Fresh Apple Donuts With Maple, Bacon, Caramel Pecan Glaze!

So, these fresh baked apple donuts turned out great. I adapted this recipe, from A Latte Food just a tiny bit, and they worked out so well. I loved each of the steps involved in this project. I also substituted buttermilk with vanilla yogurt (it worked out great!!). 

This is actually the first time that donuts have actually worked for me. Last time, they did not rise much, they were kind of bland, and I basically put the donut tin in the back of the cabinet to be forgotten for a while. 

But, I was recently invited to join a little blog post link up with some other bloggers, and the only requirement for #SoFabSeasons was that it had to do with apples. Well, off to Pinterest I went, and within minutes, I knew that donuts had to go down.

This was also my first time really making a glaze for donuts, and it turned into more of a caramel because I heated the mixture a bit too long, bringing the sugars to kind of caramelize. Oh well, these are amazing, and I loved topping them with an unexpected ingredient - bacon bits and pecans. That bacony flavor really goes so well with the other flavors, that I am so happy I added the bits. 

Another great thing about living in southern Illinois is that you don't have to go very far to find an apple (or peach tree) orchard. I photographed these apples, below, one day after I visited Flamm Orchards. I am sure they have been picked by now, because this was shot maybe 2 weeks ago :)

Donuts

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 2 Tbsp sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp butter

And, here are the apple crates at Flamm Orchard. I would LOVE to get one of those for a photography prop/surface! 

Maple Glaze

  • 2 Tbsp butter

  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar

  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

Apples

  • 1 large apple, chopped finely
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp butter
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Topping

  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 package bacon bits

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. (APPLES) On med-low heat, cook apple filling mixture for about 3-4 minutes. Pull off heat and allow to cool.
  2. (DONUTS) Preheat oven to 425 degrees and grease a 6-count donut pan liberally with baking spray.
  3. In a large bowl, sift flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt together.
  4. In a second bowl, whisk egg, buttermilk, sour cream, and vanilla extract together.
  5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add in the wet ingredients. Gently mix the batter until combined.
  6. Add in melted butter and apples and mix until combined.
  7. Spoon the batter into the donut pan, evenly distributing the batter between the 6 donut cavities (you may have enough batter to make 7-8 donuts).
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the donuts are lightly golden and 'spring' back when touched.
  9. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.
  10. (MAPLE GLAZE) Melt butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon over low heat. Once melted together, pull off the heat. Sift in powdered sugar, and whisk until fully combined. Allow to cool for 8-10 minutes so the glaze can thicken. You want to work kind of quickly on this step, because the glaze can cool kind of quickly, and thickens. 
  11. Dip each donut into the glaze and immediately sprinkle with chopped pecans. The elongated-shaped dish shown in white, is one I got at IKEA, it was the perfect shape. Allow to cool on a wire baking rack.
  12. Enjoy!

PIN IT FOR LATER...

DIY Cheese Markers, Styling A Cheese Plate & Yummy Fruit Bars by Outshine - Live Life Brighter

Sponsored Post: This post is sponsored by Outshine but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. #SnackBrighter.

I had so much fun creating a video for Outshine Bars! I thought that a fun way to create this one was to make a Cheese Plate, create some adorable and customizable Cheese Markers, then show how fun and easy it is to also serve these Outshine Bars to guests (or keep them all for yourselves, it's totally up to you!).

Here, I featured the Lime, Mango, and Grape flavors of Outshine Fruit Bars. I love that they're all made from REAL fruit, and taste super good. I love the lime best of all these flavors, and mango is a close second. Your guests will be pleasantly surprised at their dessert option, too! 

And, remember to check out the Outshine Instagram account, it's adorable :)

Build A Better Breakfast And Help Families In Need (Plus A Laminated Placemat DIY Tutorial)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BetterBreakfast #CollectiveBias

Anyone who knows me will agree that I need a good breakfast to start the day right. Are you one of those sorts of people? My breakfast usually includes milk in some way, whether it's in cereal, or as a glass of milk to accompany my meal. I was super excited about the chance to work with The Great American Milk Drive, Lender's Bagels, and Walmart to help with this meaningful cause.  

Now, you can help feed a childhood when you shop at Walmart – by purchasing 1 or more of these products, you are helping Feeding America provide nutrient- rich milk to kids and families in need.

This campaign is supporting The Great American Milk Drive.

There are lots of families who do not get the opportunity to provide a good breakfast for their kids or themselves each morning. I learned recently that you can actually donate milk to families - I had no idea this was even possible! I love spreading the word about good causes, so read on to learn more. I thought that a DIY Laminated Placemat and a fun twist on the usual bagel toppings would be so fun to share here with you today. 

"Childhood should be filled with playing, learning and growing. But for many children who face hunger, even basic staples like milk – and the nutrients that help power childhood activities – are missing".  - MilkLife.com

FUN BAGEL TOPPINGS FOR KIDS + ADULTS:

Strawberry Cream Cheese + Sprinkles

Strawberry Cream Cheese + Fresh Strawberries

Plain Cream Cheese + Sunflower Seeds

- 3 colors of fabric (1/8 yard of the red, 3/8 yard of the deer fabric, and 3/8 of a yard of the black and white plaid for the backing).

- Iron-On Vinyl (Heat & Bond works well)

- Scissors

- Sewing Machine and Thread

- Iron

1.) Cut pieces of fabric as follows:

      - Backing Piece (12" x 18")

      - Red Piece (12" long)

      - Deer Fabric Piece ( 12" x 15")

      - 2 pieces of iron-on vinyl (12" x 18")

2.) Cut and Iron fabrics, and sew the 12" ends of the red fabric and deer fabrics together. Iron and top stitch the seam you just created. 

3.) Peel a bit of the paper backing off of the first piece of vinyl. It's super sticky, so I recommend cutting a 2" wide strip off of the paper backing. Stick this to the exterior of your patchwork piece of fabric, and line the shorter sides up. Press to secure, thankfully it's very easy to reposition. Just make sure no pet hairs make their way under the vinyl :)

4.) Peel the rest of the paper backing off of the vinyl, pressing out any wrinkles as you go. Once vinyl is fully stuck onto the fabric, then take that paper again, grid side up, and iron the vinyl onto the fabric. This works like magic! Slow and steady pressure works best, moving the iron with medium pressure, so it doesn't melt. VINYL IS SUPER HOT, so please be careful!!! 

5.) Iron the vinyl onto the backing material, and line up the fabrics, vinyl sides together, and sew around the edges, leaving a hole about 5" across to turn the placemat right side out.

6.) Turn placemat right side out, then iron with the paper press cloth again. Now, top stitch around the edges, and you are done!! I just LOVE how this project turned out. Perfect for eating breakfast on, and these make for extremely easy cleanup! 

7.) Build A Better Breakfast - Hopefully this awesome new placemat will encourage kids and adults to sit down for a quick breakfast, rather than eating as you rush out the door. Of course, if you are in a hurry, it's a good idea to keep the milk, Lender's Bagels, and Fruit Fusions next to each other in the fridge! 

MORE ABOUT LENDER'S BAGELS:

They're filling – sustaining kids all morning. They have a great range of flavors, like Plain, Blueberry and Cinnamon-Raisin flavors which are kid-friendly & great for the whole family. Lender’s has a bagel for Everyone! Lender's Bagels can help you save time in the mornings, and are easy, tasty, and nutritious! I found these bagels in the refrigerated dairy section. Lender’s bagel products are great as part of a Better Breakfast. Also, great for an after school snack! Crunchy-on-the-outside, everything’s better on a Bagel!

Keep a metal or wicker tray on the counter for easy breakfast prep (see photo above). Add items like Lender's Bagels, Del Monte Fruit + Veggie Fusions, utensils, and cloth napkins. SO easy, because everything is right at hand! 

Now, you can help feed a childhood – by purchasing 1 or more of these products, you are helping Feeding America provide nutrient- rich milk to kids and families in need. Visit milklife.com/give to learn more.

#BuildABetterBreakfast Sweepstakes Learn More On: Facebook: here
Twitter: here
Instagram: here
Pinterest: here
Youtube: here
Lender's Bagels: here , here , and here
  • The combination of milk/bagels/fruit cups give kids protein, carbohydrates, vitamin C and other things that they won’t get with other choices. These 3 products are BETTER TOGETHER.
  • Ease and simplicity should also be part of what makes this a better breakfast. All it takes is to pour a glass of milk, get out a bagel, and open a fruit cup. Everything can be stored in the fridge together.
  • The Lenders’ and Del Monte products also have the benefit of offering so many flavors that every kid can get a “customized” breakfast with all his or her favorites. Lenders can give you cinnamon/raisin, blueberry, etc. Del Monte can give you a dozen varieties of fruits and combinations of fruits. The flavor combinations are huge. 

Quick N Easy Pesto Pasta

Pasta couldn't get much easier than this. It's nice and light, and super fresh. 

INGREDIENTS:

Green Pesto

Fresh Tomatoes

Thick Spaghetti Noodles

Mozzarella Pearls

Parmesan Cheese, Grated

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Salt and Italian Seasoning To Taste

 

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

Boil noodles as directed. Strain and return to original pot. Scoop about 3-4 tablespoons of Pesto onto noodles. Also add your olive oil, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir together, combining well. Turn the heat back on to low. Add mozzarella pearls, and stir. They should melt pretty quickly. Once they're melted, sprinkle past with parmesan cheese, and stir once more. 

Serve topped with more parmesan cheese and chopped tomatoes. 

Enjoy! 

Super Easy Chocolate Waffles Recipe

Are you a chocoholic? So much so, that you may be the type to want chocolate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner? Well here is an idea for you! These chocolate waffles are pretty easy because you make them from Chocolate Cake Mix! 

INGREDIENTS:

1 box Betty Crocker™ SuperMoist™ cake mix (any flavor)

1 1/3 cups water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

INSTRUCTIONS:

Heat your waffle iron to medium-high heat. Mix all ingredients, and once the waffle iron is warm enough, pour the batter into the waffle iron. Don't overload the batter into the machine, it will seep out the sides and create a big mess! 

Add a drizzle of your favorite white icing (I used the decorator icing in the tube for this thinner line). I also added some fresh raspberries and  little dollop of cool whip! 

Feel free to add some chocolate syrup, if you need more chocolate! Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies with Coconut Oil

absolutely LOVE these cookies. The recipe (found here) originally called for shortening, and I used coconut oil. 12 minutes at 350° was just perfect. I also created a Steller Story for this recipe, find it here. 

Here's 1/2 Cup melted organic butter + 1/2 Cup Organic Coconut Oil at room temp. 

Here's my batter before adding the eggs and dry ingredients. pb cookies

Here's the batter with all the ingredients in it. 

I found that my 1 Tbsp. silicone measuring spoon (similar ones here) is perfect for scooping and shaping this dough! 

You can (optionally) press the dough down with a fork in a criss cross pattern, and sprinkle sugar on top. The cookies will spread a bit more if you do this step. 

After baking for 12 minutes at 350, they should look golden brown like this! If you make these cookies and enjoy them, please comment below. Thanks! 

Caprese Salad Recipe

This is one of my absolute all-time favorite dishes! I love any excuse to eat fresh tomatoes, and when the organic and local ones are heirloom, it's even better! I thought that using a mix of yellow and red tomatoes really gave this plate a more vibrant and special look. I actually created this recipe for the Burnt movie, to help promote their movie. Check out my Burnt project, on Pinterest HERE, entitled Food, Romance, Love.

INGREDIENTS (MAKES 2 SERVINGS)

* 10-15 organic yellow and red cherry tomatoes (or other small tomatoes)

* Fresh Organic Basil (I found mine as a plant at the grocery store. Bonus points for ORGANIC!!!

* Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

* Olive Oil

* Balsamic Vinaigrette

* Salt to taste

Cut tomatoes into quarters. Slice mozzarella cheese with a knife, or create small pieces of cheese with your hands, and set aside. On a plate, drizzle a small amount of balsamic, like I did in the above images. Place tomatoes and cheese onto plate. Also top the plate with basil leaves, as many as you can handle! Drizzle some olive oil and salt over the top of the plate, and you are all done! I also like to serve this with an extra plate of small French bread slices and salami. 

This would make an incredible snack, appetizer, or even a light meal! It tastes SO incredibly good, I hope you enjoy it! If you are also a Caprese Salad-lover, comment below to let us know. 

Grilled Flank Steak Fajita Nachos Recipe ~ Outdoor Grilling Inspiration

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #AuthenticSalsaStyle#CollectiveBias

A delicious summer grilling recipe, filled with authentic flavor and fresh ingredients! These BBQ Flank Steak Fajita Nachos are the perfect meal to serve at a party, during outdoor grilling season! Read on to learn more about this wonderful recipe and some cute ideas of how to decorate for your next outdoor grilling party. 

 I just love the colors of this outdoor party table setup. I used mainly blues and whites in my design (dishes, napkins, utensils, table covering fabric, etc). I just let the bright, beautiful food shine with a more subtle color scheme.

Also, I love the idea of using large glass jars with lids to hold chips (found in the kitchen section at Walmart). It's eye-catching, and keeps chips fresh while your serving guests. Use small scoops or tongs for guests to serve themselves

By offering self-serve topping, guests can use as many or as few ingredients as they like. If someone is vegetarian or even vegan, they can opt out of the steak, and just use lots of veggies!

Even More Recipe Inspirations, Here: AuthenticSalsaStyle.com.

And, if you are looking for more beef-based recipes, look no further: BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

MARINADE:

Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Taco Seasoning (use half here), Chopped Fresh Onions & Garlic, Pinch of Salt.

FOR THE MEAL:

- HERDEZ® Salsa Casera

- 1 lb. Flank Steak (per 2 people)

- 1 bell pepper each in green, red, orange, and yellow

- 1 purple onion

- Tortilla Chips

- Shredded Cheddar Cheese (We shredded a block of extra sharp cheddar)

- Jalapeños

- Taco Seasoning (use the other half of the package here)

- Limes and/or Lime Juice

- Sour Cream

- Cilantro 

- Grill and Skillet

1.) Prepare the marinade in a 9x9 baking pan (I used my brownie pan) by chopping 1/4 of the onion + 1-2 heads of garlic, and mix it with all of the other marinade ingredients. Stir well.

2.) Add steak, cover with plastic wrap or foil, and place in the fridge to and marinade for at least 1-2 hours.

3.) Preheat grill to high heat after steak is done marinading.

4.) Cut up all 4 bell peppers, and most of the onion, and set aside. Get out a large skillet, and heat a small amount of olive oil. Wait until the oil starts to thin a bit, and add your onions and rest of the taco seasoning. Cook until slightly browned, and then add your peppers. Let these simmer on medium low heat, and let's grill some steak! 

5.) While your peppers are cooking, bring steak out to the grill on a tray of some sort, with tongs and a spatula. Place the marinated steam right onto the grill. After about 4-5 minutes, if you want those pretty grill marks, rotate the steak 90 degrees, and grill for another 1-2 minutes. Flip the steak over and grill for another 2-3 minutes. This timing left a bit of pink but not much - it was perfect! Take it off the grill and let's make some nachos!

6.) Turn heat off of the peppers and onions when they're cooked, and slice steak into bite-sizes slices or pieces. 

7.) To make your nachos - on a plate, add: chips, cheese, corn, sour cream, grilled steak, cilantro, and top with HERDEZ® Salsa Casera. This has been my go-to nachos recipe, and everyone always loves it! 

I went to Walmart to pick up some of my ingredients and party supplies - you can find the HERDEZ® Salsa Casera and the Beef at Walmart, as well as the jars that I used for holding those tortilla chips. Get recipe inspiration and beef nutrition information at “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner".

HERDEZ® provides #AuthenticSalsaStyle and it's oh, so good! Thank you so much for checking out my latest recipe, I hope you are inspired by it!! What is your favorite meal to make on the grill? What do you usually grill when you have a crowd? Let me now in the comments, below. 

Elegant Chocolate-Dipped Patriotic Oreos

Have you noticed that most candy/chocolate stores offer chocolate-dipped Oreos among their other chocolate bon-bons and other confections? I have always been amazed by this, because they are SO incredibly easy to make. I figure, why not just make some of my own at home! I also wanted an excuse to check out the Oreo Thins that I have been seeing everywhere, so I thought this would be the perfect project!

Without further ado, here are my Elegant White Chocolate-Dipped Oreos, perfect for Labor Day Celebrations, and other times when you just wanna decorate some desserts!

- 1-2 packages of Oreo Thins (find them here)

- Ghirardelli Classic  White Melting Wafers or White Chocolate Chips (find them here)

- Red Food Coloring Gel (this is the set I have) or red candy melts

- Blue Sprinkles (similar here) 

- Glass jar to dip Oreos into (mine was the 8 oz. size, I believe)

- Skewer Stick

- Parchment Paper

 

1.) Melt white chocolate in a double boiler method or in the microwave, stirring regularly to make cure it's smooth and fully melted. 

2.) Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3.) Transfer a portion the melted white chocolate to a jar that is about as deep as the Oreo Thins are wide. Leave about 1/2" of room from the chocolate to the top of the jar.

4.) Dip each Oreo Thin into the white chocolate, and dip in little over half way, leaving space at top.

5.) As you pull the cookie out of the jar of white chocolate, use a skewer stick to scrape excess chocolate off the back of the cookie, and around the sides. This is a great tip, that makes your cookies look way better and less gloppy as they dry.

6.) Put each cookie onto the parchment, and let cool completely. 

7.) After you have dipped every cookie, pour more white chocolate into a jar, and add lots of red gel food coloring. This could also be done with red melting wafers. 

8.) Transfer to Ziploc bag, and cut a tiny opening in one corner. ***Working one cookie at a time, add lines of red chocolate, then a few blue start sprinkles to each cookie. Practicing first helps!

9.) Enjoy your cookies! These would be perfect for a party or just enjoying at home!!!

An Easy Treat For Labor Day And Beyond

I have an awesome, tasty, and amazingly easy dessert idea for Labor Day festivities and beyond. Definitely want to admit that I did not make my own cupcakes, though - I got some delicious pre-made Red Velvet Cupcakes from our local Schnuck's grocery store, and also found the berries there too. But, the little special touches always make people smile, so you can recreate your own by simply adding some blueberries and raspberries to some cupcakes of your own. You could even grab the 3 ingredients on your way to a party, and decorate the desserts when you arrive! I also love how the seersucker fabric and little silver stars confetti makes for a patriotic yet elegant decor idea for any holiday that's red, white, and blue! 

If you do want to make your own Naturally Colored Red Velvet Cupcakes, Food52 has an awesome recipe that uses beets (instead of red food coloring) - which is incredible! 

NATURALLY DYED RED VELVET RECIPE FROM FOOD52:

For the cake:

  • 1 cup beet purée, from fresh red beets (not cooked)
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups cake flour
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder, not Dutch-process
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup neutral-flavored oil
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs

For the cream cheese frosting:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 8 ounces unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons crème fraîche
  • 1 pound confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions:

Add the beet purée, buttermilk, vinegar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until very smooth.

Sift the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt together in a bowl. Beat the sugar, oil, and butter together in a large bowl until creamy, then add the eggs one at a time, mixing for 30 seconds after each addition.

Alternate adding the flour mixture and beet mixture to bowl, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Divide between the cupcake papers and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes.

Cool the cupcakes on a rack for 20 minutes or more. Then, get the icing ready. 

To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese together on high speed until fluffy and smooth, then add the crème fraîche. Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the confectioners' sugar until just combined, then turn the mixer up to medium-high and beat until fluffy and smooth, making sure to stop the mixer and scrape down to the bottom of the bowl so everything is evenly mixed. Add the lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt. Enjoy!

Blueberry Granola Parfait - A Great Snack On The Go!

Well, it's back to busy schedules for so many people, with school starting back up for the year, and seasons changing. If your days seem to be going by a mile a minute, here is a great recipe for you that will definitely satisfy that sweet tooth, help keep you full for hours, and because there are so many flavors and textures in this recipe, it makes eating better enjoyable. These parfaits contain layers of granola, covered with blueberry yogurt, then topped with fresh blueberries and Sahale Snacks in Berry Macaron Almond Mix. This awesome mix is Non-GMO, gluten free, and contains Blueberries, Cashews, Lemon-Infused Apples, Whole Roasted Almonds, and Toasted Coconut. No artificial flavors of any sort, making this a wonderful option for breakfast, lunch, or a snack. 

Elevate your everyday snacks or light meals by adding the very best ingredients possible, while not overthinking it. Simple can definitely be better, so why not work smarter and not harder. 

My parfait recipe was inspired by breakfast on-the-go or afternoon snacks, and the flavor of these snacks was inspired by a walk into a neighborhood bakery. Just one bite of a delicious, freshly made macaron inspired the creation of lightly toasted coconut, crunchy almonds, and creamy cashew. 

About The Brand: "It all started with a climb up Mount Rainier in Washington State in August 2003. We had some beautiful views but nothing delicious to eat. The trail mix and stale nuts we brought on our trip helped to replenish lost energy, but did nothing to satisfy our desire for something great tasting, nutritious and as adventurous as our travels. That experience inspired us to create Sahale Snacks". This is why Sahale Snacks make such a great Grab & Go Snack!

Find Sahale Around The Web: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

I’m sharing #SahaleSnackers in my life as part of a Sahale Snacks® sponsored series for Socialstars™ - Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible! #BeyondOrdinary

Two Amazing Fruity Frozen Yogurt Recipes {Peach Pineapple + Raspberry Peach}

Yum! That;s basically the first word that comes to mind when I look back at these photos. I have been wanting to make some frozen yogurt for some time now, and I had the perfect ingredient for it! Peaches that Bobby's mom gave us when we visited recently. They were just perfectly sweet and juicy. 

I just love how natural the ingredients in this recipe are. This is a way better option than something you can buy in-store, and takes hardly any time at all! The peaches can be cut up and pureed ahead of time, making this even easier. The end result tastes amazing, and will surely please that sweet tooth for people of all ages!

It all starts with peaches...

Cut the peaches in half, then whatever half still has the pit, slide that in half again. The pit will come right out! Make sure your peaches are a teeny tiny bit soft and ready to use, rather than super firm. You can also put the peaches into a grocery bag for a few hours to  soften them up. 

Here are the Basic Ingredients (sans the pineapple - that is shown in the ingredients photo, within the peach puree). Each recipe can be found below its respective title, further down in this post. 

INGREDIENTS:

- 3-4 Peaches, peeled and sliced, pits removed

- 2 C. vanilla yogurt (I used the sweetened kind)

- 2-3 Tbsp sweetener like agave

- 1 C. (or more) fresh raspberries (I froze my own before using them in this recipe)

- 1/2 Can Pineapple rings + their juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

- Puree all ingredients until very smooth, then pour into a freezer-safe container with a lid. Freeze for at least a few hours (but overnight is recommended). Scoop the frozen yogurt into a big bowl and enjoy!! This recipe is amazing for summer. The color of this frozen yogurt is absolutely stunning - that pink color is lovely! 

INGREDIENTS:

- 3-4 Peaches, peeled and sliced, pits removed

- 2 C. vanilla yogurt (I used the sweetened kind)

- 2-3 Tbsp sweetener like agave

- 1/2 Can Pineapple rings + their juice

INSTRUCTIONS:

- Puree all ingredients until very smooth, then pour into a freezer-safe container with a lid. Freeze for at least a few hours (but overnight is recommended). Scoop the frozen yogurt into a big bowl and enjoy!! This recipe is amazing for summer. This recipe is the same as the one above, minus the raspberries!

Olympics Inspired - Candy Flavored Vodkas!

I had a blast creating these 5 flavored vodkas, inspired by the 2016 Olympics! With 5 different types of candy, I created 5 festive flavors of infused vodka, and then created a cute label for the Vodka I used. 

Here is how I got the 5 flavors/colors. Note, I did use a teeny bit of food coloring in the black and green flavors, but the other colors turned out so vibrant. All you have to do is to divide 1-2 bottles of unflavored vodka into 5 jars with lids. In order to really infuse the alcohol, keep these in the fridge overnight, if you can. The longer you wait, the better! I also recommend using as much candy in the jar as you can.

BLUE: Blue Jolly Ranchers - BLACK: Black Licorice + Black Food Dye - RED: Cherry Jolly Ranchers - YELLOW: Lemon Heads - GREEN: Green Apple Jolly Ranchers + Lime Green Food Coloring

You could of course customize these fun flavors and colors for college or pro sports teams, holidays, and more! Let me know if you wind up making these, I'd love to see what you create. 

Also, I grabbed this amazingly tasty Sugar Saucer Cookie from Longbranch Cafe, my favorite restaurant in Carbondale! 

And, if you were wondering how I created the label on the bottle, I found 8.5" x 11" sticker paper at a local print shop, and printed a label I created in InDesign. I found the fonts on dafont.com - love that site! Go Team!!!

Share Your Passions + A Watermelon Keg Drink Recipe With Rémy Martin Cognac

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.

#passiondefinedremyrefined #CollectiveBias #StLouisSweepstakes

I listen to music every single day. I much prefer music to television, and because I work from home I include music in my daily life. I am always looking for new music to love, or I will play something from one of my many favorite musicians. I love listening as I am crafting, which is one of my many talents. Recently, I have been creating beautiful dreamcatchers as party items for entertaining. Listening to music and combining my talents of crafting make for a relaxing and productive day. I created a fun and inspiring Girly Boho Summer Festival Themed Party décor item, which is a dreamcatcher. I created this while listening to my favorite tunes. You can see later in this post how to create these for yourself.

In honor of music festival season, and tons of great concerts happening in the St. Louis area, I also created a delightfully refreshing Watermelon Cognac Summer Sip Recipe - and then served it out of a watermelon keg! Everything turned out so well, so I hope you get a chance to try this drink recipe with friends while listening to good music.

Also going on this summer, you can enter to win a mentor for a YEAR (!!!), or meet Jhené Aiko! Read along to find out more. And, check out updates on Twitter.
Learn more about this amazing opportunity on Twitter

Or visit their website!

First, I wanted to start off by telling you a bit more about the mentorship that Rémy Martin Cognac is offering up.

To enter the sweepstakes, the Entrant must log on to his/her Twitter account and (i) follow @RemyRefined (if he/she does not already), and (ii) Tweet an image of Entrant showing their life passion and including the hashtags #RemyRefined and either #ChicagoSweepstakes, #DetroitSweepstakes, or #StLouisSweepstakes, depending on Entrant’s state of residence.

○      Grand Prize (1): The grand prize winner will receive a mentor for one (1) year to help winner live out his/her passion and a check for $5,000 (“Grand Prize”).

○      First Prize (15 [five (5) per location]): Each first prize winner will receive two (2) tickets to a Jhené Aiko concert on either August 12, 2016 for Michigan winners, August 16, 2016 for Illinois winners, or August 17, 2016 for Missouri winners, a meet and greet with Jhené Aiko, and a Rémy Martin gift bag (“First Prize”).

○      Second Prize (30 [ten (10) per location]): Each second prize winner will receive two (2) tickets to a Jhené Aiko concert on either August 12, 2016 for Michigan winners, August 16, 2016 for Illinois winners, or August 17, 2016 for Missouri winners (“Second Prize’).

No Purch. Nec. Ends 8/31/16. 21+, IL, MI, MO only, Rules: RemyRefined.com

DREAMCATCHER INSTRUCTIONS:

MATERIALS:

Lace Fabric

Wooden Embroidery Hoop (I used a smaller one)

Ribbon, Beads, Feathers, and Embroidery Floss

Hot Glue & Hot Glue Gun

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Heat up your glue gun and let’s get started!

Cut a long strip of lace, which will be wrapped around the outer circle part of the embroidery hoop.

Glue one short side of the strip to the inside of the circle, then wrap the lace around the entire circle, glueing whenever you see fit.

2.) Now, cut a circle of lace a little bit bigger than the interior circle, and stretch the lace around the inner circle, glueing on one side, then glue straight across, then evenly stretch out the rest of the lace on the circle. (See Figure 2)

3.) Now, we will add the pretty decorations. Cut lengths of ribbon, and glue them inside the outer circle. Then, double over your embroidery floss, and tie it to the circle. Glue everything in place.

4.) I used a big needle on the embroidery floss to get the beads onto the string. I also glued marabou feathers to the ends of the string, then wrapped and glued more ribbon around it.

5.) I also tied embroidery floss around the glasses (tapered glasses would have been way easier), then added elephant charms and more beads. I love how everything turned out!

Read on to see how I made the watermelon keg and to get the drink recipe!!!

DRINK RECIPE / WATERMELON KEG INSTRUCTIONS:

MATERIALS:

2 Watermelons

Rémy Martin 1738 or Rémy Martin VSOP

Blender or food processor for watermelon

Large spoon to scoop out watermelon

knife to cut watermelon

Mint (optional)

Large Mason Jars (to mix drink)

Watermelon Keg Tapper

For The Keg Stand:

Cake Stand

Bowl To Hold Watermelo

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Cut a couple of inches off the top of your watermelon. I used painters tape to try and get a straighter cut.

2.) Scoop out insides of watermelon and blend the insides until it’s juice. Transfer to several mason jars (or other large container with a lid).

3.) For every quart of watermelon juice, add 2-3 shots of Rémy Martin.

4.) You can also add some mint and lime, if that’s your style! And to add even more summer flavor, this would be so tasty!

5.) MAKE THE KEG - Open your watermelon keg tapping kit, and follow instructions to create the keg.

6.) Set your new watermelon creation into the bowl, and set it all onto the cake stand.

7.) Fill the watermelon with your drink recipe, turn on some good tunes, and sample your new drink! Enjoy!

PRODUCT INFORMATION

Rémy Martin 1738

Rémy Martin 1738® Accord Royal is the signature blend from the luxury House of Rémy Martin. Made from the most sought after grapes of Fine Champagne Cognac, 1738® is a tribute to almost 300 years of passionate commitment to time, tradition and respect of the land.

1738 Accord Royal is aged up to 20 years in French toasted oak casks to reveal a rich range of aromas and exceptionally round texture.

Rémy Martin VSOP

The world’s first and favorite Fine Champagne cognac

#1 V.S.O.P in the US

The art of blending hundreds of eaux-de-vie to renew the same taste every year and reveal the same signature style since it’s creation in 1927

Dominant notes of vanilla thanks to aging in large grain oak barrels. Fruity notes of ripe apricots, baked apple and elegant floral notes.

{PB + Banana Toast} Summer Snacking with Sahale Snacks

I found a new, favorite snack mix! Actually, I found quite a few new favorites in this amazing package that I received from Sahale Snacks! I wanted to share a fun "recipe" of sorts that will hopefully inspire you to take the time to get some healthy foods together, and have a breakfast picnic!! 

This fun "recipe" basically consists of only four ingredients! Toast, Creamy Peanut Butter, Bananas, and Sahale Snacks Honey Almond Glazed Mix, which also features sea salt and cranberries for a bit of tart and sweet.

I just spread the PB onto the toast, then sliced up my bananas to about 1/4" thick. I placed 6 banana slices on the toast, then added the tasty almonds. They are coated in the most delicious honey crunchy awesome-ness, so I wound up eating a few as I was creating these photos - how could I resist?! 

If you are just looking for something to grab on the way out of the door, or if you're looking for snacks for your next road trip, then these Grab & Go Snacks  from Sahale Snacks are perfect!! 

I also fell in love with this S'Well bottle from their Satin Collection - in Moncao Blue. SO many colors to choose from!!! 

I'm sharing #SahaleSnackers in my life as part of a Sahale Snacks® sponsored series for Socialstars™. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep my blog a beautiful space to showcase my work! 

Smoothie Time With Annie's Homegrown Organics

I have been on a major smoothie kick lately, and after making one almost every day, I have found my perfect blend of ingredients to make a smoothie that I haven't gotten tired of yet! I will alter the recipe just a little bit, depending upon what fruit I have in my fridge or freezer, but I basically use the same formula each time. 

I have always been drawn to Annie's Homegrown Organic products, so when I saw this yogurt at our local Schnuck's, I grabbed a couple of containers, lots of berries, and also re-upped on unsweetened almond milk. 

I have also learned that to make a smoothie the best (most drinkable) consistency possible, you can't use all frozen fruits. Otherwise, it freezes all of the other ingredients, making something more like soft sorbet (which is great for smoothie bowls or making nice-cream). Also, adding the almond milk definitely helps to thin out your smoothie, but the taste can be overwhelming, so just test your smoothie before pouring it in the jar. Lastly, with the yogurt, I add a good amount, because it tastes SO good! So, the amount of each ingredient just depends on your taste preferences. 

MAKES 2 LARGE SMOOTHIES

- Annies Homegrown Organic Very Vanilla Yogurt

- Unsweetened Almond Milk

- Frozen Raspberries (I freeze fresh ones in jars)

- Frozen Blackberries (I also froze some fresh ones in jars)

- Fresh Strawberries (tops sliced off, cut into smaller pieces)

- Fresh Blueberries 

- Fresh Banana

- Ice

- Sugar is your fruit isn't very sweet or too tart

 

1.) In a blender or food processor, add sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries, frozen raspberries, frozen blackberries, a dash of almond milk, banana, 1/3 container of yogurt, and a handful of ice.

2.) Hold the blender down, and begin to blend and puree your ingredients! Keep blending for a bit, because you want everything the same consistency. Note - unless you have a super-awesome blender, the ice will sound rough at first when you blend...

3.) Pour into a big jar, and enjoy! This smoothie keeps me full well past lunch time, it's amazing!

Find more about the Annie's Hiomegrown Organic yogurt, here!

Peanut Butter Happy ~ Waffle "Cake" Recipe + A Quick and Easy Lunch Idea

I love peanut butter. I could eat it on a spoon straight out of the jar for a snack just about any time. When I had the opportunity to create a fun recipe inspired by Jif Spreads, I jumped on the opportunity! Our household definitely prefers Jif to any other Peanut Butter on the shelf! Also, I was recently introduced to Jif Bars, which are also some of the best granola style bars I've ever eaten. Really, though, add Peanut Butter to just about anything, and I'm a happy woman! Just the thought makes me peanut butter happy! #peanutbutterhappy

Since I wanted to showcase the Peanut Butter as a spread, rather than inside the recipe, I opted to layer up homemade chocolate waffles, Jif Spread, and also a bit of cool whip, and created the most amazing Waffle "Cake" to date. I also realized that this fun recipe was not complete without chocolate syrup drizzled over the whole creation.

- 1 box chocolate cake mix

- water

- vegetable oil

- 3 eggs

- Cool Whip (2 containers)

- Jif Creamy Peanut Butter

- Chocolate Sauce

- Waffle Iron

- Non Stick Spray

TO MAKE THE WAFFLES:

I used a super simple recipe to make the homemade chocolate waffles. Simply mix 1 box of cake mix, 1 C. water, 1/3 C. vegetable oil, and 3 large eggs. Alternately, you can substitute about 1/3 of the cake mix with other waffle batter so they are more fluffy, because the cake mix waffles can be a bit dense. Heat the waffles for about 3 minutes each, and set them aside on a cooling rack if you have one - this way, the waffles won't get soggy while you're working on them. I used 5 waffles here.

After making the waffles, it's time to create your waffle "cake"! Place one waffle on the plate, then add a layer of Cool Whip all across the first waffle, to create a thick layer. I like scooping the Cool Whip into a Ziploc bag, and then cutting off the tip to create a sort of pastry bag. Next, layer another waffle, Jif Creamy Peanut Butter, waffle, Cool Whip, waffle, more Peanut Butter, then your last waffle.

I topped the dish with a big dollop of Cool Whip, and then drenched it in chocolate syrup!

This would be such a fun way to surprise someone on their birthday, or even if they're just having a bad day. Really love how this divine creation turned out!

Here is an Iobatta link where you can find the products I am sharing in this post:

Jif Spread -https://ibotta.com/app/retailer/any/offer/51534

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are mine alone. #peanutbutterhappy #ad

These Jif Bars inspired me to show you a quick and easy lunch idea, that you can prepare in just a few minutes. A jar salad is a great way to jump start your mid day hunger. I also love the idea of bringing a fruit like cherries or grapes in a jar, so they won't get squished or make a mess. And, a classic PBJ (featuring Jif PB of course), and my favorite raspberry jelly. And, I love packing the Jif Bars as my dessert, because they're portable and taste seriously SO good!

These Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars were the bomb! There are other flavors as well, like Crunchy Peanut Butter, and Creamy Peanut Butter.

I found the Jif Bars right above the Peanut Butter at Walmart, and their prices are some of the best I've found for these items.

photo bromello signature.png

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine.

Market Fresh Ratatouille Recipe

Are you looking for a fresh, tasty recipe that you can make with items you find at the Farmer's Market? Here's a recipe you will love! This shop has been compensated by CollectiveBias, Inc. on behalf of its advertiser. All opinions and ideas are my own. #PickedAtPeak  #CollectiveBias

By incorporating fresh vegetables, and Prego® Farmers' Market sauces, your family will be eating more vegetables, and asking for seconds! This dish smells absolutely delicious while it is baking, and you can also make this dish ahead of time, and even freeze it to bake at a later date. Win-Win in my mind! 

I love the fact that we have two farmer's markets here in Carbondale, IL, and since the soil in Illinois is SO fertile, we are lucky enough to have lots of options as to what local foods we want to use. 

LET'S TALK SAUCE:

- New Prego® Farmers' Market Sauces have market-fresh ingredients, like vine-ripened tomatoes, garlic, and basil, that are picked at the peak of freshness. These new sauces are available at Walmart in the pasta aisle, my favorite aisle of all...

When I first began researching this ratatouille recipe, I found that every recipe traditionally called for a lengthy process of creating a sauce of your own. This recipe will save you so much time, by simply incorporating a jar of Prego® sauce, which makes this dish taste amazing. 

This Cotton Market Bag, above, was printed and designed by my friend at Bodega Press. It's one of my favorites! 

INGREDIENTS FOR 2-3 SERVINGS:

Squash At The Carbondale Market

- 1 Jar of new Prego® Farmers' Market sauce. I loved the Classic Marinara and the Tomato & Basil.

- 1 Zucchini, sliced very thin

- 1 Yellow Squash

- 1 Chinese Eggplant (the skinny kind)

- Olive Oil & Brush to apply oil

- Fresh Parsley, chopped finely

- Salt and other seasonings as desired

- Circular Baking Dish & Non Stick Cooking Spray

- Foil

Note: The above image shows more vegetables you can add to this recipe, but you can definitely make this with just the few ingredients I have listed. 

- Also, you can slice up onions and tomatoes, and layer them in between the other slices. 

To purchase these sauces, visit your local Walmart store, or shop online, here.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Slice all 3 vegetables (zucchini, squash, and eggplant) very thinly (You can also include slices of onion and tomato here ). I used a Mandolin Slicer, which worked incredibly well for this recipe. CAUTION - Please, please use the guard piece that comes with the machine, because this took a small part of my boyfriend's pinky off and caused a big mess! Poor Bobby...Anyway! He's doing fine now :)

Set veggie slices aside and grab your sauce! It's already time to prepare your dish. 

2.) Spray your baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Spread a thin layer of sauce, roughly 1/4" - 1/2" around the bottom of the dish. I used about 2/3 of the jar of sauce, but ideally 1/2 of a jar would be perfect!

3.) "Shingle" your vegetables, see below. I loved this part! Get about 4-6 veggie rounds in your hand, and alternate colors. 

4.) Put the shingled veggies into the baking dish, over the sauce, making sure not to press too hard, because you don't want the sauce on top of the veggies while baking.

5.) Continue the veggie spiral all the way to the center of the dish.

6.) Chop the parsley to sprinkle on top of the dish.

7.) Brush olive oil onto the veggies, carefully as to not get sauce on top of the veggie slices. Add salt and any other seasonings you want to the top of the dish. Garnish with chopped, fresh parsley - this adds so much to the look of your dish! 

8.) Lastly, bake the dish at 375 degrees, for roughly 30 minutes covered in foil, then for another 10-20 minutes with the foil off. Once the vegetables have browned, and the sauce has cooked down to a desirable amount, you're done! 

Enjoy!

Amazing Homemade Meatballs Recipe

Want a great recipe for someone special? I think this would make an awesome Father's Day recipe for Dad, grandpa, husbands, boyfriends, or whatever guy is special in your life, deserves this amazing dish!

INGREDIENTS:

- 1 lb. ground pork

- 1 egg

- 1 C. breadcrumbs

- Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, Van Zandt's seasoning mix

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.) Preheat oven to 425 degrees F, and line a baking sheet with foil. 

2.) Spray a cooling rack with non-stick spray, and place it onto the foil lined baking sheet.

3.) Let's make the food! Combine sausage, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, egg, and seasonings in a medium bowl. Mix with hands (I always use rubber gloves), until well-combined.

4.) Roll mixture in hands to form 1"-1.5" balls, and place each one on the rack. Space them apart a bit, they won't change in shape, so you can bake quite a few at once.

5.) Bake for 16-20 minutes, and more if they aren't done yet. 

6.) While baking, boil your noodles, and heat your sauce separately. 

7.) To Serve: Place noodles on a plate, add meatballs, and then cover with sauce! Garnish with more parmesan cheese, and dinner is served! These are so incredibly easy to make, and reheat well. 

Other ideas for these meatballs:

- Meatballs, Peppers, and Penne Noodles

- Meatball Sandwiches

- Slice meatballs thin to put onto pizzas

- Dip them in sauce, without noodles

- Make ahead of time, and freeze these for dinner in advance! 

No Bake Cheesecake Recipe For The Gal On The Go With ZonePerfect® Bars (With Vegan Filling)

I have an absolutely incredible recipe for you today! This shop has been compensated by CollectiveBias, Inc. on behalf of its advertiser, ZonePerfect. #SnackandRally #CollectiveBias

I wanted to share this recipe because it is a wonderfully healthy snack option for those of you who are always on the go. The little bit of time you spend creating this recipe during your down time, will save you tons of time in the morning. Or, that time of day when you're having to multi task, or when you are in a hurry and can't even spare two minutes to make a meal to eat. Life doesn't slow down because you are tired or hungry. 

This was my first time making Vegan Cheesecake Filling and they turned out incredibly well!! The crust is made from ZonePerfect® Bars, and the chocolatey,peanut buttery, and graham cracker flavored bars added such a nice crunch and sweetness to this recipe. Note - The ZonePerfect® Bars are not vegan, so only the filling is actually vegan. Sorry for any confusion I may have created by calling the original recipe I shared, completely vegan. 

ZonePerfect® Bars offer a snacking option that is rewarding, satisfying, and nutritious, and actually taste amazing! These bars give you the 2nd, and even 3rd wind that you need to have the vitality and energy that you need for busy days or nights. They satisfy cravings, are convenient, and leave you feeling happy to knowing that you just got your chocolate (or sweet) fix, but in reality have eaten something that contains no less that 10 grams of protein in each bar. They are also a good source of fiber, and offer versatility of flavor and balance.  Let's make some No Bake Cheesecakes! 

Everyone who ate them raved about them, and couldn't get enough of them. I love the fact that I put them in individual jars, so that you can even grab one as a quick meal on your way out the door, or if you're anything like me, eat them as you're rushing around the house, doing a million things before you have to leave. I am definitely one of those people who tries to literally start a project a half hour before leaving the house, on top of the things I need to already do to get myself ready and out the door. By utilizing recipes like this one, you can easily fit these into your lifestyle and be more efficient. 

*Note - To make this recipe, you must soak the cashews for a few hours, so make sure you do this ahead of time!!

INGREDIENTS FOR ABOUT 8 JARS:

- ZonePerfect® Bars in Chocolate Peanut Butter and Fudge Graham

- 1 (10 oz) Can of Cashew Pieces (I used a can of salted cashews, and they worked very well. The salt goes away completely when you soak your cashews).

- 1 Can Of Coconut Milk

- 1 (11 Fl. oz) Culinary Coconut Milk (It was more of a liquid consistency than that in the can)

- Organic Agave Nectar (Any type will do)

- Lemon juice for taste (optional)

- Raspberries and other fresh fruit of your choice

OTHER MATERIALS:

- Small Jars

- Blender (for filling)

- Food Processor (for crust)

- Long spoon to scrape ingredients from blender

- Sharp knife to prepare crust

You're in luck! Save up to $4 when you buy two boxes in the ZonePerfect® Bundle Pack.

Shop Online For ZonePerfect® Bars Here.

Find More Ideas For Recipes & Ideas Here.

I found all of these ingredients at Walmart, which made this project easier. Look for ZonePerfect® Bars near the pharmacy area, by the nutritional bars and other healthy items. 

MAKE THE VEGAN FILLING:

1.) Begin by soaking the cashews in water for 3-4 hours. I made sure to use a container with a lid, so it didn't spill. I could not believe how soft the cashews got in this short amount of time. Check the cashews to see if they are soft, and when they're ready, drain out all of the water with a strainer. None of the salt will be left.

2.) In a blender, add all of the cashews, and the more "liquid" coconut milk. Blend until smooth (see photo below).

Next, add the can of coconut milk. When I first added it, I was concerned that the mixture would turn out watery (because there was a clear liquid in the can), but when I blended everything up, it was perfect! 

Add your agave sweetener one or two squirt at a time. Taste the mixture and keep adding agave until you think it's sweet enough. Depending on what type of agave you get, you may not need much at all. The stye I got (in the photo of ingredients), was not very strong or sweet, so I added a few squirts and it tasted perfect!

MAKE THE ZonePerfect® CRUST:

Note - Crust is not vegan, sorry for any confusion!

100% Vegan Crust would contain 1 Cup pitted dates + 1 cup raw walnuts - bended in a food processor). But, this ZonePerfect® tasted absolutely incredible!!! 

3.) Unwrap about 5-6 bars, or as many as will fit into your food processor.

4.) Chop the ZonePerfect® Bars as small as you can with your knife, and put the pieces into the food processor. At first, I only chopped the bars into quarters, and they did not process well. I took them back out, and chopped them up a lot more, and they were absolutely perfect. ZonePerfect® one might say :)

6.) Blend/Process the ZonePerfect® bars as much as you can. Look at that beautiful crust!!!

7.) Put the ZonePerfect® crust into the jars, and press the materials down as much as you can. I just divided the Zone Perfect crust evenly between the jars. 

8.) Pour the vegan "cheesecake" filling into the jars, and fill pretty close to the top. 

9.) Now, put the lids onto the jars, and put them into the fridge for a few hours, or overnight. This will help them set up, and the filling tastes so much better if it is cold! 

10.) After they have chilled for a bit, take them out and top them with fresh fruit! I enjoyed scooping the ZonePerfect® crust and mixing it into the "cheesecake". It added a nice chocolatey sweetness that made these amazing for an On The Go Snack, whether it was breakfast, a snack, or a light meal. They're very filling and had a lovely hint of cashews and coconuts. 

Thanks so much for taking a look at my recipes!! Have you ever eaten or created a vegan cheesecake filling or something like this recipe? Comment below and let me know. Take care!