[gimmesuga-blog]

MMMW: Mint Ice Pie

[gimmesuga-blog]

Milkshake Maniac. Where every month is Milkshake month. 

[gimmesuga-blog]

MMMW: DIY Homemade Dulce de Leche Cups

The folks at Oh Nuts were sweet enough to detail the recipe to this gooey goodness.

I think I'm just going to look and salivate.

[gimmesuga-blog]

The Milkshake Saga

So it's Milkshake month and we keep getting the ultimate question: Is a Wendy's Frosty a milkshake or a drink? To which we reply, it's a delicious.

But we should probably at least try to find out the answer right?

According to the Consumerist, even the employees are confused while Men's Health points out the laundry list of ingredients which takes it from a milk + shake to alien status. 

So what do you think? Is a Wendy's Frosty a milkshake a drink or a dessert?

[gimmesuga-blog]

Bites: Chopper Style Milkshake

Chances are if you've rode north down Ashland ave, you've seen Choppers, Home of the Choppak. I have no clue what at Choppak is, and frankly, I'm okay with that. I was only concerned with the shake.

Choppers looks like a restaurant that was featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. It's kitschy with it's restaurant style checkered red and yellow and a greasy layer across the walls that signify fat, juicy burgers as it's man course.

Choppers serve milkshakes and malts and allow you to create your own combination of flavors. Unfortunately, that is about as gourmet as it is going to get. Ever the strawberry fan, I did a regular size strawberry/pineapple combo at $3.39. Ok, so my combinations need some work, I admit it, but that does not take away the fact that the ice cream was just...meh. While the strawberry ice cream seemed to be the base with nice chunks of fruit floating through, the pineapple had that fructose corn syrup taste that polluted the shake making it medicinal to swallow, but of course, I made it through.

In addition to strawberry and pineapple, Choppers will also make you a chocolate, oreo cookie, banana, mocha, vanilla, cherry, peanut butter, blueberry, cinnamon, or apple shake or, as mentioned, a mixture of a few.

So, taking into account that I chose an off combination, I'm going to give Choppers' Milkshake Two Bites.  While I doubt any flavor combination will make for a milkshake over the moon, how I could I not at least try to sip a chocolate/blueberry shake?

[gimmesuga-blog]

Sweet Tooth + Sensibility= π

Quick Strawberry Dessert Pie

By: Shirley Ivy

This is a brilliantly simple pie recipe and, easily, one of my warm weather favorites. Both cool and creamy, very little effort goes into producing rich, decadent results for a sweet, yet sensible, slice of summer. The only kitchen utensils you’ll need are a medium sized bowl and a spoon. No measuring…!!!

Prep Time: 10 WHOLE minutes

You’ll need

·         2 6oz containers of strawberry yogurt

·         1 8oz tub of Cool Whip

·         A pre-made graham cracker crust

In a medium bowl, add 2 containers of yogurt.

Add to that the entire tub of Cool Whip.

Whip the two creamy components together until well blended, careful not to over mix. 

Spoon the mixture into the graham cracker crust.

Freeze for 4 hours+ (OH, NO she did‘ant!) until firm.

15 minutes before serving, remove pie from freezer and voilà!

*ANY flavor yogurt can be used in this recipe and, because its so simple, there’s plenty-o-room for personal touches. I’ve added candied walnuts for texture and decoration.

Store leftovers (yeah, right) in the freezer.

[gimmesuga-blog]

MMMW: Caramel Cheesecake Apple Dip

Courtesy of Cooking Classy

Now I know the images aren't spectacular, but as soon as I saw the cheesecake dip, I could taste it. Yummmm

[gimmesuga-blog]

[gimmesuga-blog]

June is Milkshake Month at Gimme Suga!

[gimmesuga-blog]

Oh Doughnut Vault *sigh*

[gimmesuga-blog]

BiteSize: Oreo Brownie

A BiteSize is a review in 140 characters or less.

A log o’ sweet. What should be nuts are bits of Oreo. That makes me sad. 

[gimmesuga-blog]

Rut Roo: UCLA study says sugar may make you dumb

A new UCLA rat study is the first to show how a diet steadily high in fructose slows thebrain, hampering memory and learning — and how omega-3 fatty acids can counteract the disruption. The peer-reviewed Journal of Physiology publishes the findings in its May 15 edition.

Read the article here, in the Journal of Physiology if you're bad or check the PR version here

[gimmesuga-blog]

Yelp's Sugar High

From May 14th through May 20th, Yelp's going on a Sugar High: for one whole week, you have the Yelp doctor's orders to feast on the sweetest treats available at the city's sweetest businesses. We're excited to showcase the best of the froyo, pastry, cookies, hot chocolate, coffee, donuts, bakeware, cooking classes, ethnic goodies, cupcakes, cream puffs, and specialty treats available in the city of Chicago. Yes, you can have it all... just don't tell your dentist or personal trainer! Most of every special offer has a free component. Just click on the individual event listing links below and follow the directions to RSVP (watch this space, as we're adding events individually and we'll update this listing as they're added). The offers: Beard Papa's Cream Puffs: Sugar Hour from 3 pm to 6 pm offering buy one cream puff get one free from Monday to Friday! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Beavers Coffee & Donuts: 2 free 'regular-topped' donuts or four 'regular-topped' donuts with the purchase of a coffee throughout Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Cassava: Buy one hot chocolate, get one free throughout Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Chimney Cake Island: Buy one cake, get a cake ring sundae for free throughout Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Forever Yogurt: Buy one, get one free on 5/18! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Jaafer Sweets: $5 for $10 worth of customized assorted mixed sweets throughout Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Kristoffer's Cafe & Bakery: 10% off any purchase throughout Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Luscious Layers Bakery: Sugar Hour from 3:30 pm to 5:30, offering 30% off front case items throughout Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Salted Caramel: buy one frozen treat, get one free from Friday to Sunday! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Specialty's Cafe & Bakery: 1 free Intelligentsia coffee with the purchase of a cookie, brownie or pastry on May 16th! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Starfruit: Buy one, get one free throughout Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... Swim Cafe: Complimentary coffee/tea with the purchase of a dessert throughout Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... The Chopping Block: 20% off the purchase of bakeware items and a discounted 'Sugar Rush' baking course to be offered during Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev... WannaHavaCookie: 20% off all orders throughout Yelp's Sugar High! Details here: http://www.yelp.com/ev...

[gimmesuga-blog]

Bites: La Farine Bakery Lemon Meringue Tart

Although it wasn't all that warm out La Farine Bakery’s door was wide open for business. Had the door been closed, I would have walked right pass this perfect looking bakery. It was nearing late in the evening so I imagine they had sold out of the free smells. They had also nearly run out of pastries as the display case was only about a quarter full. The place was empty but it looked comfortable enough to earn the title as the place to be on a sunny Saturday afternoon with a book or journal and a cup of their self-serve coffee.

Always drawn to chocolate and lemon, I chose the lemon meringue tart. The tattooed woman behind the counter was nice enough and despite being cash only at their inception, a worn Visa logo was haphazardly placed on the counter. Closing soon, I walked out carrying my goods but I had a good feeling I would be back soon.

The prized box sat on my counter while I prepared dinner. A dinner only to be eaten because I had to consume something besides dessert, unfortunately. Greedily, I scarfed dinner down and set my sights on the Lemon Meringue Tart.

The meringue was perfectly sweet and sticky. Unfortunately, it overpowered the lemon filling that was scarce and not nearly tart enough. The crust was the saddest part. It made for a tough time even to get my knife through, proving an even greater trial for my teeth.

While La Farine looks like a dream, their Lemon Meringue Tart was more of a nightmare, for my dentist. It is with regret that I give it one bite.

I've heard that La Farine is a master with bread though.

[gimmesuga-blog]

MMMW: 7-Layer Passionfruit & Lemon Trifle

Woooowwwwww

More woooooowwwww

[gimmesuga-blog]

BiteSize: Lunar Cheesecake Ice Cream

A BiteSize is a review in 140 characters or less.

Green is supposed to taste like Key Lime. The graham cracker was frozen stiff. It’s a cup O' sweet with no distinguishing flavor.

[gimmesuga-blog]

Opening the Doughnut Vault | Part 2

The next Saturday I found myself wide awake and ready to roll at 9:00am. I was surprised by my own enthusiasm as I was struggling with a recent, earlier change in work schedule. Chicago had been enjoying unseasonably high temps but just like Chicago, this morning held a frost. Barely awake and not nearly dressed for the weather, I hopped in the hooptie ready for the goodness that only a doughnut shop with a 100 person line, early on a Saturday morning could bring.

“This can’t take any more than an hour,” I thought to myself as I fed the meter with my debit card. There was a bounce in my step as I rounded the corner and saw a line identical to the one I drove passed the week before. The line had the same energy as one on Black Friday with shoppers chomping at the bit for their discounted goods. As each person walked up, the line would greet the newcomer with a smirk. A middle age couple stood in front me. The lady wore a quilted jacket with a fur wrap over her ears. Her man had on a small leather jacket. She looked a tad bit over dressed but boy was I wrong.

The line barely moved. Folks began to rock in place while younger kids grew restless. One kid, no older than twelve was running laps around the block. Cars drove by and stared at us in wonder. One car even pulled over while the passenger got out and inquired about the goings on. Thirty minutes later the middle aged couple in front of me bailed, their red noses signaling their stop. Another thirty minutes and frozen toes later, I was barely around the corner but getting closer. My meter had expired as the line was yet to move faster than a snail’s pace. I had to make a decision.

Do I continue to wait in line risking a parking ticket? Do I ask the now younger couple in front of me outfitted in matching jogging gear and Starbucks drinks to hold my place? I decided to wait it out.

I hadn't seen any meter readers around and I couldn't be too much longer from the inside. Another fifteen minutes will pass and I could finally see the blue door. The blue door I had never seen before. It actually just occurred to me that I was never 100% sure that I was at the right place. I never saw a sign; I just identified the place from the line. Now I was close enough to actually see what was happening. As one party will come out smiling and hoisting their goods, another person or two would walk in. The door swung open and a person emerged with only a cup of coffee.  “Odd,” I thought to myself. I got a glimpse of the wood inside but no doughnuts. The door closed and I saw it. Written in traditional sales script in bronze letters were the words “Cash Only.”

I can’t remember if I seized in frost or anger. “Cash Only?!?” I thought to myself. I didn't read that in any of the reviews or on the Doughnut Vault’s Tumblr! My mind scrambled. I had $5.00 in singles in my pocket and no cash in the car. “Maybe they have an ATM inside,” I silently hoped. Two older women left the vault holding a single brown paper bag barely amused. “They must be running around,” I groaned aloud.

I was about three groups from getting inside and perhaps another four groups before getting to the counter and I, too, bailed. The Doughnut Vault wins again.

Will she ever break into the Doughnut Vault? Check back later in the month for the conclusion.