Tag Archives: Keurig

SkinnyPop dessert balls

Bourbon Pecan Pie SkinnyPop Balls and Fall Entertaining Ideas

SkinnyPop dessert balls

Bourbon Pecan Pie balls made with SkinnyPop and drizzled with dark chocolate.

Popcorn creates a visceral reaction for most people….the drizzled butter kind of reaction that transports you to a movie theater from your childhood, or a fidgety first date when salty fingers innocently tangle in the popcorn box, going in for another handful of delicious.  But let’s admit, it’s a guilty pleasure because that kind of popcorn is, well…..not exactly helping with the waistline, right?

Let me introduce you to my newest snack obsession….SkinnyPop.  It is pure, popped perfection!

Here’s the Skinny… (see what I did there??)

SkinnyPop Popcorn starts with three simple ingredients: Popcorn, sunflower oil, and just the right amount of salt.  It’s a great tasting snack you can feel good about eating everyday– translation: all of the flavor, none of the guilt!

SkinnyPop contains no artificial ingredients, colors, flavors or preservatives and are free of all major allergens including peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, and soy.  SkinnyPop is Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Kosher, Vegan, and Whole Grain certified.

It’s available at a number of popular stores– you can find a location near you by going to SkinnyPop.com

It wouldn’t be my style if I didn’t “Parkerize” SkinnyPop in some creative way….even though there is no need to add a THING to this popcorn, it’s so dang delish!  In the spirit of my grandma Ronnie’s pecan pie, and my favorite dark chocolate dipped pecan pie balls, this is the love child of pecan pie and SkinnyPop!  

Bourbon Popcorn Balls

Bourbon Pecan Pie Popcorn Balls dipped in Dark Chocolate. Oh yeah!

I used Original SkinnyPop, but you could also use the Naturally Sweet SkinnyPop.  (Black Pepper and White Cheddar are scrumptious on their own!)

This is also the perfect excuse to invite a bunch of friends over for movie night and make a Popcorn Bar.  Just fill canisters with your favorite movie snacks (like gummy bears, sour worms and Milk Duds) to serve along with your SkinnyPop.  I found these canisters at At Home and love the the little chalkboard labels!

popcorn bar

Make a Popcorn Bar for movie night!

These are perfect for date night in!  

Bourbon Pecan Pie Popcorn Balls
The love child of popcorn and pecan pie
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Ingredients
  1. 15 cups of popcorn (I love Original SkinnyPop)
  2. 2 cups roasted pecan pieces
  3. 1 cup dark corn syrup
  4. 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  5. 3 Tb butter
  6. 1 Tb bourbon (I used Bulleit bourbon)
  7. 1 Tb vanilla
  8. 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  9. 10 oz marshmallows
  10. melting chocolate wafers
Instructions
  1. Melt butter in a large saucepan on medium heat and add corn syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, bourbon and salt.
  2. Add marshmallows and stir until they melt. Fold in popcorn and pecans and stir to combine.
  3. Let cool slightly.
  4. Ball into small balls and put on a sheet lined with parchment paper.
  5. Melt chocolate and drizzle over popcorn balls.
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Keurig KOLD

Keurig’s new cold beverage system makes still and sparkling drinks.

Gotta have a cold beverage with your popcorn!  Keurig has been a pioneer in the coffee industry.  Now they’ve just introduced a revolutionary system with on-demand, cold beverages you can make at home— both still and sparkling beverages are served chilled with the push of a button.

Keurig KOLD the first cold beverage system that offers a wide variety of our favorite drinks, like Dr. Pepper and Coca-Cola plus new discoveries with the push of a button.  Beverages are perfectly carbonated WITHOUT using a CO2 canister.

Drinks are chilled to an ideal temperature of around 39 degrees.  And they’re perfectly portioned– 8oz most of which are 100 calories or less.

Similar to the K-cup Pods we’re all familiar with when it comes to coffee, Keurig KOLD has KOLD PODS that have exclusive brands, including new brands of craft colas and coming soon….wait for it…COCKTAIL MIXERS.

 It’s also a huge space saver because you store the KOLD pods in your pantry– not your fridge.

This is absolutely going to be the perfect holiday gift for people who love to entertain!

So, let’s talk fashion….As you guys know, it’s not my strong suit, as in, major fashion challenged!  But this is my favorite time of year, so I’m using this as an excuse to discover some new pieces and I enlisted the help of my friend Shannon Kotze, who owns the coolest boutique in town, The Bilt-House.  Shannon says, “This is a great time of year to have fun with your wardrobe, layer pieces all while looking FABULOUS!”  I’m sold already!

Fashion Girls

With Shannon Kotze, owner of The Bilt-House and Christine Pullara, host of Atlanta & Company.

For our segment, Shannon outfitted me in a yummy faux shearling Dylan vest, Hudson jeans, and EXCLUSIVE to The Bilt-House, these awesome Bone Mayra Old Gringo boots.

Old Gringo Boots

LOVE this whole ensemble, especially the Old Gringo boots!

I’m crazy about these boots– and they’re so comfortable!  Shannon only has a few pairs left in stock, but there’s enough time to put in your special order in time for them to arrive before the Holidays.  They take about 6 weeks to ship.

Christine is wearing a Bailey 44 dress, which is an easy transition from work to dinner! 

The Mannequin is wearing an awesome seller for The Bilt-House this season— Luii Leopard Print Coat with a Bailey 44 dress.  Jewelry is by Bittersweet.

Luii Leopard Print Coat

This is such a cool, 60’s inspired look: Luii Leopard Print Coat with Bailey 44 dress.

Shannon is wearing gorgeous and comfortable ultra suede leggings with a blouse from Fifteen Twenty , and vegan fringe jacket from SW3.  

The Bilt-House store hours are Mon-Sat., 10a-6p, with special Holiday Sunday Hours 12-5p, the months of Nov./Dec. in BUCKHEAD:  3201 Paces Ferry Place, Atlanta, GA  30305  & ROSWELL: 1035 Canton Street, Roswell, GA  30075.

 

 

*This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

Mexican Chocolate Cookies

Cookie and Coffee Must-Haves this Holiday Season

Mexican Chocolate Cookies

Chewy, Gooey, Chocolate Cookies with a hint of cinnamon and chili.

I admit it–  I really don’t have a sweet tooth.  I know, I know– please don’t hate me.  I used to, though.  Now, if I had to choose between french fries and chocolate for my last meal, I’d go french fries every time.  (Dipped in tartar sauce.  Weird, right?)  But every so often, a recipe drives me back to the chocolatey, sugary cravings of my childhood.  These Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies did just that.  When I think about “Mexican chocolate”- it gives me visions of cocoa mixed with cinnamon and a hint of spice.  The secret ingredients here are crushed up Cocoa Pebbles, cinnamon and chili powder.  HOLY DELISH.  Adding yummy to the delicious is the fact that once you make the batter, you roll these morsels of scrumptious in another dipping of cocoa pebble crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and chili powder.  Then, hit them with a sprinkle of coarse kosher salt.  Ohhhhhheeeeeeemmmmmggggggg.  Like, seriously, y’all.  Drop the mic.  You’ll never be partial to an ordinary chocolate chip cookie again.  If you’re really averse to anything spicy, you can omit the chili powder, but I really, really recommend you keep it in.  It adds that “Je ne sais quoi” element.  The “what is that flavor that I can taste but can’t quite figure out what it is that makes it so awesome??”  Make these.  You’ll thank me!

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

You can’t have just one!

Now let’s have some coffee talk.  It is the FIRST thing I think about when I wake up in the morning.  I actually wake up in the middle of the night sometimes, just wishing it was time to get up and brew my coffee.  As a present for my 40th birthday, JP’s mom gave me the Keurig 2.0 K250.  This is the Cadillace of Coffeemakers.  Not only does it brew whatever signature flavor you want, (there are hundreds of flavors that are compatible with Keurig’s system) but it also has a 4 carafe option that makes entertaining super easy.  You don’t have to wait for an entire pot of coffee to brew, just push the button and then 4 cups are brewed instantly. It’s that easy!  In addition to the delicious coffee bonus, Keurig offers this particular machine in 6 gorgeous colors.  I’m partial to “Orange Zest.”  How many times do you try to hide the appliances on your countertop?  This is counter Eye Candy!  

Keurig 2.0 K250

Keurig 2.0 K250 in “Orange Zest” color. It’s countertop eye candy!

A super cute idea to do when you’re entertaining with these Mexican Hot Chocolate cookies and the Keurig 2.0 is to set up a hot chocolate bar.  You can fill canisters with yummy treats to stir into your hot chocolate (or coffee!)  These jars with the chalkboard labels are from At Home, the home decor superstore, my current obsession!  

At Home Canisters

You can find these canisters at At Home. I love the chalkboard labels!

Fall Entertaining on the Studio 62 set.

Fall Entertaining on the Studio 62 set.

This is another opportunity to dress up your dinner/entertaining table with fun accessories.  I took a turquoise bird cage and stuffed it with apples that brought out the orange tone of the Keurig and some of the hues of the glass pumpkins, also found at At Home.  I love this particular combination of colors– the chocolates, turquoises and oranges!

Sometimes just a few key items can really set the tone for your whole party!

*This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies
Yields 52
Delicious Chocolate cookies with a cinnamon and chili twist.
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Ingredients
  1. ½ cup ground Cocoa Pebbles, divided
  2. 2 cups all-purpose flour
  3. 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  4. 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
  5. 1 teaspoon baking soda
  6. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  7. 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  8. 1 3/4 cups sugar, divided
  9. 2 large eggs
  10. 1 teaspoon vanilla
  11. 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  12. 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, crush cereal. (About 1 cup of Cocoa Pebbles will yield ½ cup of ground cereal.)
  2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, ground cereal, cocoa powder, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down side of bowl. Add eggs and vanilla and beat to combine. With mixer on low, gradually add flour mixture and beat until combined.
  3. Chill dough for 1 -2 hours.
  4. In a small bowl, combine remaining ¼ cup ground cereal, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, cinnamon, and chili powder (if using). Using a tablespoon to measure, form balls of dough and roll in cinnamon-sugar cereal mixture.
  5. Place, about 2 inches apart, on parchment-lined baking sheets. Press down lightly with a glass. Bake until cookies are set about 8-10 minutes.
  6. Transfer cookies to racks to cool completely. Store in airtight container, up to 1 week. Makes about 52 cookies.
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