coffee frap

my own knock-off of the spendy frappuccino. a great way to reuse your leftover pot of coffee from the morning.

6 coffee cubes*
1/4 C non-fat milk
1/4 C cold coffee
1/2 C vanilla ice cream
2 Tbsp chocolate syrup (optional)

add all ingredients into a blender. blend until completely incorporated. makes 1 grande size.

*use leftover coffee to make 'ice cubes'. save in a ziplock for fraps or to prevent diluting your iced coffees.

STARBUCKS banana walnut bread

Both my kids and I love this treat at the BUX, but it gets spendy when we all want a piece. Starbucks offered out this recipe so we can make it at home!

2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 1/8 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp. buttermilk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
1/2 + 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

preheat oven to 325 degrees. grease a loaf pan and dust with flour.

blend together the flour, baking soda and salt and set aside. in seperate bowl, mix together the egg, sugar and vegetable oil until combined. add flour mix and when blended add the buttermilk, vanilla and mashed bananas and mix until combined.

fold in 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and pour batter into prepared loaf pan. top batter with remaining 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts.

bake for 45-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before removing from pan.

5-minute cake

i learned about this concept at church and after finding the recipe, tweaked it to my own liking (reducing sugar and subbing some applesauce for oil). cures your gooey chocolate needs. using a large mug allows ample space for the near-required scoop of ice cream on top. careful, they are too easy to make.

1 Coffee Mug
4 Tbsp Flour
3 Tbsp Sugar
2 Tbsp Baking Cocoa
1/8 tsp Baking Power
3 Tbsp Water
2 Tbsp Oil
1 Tbsp apple sauce
A Pinch of Salt
Splash of vanilla
1 Tbsp milk choc chips
1-2 Tbsp chopped walnuts (optional)

add dry ingredients to a micro-safe mug, combine. add wet ingredients and mix well. add vanilla, chips (and nuts if using), mix well. micro on high for 2 minutes. let cool and eat out of the mug. top with ice cream or whipped cream for more delight.

tres diablo chocolate

translated from devil's three chocolates, this drink was inspired by the drinking chocolate favored by the aztecs. i created this recipe to mimic the chantico beverage starbucks used to sell. it's sinful. also try it with brandy or peppermint schnapps.

1/4 C milk chocolate chips
1/4 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp raw sugar
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 C whole milk
1 C nonfat milk
a few grains of seasalt
a slight sprinkle of cinnamon

in a sauce pan on med-high heat, melt chocolate chips with whole milk, whisking to avoid burning. when chocolate is melted, add powder, sugar, vanilla, salt and cinnamon. whisk to combine.

add nonfat milk to chocolate mixture and whisk frequently to avoid scalding the milk. bring to just a boil and remove from heat, pouring over marshmallows, if desired.

a perfect smoothie

it took me awhile to get the perfect smoothie ratio. now that i have it, we whip up this tasty treat often. also great if kids are sick and need some nourishment. they love it and they get some vitamins too!

1 C juice (100% juice is best)
1 container of yogurt
1 banana
1 C frozen berries (or ice)

add all items to a blender with ice/frozen berries on bottom. blend until smooth. serve.
the possibilities of this smoothie are endless. try different juice & yogurt flavor combo or different berries. opt for a healthier version by using plain non-fat yogurt.

chess pie

this is a southern staple in the dessert world. i discovered it when trying to find a use for all the buttermilk i had on hand from another recipe. it originated from a recipe posted online, but made better by yours truly. super quick to make and common ingredients.

1/2 cup butter, slightly melted
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 eggs
1 cup buttermilk*
pinch of cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

preheat oven to 350 degrees.

mix butter and sugar until creamy.

add flour, eggs, buttermilk, cinnamon and vanilla. mix until smooth and pour into pie crust.

bake for 70min. check at 40min and wrap crust with foil to prevent burning.

serve with berries and whipped cream.

*if you don't have buttermilk on hand: add 1 tbsp of vinegar to a 1C measuring cup. fill with milk and let sit approx 5min until starts to clump. ta-da!

seasonal fruit crisp

easiest fruit crisp possible. use any types of fruit combos. my faves are strawberry/rhubarb and apple/blackberry. top with ice cream - of course.

2/3 C of each oats, sugar, flour
1/4 C wheat bran (optional)
1/2 tsp cinnamon (or desired)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 stick of cold butter
approx 6 cups of fruit

mix dry goods. cut in cold butter until crumbles.

grease a 9x13 pan, add desired cut fruit (try apples, peaches, blackberries, strawberry, rhubarb, mixed berries, or any combination).

top with crumble and bake approx 55 min on 375 or until golden.

turtle treats

this is a great recipe to make with your kids, super quick and easy.

• mini muffin pan
• 16 pretzels
• single pack of rolo candies - cut horizontally in half
• 16-32 pieces of whole or half pecans

set your oven on broil and bring rack to lower third.

have your kid set a pretzel in each muffin cup and then have them set a cut ROLO on each pretzel, carmel side up.

place muffin tin under broiler for about a minute, or until the chocolate starts to get shiny.

remove from heat and, since pan is pretty hot, you'll want to be the one to top each candy with 1-2 pieces of pecans. press gently, otherwise you'll lose your chocolate to the muffin tin.

give them a few minutes to cool down then transfer to a plate.