Homemade Coffee Creamer: The homemade food switch that I am most thankful for!

 

I have always been a coffee lover! The hubby, not so much. He was one of those men that it had to be freezing cold or he’s dead tired before he drank coffee. Versus me, who needs coffee to function in my day and to fall asleep at night! Buuuut he recently ditched his Mountain Dew addiction (thank GOD) and now he drinks coffee every morning with me. This all being said, I needed more creamer than before because we are those people who like more creamer than coffee LOL.

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My body got to where I could only have one cup of coffee at a time because after one cup I felt bloated and slightly nauseous. I was so upset! So I was already starting down this natural rabbit hole with our foods so I thought why not try homemade creamer??

GUYS! It is the first natural switch I made in my rabbit hole and it is still my favorite!

I have always cooked from scratch. It is how I was raised, it is what I prefer, and it is just all-around healthier for you! However, I wanted to do more! I wanted to make as many of our ingredients and household staples as I possibly could! So to start, I did coffee creamer! It took me a minute to get it perfect for us both (I like more flavors than he does), but once I did, it is perfect! Before I ramble more, here is the recipe! Read on to see how it saves me time, money, and our health!

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TIME!

It takes me about 5 minutes to make this recipe. Dump the ingredients into the small pot, constantly stir it while the mixture gets juuuust warm enough to combine and melt the sugars, then pour into my creamer container! You don’t want to walk away from this. All it needs to do it get warm enough to combine and then you take it off the heat. It will boil and be ruined. Anyways, it takes me 5 minutes to make this recipe. I make creamer usually about three times a week. That’s 15 minutes a week!

• I’m not running to the store every couple days to get the creamer I forget.
• I’m not buying extra bottles and letting them go bad before we drink them.
• And I am not left with the possibility of waking up and ot having any creamer to make my honey his coffee before he heads off to work. I just get up, throw the stuff together, and the creamer is done before I even have his lunch packed!

MONEY!

We all love seeing how we are saving money! So lets break this down! First off, my creamer bottle it just a bottle I saved from the last creamer I bought and all I do is wash it every week! So kinda free lol.

The creamer we use to buy costs $3.77. So if I needed to buy that every week to last us I would spend $11.31 a week, that’s 45.24 a month!

To make my creamer, I don’t use evaporated milk anymore so that will not be included, costs me this:

• Sweetened condensed milk $1.86
• Splash of vanilla is $1.46 per bottle so like $0.04 a splash?
• Milk is $5.86 a gallon, so about $0.15 to fill my bottle
• Brown sugar I make myself $2.50 so about $0.10 per spoonful of brown sugar
• Carmel sauce is $3.27 so about $0.10 per Tbsp of caramel
• All of that adds up to about $2.25 each time, so $6.75 a week, that’s $27 a month!

I save us $18.24 a month by simply making our creamer at home!

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HEALTH

Let’s talk health! The number 1 thing that is always stated first when asked this is THERE IS VEGETABLE OIL IN THE CREAMERS WE BUY! Why do we need vegetable oil in there?? The processed dairy, refined sugars, and other additives are bad enough. Olive oil is good for our bodies. Vegetable oil is NOT good for us! There is no need for it in our creamers.

When I switched to natural creamer my belly issues went away. I can drink two or three cups of coffee each sitting now and still feel great! Maybe ready for a nap but still great! The creamer I make still contains refined sugars and processed dairy products but those can easily be switched! The glory of this recipe is you can use whatever you want! Don’t like sugar? Use honey! Don’t like milk? Use almond milk! There are countless ways to switch this around to work for YOU!

So there you have it! Making my own coffee creamer at home is my favorite homemade switch to date! It saves me money, time, and our health! Follow me for more homemade recipes. natural switches, and family meal plans! Home is where the best things are made!

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Things You Should Make at Home Instead of Buying

From Household Goods to Food, These are Natural Switches I have Made in My Home to Save Time, Money, and Our Health

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe The Best Cookie Recipe I Have Found to Date! Plus Tips and Tricks on How to Bake the Best Cookies!

 This is the best chocolate chip cookie I have found in all my years of baking! My kids love them, my hubby loves them, and even all the picky picky picky customers at my restaurant love them! When the public loves it, you know you win! So I won’t keep you waiting till the end, here’s the recipe!

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Now in all my years of baking, I have found there are more ways than we care to mention on how we can screw up a good cookie! So here is a list of all the ways I could think of to help you create the best cookie every time!

1. Read the Recipe First: Always start by reading the recipe thoroughly to ensure you have all the ingredients and understand the steps. If you need to substitute ingrdients thats ok but let’s be prepared.

2. Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room eggs for a smoother batter and even baking. Butters need to be cold to room temperature, NOT MELTED.

3. Measure Accurately: Use measuring cups and spoons for dry ingredients and a liquid measuring cup for liquids. Too much flour, too much baking soda, etc etc can ruin a good cookie.

Smookies - my families favorite cookie! Using the chocolate chip cookie recipe from above.

4. Sift Dry Ingredients: Sifting flour and other dry ingredients helps to avoid lumps and incorporate air for lighter cookies. Did you know recipes are made for sifted (or fluffed) flour, not packed, right out of the bag flour?

5. Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough can improve the texture and flavor of the cookies. This was a hard one for me because I am impatient and wanted to job done, but I learned to use that chill time to clean up my mess and handle other small chores, or even cook dinner, while the dough chilled.

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6. Don’t add in ingredients without thinking about the rest: You can add in other chocolates, other candies, anything like that without issues. However you can not go adding extra liquids without adding in the appropriate flours to keep the dough right.

7. Avoid Overmixing: Mix until just combined to keep cookies tender.

8. Uniform Size: Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies that will bake uniformly. This is one of my favorite baking hacks!

9. Parchment Paper is Key: Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even browning.

10. Oven Thermometer: Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperatures. Not neccessary but never hurts!

11. Rotate Baking Sheets: Halfway through baking, rotate the sheets for even cooking.

12. Cooling is Crucial: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.

13. Experiment with Add-Ins: Try different mix-ins like nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit. The trend lately is adding pretzles to cookie dough!

14. Check Your Leaveners: Ensure baking powder and soda haven’t expired for proper rise.

15. Do Not Overcrowd: Leave enough space between dough balls for cookies to spread.

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16. Keep Dough Cool: If baking in batches, keep the remaining dough in the fridge.

17. Underbaking Slightly: For chewier cookies, remove them from the oven when they’re just slightly underbaked.

18. Use a Silpat Mat: A silicone baking mat can be used for even heat distribution if you are not a fan of parchment paper.

19. Flavor Extracts: Experiment with different extracts like vanilla, almond, or lemon for varied flavors. People are preferring vanilla paste over vanilla extract here recently.

20. Brown vs. White Sugar: Brown sugar yields moister and denser cookies, while white sugar makes them crisper. I switched to brown sugar years ago and I won’t go back!

21. Check Your Oven Hot Spots: Knowing your oven’s hot spots can help place the cookie sheet for even baking.

22. Salt Matters: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors in your cookie.

23. Rest the Dough: Resting the dough before baking can deepen the flavors. Another reason we chill the dough.

24. Hand Mixing Option: For denser cookies, mix the dough by hand instead of using a mixer.

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25. Spice It Up: Don’t be afraid to add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a flavor boost. If you ask me, cinnamon goes in everything!

26. Golden Brown Rule: Bake until just golden brown for the perfect texture.

27. Cool Sheets Between Batches: Allow baking sheets to cool between batches to prevent spreading.

28. Storage Technique: Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh. My nanny always told me to keep a heal of bread in there with them so they don’t get hard! And Nanny s never wrong!

29. Freeze Extra Dough: Cookie dough can often be frozen for future use.

30. Have Fun: Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with your cookie recipes! Get the kids involved! I promise you the mess will be big but the memories will be bigger!

For more insights on budget-friendly dinner ideas, easy dinner recipes, meal plans, and the abundance of health benefits offered by natural foods, don’t forget to follow Homemaker Recipes. I’m here to help busy moms, health enthusiasts, and everyone in between discover the joys and benefits of home cooking! Home is where the best things are made!

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Stuffed Roast Recipe: Guaranteed Crowd Pleaser

 

The holiday season is a time for family, joy, and, of course, delicious food. If you’re looking for that perfect centerpiece for your family holiday table, something that will please any crowd and leave everyone asking for seconds, something that isn’t turkey or ham, then look no further than this stuffed roast recipe. Not only is this dish a showstopper in terms of presentation but it’s also packed with flavors that capture every single taste bud one could possibly have. Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering or simply want to wow the hubby for dinner, here is a recipe for you!

Ingredients:

• 1 whole beef roast (about 4–5 pounds)
  - 2 cups of bread crumbs
  - 1 cup of finely chopped mushrooms
  - 1/2 cup of finely chopped onions
  - 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  - 1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley
  - 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
  - 2 eggs, beaten
  - Salt and pepper to taste
  - 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  - 1/2 cup of red wine
  - 2 cups of beef broth

Cooking Materials:

- Large roasting pan
- Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Kitchen twine
- Meat thermometer

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Stuffing:
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until translucent. Add mushrooms and cook until tender. Transfer to a mixing bowl and let it cool. Stir in bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, beaten eggs, salt, and pepper.

2. Prepare the Roast:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lay the roast flat on your workspace. Spread the stuffing evenly over the roast, leaving a small border around the edges. Carefully roll up the roast and tie it securely with kitchen twine.

3. Cook the Roast:
In the roasting pan, place the tied roast and pour beef broth and red wine around it. Season the outside of the roast with salt and pepper. Insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the roast.

4. Roasting Time:
Roast in the preheated oven for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat thermometer reads 145°F (63°C) for medium-rare. Baste the roast occasionally with the pan juices.

5. Rest and Serve:
Once cooked, remove the roast from the oven and let it rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to be redistributed, ensuring the meat is succulent and flavorful.

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Why This Stuffed Roast is the Perfect Family Holiday Centerpiece

• Visually Impressive: The presentation of a stuffed roast is always impressive, making it the perfect centerpiece for any holiday meal.
  - Crowd-Pleaser: With its rich flavors and tender meat, this dish is sure to satisfy both meat lovers and those who appreciate a hearty, comforting meal.
  - Versatile: You can tweak the stuffing ingredients to include your family’s favorite flavors or what you have on hand. I like to cook carrots and potatoes in the roasting pan with my roast!

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or trying your hand at a more elaborate dish for the first time, this stuffed roast recipe is sure to elevate your holiday meal and impress your guests. So, tie on your apron, start prepping, and get ready to make this holiday one to remember with a meal that’s as delicious as it is festive.

What are your favorite holiday recipes that bring your family together? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and let’s spread the joy of holiday cooking!

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Christmas Snacks for Every Age: 20 Snack Ideas and Recipes

 

The holiday season is a time for warmth, joy, and of course, delicious treats. Christmas snacks are a fantastic way to feel the Christmas spirit and create fun, festive moments. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or just looking for some seasonal nibbles, these 20 Christmas snack ideas are perfect for anyone and everyone. From sweet to savory, there’s something here to please everyone (and that’s hard to do). Let’s dive into these tasty ideas and then explore full recipes for some of them!

1. Gingerbread Cookies
2. Candy Cane Bark
3. Mini Santa Cheesecakes
4. Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rods
5. Fruit and Cheese Tree Platter
6. Snowman Popcorn Cups
7. Christmas Tree Brownies
8. Reindeer Munch Mix
9. Peppermint Meringues
10. Grinch Fruit Kabobs
11. Eggnog Truffles
12. Elf Hat Snack Mix
13. Holiday Rice Krispie Treats
14. Cranberry Brie Bites
15. Christmas Wreath Cookies
16. Hot Chocolate Spoons
17. Snowflake Quesadillas
18. Festive Caprese Salad Skewers
19. Rudolph Peanut Butter Cookie
20. Cinnamon Star Bread

Recipe 1: Candy Cane Bark
- Ingredients: 400g white chocolate, crushed candy canes
- Instructions: Melt white chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Spread evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. Chill until set, then break into pieces.

Recipe 2: Snowman Popcorn Cups
- Ingredients: Popped popcorn, marshmallows, pretzel sticks, carrot pieces, melted chocolate
- Instructions: Fill cups with popcorn. Use marshmallows for heads, pretzel sticks for arms, carrot pieces for noses, and melted chocolate to make eyes and buttons.

Recipe 3: Christmas Wreath Cookies
- Ingredients: Green-colored cornflake cereal, marshmallows, green food coloring, red candies, butter
- Instructions: Melt butter and marshmallows, and add food coloring. Mix in cornflakes. Form into wreath shapes on parchment paper, and decorate with red candies as holly berries. Let set.

These Christmas snacks, ranging from classic gingerbread cookies to creative snowman popcorn cups, are sure to bring all the smiles and holiday fun to your family’s home! I’ve shared full recipes for a few of my favorites, but now I want to hear from you! What’s your go-to holiday snack? Share your favorite in the comments!

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