Like we need an excuse ( I know I don’t) to enjoy a little bit of chocolate goodness, July 7 is Chocolate Day. So, go head, grab some chocolate, eat slowly, and eat often. Enjoy!
Sugar cookies are delicious, nutritious (okay, maybe not), and in my opinion, a very underrated cookie. But they do get their own special day on July 9, National Sugar Cookie Day.
Sugar cookies are very simple, easy and tasty cookies, usually made with baking soda, sugar, eggs, flour, vinegar, salt, milk and vanilla. They were perfected in the mid-1700s by German Protestant settlers in the Nazareth area of Pennsylvania. And on September 5, 2001, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania even adopted the sugar cookie as its official cookie.
Celebrate today by making my all time favorite sugar cookie recipe, and as hard as it may be, don’t forget to share.
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 6 to 8 minutes to pre-heated oven. Cool completely. Decorate (or not) to your heart’s content.
Hot dogs and summer go hand in hand, so why not gather the family and celebrate Hot Dog Night tonight with a delicious grilled hot dog!
There’s nothing better than indulging in a bowl of ice cream on a hot summer day (today also happens to be ‘s It Hot Enough For Ya’ Day), which makes it easy to celebrate National Vanilla Ice Cream Day today.
Now, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I think vanilla is a very underrated ice cream flavor. It is often overlooked, and gets a bad rap for being plain or ordinary. But believe me, vanilla ice cream is delicious, I’m pleasantly surprised every time I have it. And despite it’s reputation for being boring, it remains one of America’s favorite ice cream flavors. According to the Harris Poll in June 2009, vanilla came in second, only to chocolate, with 22% who prefer it. And besides being absolutely delectable, vanilla is incredibly versatile, you can add fudge, caramel, sprinkles, and anything else you see fit.
So head out to your local ice cream shop today, and enjoy some vanilla ice cream, whether it’s in a cone or a dish, with fudge or just by itself. You can also make it a family affair and make some at home with this recipe.
Today is National Drive-Thru Day. A day to celebrate the good ol’ American drive-thru and everything it stands for.
After WWII, a love affair with the automobile stimulated the growth of roadside businesses that catered to motorists, and the restaurant industry was in no way immune. Some sources say the first drive-thru was the invention of Sheldon “Red” Chaney in Missouri, who opened a window at his restaurant so patrons could order directly from their cars. In-N-Out Burger, however claims they built the first drive-thru restaurant in 1948 in Baldwin Park, California, adding a two-way speaker to their restaurant, so patrons could order from their car without the assistance of a carhop. Still others, cite Jack in the Box as the first major restaurant specifically designed as a drive-thru in beginning in 1951. But banks had everyone beat, as the City Center Bank opened a drive-up window in 1928.
Nevertheless, drive-thrus today aren’t limited to just burgers and banking, as you can get anything from a milk shake to a marriage license at a drive-thru. In Las Vegas, couples opting for quicker quickie nuptials can go to the Little White Wedding Chapel for a drive-through wedding. In 2001, a Plano, Texas, 7-Eleven started testing a drive-thru window so customers wouldn’t have to go inside for their Slurpees.
Celebrate today by hitting your local drive-thru for whatever your heart may desire, whether you need a milk shake, a mocha, your dry-cleaning, some liquor, your prescription filled, or that marriage license you’ve been meaning to get.
According to the National Confectioners Association, 65% of American chocolate eaters prefer milk chocolate. That means it’s gonna be a good day for 65% of American chocolate eaters, because today is National Milk Chocolate Day,
So head out to the store (or your candy stash) and indulge in a little milk chocolate today. Enjoy my favorites, Dove Promises for a delicious treat with added inspiration. Or you can make yourself useful and try one of these recipes.
Today is the day to add a little spice to that unofficial food of summer, the hot dog, and celebrate National Chili Dog Day.
According to a 2005 National Sausage and Hot Dog Council study, chili is the third most popular condiment, and if you don’t already know why, today is the day to find out.
If you’re in L.A. you can visit the famous Pink’s Hot Dogs for some creative chili dog options. If you’re in Minneapolis you can get free chili dog at Diamonds Coffee Shoppe. And in San Francisco you can head to McCormic & Kuleto’s Seafood Restaurant in Ghirardelli Square and get a plate of three chili dogs for $1.95. Or just head to your local Sonic, A&W, or Weinershcnitzel for a taste of the hot dogs more fiery and feisty cousin.
You can also try this chili dog casserole for a new twist on an old favorite.
Today is National Cheesecake Day, and can I just say, it’s about time!
Joining in on the fun is simple, the only requirement being that you must enjoy a hearty slice of cheesecake, whether it’s New York or Philadelphia style, with your favorite topping or none at all.
The Cheesecake Factory is celebrating National Cheesecake Day by offering any slice for half price. Or you can make your own, using one of these delicious recipes.
Today is a day to enjoy a nice, satisfying, and cold sandwich. August 2 is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day.
So stock the freezer with ice cream sandwiches and get ready for one delicious day.
You can also make homemade ice cream sandwiches, you’ll just need to bake your favorite type of cookie and sandwich your favorite ice cream between two of them. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your combinations (oatmeal cookie with French vanilla ice cream…yes please). You can also roll the edges in toppings like nuts, sprinkles, chocolate chips, or anything else that tickles your fancy.
Try these recipes if you need some inspiration:
Image from wikipedia.com.
Today is National Spumoni Day. “What is spumoni?” you ask. Well, it is a molded Italian ice cream made with layers of different colors and flavors, usually containing candied fruits and nuts. The ice cream layers are usually mixed with whipped cream, chocolate and pistachio are standard flavors, and the fruit/nut layer often contains cherry bits. Not surprisingly, spumoni actually led to the creation of Neapolitan ice cream.
Spumoni was created in Naples, where it is now actually unknown, and some dairies and retailers have demoted spumoni from dessert to a seasonal category, considering it to be only a holiday treat.
But since today is a holiday, you can most certainly celebrate with some spumoni. Visit your local spumoni retailer and have a taste, or try one of these recipes.
