This week’s episode is all about unexpected desserts. It was a fun way to play with sweets the week before Halloween and the recipes are top notch. My favorite Halloween tradition that I grew up with was my mom making homemade root beer every year. When I pitched this idea to my production team, I was shocked when they stared at me like I was crazy as I explained the process for making this awesome homemade holiday drink. Then when I tested the recipe in the Food Network Kitchens, I got a similar response, people thought I was nuts. The dry ice used in this recipe carbonates the drink while giving it a super cool smoky look. I thought everyone knew about this! It’s so fun and easy for Halloween and such a hit with family and friends. Incorporated into a traditional root beer float, this recipe would be great for your Halloween party this week.
I also make a homemade ice cream cake this episode that is awesome. The method I use gives you so many different options for variations. However the process of filming a homemade ice cream cake was incredibly stressful – think lots of hot lights and melty ice cream while up against a serious time deadline. We survived it, and 3 ice cream cakes later, we got the shot. It’s one of the only times I’ve had negative feelings towards ice cream and I swore I’d never use it as a main ingredient in a recipe on set ever again.
Finally I’m using an unexpected ingredient in one of the most delicious cookie recipes that I’ve ever made. If I tell you what it is, you have to promise that you’ll still consider making the cookies…they are that good. Maybe it was because I had a baby on my mind, but somehow I came up with the idea of putting carrot baby food into these carrot cookies with orange buttercream. I was certain that it was going to fail, but surprisingly the cookies turned out awesome and these will forever be one of my go to cookies. I loved the unexpected idea of making a fruit and vegetable cookie, which is exactly what I did! Carrot in the cookies and orange in the frosting. The orange buttercream frosted on top of each cookie is to die for and should be used whenever possible.
Enjoy a few of my favorite behind the scenes photos above. I hope you love this episode as much as I loved filming it! Hopefully you’ll learn a thing or two and walk away with at least one recipe you’d like to try. What is the most unexpected dessert you make in your home? Is it something you’re known for?
Hi Kelsey! I love the ice cream cake recipe and the root beer float idea! I was wondering what the shirt was you were wearing that episode it was adorable!