Ode to a Vanilla Bean

Yesterday I spent some time in the kitchen experimenting, it was actually pretty fun. And the results were yummy!
It all started when I ran out of coffee syrup and didn't feel like forking over 10 bucks for another bottle. I found a site that said I could make my own syrup with a vanilla bean pod. It seemed pretty easy, so I went in search of a bean. When I finally found one, I was a little perturbed to find that it was almost as much as half a bottle of store bought syrup! Oh well, it was still worth a try.

Since the syrup only called for the pod, I had to figure out how to use the seeds inside the bean. I wanted to get as much use out of that thing as I could. :) Then I had a light bulb moment! Scones! When she was here, Alyssa and I made some cranberry scones. They were so good, they only lasted about 5 minutes so I decided to try my hand at baking. It was a little iffy...and sticky...but it all turned out! Yummy vanilla bean scones.

And the best part, I had a vanilla latte with a vanilla bean scone for breakfast this morning! YAY!

YUMYUMYUM

This week David and Alyssa are here visiting and Alyssa and I have been having fun making various homemade meals and goodies. (For those of you who dont know, they are my brother-in-law and sister-in-law). Anyways, Alyssa showed me this cupcake recipe she found online from The Pioneer Woman called Life By Chocolate and let me tell you, they are the most amazing cupcakes oozing with chocolatey goodness that you will ever eat! Did I mention that we made them completely from SCRATCH! Oh yes, we are that good.... :D hehe
I took some pics of the process because I thought it was worth documenting, seriously my mouth is watering just writing about them!


Yes, those are Hersheys Kisses!


After they were done baking we dunked them in this. Chocolate Ganache! (We melted baking chocolate, more kisses, and some Nesquick with hot whipping cream!)


The Finished Product.