thirsty thursday: frappuccino for one

So...yeah.  It seems like everyone is a teensy bit (ok...maybe super duper) excited about all of the Starbucks seasonal drinks that are finally back!!  I am no different, and have totally been obsessing over the fact that I can order a salted caramel frapp/mocha/hot chocolate again.  

Seriously, it's the best flavor.

Anyways, that's not the point of this post.  The point is that you can make your own frapps at home.  And for a lot cheaper.  So....while I definitely still splurge on Starbucks once in a while, I know I can always get my frapp fix by whipping up my own.

Plus, this way you don't even have to leave the house.  Win win, eh?

Frappuccino for One:
Ingredients:
1/3 cup very strong coffee (or espresso if you're hardcore!) - chilled
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp sugar
6ish ice cubes
{a pinch of xanthan gum to keep it from separating!)

Mocha Frapp: 1 1/2 tbsp chocolate syrup

Caramel Frapp: 1 1/2 tbsp caramel syrup

Mocha Caramel Frapp: 1 tbsp chocolate syrup
                                     1 tbsp caramel syrup

Directions: 
Place all ingredients in a blender (we used our magic bullet and it worked just fine!), and blend until smooth.  I found that doing shorter pulses worked the best!

Optional: Top with whipped cream, caramel drizzle (and salt of course!), chocolate drizzle, or whatever suits your fancy!

Note: Your frapp will tend to separate fairly quickly, so don't be alarmed!  Just stir as you drink....or you can pull a starbucks and add a pinch of xanthan gum to help it stay together!

As you can clearly see in these photos....I did not have xanthan gum on hand, therefore my frapp separated while I farted around taking photos.  Oh dear.  #foodphotographerproblems

Obviously I topped this one with salt and caramel...haha.  Did you expect anything less of me?

This recipe will change you life!  And your wallet will thank you. 

Now go on, make one for yourself!

p.s.  ♥ kelsey

thirsty tuesday: blueberry coconut mojitos

This week, I'm announcing a "thirsty" tuesday. With all this glorious summer heat and sun, I've been craving summery ice cold drinks - so here's one of my favourite ones. Fresh blueberries, mint leaves, coconut rum, and "ice, ice baby"! (excuse the craziness, it's the heat, I swear!).

This drink tastes even better than it looks. So go grab some fresh berries and mix away to chase away the summer heat!

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1 + 1/2 cups of fresh blueberries

1 + 1/4 cup of water  (can add soda water instead too!)

sweetener to taste  (honey is lovely, but syrup and sugar are okay too)

4 oz coconut rum  (malibu's is sooo tasty!)

a handful of fresh mint leaves  (around 10-14 leaves)

1 tray of ice cubes  ("ice, ice baby...")

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1. Blend the first 3 ingredients together to make blueberry juice. 

2. Add in your fresh mint leaves and let the juice sit for around 10-15mins. so that it soaks up the minty flavour! 

3. Mix in your blueberry juice, tray of ice, and coconut rum and shake it up! 

4. Pour your delicious mojito into your cups, throw in some fresh blueberries, and garnish with more mint leaves to make it pretty :)

Make your way over to your porch, grab your summer read, kick back your feet, and enjoy!

p.s.  ♥ clara

tasty tuesday: mocha coconut frappuccinos

You know it is summer when Starbucks breaks out the mocha coconut frappucinos!!!

Wait, what?  Starbucks isn't offering them anymore?

Well we will have to do something about that.

This recipe is not exactly like Starbucks', with real coconut milk and melted dark chocolate, it is more like Starbucks' older, cooler brother.  And did I mention the homemade coconut whipped whipped cream?  

Mocha Coconut Frappuccino

Mocha Coconut Frappuccino (3-4 servings)
14 coffee ice cubes (just frozen coffee)
1 can coconut milk (We used Trader Joe's light coconut milk)
1 shot espresso
75 grams of melted dark chocolate (about 1/3 of a cup of chocolate chips)
1/4 cup of chocolate sauce (We used regular ice cream topping type sauce)

Throw all of this in a blender and mix until all the ice is blended! You can add extra ice/milk/coffee/chocolate! This is one of those recipes that you can easily adjust to your own taste. They do not taste exactly like Starbucks' version. You can definitely taste the real coconut and chocolate, and it is extremely rich! We garnished ours with toasted coconut, extra chocolate sauce, and coconut whipped cream of course!


Coconut Whipped Cream
1 can coconut cream (chilled overnight)
1 Tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Chill your can of coconut cream overnight. When you are ready, carefully flip the can over. The coconut solids will stay at the bottom of the can, while the coconut "water" will be at the top. Pour out the liquids, (you can save this and use it for a smoothie the next day! I did and it was delicious) and scoop the solids into a bowl. Use your beaters to whip the coconut solids into whipped coconut cream! It won't be quite as fluffy as regular whipped cream, and if you let it sit out too long it will get a bit droopy. Add the icing sugar and vanilla and beat again.


*Just a warning: this is not coconut flavoured whipped cream, which we were kind of expecting. The first bite is a bit surprising, but the flavour definitely grows on you! 

{If you want a more detailed tutorial click here to visit oh she glows! It has pictures and everything!}

This treat will make the perfect addition to the warm summer nights we are looking forward to!  

p.s.  ♥ jordyn (& kelsey)

tasty tuesday: hot apple cider

Now, I realize that this isn't much of a recipe....but I think it's such a perfect drink for winter, and super easy to make for parties!

All you need is: apple juice and mulling spices!

Jordyn and I are so incredibly lucky, as we always have a (nearly) endless supply to delicious, homemade apple juice that our dad makes for our country store!  And we sell all sorts of mulling spices in our store as well, so we have quite the selection!

First, you'll need to place some of your mulling spices in a tea ball...

Then, pour your apple juice into a large saucepan, place your tea ball inside, and let it simmer gently for as long as you like!  Seriously, it can simmer away all afternoon....and will make your house smell like heaven!

We also added a few cinnamon sticks to ours for extra goodness!

I can hardly believe that November is nearly over, and finals are closing in quickly!  However, I'm extremely excited for December to arrive, and can't wait to be with friends and family to celebrate this Christmas season! 

There will be lots of Christmas themed baking, crafts, and more here on the blog for the next few weeks!  Hope you enjoy!

p.s. ♥ kelsey