Archive for the ‘Drinks’ Category

45 Easy Recipes Using Pantry Ingredients

Wednesday, March 25th, 2020

Are you looking for quick and easy pantry recipes that your whole family will love? Check out these simple meals to incorporate your canned & dry goods into your recipes. Feel free to pin and bookmark this post to make the most of your budget.

Here is some honest truth, I have never been good about tracking what I have stocked in my pantry. Just like most moms, I am often in survival mode and am just proud if I get our grocery shopping and menu planning done for the week.

With this unique experience of being home more, I have been taking stock of what we have and how we can make the most of it in these upcoming days.

I loved these printable kitchen inventory sheets for helping figure out our meals, as our grocery stores struggle to keep so many items stocked.

Free Spice Label Printables

We also have free printable labels to organize your spice rack. I plan to revisit my spice cabinet this month too!

This is a great time to take inventory of all those items that we seem to forget to purchase (or have multiple items if you are anything like me!). Jot down all those spices, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar, salad dressings, and all those other condiments that you might forget to track.

I also am trying to stock items like bottled lemon juice and lime juice, in case we don’t have access to citrus fruit. These can really add another great layer to your recipes.

I wanted to offer some new ways to use those pantry ingredients today so I reached out to my blogging friends to create this fun list of recipes to try.

Click on the image or header to access these incredible recipes!

45 Easy Recipes Using Pantry Ingredients

Pasta Recipes

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Pesto Chicken Pasta from The Toasty Kitchen

Pesto Chicken pasta is an easy, 20 minute meal that’s made with just five shelf-stable ingredients. Bow tie pasta and chicken are coated in a rich and flavorful pesto sauce.

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com One Skillet Baked Ziti from Good Life Eats

One skillet baked ziti with meat sauce is the perfect, easy comforting pasta dish. Baking it in a single skillet makes for quick preparation and very minimal clean up. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Almond Butter Red Curry Noodles from Fried Dandelions

Almond butter red curry noodles come together with pantry staples! The noodles are packed with flavor, and have a gorgeous orange color!  Perfect for an easy weeknight meal.

 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Spinach and White Bean Pasta from Rachael Hartley Nutrition

This garlicky white bean and spinach pasta using a surprise pantry ingredient for a flavor booster!

 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Easy Parmesan Pasta from Neighbor Food

This easy parmesan pasta can be pulled together with whatever canned vegetables you have on hand. Add chicken sausage or make it meatless!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Instant Pot Taco Pasta from Shweta in the Kitchen

Taco pasta is a delicious one-pot meal made using Italian pasta and Mexican flavors. It is a nutritious, delicious crowd pleasing recipe that is perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Easy Tuna Casserole with Egg Noodles from Unsophisticook

This easy tuna casserole with egg noodles is a definite go-to recipe; it is quick to prep, tasty, and versatile!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Instant Pot Goulash from Posh Journal

This American goulash is delicious, filling, nutritious and very inexpensive to make.

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice Gluten-Free Macaroni & Cheese from MomAdvice

I am SO EXCITED to share that we finally mastered an incredible one pot gluten-free macaroni and cheese recipe after MUCH trial and error in my kitchen. If you are looking for easy, affordable, minimal dishes, and a recipe that yields a lot than I have an incredible recipe for you!

Soups & Stews

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Instant Pot Lentil Soup from Urban Bliss Life

Make a healthy, hearty meal using common pantry ingredients! Instant pot lentil soup is a fast, easy, oh-so delicious vegan dish that will keep you warm and toasty.

Pantry Recipe / MomAdvice Hazelnut Soup from MomAdvice

This is a rustic hazelnut soup made with parsnips and roasted hazelnuts. It is a quick weeknight soup and the recipe can easily be made vegetarian. 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Red Lentil Soup from Simple Bites

Slow-cooker coconut curry lentil soup is an easily adaptable pantry recipe, designed to get a hearty, nourishing meal on the table with minimal effort.

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Gluten Free Instant Pot Taco Soup from Seasonal Cravings

This gluten-free instant pot taco soup is packed with kidney beans, corn, and fire-roasted tomatoes. Make a double batch and have soup to fill your belly all week!

Pantry Recipe / MomAdvice.com Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili from MomAdvice

Once you try this chili, you will never make any other type of chili again. Pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice are the secret ingredients that make this chili a standout recipe!

 

Pantry Staples

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Best Black Bean Burgers from Eat Plant-Based

This black bean burger vegan recipe makes firm patties and can even be cooked on the grill with our falling through!

Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers from MomAdvice.com Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers from MomAdvice

Looking for an easy recipe that is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan? Look no further than these Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers for a fun weeknight meal. You will love these bell peppers for a meatless dish that is packed with protein and very filling with just the right balance of sweetness, from the peppers, and spice from the enchilada sauce.

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Homemade Tuna Sushi Bowl from Run Eat Travel

If you are looking for a hearty, easy, and budget friendly sushi inspired meal, this is the one for you! This healthy homemade tuna sushi bowl is med with canned tuna and the most cooking you’ll do is the rice!

Indian Vegetable Rice Instant Pot Indian Vegetable Rice from MomAdvice

This gluten-free side is so easy to create and happens to be easy on the wallet too! If you prefer your dish spicier, add an additional teaspoon of curry to bring on the heat!

 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Roasted Garlic Hummus from MomAdvice

Once you try homemade hummus, you will never go back. Make this easy dish with canned chickpeas.

How to Make Quinoa in the Rice Cooker from MomAdvice.com Quinoa in the Rice Cooker from MomAdvice

You will never have to babysit a pot again if you use this simple technique for cooking quinoa in your rice cooker. This set-it-and-forget-it recipe is the most pinned item on our site and we can see why. Not only am I sharing this easy rice cooker technique, but I’m also sharing loads of recipes- from quinoa main dishes to quinoa salads. 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com High Protein Spicy Chickpea Bowl from All Nutritious

This spicy chickpea meal prep is loaded with protein and fats! Full of flavors and will last in the fridge for days.

How to Make Perfect Brown Rice in Your Rice Cooker from MomAdvice.com Perfect Brown Rice in the Rice Cooker from MomAdvice

Brown rice is something I really rely upon to round out my meals because I am gluten-free.  I use it to make taco bowls. In lieu of making gluten-free pastas, and I toss veggies and meat with it to make hearty bowls for filling lunches. Try this super simple cooking method for perfect rice every time!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Gluten-Free Meatloaf from MomAdvice

A perfectly light meatloaf with the most surprising binding agent! Try substituting the sweet sauce with tomato sauce for an Italian kick!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Instant Pot Rice & Beans from The Belly Rules

Loaded with bold flavor os salsa and spices, this hearty dish is a delicious addition to taco night. This Mexican instant pot rice and beans recipe would also be the perfect base for a burrito or burrito bowl.

 

 

slow_cooker_black_beans Slow-Cooker Mexican Black Beans from MomAdvice

Beans in the slow cooker though are surprisingly easy and frugal to create in large batches for your family.Here’s a foolproof and delicious recipe for Slow Cooker Mexican Black Beans. This cooking tutorial is going to take you through the in’s and out’s of how to cook beans and how to freeze them. 

The Best Instant Pot Risotto Step-by-Step Best Instant Pot Risotto from MomAdvice

Risotto can be a very labor-intensive dish, but it doesn’t have to be with a pressure cooker. Here is my step-by-step tutorial for creamy gluten-free risotto, made in your Instant Pot. Ditch the boxed mac and cheese for this easy weeknight dish.

Sugar & Spice Candied Nut Mix Poured On Cookie Sheet Sugar & Spice Candied Nut Mix from MomAdvice

Need a snack with lots of protein? You can make this sugar & spice candied nut mix to satisfy both your sweet and savory snack cravings.

Breakfast

Overnight Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Steel Cut Oatmeal With Sliced Apples On Top Slow-Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal from MomAdvice

Try this slow-cooked apple oatmeal that you are going to love for a warm and satisfying breakfast on a cozy morning. The best part about this is my incredible tip for getting creamy oats that won’t burn or stick to your slow-cooker!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Gluten-Free Orange Creamsicle Pancakes from MomAdvice

A delicious gluten-free Orange Creamsicle Pancake recipe for a fun breakfast treat! What makes these special is that we are replacing the milk in these with Florida Orange Juice. I love how small switches like these can yield a completely different pancake flavor, don’t you?

 

 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Gluten-Free Overnight Waffles from MomAdvice

A light, fluffy, and super delicious overnight waffle recipe that is also gluten-free!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com No-Bake Gluten-Free Granola Bars from MomAdvice

An easy no-bake gluten-free treat that makes the perfect snack. Full of oats, peanut butter and chocolate chips!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Trail Mix Energy Bites from MomAdvice

Fuel your brain with these delicious energy bites that provide vital nutrients and vitamins. Packed with quinoa, these gluten-free treats are satisfying and filling!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Slow Cooker Creamy Coconut Oatmeal from MomAdvice

Dairy-free? No problem! This easy slow cooker oatmeal is made with canned pumpkin milk!

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte Pumpkin Spiced Latte from MomAdvice

It is so easy to make your pumpkin spice lattes at home. Today’s coffee drink is made with real pumpkin purée, your favorite milk, with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and coffee. You won’t believe how easy it is to diy this expensive treat at home. Pumpkin spice lattes aren’t just for October anymore!

homemade vanilla chai mix recipe Homemade Vanilla Chai Tea Mix from MomAdvice

Mixing up a batch of this DIY Vanilla Chai mix for yourself can help to keep your pockets nice and warm with a little extra money. Most of the spices, dry creamer, and dry milk are already stocked in your pantry.

Bread

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com 5-Ingredient Gluten-Free Pizza Crust from MomAdvice

I am SO excited to share with you a foolproof gluten-free pizza crust recipe that is as easy to put together as your standard crust. These results for the perfect airy crust rival any pizzeria you have been to.

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Dutch Oven No Knead Bread from Joy Food Sunshine

Easy Dutch oven no-knead bread recipe is made with only 4 ingredients and takes 5 minutes of prep time! If you want to make delicious homemade bread that looks and tastes like it came from a fancy bakery, but actually takes very little effort, this Dutch oven bread recipe is for you!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Buttery Dinner Rolls from MomAdvice

You won’t believe how easy it is to make these buttery rolls in your bread machine. This is our favorite roll, served up with melted butter and garnished with dried herbs. 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Homemade Bagels in 5 Steps from Spices N Flavors

The only 5 simple steps you need to know to make the best homemade bagel recipe that is dense, soft, and chewy on the inside and crusty on the top. Make in the comfort of your kitchen in just one hour.

 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread from MomAdvice

Did you find a can of pumpkin in your pantry? It’s not just for Fall!  Add this yummy spiced pumpkin bread to your agenda today! 

 

Desserts & Sweets

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Chocolate Hummus from Joy Food Sunshine

This healthy chocolate hummus recipe is easy to make and ready in 5 minutes! It is a nutritious dip, appetizer, dessert, snack, or spread that everyone will love.  This dessert hummus recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, has no refined sugar, and is vegan!

Gluten-Free Cake Mix Sugar Cookies Recipe from MomAdvice.com Gluten-Free Cake Mix Sugar Cookie Recipe from MomAdvice

This Gluten-Free Cake Mix Sugar Cookie recipe can be made into beautiful sugar cookie rolls with just a few simple ingredients. This easy freezer recipe for gluten-free cookies is such a great item to keep stocked in your fridge or freezer!

 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Microwave Molten Chocolate Cake in a Mug from Cupcake Project

These mug cakes taste like the best molten chocolate cake that you would get at a restaurant, but you can make them at home in minutes using your microwave! This mug cake recipe uses both melted chocolate and cocoa powder so it is extra chocolatey!

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Cake Without Eggs from Dessert for Two

Out of eggs, but still want cake? Check out this cake without eggs recipe collection including chocolate and vanilla cakes, brownies, and cupcakes all made egg-free!

 

Pantry Recipes / MomAdvice.com Chocolate Wacky Cake from The Good Hearted Woman

Chocolate wacky cake is the easiest scratch cake you will ever make! No eggs, no milk, no butter and no clean-up. Made exclusively with pantry staples, this surprisingly moist, delicious snack cake mixes up in a jiffy, right in the pan!

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Here are some other great recipes from MomAdvice.com:

A Lentil Stew - Anyway You Want It | momadvice.com Lentil Stew

 

Presto Pasta Presto Pesto Pasta Con Pollo

Slow Cooker Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Slow Cooker Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

Honey Sweetened, Applesauce Cinnamon Breakfast Muffins #recipe via momadvice.com Honey Sweetened, Applesauce Cinnamon Breakfast Muffins

Happy cooking!

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Easy Fruit-Infused Water Recipes

Monday, January 13th, 2020

If drinking more water is a goal this year, these flavored water recipes are delicious and have enormous health benefits. If drinking plain water is a challenge, the addition of fruit and herbs helps your water taste delicious. Stay hydrated with this easy recipe.

Anytime I get a chance to drink fruit infused water, it always feels a bit like a spa day.

I am bad about drinking water and usually renew my commitment almost every year. It became such an important part of my goals that we created this handy water and exercise tracker for me….um, I mean YOU.

What is Fruit-Infused Water?

Have you ever infused water before?

It truly could not be easier and you can mix up any flavors that you love and personalize these to your own personal taste, with just a pitcher of filtered water.

Pictured above are some mix-in ideas we tried in our house.

We purchased mint, basil, berries, limes, oranges, and lemons to create different flavor combinations for fun fruit waters.

We like to keep things simple with just plain water, but you can also make it a little sweet with a little liquid stevia.

I love to keep a pitcher of infused water handy and pour them into mason jars with crushed ice.

The best part about these instead just the hydration benefits though. When you get to the bottom, you can enjoy a little snack and eat the fruit too.

I have found that glass jars make anything more fun and a sprig of mint leaves makes it feel like a mojito moment.

That trick is especially handy during the all-too-familiar Dry January.

How Long Does Fruit-Infused Water Last?

Fruit-infused water is best enjoyed after two-four hours or after it has had a chance to infuse overnight.

The length of time it lasts depends entirely on the type of fruit and herbs you use.

Basil, for example, only lasts for three days while heartier varieties like rosemary or thyme can last up to seven days.

You can reuse the same fruit and add another batch of fresh water over it once you have gone through your first batch. 

The fruit can be used (typically) up to three times, but it will also depend on the freshness of the fruits you are using.

If the fruit starts to look bad, it’s best to toss it and start with a fresh batch.

Citrus fruits are best cut fresh for your batches because the rind can add bitterness to your fruit-infusions.

I like to keep my lemons, limes, and oranges fresh for that reason while reusing my berries for several batches.

It is really a matter of preference though and once you get the hang of making your own batches of fruit-infused water you will have a better idea of timelines.

Some people love the cucumber lemon combo, for example.

When fruit isn’t in season, apple cinnamon infused water can be made with whatever apples are on sale and a pinch of cinnamon.

Honestly, the possibilities are endless.



Is There a Way to Make Fruit Infused Water Last Longer?

Did you know that they make pitchers that are designed just for infusing your water.

While researching for today’s article, I stumbled upon these incredible pitchers that allow you to place the fruit in the center, so it can be easy to infuse your water without the possibility of mushy fruit at the the bottom.

Don’t have room in your fridge for a pitcher?

Try a water bottle version instead!

Easy Fruit-Infused Water Recipes

The beauty of making your own infused waters is that you can create any combination that your heart desires and add as little or as much fruits and herbs into your drink as you like! 

Get inspired by the fruits and herbs that are on sale that week in the supermarket flier to help inspire new combinations and keep your fruit-infused waters frugal!

If the recipe calls for muddling, it just means bruising your fruit or herbs to release the flavors.

I just use a wooden spoon for this.

Here are a few of our favorite combinations we tried:

Easy Fruit Infused Water Recipes from MomAdvice.com

 

 

Blueberry & Mint

2 cups blueberries

2 sprigs of mint, muddled

2 quarts of water

Strawberry & Basil

10 strawberries, thinly sliced

3 basil leaves, torn into quarters and muddled

2 quarts of water

Citrus Blend

1 orange, thinly sliced

1 lime, thinly sliced

1/2 a lemon, thinly sliced

2 quarts water

Just The Berries

10 strawberries, thinly sliced

2 cups blueberries, slightly muddled

2 quarts water

Fruit-Infused Water Recipes
 
Recipe Type: Drinks
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
Ditch the juice box and create a healthy fruit-infused water for your child’s lunchbox. Check out our fun flavor combinations in my blog post!
Ingredients
  • Fruit & Herbs (check the blog post for combination ideas)
  • 2 quarts of water
  • Ice
  • Wooden Spoon
  • Pitcher
Instructions
  1. Place the fruit and herbs, in the bottom of your pitcher and muddle with a wooden spoon, if directed.
  2. Fill the pitcher with water, cover, and refrigerate two hours or overnight, for maximum flavor.
  3. Fill a glass or thermos with ice. Pour your fruit infused water over the ice and enjoy!
 

 

Have you infused water before? What is your favorite infused water combination?

 

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Easy Peppermint Mocha: Starbucks Copycat Recipe

Monday, November 11th, 2019

Easy Peppermint Mocha: Starbucks Copycat Recipe Header

Nothing says the holidays like a Peppermint Mocha. Today I’m sharing how you can make this super easy recipe right at home. There is no need to spend a lot this holiday season, with this copycat Starbucks Peppermint Mocha recipe.

With the holidays just around the corner, the one treat I love to indulge in while doing my holiday shopping is a delicious Peppermint Mocha.

What screams holiday more than a minty cup of coffee topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes?

I was ordering these year round until they came out with the Salted Caramel Mocha, which seemed to satisfy my out-of-season mocha cravings.

Of course, wouldn’t it be lovely to be able to make these at home and save your money for your Christmas presents this year?

I hit the kitchen to try and whip up a batch of these at home.

Once I had my basic mocha recipe down from my DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte & my DIY Salted Caramel Mocha, it was just a matter of figuring out how to create the peppermint flavor at home out of ingredients I had in my pantry.

Close-Up of a Peppermint Mocha

Easy Peppermint Mocha Tutorial

Here are a few commonly asked questions about making your Peppermint Mochas at home!

What Supplies Do I Need to Make a Peppermint Mocha at Home?

The tools I would recommend are an immersion blender (or small individual blender for drinks or a simple whisk), a saucepan, and a french press or espresso pot (depending on how strong you like to make it).

I like to use a French Press for my lattes, but I also embrace my little stovetop espresso maker when I need that extra bit of caffeine.

How Can I Make a Peppermint Mocha At Home if I Have a Keurig?

I don’t, personally, have a Keurig, but two of my amazing readers shared their tricks to get that coffee shop taste at home with your Keurig.

Lora shared this idea for K-Cups-

“Try one of the dark, strong coffee K-Cups they offer! Jet fuel is one. They do make some nice strong ones you just have to look!”

What a great idea! Take a peek at some of the k-cup options for a diy latte at home.

Another reader, Kim, shared this super smart idea to brew coffee with a completely different type of k-cup.

“If you buy the iced coffee blends for Keurig (I have Nantucket Iced Coffee) and just brew it like a normal cup (not over ice) – it is super strong and works great for these type recipes!”

Another fantastic suggestion! You can shop for iced coffee k-cup options here.

Vertical Image: Easy Peppermint Mocha: Starbucks Copycat Recipe

How Do I Make My Own Peppermint Syrup?

You don’t have to create the peppermint syrup yourself, although it is really easy to do and made from pantry ingredients. 

Simple syrups are just as simple as their name to create.

It is just a matter of dissolving sugar into water, reducing it a bit, and then adding your flavoring of choice for your favorite beverages.

To make this peppermint simple syrup you will need 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, and 2 teaspoons peppermint extract.

In a small saucepan, bring sugar and water to a boil.

Reduce the heat to medium and stir constantly until sugar is dissolved.

Stir in the peppermint extract.

Cool to room temperature and store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to three months.

Once you get this technique down, you can create a variety of coffee drinks and cocktails for the holiday season. This recipe yields enough syrup for 5-7 peppermint mochas at home.

Do You Have Any Peppermint Mocha Topping Suggestions?

I don’t usually top mine, to save on calories, but I do have some ideas on how you can make this festive. A drizzle of dark chocolate, white chocolate, or a simple chocolate syrup is a great to pour over a little whipped cream.

If you are feeling extra festive, try adding some fun holiday sprinkles to really make it festive

How Can I Make This Into a Peppermint Mocha Gift for the Holidays?

How fun would it be to make Peppermint Syrup in a jar as a fun holiday gift with all the supplies?

In a basket add your syrup, a good quality coffee, cocoa powder, a festive mug, and candy canes to stir, along with this recipe.

So easy and a great way to start anyone’s day.

I Don’t Have Time to Make a Homemade Peppermint Syrup. Can I Buy Peppermint Syrup from Starbucks?

Simply call ahead to your favorite Starbucks joint and ask if they have a spare bottle of Peppermint Syrup that you can buy or if they can order it for you, if they happen to be running low.

A bottle runs less than $10 or approximately the cost of two of those coffee drinks that you would buy.

Remember, you can split a bottle with a friend if you don’t picture yourself drinking one all winter long or save it for those Peppermint Mocha Frappes, in the summer months.

If you don’t care if the syrup is from Starbucks, here are some more affordable options!

How Can I Enjoy This If I Don’t Like Coffee?

First of all, how dare you.

Secondly, I have a really simple peppermint hot cocoa recipe that would still satisfy those minty cravings you might be having!

These are every bit as good as Starbucks, but costs a lot less than your coffee shop ones. I hope you will enjoy this recipe as much as you have enjoyed the other coffee creations from our kitchen!

What Our Readers Said About This Peppermint Mocha Recipe:

This is fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing. The first cup I made, I gave to my husband with the disclaimer “I’ve never made this. Don’t expect it to taste just like Starbucks.” (We are obsessed with their peppermint mocha lattes but can’t afford them). Still, his eyes lit up like I had just given him the best gift ever! It’s so delicious. 🙂- Sarah

Fabulous! I used twice as much sugar for the syrup, and twice as much peppermint extract just because i have a sweet tooth and I love a lot of mint flavor. Tried adding it to coffee without the cream, that’s just not the same, not a step i recommend skipping, but whole milk works wonders too. Thank you so much for this recipe. You saved me so much money buying my coffee out or the creamers. You definitely helped make my holiday more festive this year. So happy to read your blog. Merry Christmas!- Liz

Aren’t they the best? I hope you love this recipe as much as they did!

toppings for a peppermint mocha at home

Homemade Peppermint Mocha
 
Recipe Type: Drinks
Author: MomAdvice.com
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 1 Peppermint Mocha
Nothing says the holidays like a Peppermint Mocha. Today I’m sharing how you can make this super easy recipe right at home. NO need to spend a lot this holiday season, with this copycat Starbucks Peppermint Mocha recipe.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup milk, steamed
  • 1 cup very strong coffee (4 tablespoons coffee grounds to 1 cup of hot water, I prepared this in my French Press, but you can brew a strong drip pot if you prefer)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 2-3 tablespoons peppermint syrup (read the post for the directions on how to make this)
  • Whipped cream (optional)
  • Chocolate Syrup (optional)
  • Crushed Peppermints (optional)
Instructions
  1. Directions:
  2. Prepare your hot water in your tea kettle.
  3. Add four tablespoons of your favorite coffee grounds to your French Press.
  4. Pour 1 cup of hot water over them and allow the coffee to steep for four minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
  5. In a pot, heat up one cup of milk until it is steaming.
  6. Froth the milk with a wire whisk or an immersion blender until it is nice and foamy.
  7. In your coffee cup, mix together the prepared coffee, cocoa powder, sugar, and peppermint coffee syrup until the sugar and cocoa powder are dissolved and there are no lumps.
  8. Pour the milk foam over the top of the coffee/mocha mixture and stir to incorporate.
  9. Top with whipped cream, a generous drizzle of chocolate syrup, and crushed peppermints.
 

 

Love this recipe? Here are a few others you might like!

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte Recipe from MomAdvice.com salted caramel mocha latte recipe

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Looking for more great drink recipes? Here are a few others we think you will love this fall!

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte from MomAdvice.com homemade pumpkin spice latte

DIY Your Own Chai Tea Mix from MomAdvice.com homemade vanilla chai mix recipe (an easy diy for the pantry!)

How to Make a Gingerbread Latte from MomAdvice.com how to make a gingerbread latte

How to Cold Brew Coffee from MomAdvice.com how to cold brew coffee at home

Amy's Famous Cocoa Mix Amy’s Famous Hot Cocoa Mix

Peppermint Cocoa Recipe from MomAdvice.com peppermint cocoa recipe

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows from MomAdvice.com homemade peppermint marshmallows

Chocolate Coffee Spoons from MomAdvice.com chocolate coffee spoons (perfect for upping that mocha taste with a chocolate sauce!!)

Do you have any suggestions to improve on this DIY Peppermint Mocha?

Be sure to leave them in the comments below!

Easy Peppermint Mocha: Starbucks Copycat Recipe

 

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Homemade Salted Caramel Mocha Latte

Tuesday, November 5th, 2019

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte Recipe from MomAdvice.com

I love to create a coffee shop experience at home. That’s why I created this EASY Homemade Salted Caramel Mocha Recipe so you can brew your copycat Starbucks coffee recipe at home. This is one of our most popular recipes on the site and, once you try it, I know you will see why!

My favorite drink at Starbucks is their Salted Caramel Mocha Latte.

One sip of this delicious goodness had me daydreaming about how I could replicate this delicious salty caramel goodness at home.

Coffee drinking is, after all, one of my favorite hobbies, but a girl has to do it on a budget. 

A DIY version of this Salted Caramel Mocha Latte was definitely in order.

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte Recipe from MomAdvice.com

I am no stranger to the sweet and salty combination.

My Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Brownies may have made me a celebrity in very tiny circles of friends.

I am also no stranger to replicating Starbucks treats. My homemade pumpkin spice latte has been shared (and enjoyed) thousands of times, by our readers.

These two things, that I am most proud of,  had to come together for this fun treat.

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte Recipe from MomAdvice.com

Lattes are an easy creation to make at home. Each fall and winter, I put my French Press to work by creating the strong brewed coffee needed for a delicious latte at home.

In the summer, my cold brewed coffees are made with this little gadget and over the years it has paid for itself over and over again.

One rainy day, I decided to replicate my new favorite Starbucks treat.

I sipped lattes, tested combinations, whipped, brewed, drizzled, sipped, whipped, brewed, drizzled, and sipped.

As I tried to hold my camera steady to take pictures of my coffee glory, I realized I had a horrible case of the shakes.

I also realized I may have overdone it with the sipping part of things.

When I came to get my children at their bus stop still wearing my pajamas (complete with rubber boots), bearing crazy caffeinated eyes, and shaky hands… I had to wonder what the bus driver thought of this crazy woman who hadn’t even brushed her hair that day.

Hey, it is better than the times I come with crazy eyes and spray paint all over me- hahaha!

In the end, I think it was all worth it though.

I hope you will think so too.

Save your $5 and make this little treat at home whenever you want.

Just take my advice and try to do it in moderation.

Trying to save calories?

Skip the toppings and just enjoy a skinny salted caramel latte at home.

How to Make a Homemade Salted Caramel Mocha Latte at Home

What Supplies Do I Need to Make a Salted Caramel Mocha Latte at Home?

The tools I would recommend are an immersion blender (or small individual blender for drinks or a simple whisk), a saucepan, and a french press or espresso pot (depending on how strong you like to make it).

How Can I Make a Salted Caramel Mocha Latte At Home if I Have a Keurig?

I don’t, personally, have a Keurig, but two of my amazing readers shared their tricks to get that coffee shop taste at home with your Keurig.

Lora said, “Try one of the dark, strong coffee K-Cups they offer! Jet fuel is one. They do make some nice strong ones you just have to look!”

What a great idea! Take a peek at some of the k-cup options for a diy latte at home.

Another reader, Kim, shared this super smart idea to brew coffee with a completely different type of k-cup.

Kim said, “If you buy the iced coffee blends for Keurig (I have Nantucket Iced Coffee) and just brew it like a normal cup (not over ice) – it is super strong and works great for these type recipes!”

Another fantastic suggestion! You can shop for iced coffee k-cup options here.


What Ingredient Could I Purchase if I Wanted to Drink an Exact Copycat Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Latte At Home?

My readers are always so generous with their commentary and we had a couple of replies, from Starbucks employees to set the recipe straight. In the Starbucks version, the Starbucks Salted Caramel Mocha Latte doesn’t actually have…well, caramel.

They actually use a toffee nut syrup instead.

That is what gives it that rich buttery flavor that makes it such a fun treat.

Does Starbucks Sell the Toffee Nut Syrup?

Did you know that you can purchase coffee syrups directly from your local Starbucks.

With seasonal drinks in high demand, if you are thinking about buying a syrup, contact a manager to see if they can order you a bottle. When they place their order, they can tack on an extra bottle just for you.

Just replace the two tablespoons of caramel syrup with two tablespoons of the toffee nut syrup (or less- experiment with this one!!).

What Type of Salt Does Starbucks Use in Their Salted Caramel Mocha Lattes?

Starbucks uses a blend of turbinado sugar and smoked sea salt. I visited a lot of boards to see if I could figure out the exact combo.  Just mix together 2/3 turbinado cane sugar and 1/3 smoked sea salt.

Mix them together in a shaker for your future lattes!

Why Does This Recipe Have Kosher Salt and Caramel Sauce Instead?

Here’s the honest truth…because that is what was accessible to me.

I always have kosher salt in my house and caramel sauce is an easy addition from the supermarket.

MomAdvice is all about good living for less so I try to keep this in mind with our readers.

If you prefer a fancier experience, you now know how to level up!!

If you want to keep it accessible, cheap, or live in an area where fancy salts and coffee additions aren’t accessible…then this recipe is for you!

Salted Caramel Mocha Latte Recipe from MomAdvice.com

Homemade Salted Caramel Mocha Latte
 
Recipe Type: Drink
Author: Amy Allen Clark
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 1
An easy DIY Homemade Salted Caramel Mocha Latte you can enjoy and create at home.
Ingredients
  • 1 cup milk, steamed
  • 1 cup very strong coffee (4 tablespoons coffee grounds to 1 cup of hot water, prepared in a French Press)
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar
  • 2 tablespoons caramel coffee syrup (I bought mine at our local superstore in the coffee aisle or you can pick them up at your wholesale club for cheap. I accidentally bought sugar-free and it worked like a charm. Feel free to use either variety and adjust to your taste)
  • Whipped cream
  • Caramel Sauce
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
Instructions
  1. Prepare your hot water in a kettle. Add four tablespoons of your favorite coffee grounds to your French Press. Pour 1 cup of hot water over them and allow the coffee to steep for four minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
  2. In a pot, heat up one cup of milk until it is steaming. Froth the milk with a wire whisk or an immersion blender until it is nice and foamy.
  3. In your coffee cup, mix together the prepared coffee, cocoa powder, sugar, and caramel coffee syrup until the sugar and cocoa powder are dissolved and there are no lumps. Pour the milk foam over the top of the coffee/mocha mixture and stir to incorporate. Top with whipped cream, a generous drizzle of caramel sauce, and your pinch of salt.
 

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Looking for more great drink recipes? Here are a few others we think you will love this fall!

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte from MomAdvice.com homemade pumpkin spice latte

How to Make a Peppermint Mocha from MomAdvice.com how to make a peppermint mocha

DIY Your Own Chai Tea Mix from MomAdvice.com homemade vanilla chai mix recipe (an easy diy for the pantry!)

How to Make a Gingerbread Latte from MomAdvice.com how to make a gingerbread latte

How to Cold Brew Coffee from MomAdvice.com how to cold brew coffee at home

Amy's Famous Cocoa Mix Amy’s Famous Hot Cocoa Mix

Peppermint Cocoa Recipe from MomAdvice.com peppermint cocoa recipe

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows from MomAdvice.com homemade peppermint marshmallows

Chocolate Coffee Spoons from MomAdvice.com chocolate coffee spoons (perfect for upping that mocha taste with a chocolate sauce!!)

Do you have any suggestions to improve on this DIY Salted Caramel Mocha Latte?

Be sure to leave them in the comments below!

Homemade Salted Caramel Mocha Latte Recipe from MomAdvice.com

 

 

 

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How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

Monday, October 28th, 2019

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte from MomAdvice.com

It is so easy to make your pumpkin spice lattes at home. Today’s coffee drink is made with real pumpkin purée, your favorite milk, with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and coffee. You won’t believe how easy it is to diy this expensive treat at home. Check out this pumpkin spice latte recipe today and SO many more diy Starbucks drink recipes.

Fall, for me, is Pumpkin Spice Latte season and that’s why I love sharing my favorite DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe with you. Not only do you get to have full control over the sugar and fat content, you also get to save a few dollars in your pocket too.

Have you ever thought about what might actually be going into your pumpkin spice latte? Here is what I discovered, when researching for this recipe…

For a long time, Starbucks did not have pumpkin in their pumpkin spice lattes!

Say what?

Don’t worry, you get your pumpkin spice latte full of real pumpkin now, but it was one of those interesting facts that I stumbled on while preparing today’s post.

How Does Starbucks Get the Pumpkin Flavor In Your Lattes?

Did you know that up until about 2015, the PSL didn’t have any actual pumpkin in it?

Originally, they relied upon an artificial caramel coloring and a mix of spices to create these drinks. 

That’s why it was such a big deal when Starbucks announced that they were getting rid of the caramel syrup and relying on a little pumpkin instead.

It is good to know that when you order this treat that you can look forward to these delicious real ingredients in your cup.

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte from MomAdvice.com

Why Should I Make a Starbucks Drink at Home if It Doesn’t Contain Artificial Ingredients Anymore?

Honestly, for the cost-savings.  As we all know, the cost to buy drinks from Starbucks REALLY adds up.

Have you heard of the latte factor?

This outlines PERFECTLY how these tiny expenses multiply over time.

Let’s look at the cost on a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte!

Price will vary by location, but hovers in the $4.45- $5.45 range for a tall.

Even if you only buy a tall latte once a week (as a treat yo’self day!!), this will cost you $17.80 a month or $213.60 a year.

This also doesn’t factor in the tip for the barista, which is SUPER important (just ask my brother who worked there!) or if you need to use an alternative milk, like coconut or almond.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather put $213 to work by investing it in women-owned businesses and saving it up for my retirement fund.

In addition to the cost factor, there is also the huge difference in  fat and sugar in each of these of these delicious beverages.

A grande is 380 calories (120 of these are fat calories) and an unbelievable 50 grams of sugar.

This is why it is so great to make this treat at home. When you make these Starbucks copycat drinks at home, you have more control over the sugar, the milk mixture used, and the strength of the espresso or coffee. 

Heck, who even said that these need to be caffeinated? Try a decaffeinated pumpkin spice latte so you can enjoy it later in the day because YOU CAN AFFORD IT NOW.

This is why I developed my own recipe to share with you today. 

This Pumpkin Spice Latte relies on strongly brewed coffee, canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, milk (I love almond!), vanilla, and a fraction of the sugar.

What Type of Pumpkin Do I Use For My Pumpkin Spice Latte- I Get Confused at the Grocery Store?

One of the biggest mistakes I made, when first starting to cook with pumpkin, is picking up the wrong type of pumpkin at the grocery store. If you see a can that says, “Pumpkin Pie Mix,” (it looks like this), you do not want this type of pumpkin for your pumpkin spice latte.

Pumpkin Pie Mix is intended to just be mixed with milk and eggs to create pumpkin pies really fast. Lucky for you, you don’t need anything like that because you have this recipe in your back pocket.

Instead, you are looking for canned pumpkin (that will look like this) because it is ONLY pumpkin and allows you to add in your own sugar and spices to create your dishes. 

As you can see, the labels are almost identical and this can really throw people off when they are shopping for their recipes. 

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte from MomAdvice.com

What Supplies Do I Need to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Home?

The tools I would recommend are an immersion blender (or small individual blender for drinks or a simple whisk), a saucepan, and a french press or espresso pot (depending on how strong you like to make it).


I like to use a French Press for my lattes, but I also embrace my little stovetop espresso maker when I need that extra bit of caffeine.

How Can I Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte At Home if I Have a Keurig?

I don’t, personally, have a Keurig, but two of my amazing readers shared their tricks to get that coffee shop taste at home with your Keurig.

Lora said, “Try one of the dark, strong coffee K-Cups they offer! Jet fuel is one. They do make some nice strong ones you just have to look!”

What a great idea! Take a peek at some of the k-cup options for a diy latte at home.

Another reader, Kim, shared this super smart idea to brew coffee with a completely different type of k-cup.

Kim said, “If you buy the iced coffee blends for Keurig (I have Nantucket Iced Coffee) and just brew it like a normal cup (not over ice) – it is super strong and works great for these type recipes!”

Another fantastic suggestion! You can shop for iced coffee k-cup options here.

Do You Have Any Pumpkin Spice Latte Topping Suggestions?

I try to skip these (because of the sugar and calories), but I would HIGHLY recommend this fun spiced whipped cream as a finisher and an extra dusting of cinnamon.

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

What Other Ways Can I Spice Up My Latte Routine?

Here are the best suggestions from our reader comments!

“Something that I have been doing for the past week that creates a DELICIOUS cinnamon flavor is to make cinnamon water to brew your coffee with. Take a large jar or container. Fill it with filtered water and throw in a cinnamon stick or 2 (depending on size). Let it sit for a whole day. The next morning use that water to make your coffee and it is to die for! Would be a great addition to this drink, especially those who have texture issues! Cheers!”- Liz

“I’ve made this at least a half dozen times now…YUM!! Thanks for sharing. I reduced the sugar and with the last two I’ve made, I’ve cut the cinnamon stick in half to make ’em stretch a little, but those are the only changes I’ve made. Thanks again! LOVE the recipe and all the money I’m saving”- Sara

I love hearing how much you enjoy these homemade Starbucks treats! I also REALLY love that this is a great way to put a partial can of pumpkin to work!

A batch of this simmering away on your stove will bring the scent of the Fall season right into the room.

This milky coffee treat tastes just like a little pumpkin pie with a hint of warm spices throughout. Top it with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon to round out these beautiful flavors.

By making this at home, it is one homemade treat you can enjoy guilt-free as often as you like!

Be sure to scroll down after the recipe to get even more warm drink ideas and good old Starbucks Knock-Off Recipes.

Remember, this is just a base recipe that can be played with to your own tastes and preferences. It is meant to be personalized depending on how you like your latte!

Thank you all for trying and sharing this recipe!

The response has been overwhelming on this one and I love it.

I can’t wait to hear what you think of today’s recipe!

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte
 
Recipe Type: Drinks
Author: MomAdvice.com
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2 servings
It is so easy to make your pumpkin spice lattes at home. Today’s coffee drink is made with real pumpkin purée, your favorite milk, with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice, and coffee. You won’t believe how easy it is to diy this expensive treat at home. Check out this pumpkin spice latte recipe today!
Ingredients
  • 2 cups milk of your choice (almond, rice, coconut, whole, skim, 2%)
  • 1 cup very strong coffee (4 tablespoons coffee grounds to 1 cup of hot water)
  • 2 tablespoons vanilla
  • 4 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon spice
  • 2 heaping spoonfuls of pumpkin
Instructions
  1. Pour the milk, pumpkin puree, sugar, strong coffee, vanilla extract, and spiced pumpkin seasonings into a saucepan.
  2. Heat saucepan over medium heat until the coffee is steaming hot, whisking with a wire whisk until the ingredients are incorporated and a little frothy. If you have an immersion blender or single-serve blender, you would just blend these until your homemade pumpkin spice latte is frothy.
  3. Pour into mugs and top with fresh whipped cream & cinnamon. Enjoy!
  4. Note- If you are not a fan of the cinnamon texture, add a cinnamon stick to the coffee mixture while heating instead. This way you get all of the cinnamon taste, but none of the grit! Visit our reader suggestions for more great ideas!
 

 

Love this recipe? Here are a few more that I think you should check out!

How to Make a Salted Caramel Latte from MomAdvie.com how to make a salted caramel latte

How to Make a Peppermint Mocha from MomAdvice.com how to make a peppermint mocha

DIY Your Own Chai Tea Mix from MomAdvice.com homemade vanilla chai mix recipe (an easy diy for the pantry!)

How to Make a Gingerbread Latte from MomAdvice.com how to make a gingerbread latte

How to Cold Brew Coffee from MomAdvice.com how to cold brew coffee at home

Amy's Famous Cocoa Mix Amy’s Famous Hot Cocoa Mix

Peppermint Cocoa Recipe from MomAdvice.com peppermint cocoa recipe

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows from MomAdvice.com homemade peppermint marshmallows

Chocolate Coffee Spoons from MomAdvice.com chocolate coffee spoons

Do you have any suggestions to improve on this DIY Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe? Be sure to leave them in the comments below!

This post contains affiliate links

How to Make a Pumpkin Spice Latte from MomAdvice.com

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Candy Apple Martini and a New Chilling Thriller

Monday, September 24th, 2018

This post is sponsored by St. Martin’s Press. Thank you for supporting our sponsors! 

Are you looking for a way to escape the back-to-school chaos?

Lucky for you, I have the perfect thriller and cocktail to escape with this fall.

Today I’m sharing about the new twisty thriller from T.M. Logan called, “Lies,” and I’m pairing it with a new Candy Apple Martini recipe to sip while you are indulging in this suspenseful read

If you haven’t yet heard of T.M. Logan it is because he is making his debut this month with, “Lies.” Logan is a seasoned writer who has worked as a national newspaper journalist. This is why, perhaps, this book does not seem like a debut at all.

In this story, our lead character, Joe Lynch, is driving home from work with his young son. He happens to see his wife’s car ahead of him and decides to follow her and ends up witnessing a secret rendezvous with another man. This encounter threatens to tear the two families apart and Joe finds that he is being set up for a murder that he never committed.

If you are a fan of Peter Swanson’s writing, I have a feeling you are going to absolutely love this thriller. Logan expertly weaves the plot of this story so well that you will find yourself questioning just who is innocent and who is guilty.

Even more than that though, we all know that a satisfying thriller has a twisty conclusion that we don’t see coming and Logan not only keeps the reader on their toes throughout the story, but he also manages to add smart twists that even a seasoned thriller reader just won’t expect.

Logan really goes to great lengths to help us explore the question, can we ever really trust those closest to us? I absolutely loved this thriller and finished it in a single day. It was the perfect way to unwind from the craziness of back-to-school season.

I know as moms it can be difficult to carve out time for ourselves, particularly during this time of year. The thing is, more than ever it is important to incorporate self-care activities that fill your cup too. Reading, for me, has always been my self-care outlet.

In busy seasons, I gravitate more towards the thriller genre because these tend to be fast page-turners and offer a much-needed escape during difficult parenting seasons.

This novel hit stores on September 11th and is available now for purchase. You can read the first 27 pages of the book over here.

I guarantee, you will be hooked.

 

I wanted to pair this book with a fall cocktail so today’s recipe is for a Caramel Apple Martini that you can sip while furiously flipping those pages.

This drink is a combination of butterscotch schnapps, sour apple schnapps, vodka, and cranberry juice. These flavors, once shaken together in a martini shaker or mason jar, taste just like a delicious candy apple.

To fancy this drink up, dip the rim in water and then dip it in a little cinnamon and sugar mixed together. It can then be garnished with a fresh apple to bring it all together.

I can’t think of a better pairing than a great thriller and a delicious martini.

Happy reading, friends!

Candy Apple Martini
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1 martini
A delicious combination of butterscotch schnapps, sour apple schnapps, cranberry juice, and vodka make the perfect martini that tastes just like a candy apple. Dip the rim in cinnamon & sugar and garnish with an apple, to add those special finishing touches.
Ingredients
  • 1 ounce butterscotch schnapps
  • 2 ounces vodka
  • 2 ounces cranberry juice
  • 2 ounces sour apple schnapps
  • Cinnamon & sugar mixture
  • Apple slice
  • [url href=”https://amzn.to/2D3GQpK” target=”_blank”]Martini shaker[/url] or mason jar
Instructions
  1. Dip rim of glass in a shallow bowl of water.
  2. Next, dip it in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. Add your apple garnish to the rim.
  3. Add ice to a mason jar or martini shaker.
  4. Pour the butterscotch schnapps, vodka, cranberry juice, and sour apple schnapps over the ice.
  5. Shake for thirty seconds.
  6. Pour strained drink into prepared martini glass.
  7. Sip while reading, “Lies,” by T.M. Logan

 

Purchase, “Lies,” HERE. You can follow T.M. Logan on  Twitter and Facebook!

This post is sponsored by St. Martin’s Press. Thank you for supporting our sponsors! 

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Girls’ Night In: Rosé Strawberry Wine Pops

Tuesday, August 28th, 2018

rosé strawberry wine pops recipe from momadvice.com

This post is sponsored by Paramount Pictures. Thank you for supporting our sponsors! 

rosé strawberry wine pops from MomAdvice.com

Looking for your next Girls’ Night In idea? I have come up with the perfect recipe for a fun night with your gal pals and created a deliciously dangerous Rosé Strawberry Wine Pop recipe that is sure to be a hit at any gathering.

I mean, wine in a popsicle?

As Ina Garten would say, “How bad could that be?”

This treat takes about ten minutes to make and is the perfect accompaniment to a fun night in watching the movie, Book Club now available on Blu-Ray. If you haven’t seen it, you are in for a treat.  You can purchase your copy of  the movie and make plans to watch it at home this weekend. The release happens to include hilarious bonus content, like the making of the film, deleted scenes, and more!  Personally, I can’t think of a better way to spend the weekend than with my girlfriends, a pile of wine pops, and a ridiculously funny movie.

rosé strawberry wine pops from MomAdvice.com

rosé strawberry wine pops from MomAdvice.com

rose-strawberry-wine-pops-recipe-9

My girlfriend has the sweetest set-up for a movie night so when I proposed a girls’ night in, she graciously offered to have it in her theatre room so we could really get that movie experience.

Let’s all acknowledge that any mom that would offer up her home on a school night is a real gem of a friend.

Book Club is about four lifelong friends that end up having their life turn upside down when their book club starts reading the infamous, Fifty Shades of Grey, and they begin to rekindle their own relationships with their old flames.

The message is pretty simple… their next chapter is the best chapter.

rosé strawberry wine pops from MomAdvice.com

I feel like turning 40 has, truly, been a next chapter in my life. This year has been a real exploration in trying new things in my career, I am finally embracing the importance of self-care, I’m okay letting people see the unpolished version of me, and I have learned that there is nothing more important than our family and friends.

I am such a work in progress though and I acknowledge that I have a lot to still work through. I am thankful though that I have such a powerhouse group of ladies who love and support me no matter what. I, truly, can’t imagine my life without my friends. When the chips have been down for our family, they are the ones that take the mess of my life and lift me up with their encouragement. I never have to be anything, but this messy person.

That is what I appreciated about this charming film and how great it is to be part of a book club of girlfriends. I can attest that while we talk about books in our book club, we also talk about so much more as we support, encourage, and enjoy each other’s company.

Book Club is beautifully cast with four Hollywood icons (Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, & Mary Steenburgen) that have forged a believable friendship, with heart and humor, that any girl would want in her life…especially as she segues into the next chapter.

I hope you can pick up this incredible film that is now available to own on Blu-ray!

rosé strawberry wine pops from MomAdvice.com

rosé strawberry wine pops from MomAdvice.com

Now, let’s talk about this incredible wine pop idea! When I heard that stores were carrying rosé pops, I just knew that I could make an inexpensive version of this treat at home.

Honestly, this is an excellent way to use up any strawberries that are nearing their expiration in your fridge, as they are blended in the blender with a touch of lime (to break up the sweet), a little simple syrup, and an inexpensive bottle of rosé. In fact, I found a decent bottle for under $5 at our local market, making these cocktail treats really affordable.

The one thing you will need to buy is ice pop holders and I think they are a smart investment, not just for wine pops, but for making healthy treats for the kiddos too. This set comes with a little funnel that makes pouring your blended ingredients in the pop holders a real cinch.

The most time-consuming aspect is waiting for them to freeze. Be sure to give them a good four hours in the freezer to harden up for distributing to all your gal pals.

I hope this treat inspires you to have a fun girls’ night in too!

rosé strawberry wine pops from MomAdvice.com

Rosé Strawberry Wine Pops
Recipe Type: Cocktail
Author: [url href=”http://www.momadvice.com” target=”_blank”]MomAdvice.com[/url]
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8 ice pops
Share these Rosé Strawberry Wine Pops for a fun girls night in and pair it with the Book Club Movie, now available on Blu-Ray
Ingredients
  • 2 cups ripe strawberries
  • 3 cups Rosé Wine
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • [url href=”https://amzn.to/2BJVGRL” target=”_blank”]Ice Pop Bags[/url]
Instructions
  1. In a saucepan, whisk sugar and water on medium heat until the sugar has completely dissolved. Set aside to cool.
  2. Slice strawberries and add them to your blender.
  3. Add your lime juice, Rosé Wine, and simple syrup. Blend well.
  4. Once blended, skim the foam off the top.
  5. Using the provided funnel, pour the mixture into the ice pop holder to the marked line. Seal tight and and place on a cookie sheet (this will protect your freezer from any possible leaking). Repeat the process until you have used up all your mixture (should yield approximately eight ice pops).
  6. Freeze for four hours.

This post is sponsored by Paramount Pictures. Thank you for supporting our sponsors! 

 

 

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Homemade Vanilla Chai Tea Mix in a Jar

Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017

DIY Vanilla Chai Tea Mix from MomAdvice.com

 

Are you as ready for fall as I am?

As soon as the weather starts turning, I start thinking of all the things that I love about autumn.

The crisp leaves, the cool air, my cozy slippers, flannel sheets, and warm drinks.

In fact, sipping warm drinks with a good book is one of my all-time favorite fall activities.

My favorite warm drink is chai and I look forward to making this each and every year for our family. Is it your favorite too? I love to have homemade chai tea mix in a jar on hand for sipping or for sharing with a good friend.

I am sure you have seen that the drink mixes can be quite expensive, but mixing up a batch of this DIY Vanilla Chai mix for yourself can help to keep your pockets nice and warm with a little extra money.

Most of the spices, dry creamer, and dry milk are already stocked in my pantry or can be found easily on the baking shelves at our local grocery store.

The only additions I usually have to run out and get is the instant tea and powdered vanilla creamer.

When I see a sale on these ingredients, I stock up so I don’t run out in the colder months.

We tend to go through this mix rather quickly because it is such a hit over here.

To make the batch more smooth, instead of gritty, I process everything through my blender.

I first mix all of the white ingredients in my blender (milk, sugar, creamer, vanilla creamer).

I dump those in a plastic container and then I mix up all the brown ingredients (tea and spices).

I pour this on top in the plastic container, seal the lid and give it a good shaking to incorporate or mix it up with a spoon.

If you have a large food processor, you may be able to process it all together, but if you have a blender it is best to do this in divided batches.

 

DIY Vanilla Chai Mix in a Jar from MomAdvice.com

 

Not only is this drink mix wonderful for yourself, but mixing up a batch of this and tucking some of it in a mug would be a wonderful gift to give to someone special in your life.

I often rely on this easy mix in a jar for a teacher or bus driver gift because it is always a hit.

Who wouldn’t want a jar of that in their pantry?

If you are sharing this one with your kids, be sure to look for a mix like this.

You’ll have to trust me on that one since I have made that mistake a few times (*ahem*)

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do- please let me know what you think!

 

Home-made Vanilla Chai Tea Mix from MomAdvice.com

Homemade Vanilla Chai Tea
 
Prep time:
Total time:
Mix up this easy recipe for Vanilla Chai to keep in your pantry to enjoy throughout the cooler months. This is also a great gift mix to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
  • Homemade Vanilla Chai Tea Mix
  • 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
  • 1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
  • 1 cup French vanilla powdered non-dairy creamer
  • 2 ½ cups white sugar
  • 1 ½ cups unsweetened instant tea
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp allspice
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until it is a fine powder. Add two-three tablespoons of mix to 8 ounces of hot water or milk.
 

DIY Vanilla Chai Tea Mix recipe from MomAdvice.com

 

Love this mix? Check out my hot cocoa mix with an ingredient that just might surprise you!

 

Amy's Famous Cocoa Mix

 

 

 

You might also love this link to some of my favorite copycat DIY Starbucks Drinks 

 

33 Copy-Cat Starbucks Drinks

 

or this great roundup of fall drinks– yum! 

 

Fabulous Fall Drinks MomAdvice.com

What is your favorite autumn/winter drink? Do you have any recipes to share for your favorite drink mixes?

 

Other great ideas for Autumn

 

How to Tie a Blanket Scarf for Fall from MomAdvice.com

Blanket Scarves for Fall

 

Hidden Pocket Scarf DIY

No Sew Hidden Pocket Scarf

 

Slow cooker Candles

DIY Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Candles

 

Easy Homemade Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread

Homemade Gluten-free Pumpkin Bread

Celebrate National OJ Day (Funny Faces Printable)

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016

Celebrate National OJ Day (Funny Faces Printable) from MomAdvice.com

I am so excited to be partnering this year with the Florida Department of Citrus to celebrate National OJ Day today.  In celebration of this fun day, I wanted to create an interactive way you can enjoy a glass of FLOJ and craft up a cute funny faces cup with your kids.

Celebrate National OJ Day (Funny Faces Printable) from MomAdvice.com

Did you know that one glass of Florida Orange Juice provides a total of 5 amazing nutrients in every glass? In just one glass you have Taste, Vitamin C, Folate, Potassium and No Added Sugar!

More importantly for me, as a busy mom always striving to get our fruits and veggies into our diet, it’s good to know that a single 8-ounce glass of 100% orange juice counts as one of your daily recommended servings of fruit.

We wanted to celebrate National OJ Day in an interactive way so we have loads of cute printables for you to decorate your own Florida Orange Juice cup. A serving of fruit AND a fun way to keep kids busy? #winning

Celebrate National OJ Day (Funny Faces Printable) from MomAdvice.com

Supplies Needed:

Free Funny Faces Printable (DOWNLOAD HERE!!)

Scissors

Glue Stick

Clear plastic cups

Florida Orange Juice

Directions:

  1. Print out our funny faces printable and have your child cut out the different mouths, shapes, noses, & Captain Citrus action graphics to decorate their cup. This is a fantastic way for your child to practice cutting.
  2. Have your child flip each piece over and cover it in glue using their glue stick.
  3. Finish by applying the pieces to the clear cups. Don’t forget to fill your glass with Florida Orange Juice

Celebrate National OJ Day (Funny Faces Printable) from MomAdvice.com

Celebrate National OJ Day (Funny Faces Printable) from MomAdvice.com

Celebrate National OJ Day (Funny Faces Printable) from MomAdvice.com

How fun is this? We hope that this post inspires you to celebrate today with your family. If that wasn’t fun enough today we are giving away a Florida Department of Citrus kit to one lucky reader. Follow the instructions in the widget below to enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This blog was sponsored by Florida Department of Citrus. Thank you for supporting the companies that support our site!

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Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer

Tuesday, March 15th, 2016

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

There are a few great gifts I give myself in the morning. The first, is to rise an hour earlier than necessary to get in an uninterrupted hour of reading (BLISS!). The second is to always program my coffeemaker the night before so I wake up to a fresh brew (HEAVEN!). The third? Packing my freezer with smoothie packets that make creating a morning smoothie filled with greens and fruits incredibly easy and practically effortless (WINNING AT LIFE).

I posted about my make-ahead smoothie packets on Instagram and got a lot of questions about it. Something I have come to think of as a weekly routine really sparked a lot of questions about my recipe, what the smoothie looked like, and what to do for fruit substitutions.  I thought it deserved its own little post because it has become a very vital part of my morning routines and sets a good foundation for healthy eating the rest of the day.

Not only does this strategy save you time in the morning, but it also puts ripe fruit to work and is a great way to utilize spinach before it goes bad making the most of every grocery dollar. I never waste a banana in our house or any greens anymore because they always have a home. If I have run out of frozen berries, I just add the rest of these ingredients into a packet and get them ready for my next grocery day when I can get the frozen fruit to add to it. As someone trying to reduce their food waste, this has been an awesome use for those often tossed items.

Also, if you buy smoothies regularly, you know they are not cheap. A typical smoothie around these parts (said in my best Midwest accent) is around $4-6. Even if bought weekly, that can add up fast!

Here were a few of your questions for me! 

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Do you store these packets in the freezer and for how long?

Yup, I recommend freezing in quart-sized freezer storage bags and making sure to push out any air in the bags to keep these ingredients as fresh as possible. I would recommend using these in one month for optimum flavor.

How many smoothies do these packets make?

I drink an enormous smoothie in the morning (24 ounces)  and my daughter has the size I am showing you in the cup below and this packet with my recipe I have listed makes enough for that. For “normal” people, maybe it might make three, but this is my breakfast, people, and I’m a big eater.  I got one of these for me to help make toting these in the car a little easier since I drink these on the way to the gym in the morning. I also have this giant water bottle from the same company and it has improved how much water I intake as well as my healthy smoothie habit for breakfast. I have been happy how they have held up (over a year now!) compared to some other insulated cups I have tried.

Do you blend these with milk or use a milk substitution?

My stomach can’t process a lot of dairy so I use unsweetened almond milk in mine. I do use Greek yogurt though (either vanilla or unsweetened) and that doesn’t seem to bother me. You can definitely use milk, soy milk, or coconut milk if you would prefer. I’m a big fan of the flavor of the almond milk!

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Can I make these without spinach? I don’t think my kids will drink these if they are green!

I just want to show you how very slightly these are tinged with green when you only add a cup or so of spinach to them. Additionally, if I am really concerned an extra handful of frozen blueberries cancels out all other colors so sometimes if I am really generous with the blueberries, these look more blue.

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Are you using frozen spinach? Frozen berries? What does the spinach look like when it is frozen?

Here is a packet that has been frozen for three weeks and this is what it looks like. The spinach is fresh spinach (I don’t want to hassle with the frozen stuff- personal preference), the berries are frozen, and the bananas are fresh. I like to cut the bananas in half to help them break down a little easier in the blender. As you can see, the spinach looks almost the same as it did when I threw it in there.

The bananas may brown over time, but they will still taste the same. As rapidly as we go through these though, I have rarely even seen that happen.

By freezing these fruits and veggies, you eliminate the need for ice in your smoothie which creates a much creamier consistency and a smoothie that holds together longer. Sometimes I will make these in the morning and pop one in the fridge for my daughter for her afternoon snack. It always looks just like I had just made it. When I add water or ice, it tends to separate and grosses her out.

Should I flash freeze any of the ingredients?

If you aren’t familiar with flash freezing, I do this a lot with foods for our freezer. Typically, I fan whatever I am freezing out on an open parchment paper lined cookie sheet, freeze just until frozen, and then toss in a bag.

I experimented with this and here is what I will say about that. You can cut the bananas in half and flash freeze and they will stay separated, making it easier to pour into your blender and it is really great. It’s an extra step though. My lazy freezer routine is to cut them in half right in the bag, freeze (where they tend to fuse back together) and then smack the bag as hard as I can on the counter until they loosen from each other while I listen to the political crap insight on NPR. It’s kind of like a therapy session. You can do it whichever way fits your lifestyle best.

What kind of protein powder do you use? What can I use if I am vegan or dairy-free?

When I was dairy-free, I experimented with a lot of terrible protein powders so I can honestly tell you this is the only brand that I really liked that was plant-based. Now that I’m not dairy-free, I just purchase the store brand protein powder at our local grocery store in a vanilla flavor. Like I said, we had to try a few before we found the ones we liked best and I always try to keep my eyes peeled for a sale to maximize the savings. The goal is to keep this as a frugal routine for us.

What kind of blender do you have?

I have had the same blender for probably eight years or so and, unfortunately, they don’t make mine anymore. When mine bites the bullet, I will probably invest in this one because I have heard they last forever. In order to blend up these fruits, you really need to have a high powered blender though. If you have a $20 blender, it will burn out your motor. I say this because I did it. Twice. Invest in a good blender and it will more than pay for itself, I promise you!

I can’t eat bananas. Do you have any recommendations for substitutions for my smoothie?

I really liked this advice!

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Do your kids really like these? My kids are really picky!

They really do and so do I.  My daughter was a terrible breakfast eater, like her mother, and I worried a lot that she wasn’t eating enough to be fueled for her day at school. This is what she “eats” and she stays full until lunchtime. If she is running late, it is something that can be finished while she waits for her bus. Fun straws are always a great addition to this morning treat especially when first pitching this idea to your kids. She says it tastes like a milkshake.

For me, it’s been an incredible way to get fueled before I workout. Working out on an empty stomach isn’t a good idea for someone with low blood sugar. Eating something too heavy made me feel like I was going to be sick. These smoothies are a great option to be fueled without a lot of heaviness in my stomach. Sometimes I drink half and pop it in the fridge until I get done exercising and finish the other half when I’m done.

I hope these tips are helpful and I hope you love these as much as our family does!

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer from MomAdvice.com.

Make-Ahead Smoothie Packets For Your Freezer
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2 large servings
Freeze a packet of fruit and veggies to save time in the mornings making your smoothies. Feel free to experiment with your own flavor combinations with fruits (especially anything that might be ripe!)
Ingredients
  • 1 banana (cut in half- see freezing tips above)
  • 5 frozen strawberries
  • 1 handful of frozen blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh spinach
  • 1/2 cup vanilla or plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or your favorite milk)
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder (see recommendation above)
Instructions
  1. In a quart-sized bag prepare 1 banana, strawberries, blueberries, and spinach in a freezer bag. Repeat this process for a week’s worth of smoothies. Freeze for up to 30 days.
  2. When making your morning smoothie, remove packet from the freezer and place in blender. Add almond milk, yogurt, and protein powder.
  3. Blend well. Serve.

 Do you have a favorite smoothie routine or recipe? Feel free to leave it in our comments below!

This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend what I love though- pinky promise!

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