have to admit that I absolutely do not like sand. But I got over it.

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Here’s some funny business.  I sent this photo to my besties Chey and Karrie and Chey asked if that was me and if I’d been catfishing.  Dude.

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Now, we do not mess around when we go to the beach.  Chris is so white he’s pink and you can almost see through his skin, so the boy needs him some shade.

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Yeah.  I know.  And yes.  That’s a fan.  He’s got these Ryobi tools with interchangeable rechargeable batteries.  The thing in the back of our spaceship is a radio.

I also totally recommend this tent.  It can be used for hanging out at the beach and you can also take it camping.  Not that I’d ever do that.  It’s so sturdy and easy to set up.  You pretty much just pull a string and it pops up like an umbrella.  Anyhoo – here’s a link if you want to check it out tent – again – this is not sponsored.  I just like to share good stuff.

Y’all, I 100% highly recommend The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort and Spa.  The only complaint I have – aside from expected expensive hotel food – is that they have a life guard staff that it appears their main job is beach rentals rather than watching the water.  They went out at 7 am every morning and set up rental chairs on the best beach real estate in front of the resort.  The first day (tent pics) we set up behind them because we were just happy to be there.  After that we had to walk down the beach some distance to actually see the ocean.

Other than that this place is so beautiful, the staff is friendly, and I completely recommend you go. October and November are beautiful in the Carolinas!

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Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: beach, hilton head, travel, vacation, vacay, westin

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

September 27, 2016 by rachelle 15 Comments

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

I thought I’d just pop in real quick with one more super easy apple recipe.

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

And I don’t think there is anything better to go with apples as cinnamon and caramel – in case you hadn’t noticed.  And who doesn’t love a sweet and tasty grab and go portable breakfast layered with tasty fruit and oats?  You could almost call it dessert, but then it wouldn’t be so easy to tell yourself that it’s good for you.

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

I normally use full fat coconut milk when I make overnight oats, but I didn’t think the flavor would work as well with cinnamon caramel apples as it does with blueberries or peaches, so I just used regular old grade A whole milk in here.

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

I also added some chia seeds because Chris loves them and they help make everything all thick and delicious with some additional fun texture.

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

In the spirit of keeping things short and sweet, have a great rest of the week, friends!  Before you know if we’ll all be talking about all things pumpkin and gingerbread! Until next time!

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe
Print

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 - 3 apples cored, peeled, and roughly chopped into bit size pieces
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds

Instructions

  1. Combine apples, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a sauce pan and cook on medium low until apples are softened, but not mushy (10 minutes or so) - or desired texture is reached
  2. Set aside
  3. In a medium size bowl, combine oats, milk, and chia seeds
  4. Spoon half of the oat mixture in a layer evenly in the bottom of 4 - 5 Mason jars, then a layer of half the apple mixture, and repeat with another layer of oat mixture and top each with remaining apples
  5. Top with lids and refrigerate overnight

NOTES:

  1. Feel free to switch out the fruit and use something different.  I think pears would be amazing in here.
  2. These photographs were taken before the overnight oats finished their overnight part of the title because I learned a long time ago that things don’t always last long enough to get a picture – the point is that after they sit overnight they will be thicker.
  3. You will likely get 4-5 individual servings in jars, depending what size jars you use.
  4. I used a combination of granny smith and gala because I had a ton of both, but I think any variety of apple would work in here just fine.  Use what you like.
Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe

Caramel Apple Chia Overnight Oats Recipe is so good and easy to make ahead for the perfect grab and go breakfast | Beer Girl Cooks

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: apple, apple overnight oats, caramel apple, caramel apple chia overnight oats breakfast, chia, chia pudding, cinnamon, cinnamon apple, cinnamon apple overnight oats, grab and go, make ahead, oatmeal, oats, overnight oats, portable, to go

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

September 26, 2016 by rachelle 8 Comments

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

I’m sure you’ve noticed that this last week has been a rough one here in the Queen City, so I thought we could all use some comfort food.  I know I could.

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Pudding and bread are definitely two of my go to comfort foods, along with chocolate, potato chips, tater tots, cheese, and wine – does wine count?  Yes, I say it does!  In the non-food categories there are always my dear old friends over at at General Hospital, along with Dancing With The Stars, Steel Magnolias, and Fried Green Tomatoes to give my heart and spirits a lift.  And yes, I’m well aware that there are sad parts in Steel Magnolias, but I love that dang movie and it has a ton of comedy!

As usual, I digress.  I thought why not throw some pudding and bread together with all those apples occupying my counters and make some warm cinnamon-y apple bread pudding.  Bread pudding isn’t something I make very often, and whenever I do, I wonder why I don’t.  Other than the obvious waistline issues.  I actually made this recipe a couple of weeks ago when I was putting apples in everything, but today seemed like the right time to share it.

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Cheers to some warm comfort food with the hopes that this week is better than last week and that my beautiful home can heal and maintain the greatness that this city of Charlotte truly is.

 

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe
Print

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

  • 12 inch piece of French bread cut into 1 1/2 - 2 inch pieces
  • 5 small apples peeled, cored, and roughly chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 5 eggs
  • 1/3 cups sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325
  2. Coat deep casserole dish with cooking spray
  3. Add bread and apples
  4. Whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla
  5. Pour milk mixture over the top of the bread and apples
  6. Toss bread and apples with the milk mixture to coat
  7. Bake 60 65 minutes or until set

NOTES:

  1. This Apple Bread Pudding would also be delicious dressed up with some caramel or whiskey sauce.
  2. Feel free to substitute the types of apples (I used a combination of granny smith and gala because it’s what I had)
  3. Feel free to substitute another type of fruit instead of apples, such as peaches or pears because either of those would be amazing too.
Apple Bread Pudding Recipe

Apple Bread Pudding Recipe is a fall version of an ultimate comfort food with bread baked in a rich custard with cinnamon and apples nestled inside. | Beer Girl Cooks

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: apple, apple bread pudding, Bread, bread pudding, comfort food, comfort food dessert, dessert, fall, pudding

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

September 21, 2016 by rachelle 16 Comments

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

You had me at caramel. Or donut. Or Caramel Apple Donuts!  OMG!  Y’all, I do have to say that I’ve made some delicious donuts for this here website, but I think this one might take the cake.

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Yes.  I went there.  I know I’m a total dork.

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Don’t judge me.

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

It’s ok to be dorky because we have made it more than halfway through the week and now we are on the other side sailing in to happy weekend freedom that I hope will be filled with lots of wine, cheat day foods, and unlimited amounts of sleep with no alarm clocks.  And Caramel Apple Baked Donuts!  You totally need to treat yourself and celebrate fall with these dang donuts.  They’re even baked and have real apples in them, so they have to be good for you, right?  If not, who cares because helloooooooo weekend and all things enjoyable!

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

I’m not sure what in tarnation y’all are up to this weekend, but I sure hope it’s relaxing, happy, and full of delicious goodies.  Seriously, grab a caramel apple donut, man!  I won’t tell anyone.  But I may join you!

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe
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Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups milk
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 1 cup applesauce - see notes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350
  2. Coat 2 donut pans with cooking spray
  3. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt
  4. In a separate bowl combine milk, egg, and applesauce
  5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined
  6. Spoon into prepared donut pans more than 3/4 full but not quite all the way to the top
  7. Bake 23 - 26 minutes
  8. Turn out onto a wire rack to cool
  9. Drizzle with prepared caramel sauce

Notes

  1. I used my own slow cooker homemade applesauce recipe.  If you use jarred applesauce from the grocery, you may need to adjust the sweetness and/or seasonings
  2. If the donuts stick in the pans a little bit, just loosen them with a rubber spatula and they should pop right out
  3. This recipe made 24 donuts and I used about 1/3 of a 12 ounce jar of caramel sauce
Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe

Caramel Apple Baked Donuts Recipe is so good with gooey caramel and fresh apples baked to perfection topped with more caramel sauce | Beer Girl Cooks

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: apple, applesauce, caramel apple, caramel apple baked donuts, caramel apple donuts, caramel donuts, donuts, doughnut, fall, fall baking, sweets

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies Recipe

September 19, 2016 by rachelle 12 Comments

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies Recipe

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Who doesn’t love a whoopie pie?  I mean seriously, two cakes stuffed with some delicious filling for your own personal little some kind of wonderful?

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

I decided to take a walk on the wild side and make a whoopie pie a bit different than the traditional chocolate cake marshmallow filling variety.  Not that I normally need any particular reason to do something different, but today we are celebrating!

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Jenna of A Savory Feast recently welcomed a baby boy into her family, so today a few blog friends and I are throwing her a virtual baby shower! If only we lived closer so we could all get together, but since we cannot, but here are some ideas for a smashing baby shower menu. We included a few of Jenna’s own recipes (without her knowing!) so be sure to give her posts some love!

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

I decided to use some blueberries to make a festive (and blue-ish) filling to put between some little vanilla cakes and it was a total win.  I made the cakes with a whoopie pie pan, so they came out of the molds the perfect size for a baby shower.

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies

Join me in the celebration of Jenna’s sweet boy and scroll down below to see what everyone else is bringing to the party!

Congratulations, Jenna!

Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies
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Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cakes

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 11 tablespoons butter
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • zest of 1 lemon

For the Filling

  • 1 cup blueberries
  • juice of 1 lemon about 1 1/2 tablespoons
  • 1 8 ounce block of cream cheese softened
  • 1 stick of butter softened
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

For the Cakes

  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Butter or spray a whoopie pie pan and set aside
  3. Beat sugar and butter together until creamy
  4. Add baking powder, salt, vanilla extract, and almond extract
  5. Add eggs one at a time
  6. Add 1/3 of the flour, then 1/2 of the milk, another 1/3 of the flour, then the rest of the milk and finish with the last 1/3 of the flour
  7. Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the batter into each of the whoopie pie pan cups
  8. Bake 7-9 minutes or until golden and springy to touch
  9. Cool in pans for about 5 minutes then remove and cool completely on wire rack

For the Filling

  1. Combine blueberries and lemon juice in a high speed blender or food processor and puree until as smooth as possible
  2. Combine cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on medium until creamy
  3. Beat in vanilla extract
  4. Beat in blueberry mixture
  5. Beat in powdered sugar one cup at a time until combined and smooth

For the Assembly

  1. Add about 1 tablespoon of the filling to the flat side of one cake and top with a second cake, repeat until all the cakes are all cakes are used
  2. Arrange on a platter and refrigerate about 1 hour so the filling sets up

Cake recipe slightly adapted from King Arthur Flour

Notes

  1. Cakes can be made on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or slip mat
  2. You may need to loosen the cakes from a whoopie pie pan by lightly running a rubber spatula around the edges
  3. If the blueberry and lemon is too thick to puree, add a tablespoon of water
  4. I had leftover filling, so you would probably be ok just making half
  5. If you want to make them pink, substitute strawberries or raspberries for blueberries
  6. This recipe made 24 whoopie pies

Recipes for the perfect baby shower!

Greek Panzanella by Winstead Wandering
Nightshade Free Antipasto Platter by I Say Nomato
Peach Streusel Coffee Cake by A Savory Feast
Cucumber Finger Sandwiches by The Speckled Palate
French Palmiers by Lavender & Macarons
Roasted Red Pepper & Goat Cheese Crostinis by A Savory Feast
Mini Summer Layered Trifle by Lauren’s Kitchen the Blog
Honey Sriracha Meatballs by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Panko, Cream Cheese and Herb Stuffed Mushrooms by A Savory Feast
Lemon Blueberry Whoopie Pies by Beer Girl Cooks
Sparkling Balsamic Mocktails with Berry Ice Cubes by Feast + West
Honey Sweetened Limeaid with Blueberries by A Savory Feast

lemon-blueberry-whoopie-pies

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: baby shower, blueberry, cake, cream cheese, cream cheese frosting, dessert, lemon, lemon blueberry whoopie pies, vanilla, whoopie pies

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

September 13, 2016 by rachelle 14 Comments

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

I have to be honest here.  I really really really wish I was still at the beach.  I’m sure you can totally get on board with that.  Our last trip to Hilton Head for the long Labor Day weekend was one of the most relaxing weekends I’ve had in at least two years.

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

Granted, the Hilton Head trip was the second beach vacation we had this year and I’m grateful for that.  This one was just Chris and me – trust me when I say it was much quieter than the one with most of my entire family and a whole lot of kids.

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

But sigh… Here we are.  Back at work and well on our way through September.  And that means apples. I know I’m late to the apple party, but my head is still eating peaches, grilling, and drinking beer on the beach.  I’m trying to catch up so how about we try an Easy Slow Cooker Apple Sauce or some Salted Caramel Apples and come on ride this train.

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

We could also talk about some Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnovers if you’d like.  Because who in their right mind doesn’t love some caramel apples or puff pastry or just make you some caramel apples and stuff them right into a puff pastry, seal all that deliciousness up in here, and bake it in the oven.  Y’all will absolutely want to be sure to save some of that caramel cinnamon buttery cooking sauce to drown drizzle over the top of all that warm and cozy apple stuffed pastry because it just wouldn’t be the same with out it.  Seriously, who doesn’t love some caramel-y goodness on the inside and the outside of a caramel apple turnover?

 

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

You better get started.  It’s going to be breakfast soon!

Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe
5 from 1 vote
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Easy Caramel Apple Puff Pastry Turnover Recipe

Ingredients

  • 5 small to medium apples peeled, cored, and roughly chopped into about 1/4 inch pieces - I used gala and granny smith
  • 1/3 cup sugar plus 1 teaspoon to sprinkle before baking
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 puff pastry sheets 1 17.3 box, thawed
  • 1 egg lightly beaten
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. Combine apples, sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, water, and butter in a Dutch oven and bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer
  3. Make a well in the center of liquid and whisk in cornstarch until dissolved
  4. Continue to cook until softened to fork tender, but not mushy, set aside to cool slightly
  5. Roll out pastry dough to 2 even squares and cut each piece into 4 equal squares
  6. Transfer 2 tablespoons of the apple mixture onto each pastry square - bring very little of the liquid to prevent leaking and soggy dough and reserve the remaining liquid for a finishing drizzle
  7. Fold each square into a triangle
  8. Use a pastry brush to lightly coat the top of each triangle with the egg
  9. Use a fork to lightly press the edges together
  10. Evenly sprinkle each turnover with the remaining teaspoon of sugar
  11. Bake for 15 - 17 minutes or until golden brown
  12. Cool on a wire rack and serve warm or at room temperature
  13. Drizzle with remaining caramel sauce right before serving

easy-caramel-apple-puff-pastry-turnovers

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: apple, breakfast, caramel apple, caramel apple turnover, easy, fall, fall baking, puff pastry, turnover

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About Beer Girl Cooks


I’m Rachelle, an attorney by day with a passion for home brewing and cooking with craft beer.

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