{Copycat} Orange Julius

We have made this recipe over and over. It's delightful, but I'm not really sure how close it is to the original because I'm too cheap to buy one. But this is so good that I just don't need the original.

Photo Credit to Favorite Family Recipes

Orange Julius

Serves 3-4 adults

1 can (6oz) frozen orange juice concentrate
1 c. milk
1 c. water
1/4 c. sugar
2-3 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
about 10-11 ice cubes

In a blender, blend all ingredients except ice. Slowly add ice cubes one at a time until it reaches a “smoothie” consistency. Serve immediately.
(*If you are adding frozen fruit, add a little at a time BEFORE adding ice cubes. If using fresh fruit, add at the very beginning when you are blending everything else.)

Recipe Source: Favorite Family Recipes

Peach-Orange Smoothie

Smoothies are easy, delicious, and most of the time healthy. I love this one. Especially in my Blendtec. It's frothy, and so…so…good.

Photo Credit to Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Peach-Orange Smoothie
2 cups fresh orange juice (or good quality store-bought like Simply Orange)
1 cup peach yogurt
2 cups frozen sliced peaches {or blueberries, spinach, strawberries}
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Recipe Source: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Virgin Mango Colada

Happy Birthday to Me. This is what I picked. Holy crap it was amazing. I closed my eyes and tried to pretend I was in Hawaii…but then my two kids started screaming and I realized that I was home.

Photo Credit to ourbestbites.com

Virgin Mango Colada
1 C chopped mango (about 1 medium mango)
1/3 C cream of coconut (NOT coconut milk)
1/2 C pineapple chunks, including some of the juice or syrup
juice from one lime
crushed ice

Combine chopped mango, pineapple chunks and juice, lime juice, and cream of coconut in blender. While blender is running, add crushed ice until desired consistency is reached.

Pour drink into glasses (2 generous servings, 3-4 smaller servings).

Recipe Source: Our Best Bites

Polar Express Hot Chocolate

I've never made homemade hot chocolate. Just packets. That's the only way to do it, right? WRONG. That is the only way not to do it. Scott asked me to find a hot chocolate recipe, and I found this baby. This sweet, creamy, delicious baby. Oh my. Every time I drink it, it's like Heaven in my throat (then esophagus, then in my tummy, my intestines, then in the toelet!-Thank you Amelia)

Photo Credit to the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

Polar Express Hot Chocolate
6 cups milk
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips {don't be stingy! Use quality}
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt

In a large pot combine all of the ingredients over low heat. Keep mixture over low heat for 30-40 minutes whisking occasionally until chocolate is fully melted and incorporated with the other ingredients. You can add milk here to adjust to your chocolate preference. Give it a good whisking before serving to get it nice and frothy. If you have an immersion blender, that works great here.
Serve immediately or pour into a slow cooker and keep warm until ready to serve.
Top with whipped cream, crushed candy canes, or sprinkles.

Recipe Source: The Girl Who Ate Everything

Peach Smoothie

My mom loves us so so much and got us a Blendtec for our birthdays {yes, ours}. We have LOVED it and use it all the time. I found this recipe forever ago and kept it for who-knows-what reason, but now...I'm so glad I did! It was yummy and healthy!

Photo Credit to prevention.com

Peach Smoothie

6 cups

2 cups ice

2 peaches, pitted and cut in pieces

3/4 skim milk {or 1%}

1 container {or about a cup} of plain greek yogurt {I used vanilla}

1/2 cup orange juice

3 tablespoons honey

Put all ingredients but honey in blender and blend. While blending, add honey.

Pour into glasses and serve.

Recipe Source: Magazine that was sitting in my dental office {picked up about 4 years ago}