Diet Friendly Fast Food

A friend of mine treats her kids a few times a week to a caramel hot cider at Starbucks, and my kids are were jealous and kept bringing this up each time we drove by the strip mall.

So I evened the score. I made a boatload.

and the kids WERE THRILLED.

save yourself $3.50, and dig through the cupboards. You can do this. Its super easy.

serves 4, (can easily be multiplied --use a larger cooker though!)

4 cups apple cider

3 tablespoons caramel syrup (the ice cream topping)

1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

4 tablespoons sweetened whipped cream (optional; I leave it off for my kids)

Use a 2-quart slow cooker. Now this is sweet---Ive modeled it after the stuff they serve at the store. After making it this way a few times, Ive successfully cut back on the syrup without my kids (and their friends!) knowing---do what is right for your own family.

Mix it all in together---stir, and cook on low for about 4 hours. I like to put it on after I clean up the breakfast dishes and then leave it alone until our after-school snack. Ive also made a large pot for Girl Scout events and  playdates. The kids really like it, and its a nice change of pace from hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Leftovers refrigerate and reheat well (in the microwave).

The only drawback to this recipe is that when we have caramel sauce in the house, it tends to get everywhere. Chris always says that she has an eighth child named "Not Me" who is the main mischief-maker in her home. "Not Me" is evidently to blame for sucking syrup right out of the bottle and leaving sticky fingerprints all over my doorknobs and couch cushions.

hmmph.

peppermint mocha

gingerbread latte

pumpkin spice latte

chai tea latte

Ive got a new interview with Erin Chase, the $5 Dinner Mom up on stephanieodeaTV. Erin is a great friend and a true mommy mogul. I appreciate the way Erin puts her family in front of her business and doesnt apologize for it. Ever. Shes also got a brand new cookbook out!

have a great day!

January 16: chili and cheese afternoon snack

January 17: homemade chicken broth

January 18: salmon and green beans

January 19: sausage and veggie medley

January 20: lazy chicken

January 21: hot and spicy artichoke dip

January 22: companys coming potatoes augratin