Happy Thanksgivukah! Caramel Ice Cream

I can't even believe how ridiculously early Chanukah was this year.  Typically we do a majority of our holiday shopping during Black Friday - at least when it comes to small Chanukah gifts for each other, but that obviously wasn't going to work this year.

This also meant that in addition to my usual Thanksgiving prep, I was doing Chanukah prep.  Because while we gather round to give thanks, we'll also get the chance to celebrate Chanukah with all our family.

Thatmom requested that I make a Challah, which isn't really a Chanukah food, but I aim to please.

I also spent the weekend making truffles for all our family members as part of their Chanukah gifts.  Something I've learned from years of doing Christmas with TBIL's extended family is that when you're doing gifts for a huge amount of people, pairing inexpensive gifts with homemade treats is the way to go.

Thatbaby also helped me make Chanukah gingerbread cookies - menorahs, "twinkle twinkle little stars" (magen davids), and dreidels.

I also did my tradition of ice cream.  I always make 2 different kinds, the first being the fudge swirl that Thatdad made every year.  This year it came out more chocolate, less swirl.

And my Thatgirl contribution this year was a caramel ice cream.  Mostly because Thatmom was making an apple pie and I thought caramel ice cream sounded like it would be really good with apple pie.  Thatbaby helped me make both ice creams, just like I used to help Thatdad.  I'm pretty excited to be able to pass that tradition on.

Caramel Ice Cream

3/4 cup sugar

1 qt heavy cream

1 1/2 Tbsp vanilla

1. Heat half of the sugar in a pan, swirling, as sugar melts and caramelizes.
2. While the sugar is caramelizing, heat the heavy cream in a large saucepan.
3. Add the caramelized sugar to the cream, along with the remaining sugar and vanilla.  Heat, stirring until sugar has dissolved into the cream.
4. Let cool completely, and then process in your ice cream maker.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!  I hope yours is filled with family, friends, and lots of good food.