Drinkable Pumpkin Pie

Finally, I can update my blog.  The site was down all last week.  

So here we are quickly approaching pumpkin season.  If you are like me, you've already bought a pumpkin or two at the store (knowing that they will get mushy and need to be replaced before Halloween even arrives)...  I haven't started baking/cooking with pumpkin yet, but I feel I will begin doing that soon, especially after I saw this delicious looking treat!

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

2 cups milk

4 TBS vanilla coffee syrup

4 TBS white sugar

1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Whipped cream and cinnamon for garnish

In a saucepan over medium high heat, whisk together pumpkin, milk, vanilla syrup, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice.  Bring to a simmer (don’t boil).

Pour into 2 mugs and top with whipped cream and cinnamon.

Frozen Hot Chocolate

I found this drink online and I think once I indulge in it, my body might think I've died and gone to heaven. I love any kind of frozen drink and I love hot chocolate. Put those two together and yes, I've found heaven. I'm going to make this for the kids today, but there is one special boy I'll be missing whom I think would love this! My nephew, Mason. I know he loves hot chocolate and I know he likes a good milkshake! Mason, if you are reading this, tell your mother to grab these ingredients at the store so you can make it!



Ingredients

3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons (1 packet) hot cocoa mix
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup white chocolate chips
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk, divided
4½ cups ice cubes
whipped cream
mini marshmallows, optional

Instructions:

Combine sugar, cocoa mix, and butter in top of double boiler that is set over gently boiling water. Stir often until melted and smooth paste forms. Add semi-sweet & white chocolate chips; stir. When chips begin to melt, slowly stir in 1/2 cup evaporated milk. Stir until smooth and velvety. Cool to room temperature.

Combine chocolate base mixture, remaining evaporated milk and ice in blender (in batches, if necessary); cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into individual glasses. Top each with whipped cream. Sprinkle with additional chopped chocolate chips & mini marshmallows, if desired. Serve with a straw and spoon.

Recipe compliments of Mama Foodie

Harry Potter's Butter Beer

Earlier this summer, we visited Disney World and Universal Studios. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Harry Potter Area of Universal Studios, and some of the special treats they served there were Butter Beer and Pumpkin Juice. We were surprised at how YUM the Butter Beer was. Here we are at Universal enjoying Butter Beer (and Brent with Pumpkin Juice)


We enjoyed the Butter Beer so much, that we couldn't wait to get home and attempt to recreate the drink. We googled online to find several recipes similar to Butter Beer. And I say similar because Universal will not release the true recipe they use. I found a website that listed several different recipes for Butter Beer. Click HERE for the website for those recipes

I opted to try recipe #2 because it didn't involve ButterScotch. I am not a big fan of butterscotch.

Here is the recipe I used for ButterBeer (which was a success!)

Ingredients:

1 pint of vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 bottle (24 oz.) vanilla cream soda (very cold)

1. Allow ice cream to soften, about 30 minutes, and bring butter to room temperature, about 2 hours

2. Blend butter, sugar, and spices in large bowl



3. Add to ice cream and freeze




4. Heat cream soda in a pot until warm but still carbonated (at least 3 minutes). You could also just go with the very cold cream soda (my preference) and have a more frozen/slushy drink.

5. Fill each glass with a scoop of ice cream mixture and pour warmed or chilled cream soda over ice cream

6. Serve!


Mason enjoying his drink!

The kids gave this recipe a thumbs up!

Pineapple, Banana, and Coconut Smoothie

This smoothie has everything in it that I love - Bananas, Pineapple and Coconut!



Pineapple, Banana, Coconut Smoothie (great for Breakfast!)

2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into chunks
1 large banana, cut into chunks
1/2 cup light coconut milk
1/2 cup ice

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 smoothies

'Sweet Heart' Cocktail

Nothing like a color coordinated drink to help you celebrate Valentine's Day! A little bit sweet, a little bit tart...the perfect signature drink for the night!

The Sweet-Heart

1/2 oz Amaretto
1 oz Vodka
3 oz Cranberry juice

Combine ingredients together in a shaker with ice, and shake or mix. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a jelly candy. Cheers!

Unfortunately, though, we won't be doing a 'cheers' to this drink on Valentine's Day! Brent will be on first call. Therefore, no 'feel good' drinks.

Our toasting will be with this drink...


Don't be jealous.