Affogato & Honey Almond Gelato

“AH! HOW SWEET COFFEE TASTES!  LOVELIER THAN A THOUSAND KISSES, SWEETER FAR THAN MUSCATEL WINE!”  J.S. Bach (Coffee Cantata)

Affogato & Honey Almond Gelato | From My Sweet Heart

It’s good to be back after a couple of weeks of recuperating from a back injury and adjusting to some eye surgery.  I can say with gusto. . . . . TGIF!  Another reason to shout TGIF?  Why, it’s Coffee Friday!  I’d like to introduce you to a new friend.  Paloma is the lovely creator of The Coffee Shop.  She writes a wonderful blog where she shares stories about her life, her beautiful family, baking and cooking tips, decorating ideas, fabulous recipes and everything coffee!!!  She is also the new fearless leader of The Cake Slice Bakers, of which I am very proud to be a new member! Every Friday, she invites readers and fellow bloggers to link up to a Coffee Friday party!  Follow the link for the fun details!  Today, I will be visiting and sharing this recipe for . . . . . [Read more...]

Lemon Ladyfinger Semifreddo

I’m taking the Blue Ribbon Challenge!

Lemon Ladyfinger Semifreddo | From My Sweet Heart

Well this is my first month participating in the Blue Ribbon Challenge!  This wonderful group is created and hosted by Anna from Crunchy Creamy Sweet.  Once a month, Anna chooses a delectable food theme.  We simply make it in any way we desire, post about it, and link up! The next day, we vote!  And the winner earns the coveted Blue Ribbon Badge!  Anna is such a sweetheart and this is such great fun!   So I encourage everyone to come and join in!  Follow the links for more information!

This month, the theme was semifreddo!  I have only attempted this once before when I made a Pistachio, Vanilla & Strawberry Semifreddo.  And though I think they turned out well, I must admit, I think ice cream is easier to make.  I don’t own an electric hand mixer…..so my arms got a work out with my whisk!  The result, however, is nothing short of sublime!  Lemony, light and luscious!  And this time, I added a hidden treat . . . . . [Read more...]

Toasted Mochalaska

“EVERY GREAT ACHIEVEMENT IS THE VICTORY OF A FLAMING HEAT.”  Ralph Waldo Emerson

Toasted Mochalaska | From My Sweet Heart

Well I decided what to do with the leftover coffee ice cream from the Baked Sunday Mornings.  As you may recall, I felt that the ice cream had an unusual, but tasty, salty quality to it.  So I felt pairing it with something sweeter might help round it out a bit.  And what better sweet thing than chocolate!  The traditional baked alaska is such a ’50s dessert.  But sometimes nostalgia is a good thing if we can put a slightly new twist on it.  So I decided to use brownies studded with toffee bits in place of cake.  And coffee ice cream covered in sweet meringue that is not baked, but toasted with my kitchen blowtorch!  (I’ve been dying to pull that out again).  You know…this can be a quick weeknight dessert by using your favorite bakery or store bought brownie; and your favorite flavor of ice cream from your grocer’s freezer.  (I sound like a commercial here!)  And all you would have to do is whip up the meringue and torch it.  All in all….a pretty quick assembly.  But here’s what to do if you want to make this yummy treat from scratch….. [Read more...]

Spiked Peach Limeade Granita

“YOU ARE ICE AND FIRE; THE TOUCH OF YOU BURNS MY HANDS LIKE SNOW.”  Amy Lowell

Spiked Peach Limeade Granita | From My Sweet Heart

This icy treat has a fire all it’s own!  Chilly to my tongue, but definitely warms my heart!  It is  hard to believe that something so ridiculously easy can taste so amazingly good!  Refreshing?  Yes!  A great combination of flavors, but the rum most definitely shines through! [Read more...]

Pistachio, Strawberry & Vanilla Semifreddo

“THEY SAY A PERSON NEEDS  JUST THREE THINGS TO BE TRULY HAPPY IN THIS WORLD:  SOMEONE TO LOVE, SOMETHING TO DO, AND SOMETHING TO HOPE FOR.”  Tom Bodett

Pistachio, Strawberry and Vanilla Semifreddo | From My Sweet Heart

I just love this quote!  It rings so true for me.  But the other three things it takes for me to be happy are pistachio, vanilla and strawberry!  I know it’s not the classic trio of flavors, but I would gladly trade chocolate for pistachio anytime!  I think ice cream is easier to make than a semifreddo (of course….because my ice cream maker does all the work!)  But I must admit it is satisfying to make a frozen treat by hand.  And this is definitely a much lighter version of ice cream.  Not at all difficult to make.  Just need a little patience and waiting time between layers.  But what a pretty presentation….. [Read more...]