How to Make Roasted Garlic at Home

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Have you ever gone to a restaurant and had the roasted garlic appetizer and thought, “I would really like to know how to do this myself!”…well today friends I am going to show you just how EASY it is to make! Roasted garlic is great in a variety of dishes as well as on its own (see below for some of my favorite ways to enjoy it). The thing I love most about making it at home is that I can control the amount of salt that goes on it, I often find the restaurant versions a little salty for my taste.

step-by-step roasted garlic

 

Slice off the top of the garlic bulb so the cloves are exposed.

1. Slice off the top of the garlic bulb so the cloves are exposed.

 

2. Place bulb in foil and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and twist foil tightly closed.

2. Place bulb in foil and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and twist foil tightly closed.

 

3. Place garlic in oven (preheated to 400F) and cook for 30 mins. Enjoy!

3. Place garlic in oven (preheated to 400F) and cook for 30 mins. Enjoy!

 

If you love garlic as much as we do I suggest roasted a couple of heads at once so you have them on hand for your weeknight dishes. They keep for a week in the fridge as long as they are in a sealed container and they will add a new depth to your usual dishes that call for minced garlic (trust me!).

how to serve and use your roasted garlic
  • Serve it warm with some goat cheese, fig spread and crackers for a delicious appetizer
  • Add to your favorite dips and spreads (like hummus)
  • Add a few cloves into your spaghetti sauce
  • Add to your mashed potatoes when mixing your butter and milk for a garlicky surprise
  • Spread on a piece of toast and top with ricotta or avocado for an afternoon snack
  • Mix in with steamed veggies to amp up the flavors

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How to Make Roasted Garlic

How to Make Roasted Garlic

Ingredients

  • 3 Garlic Bulbs
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
  • pinch of kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F
  2. Cut the tops off garlic bulbs to expose the cloves
  3. Place each bulb in a piece of tinfoil, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with salt
  4. Tightly wrap the garlic in the foil and place in the oven (middle rack) for 30 mins
  5. See site for the many ways to use Roasted Garlic in your everyday dishes!
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How to make Roasted Garlic at home, an easy step-by-step guide! Roasted Garlic can be enjoyed on its own, as an appetizer or even added to your everyday meals...it adds a new level of flavor you will love.

How to make Roasted Garlic at home, an easy step-by-step guide! Roasted Garlic can be enjoyed on its own, as an appetizer or even added to your everyday meals…it adds a new level of flavor you will love.


Raspberry Lemonade Yogurt Popsicles

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This post has been sponsored by Yomee Yogurt. The recipe and all opinions are my own. 

With summer in full swing I am constantly trying to come up with new ideas for staying cool, and thanks to Yomee Yogurt I am able to beat the heat with these delicious Raspberry Lemonade Yogurt Pops! These popsicles are super easy to make, combining both tangy and sweet flavors with the wonderful creaminess of the yogurt…and they sure are pretty to look at too!

Raspberry Lemonade Yogurt Popsicles

Yomee and I are partnering to celebrate the August 29th launch of their at home Yogurt Maker! (CLICK HERE to check out the Yomee site and get your pre-order in now!!) If you are like me, you always have yogurt on hand for when a craving hits (some are high in protein  which makes it super filling and so much healthier than the bowl of ice cream I would otherwise reach for). I absolutely love the concept of the Yomee machine and how incredibly simple it is to always have fresh yogurt at home. It takes 10 oz of milk (regular, soy, almond…whichever you prefer) and a starter pod, and with the touch of a button you are ready to get making your fresh yogurt!

I personally think it is best to set this up before you go to bed so you have the fresh, chilled yogurt in the morning as it takes about 6 hours to come together. And the best part is that there is no sugar or additives! Okay, seriously where has this been all of my life?!

Yomee Yogurt

additional benefits of the yomee yogurt machine 
  • 4 flavors to choose from; plain, strawberry, blueberry and vanilla
  • Makes Greek yogurt as well as plain and stirred yogurt
  • Use the milk you prefer (you can use soy, almond, regular, and really modify to your dietary needs)
  • Keeps yogurt chilled
  • Uses a pod to create delicious at home yogurt in just 6 hours
  • It is self-cleaning (yep, you don’t even have to worry about cleaning it!)
  • Check out how it works here

Normally I eat yogurt with my breakfast, whether it is in a smoothie bowl or just topped with fresh fruit, but I got to thinking “how else can I use yogurt besides my usual breakfast routine!?” and that my friends is how we created this heat quenching popsicle! It is simple to make, and uses just a handful of fresh ingredients (your kids will never know they are actually GOOD for them!).

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Raspberry Lemonade Yogurt Popsicles

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Yield: 6 Popsicles

Raspberry Lemonade Yogurt Popsicles

Ingredients

    Raspberry Layer
  • 2 c fresh Raspberries
  • 2 tbsp Sugar
  • 2 tbsp fresh Lemon Juice
  • 1 tbsp Water
    • Yogurt Layer
  • 1.5 c Yomee Yogurt
  • zest of 1 Lemon
  • 2 tbsp fresh Lemon Juice
    • Raspberry Yogurt Layer
  • 1/3 c Raspberry mix (from above)
  • 1/4 c Yogurt mix (from above)

Instructions

  1. Begin with your Raspberry layer. In a food processor (or blender) combine raspberries, sugar, lemon juice and water. Process until you have a smooth consistency with no chunks (about 1 minute). Reserve 1/3 c of the raspberry mix for the next layer.
  2. Pour into your popsicle molds, filing about 1/3 of the way and place in freezer while you prepare the next layer.
  3. For the yogurt layer, in a small bowl combine your fresh Yomee Yogurt with lemon juice and zest and set aside.
  4. Take 1/4 c of your yogurt mix and 1/3 c of your raspberry mix and combine in a small bowl. Again, taking your popsicle mold, fill to the halfway mark and set in the freezer for 10 minutes to set.
  5. Once your middle layer has set, add the lemon yogurt layer to top off the popsicles and place in freezer overnight to set completely.
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Other Ideas for your fresh yomee yogurt
  • Yogurt covered fruit (frozen for a cool treat)
  • Muffins (the possibilities are endless)
  • Loaf cakes
  • Smoothie bowls
  • Dips and spreads (use in place of sour cream)
These Raspberry Lemonade Yogurt Popsicles come together with just a few ingredients, and will help you beat the heat while keeping your taste buds happy! #sponsored #YomeeYogurt

These Raspberry Lemonade Yogurt Popsicles comes together with just a few ingredients, and will help you beat the heat while keeping your taste buds happy! #sponsored #YomeeYogurt

Greek Chickpea Salad – Fast, Easy and Delicious!

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Are you ready for a super tasty summer salad that takes little time to prep?! Honestly who has time to spend in the kitchen slaving over meals and sides in the summertime…we don’t! We try to spend as much time outside soaking up the glorious sunshine as possible in the summer months, we have to really, about 5 months of the year we have snow on the ground! Anyway, enough about the weather, let’s get started on that tasty Greek Chickpea Salad!!

Chickpea-Salad-Finished

I promise you (with prep included) you will have this salad ready to go in under 15 minutes, making it the easiest side dish to bring to any BBQ or gathering you have going on this weekend. It is loaded full of fresh veggies, black olives and of course chickpeas, and then drizzled with your favorite Greek salad dressing. I love how versatile this Chickpea Salad is too, you can add in fresh zucchini, cherry tomatoes and whatever else your family prefers to clean out your crisper drawers and leave everyone asking for more.

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Greek Chickpea Salad – Fast, Easy and Delicious!

Greek Chickpea Salad – Fast, Easy and Delicious!

Ingredients

  • 3 cans Chickpeas, washed and drained
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 1 Yellow Bell Pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 Cucumber, chopped
  • 1/2 Red Onion, chopped
  • 1 can Pitted and Sliced Black Olives (drain most liquid)
  • 1 cup Crumbled Feta Cheese
  • 1/3 cup Greek Dressing (I use Kraft Feta and Greek)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash Chickpeas and chop peppers, cucumber, and onion.
  2. Toss together all ingredients in medium bowl, drizzle with dressing and toss again.
  3. Place in fridge until ready to eat, and enjoy!
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Extra tips on making the best greek chickpea salad everytime

The important thing to remember with this salad is to chop your veggies the same size (approximately…I’m not gonna measure them for goodness sake!). This ensures that each bite has a little bit of everything to make your taste buds happy. Also, you can make it ahead of time and let the flavors mesh together if you prefer, which also means you don’t have to wait until the day of while you are scrambling with the kids and packing the car to go. Be sure to check out our other Salad Recipes, like this White Bean and Kale Salad which can be served warm or cold!

Fresh-Veggies-Chopped


 

 

 

 

Greek Chickpea Salad - A delicious and SUPER EASY salad that is perfect for summer entertaining!

Greek Chickpea Salad – A delicious and SUPER EASY salad that is perfect for summer entertaining!

EASY Weeknight Meals from Hello Fresh + Discount Code!

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I received my first box from Hello Fresh in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Who else struggles with making dinner during the week?! I swear to you by Wednesday I am done with my kitchen and want nothing more than to just sit down with my feet up and watch my hubby cook a meal. We decided to start looking into Food Subscription Boxes as a way to help alleviate some of the weekday stress.

Hello-Fresh-Box

My hubby and I have complete opposite work schedules so we rarely get to sit down before 8 pm to eat so when we got our Hello Fresh box I was so excited to see that they were meals that were ready in 30 minutes or less and literally needed nothing more than some rough chopping and cooking (everything else is done for you…YES!). And as a BONUS for you guys Hello Fresh has given me a DISCOUNT CODE for $30 off your first 2 boxes, look for it below!!

There are a few different options you can choose from, depending on what you are looking for in your meals (i.e. the Veggie Plan if you are looking for Vegetariain friendly meals and the Family Plan for easy kid-approved recipes). We received The Family Plan and received 3 delicious meals that took little time to cook! (See our meals below). The meals change up every week, and you can even see a sneak peak on their site before you order.

Pan Seared Steak with Crispy Potato Salad

Pan Seared Steak with Crispy Potato Salad

 

 

Pulled Chicken Sliders with Tangy Cabbage Slaw

Pulled Chicken Sliders with Tangy Cabbage Slaw

Italian Sausage with Veggie Succotash and Orzo

Italian Sausage with Veggie Succotash and Orzo

What we LOVED about our Hello Fresh Box:
  • Fresh ingredients delivered right to our door (in a cooler box to keep everything cold, no need to worry if you aren’t home to receive the box!).
  • Each recipe has a handy recipe card with instructions on how to make the meal
  • Ingredients are pre-measured for you, no guesswork on how much to add (which means you won’t have a dressing that is vinegar loaded or a sauce that is as thin as soup!)
  • All the meat is antibiotic and hormone free (seriously the BEST tasting meat we have had in awhile!)
  • No need to go to the grocery store and drag your screaming toddlers with you
  • The flavors were incredible, there was not a single dish we didn’t like (and I am somewhat of a picky eater)
  • The box sizes of each meal were PERFECT to slide right into the fridge, it’s like they planned it or something 😉
  • CONVENIENCE, I can’t tell you how nice it was to just open the fridge and know what we were making (no more “ooops I forgot to take the meat out of the freezer…is pasta okay AGAIN!?”)

DISCOUNT CODE 

Remember to use code ” OLIVE60 ” at checkout to save $30 on your first two boxes!! The code is good until the end of this year (December 31, 2017) and applies to Canadian residents.

Go check out Hello Fresh now to see the plans offered and get ready to make mealtime easier!

Dinnertime can be easy again! Hello Fresh provides fresh ingredients and easy meals shipped right to your door, and most meals are ready in under 30 minutes!

Dinnertime can be easy again! Hello Fresh provides fresh ingredients and easy meals shipped right to your door, and most meals are ready in under 30 minutes!

 

Delightful Cookies to Make for Bridal and Baby Showers

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I don’t know about you guys, but in our family at bridal and baby showers there are always trays and TRAYS of cookies for us to stuff our faces with! There is just something so satisfying about a good cookie, and so many of them are gorgeous to look at as well. I often wander over to the cookie table once I have made my rounds of hellos just to take a look at all of the wonderful creations my friends and family have brought along.

With that being said…I love to see (and eat) the “classics” but I also love to try something new. So whether you’re looking for your next show stopping , mouth watering cookie recipe, or just came to check out a couple of the classics, I hope you leave with a recipe or two that you’ll be excited to bring along to all those showers you have on your calendar!

I am excited to feature some of my favorite cookie recipes you know and love from the blog as well as some great new ones from my fellow bloggers. Here we go!

rhubarb coconut macaroons from: the cookie writer

A perfect flavor combination of sweet with the sour from the rhubarb, what a delicious and beautiful update on the classic coconut macaroon! I will be making this one for a baby shower I have this summer!

Rhubarb-Coconut-Macaroons

courtesy of: the cookie writer, click here for the recipe
Nutella Palmiers from: Beth dunham

Ok so who doesn’t love nutella?! For real right? These cookies use a store bought puff pastry with the tasty chocolate hazelnut spread to create a stunning “cookie” that looks like you spent hours making. This is one you have to make!

Nutella-Palmiers

courtesy of: beth dunham, click here for the recipe
classic french macaron from: ahead of thyme

Ahhh macarons…they are seriously so gorgeous and are the type of “Show-stopping” cookie you will want to make for the bride or mommy-to-be! They melt in your mouth and the buttercream filling gives you the perfect ooey texture you crave in a cookie. I love that you can also customize the filling to coordinate with the shower colors (just add some food coloring before filing!)

classic-french-macaron

courtesy of: ahead of thyme, click here for the recipe
italian choco orange spice drop cookie from: she loves biscotti

if you have ever been to an Italian shower you have seen these gems on a tray, and they are definitely one of my favorites! A cakey texture filled with a hint of spice and the sweetness of the chocolate and orange, everyone always seem to grab these from the tray first!

Chocolate-Orange-Spice-Drop-Cookies

courtesy of: she loves biscotti, click here for the recipe
chocolate peanut butter cheesecake cookie cups from: crumb kitchen

This is a special treat you will want to make for the bride (or mommy-to-be) that you really want to indulge! They are filled with a no-bake chocolate cheesecake and it even uses store bought cookie dough! What a winning combination!

chocolate-peanut-butter-cheesecake-cookie-cups

courtesy of: crumb kitchen, click here for the recipe
classic italian amaretti cookies from: The olive blogger cookie vault

No cookie tray is ever complete for me without a delicious Amaretti! Perfectly crunchy with a chewy middle, it is loaded with almond flavor and goes wonderfully with a cup of coffee. This recipe makes a TON too, which means you will always have them on hand for a quick tray.

Amaretti-and-Coffee

from my cookie vault, click here for the recipe
marlene’s sour cream cookies from: cooking with carlee

Here is a real classic for any cookie tray, the cookie itself is slightly dense with a delicious soft bite and then you can use either a buttercream or royal icing on top (I personally prefer buttercream). You can cut them into any shape you want (cue the cute rubber ducky or gorgeous wedding dress) and then go to town with decorating!

Sour Cream Cookies

courtesy of: cooking with carlee, click here for the recipe
Brownie Biscotti from: The Olive Blogger cookie vault

If you have been following the blog you know that this “biscotti” recipe is a real keeper that everyone loves! It is easier than a traditional biscotti as it does not require flips and multiple bakes, and the chewy brownie flavor is a hit with everyone young and old!

Brownie Biscotti

from my cookie vault, click here for the recipe
OATMEAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES FROM: PEPPERS AND PENNIES

This is a classic cookie everyone will love. IT has a crunchy outside and chewy middle and uses steel cut oats and loads of chocolate chips. In fact,  you will probably want to make a double batch with how easy these ones are!

Chewy-Chocolate-Oat-Cookies

Courtesy of: peppers and pennies, click HERE for the recipe
cranberry and pistachio shortbread from: kitchen divas

Every bite of this cookie has cranberries and pistachios, a winning combination that will be enjoyed by everyone. It is a nice update on a classic shortbread cookie that can be adapted to your tastes.

Cranberry-Pistachio-Shortbread-Cookies

courtesy of: kitchen divas, click here for the recipe

 

Remember to follow along with what’s new on Instagram (@TheOliveBlogger) and #OliveYum your photos so I can see and share your creations! Happy Baking!


A fun round-up of cookie recipes for bridal showers! Featuring both classic cookies and new favorites, there is a cookie for everyone!

A fun round-up of cookie recipes for bridal showers! Featuring both classic cookies and new favorites, there is a cookie for everyone!

A fun round-up of cookie recipes for bridal showers! Featuring both classic cookies and new favorites, there is a cookie for everyone!

A fun round-up of cookie recipes for bridal showers! Featuring both classic cookies and new favorites, there is a cookie for everyone!

A fun round-up of cookie recipes for baby showers! Featuring both classic cookies and new favorites, there is a cookie for everyone!

A fun round-up of cookie recipes for baby showers! Featuring both classic cookies and new favorites, there is a cookie for everyone!

A fun round-up of cookie recipes for baby showers! Featuring both classic cookies and new favorites, there is a cookie for everyone!

A fun round-up of cookie recipes for baby showers! Featuring both classic cookies and new favorites, there is a cookie for everyone!

Strawberry Mint Bliss – A Delicious Summer Drink

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It has been a few weeks since we last spoke, and I am sure you guys will be just as excited as I am about today’s drink recipe! The name says it all, Strawberry Mint Bliss, a blend of fresh strawberries with crushed mint and a couple other yummy ingredients. It is everything you need on a hot summer day while sitting out under the shade of your patio umbrella, or while in the pool (which is how I plan to enjoy it over and over again).

Summertime Bliss Drink

I made this tasty drink for Mother’s Day this past weekend for my mom and pregnant sister (eee!) so of course I had to make one non-alcoholic, and it honestly tasted just as good. We all slurped them back pretty quick while we enjoyed our waffle bar brunch, and agreed that it is a winner for the hot days we have ahead. It is simply a gorgeous drink to look at with the combination of bright red strawberries and the green mint leaves and it is finished off with the addition of Italian Soda really makes it quite refreshing.

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Strawberry Mint Bliss – A Delicious Summer Drink

Strawberry Mint Bliss – A Delicious Summer Drink

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle of Italian Soda (1 L)
  • 1 bunch Fresh Mint, washed
  • 1 pkg Strawberries, washed and sliced
  • 1/2 cup White Rum (adjust to your taste)
  • Ice

Instructions

  1. Pour soda into a drink pitcher and add rum to your preferred taste (I did about 1/2 c for the entire jug but you can do more or less).
  2. Rip off about 1/3 c of mint leaves and gently "crush" between your fingers to release the oils, add to pitcher of soda.
  3. Stir all the above ingredients together with a handful of ice cubes and add your sliced strawberries (I reserved a couple to place on the glass for added fun!).
  4. Serve in mason jars with green straws to compliment the mint, and ENJOY
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more drink recipes below! 

I mean really, could it be any easier to make? Be sure to buy double the ingredients if you are entertaining a larger crowd as it will be gulped back faster than you can make it. Also be sure to check out last years Mother’s Day drink, The Sparkling Unicorn here as well as other fun drink recipes on our Drinks Page. There is a fun drink waiting with your name on it!

Strawberry-Mint-bliss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A super easy Summer Drink that can be made alcoholic or non-alcoholic to suit your tastes! Full of fresh strawberries and mint, it will leave your thirst quenched on a hot summer day!

A super easy Summer Drink that can be made alcoholic or non-alcoholic to suit your tastes! Full of fresh strawberries and mint, it will leave your thirst quenched on a hot summer day!

Easy Homemade Guacamole Recipe

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Cinco de Mayo is almost here guys, and what could be better than a super easy Guacamole Recipe to go along with your celebrations?! It is that time of month again, our Recipe Swap club is honestly one of my favorite things in the month, I always look forward to diving into my fellow foodies sites to see what recipes I can make and I am so excited to be sharing this recipe with you from my friends over at The Culinary Taste.  Look at how gorgeous and fresh the ingredients are:

Fresh Guacamole Ingredients

 

This month was an easy decision, I love avocados and anything you can make with them! This Guacamole Recipe is so simple and packs a ton of flavor. You can have it ready in literally 5 minutes (although I prefer mine to sit in the fridge for a couple of hours to blend all of those delicious flavors together). And don’t worry about it going brown, I have a super awesome trick for keeping it beautifully green further down. The thing I love about Guacamole is really how easy it is to customize to your own tastes. The original recipe doesn’t call for any heat, but my hubby and I like a little tingle in our Guac so we added in half a jalapeno.

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Easy Homemade Guacamole Recipe

Easy Homemade Guacamole Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 avocados, smashed (See my tricks below)
  • 1 small onion, diced finely
  • 1 piece of garlic, diced finely
  • 2 sm tomatoes (we used on the vine) diced
  • 1/2 jalapeno very finely diced
  • Juice out of half a lemon or a whole lime
  • Salt to taste
  • Tortilla chips and veggies for serving
  • Instructions

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together until well combined. It will be slightly chunky, but you can mash the ingredients together with a fork to the consistency you prefer. Add in a pinch of salt (maybe more) to bring out the flavors as needed.
  2. Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours for the flavors to come together until you are ready to serve.
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How easy was that!? So remember I promised you a super cool trick for keeping your Guac green? I have heard of so many different tricks, and have tried many myself (most notably the addition of extra lemon juice) but so many of the tricks mess with the flavor of the actual Guacamole Recipe. I came across this tip and decided to give it a try, and it actually works! Ready?! Once your Guac is in a bowl and ready to go in the fridge add a thin layer of water and cover with plastic wrap. When you are ready to serve, gently pour the water off and mix in the little bit that stays on top! Yep, that’s it! And I swear to you it actually works, and doesn’t alter the flavor at all!

Easy Homemade Guacamole Recipe - comes together in 5 minutes and is perfect for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations or just a quick snack!

Easy Homemade Guacamole Recipe – comes together in 5 minutes and is perfect for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations or just a quick snack!

Here is another great and simple trick for cutting your avocados! Once cut in half you want to cut vertically through the avocado but not the skin, then go the other way and you will have little cubes that will fall out when gently scooped with a spoon! They are the perfect size for mashing into this Guacamole Recipe, and even great for when you want a quick avocado toast.

Sliced Avocado

 

 

 

 

 

Be sure to grab yourself a margarita and check out The Culinary Taste for the original recipe HERE!!

Lemon Amaretto Tiramisu Dessert

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Mother’s Day and warmer days are ahead my friends, which means it is time to start adding some new and tasty desserts to your recipe box! This Lemon Amaretto Tiramisu is a real game changer, in fact it is so delicious that I think you will be making it over and over again this summer! This Tiramisu is super light and fresh tasting, and the addition of the lemon curd is seriously amazing…it gives it that nice tart punch you crave on the hot summer days (think of a delicious glass of lemonade puckering your lips).

This Lemon Amaretto Tiramisu is super light and fresh tasting, and the addition of the lemon curd is seriously amazing! The cookies are dipped in a simple syrup created with Amaretto perfectly pairing with the sweetness of the mascarpone layer.

This Lemon Amaretto Tiramisu is super light and fresh tasting, and the addition of the lemon curd is seriously amazing! The cookies are dipped in a simple syrup created with Amaretto perfectly pairing with the sweetness of the mascarpone layer.

In a traditional Tiramisu the cookies are first soaked in espresso and coffee flavored liquor, which many people find overpowering and heavy. This one however is instead dipped in a simple syrup created with Amaretto (which is a lovely almond flavored liquor) and perfectly compliments the sweetness of the mascarpone layer. Heavenly right?!  There are a few steps for making the dessert, but it really comes together quickly once you have everything going, and trust me when I say the time it takes to make it is more than the time it will take for you to devour it! 

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Lemon Amaretto Tiramisu Dessert

Lemon Amaretto Tiramisu Dessert

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 1 egg whites
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 pkg Lemon Pie Filling (generally requires 2 egg yolks)
  • 1 tub (475 g) mascarpone cheese
  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 1/2 cups whipping cream 35%
  • 3/4 cup Cool Whip
  • 1/3 cup amaretto liqueur
  • 18 ladyfinger cookies (2 pkg)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F . Beat the egg white in a small bowl and toss almonds until well coated. Stir in 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar until well combined. Spread onto either parchment lined baking sheet, or a silicone mat (see photos). Bake and stir after about 5 minutes, place back into the oven until light golden, about 5 mins. Set aside.
  2. Prepare lemon curd according to package, allow to cool slightly and add in the cool whip. Stir until well combined (should be a soft yellow). Place in the fridge until ready to assemble (can make a day in advance).
  3. In stand mixerl, beat together mascarpone, icing sugar and vanilla until smooth. Empty into bowl so you can prepare whipped cream.
  4. Beat 1-1/2 cups of the cream until stiff peaks form; fold into mascarpone mixture using a silicone spatula and put in fridge until ready to assemble.
  5. In small pot cook remaining granulated sugar (1/4 c) with 1/4 cup water over medium heat and stir constantly until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Stir in amaretto. Dip both sides of ladyfinger cookies in amaretto mixture and place in a single layer in a 13x9" baking dish.
  6. Spoon mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers, spreading to edges gently pressing down so mixture fills holes. Spread lemon mixture evenly over top. Prepare the rest of the whipped cream and spread over lemon mixture, top with almonds and serve.
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tips and tricks for lemon amaretto tiramisu 
  • Prepare the lemon curd and mascarpone mixture a day in advance so you just have to assemble the dish when you want it.
  • Going to multiple events in a weekend?? No problem! This recipe can easily make two 8″x8″ dishes instead (your layers won’t be as thick but will be JUST as tasty).
  • Put your sugar water mix in the fridge once it comes off the stove to cool it down faster!
  • Be sure to soak your cookies long enough (about 10 seconds a side) you want them to be soft with a slight bite to them (plus the more amaretto mix they soak up the better).

Amaretto-Cookies

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, well now that I have finished the post I think I need to go make it again!! Be sure to let me know what you think of it! And if you love lemon recipes as much as I do be sure to check out my Raspberry Lemon Meringue Tarts (another simple and deeeelicious dessert to make for any event!). Enjoy <3

This recipe was adapted from Canadian Living.

Carrot Cake Trifle with Cream Cheese Frosting

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With only a couple of weeks to go until Easter I thought I would share another SUPER EASY dessert recipe that anyone can make! This delicious Carrot Cake Trifle uses a boxed cake mix and homemade Cream Cheese Frosting and comes together in no time. I even added in some candied walnuts to give it a nice crunchy texture between the layers! There is something about Carrot Cake and Easter…I mean, maybe it is just our home, but they really do go hand-in-hand. The cake has a very subtle spice to it which is complimented by the thick, creamy frosting (which is great for cupcakes too)! 

This easy Carrot Cake Trifle is layered with a delicious Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Walnuts, making it the perfect dessert for you Easter celebrations!

This easy Carrot Cake Trifle is layered with a delicious Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Walnuts, making it the perfect dessert for you Easter celebrations!

I chose to do mine by cooking the cake in two 10″ cake pans (just based on the size of my trifle dish) but you can cook it as a rectangular cake and crumble the pieces if you prefer! Either way, this is one deeeelicious dessert. I even thought about doing it as individual servings in martini glasses instead, and actually might end up doing it this way for Easter dinner…I think it would be cute to give each guest their own “mini trifle” to dig into!

Layered-Carrot-Cake

 

You can see in the picture here how I did the layers. Be sure to get your icing all the way to the edge and press some of your candied nuts there too so they show when you get the next piece on!

 

 

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Carrot Cake Trifle with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake Trifle with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

  • 1 box Carrot Cake Mix
  • 1 cup Candied Walnuts (see recipe link)
  • 1 pkg Cream Cheese - softened (8 oz)
  • 1 cup Butter - softened
  • 3 cups Powdered Sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare and bake Cake Mix as per instructions on the box (see notes about pan sizes in post)
  2. In a stand mixer (or with hand mixer) beat together cream cheese and butter until soft and fluffy. Add in powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and mix until smooth (may not need all the sugar)
  3. If you find you icing is too thick you can add milk in 1tsp increments until it reaches a creamy consistency (it shouldn't fall off the whisk)
  4. Allow cake to cool completely
  5. Assemble in chosen dish in the following order:
  6. Cake - 1/2 of the icing - 1/2 c walnuts and repeat. If you have any extra cake (I cut the tops of the cake to make it flat for layering) you can crumble on top like I did!
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Don’t forget your Candied Walnuts – Get the recipe HERE. 

Raspberry Lemon Meringue Tarts – A Twist on the Classic Lemon Meringue Pie

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If you are on dessert duty this Easter (or any Holiday really) then you NEED to make these Raspberry Lemon Meringue Tarts! They are the easiest dessert you can make, and will impress even the biggest Lemon Meringue fans in your family. I even added a little extra ingredient to the tarts that is sure to crown you the dessert Queen (or King!). When I think of lemons and desserts I automatically go to pies/tarts, but I really wanted to step it up and give you something fun and new. This is where the raspberry comes in! It is just the right amount of sweet mixed with the tartness of the lemon, and leaves your taste buds singing in happiness! And, it makes these gorgeous tarts even prettier once you bite into them (yes it is possible!).

Lemon-Meringue-Tarts

I have loved making pies since I was a teenager, from the homemade crust to the endless fillings, everything about pie makes me happy…but when a Holiday like Easter comes around I always start to stress out about how I will have the time to make the main meal and all the desserts everyone has come to expect from me. That my friends is why I am sharing this super easy, and fast, recipe with you today (hint: you only have to make the meringue from scratch!). Anyways, enough talking, let’s get to those Raspberry Lemon Meringue Tarts shall we?!

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Raspberry Lemon Meringue Tarts -Easy and Quick!

Raspberry Lemon Meringue Tarts -Easy and Quick!

Ingredients

  • 2 pkg of 12 three inch Tart Shells (or you can make your own!)
  • 1 pkg Lemon Pie Filling Mix (generally requires eggs and water)
  • 1/2 c Raspberry Preserves
  • 2 Egg Whites
  • 1/4 c Sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare Tart Shells as per the package and allow to cool. Spoon about 1 tsp of raspberry jam into the bottom of each tart.
  2. Set oven to 425 degrees Farienheight.
  3. In the meantime, prepare Lemon Filling according to package (*Save your egg whites to use for meringue!), spoon into your cooked tart shells and and set aside while you prepare your meringue.
  4. In stand mixer whisk egg whites on high for about 30 seconds. Slowly add in the sugar and whisk on high until stiff peaks form (about 1-2 minutes)
  5. Spoon onto your filled tarts and fluff (see tips below for making it stick!).
  6. Bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes, until lightly browned on top.
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There is nothing wrong with using store bought tart shells and lemon pie filling mix. I repeat, NOTHING WRONG! It is just as tasty as homemade and will save you so much time! I personally prefer to use Tenderflake 3″ Tart Shells (they are larger than the quiche shells you can buy, which means more Lemon Meringue for you!) and I have been using the Shirriff Lemon Pie Mix for years! You can use your favorite brands, or make your own if you want to go all out.

The easiest dessert you can make for Easter! The raspberry preserve adds the right amount of sweetness to this classic Lemon Meringue Tart.

The easiest dessert you can make for Easter! The raspberry preserve adds the right amount of sweetness to this classic Lemon Meringue Tart.

tips and tricks for the perfect raspberry lemon meringue tarts
  • Make sure you cook your tart shells until they are lightly golden, you do not want them to be mushy under the lemon meringue, this step is VITAL!
  • The lemon curd should cool slightly before filling your shells, you do not want to put it in right from the stove top (although the package will tell you otherwise!).
  • For the meringue, make sure your egg whites are COLD. In fact, make sure your bowl is cold too! Put it in the fridge for 10 minutes before whisking to make sure it is the right temperature.
  • Before putting your meringue on to your tarts take a small amount and spread on top of the tarts. Using a bamboo skewer (or fork) lightly scrape it into your lemon curd. This helps the meringue stick so it doesn’t fall off when you take a bite!
  • Once you spoon the meringue onto your tarts use the skewer to “fluff” it to get those gorgeous peaks you see above!
  • Keep a close eye on them in the oven, you don’t want to burn the meringue.