Daily Indulgence: June 2016

The deliciously sweet and tart combination of nectarine and raspberries makes for a phenomenal pairing, but feel free to use your favorite fruits for this delicious dessert. Toasting the topping in the oven while the fruit cooks on the stovetop ensures that this dessert is done in record time! 

This vodka cocktail is simply berry bliss in a glass. Take advantage of all of the juicy berries of the season to create a homemade cocktail any bartender would be envious of. Garnish with a handful of your favorite berries skewered on a cocktail pick or straw for a pretty presentation. 

This twist on the classic is a welcome addition to the endless variations on carrot cake. Adding cocoa to the batter results in a moist carrot cake with some added warmth in its flavor as well as chocolatey crumb topping. 

Take your standard margarita experience up a few notches by letting blueberries get the limelight. This fun and fruity cocktail is tart, refreshing, and a welcome twist on the classic.

New York City's famous Black and White Cookies are known for their soft, cake-like texture. They're traditionally iced with a generous helping of rich and snappy vanilla and chocolate fondant icing, but we've also given a second option for a less-involved icing.

This bagel combination makes for a sweet, satisfying, and portable snack. Using a whole-wheat bagel thin brings about that same great bagel taste with only half of the calories. 

Buying angel food cake from the store helps alleviate the problem of whipping up a whole cake in a time crunch. By topping the cake with cinnamon, sliced almonds, and strawberries, you'll have yourself a winning dessert in no time at all. 

Cool-down with a nutritious and creamy, summer treat. Don't have a popsicle mold? Get creative with small jars or cups to create super cute DIY pops for parties, cookouts, or just a hot summer day. 

If a grab-and-go kind of breakfast is more your style, it's time to get on the overnight oats train. The active probiotic cultures in kefir are sensitive to heat, so keep it chilled for maximum health benefits.

This spritzer is as refreshing as a lemonade but contains a more nuanced combination of flavors. This spritzer includes an infusion of four herbs: basil, sage, rosemary, and thyme. 

No ice cream machine? No worries. You can also make frozen custard by placing cooled custard in the freezer and stirring periodically. This dreamy and creamy dessert pairs wonderfully with piles of rainbow sprinkles.

Raspados, or Mexican-style snow cones, feature shaved ice that looks like finely ground snow. Topped with a fruity mixture and cream, this dessert is a cool and refreshing summer sipper. 

This “custard” has an insanely rich and silky texture born from a partnership between avocado (which also provides the natural green coloring) and tofu. A mixture of dates and ground nuts provides the perfect crust. These little pies are a great forray into vegan desserts 

You'll need plenty of tangerines to create this refreshing cool-down beverage. One bunch of fresh thyme sprigs lends a rustic edge to this not-too-sweet drink, and is the perfect reason to utlize your herb garden.