Jun 22, 2012

EAT: Cherry Pies 'n Cream Sandwich

Yay!!! It is officially SUMMER! You SCREAM, I SCREAM, we all SCREAM for... a summer recipe that is as EASY as PIE! Say what? That's right, Pie à la Mode meets the ice cream sandwich. Say HELLO to my new favorite little dessert, the Pies 'n Cream Sandwich. I realize I didn't "re-invent" the wheel or anything but I am still proud of my CHERRY Pies 'n Cream Sandwiches because they are my own twist on combining two desserts that already exist and are delicious on their own, but when combined they are a mouth watering CHERRY CREATION that you will definitely CRAVE this SUMMER! You will literally be drooling melting ice cream.  ;)

My idea all started with those pie pops I have been seeing everywhere but I wanted to change it up a bit for SUMMERSo basically all it is, is two mini pies with ice cream sandwiched in-between them. You can keep it EASY by purchasing many of the ingredients ready-made from the store -OR- make everything from scratch which would take more EFFORT but taste even better! They are BURSTING with CHERRY FLAVOR and will COOL you off during those HOT SUMMER days! Can't you picture these cute little Pies 'n Cream Sandwiches at your next BBQ or picnic served with a COLD glass bottle of milk and a stripey straw? 







CHERRY Pies 'n Cream Sandwiches RECIPE
Homemade by the Creative Orchard
Ingredients:
Pillsbury Pie Crusts ("Just Unroll & Bake!")
Cherry Pie Filling (Substitute Any Flavor)
• Beaten eggs & Sugar (Optional Garnish)
Cherry Vanilla/Vanilla *Ice Cream (Homemade or Store Bought)

Instructions:
Preheat oven 425 degrees F.
Step 1.) Unroll one Pillsbury Pie Crust onto non-stick surface.
Step 2.) Using 3" circular cookie cutter, cut out as many mini pie rounds as possible in the crust.
Step 3.) Scoop a spoonful of cherries (approximately 3-5) from the cherry pie filling can onto the mini pie rounds.
Step 4.) Unroll another Pillsbury Pie Crust onto non-stick surface and slice long 1/2 inch strips using a pizza cutter or Wilton zig-zag cutter.
Step 5.) Use your dough strips to make a lattice design on the mini pies' tops. Pinch up the outer edges around each mini pie to seal. Brush tops with beaten eggs and sprinkle with sugar.
Step 6.) Using a spatula, carefully place all mini pies onto non-stick cookie sheet.
Step 7.) Bake mini pies in the oven at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 8.) Cool completely on cooling racks.
Step 9.) Carefully but quickly spread a scoop of *ice cream onto one upside down mini pie, then place another mini pie right side up on top and gently press together. If you want the *ice cream to fit "perfectly", spread some *ice cream onto a flat surface and beat it out until it is an even thickness then cut it out with the same 3" circular cookie cutter.
That's it! Pies 'n Cream Sandwiches that were as EASY as PIE!

*Note: If you are planning on using homemade ice cream be sure to make it multiple hours in advance.

Tip: To keep the sandwich together, try tying baker's twine around it or poke a large tissue pom toothpick down the middle. If you want to contain the dripping ice cream, place them inside a food safe paper bag.






Printables designed by the Creative Orchard
Photography by Renee Hagloch of the Creative Orchard


PLEASE DO NOT USE ANY PHOTOGRAPHY TAKEN BY 
THE CREATIVE ORCHARD WITHOUT PERMISSION! 
You may however use 1-2 PHOTOS on your personal blog or facebook as long as you give credit to Renee Hagloch of the Creative Orchard with my website www.theCreativeOrchard.com and link back to this blog post. DO NOT SHARE the entire tutorial PLEASE. You may also "Pin" photos taken by the Creative Orchard onto Pinterest as long as it links back directly to this blog post. 
Thank you BERRY much!

Product Sources:
• Pillsbury Pie Crusts ("Just Unroll & Bake!")
Baker's Twine & Paper Bags - via Cakes and Kids Too
• Spatula, Roller, Cookie Pan, Pot Holder - via Target
• Cutting Board Sheets - via Deals
• Cookie Cutter, Plastic Straws - via Hobby Lobby
• Cherry Fabric - via Jo-Ann Fabrics
• Glassware (Vintage) - via Goodwill Stores
• Ribbon/Button Flower - via Walmart

Recipes:
Cherry Vanilla Homemade Ice Cream - via allrecipes.com
Vanilla Homemade Ice Cream - via allrecipes.com

See more PIE RECIPES by visiting Pie Party 2012 on facebook hosted by food bloggers, Garrett McCord, Justin Schwartz, Shauna Ahern and Ashley Baron Rodriguez!








Jun 13, 2012

CELEBRATE: Spring into NEON

You have probably already noticed that NEON has made a BIG comeback! NEON has been seen all over place for fashion, decor, food, crafts and way more! This "Spring into Neon" post is long overdue. My life has been crazy busy all Spring and I do not see it slowing down any time soon. Even though Spring is almost over and Summer officially starts next week, I thought I would still share with you all the fun we had with NEON. Maybe you can still apply some of the NEON decorations and activity ideas to your upcoming Summer fun or keep them in mind for next Spring!
The tablecloth was actually a long piece of white craft paper, which gave the kids an opportunity to be creative and draw Spring inspired doodles with NEON highlighters. To proudly display our bright NEON dyed eggs, we put each one in a clear plastic shot glass on top of a "Pastry Pedestal". All grouped together, they turned out to be a useful and stylish centerpiece! NEON paper punched butterflies were scattered throughout the room to add a much needed whimsical nature element. GIANT NEON eggs were strategically placed to give a dramatic look and help balance the scale of the other objects. To finish off our "NEON into Spring" theme, a NEON S-P-R-I-N-G pennant banner was hung across the mantel. It all turned out bright, cheery, easy & FUN! Craving more NEON inspiration? Visit my "Spring into Neon" board on Pinterest!

































DIY NEON Project Ideas: 
• Decorate glass jars with NEON office supply stickers, rubberband bracelets, ribbon or double-sided tape/glitter!
• Use NEON paint to brighten up your garden! You could paint ceramic mushrooms, flower pots, shed door or lawn chairs.
• My pinwheels were assembled using "Pastry Pedestals", white/NEON paper, double-sided tape, glitter, scissors, NEON pipe cleaners and gum balls. Add sparkly stripes to your paper pinwheels by sticking double sided tape & sprinkling NEON glitter on top, then shake off the excess! A corn on the cob poker was carefully used to poke a whole in the gum balls.

Color Tip:  If you plan on using a NEON color scheme for your next project or event, I recommend pairing the NEON colors with a neutral such as white, gray or beige, that way you can compliment the NEON colors as opposed to being overwhelmed by the intensity of so many of them trying to compete with each other.

Product Sources:
The Pastry Pedestal - via Pen n' Paper Flowers
• GIANT Plastic Eggs, Butterfly Paper Punch, Pipe Cleaners, Pom Pom Balls & Canvas - via Hobby Lobby
• Personalize Plastic Cups, Martha Stewart Glitter, Neon Paint & Craft Paper Roll - via Michaels
• Ceramic Mushrooms - via Gordmans
• Yellow Infant Dress & Headband - via Target
• NEON Food Coloring, Glow Sticks, NEON Office Paper, Rubberban Bracelets & Slinky - via Walmart
• Egg Trays & Tongs - via Walgreens
• Swirly Straws, Plastic Shot Glasses & Gum Balls - via Party City