Hints of warmer weather bring smoothies back into the breakfast rotations! I love a frozen element in them so I give them a reprieve for the winter. This one is delicate but has slightly tropical flavored from the pineapple and coconut almond milk. I wish it were delightfully yellow, but pineapple + yogurt + milk = mostly white. I added in some ground flax seeds so mind the brown flecks.

Pineapple Coconut Smoothie

Ingredients (for 1, as a meal)

~3/4 cup Greek yogurt in vanilla or coconut
1 cup frozen pineapple
2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
1 cup coconut almond milk
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
water, if needed

Directions:

Add yogurt, pineapple, flaxseed, coconut almond milk, and almond extract to a blender.

Blend together thoroughly. Add a splash of water if needed for desired consistency.

Enjoy!

I loved the subtlety in this smoothie. It was filling from the yogurt but that could be skipped and the pineapple could be increased if it weren’t functioning as breakfast – well, it was second breakfast at 8am before heading to work after a piece of banana bread with the fam at 6:30am.

My fav dietitians told me to grind the flax seeds or the nutritional benefit is really wasted. Good to know, right? I store it as seeds and pop through the coffee grinder before using. I used coconut almond milk because I really love the flavor and don’t love regular milk alone. I only get it a few times a year because it a) costs more; b) has less protein than regular milk; c) it also has more sugar then regular milk; d) it is delicious in coffee! It is a treat and it hits the spot as dessert sometimes.

I’d imagine a bit of mango would have colored this nicely too. I almost grated some fresh ginger in, but I was trying to keep it simple. The touch of almond extract is perfect here. I totally tasted it and thought it was a great pairing.

I can’t stop! Hot chocolate with all the flavorings and toppings are like the acceptable version of a sundae anytime of the day! This hot chocolate is caramel, chocolate, and pecans- just like the candy turtle!

I used some salted caramel hot chocolate mix (half that, half regular) but a generous spoonful of caramel sauce into the hot chocolate works great too! I stole my pecans out of trail mix but walnuts taste great if you have them instead.

Turtle Hot Chocolate, for 2

Ingredients:

hot water & cocoa mix, quantities according to package (6-8oz per mug)
1-2 teaspoons salted caramel sauce
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (or spike it with almond liquor! I didn’t even think of that at the time!!)
1 teaspoon chocolate hazelnut spread
whipped cream
5-6 pecans, chopped

Directions:

Prepare the hot chocolate according to the instructions. (I used half salted caramel hot chocolate & half regular.)

Mix hazelnut spread, almond extract, and caramel sauce into the hot chocolate. (I skipped the caramel sauce in the hot chocolate since my mix was flavored).
Top with whipped cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and pecans.

Enjoy!

This is such a great treat. I wanted a real nutty flavor to come through and I tasted it. I’d totally make this as dessert, or some of those flavors would be good in coffee too! I have another junked up hot chocolate idea…stay tuned! In the meantime there are a few dinners in store.

New England’s frigid temps lately have been ohh so freezing and inspiring all the cozy. I feel accomplished that the little one knows after playing in the snow, the next activity is to: get cozy on the couch…blankets, books, and snuggles. While today might feel like spring here in New England, 50s! Woah! I know there’s some more chilly temps ahead. Thus, where my hot chocolate with raspberry & white chocolate comes in! None for the little one, but I know this’ll be dessert on the couch, some night in the near future again!

This recipe has a few specialty ingredients…which I know I don’t love when I see them in recipes- the white hot chocolate & the raspberry syrup. I’m including a few work-around below if an an alternative is helpful.

Hot Chocolate with Raspberry & White Chocolate

Ingredients:

2-3 tablespoons hot chocolate mix (check product for ratios)
1 tablespoon white hot chocolate mix (I used this one, or my grocery store has individual serving packets, 2/$1)
8 oz water/milk
1/4 cup raspberries (I used frozen, plucked from a frozen mixed berry bag)
whipped cream
2 teaspoons raspberry syrup (sold near maple syrups)

Directions:

Heat water to warm but not boiling & mix in hot chocolate and white hot chocolate. Stir well.

Gently press the raspberries with a spoon to break them down a bit and mix the raspberries & 1 teaspoon of syrup into the hot chocolate.
Spoon out any raspberry solids (if desired – I skimmed a few out)
Add whipped cream & 1 teaspoon of raspberry syrup.
Enjoy!

substitution ideas:

white hot chocolate mix: I used this – partly because we had it. It is a delight in coffee (hot & iced), but peek at the grocery store, or amazon has millions. It feels like it lasts forever. Stir in a few white chocolate chips if that feels easier!
raspberry syrup: I used this – because we also have it for pancakes/waffles. Another idea would be to boil some raspberries with a splash of water & then strain.

LOVED the subtle white chocolate in there. Go full white hot chocolate if that’s your thing. I thought it might be too sweet for me, but it sure would be pretty!

Now that you have your hands wrapped around a cozy drink, is your couch getting as much cozy time as mine?

Cocktail or mocktail! Take your pick! I’ll be real and say I tested & photographed this out during the little one’s naptime so I went mocktail so I could be productive for the afternoon but later the champagne version was delicious!

Bubbly Pomegranate Cider

Ingredients:

2 oz Pomegranate juice
4 oz apple cider
1 oz limoncello or citrus vodka (optional)
7 oz ginger ale (mini can) or champagne

Directions:

Add pomegranate juice to a cocktail shaker with cider and ice. For a cocktail version, add limoncello or citrus vodka.

Shake and pour over ice into 2 glasses.
Top with ginger ale or champagne.
Enjoy!

This is a great one to make to order, or to make a big pitcher for guests! I’d totally include this on a mimosa(-ish) bar for brunch! I liked the bubbles to cut the sweetness of the cider & juice. It is an easy one to make to your taste.

I can see kiddos liking the mocktail version while others have the champs in there.

Fall to a T! Apple, caramel, cider, yogurt, and ginger all come together for a breakfast treat, or dessert! This one is a bit sweeter than I usually make for breakfast, but it was so fall, and so delicious.

Caramel Apple Smoothie

Ingredients: (1- 16oz serving breakfast, or 2- 8oz snack or dessert servings)

1 apple, chopped & frozen (optional: peal it for a perfectly smooth smoothie)
1 cup vanilla greek yogurt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 cup apple cider
1-2 tablespoons salted caramel sauce
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 cup ice

Directions:

Add apple, yogurt, cinnamon, and ginger to a blender.

Add cider, caramel sauce, flaxseed, and ice.
Blend well and serve with a drizzle of caramel. Enjoy!

I loved this! The cider and the caramel made it super sweet but the frozen cool-factor made this so perfect for this surprisingly warm fall. This would make a great dessert too.