3-Ingredient Cupid Hot Cocoa Bombs

3-Ingredient Cupid Hot Cocoa Bombs are a simple and sweet treat to warm your heart this Valentine's Day!

Nothing says "I love you" like a warm mug of cocoa! These 3-Ingredient Cupid Hot Cocoa Bombs are a fun and festive way to spread a little love to friends and family this Valentine’s Day. They are incredibly simple to make, but look like they came straight from a chocolate shop. Whether you’re gifting to friends or cozying up with a mug at home, I hope you enjoy this easy, delicious recipe as much as I do!

3-Ingredient Patriotic Punch

You'll only need 3 ingredients to make this kid-friendly and festive red, white, and blue-layered Patriotic Punch for the 4th of July!

There's all kinds of treats to make to celebrate the 4th of July, but here's a fun drink recipe to try that even the kids can enjoy! Made with only 3 ingredients, this layered Patriotic Punch is easy to make, and looks so festive for the big day. This kid-friendly, layered drink makes a statement at 4th of July and Memorial Day parties, and is so simple to make.

3-Ingredient Butterbeer

This easy homemade 3-Ingredient Butterbeer recipe allows you to enjoy a sip of the magical Wizarding World in the comfort of your own home!

Butterbeer is one of my favorite treats from the magical world of Harry Potter. This iconic drink comes in many forms: cold, frozen, hot, and even comes in ice cream, potted cream, and fudge! Since I can't visit Universal Studios more often to get my Butterbeer fix, I've found a Muggle alternative. This 3-Ingredient Butterbeer recipe is a delightfully simple copycat recipe that only takes minutes to conjure up. Now you can start off your next movie marathon with a "cheers" to Butterbeer!

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Warm up with a cup of Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate this winter!

There's nothing quite like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold, winter day. This easy Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate recipe comes together in just a few minutes, and only requires 3 ingredients! The addition of salted caramel sauce takes your average hot chocolate into something special that the whole family will love. Not only is it perfect for a chilly winter day, but you can double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe to make a decadent beverage to serve a group for the holidays!

DIY Hot Cocoa Mix Gift Set

Whip up a cozy DIY Hot Cocoa Mix Gift Set for everyone on your holiday gift list!

When it comes to holiday gifts for friends, neighbors, and co-workers, I love creating something handmade. This year, I am putting together a cozy Hot Cocoa Mix Set complete with customized mugs and a matching canister to hold handmade cocoa mix! The glass mugs and canister have been etched using a custom stencil I made with my Ikonart kit. The stencils are reusable, so it makes it easier than ever to create multiple sets for everyone on my list. And because it's the season for giving, I'm also sharing the design here along with the tutorial so that you can make some hot cocoa mix gift sets for yourself!

 

New to making reusable stencils? Here's how to Get Started with Ikonart!

3-Ingredient Raspberry Lemonade

This 3-Ingredient Raspberry Lemonade is a refreshing summertime drink the whole family will enjoy!

When life gives you lemons, make some lemonade! Lemonade is one of our favorite drinks around here, and it's definitely a must-have for summertime. Made with fresh raspberries, this Raspberry Lemonade is a fresh and fruity twist on a classic. It only requires 3 ingredients, and can be whipped up in minutes!  This drink is refreshing and is a treat that both kids and adults can enjoy all summer long.

Pink Hot Chocolate

This 4-ingredient Pink Hot Chocolate is a simple and sweet treat to make for parties and holidays!

There's nothing quite like a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day. If you're wanting to change things up a bit, make some Pink Hot Chocolate instead! It only requires 4 ingredients, which makes it such a simple and quick drink to make for Valentine's Day, birthday parties, or just to brighten things up on a chilly day. If you want to share some with a group, you can easily double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe!

M&M Hot Cocoa Bombs

Warm up with a hot and colorful mug of cocoa using homemade M&M Hot Cocoa Bombs!

Hot cocoa bombs are all the rage, and are a fun treat for any occasion. These M&M Hot Cocoa Bombs are so easy to make, and are just what you need to brighten you up on a chilly winter day. These also make great gifts, so you can double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe to make a colorful, chocolatey M&M Hot Cocoa Bomb to share with everyone you know!

5-Minute White Hot Chocolate

This easy 5-Minute White Hot Chocolate is like a hug in a mug!

As the weather gets colder, all I want to do is curl up with a blanket and a book while sipping some hot chocolate. This easy White Hot Chocolate recipe comes together in just 5 minutes, and is a decadent drink that the whole family will love! Not only is it perfect for a chilly winter day, but you can double, triple, or even quadruple the recipe to make the perfect beverage to serve a group for the holidays!

Zombie Punch Recipe

This Zombie Punch recipe served in a Zombie Mug is sponsored by As You Wish Pottery.

Painting pottery projects at As You Wish has become a new favorite hobby of mine. This Zombie Mug was especially a fun one for me to paint since I am a bit of a zombie nerd and love watching zombie movies and television shows. Making this Zombie Punch for Halloween is delicious and so easy - you could almost say it's a no-brainer!

As soon as I saw this zombie mug on the shelf, I knew it needed to come home with me! I love all of the little details: like holding his own arm up to form the mug handle, and how the zombie is attempting to smile.

Creating custom projects at As You Wish couldn't be easier. All you have to do is show up, choose a piece of pottery and get painting. If you ever need painting tips or inspiration, the staff is there to help you. You also won't need to bring anything to the studio except your creativity! The paints, brushes, and anything else you need are included the studio fee.

Painting pottery is so relaxing to me. You can work at your own pace, and are free to make your project your own. I mixed a few shades of green for the zombie's skin, and made the inside of the mug a little more "zombified".

After a few days, my zombie mug was ready to be picked up. I am so thrilled with how it turned out, and am so excited to use it throughout the Halloween season and beyond. No matter who paints the project, each mug will come out with its own unique look.

Like I mentioned before, I added a bit of a zombie theme to the inside of the mug as well! I used two shades of red: one more of a bright red for the base, then I dripped a darker red along the rim to run down the inside of the mug.

Zombie Punch can be made in single servings by mixing it up in a glass or Zombie Mug. You can also mix up an entire batch in a punch bowl for serving a crowd.

For a single serving: Add a 3-4 scoops of raspberry sherbet into a glass. Slowly pour some red soda (we used Strawberry Fanta) into the glass over the sherbet. It will foam up, so don't fill the glass to the top immediately.

In a punch bowl: Empty the entire container of sherbet into a large punch bowl, a scoop at a time. Pour in 1 liter of red soda (any kind). Stir gently and serve immediately.

The sherbet will float to the top. You can enjoy immediately, or wait a few minutes to stir and it will become more frothy and have a smoothie or milkshake consistency.

See what I mean about it foaming? It makes a mess, but it sure looks cool overflowing out of a zombie's head!! 

MMM...BRAAAIIINNNSSS.... It's looks just gross enough, but still tastes great and is a fun recipe that will be a hit on Halloween!

For those of you near As You Wish locations in Utah, Arizona and California, don’t forget to check out all the upcoming painting classes or plan your next birthday party!

Sparkle Unicorn Milkshake

Not sure if you've heard, but Starbucks seems to have this new addition to their menu - the Unicorn Frappuccino. Sounds super fancy and it's also quite beautiful. Unfortunately, I am not a Frappuccino kind of girl... but, I would take a milkshake any day! This is how my Cute Sparkle Unicorn Milkshake was born. 

Before you whip up the milkshake, you need to prepare the glasses first. Have fun with it and remember that they don't have to be perfect. Just like unicorns, each Unicorn Milkshake is unique 😉

Melt down some blue candy melts in the microwave. Then, using a spoon or a squeeze bottle, drip the melted blue goodness along the inside of the glass and let it just drip down. Easy enough, right? Next, dip the rim of the glass into a bowl of the melted candy melts so it covers about 1/8-1/4 inch of the rim. Sprinkle a bunch of colorful sprinkles over the candy melt and press lightly to make sure they stick well. Place the finished glasses in the fridge or freezer to chill while you prepare the milkshake.

Pour the magical milkshake into the chilled glasses and top with a generous swirl of whipped cream. Sprinkle a bunch of the sparkliest sprinkles you can find, and voila!! The cutest sparkle unicorn milkshake you ever did see.

Cute Sparkle Unicorn Milkshake
Makes 1 serving

Ingredients:
1 cup vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup milk
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
blue candy melts
colorful sprinkles
whipped cream

Directions:

1. In blender, combine ice cream, milk, and vanilla. Blend until mixture is smooth.
2. Pour milkshake mixture into two separate bowls.
3. In one bowl, add some neon pink food coloring gel, and add neon purple food coloring gel to the other bowl. Mix well to distribute the food coloring.
4. Place milkshake mixtures in the freezer to thicken up while you prepare the serving glass.
5. Microwave the blue candy melts in a bowl for one minute, then in 30 second increments until they are completely melted.
6. Use a spoon and drip the melted candy melt along the inside of the glass. Let it run down.
7. Dip the rim of the glass in the bowl of candy melts. Immediately pour sprinkles around the entire rim to coat the candy melt. Press sprinkles lightly to make sure they stick well.
8. Place the glass in the fridge or freezer to cool for 5-10 minutes.
9. Layer pink ice cream, whipped cream, and purple ice cream until the glass is full.
10. Top with a swirl of whipped cream and add a bunch of sparkly sprinkles.
11. Enjoy!

A few of my favorite bloggers wanted to create their own unique unicorn drinks as well, so we teamed up to share all of our recipes with you! Click the links below to check them out and save them to make later:

Delicious Unicorn Drink by The Country Chic Cottage

Unicorn Rose Sangria by Mad in Crafts

Cute Sparkle Unicorn Milkshake by Artsy-Fartsy Mama

Unicorn Freakshake by Amanda's Cookin'

Rainbow Sprinkle Unicorn Drink by 100 Directions

What kind of Unicorn Drink would you make?

70 Mocktail Recipes

Hosting a party with children or teens? Pregnant? Or have religious restrictions? These 70 non-alcoholic mocktail recipes are sure to quench your thirst and are something everyone of any age can drink! While they can be mixed up anytime of year, I think they would be a delicious addition to any New Year's Eve bash!

1. Cranberry Cutie Mocktail from This Week for Dinner
2. Mock-Champagne from Oh So Delicioso
3. Homemade Italian Cream Sodas from Butter with a Side of Bread
4. Blue Shoe from Mix That Drink
5. Raspberry Lemonade Fizz from Culinary Hill
6. Honey Lemon Balm Spritzer from She Wears Many Hats
7. Cranberry Apple Spritzer from Fabtastic Eats
8. Roy Rogers Mocktail from Best Friends for Frosting
9. Ombré Grapefruit Cocktail from Handmade Mood
10. Apple Pie Punch from The Cookie Rookie
11. Lightened Up Raspberry Acai Cream Soda from Homemaking Hacks
12. Strawberry Cucumber Limeade from A Beautiful Mess
13. Pomegranate Lemonade Spritzers from Just Putzing Around the Kitchen
14. Coconut-Lime French Soda from Nellie Bellie
15. Refreshing Pomegranate Spritzer from White on Rice Couple
16. 5-Calorie Raspberry Lime Margarita Fizz from Averie Cooks
17. Sparkling Confetti Mocktini from Welch's
18. The Disappearing Mocktail from The TipToe Fairy
19. Sparkling Pineapple Mocktail from The Frugal Girls
20. Ginger-Cinnamon Apple Cider Fake-tini from Rachel Cooks
21. Orange Swizzle from Something Swanky
22. Blueberry Mojito Mocktail from The Merrythought
23. Party Punch from Chef in Training
24. Frost Bite Mocktail from The Little Kitchen
25. Shirley Temples from RecipeBoy
26. Sparkling Dark Cherry Lime Slush from Mama Loves Food
27. Cactus Cooler from Love Bakes Good Cakes
28. Sunshine Berry Spritzer from Liz On Call
29. Best Party Punch...Ever from Savor Home
30. Sour Berry Fizz from Kleinworth & Co.
31. Tropical Twisters Mocktail from A Helicopter Mom
32. Pineapple Hibiscus Mocktail from Dessert for Two
33. Blackberry Vanilla Mocktail from La Fuji Mama
34. Sparkling Mint Cranberry Mocktail from Food Fun Family
35. Pineapple Sparkler from The 36th Avenue

36. Hibiscus Iced Tea Sparkler from Diethood
37. 2-Ingredient Sparkling Apple Cider from Classy Clutter
38. Sparkling Cranberry Punch from Taste & Tell
39. Cantaloupe Agua Fresca from The Little Epicurean
40. New Year’s Eve Rockin’ Mocktail from My Teen Guide
41. Sparkling Mango Lemonade from Sugar & Soul
42. Cranberry Lime Sparkler from Lauren's Latest
43. Non-Alcoholic Sangria from Real Mom Kitchen
44. Cranberry Coconut Lime Sparkling Drink from The Crafted Sparrow
45. Pineapple Mocktail Margaritas from Grandbaby Cakes
46. Triple Berry Smoothie from Cooking with Ruthie
47. Tangerine Lemon Shake Up from Happy Food Dance
48. Quick Cranberry Holiday Mocktail from Domestic Superhero
49. Orange Creamsicle Sparkling Water from The Bold Abode
50. Strawberry Coconut Lava Flow from Self Proclaimed Foodie
51. Non-Alcoholic Moscow Mules from Sweet C's Designs
52. Cherry Bomb Mocktail from Julie's Eats & Treats
53. Virgin Frozen Margaritas from Taste & Tell
54. Strawberry Margarita Mocktail from Sober Julie
55. Piña Colada Floats from Cooking Classy
56. Pink Panther Mocktail from Nosh My Way
57. Sparkling Ginger Lemon Mocktail from Snixy Kitchen
58. Watermelon Peach Spritzer from What's Cooking, Love?
59. Limeade Punch from The Girl Who Ate Everything
60. Raspberry 7UP Punch from Eazy Peazy Mealz
61. Arizona Sunset from Love Bakes Good Cakes
62. Tropical Lava Flow Hawaiian Cream Soda from My Craftily Ever After
63. Blueberry Lavender Fizz from Beard & Bonnet
64. Watermelon Lime Soda from Completely Delicious
65. Banana Slush Punch from Our Best Bites
66. Mango Ginger Floats from The Crafted Sparrow
67. Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Daiquiri from In the Playroom
68. The Palauxma from The Brewer & The Baker
69. Pink “Not” Champagne from Modern Day Moms
70. Virgin Peach & Raspberry Bellinis from Miss in the Kitchen

Which mocktail recipe is one you'd like to try?

Breakfast Chocolate Milkshake Smoothie

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Nestle, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #BreakfastEssentials http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

First, let me answer the question you're all thinking: A chocolate milkshake for breakfast?! Yes. And it's even healthy!! I'll give you a minute to think about that and to wipe any drool off your keyboard...

This chocolate milkshake smoothie is made with Carnation Breakfast Essentials, so it's a healthy and quick breakfast option for kids, teens, and adults! Not to mention that you can whip up this milkshake in just minutes, so it makes for a great breakfast, or even as a healthy dessert. Each serving of Carnation Breakfast Essentials is packed with nutrients: 21 vitamins & minerals, 13g protein, and as much calcium as a 6 oz cup of yogurt, so you don't need to feel guilty about your breakfast tasting delicious! 

I found all the Carnation Breakfast Essentials products in the breakfast aisle in my local Kroger supermarket. Look for Carnation Breakfast Essentials offers here for money-saving Kroger coupons!

Ingredients:
(Makes one serving)
1-2 bananas, frozen and cut in pieces
1/2 cup fat free milk
1 packet or 6 level tablespoons Rich Milk Chocolate Carnation Breakfast Essentials (can substitute any flavor)

Directions:

1. Add bananas to blender or food processor, and blend until creamy.
2. Add milk and Carnation Breakfast Essentials.
3. Blend until combined and smooth.
4. Drink up!

My daughter loved this smoothie and I loved that I was giving her something healthy even though it tasted like a treat! You can also add in any other fruit variations to mix things up and suit your tastes.

Unfortunately, my husband is allergic to bananas, so he couldn't try it. I didn't want him to miss out though, so I made him a chocolate milkshake that's a whole lot healthier than one you'll get in a restaurant (but tastes just as good!)

Ingredients:

(Makes one serving)

1 cup (2-3 scoops) vanilla frozen yogurt

   OR 6-8 oz Greek vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup fat free milk

1 packet or 6 level tablespoons Rich Milk Chocolate Carnation Breakfast Essentials (can substitute any flavor)

Optional: whipped cream, sprinkles, chocolate chips, etc

Directions:

1. Add frozen yogurt, milk, and Carnation Breakfast Essentials to blender.
2. Blend until combined and smooth.
3. Pour into glass and drink as-is, or top with whipped cream and any other desired toppings.
4. Enjoy!!

So, yes, you CAN have a milkshake for breakfast and not feel guilty about it. Each of these recipes are easy enough that the kids can make them this summer, and you can feel good that they are having a healthy snack!

Visit Carnation Breakfast Essentials for even more delicious smoothie recipes and follow them on Facebook!

Strawberry Banana Oat Smoothie

I'm a huge cereal fan, but I've been trying to find different, healthy ideas for breakfast that will help me feel more energized and feel better in general. I've got lots of healthy smoothie recipes written and pinned and have been working on trying them out.

One of my favorites is this strawberry banana smoothie. It's packed with vitamins, protein, and fiber. Even better, it's so convenient to throw everything in the blender. Very minimal work involved! Perfect for any meal, but a great way to start the day.

Ingredients:
1 cup low-fat strawberry banana or vanilla yogurt
1 cup quartered strawberries
1 sliced banana
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup old-fashioned oats

Directions:
Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth consistency.
Makes one 16-ounce serving.

Fresh fruit works great, but I also think it's convenient to use frozen bananas and strawberries. I buy them in bulk, then peel and cut bananas, wash and cut strawberries, and freeze in a Ziploc bag for future use.