Homemade Scottish Cream

It's that time of year when even our coffee needs a pick me up!

On Eve's last adventure to Scotland, she discovered Arran Gold Scottish cream liquor. This liquid gold was like Bailey's but thicker, fresher tasting, and not so sickly sweet. We decided to try making some homemade Scottish cream since we can't find it in the states. It is essentially the same thing as Irish cream (AKA Baileys) but with Scottish whisky instead of Irish-made whiskey. You can change up the ratios to suit your tastes. We like ours creamy, boozy, and not too sweet. Best of all, it only takes 5 minutes to make! This makes a perfect holiday party gift - or - great with coffee anytime!

xxx Ivy & Eve

Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz.)

• 1 cup Scotch whisky (any whisky will work we used Glenmorangie 10-year for its rich and smooth flavor)

• 1 tsp Special Dark Hershey's cocoa powder (or any unsweetened cocoa powder)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, add the cocoa powder. Slowly whisk in a few tablespoons of cream, forming a paste. Then, slowly incorporate the rest of the cream making sure no clumps form.

2. Whisk in the sweetened condensed milk, then the whisky, and vanilla extract.

3. Add more cream or whisky, depending on your tastes, a tablespoon at a time.

4. Pour into jars or bottles. (we used cute glass milk bottles from Target!)

5. Serve on ice, add to coffee, or mix it in a festive cocktail!

6. Enjoy!

Sugar Dusted Cranberries

We love gifts, and we love giving gifts to people, so each Holiday season we like to give a little something to everyone we know. Since gifting can get expensive we often make our gifts. This year we are handing out candied nuts, christmas cookies, and these delicious sugar dusted cranberries. These are the perfect gift to give party hosts, coworkers, and friends. This recipe is simple, delicious, and we love how the cranberries look like they have been dusted by snow! We usually wrap them up in a cute jar and hand them out, but they are also perfect for garnish on cocktails (cocktail recipe coming later this week).

xxx Ivy & Eve 

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of cranberries 12 oz
• 4 cup granulated sugar (may use less)
• 1 cup water

Directions:

1. Combine sugar and water in saucepan. Heat up until the sugar is fully dissolved creating a simple syrup. Remove from heat. Make sure the mixture is not boiling or it can cause cranberries split or pop in the next step.
2. Transfer simple syrup into large bowl
3. Pour cranberries into simple syrup, mixing to coat each berry.
4. Let mixture sit in refrigerator over night (if you are short on time a few hours will work).
5. Remove mixture from refrigerator. Separate syrup from cranberries (keep the syrup to use for cocktails!).
6. Pour some sugar into a small bowl and spoon out cranberries onto the sugar.
7. Roll cranberries in sugar till they are fully coated with sugar. Add sugar to bowl as needed.
8. Set on baking rack to dry. (1-2 hours)

Enjoy!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries for Mother's Day & Free Printable Card!

With Mother's Day just around the corner, Eve and I were toying with ideas of what to give our Mom this year. After some time thinking, we decided we would make her chocolate-covered strawberries. We always buy these yummy morsels when we spot them in cafes and chocolate shops but had never really attempted to make any ourselves. It was SO simple, not to mention affordable! We recommend pairing these with a bottle of bubbly, naturally. We also designed a cute card to go with them for your Mom, because she really is the sweetest! Download the full-size card (we made a mini one to fit better in the pictures) for FREE by subscribing HERE! If you already subscribe, don't worry. We will be sending it to you shortly. Cheers to all our sweet Mothers! 

xxx Ivy & Eve

Ingredients & Supplies

• High-quality white & dark melting chocolate 

• Strawberries

• Sprinkles, Nuts, and anything you want to top them with (optional)

• Baking sheet

• Parchment paper

 Directions

1. Place melting chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl (you can also melt on the stove if you have more time).

2. Set the microwave to 30-second increments and stir until just melted.

3. Place parchment paper on baking sheet

4. Simply dip the strawberry in chocolate

5. Top with sprinkles or whatever your heart desires

6. Let cool and set in the refrigerator before serving (they are best eaten the day of or next day).

Your Mom will LOVE them, we promise!