It’s Teacher Appreciation Week and my girls have been making so many sweet gifts for their favorite teachers.

From handwritten cards to pretty pictures they always think of thoughtful and one of a kind gifts. But this year we decided to add a coffee themed treat complete with chocolate, a decorated cup, and a gift card. Because we all know most teachers need caffeine and drink a lot of coffee!

These make great gifts year round too but I especially like it for Teacher Appreciation, birthdays, the last day of school, and as a welcome present for the beginning of the school year.

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” – Malala Yousafzai

Scroll down for details.

My sweet Stella at school this year.

Stella and her teacher Mrs. P, who always pushes her to try harder, share a sweet moment in class.

When I found this cup I knew I had to make a cute teachers gift centered around it!

This simple gift can be customized depending on the recipient and what they like. 

Here’s what I included:

Starbucks gift card

Teaching themed reusable coffee cup 

Handwritten card from their student

A sweet treat like chocolate truffles

A cute themed label and string

First, I had Stella write a thank you card to her teacher. 

Then we added the card, gift card, and truffles to the inside of the coffee cup.

Finally, tie on a Thanks a Latte gift tag and add the cup lid if you have one.

All done and ready to gift!

Labels

I found this cute Starbucks cup label on FeelingNifty.com .

She offers it as a single PDF to download here.

I made it into a Word doc with 4 across that you can also download here but please check out her site above too!

“If you can read this, thank a teacher.”- American Proverb

The post Thanks A Latte Teacher Appreciation Coffee Gift appeared first on For the Love of Food.

It’s National Coffee Day, y’all AND it’s #PumpkinWeek! So naturally I had to share my very favorite copycat fall coffee recipe today.

That’s right, I made a Pumpkin Spice Latte at home with a sauce made with real pumpkin puree. It was absolutely delicious and pretty darn close to the Starbucks version but much cheaper and faster (no drive thru lines!). Scroll down for my recipe and let me know what you think!

I have always been a PSL fan! Now I can make it at home!

Pumpkin Spice Life!

Print

Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte

Ingredients

• 4 oz strong brewed coffee or 2 shots of espresso
• 5 oz warmed milk frothing optional
• 1 tbsp pumpkin spice sauce recipe below
• whipped cream for topping
• cinnamon for topping

For the pumpkin spice sauce:

• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Instructions

• Brew your coffee or espresso.
• In a small saucepan add all four of the pumpkin sauce ingredients and heat over med low, stirring continuously.
• Stir the sauce until creamy and just about to boil. Remove from heat.
• I warm my milk for 30 seconds in the microwave and then froth it in my frothing jar. You can also heat on low in a saucepan.
• Now it's time to make your latte!
• Add a heaping tbsp of pumpkin sauce to the bottom of a mug. Keep the remaining sauce in the fridge for another few lattes throughout the week!
• Pour brewed hot coffee on top.
• Then add warmed (frothing optional) milk.
• Stir slightly to combine.
• Top with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.

In a small saucepan add all four of the pumpkin sauce ingredients and heat over med low, stirring continuously.

One of my favorite things about this drink is that I use real pumpkin.

Starbucks uses a sugary pumpkin syrup and even though I love their PSL, the flavor of real spiced pumpkin can’t be beat!

Stir the sauce until creamy and just about to boil. Remove from heat.

I warm my milk for 30 seconds in the microwave and then froth it in my frothing jar.

You can also heat on low in a saucepan until warmed but be careful not to scald it.

Add a heaping tbsp of pumpkin sauce to the bottom of a mug.

Pour brewed hot coffee on top. I used about 1/2 cup for a small mug.

Then add warmed (frothing optional) milk.

Stir slightly to combine.

Top with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.

Serve right away and enjoy!

Pumpkin season is here, and we are celebrating our love of pumpkin with #PumpkinWeek hosted by Terri from Love and Confections and Christie from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures. All week-long 13 bloggers will be sharing over 40 pumpkin-filled recipes for all your Autumn celebrations, including breakfasts, baked goods, savory pumpkin recipes, desserts, and drinks.

More #PumpkinWeek Recipes Below:

Beverages

• Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte from For the Love of Food Blog

Breakfast and Breads

• Overnight Pumpkin Waffles from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Pumpkin Butter from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins from Palatable Pastime
• Pumpkin Seed Granola from Eat Move Make

Mains, Salads, and Sides

• Pumpkin Sausage Quesadillas from Our Good Life
• Pumpkin Risotto with Goat Cheese & Cranberries from Sweet Beginnings

Desserts

• Almost No-Bake Pumpkin Marshmallow Pie from The Redhead Baker
• Eggnog Pumpkin Pie from The Spiffy Cookie
• Pumpkin Crepes from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Pumpkin Upside Down Cake from A Little Fish in the Kitchen

Did you miss a recipe? Head to the Pinterest board to find all the #PumpkinWeek recipes shared this week.

The post Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte #PumpkinWeek appeared first on For the Love of Food.

One of my favorite coffee shop drinks during the cool months is the Medicine Ball Tea from Starbucks.

It is the perfect lemony warm drink if you are feeling under the weather and now I am sharing the recipe for you to make it at home!

All you need is a few simple ingredients and two tea bags from my favorite Teavana tea brand.

The Medicine Ball Tea at Starbucks is also known as the Honey Citrus Mint Tea.
In their words the flavors of this drink “mingle tastefully well together for a tea that comforts from the inside out”.

Print

Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea

Makes one 16oz mug

Ingredients

• 1 cup lemonade
• 1 cup water
• 1 Teavana Peach Tranquility tea bag
• 1 Teavana Jade Citrus Mint tea bag
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp peppermint extract optional

Instructions

• Pour lemonade and water in mug and heat for 1 minute in a microwave until warmed.
• Using a frother, mix the steamed lemonade until frothy.
• Add two tea bags to a mug, then pour frothy lemonade on top.
• Mix in honey and peppermint.
• Serve warm and enjoy.

This tea is truly like medicine if you wake up with a sore throat or or allergies.

I am so happy I can make this drink at home in minutes for just a fraction of the price! 

Give it a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Don’t have Teavana at home? No worries! I have purchased these affordable teas at Target, Walmart, and on Amazon to name a few.

Heat lemonade and water for 1 minute in the microwave. Then add to a frother and mix the steamed lemonade.

It will be frothy and mixed well.

Add the two tea bags to a mug then pour the frothy lemonade on top.

Stir in honey.

You can also add 1 tsp of mint flavor fi you want.

Warm, delicious, and comforting!

This Medicine Ball Tea truly warms my heart and puts a smile on my face!

The post Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea appeared first on For the Love of Food.

 1. Starbucks Coffee Egg Nog Holiday Drink from For the Love of Food

5. Starbucks S’mores Frappuccino from For the Love of Food

7. Starbucks Medicine Ball Tea from For the Love of Food

10. Starbucks Birthday Cake Latte from For the Love of Food

12. Copycat Pumpkin Spice Latte from For the Love of Food

15. Starbucks Berries and Cream Coffee Frappe from For the Love of Food

19. Starbucks Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie from For the Love of Food

20. Starbucks Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino Recipe from Passion for Savings 

21. Starbucks Cotton Candy Frappuccino from Saving Dollars and Sense

 

22. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Coffee from For the Love of Food

23. Starbucks Raspberry Pound Cake Recipe from Passion for Savings24. Starbucks Eggnog Latte from The Jenny Evolution

25. Starbucks Raspberry Italian Cream Soda from For the Love of Food

26.  Pumpkin Scones from I Save A to Z 

27. Starbucks Passion Tea Lemonade Recipe from Teaspoon of Goodness 

28. Breakfast Spinach Egg White Wrap | Starbucks Copycat Recipe from For the Love of Food

29. Oven Baked Egg Whites Bites (Starbucks Copycat) from Slow the Cook Down

30. Copycat Mango Dragon Fruit Starbucks Refresher from Healthy Thai Recipes

31. Hot Chocolate Starbucks Copy Cat Recipe from Midget Momma 

32. Copycat Starbucks Pink Drink from Budget Delicious

33. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (Starbucks Copycat!) from This Silly Girls Kitchen

 

Comment below and let me know your favorite Starbucks drink or treat that you want me to remake! 

I love creating copycat versions of my favorite restaurant recipes!

The post 25+ Copycat Starbucks Recipes appeared first on For the Love of Food.

Oh, y’all know it’s going to be a good day- it’s National S’mores Day!

Also try 

Print

S'mores Frappuccino

Makes 1 large Frappe

Ingredients

• 1 cup ice
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup brewed coffee {or espresso}
• 1 tbsp S'mores syrup {I like Torani} optional
• 1 tbsp graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup marshmallow whipped cream {recipe below}
• chocolate syrup for drizzle
• cookie straw for garnish

For the Marshmallow Whipped Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup Marshmallow Fluff
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

• Combine coffee, milk, and syrup in a measuring cup and stir.
• Add ice to a blender then pour in the coffee mixture.
• Blend until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add more ice if needed.
• Drizzle a large glass with chocolate syrup then pour in half of the frappucino.
• Add a couple spoonfuls of marshmallow whipped cream then pour in the rest of the frappucino.
• Top with the remaining marshmallow whipped cream, then drizzle on chocolate syrup, and sprinkle on graham cracker crumbs.
• Add an edible chocolate cookie straw for even more deliciousness and enjoy!

For the Marshmallow Whipped Cream:

• Chill a mixing bowl and mixer attachment in the freezer until ready to use.
• Remove bowl and mixer from freezer and add heavy cream, marshmallow fluff, vanilla, and sugar to the bowl.
• Mix on high until soft peaks form.
• Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

 

The post S’mores Frappuccino | Starbucks Copycat Recipe appeared first on For the Love of Food.