This year, skip all that time slaving away in the kitchen for Thanksgiving. Just grab a bag of BRACH’S Turkey Dinner Candy Corn!
The unique candy has made a splash in year’s past so this time, Brach’s is adding even more fun to the mix: by adding apple pie and coffee, too!
Each bag comes with flavors that include green beans, roasted turkey, cranberry stuffing, apple pie and coffee. Is anyone else totally getting Violet Beauregard vibes remembering when she ate that gum that tasted like a full dinner in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory?
You can find a 12 oz. bag of this Brach’s mix exclusively at Walgreens stores nationwide for about $3.49.
Who cares if it’s still August? In our hearts, it’s pumpkin time!
To celebrate the imminent fall season, Dunkin’ is dropping its updated autumn menu this Wed. Aug. 18. The offerings will include a mix of brand new coffee and food items, in addition to bringing back several signature items from years past.
photo: Courtesy of Dunkin’
When it comes to brand new treats, customers can grab a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew made from Dunkin’s Cold Brew, a pumpkin flavor swirl and new Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam topped with cinnamon sugar topping. Fancy a cold drink? The new Apple Cranberry and Apple Cranberry Coconut Refreshers are the perfect non-coffee option made with Honeycrisp apple and cranberry fruit flavors, Green Tea and fall spaces and coconut milk for the coconut refresher option.
Returning from last year is the Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, pumpkin flavored coffees, apple cider donut, pumpkin donut, Munchkins Donut Hole Treats and pumpkin muffin. To up the ante, Dunkin’ is giving pumpkin lovers medium Pumpkin Cream Cold Brews or medium Pumpkin Spice Signature Lattes for just $3 now through Sept. 14!
To round up the menu offerings, the coffee and donut purveyor is introducing a new option in the Limited Batch Series, 100% Guatemalan Coffee. For every cup sold of the brew, 10 cents will benefit One Tree Planted, to support reforestation efforts in Guatemala from Sept. 12 through Oct. 12.
The fall Dunkin’ menu will be available for a limited time at participating restaurants nationwide staring Aug. 18.
Summer means lots of adventures that are sustained by healthy, power-packing snacks. That’s why we’ve gathered up power bites that will be a hit with tiny tummies everywhere—and fuel the whole family on your next great adventure. Featuring energy-boosting ingredients and great flavors, these snack balls are easy to whip up for all your on-the-go needs. Click through our gallery to find the recipe you want to try.
When it comes to these Banana Bread Energy Bites from Running with Spoons, the magic number is five. There are just five ingredients and they take just five minutes to make—which all adds up to a quick and tasty snack for all your family adventures. Get the recipe here.
If your hiking snacks could use a bit of fall flavor, look no further than these Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Energy Balls from The Healthy Maven. They’re made with pumpkin puree and are easy to customize for every pint-sized taste. Plus, they don’t need a food processer to whip up—sweet! Get the recipe here.
Nope, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. These Golden Raisin No-Bake Energy Bites may look like luscious truffles but they can definitely hold their own in the “healthy snack” category. Sporting natural sugars, healthy fats, omega 3s and fiber, these sweet bites can carry you through family treks, road trip munchies, and beyond. Get the recipe here.
What’s the best way to start the day? These Raspberry Coconut Breakfast Balls from Feeding Finn! These little bites of goodness have zero refined sugar and a healthy dose of protein via ground almonds. Plus, little connoisseurs will love that eye-catching color. Get the recipe here.
If you want to give your snacks a tropical twist, Peas & Crayons has just the thing: Key Lime Pie Energy Bites. Thanks to freshly squeezed lime juice, these bites are a cool combo of sweet and tart—and they taste oh-so-similar to Key Lime Pie Larabars. Get the recipe here.
Psst! Here's a little secret, courtesy of Love to Be in the Kitchen: you can get a fix of your favorite cookie in the form of these Monster Cookie Energy Bites. The kid-pleasing ingredients include peanut butter, chia seeds, honey, and mini M&Ms—which means that you’ll have to keep an eye on your little monsters to make sure these snacks don’t disappear all at once. Get the recipe here.
Here’s the scoop on these Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites from Life Made Sweeter: the irresistable sweetness comes from dried cranberries and bananas, they’re packed with protein, and toddler chefs can help make them. Plus, if you sub in gluten-free oats, these snacks can easily be a tasty gluten-free treat. Get the recipe here.
What’s up, Doc? These Carrot Energy Bites from Vegan Heaven feature a dream team of just five ingredients—including everyone’s fave orange veggie. They also check a lot of other snacktime boxes: vegan, sugar-free, nutrient-rich, and easy to make. We guarantee your wascally wabbits will love ‘em. Get the recipe here.
Good news! Eating Bird Food has cracked the snacking code with these Cherry Larabar Balls, which have the same great taste as their inspiration. They clock in at only 10 minutes of prep work and only require five ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Get the recipe here.
You may never look at quinoa the same once you try these Almond Quinoa Energy Balls from MJ and Hungryman. With a dash of figgy sweetness and protein via almonds and quinoa, these are just the kind of “smart snacks” that will see you through hikes, errands, and everything in between. Get the recipe here.
The genius of these Apple Cinnamon Cookie Energy Bites from Kristine’s Kitchen Blog is that they taste like cookies but have a whole lot more going for them: fresh apple, almond butter, oats, and cinnamon-y goodness. The only question is how long they’ll last. Get the recipe here.
Got a kiddo with a nut allergy? No worries! Lexi's Clean Kitchen has you covered with these delish Nut-Free Power Bites. These snacks are loaded with sunflower seeds and sunbutter, making them an awesome way to get a mid-hike protein boost. Bonus: they’re easy to mix up—no food processor needed! Get the recipe here.
It finally hit me, standing in Costco’s cooler aisle holding a giant container of cranberry jalapeno cream cheese. The creamy pink dip looked delicious, as all king-sized dips at Costco do. I pictured it in a festive bowl surrounded by various crackers, perfect for a holiday party. I could practically taste it as I lowered it into my cart. Then I froze, turned slowly, and put it back on the shelf. There will be no holiday parties this year. There will be no meat trays and cracker plates. There will be no Christmas as I have known Christmas to be my whole life. My family alone can’t eat an entire vat of spicy cream cheese, so there is no reason to bring it home. My heart breaks at the realization, and I watch it crumble into a million little pieces right there on the cement floor.
I push my cart away, a cloak of sorrow surrounding me as I go to find the massive bags of coffee, those I can inhale on my own. I throw two in my cart with a thud, wondering if anyone else around me is swallowing the same lump of grief. I couldn’t bring myself to look, though, fearing a scene out of a zombie movie, pale, lifeless, broken spirits slogging through the store. I checked out with nothing fancy or festive, no special treats or savory snacks for gatherings this year—boxes of orange chicken and bags of coffee the bulk of my purchase. Head down, choking back tears, I slip out the sliding glass doors.
I knew Christmas would be different this year, expected to pair down the celebrations. However, the impact of the reality hadn’t fully sunk in yet. When it did, it hurt like hell. I miss my friends. I miss my family. December usually consists of special brunches and cookie decorating days, gift exchange dinners, and holiday book club nights. I can live without all of that, but I never imagined I wouldn’t be with my extended family on Christmas. Alas, the coronavirus looms too large a threat for some high-risk members. Since my husband and I don’t want to make this one the last one with our parents and grandparents, we had to make some hard choices. My rebel self is screaming, do it anyway, don’t let that virus hold you back. You have to live your life. Everything will be fine. The community-minded part of me whispers, you have to think of others. It’s better to be safe than sorry. The third part of me, the scared part, imagines someone dying because it’s too hard to go without our traditions.
It is truly the most wonderful time of the year when we get to snuggle in living rooms sparkling with Christmas lights and shiny ornaments. I love watching the kids’ eyes light up as they unwrap presents and sneak candy canes under the tree. Sometimes I think I might die without these moments. I vacillate between anger and rage and sorrow and anger again. I force myself to think positive. To find the alternative joys of the season and reach beyond myself. It’s hard, requiring every ounce of grace in my bones, grace I have to summon from God to see the proverbial forest through the trees. This Christmas is going to hurt, but hold on. If we make it through, we’ll have many more Christmases to come.
The thing is, Christmas started with a little family all alone in a manger. Cast aside, afraid, nowhere to go, they hunkered down together in a stable, the animals their only company. The Holy Family welcomed Jesus into the world without cranberry jalapeno cream cheese. Without cooked ham or a fancy spread. He entered the world with nothing, the King of kings. Our savior. We give gifts on Christmas in the symbolism of gifts given to Jesus by The Three Wise Men. We see the wise men in pictures and hear of them in stories standing beside baby Jesus in the manger, presenting him with gold frankincense and myrrh. But the truth is that The Three Wise Men were not in the stable with Jesus at His birth. Biblical accounts portray their travel as taking several months at least, possibly even years.
So here’s what I’m thinking; maybe this Christmas we are like the wise men. We can’t be with the ones we love because we are still walking this long journey through a dry, lonely desert. We won’t get to the end exactly when we want. We won’t celebrate together on the specific day of Jesus’s birth, but we know the wait will be worth the time and trouble once we finally arrive. This year, we have to be strong and patient, trusting that the star of Bethlehem will light our paths, that God will show us the way. We will celebrate everything, have everything we want and need in time, and it will be wonderful. Our job is just to keep going, to focus on our blessings no matter how small they may seem, and find gratitude in the little things that hold us tight.
Christmas won’t look the same this year, likely mixed with grief and loss, sorrow and fear. Loneliness may linger in our hearts for the missing celebrations and distance between family and friends. But Jesus is with us always. And Christmas in July could be just as good. Maybe even better.
Krissy Dieruf is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children, loves to sing and dance around the house and has a soft spot for rebels and crazy hair.
This holiday season is going to look different from years past. Yankee Candle is spreading the holiday magic by giving families a sneak peek into Santa Claus’ workshop via The Official Santa Cam. They are also offering a series of backgrounds for those virtually celebrating the holidays with loved ones.
Yankee Candle sent a magical candle to Santa Claus. This candle has a special power to connect everyone around the world to Santa Claus’ private office. This one candle will make you believe in the magic of Santa.
Families will have the opportunity to check-in on Santa by logging into TheOfficialSantaCam.com. Access to Santa’s virtual office is available this holiday season, around the clock, now through Dec. 24, when Mr. Claus heads out for work. The virtual Santa Cam will feature Santa’s routine at the North Pole including:
Santa will start his morning with a cup of cocoa and read through the North Pole News. As the day continues, Santa will look through his schedule, write at his desk, build toys, read letters, eat cookies, take naps and watch as Mrs. Claus delivers sweets.
During the prime hours of 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Santa will partake in extra activities including learning a TikTok dance, sketching a picture of Rudolph, painting toys, taking a Zoom call, among others.
Yankee Candle is also launching a series of virtual backgrounds for those celebrating the holidays virtually this year! Families can access the holiday inspired backgrounds on yankeecandle.com/inspiration starting on Dec. 9.
Don’t forget to check out Yankee Candle’s Magical Christmas Morning Holiday Scents.
Santa’s Cookies: A treat worthy of Santa’s attention: Freshly baked vanilla sugar cookies with a dash of spice.
Christmas Morning Punch: A spectacular blend of ruby-red pomegranate, strawberry, cranberry — a celebratory drink the whole family will love.
Holiday Hearth: A cozy gathering by the fireplace, all decked out with festive décor…warm, spicy, and sweet, like the magic of holiday traditions.
Singing Carols: A harmonious combination of fruit, evergreen, and spice notes that create an inspiring Christmas melody.
Happy Morning: Awaken to the delight of Christmas morning with a cheerful fragrance bursting with bright berries, evergreens, and a touch of caramel.
It’s nearly Thanksgiving––do you have your pie ready? Instagram wanted to know what dessert would be gracing dinner tables this year and followed likes and mentions of pie flavors from in-feed and Story posts from the last several months to get the low-down.
The top eight flavors ended up being cranberry, cherry, pecan, pumpkin, sweet potato, blueberry, strawberry, and apple. Oddly, users discussed cranberry and sweet potato pie more than any other flavor!
Cranberries make their appearance as a side dish staple this time of year, but we think they are the perfect ingredient for adding festive holiday color to your table and decor. The following cranberry craft projects are all easy and quick—which makes them perfect for enlisting the kiddos. Plus most of them are super cheap to make. Read on for our crantastic list.
When you want something stunning for your centerpiece but want to buy almost nothing, check out these five-minute luminaries from Kim Demmon of Today’s Creative Life. With just a few items, this simple (and simply amazing) candle project can be on your table or mantle. Get the kiddos in on this one, they will shine with pride when it’s done. Skip on over to Today’s Creative Life to get the full tutorial.
Holiday gatherings mean plenty of table guests and we found the perfect festive detail by Liz Stanley at Say Yes. These fresh cranberry mini-wreaths will delight your guests and we think they’d make perfect ornaments for any tree, too. Click here to check out the how-to steps at Say Yes.
Going for the classic canned cranberry sauce this year? Kick your tradition up a notch with a perfectly festive and super easy twist: just slice the cranberry sauce as usual and then use small cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Stars, hearts, holiday trees or even little people can all become part of the meal. This is a great idea for the kid’s table, too. Serve on a pretty platter and bam! You've got whimsy on a dish (and a dime).
String the fun along with a simple popcorn and cranberry garland that can be draped over a centerpiece or used as decor along a wall, mantel or on your holiday tree. You can even use it for outdoor decoration/snack for the birdies. For the easy how-to click here. We love the idea of subbing Cheerios for popcorn, which can be easier for little chubby fingers to string.
This holiday season, kiss the canned cranberry sauce of your youth goodbye and make a homemade cranberry sauce instead. Using real cranberries lets you adjust the sweetness levels yourself, and you can spice it up with new and interesting flavors. Plus it’s not just for the turkey—use the leftovers in everything from yogurt to waffles to smoothies. Scroll down to see our favorite recipes below.
Chef Ryan Rendano offers up a wonderfully spiced version of cranberry sauce that only takes 20 minutes to make. We love that the recipe includes lemon and orange, some of the best winter produce around. Get it here.
Maple Cranberry Sauce
This easy cranberry sauce from The View from Great Island takes just 15 minutes to make, is made with just two ingredients, and has the perfect amount of tartness. Get the recipe here.
Keep it simple with this easy recipe from Eat Within Your Means. It’s sweetened with apple cider and maple syrup instead of sugar and makes a perfect alternative to the canned stuff. To get the recipe, click here.
This refreshing take on cranberries from Kevin Is Cooking turns the traditional sauce on its head. Instead of cooking the cranberries, they’re blitzed up with orange and mixed with cherry jello to make a yummy relish. Cross your fingers for leftovers—this will taste fantastic on those day-after-Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches. To grab the recipe, click here.
This paleo sauce from Anya’s Eats is sure to be a crowd pleaser. The cranberries are complemented by fresh orange juice and ginger. Just a touch of maple sugar ensures that the berries’ bright flavor shines through. Get the recipe by clicking here.
Step outside the box by making this flavorful chutney from Magnolia Days. Not only will it taste great with the turkey, but you can also pair it with cheese and crackers for an easy appetizer. With apples, brown sugar, cinnamon and jalapenos, this sauce is bursting with bold flavors. To grab the recipe, click here.
Instead of using sugar to sweeten the sauce, this recipe from Dad with a Pan uses fresh mango chunks—yum! Tropical fruit on the Thanksgiving table is definitely something we can get behind. Click here to get the recipe.
The secret ingredient in this recipe by 2 Aussie Travellers is balsamic vinegar—it cuts the bitterness of the cranberries while adding some depth. The thicker, chunkier texture keeps the cranberries closer to their natural state, unlike some of the more jelly-like sauces. To get the recipe, click here.
Pears, cinnamon and ginger come together to help create this sauce from Veggie Inspired. Your whole family will love the warm fall flavors. Get the recipe by clicking here.
Your holiday cooking just got easier! We’ve gathered up the best Instant Pot recipes that you can make in a flash for Christmas parties, Hanukkah gatherings, and more. From Instant Pot appetizers to delicious desserts, we have everything you need for a festive (and fast!) holiday meal.
This instant pot dish from The Kitcheneer screams fall flavors. Picture this: short ribs that are fall-off-the-bone good, cooked with dee-lish pumpkin mash. Get the recipe here.
Where has this cheesecake been all our lives? With caramel, apples, creamy vanilla, and cinnamon whipped cream, this holiday dessert is full of flavor and super simple, too. Get the recipe from Tidbits.
Are you crazy for kugel? This Old Gal (a primo resource for Instant Pot recipes) has a version you'll love! The classic flavors are all there, but it's extra simple to pull off with your Instant Pot. Dig in and get the recipe here.
Looking for a great addition to your holiday party? This easy Instant Pot appetizer (courtesy of Meatloaf and Melodrama) uses frozen meatballs and a few other ingredients. Lip-smacking good! Get the recipe here.
We have your next favorite holiday dessert, courtesy of The Lean Green Bean. With festive spices, french bread, and a bit of chocolate and almond butter to top it off, this treat will disappear faster than you can make it. Get the recipe here.
Hooray for ham that's done in 7 minutes! Oh So Delicioso has the hookup, with a recipe that has a sweet pineapple glaze and oodles of flavor. Plus, it pairs great with any holiday side dish. Get the recipe here.
This ultra-yummy bread from Tidbits is the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal. Bursting with cranberries and pecans, it's got an extra healthy whole wheat kick. Get the recipe here.
Scalloped potatoes are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, which is why you should bookmark this dish from Crunchy Creamy Sweet. It will amp up any holiday dinner and be a hit with kids and grownups alike. Get the recipe here.
Psst! Not only is this pumpkin cheesecake easy to whip up in your handy-dandy Instant Pot, it also sports a unique granola crust. Creamy, crunchy, and no work at all--head to The Wicked Noodle for the recipe.
Need a holiday appetizer ASAP? Lexi's Clean Kitchen has you covered, with no-fuss Instant Pot hard boiled eggs and a deviled egg recipe that'll wow your party guests. Get the recipe here.
Make your holidays even sweeter with this yummy breakfast from Imagelicious. With a gooey cinnamon center and a vanilla glaze, these treats are the best way to start the day or get an afternoon pick-me-up. Get the recipe here.
Want to change up your usual holiday mashed potatoes? Boulder Locavore has just the thing. Think sweet potatoes, bacon, and...well, do we really need to say more. Get the Instant Pot recipe here.
Many consider the release of Starbucks red cups as the unofficial launch of the holiday season. Starting Fri. Nov. 6, the coffee chain’s fan-favorite holiday beverages are back. Plus they are giving away a free collectible red holiday cup to customers who order a handcrafted holiday beverage tomorrow.
Head over to Starbucks to enjoy a Peppermint Mocha, Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, Caramel Brulee Latte, Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte. The bakery case is also getting a seasonal upgrade with the new Cranberry Orange Scone and returning Sugar Plum Danish, Cranberry Bliss Bar, Snowman Cookie and Snowman Cake Pop.
The chain is releasing four new cup designs this year:
Ribbon: This design brings forward all the joyful elements of the holiday season in ribbons of brand greens and a jolly red like a cozy holiday sweater. Look closely and you’ll see a familiar crown, tail, and scales. The design is repeated on this year’s collectible Starbucks red holiday cup.
Dot: Stripes swirl around a field of Starbucks house green punctuated by playful polka dots, sharing the sentiment to “carry the merry.”
Sparkle: This red cup has vintage vibes, with cutout shapes in green like glittering holiday ornaments. The motif is repeated in a snowy white on Starbucks cold beverage cups.
Brand Wrap: This modern, scaled-up version of the ribbon design features bold bands of holiday color and the Starbucks wordmark, designer street style.
If you are looking to enjoy your favorite seasonal beverages from the comforts of home you can find Christmas Blend whole bean coffee when you pick up your holiday beverage at Starbucks. You can also pick up your favorite Starbucks seasonal flavors like Holiday Blend and Peppermint Mocha in Roast & Ground, K-Cup pods and ready-to-drink formats wherever groceries are sold.
