Easy Iced Coffee!!

Ever since college I have been a coffee drinker.  Probably more so when I am teaching.  However, I prefer decaf.  I also drink it for several reasons.  One reason is that it keeps me from snacking.  Another reason is that it is relaxing to drink a nice warm cup of coffee while sitting on the couch after everyone else is in bed!   It also is the perfect drink to accompany anything sweet, such as ice cream!

I have been wanting to perfect my iced coffee drink since college.  I do my best to pinch every penny possible...so I don't keep the air on 68 (much to my husbands dismay) in the summer.  Therefore, drinking hot coffee is not always what I want in the heat of summer...I still want the taste though!  So, after trying many different ideas and recipes I have finally made a simple,delicious, and easy iced coffee!!

You will need:

Coffee Pot

1 pkg sample coffee (like at Wal-Mart, those little bitty bags)

Ice trays

Milk

Sweetener (I used one pkg truvia per cup)

Chocolate/Caramel if desired
Flavored Creamer if desired (I love the Chocolate Caramel from International Delight)

I made a 12 cup pot of coffee using a whole small pkg of coffee.  I chose to use a flavored coffee for this.  Then I poured this into the ice cub trays and placed them in the freezer overnight. (I got over 4 dozen ice cubes).  The next day I dumped all the cubes out of the trays and into a freezer bag for storage.

To make each drink you simply make a cup of coffee as you usually would.  Add about 1/2 c milk (I use skim), 1 pkg sweetener (truvia),  4 to 6 coffee cubes, and flavor with chocolate/caramel if desired!  

Enjoy!!

**Also if you like that cup - check out some more Tervis Tumblers!! They are my favorite cups to use! they are microwave and dishwasher safe, keep hot drinks hot, cold drinks cold and don't sweat!!**

Pumpkin Brownies...

This weekend I was blessed to spend time with second family (my husband's family)!  We always have a great time when we are able to get together!!  While we were together I decided to try one of my old Weight Watchers recipes on the fam.  You will need:

A regular size can of pumpkin

A chocolate Cake Mix (The Dark Chocolate is best)

Cocoa powder (optional)

**After making this and sampling it...I would recommend a Duncan Hines Double Chocolate Cake Mix, or adding cocoa....the pilsbury traditional did not completely cover the taste of pumpkin, and didn't bake as well**

Preheat the oven to 325 F.

Mix together the can of pumpkin and the cake mix (as well as the cocoa powder if you choose to use some).  **I'm sure some chocolate chips would be wonderful in the mix, but I do not know what that would do to the Weight Watcher's Points.... **

Spray a 9x11 baking pan and spread the batter evenly in the pan.  

Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until baked through.  You can top with Fat Free Cool Whip if you like!  

The fun of these brownies is that you cannot taste the pumpkin!  If you do not have a dark chocolate cake mix you will probably want to add a little cocoa powder just to be sure though!  If you cut the pan of brownies into 16 pieces each piece will be only 1 Weight Watcher's Point (on the old system...I'm not sure about the new...).  Of course, I usually cut my pan into smaller pieces, so less than 1 point for a brownie!!!  =)

The nieces and nephew seemed to like them today and the students in my classes for the past few years have liked them as well....until they found out pumpkin was in them!! :)

Pinterest Project of the Day - Day 3

Hi, my name is Cori, and I am addicted to dessert... 

My Grandfather is talked about for asking what was for dessert as soon as the prayer for the meal was over!  I think I am much like him in that way.  I am always ready for dessert.  As a child, I would tell my mother that I was full of regular food, but that I had a separate space for dessert!  Being in and out of town or visiting with family during the summer means that I don't do as much cooking.  The only desserts I have made in the past few weeks have been to take places.  Tonight after dinner, I wanted some dessert, but I did not want to make a big dessert.  I recalled seeing the Mug Cake on Pinterest.  So, as usual, I compared a few different recipes that I found, and modified them to make my own version.  It was delicious!  This project was definitely a success.  I may still tweak the recipe some...next time I plan to try using one egg in two mug cakes (I made two tonight,because if you make dessert, you should have enough to share with your loving husband!).  I will let you know how it goes in the future.  Below is the recipe I compiled and modified to make my own.  If you have any recommendations, please comment! I would love to hear your feedback!

Mug Cake

4 T All Purpose Flour

4 T Sugar

1/2 tsp Baking Powder

1 Egg

1 T Coco Powder

1 1/2 T Hershey's Syrup

1 T Milk

1/2 tsp Vanilla

3 1/2 T oil

Chocolate Chips

Mix all ingredients in large coffee mug.  Cook in microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.  Let cool - just enough that it won't burn you.  ENJOY!!!