How to throw an ice cream bridal shower :)

As a fun little rest from typical food blogging, I thought I'd show off the decorations I did for my best friend's bridal shower.

To say that Sara likes ice cream is a bit of an understatement. Take my obvious love of chocolate, change it to ice cream, and multiply it by 10. Seriously. When I visited her in grad school, we had mudslides when I got there at night, ice cream for breakfast in town, s'mores for an afternoon snack, a normal dinner (with dessert, probably), then ice cream for breakfast the next morning. :)

So, naturally, I always envisioned an ice cream bridal shower for her.

Ice cream cookie cutter favors:


Dressed up with stamped labels and cupcake ribbon from Michaels:


Shower invitations (name smeared out for internet safety!) I made with help from Design-her Gals. An ice cream cone accessory = freaking awesome.


Ice cream sundae glasses with peony "ice cream" and long sundae spoons from Williams-Sonoma several years ago. (The handles are imprinted with ice cream, gelato, sorbet, and sherbet.)


How I set up the entry table. Note the ice cream favors in their own sundae glasses, pink M&Ms from Michaels in sundae glasses with the long spoons again, and a framed invitation (the mat was the cute polka dot wrapping paper I found at A.C. Moore that reminded me of ice cream!).


Sara even got ice cream lingerie and this cute apron! And one of my gifts was this from C&B.

A good shot of the table set up for dessert. Among other things, ice cream cone cupcakes (friend made), ice cream bonbons from Trader Joe's (in cupcake mini muffin paper liners from Michaels), and the rest of the "ice cream" peonies and ice cream scoops between the flower arrangements for extra emphasis... just incase you haven't caught on yet.


Happy shower, Sara!!

Captain Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies

After making my famous Captain Crunch chicken* for my friend's bridal shower, I had lots of leftover Captain Crunch in the cupboard. For most people, this wouldn't be a big issue. And while I love cereal and have it every morning, I didn't grow up with sugary cereal and with the exception of Lucky Charms, I think they're all way too sweet for my 5:30 a.m. breakfast.

It was quite serendipitous then that Peabody would post her recipe for Captain Crunch chocolate chip cookies the week I had leftovers!

Deliciously salty, this recipe produces a thin, crisp cookie. I used regular (not mini) chocolate chips that I already had on hand, and added more than a cup of them... shocking, I know. :)

*Ask nicely, and I'll share, but this isn't a chicken blog. :)

Captain Crunch Chocolate Chip Cookies
from Culinary Concoctions by Peabody

1 c. unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
1 ¾ c. all-purpose flour
1 c. Captain Crunch Flour (pulverized Captain Crunch – It takes about 2 ½ cups Captain Crunch cereal to make flour. Just place in food processor and pulse until it becomes powdery.)
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
1 c. (or more...) chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Using a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugar, and beat on medium-high for about 3 minutes.

Add eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add vanilla and beat for another 30 seconds. Reduce to low speed and add the flour, Captain Crunch Flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until completely combined. Add chocolate chips and mix until fully incorporated.

Spray baking sheets with cooking spray or use a Silpat. Use a cookie scoop to form cookies and drop onto sheet. Bake at 375 for 9 minutes. Let cool on sheet for 3 minutes, then move to rack to finish cooling.

He certainly wants some of these...