Recipes

Airheads Drink Gems

0 · Nov 13, 2015 · Leave a Comment

+ This Airheads Drink Gems post brought to you by Airheads. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my very own. +

Picture this scene… You have a house full of 10 and 11 year old girls. They are looking for something fun to do.

You are scrambling to find something “cool” to do that won’t embarrass your daughter and force your family to enter the Middle School Protection Program and relocate the entire family to Cleveland (sorry friends in Cleveland… I’m sure it’s a lovely city! I just needed to pick a place.) They are hungry and thirsty and things are starting to escalate… Your “cool” factor is dropping dramatically.

You’ve never been there? Boy, I have! I have three girls and the last one just started Middle School this year and the fun has started all over again. Take it from and experienced tween Mom… You need to stock-up on Airheads so that you can up your “cool” factor higher than you can even imagine!

If you have a room full of restless kiddos, pull out your Airheads, some cutting boards, rolling pins and some small cookie cutters or cupcake decorating tips and let them go to town.

You’ll be the coolest Mom in town if you teach them how to make Airhead Drink Gems. They will LOVE it, plus it will kill some time before you have to come-up with some other non-cringe worthy activity.

Here’s how you can look like a rockstar…

I used a fondant rolling pin, but any kind will work. Unwrap 3-4 Airheads of the same color, place them in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 5-8 seconds to soften them up. Kneed them in your hand to work them together. Lay them on a cutting board and then use small cookie cutters or a large cupcake decorating tip to cut out your shapes.

All you need to do is gather some clear class cups or jars and then affix them to the side of the glass.

They are easy to affix… All you need to do is slightly dampen a paper towel. Just like you would dampen a stamp, lightly r ub one side of your shape on the paper towel, slightly dampening it. Place it on the side of the glass and voilá, you’ve created your first Airhead Drink Gem!

Let them go to town designing their own glasses, they’ll love it!

Once they are finished you can add some clear soda or seltzer water to the glass and watch the dr ink take on the color of the gems. This is RIGHT DOWN THEIR ALLEY! You’re officially a ROCK STAR!

If you want to be extra cool… You can help them make their own Airheads Straw as well.

You can make all kinds of stuff with Airheads! For more fun ideas on how to craft with Airheads visit and follow them on Pinterest. To learn more about Airheads candy visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

Yes, even YOU can be a cool mom with Airheads!

Disclaimer // This post is sponsored by Airheads. All thoughts, ideas & opinions are my very own.

The Secret to Perfect Hot Chocolate

2 · Nov 12, 2015 ·

+ This Perfect Hot Chocolate post is brought to you by International Delights +

Ohhhhh, Hot Chocolate…

Need I say more?

I spent my younger years searching for THE PERFECT HOT CHOCOLATE. The minute the weather would turn chilly I would be on the hunt. I’ve tried all kinds… Powder packets, chocolate syrup in milk, actually melting chocolate in milk.

I’ve tried it all.

In my searching, I discovered that I loved to have some extra spice in my chocolatey drink. I’ve added all kinds of spices trying to find the perfect one. For some reason… The Holidays just couldn’t be the Holidays without a nice warm cup of Hot Chocolate. That little treat just seemed to usher in the season.

We’ve hit the jackpot this year… International Delights has introduced a yummy heat & serve Hot Chocolate that you can find in the dairy case. YEP… It’s rich and creamy and so convenient!

I decided I wanted to warm mine up with a little cinnamon spice. I made a cinnamon whipped cream and them rimmed the mugs with a cinnamon sugar mixture. Here’s what you need for this Holiday treat.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream for the Perfect Hot Chocolate

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

2 table spoons powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon cinnamon

For the rim of the mug

3 tablespoons cinnamon Turbinado sugar

(What is Turbinado Sugar? Turbinado sugar is raw sugar that has been steam-cleaned. The coarse Turbinado crystals are blond colored and have a delicate molasses flavor. If you can’t find cinnamon Turbinado Sugar, just add a 1/4 teaspoon to the 3 tablespoons of sugar.)

Instructions for Cinnamon Whipped Cream

In a chilled mixing bowl, add cream and using the whisk attachment whip at medium to high speed. Let mix for 1 minute or until the cream starts to thicken. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon and continue to mix on high until the mixture thickens into whipped cream.

Next, use the cinnamon Turbinado sugar to rim the mugs. Put a few (2-3) tablespoons of water onto a plate or shallow bowl and place your mug, rim side down onto the plate.

Then, place your sugar onto a 2nd plate and place your mug, rim side down onto the plate, like so…

Now, you’re ready to heat your International Delights Hot Chocolate according to package directions. Pour your Hot Chocolate into your mugs, top with Cinnamon Whipped Cream and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.

Ummmmm, YES… It’s as good as it sounds!

What brings the spirit into the Holidays for you? Is it the sights and sounds of the season or is there a specific flavor that brings them to life for you? Visit the folks at International Delights to learn how you can win a $5000 Holiday Brunch just by sharing your story!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

The Most Amazing Chocolate Oatmeal Cake Recipe

3 · Nov 12, 2015 · 2 Comments

+ This Chocolate Oatmeal Cake Recipe post brought to you by Hershey via SheKnows +

Do you have a recipe that truly stands out in your mind from childhood? I certainly do!!

My Mother’s Chocolate Oatmeal cake made with Hershey Chocolate is one of those recipes that became legendary in our home as well as the entire neighborhood. Friends would make requests weeks in advance before their birthdays in order to have chance to eat this scrumptious treat for their special day.

The funny thing is that if they knew how easy is was to mix-up they would’ve been making it for themselves all year long!!

Come learn about this epic recipe over at SheKnows. As one of their newest SheExperts, I’m sharing some childhood memories along with the recipe how to make this amazing cake that can even pass as a breakfast food… It has oatmeal in it, it counts!! You can start a new tradition in your house with this heirloom recipe. Thanks Mom!

Click HERE for the full Chocolate Oatmeal Cake recipe!

For more ideas for new traditions follow Hershey on Facebook & Pinterest.

Disclaimer // This post is sponsored by Hershey. All thoughts, ideas & opinions are my own.

Cinnamon Praline Sauce Recipe

0 · Sep 30, 2015 · Leave a Comment

Not too long ago, my husband and I were celebrating my birthday at Famous Dave’s restaurant here in Lincoln and we were introduced to the most amazing concoction! Part of their birthday deal there is you receive a free Sundae of your choice… Hot Fudge or Praline. I decided on Praline and it was the most heavenly experience. My husband and I were blown away by this scrumptious sauce. Bite after bite, we tried to deconstruct it to figure out the magic. It wasn’t your typical praline sauce, it had nice hint of cinnamon with a beautiful tang that paired amazingly well with the vanilla ice cream. I decided I needed to come home and figure out how to make this lovely sauce.

It’s really quite simple, It’s basically buttered pecans mixed with a lovely caramel sauce with a surprise addition at the end. Make sure you use quality ingredients like J.R. Watkins Vanilla and Cinnamon to ensure a top quality sauce. I put together a quick video on how to make this amazing Cinnamon Praline Sauce. After the video I have a full recipe that you can print.

It’s really just that easy! We love this sauce on vanilla ice cream, bread pudding, waffles, pancakes… I could go on and on. I’m actually thinking of making up a bunch and bottling it for Holiday gifts this year. Forget cookies, this sauce is the ticket to Holiday bliss!

Cinnamon Praline Sauce Recipe

Save Print

Prep time

2 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

22 mins

This sauce is a perfect addition to all kinds of desserts and breakfast items. Make-up a batch and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Author: Heather // WhipperBerry

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 15

Ingredients

1 cup butter
1 cup pecans
2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
¾ cup heavy cream
1 tsp. vanilla
a pinch of salt
1 cup sour cream

Instructions

In a heavy bottomed sauce pan add ½ cup of butter and melt over medium heat.
Add pecans and bring to a simmer. Simmer the pecans in the butter for 3-4 minutes or until the nuts start to brown. Keep a close eye on them, they will burn quickly if left unattended.
Once they are sufficiently browned remove the pan from the heat. Cut butter into pats and add to the buttered pecan mixture to cool it down.
Let mixture cool while making the caramel.
Again, in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over low heat add brown sugar, cinnamon and cream. Stir to combine and slowly raise the heat to medium.
Stir constantly.
Using a candy thermometer, bring mixture up to 230˚ then remove from heat.
Add vanilla, salt, sour cream and buttered pecan mixture and mix well.
Serve warm over vanilla ice cream, bread pudding, waffles, pancakes or other desserts.

Recipes

Cinnamon Whipped Cream for the Perfect Hot Chocolate

Instructions for Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Click HERE for the full Chocolate Oatmeal Cake recipe!

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