Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Buckeye Ice Cream and Gluten Free Walnut Oat Cookies

I thought this ice cream would bring us good luck in the final four against Kansas on Saturday night, but I was wrong. I won't talk about the game, because it was depressing..... but the food we ate during the game was amazing (homemade spinach pasta with veal marsala, made by Nick's friend and boss, Matt. Amazing). The dessert wasn't too shabby either, if I do say so myself.



I could have made buckeyes for dessert on this special occasion, but instead I decided to make buckeye ice cream (a healthier version, of course) and for an added bonus I figured why not make some walnut oat cookies?! After all, who knows when we'll be in the final four again (although I'm hoping it's as soon as next year).


Lighter Buckeye Ice Cream
(Makes ~10 servings, 1/2 cup each)

Ingredients

BUCKEYE PRIDE! (optional, but highly suggested)

2 cups chilled half and half
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
3/4 cup sugar
2 heaping Tbsp. peanut butter
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup brownie chunks
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

In a medium bowl mix the sugar and almond milk until the sugar is dissolved. Add the vanilla flavoring and the peanut butter. Mix/whisk well until the peanut butter is blended.

Add the chilled half and half, mix well.

Pour the mixture into your prepared ice cream maker and make according to the manufacturer's directions. Once the ice cream starts to get churned, add the unsweetened cocoa powder.

Once the ice cream is finished, add the chunks of brownie. Mix well.

Let chill in the freezer for about an hour, or longer (to get the ice cream to freeze and not be so soft).

Nutrition Facts

(Serving Size ~ 1/2 cup)
Compared to another brand of "Buckeye Ice Cream" (below), which has......

More calories
More fat (especially saturated)
More cholesterol
More sodium




We enjoyed the Buckeye ice cream as we watched our Buckeyes lose....

The rich, flavorful taste almost made up for the awful loss (ok, not even close, but it was delicious ice cream nonetheless).


And why not add some cookies to the mix?!

Whole Grain Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
(Gluten Free, makes ~24 cookies)
Adapted from a Cooking Light recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 large egg
3/4 cup brown rice flour
1 cup gluten free old fashioned oats
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts (use a skillet, on medium, and heat for about 5 minutes)
Cooking spray

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Place first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add flour, oats, and salt to egg mixture; beat well. Stir in raisins and walnuts.
  3. Drop by level tablespoons, 1 1/2 inches apart, onto a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350º for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven; let stand 2 minutes. Remove cookies from baking sheet; serve warm.

Nutrition Facts
(Serving: 1/24 of recipe)
I wasn't going to toast the walnuts in this recipe, because I felt lazy when I made these, but let me tell you it made all the difference. Toast your walnuts. I might even argue that these cookies would have tasted even more amazing with a few more walnuts. Either way, they were so amazing and I will make them again. They tasted great crumbled on top of the ice cream, actually.

Next I want to try this recipe from Grace at Food, Fitness, Fresh Air.

Question:
Are you a fan of the peanut butter and chocolate "buckeye" combination? What's your favorite "buckeye" dessert? Have you tried my lighter buckeyes?!


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15 comments :

  1. what a fun ice cream flavor idea!

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  2. I think I'm in love. :) Am I a fan of the peanut butter and chocolate buckeye? Uuummm....YES!!!! My 2 favorite things: PB and ice cream. When paired together I am as happy as a kindergartner on Christmas morning!:)
    WONDERFUL post! I NEED and ice cream maker!

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  3. Ohmygosh, looks so delicious! I always want to make the ice cream recipes I see on blogs, but alas...no ice cream maker. Someday...

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  4. mmmm buckeye is the flavor of choice for all my residents at the retirement home :) they LOVE it!

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  5. Omg, Buckeye ice cream sounds fantastic! I need to get myself an ice cream maker for this summer, pronto. Let me know what you think of the cookies if you get a chance to try them!

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  6. I seriously need an ice cream maker...that's it. I can't believe I've never made homemade ice cream!

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  7. TOTAL FAN of buckeyes! I didn't know about them until I was interviewing at Ohio State ... I turned down scholarships and went to Penn State. I was rooting for the buckeyes though. Seemed like they thought they had the game in the bag.

    What a great recipe to try! Yummy! I don't have an ice cream maker though... any alternatives?

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  8. I have no idea what's buckeye until this post! I think both combos sounds amazing and would be a great snack/ dessert anytime!!!

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  9. I've never tried a buckeye, and only heard of it through you I think but I can't imagine not liking something peanut butter and chocolate! Sorry it didn't bring you luck in the game though!

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  10. Okay, that ice cream sounds amazing!! What better way to cheer up after a depressing game but with ice cream and cookies?

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  11. What a fun sounding flavour. And my condolences for the loss. Have a great week Gina!!

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  12. Wow! Your version did come in way less! Nicely done!! Speaking of NCAA...I need to look up who won last night. Obviously I couldn't stay up that late :)

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  13. Wow, I had no Ida buckeyes were edible, but both these recipes sound amazing Gina!!! Sorry for your loss, but glad you had some of this fabulous ice cream to console you! I'll be trying both these recipes for sure!

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  14. Well at least the desserts were good :) Buckeyes are my favorite and this ice cream sounds delicious. Ice cream maker, I'm so tempted.

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  15. I love ice cream so much but I have sensitive teeth. I always end up not enjoying my ice cream. One time, I had a hot soup and ate an ice cream afterwards. I ended up having an urgent dental care. Now, I'm using an anti-sensitivity toothpaste and it works fine.

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