One of the greatest advantages of picking a Park City home rental over a hotel room has got to be the kitchen. Most of our vacation rental homes include a ton of luxury amenities, like a gorgeous, updated kitchen that’s stacked with everything you need to make delicious meals and cozy treats for your family.
Here are three of our favorite sweets to make while you gather around the fireplace after a day on the slopes.
Hot Chocolate from Scratch
Sure, you can open a packet of instant cocoa and add some hot water to it anytime, but nothing beats homemade hot chocolate on a snowy winter afternoon. Add a little Bailey’s for an adult aprés ski adult version.
4 cups whole milk
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Whipped cream or marshmallows
Place the milk, sugar, and cocoa powder in a saucepan, and heat the mixture over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until it’s warm, then add the chocolate chips and stir constantly until the chocolate chips melt and distribute evenly into the milk mixture. Stir in the vanilla extract and serve immediately. Add a little whipped cream or marshmallows for a classic finish.
Super-Easy Apple Crisp
This yummy recipe is easy to assemble and takes about an hour in the oven, which will have your whole vacation rental home smelling like warm cinnamon apples all afternoon. YUM.
10 to 11 cups sliced, peeled tart apples
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1 teaspoon baking soda powder
Preheat your home’s oven to 375°. Place the sliced apples in a large bowl, then combine the sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle the mixture over the apples. Toss to coat. Transfer the coated apples to a greased baking dish. Combine the flour, brown sugar, oats, baking powder, nutmeg, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, then sprinkle it over the apples. Bake until the apples are tender which takes about 50-60 minutes. We recommend serving this with vanilla ice cream on the side.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Are you a great cook who’s up for something a little more complicated? Try this classic recipe that will be a huge hit with your whole family.
For the toffee sauce
1 stick of butter
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup light corn syrup
For the cake
1 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup boiling water
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
4 Tbsp. butter, softened
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
In a pot over medium-low heat, add 1 cup of cream, corn syrup, and butter. Bring to a boil, and stirring occasionally, let boil until a deep amber color. Slowly and carefully stir in the remaining 1 cup of cream. Remove from heat. Butter a 3-quart baking pan and pour in about half of the toffee sauce. Place pan in the refrigerator and let chill while making the cake batter. Then, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the dates into a medium bowl and cover them with boiling water. Let them sit until softened, about 15 minutes. Add dates and water to a blender and blend them until smooth.
In another medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, then add the date mixture and beat until just combined. Gently pour batter over chilled toffee sauce in the pan and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes before serving with the remaining toffee sauce.
Find Your Perfect Park City Home (and Kitchen!)
At Moose Management, our inventory of Park City vacation rental homes has something for everyone. You’re sure to find your ideal space for a home base that allows you to relax and recharge, and also whip up some family-favorite treats like these in your kitchen, too.
Take a look, or give us a call or shoot us a text at 435-714-6544.
