Caramel-Nog Split Second Cookies | Silk Holiday Nogs

A few years ago I started a family tradition of hosting a ladies' cookie party around Christmas time. The idea started out as an attempt at executing a legit cookie exchange, but it turned out I was the only one who was interested in actually baking my contribution rather than picking up some treats from the bakery or grocery store. {Ain't no shame, but I could buy those any old time!}

So, instead of getting all rule-followy and asking everyone to buy -- ahem, bake -- a dozen cookies per guest and blah blah blah, I just omitted the word "Exchange" from the invitation and henceforth hosted a "Cookie Party", where the terminology was vague but the intent was not. There would indeed be cookies and we would for sure party.

So, everyone would come over, sit around and eat cookies at my house. {Sometimes in Christmas pj's, often while working on a festive craft project together, and always with our favorite Christmas tunes playing in the background. It wasn't just a cookie free-for-all, you know.}  We know that's what they all wanted to begin with.

Cookie Parties of years past . Top left: Decorating cookies with my sisters. Top Right: Making salt dough ornaments.
Bottom Left: A platter of cookie goodness. Bottom Right: Me hosting the inaugural Cookie Party.

Anyway, it's a tradition that I look forward to every year {and one that I skipped last year since I had a newborn baby}, but I always like to throw in a little twist to liven it up and keep things fresh.

I haven't had much time to give this year's special touch much thought, and then it came to me: A Nog Bar!

Since we definitely need something to wash down all those cookies with, I thought this would be the perfect idea. Now, classic eggnog is delightful {for most people anyway; it seems to be a polarizing beverage!}, it's also pretty calorie-laden what with all the eggs and nog and such, and with all the cookie-nibbling that goes down at a Cookie Party we've already got our fair share of holiday calories. So, in an effort to lighten things up, I found a great alternative: Silk Nog!

This year Silk Nog comes in its classic soy-based version as well as an almond milk version which I thought was pretty cool and perfect for dairy-free family and friends. And for those of you who still haven't had enough pumpkin this year {really though??}, there's also a Pumpkin Spice rendition! At 80 calories or less per serving, these nogs will give you the flavor of the holidays without the pudge. Can't say the same about the cookies!

As yummy as these nogs are on their own, they're even better when you set out a bunch of toppings and add-ins for your guests to customize their own Nog. You can get as creative as you want, but here are some ideas to get you started:

Nog Toppings Bar

So Delicious CocoWhip

Cocoa Powder

Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg or Ginger

Gingersnaps/Biscotti/Christmas Cookies

Candied Bacon

Toasted Nuts

Toasted Coconut Flakes

Toffee Bar Bits

Candy Cane Bits

Caramel Sauce

Chocolate Sauce

For the Naughty Elves:

Brandy

Rum

Bourbon

For Garnish:

Cinnamon Sticks

Peppermint Sticks

Rolled Wafer Cookies

*Note: Some of these toppings are heavier than the nog and will sink to the bottom, so I suggest starting off with a dollop of CocoWhip or whipped cream to "catch" the goodies you sprinkle on top!

The possibilities are really endless!

If you're heading to a Cookie Exchange {or just a straight up Cookie Party like mine}, you can bring the Nog in more ways than one with these super easy Caramel Nog Split Second Cookies! The addition of a few tablespoons of Silk Nog to the cookie dough gives these sweet little bites a soft hint of holiday spice, while gooey caramel filling brings it home for the ultimate Christmas cookie.

Whether your family's holiday traditions include cookie baking, craft making or anything in between, these Nog-filled ideas are sure to bring a special touch to your holiday celebrations this year!

For a free digital holiday recipe book, coupons and more, head to Silk's website!

Caramel-Nog Split Second Cookies
Adapted from Olga's Flavor Factory

6 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Silk Nog
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/3 cup caramel sauce* or melted caramels
Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a baking pan by lining with parchment or a silicone baking mat and set aside.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add in Silk Nog and vanilla extract and beat until fully combined.

3. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly mix it into the butter mixture until a dough forms. Do not overmix.

4. Scoop the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and, with floured hands, knead it a few times to form a ball. Divide the ball into 4 pieces.

5. Roll each piece into a rope, about 10-12 inches long. With the handle of a wooden spoon, create an indentation lengthwise to serve as a well for the caramel. {Try to round off the ends of each rope so to keep the caramel from leaking out during baking.}

6. Carefully pour or spoon the caramel into the well and smooth out. Repeat with all 4 pieces of dough, leaving a few inches between each piece. {They'll spread a bit during baking.} Place in the freezer for about 30 minutes to harden the dough -- this will help them spread less during baking.

7. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the dough is just set {it won't brown too much} and the caramel is just starting to bubble.

Remove from oven and let the cookies sit for about 30 minutes to cool before slicing diagonally into individual pieces {about 1-2 inches thick}. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

*A thick, store-bought version is best for this type of recipe.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk . The opinions and text are all mine.

Hummingbird Cake Smoothie | Silk

My husband makes smoothies every morning. The whir of the blender echoes through the house and I know that there is some combination of bananas, strawberries, greens and protein powder happening in that blender jar. Nutritious, yes, but also ho-hum.

I'm all for smoothies, but it's easy to get into a rut and enter the realm of "Blender Boredom." And there's just no excuse for such things, especially when a little creativity is all that's required to make something that's exciting to sip on.

Left to my own devices, I can't help but create smoothies that resemble my favorite thing: Dessert. 

I mean, it's not like I'm tossing a piece of cake in the blender along with my fruits and veggies... but I see nothing wrong with making my mouth think I am. 

What happens when you combine banana, pineapple, vanilla, cinnamon, pecans & creamy Silk Cashewmilk? You get a Hummingbird Cake smoothie.

Hummingbird Cake is a popular Southern spice cake that happens to have many of the same ingredients that work well in a smoothie. The tender cinnamon-spiced cake is anything but dry with mashed banana and sweet crushed pineapple incorporated into the batter and smooth cream cheese frosting slathered on top. Crunchy pecans lend some texture and nuttiness to this yummy dessert.

Eating a slice of Hummingbird Cake on-the-go? Probably not the easiest task. But whipping up a tasty {and guilt-free} alternative for the road? Totally doable.

So, if like my dear husband, you're going to blend up a smoothie every day... why not make it an enticing one?

Silk's recipe page has a multitude of exciting "Smoothie Solutions" made to banish "Blender Boredom": Lemon Cream Pie Smoothies, Chocolate Covered Cherry Smoothies, Silky S'mores Smoothies... you won't know if you're in your kitchen or at a bakery!

Have some creative ideas of your own?  Silk's Smoothie Solutions contest, live from May 4 to June 5. {Nab a coupon by signing up for Silk's Newsletter!}

Hummingbird Cake Smoothie

1 banana {frozen for a creamier texture}
3 tablespoons crushed pineapple
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons chopped pecans
4 ounces Silk Original Cashewmilk

1. Place all ingredients in a high speed blender. Blend until smooth.

2. Pour into a glass and garnish with extra pecans, if desired. Enjoy!

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

Creamy Choco-Cashew Banana Smoothie | Silk Cashew Milk

I gained a grand total of 26 pounds during my pregnancy. That's not a whole lot, I know, but it's enough to make you freak out a little bit once you're holding a bundle of love in your arms and still have handles of love pouring out over the tops of your jeans. Sure, pudge is the least of one's concerns when you're caring for a newborn, but in moments of lucidity there are still daydreams of wearing pants without an elastic waist once again someday. {I'm not gonna lie, though. Maternity pants are comfy.}

Thirteen of those pounds were immediately lost after giving birth, and over the next few weeks, a few more pounds were shed here and there. But, as luck would have it, my son was born right around the holidays which meant that I basically subsisted on Christmas cookies for the first month of his life. I wish I were kidding.

Anyway, I imagine that a diet consisting of holiday foods and a goal to lose baby weight aren't exactly considered a perfect match. Rats.

I've only got about 7 {stubborn} pounds left to lose until I'm back to my pre-baby weight, but I'll tell you what else I've still got: A sweet tooth.

Luckily, I've found some sneaky ways to enjoy a sweet treat without sabotaging progress. Like luscious, creamy smoothies that taste like a milkshake.

Though I've used almond milk for quite a few years, I was intrigued when I discovered that Silk came out with their newest non-dairy milk -- Cashewmilk. I pink puffy heart cashews. Always have. I remember picking them out of mixed nut canisters as a kid and leaving a sad, cashew-less collection for the next unsuspecting snacker. So cashewmilk just sounded like a genius idea to me.

And I was right. It is super creamy and rich... a perfect addition to this Choco-Cashew Banana Smoothie. With 50% more calcium than dairy milk but only 60 calories per serving, it's a great option for smart sipping. It's the perfect match of smooth, silky taste and fewer calories.

 

Combined in this smoothie with Silk's Dark Chocolate Almond Milk {another favorite} and frozen bananas, it becomes a treat reminiscent of something you'd pick up at a drive-thru window. Paired with an untamable sweet tooth, it's everything you crave without the guilt factor. I'd say that makes a pretty good match, too.

Head over to Silk's website to sign up for their newsletter where you can get coupons, recipes and more!

Choco-Cashew Banana Smoothie

1 banana, cut into chunks and frozen
1/2 cup Silk Dark Chocolate Almond milk, frozen into ice cubes
1/2 cup Silk Cashewmilk*
Roasted cashews for garnish if desired

1. Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender. Blend until completely smooth.
2. Top with roasted cashews if desired. Enjoy!

*If your smoothie is too thick and you have trouble blending, add a bit more cashewmilk.

This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.