Let’s set the scene: It’s blistering cold outside. Snowflakes fall as the wind rustles through the trees. Even though it’s mid-day, the sky is shaded by a thick layer of frost-filled clouds. On a day like this, can you think of anything better than cozying up with a blanket, cookies, and a delicious cup of hot cocoa?! I thought not! The afternoon that I received Starbucks® Cozy Collection in the mail was just that sort of bone-chilling winters day. And it couldn’t have been more timely…
I squealed with delight upon opening the box, because clearly my day was about to take a seriously cozy turn. The collection included Starbucks® Classic and Salted Carmel K-Cup® pods, the softest blanket ever, a box of Madyson’s Marshmallows, Walkers Shortbread Cookies, a chic mug, and a $5 Starbucks Card with an exclusive offer on Starbucks® Hot Cocoa K Cup® pods. At this point, the angelic and charitable side of my brain contemplated sharing this amazing box with one of my lovely readers. Unfortunately for you, the devilish glutton that I truly am won over and I ripped into the collection faster than you can say “Selfish, much?!”. But no worries, for I am about to impart to you, my loyal (and ever-so-patient) reader, two gifts. The first gift is that I’ve included the fabulous recipes from the box throughout the rest of this feature. The second gift, well, you’ll just have to click on this link to find out (heads up, it includes a chance to win one your own Starbucks® Cozy Collection boxes!).
The Collection came with two delicious Starbucks® Hot Cocoa K-Cup® pods, Classic Hot Cocoa and Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa… naturally I tried them both immediately. The Starbucks® Classic Hot Cocoa was just as a good cup of chocolate should be – sweet and satisfying. The Starbucks® Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa was fun and unexpected, with a clear taste of sea salt and caramel mixed in. Each cup is made with real cocoa and non-fat milk, so you don’t have to add a thing. Plus, these pods have been created especially for the Keurig® brewer and are sold at local grocery stores, which wonderfully simplifies the process. So with the hot cocoa brewed, I plopped in a marshmallow, set out the cookies, made sure the blanket was close at hand, and got my cozy on…
- Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (4 fl. oz.)
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- Sea salt
- Ice
- Whipped cream
- Caramel Sauce
- Brew one Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (4 fl. oz.) into a heat-safe mug, and let cool. Add cooled cocoa, two scoops of vanilla ice cream, and two cups of ice into blender, and blend until smooth. Pour into a frosted mug, and top with whipped cream, caramel drizzle and a sprinkling of sea salt to finish. Kick back, savor and chill out.
- Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (8 fl. oz.)
- 2 tablespoons of cherry juice
- Whipped cream
- Cherries
- Add cherry juice to your favorite mug. Brew one Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (8 fl. oz.) over 2 tablespoons of maraschino cherry juice and stir until smooth. Top with whipped cream and, of course, a cherry.
- Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (8 fl. oz.)
- 1 tablespoon of Five Spice Blend
- Whipped cream
- Brew one Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (8 fl. oz.) directly over 1 tablespoon of Five Spice Blend into your favorite mug. Stir until mixed. Top with whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of Five Spice Blend. Enjoy the spicy sweetness.
- Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (8 fl. oz.)
- 1 tablespoon of hazelnut butter
- Whipped cream
- Shaved curls of dark chocolate
- Add 1 tablespoon of hazelnut butter to your favorite mug. Brew one Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (8 fl. oz.) directly over the hazelnut butter, and stir until dissolved. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and shaved curls of dark chocolate. Cozy up and enjoy.
- Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (4 fl. oz.)
- 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream
- 1 tablespoon of orange jam
- 2 cups of ice
- Whipped cream
- Orange zest
- Brew on Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa K-Cup pod (4 fl. oz.) into a mug, and let cool. Add cooled cocoa, two scoops of vanilla ice cream, 1 tablespoon of orange jam and two cups of ice into a blender, and blend until smooth. Pour directly into a chilled glass, and top with whipped cream and orange zest. Sip, and enjoy!
So there you have it, that’s how I utilized the much needed Cozy Collection on a very cold day. Think about how you would put the box to use and make sure to grab some of the Starbucks® Hot Cocoa K-Cup® pods for your home!