springsweetsweek Archives - For the Love of Food

Dragon’s Turf Smoothie Bowl #SpringSweetsWeek

Nicole Hood — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 10:16:36 +0000

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the week’s recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

This fun and delicious smoothie bowl is a colorful breakfast dish everyone will love!

Extra creamy with dragon fruit and coconut milk as a base the smoothie is topped with matcha coconut “grass”, granola “dirt”, and mango “dragon’s gold”.

Welcome to #SpringSweetsWeek 2024 hosted by Heather from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box! Spring is finally here and the sun is shining and we are celebrating the beginning of spring with plenty of spring sweets and a fun giveaway! This year 17 food bloggers from around the country are sharing over 50 sweet recipes that are perfect for spring. So get ready to enjoy amazing spring treats like cupcakes, ice cream, pies, cakes, and more! Thank you to our #SpringSweetsWeek sponsors that are helping us give away some great prizes. Thank you to Melissa’s Produce, Taylor and Colledge, and Selefina Spices for your generosity and support. We have an incredible giveaway with three amazing prizes and would love it if you would take a moment to read about it and the prizes that you can win!

Dragon's Turf Smoothie Bowl

Makes 1 large smoothie bowl

Ingredients

For the Smoothie:

1/4 cup coconut milk
1 cup frozen Melissa's Produce dragon fruit chopped
1 frozen banana peeled and chopped
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
1 scoop vanilla protein powder your favorite brand

For the toppings:

3 tbsp sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 tsp Selefina Spices Matcha Powder
1/3 cup mango diced
1/4 cup granola

Instructions

Add coconut milk, frozen dragon fruit, frozen banana, frozen blueberries, and protein powder to a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Pour into a wide bowl, filling to the rim and smoothing the top.
In a small bowl mix together the coconut and matcha powder. It should be fully green and represent grass.
Now add the toppings in rows on the top of the smoothie bowl.
Add one or two rows of matcha coconut "grass", then one row of granola "dirt", and then one row of diced mango "dragon gold".
Serve immediately with a spoon and enjoy!

In a small bowl mix together the coconut and matcha powder. Set aside.

It should be fully green and represent grass.

These beautiful dragon fruits were sent to me from Melissa’s Produce.

I cut it open, diced it up, and added to a freezer bag and let it freeze overnight.

The best way to make these smoothie bowls is to measure and prep everything and have all the fruits (except mango) frozen and diced.

Add coconut milk, frozen dragon fruit, frozen banana, frozen blueberries, and protein powder to a blender.

Mix until smooth.

I just love the bright pink color!

Pour into a wide bowl.

Fill to the rim and smooth the top.

Now time to add toppings!

Add one row of granola “dirt”.

Add one or two rows of matcha coconut “grass”.

Delicious and fun to eat!

Then, add one row of diced mango “dragon gold”.

A tasty and hearty way to start your day!

Serve immediately with a spoon and enjoy!

My husband Ashton dreamed up this fun recipe and I just love how it turned out!

Friday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes

Blood Orange and Cardamom Bundt Cake from Blogghetti
Blood Orange Creamsicle Pie from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Blood Orange Crinkle Cookies from Shockingly Delicious
Blood Orange Curd Tart from The Spiffy Cookie
Cardamom Bread from Art of Natural Living
Carrot Cake Cookies from Palatable Pastime
Dragon Fruit Cheesecake Tart from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Dragon Fruit Lassi from That Recipe
Dragon’s Turf Smoothie Bowl from For the Love of Food
Easter Strawberries Recipe from In Our Spare Time
Fig Crumble Bars from Cheesecurd In Paradise
Fresh Fruit and Scone Breakfast Board from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
Lavender Cardamom Mishti Doi from Magical Ingredients
Lavender Cupcakes with Almond Glaze from Our Good Life
Moist Meyer Lemon Loaf from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Tangerine Cheesecake Pretzel Cups from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Tangerine Olive Oil Cake from Jolene’s Recipe Journal

We share recipes from #SpringSweetsWeek on Pinterest! Make sure you follow the board to see all the delicious recipes shared this week.

Prize #1: A Tropical and Exotic Fruit Gift Basket from Melissa’s Produce.

One winner will enjoy an abundance of fruit with Melissa’s! This stunning assortment is arranged in a woven basket with cellophane wrapping and colorful ribbon. Fruit may include (depending on seasonal availability): Asian Pear, Baby Pineapple, Blood Orange, Cherimoya, Feijoas, Kiwis, Kumquats, Lychees, Mango, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Persimmons, Pomegranate, Rambutans, Specialty Bananas, Starfruit and Tamarillos.

Prize #2: A collection of Selefina Spices.

One winner will enjoy a collection of spices from Selefina Spices including: Cinnasational Spice Blend, crystalized ginger, lemon peel, Matcha food grade powder, Purple sweet potato powder, and Ground Cardamom Seeds. Selefina Spices sells an assortment of spices gathered using dedication and care with which we’ve curated their online tea collection. With our decades of experience sourcing products and establishing global connections their mission is to be able to bring you fresher, higher-quality spices and seasonings at lower prices.

Prize #3: A selection of 3 extract pastes from Taylor and Colledge.

One winner will receive a selection of extract pastes to include Almond Paste Extract, Organic Vanilla Bean Paste, and Lavender Extract Paste. In 1897, Taylor & Colledge won its first award for excellence in vanilla. Since then, the Taylor & Colledge commitment for unsurpassed quality has earned its reputation as one of the world’s finest producers of vanilla.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you #SpringSweetsWeek Sponsors: Selefina Spices, Melissa’s Produce, and Taylor and Colledge for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Three (3) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #SpringSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X or any other social channel mentioned in the #SpringSweetsWeek posts or entry.

The post Dragon’s Turf Smoothie Bowl #SpringSweetsWeek appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Raspberry Coffee Crepes #SpringSweetsWeek

Nicole Hood — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 10:09:03 +0000

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the week’s recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

Crepes are one of my favorite desserts because not only are they delicious but they can be both sweet and savory which makes them versatile for most meals and celebrations!

Today I’m sharing this easy recipe featuring premade crepes and raspberry sauce from Melissa’s Produce. They are filled with fluffy homemade coffee whipped cream and fresh berries and topped with raspberry sauce and crunchy Coffee Coco Snax made by Melissa’s Produce! This semi homemade treat has less than 10 ingredients and is made in under 10 minutes!

Welcome to #SpringSweetsWeek 2024 hosted by Heather from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box! Spring is finally here and the sun is shining and we are celebrating the beginning of spring with plenty of spring sweets and a fun giveaway! This year 17 food bloggers from around the country are sharing over 50 sweet recipes that are perfect for spring. So get ready to enjoy amazing spring treats like cupcakes, ice cream, pies, cakes, and more! Thank you to our #SpringSweetsWeek sponsors that are helping us give away some great prizes.

Thank you to Melissa’s Produce, Taylor and Colledge, and Selefina Spices for your generosity and support. We have an incredible giveaway with three amazing prizes and would love it if you would take a moment to read about it and the prizes that you can win!

Raspberry Coffee Crepes

Makes 4

Equipment

Makes 4

Ingredients

For the coffee whipped cream:

2 cups heavy whipping cream
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tsp instant coffee granules

For the crepes:

4 premade 9 inch French style crepes from Melissa's Produce
1 pint raspberries rinsed and dried
Melissa's Produce Raspberry Dessert Sauce for drizzling
Coffee Coco Snax by Melissa's Produce crushed for topping

Instructions

For the coffee whipped cream:

Use a chilled whisk/mixer and bowl.
Pour heavy cream, powdered sugar, and instant coffee into chilled bowl and mix with a mixer at medium speed until fluffy and thick, about 2-3 minutes.
Chill until ready to serve.

To assemble the crepes:

Spread a couple dollops of coffee whipped cream on the inside of a crepe.
Next add a couple spoonfuls of raspberries in the middle of the crepe.
Roll the crepe and top with a drizzle of raspberry sauce and a sprinkle of crushed coffee flavored Coco Snax. You can also add another dollop or two of whipped cream.
Sprinkle with extra berries.
Repeat with remaining crepes and serve right away!

Notes

Feel free to substitute any berries in season! Also you can substitute coffee extract for the instant coffee and crushed chocolate covered espresso beans for the Coco Snax garnish.

For this simple dessert recipe I use three different Melissa’a Produce products.

The premade crepes are my favorite!

The secret for the perfect homemade whipped cream- use a chilled mixer bowl and whisk/mixer.

I place mine in the freezer for at least an hour.

First, make the coffee whipped cream. Pour 2 cups heavy cream in the bowl.

Then add powdered sugar and instant coffee.

Mix with a mixer over medium speed until fluffy and thick, about 2-3 minutes.

The perfect fluffy whipped cream!

Chill until ready to serve.

These extra thin crepes are made by Melissa’s Produce.

I like to use them often for sweet desserts and for savory lunch crepes.

Start by laying out a crepe on a cutting board.

Spread and smooth a couple dollops of coffee whipped cream on the inside of a crepe.

Next add a couple spoonfuls of raspberries in the middle of the crepe.

Now fold up the crepes. There are two way I like to serve my crepes- rolled or folded into a triangle.

I decided to roll these filled crepes and serve two per plate.

Roll the crepe and top with a drizzle of raspberry sauce.

I like to drizzle a lot all over the crepes and the plate. It also makes a pretty presentation.

Add a dollop of whipped cream on top and sprinkle of crushed coffee flavored Coco Snax .

I think using crushed chocolate covered espresso beans would be delicious too.

Sprinkle with extra berries.

Repeat with remaining crepes and serve right away!

Prize #1: A Tropical and Exotic Fruit Gift Basket from Melissa’s Produce.

Prize #2: A collection of Selefina Spices.

Prize #3: A selection of 3 extract pastes from Taylor and Colledge.

One winner will receive a selection of extract pastes to include lemon, organic vanilla bean, and lavender. In 1897, Taylor & Colledge won its first award for excellence in vanilla. Since then, the Taylor & Colledge commitment for unsurpassed quality has earned its reputation as one of the world’s finest producers of vanilla.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes

Air Fryer Blueberry Crisp from Shockingly Delicious
Blood Orange and Fresh Fig Cake from Palatable Pastime
Cardamom Lemon Mousse from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Chocolate Easter Eggs with Matcha, Beet or Lemon Filling from Our Good Life
Dragon Fruit and Citrus Overnight Oats from Cheesecurd In Paradise
Drangonfruit Kheer from Magical Ingredients
Fig Preserve Shortbread Bars from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Green Tea Matcha Cookies from The Spiffy Cookie
Homemade Fig Bars from Blogghetti
Instant Pot Vanilla Cardamom Cheesecake with Dragon fruit Jam from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
Lavender Cardamom Biscotti from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
Lemon Cream and Candied Ginger Crepes Cake from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Lemon Ginger Ice Cream from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Lemon Pound Cake with Lavender Glaze from That Recipe
Lemonade Cookies from In Our Spare Time
Raspberry Coffee Dessert Crepes from For the Love of Food
Waffle Bar from Art of Natural Living

We share recipes from #SpringSweetsWeek on Pinterest! Make sure you follow the board to see all the delicious recipes shared this week.

Thank you #SpringSweetsWeek Sponsors: Selefina Spices, Melissa’s Produce, and Taylor and Colledge for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Three (3) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #SpringSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X or any other social channel mentioned in the #SpringSweetsWeek posts or entry.

The post Raspberry Coffee Crepes #SpringSweetsWeek appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Springtime Chocolate Mousse Terrarium Dessert #SpringSweetsWeek

Nicole Hood — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 11:47:45 +0000

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #SpringSweetsWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to help in the creation of the week’s recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

This spring themed dessert is a decadent treat disguised as a terrarium! Chocolate mousse is layered with crushed cookies and topped with matcha crumble and edible flowers for a beautiful presentation perfect for Easter, garden parties, and any spring celebration!

Chocolate Mousse Terrarium

Makes 4 mousse terrarium cups

Ingredients

For the mousse:

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup cocoa powder sifted
1/2 cup powdered sugar shifted
1/4 teaspoon Taylor and Colledge vanilla bean paste

For the matcha crumble:

2 tsp Selfina Spices matcha powder
2 tbsp salted butter softened
1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar

For the terrarium:

8 Chocolate sandwich cookies like Oreo, filling removed and cookies crushed
Pansy flowers washed, patted dry, and stems removed

Instructions

For the mousse:

In a chilled mixing bowl, add heavy cream and mix until slightly thick and frothy.
Slowly add sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
Then add in vanilla bean paste.
Whip until soft peaks form.
Spoon into a bowl and cover. Place in the fridge to chill until you are ready to assemble the terrariums.

For the matcha crumble:

Preheat the oven to 320 degrees.
Add all five ingredients to a bowl and mix well with a fork or rubber spatula, making sure to mix and press in the butter.
Spread the crumble onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool completely, then break apart and crumble.

To assemble terrariums:

Start by adding 1 couple spoonfuls chilled mousse to a large clear tumbler cup.
Next, add a spoonful of the crushed cookies.
Add more mousse on top. Spread and smooth out to cover.
Finally, add the matcha crumbs on top.
Top with a small edible pansy flower and serve immediately with a spoon.

Selefina Spices sent me a delicious collection of spices!

For this recipe I use their Matcha Powder.

Taylor and Colledge sent me a selection of flavor pastes for baking.

I use the Vanilla Bean Paste for the mousse in this recipe.

This recipe is inspired by the dessert served at Disney’s Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.
Chocolate Mousse Terrarium with Matcha Crumble and Chocolate Soil at Trowel & Trellis.

Photo from Epcot Eats Facebook page.

It’s important to sift the powdered sugar and the cocoa powder.

This removes any lumps and helps the mousse be extra smooth and creamy.

In a chilled mixing bowl, add heavy cream and mix until slightly thick and frothy.

Slowly add sifted powdered sugar and cocoa powder.

Then add in vanilla bean paste.

Whip until soft peaks form.

Spoon into a bowl and cover.

Place in the fridge to chill until you are ready to assemble the terrariums.

Add all five ingredients to a bowl and mix well with a fork or rubber spatula, making sure to mix and press in the butter.

This is what the crumble will look like.

Spread the crumble onto a lined baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes at 320 degrees.

Remove from oven and cool completely, then break apart and crumble.

Now time to assemble the terrariums. Get all three of the ingredients together.

Start by adding 1 couple spoonfuls chilled mousse to a large clear tumbler cup.

Smooth down the mousse.

Next, add a spoonful of the crushed cookies.

Add more mousse on top. Spread and smooth out to cover.

Finally, add the matcha crumbs on top.

Now you have the dirt and soil and grass for the terrarium.

Any small edible flower (or even candy flowers or rocks would work) can be used.

Just wash, pat dry, and stems removed.

Top with a small edible pansy flower and serve immediately with a spoon.

Monday #SpringSweetsWeek Recipes

Banana Dragon Fruit Muffins from Palatable Pastime
Berry Triple Layer Cake from In Our Spare Time
Blood Orange Crepe Suzette from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Blood Orange Crumb Muffins from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Blood Orange Posset from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
Holiday Fruit Salad from A Day in the Life on the Farm
Lavender Lemon Creme Brulee from The Spiffy Cookie
Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake from Art of Natural Living
Lemon Mousse Filled Crepe Cups with Berries from Blogghetti
Lemon Raspberry Crepe Cake from Jolene’s Recipe Journal
Meyer Lemon Almond Pound Cake from Cheesecurd In Paradise
Meyer Lemon Upside Down Cake from Hezzi-D’s Recipe Box
Split Seconds Cookies from Shockingly Delicious
Springtime Chocolate Terrarium Dessert from For the Love of Food
Sweet Crepes with Luscious Fruits from Our Good Life
Tangerine Upside Down Cake from Magical Ingredients
Tangerine Vanilla Fig Preserves from That Recipe

We share recipes from #SpringSweetsWeek on Pinterest! Make sure you follow the board to see all the delicious recipes shared this week.

Prize #1: A Tropical and Exotic Fruit Gift Basket from Melissa’s Produce.

Prize #2: A collection of Selefina Spices.

Prize #3: A selection of 3 extract pastes from Taylor and Colledge.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you #SpringSweetsWeek Sponsors: Selefina Spices, Melissa’s Produce, and Taylor and Colledge for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #SpringSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The giveaway is open to residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Three (3) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The #SpringSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, X or any other social channel mentioned in the #SpringSweetsWeek posts or entry.

The post Springtime Chocolate Mousse Terrarium Dessert #SpringSweetsWeek appeared first on For the Love of Food.