{Holiday Crafts} Gifts in a Jar

Homemade gifts in a jar are a fun, frugal, and easy holiday gift to share with loved ones.
There are endless possibilities with what can be placed in a jar. Soup mixes are super for those who like savory ingredients. Jars containing layered mixes for cookies, muffins, and brownies are yummy for those with a sweet tooth.

Gifts in a jar are easy to make. Just take a glass jar (canning jars, mason jars, or even recycled mustard jars), layer with ingredients, and then top with a gift tag. Combine a bunch of jars together to make your own gift baskets. How’s that for a frugal gift idea?

1. S’mores in a Jar

Layer in a large wide mouthed 1 quart mason jar:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (one sleeve of crackers, crushed)
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows.
Or substitute with 8 Peeps and 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows for seasonal fun. Line the jar with Peeps facing out.
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips or mini Hershey Kisses or M&M’s
1/3 cup brown sugar

2. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies in a Jar
This recipe makes about 36 cookies.

Layer in a large wide mouthed 1 quart mason jar:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Pour mixture into a 1 quart (1 liter) mason jar and pack down. Mix oatmeal in a blender. Pack on top of flour in mason jar. Add white sugar and pack down. Add brown sugar and pack down. Layer chopped nuts on top of brown sugar. Finish layering jar with mini or regular chocolate chips.

3. Chai Tea Mix in a Jar
This recipe makes 2, 6 ounce jars.

Ingredients:

Layer in 2, 6 ounce jars:

1 1/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1/4 cup black tea leaves
12 cardamom pods
4 2 inch pieces of cinnamon stick
2 tsp dried lemon peel
Divide all ingredients and layer equally between 2, 6 ounce jars

More recipes can be found on this website and jar labels to download!! Thank you

{Holiday Entertaining} Thanksgiving Cocktails

Whether this is your first Thanksgiving with your sweetie’s family or you’re coming back from college and want to find a new way to pitch in, a cocktail is always a safe way of contributing without that pesky risk of mucking up longstanding family traditions.

Don’t risk messing up grandma’s traditional mashed potatoes or being called out for passing off another Sarah Lee pie as your own. Instead, bring along supplies for one of these conversation starters. Even the non-drinkers will be impressed by your skill and originality.

Pumpkin Pie

• 1 part kahlua
• 1 part spiced pumpkin pie filling
• 2 parts coconut rum
• 4 parts cold milk
• 6 ice cubes
• Garnish with cinnamon

Put everything but the cinnamon in a blender. Mix on high. Serve in graham cracker crust highball glasses and sprinkle the top with cinnamon.

Smashing Pumpkin Spice

• 1 part Goldschlager
• 1 part Irish Crème
• 1 part Kahlua
• Cinnamon candies
• Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice

Drop 3-4 cinnamon candies in the bottom of a martini glass. Mix the Goldschlager, Irish Crème, and Kahlua in a martini shaker with ice. Strain into a martini glass and sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on top.

Gingersnap

• ½ part ginger brandy
• 1 part spiced rum
• 4 parts eggnog
• Crumbled gingersnaps

Put your gingersnaps in a blender and grind until you have cookie crumbs. Use the cookies to rim highball glasses. Mix the eggnog, rum, and brandy in your glasses. Serve with an intact gingersnap for dunking.

Royal Cider Grog

• 6 parts apple cider
• 1 part Crown Royal
• Cinnamon sticks

Warm the apple cider in a mug. Top it with the Crown Royal and stir with a cinnamon stick.

Malibu Baked Apple

• 2 parts coconut rum
• 2 parts cranberry juice
• 3 parts apple juice
• Dried apple rings

Mix all 3 in a microwave safe glass and heat until toasty warm. Garnish with a dried apple ring.

Rock Gobbler

• 1 part Wild Turkey
• 2 parts Cranberry Juice
• 2 parts Chambord
• 2 parts Amaretto

Mix everything in a cocktail shaker full of ice then strain into a highball glass. Garnish with a wedge of lime.

Caramel Apple Martini

• 1 part vodka
• 2 parts sour apple liquor
• 2 parts butterscotch liquor
• Caramel candy

Drop a small caramel candy into a martini glass. Mix everything else in a cocktail shaker full of ice then strain into the martini glass.

Turkey Shooter

• 3 parts Wild Turkey
• 1 part crème de methe

Chill both ingredients. Pour the Wild Turkey into a brandy snifter then carefully float the crème de methe on top. The whiskey will warm you up while the mint flavor keeps you cool.

Turkey Trot

• 1 part bourbon
• 2 parts 7-Up
• 2 parts cranberry juice

Mix everything in a highball glass and drink on the rocks.

Butterball

• 1 part amaretto
• 1 part butterscotch schnapps
• Whipped cream

Pour amaretto into a shot glass and layer the schnapps on top. Top with a dash of whipped cream. Throw it back as a single shot.

Recipes found on Foodvu.com

{Holiday Entertaining} Pumpkin Hummus

PUMPKIN HUMMUS
www.RecipeGirl.com

Four 6 inch pitas, each cut into 8 wedges
cooking spray
2 Tbs tahini (sesame seed paste)
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
1 tsp ground cumin seed
1 tsp olive oil
¾ tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground red pepper
One 15oz. can pure pumpkin
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 Tbs chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbs pumpkinseed kernels, toasted (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Place pita wedges on baking sheets; coat with cooking spray. Bake for 6 minutes, or until toasted.
3. Place tahini and next 7 ingredients (through garlic) in a food processor, and process until smooth. Add parsley; pulse until blended. Spoon hummus into a serving bowl; sprinkle with pumpkinseed kernels, if desired. Serve with pita wedges.
Servings: 10

{Holiday Entertaining} Molasses Cookie Recipe

We top our moist Molasses Cookies with a light layer of lemony frosting.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup(s) (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
2 tablespoon(s) butter, warm
1 cup(s) granulated sugar
1 cup(s) molasses
1 cup(s) sour cream
2 teaspoon(s) ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
3 teaspoon(s) baking soda
3 tablespoon(s) white vinegar
3 eggs, beaten
4 cup(s) sifted flour
2 cup(s) (packed) confectioners' sugar, sifted
5 1/2 tablespoon(s) milk, warm
3 tablespoon(s) milk, very hot
1 teaspoon(s) lemon extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, sour cream, ginger, and salt. Combine the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl, and add to butter mixture. Beat in the eggs until combined. Stir in flour. Place a heaping tablespoonful of dough per cookie, 2 inches apart, onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean--about 15 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

3. Beat confectioners' sugar, 5 1/2 tablespoons warm milk, and remaining 2 tablespoons warm butter together using a wooden spoon. Stir in lemon extract. Add remaining 3 tablespoons hot milk and beat until smooth. Use immediately to frost cookie. Spread 1 teaspoon frosting on top of each cookie. Let frosting set before serving.

Thank you CountryLiving.com for this great recipe and pictures!

{Holiday Entertaining} Hot Chocolate Bar

Candy buffets and sweets stations are really popular now days, but why not spice it up for the holidays with a "Build Your Own Hot Chocolate Bar."  Your guests will be sure to enjoy this wonderful heart-warming treat!

Hot Cocoa Bar How-To’s

• Use fancy mugs. This can be an fun, attractive way to tie in your colors.
• Have a few assortments of flavored hot cocoa. Some favorites that would also act as a perfect base for your guests’ creations would be peppermint, white chocolate, and dark chocolate.  Make sure the liquid starts out HOT.  The room temperature add-ins will cool the cocoa quickly.
• Finely chop your chunky add-ins so they will melt well.
• Have both liquid and dry options for add-ins.

Hot Cocoa Bar Add-Ins

• Marshmallows (what hot cocoa isn’t complete without this staple?)
• Peppermint sticks
• Flavored syrups
• Flavored whipped cream
• Cinnamon sticks
• Orange twists or rinds
• Chopped up candy bar
• Chocolate chips
• Chocolate truffles
• Caramel squares
• Candied ginger

If hot cocoa isn’t your style, but you’re still looking for that exclusive, unique touch you may want to opt for a caramel apple bar or even a s’mores bar.  Both have the same idea as the hot cocoa bar - You start with the base and add toppings or mix-ins to personalize. The options are limitless.  Whatever your preference, a creative food bar can be a great tool to give your reception that extra “it” factor you’ve been looking for.

Thank you for this wonderful information - blog.thebrideandgroom.com 

{Holiday Entertaining} Tantalizing Baked Brie Recipe

Cranberry-Apricot Baked Brie with Honey

From Country Living

This recipe has been tested by Country Living

Straight from your grocer's freezer, the dough baked around a cranberry, apricot, and almond topped Brie rises to the occasion — no flour, food processor, or kneading required.

Ingredients

1/3 cup(s)	chopped dried cranberries
1/3 cup(s)	chopped dried apricots
1/4 cup(s)	sliced almonds
1/4 cup(s)	honey
1 1/2 teaspoon(s)	chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon(s)	salt, divided
1/8 teaspoon(s)	freshly ground pepper
1	sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 wheel(s)	(8-ounce) Brie
1	egg white

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine cranberries, apricots, almonds, honey, thyme, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Roll puff pastry to 12-inch square. Trim top rind off Brie and center cheese on pastry. Top with fruit mixture.

Beat egg white and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a small bowl and brush some egg wash along pastry edges.

Gather dough up around Brie, twisting into a topknot. Chill in freezer for 15 minutes.

Brush pastry lightly with egg wash and place on a parchment-lined baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes.

{Meatloaf Cupcakes w/ Potato Frosting}

Thanks Fine Furious Life for confusing me. Cupcakes are suppose to be deliciously sweet and call my name when I'm in a room near them.  However, this is such a creative concept, and I love it because I'm all about cool ways to display normal every day food.  What do you think?

INGREDIENTS

For the “cupcake”:

1/3 lb. ground veal

1/3 lb. ground chuck

1/3 lb. ground pork

1 small carrot, roughly chopped

1 small onion, roughly diced

2 stalks celery, roughly diced

3/4 cup breadcrumbs

1/3 cup milk

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup shredded parmesan

2 eggs

Salt and pepper

For the “frosting”:

7.2oz box instant mashed potatoes

Milk, per package instructions

Butter, per package instructions

Beet juice from canned beets

To garnish:

Green pepper, very finely diced

METHOD
For the “cupcake”:

Preheat oven to 350F.
Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk and set aside.
Sweat the vegetables in olive oil until softened. Transfer to a deep bowl and use an immersion blender to puree; alternatively, puree in food processor.
Mix the three meats, eggs, breadcrumbs, parmesan, parsley and vegetable puree in a large bowl until an even consistency is reached.
Place meat mixture in greased muffin tins and bake until brown and shrunken away from the sides, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from tin and cool on rack.

For the “frosting”:
Prepare one sachet of instant mashed potatoes according to package instructions. To prepare the other, substitute beet juice from canned beets for the water called for in the instructions. Allow to cool.
Transfer each batch of mashed potato into a separate pastry bag (or Ziploc bag with a snipped-off corner) with your favourite pastry tip. Pipe onto cupcakes and decorate with diced green pepper.
Reheat in oven or microwave before serving.

{DIY: T is for Turkey}

                   

In honor of Thanksgiving for those of you who need a little extra help :)

Maple Roasted Turkey from the Food Network

{DIY: M is for Mini Caramel Apples}

Ingredients

• 4 granny smith apples
  
• 1 (16 ounce) package butterscotch chips
  
• 1 (16 ounce) package peanut butter chips
  
• 1 (16 ounce) package milk chocolate pieces
  
• 1 (8 ounce) container candy sprinkles
  
• 1 (12 ounce) package coconut
  

Directions

1.} Cut the lollipop sticks at an angle on one end to create a small point to insert into the mini apple.

2.} With the melon baller, scoop little balls out of the apple making sure to have a section of apple peel on each ball.

3.} Push half the lollipop stick into the peel of each ball and pat the apple dry.

4.} Melt the butterscotch, peanut butter and chocolate pieces according to the package directions.

5.} Dip and swirl the mini-apples in the melted chips, then roll them into the sprinkles, coconut or chopped nuts if desired.

6.} Place the mini apples in paper candy cups to set.

Recipe provided by: Recipe Zaar

Photo's courtesy of: TargetMommy Diaries, Kids Kuisine, and Island Packet

{DIY: H is for Hot Cocoa Cone Favors}

With the temperature drop, nothing sounds better right now then a delicious cup of hot cocoa.  I found this fabulous recipe on FamilyFun.com for Hot Cocoa Cones.  A perennial winter favorite, hot cocoa with all the trimmings (mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, and a cherry-red gumdrop) sports an even sweeter look packaged as a cone. This makes a great gift for weddings, showers, or even holiday parties. Be sure to add a tag letting your recipients know the cone contains enough for four servings.

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
3/4 cup cocoa mix
2 (6- by 12-inch) cone-shaped cellophane bags (available at party stores)
2 clear rubber bands (we used ponytail holders)
Scissors
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup mini marshmallows
1 large red gumdrop

1. Pour the cocoa mix into one of the bags. Close the bag with a clear rubber band, then trim the end of the bag 1 inch above the band.

2. Place the cocoa-filled bag into the second bag and flatten its top so the end doesn't stick up.

3. Layer the chocolate chips and the marshmallows, then top with the gumdrop. Secure the bag with the other rubber band.

{Kim's Food For Thought}

Bag up your favorite soup, cookie, or cake recipes in these cones as well.

Decorate them to match the theme of your party or wedding.

Add little pipe cleaners and a red pom to make a Rudolph.

Don't want to DIY? Check out these great sites.
NewYorkChocoaltes.com
FavorStudio.com{Photo provided above}
MyWeddingFavors.com{Photo provided above}

{DIY: F is for Fortune Cookie Favors}

Fortune cookies can be tricky to make - it's important to make sure that the cookie batter is spread out evenly on the baking sheet. Instead of using the back of a wooden spoon to spread the batter, it's better to gently tilt the baking sheet back and forth as needed. Wearing cotton gloves makes it easier to handle and shape the hot cookies. This fortune cookie recipe makes about 10 cookies.

Prep Time: 15 minutes   Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 large egg whites
  
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
  
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  
• 8 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
  
• 8 tablespoons granulated sugar
  
• 3 teaspoons water

Preparation:

1. Write fortunes on pieces of paper that are 3 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 2 9-X-13 inch baking sheets.

2. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg white, vanilla extract, almond extract and vegetable oil until frothy, but not stiff.

3. Sift the flour, cornstarch, salt and sugar into a separate bowl. Stir the water into the flour mixture.

4. Add the flour into the egg white mixture and stir until you have a smooth batter. The batter should not be runny, but should drop easily off a wooden spoon.
Note: if you want to dye the fortune cookies, add the food coloring at this point, stirring it into the batter. For example, I used 1/2 teaspoon green food coloring to make green fortune cookies.

5. Place level tablespoons of batter onto the cookie sheet, spacing them at least 3 inches apart. Gently tilt the baking sheet back and forth and from side to side so that each tablespoon of batter forms into a circle 4 inches in diameter.

6. Bake until the outer 1/2-inch of each cookie turns golden brown and they are easy to remove from the baking sheet with a spatula (14 - 15 minutes).

7. Working quickly, remove the cookie with a spatula and flip it over in your hand. Place a fortune in the middle of a cookie. To form the fortune cookie shape, fold the cookie in half, then gently pull the edges downward over the rim of a glass, wooden spoon or the edge of a muffin tin. Place the finished cookie in the cup of the muffin tin so that it keeps its shape. Continue with the rest of the cookies.

Note: If you haven't made this recipe before, you might want to check out my Top 9 Tips for Making Fortune Cookies. 

{Kim's Food for Thought}

Don't have time to make your own fortune cookie?  

Purchase a box of already made cookies and dip them in any way you want.

Dark chocolate drizzled with white chocolate, regular chocolate covered in sprinkles,

or even white chocolate with an assortment of nuts.

There are many ways to package your fortune cookies.  

Boxes, bags, bows, ribbon, etc.

Don't forget the cute thank you tag!

Write cute poems in your cookie or say nice things about friends attending the party.

Fortune cookies are always a great conversation piece.

Don't want to DIY?  Check out these great sites.

CustomFortuneCookies.com

FancyFortuneCookies.com

ExpressiveFortunes.com

Fortune Cookie recipe found on About.com by Rhonda Parkinson

{Electric Lemonade Retirement}

The summer is officially over today which means the sweet taste of lemonade goes into retirement. {Well, for a few months at least) Good bye oh-so-sweet summer drink! I'll see you next summer by the pool!  On to spice ciders and new warm treats!

Electric Raspberry Lemonade

2 shots - Bacardi Raz

3 splashes - Grenadine

1 ice cold glass - Lemonade

Fresh Raspberries

{Delicious End to Summer - Cherry Gin-Gria}

Cherry syrup lends this drink a sweet, fruity essence that gets amplified by the florals in the gin. A float of red wine on top and a scattering of frozen berries inside make it the perfect quicker, stronger alternative to sangria

Ice cubes
2 ounces cherry syrup (recommended: Giammona)
2 ounces gin
5 to 6 ounces club soda
1 ounce red wine
Maraschino cherries
Fresh or frozen raspberries
Fill a tall glass with ice cubes. Pour in the cherry syrup and the gin; stir to mix together. Lighten the drink with a generous splash of soda. Float a layer of red wine on top by pouring it over the back of a wide, flat spoon. (Don't worry if it doesn't float; it tastes great either way.) Drop a few maraschino cherries and raspberries into the glass. Drink.

{Margarita Monday}

PURPLE MARGARITA (YUM!!)
2 oz Sauza® Hornitos Reposado tequila
2 oz sweet and sour mix
2 oz Chambord® raspberry liqueur
1 oz Rose's® lime juice
1 oz cranberry juice

Serve on the rocks in a margarita glass. Add salt to taste.
www.DrinksMixer.com
Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "5th of May") is primarily a regional and not an obligatory federal holiday in Mexico. The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The date is observed in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.  A common misconception in the United States is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day; Mexico's Independence Day is actually September 16 (dieciséis de septiembre in Spanish), which is the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.  http://en.wikipedia.org

Berry Berry Good: Blackberry Crisp

What a better way to start off the week, then to post a yummy sweet treat (from Foodwishes.com) that will be sure to delight the senses. This very simple, and quite old fashion berry crisp recipe, is perfect for those of you looking for a sexy, non-chocolate, dessert.

Any berry will work in this (even frozen if you must), but the dark, sweet blackberries are my favorite. Served barely warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, it just doesn't get much better than this. And, because there is some oatmeal mixed in with all the butter and sugar, it's practically health food. By the way, it will also give you a second reason to put on a pot of coffee after your Valentines meal. Enjoy!



Ingredients:
4 cups fresh blackberries, washed, drained well
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
pinch of salt
1/2 stick softened butter (4 tbsp)

Thanks Chef John - To view more recipes and videos, please visit http://foodwishes.blogspot.com

{The Mingle Plate}

Grab your cocktails or delicious glasses of wine for this clever, yet oh-so-simple idea, that's an absolutely must have. D'Dimensions came up with this mini itty bitty hor'dourves  plate that can sit on the top of your drink glasses so you can mingle around with guests.  What a fabulous find!

Caribbean Turkey Salad Recipe

I found this great lowfat healthy recipe on the Biggest Loser. It looks absolutely delicious. If anyone tries it, let me know how it turns out



A recipe that gives you game

Ask anyone who's trying to lose weight. The kitchen can pose the biggest challenge of many. All the more reason for this recipe, a dish like the one Kim Lyons and the Red Team make during this week's show--it's delicious, nutritious and extremely low in fat!

Ingredients:
4 (8-inch) whole-wheat tortillas (about 75 kcal each and 7 g. fiber each)
Olive oil cooking spray--about 1 tsp.
1 (20 oz.) pkg. Jennie-O Turkey Store Extra-Lean ground turkey, 1-percent fat
1 (1.25 oz.) pkg. 30-percent-less sodium taco seasoning mix
2 Tbsp. water
1 mango, chopped (about 1 cup)
3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
3 Tbsp. finely chopped green onion
3 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp. grated lime peel
2 cups firmly packed fresh spinach leaves
To Prepare:
1. Heat oven to 425F. Invert four 10 oz. custard cups onto 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Spray outside of cups and one side of each tortilla with olive oil cooking spray.
2. Place tortillas, oiled side up, over cups. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes or until lightly browned.
3. In medium skillet brown turkey until no longer pink. Add taco seasoning mix and water. Cook over low heat 3 to 5 minutes until thoroughly heated.
4. In medium bowl stir together mango, red pepper, green onion, cilantro and lime peel to make salsa.
5. Place taco shells on serving plates. Divide spinach leaves evenly into shells. Top with cooked turkey and salsa. Makes 4 servings.

Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 305. Saturated Fat: 1 g. Mono Fat: 1 g. Sodium: 749 mg. Total Fat: 4 g. Cholesterol: 57 mg. Total Carbohydrate: 34 g. Dietary Fiber: 9 g. Sugars: 7 g. Protein: 37 g.

Turkey Chili Recipe

Another GREAT recipe from Chef John at Foodwishes.com! 

Turkey Chili 

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi0oIzIdfw8]

Ingredients:
2 1/2 lbs ground turkey
2 cans pinto beans (12oz cans)
1 cup tomato puree
2 cups water
3 cloves garlic
1 onion
Secret Chili Spice Mix:
1/4 cup ancho chili powder
1 tbl cumin
1 1/2 tsp chipotle
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
2 1/2 tsp salt
1 tbl paprika
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cayenne
*my chili was garnished with sour cream, diced jalapeno, cilantro and avocado

Another AMAZING Cake

Ok ... so everyone knows I LOVE LOVE LOVE creativity, but what I love more is when someone does something creative for me and totally blows my expectations out of the water. Carol at www.SugarBuzzCakes.com has done it again!! My grandmother's 86th birthday is tomorrow and Carol made me the most amazing cake to help us celebrate!! I was soooo excited, I just had to share!! Yes, it's REALLY a cake!!

Coffee Cafe - Recipes

I was browsing the bookstore yesterday and came across this great titled "Coffee Cafe" by Sherri Johns. It has some great little coffee recipes in it that I thought I would share.

HEAVENLY SHAKE

If you like chocolate milkshakes, youw ill love this coffee shake. Easily the most popular cold coffee drink as well as the easiest to prepare.

What you need:
2 espressos, 45ml (1 1/2oz) amaretto syrup, 30ml (1oz) chocolat syrup, 60 - 90ml (2-3oz) ice cream, 2 cups crushed ice, small amount of whipped cream, small amount of chocolate powder

What to do:
Mix all the ingredients in a blender until they form a smooth consistency. Serve in a 360-480ml (12-16oz) glass. top the glass with whipped cream and chocolate powder.


COFFEE MILKSHAKE

This smooth coffee milkshake is delicious and easy to prepare. Cup rims can be fancy or plain. Serve with straws on a hot summer day.

What you need:
3 cups vanilla ice-cream, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup chilled toddy coffee, 1 tsp vanilla extract, small amount of whipped cream, small amount of chocolate sprinkles

What to do:
Mix allt he ingredients together in a blender until smoothly blended. Serve in a tall glass with a small amount of whipped cream. Decorate with chocolate sprinkles.

COCONUT CREME CAFE

Sweet, creamy and tropical. Coconut Creme Cafe is a dessert coffee designed to satisfy the most nit-picking guests. A welcome refreshment after a spicy meal.

What you need:
30ml (1oz) toddy coffee
1/2tsp rum or Kahlua extract
150ml (5oz) water
2 tsp cream coconut
2 tsp whipping cream
coconut flakes

What to do:
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend for 10 seconds until smooth. Pour mixture into chilled glasses. Garnish with whipped cream and coconut flakes.