Cozy Warm Snacks

Well y'all - I hope you're hungry because I'm posting recipes today - the kind that make you feel all cozy warm on a winters night! 
{or when you have to crank the a/c down to 60 to pretend its winter}
Ashamedly enough, I really do not love to post recipes because I feel they are "my secrets" to delicious happiness and if you want that same delicious happiness, you'll have to ask me for it!
......But, I'm going to share - so hush up & be grateful!



S'mores Hot Cocoa {Handsome man hasn't taste-tested this one yet, but I'm sure he'll agree it's a winner. We've been on quite the s'mores kick lately - doing them over the grille since a fire pit isn't an option right now}

One packet of hot cocoa mix {I'm a Ghiradelli fan, myself} 
2 tsp. Fat-free non-dairy powdered creamer
2 tsp. Unsweetened cocoa powder 
2 tsp. Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips 
20 Mini marshmallows (about 1/4 cup)
2 Low-fat honey graham crackers (half a sheet), crushed

Place cocoa mix, powdered creamer, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips in a large mug. Add 1 cup very hot water, and stir until ingredients are fully dissolved, melted, and combined. Top with marshmallows.

Now here's the fun part...
Using a kitchen torch, toast the marshmallow layer for 5 - 10 seconds, until slightly melted and cooked to your liking. Allow to cool slightly, and then top with crushed graham crackers.


Cinnamon Bun Popcorn {Great for a movie-night at home with a fire in your hearth, or to give away in cute packages to co-workers. Guaranteed they will think it's "Moose Munch" from Harry&David!}

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels)*
1 C roughly chopped pecans
1 C brown sugar
3/4 t cinnamon
1/4 C Karo syrup (I prefer honey as a healthier substitution)
1 stick real butter (1/2 C)
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla
3 squares almond bark 

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place popcorn and chopped pecans in a large bowl and set aside. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a big, microwave-safe bowl. Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture. Pour corn syrup (or honey) over the top of everything. Microwave on high for 15 seconds (to soften) and stir to combine. Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Remove and stir, then microwave for 2 more minutes. Remove from the microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda. Be careful not to over cook the sugar mixture - at a certain temperature, it will turn into a hard candy and won't spread well over your popcorn!  Pour it right over the popcorn and pecans. Stir right away, and keep stirring until everything is well coated {just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...}
Spread popcorn mixture onto a foil-lined jelly roll pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 250 degrees, stirring every 10 minutes. Gently melt your almond bark and drizzle over cooled popcorn.

  

Cozy up and enjoy your treats!

xo

B

Marshmallow World

Hey Y'all! 

I'm hoping you've all done your Thanksgiving grocery shopping and are ready for some delicious treats this Thursday! My mom's side of the family did our Thanksgiving a little bit early, as we had some of our sweet extended family in town :) No worries though, I'll get to do double-dipping and celebrate again on Thursday with dad's side! 

Since it's closer to Thanksgiving now, I feel I can appropriately discuss Christmas decor, treats and all the beauty that accompanies it! 

Tonight I went with my mom to listen to her accompany this amazing singing group led by Opera singer, Mark Baker. He performed at the NY Metropolitan Opera back in his day and is now leading a beautiful group to sing Christmas shows around town. 

One of my most favorite fun winter songs that was sung is "Marshmallow World" -- you know the one, "...It's a marshmallow world in the winter, when the snowflakes cover the ground ..."{be glad you can't hear me singing!} 

Of course, the creative wheels start turning and I thought ...

           "What a fun idea for a girls Christmas get-together?!?"

Y'all know I throw an annual winter / girls night / Victoria's Secret fashion show watch party - & I think that this year's party might have to include the fashion show, baking, decorating and packaging sweet goodies, and feature a fabulous dessert + bubbly table -- all in the name of Marshmallow World!! {since it probably won't be a white, snowy holiday here ..just a guess!}

 

Snowflake Cakes!

snowflake cookies

Wouldn't it be divine to spend an evening in with the gals, making some of these treats?? 

And then give them all away to friends, family and co-workers! 

The holidays are the best time to show off your Domestic Diva side! 

 Speaking of being a Domestic Diva - have y'all ever made Homemade Marshmallows??

Imagine opening a neatly wrapped package to reveal these from-scratch yummies ...

Get the recipe at www.ourbestbites.com

 So now we've got the treats covered, time to mull over winter / Christmas decorations. I'm one that enjoys my frosty decor through January {basically until it's time to decorate for Mardi Gras +/or Valentine's Day - whichever you do!}

Here are some fabulous and inexpensive ways to keep your home frosty through December --

gather pinecones + spray a few white or gold!

faux fruit + spray glitter

white and cream cozy yarn balls scream "Winter"

pinecones+ribbon for a cozy window

I think that's all I have for y'all tonight! Thanks for keeping up with me & I'll be sure to bring you more DIY decorating and gift ideas the closer we get to Christmas! In the mean time, enjoy your Thanksgiving with loved ones and give thanks for all you're blessed with.

xo
B