Last Ice Cream of the Season at Hviids Is

I had heard about Hviids Is before the summer started but the boyfriend and I had never gotten the chance to go there for an ice cream. And luckily for us, we had a bit of time yesterday so we stopped by their shop in Østerbro. And good thing we went yesterday because this is the last weekend they are open for the summer season!

Hviids Is specializes in fresh, homemade, Italian popsicles. Some of the popsicles are made of gelato, called gelato su stecco in Italian, while others are made out of sorbets. All of the popsicles are dipped in either dark, milk, or white chocolate. The gelato ones are sometimes dipped in flavored chocolate such as pistachio or strawberry and then decorated with chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or sprinkles for example. 

We both went nutty at Hviids Is yesterday. The boyfriend had a pistachio gelato popsicle that was dipped in pistachio chocolate and then decorated with chopped hazelnuts. I had a hazelnut gelato popsicle that was dipped in milk chocolate and topped with chopped hazelnuts. They were delicious. The ice cream was so smooth and the chocolate coating was perfect - not too thin and not too thick and cracked just enough when you bit into it. I am so glad we got to try one before their season ended. Now I just wish I had come earlier because the sorbet popsicles looked delicious as well! I think Hviids Is and Ismageriet are two of my favorite places for ice cream in Copenhagen now. And it's a good thing that both shops aren't so close to where we live so I don't get tempted to go there all the time!

If you have time today, visit Hviids Is while you still can!

Hviids Is

Olufsvej 6

2100 Copenhagen Ø

They are open from 11am to 9pm on weekends. 

This Week's Flowers

+ a little peek at our dining room

+ my new tea light holders from Granit

Happy Thursday everyone!

Making Vanilla Extract at Home

I just made a batch of vanilla extract but I can't use it until the end of November. Vanilla extract is so easy to make, but it does take a bit of patience! I've been wanting to make my own vanilla extract for awhile now because one, using real vanilla beans in baking is quite expensive, and two, I keep buying the tiny jars of vanilla paste or imitation vanilla extract here and they run out like once a month. I mean, this chocolate chip cookie recipe alone uses half a tablespoon of vanilla! 

Once in awhile, Netto sells five bourbon vanilla beans in a tube for about 25kr. That is r i d i c u l o u s l y cheap. Like so cheap I usually buy three tubes and keep my little vanilla bean stash stocked. I've been looking for a nice bottle to make my vanilla extract in and I finally found one at Granit last week in Malmö. There is always different kinds of vodka on sale at the various grocery stores here so the boyfriend and I picked up a bottle of Absolut at Kvickly over the weekend. Making vanilla extract is so easy that I don't even need to post a recipe, but here it is!

Vanilla Extract (from Joy the Baker)

3 vanilla beans (I used four)

1 cup of vodka, 80 proof

a nice, clean jar

Use a sharp knife and cut lengthwise down the center of the vanilla beans, leaving about an inch at the top of the bean uncut. Put the vanilla beans in the jar you will be using.

Cover the beans completely with alcohol. If you are using a larger jar or container, adjust the number of beans and how much vodka you pour in. Make sure that the beans are submerged in vodka. 

Cover the jar tightly and give it a good shake. Now here is the hard part, put the extract away in a dark place for two whole months and remember to give it a shake every couple of days. And that's it!

I will let you guys know how the vanilla extract tastes in two months or so. I'm so looking forward to seeing the extract get darker and darker as the weeks go by. And most of all, I can't wait to taste it!

Happy Things

I haven't been feeling super happy or positive this week but there is always something that puts a smile on my face. I went to Malmö on Friday with the boyfriend's mom and we went shopping for some things we needed for our apartments. She went to buy some fabric and I went to buy some little knick knacks and lighting for our apartment.  (I love the store Granit over there!) And of course, while I am in Sweden I just have to have some Swedish pastries! 

What puts a smile on your face when you feel down? How do you stay encouraged during those times? 

This Week's Flowers

It has been awhile since we've bought flowers for the apartment. But last week, the boyfriend brought these cute little buds home after work. I'm not really sure what they are. Have you seen these before and do you know what their name is?