Harry Potter's Homemade Butterbeer Recipe

Homemade Butterbeer 
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

FOR THE BUTTERBEER
6 12-ounce bottles chilled cream soda, or 1/2 recipe Homemade Cream Soda, substitute diet cream soda for a still yummy sugar-free version
3 teaspoons (1 tablespoon) imitation butter flavor, or 2 tablespoons clarified butter (instructions linked above **clarified butter does not always blend well with the cold beverage, see info above**)
OPTIONAL – 1 ounce light rum, per serving, for adults only

FOR THE FOAM (Vegan/Dairy-free recipe linked here)
2 cups heavy cream
6 tablespoons sugar, or splenda for sugar free version
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons imitation butter (if using clarified butter, double the amount to 3 teaspoons, or 1 tablespoon)

To make the butterbeer: Set out 6 16-ounce glasses. Place 1/2 teaspoon of imitation butter (or 1 teaspoon clarified butter) in each glass. Pour 12 ounces of cream soda into each glass, over the butter. Lightly stir, if necessary.

To make the foam: In a large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, whip the heavy cream on medium high speed for 3-4 minutes until it starts to thicken. Add the sugar and continue whipping until very soft peaks begin to form, another 3-4 minutes (if you need to whip more or less, then be sure to do so, the times can vary quite a bit based on environment). Stir in the vanilla and imitation butter (or clarified butter), then whip for another 30 seconds or so, until soft peaks form.

Spoon a generous portion of foam on top of each glass of butterbeer, mixing gently, if desired (or spoon the foam into the bottom of the glass and pour the butterbeer over the top). Serve immediately.

Recipe by Darla

Jampires by Sarah McIntyre and David O'Connell Book Review

Jampires by Sarah McIntyre and David O'Connell
Publisher: David Fickling Books
Release Date: June 30, 2015

What is worse than chomping down on a jelly donut only to find there is no jam inside? Such is one terrible day for Sam who sets out to find the jam thieves. With the lure of a ketchup filled donut, what Sam finds are Jampires, friendly creatures whose obsession with jam and other sweet things gets them into a ton of trouble. Determined to help the Jampires and save the jam in his donuts, Sam decides to help his new friends.

I absolutely love the concept of a Jampire. This is a "monster" book, but in true picture book fashion, they are the kind of monsters you wouldn't mind having around. And like all good monster stories there is a magical land where these creatures live. The illustrations are bright and lively, with so many wonderful little details like the expression on the cat's face throughout.

You should also check out the Jampires website where you can find details about the authors, the story, and most important of all...activities.


In keeping with our food and recipe week and as if this book wouldn't make you hungry enough, watch the video below to find out how you can make your own jelly-filled donuts.

Old Black Witch Blueberry Pancake Recipe

Old Black Witch was one of my favorite picture books as a kid. She was cranky and a bit scary, but beneath the cobwebs was a heart of gold. Her pancake recipe was also a regular feature in my home. And yes, we always said the magic words to make them extra special.

Food Week @ Children's Atheneum

This week, by sheer happenstance, I happen to have read a lot of books featuring food. As is fitting, I decided to officially declare this food week and will feature reviews as well as recipes and links to even more books featuring food.

To start us off I am featuring one of my favorite new dessert recipes found within the pages of A Fine Dessert by Emily Jenkins. I have made this several times now using both blackberries and raspberries and it is simply divine. It is especially good over top of angel food cake and also works as a flavored whip cream for other desserts as well. To keep it longer, I have been freezing mine, which will extend its life weeks instead of days.