Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies Recipe: A Seasonal Fall Favorite Dessert

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August 20, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 6 Comments

Sugar is evil, but… Dammit. Brownies. There’s no harm, no foul indulging in a treat from time to time. And brownies are my jam. With the fall harvest in sight and pumpkins popping up everywhere, it’s hard to resist whipping up these pumpkin cheesecake brownies!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies: The Perfect Fall Dessert

I’ll admit that I really don’t eat desserts very often. I cut out most sugar from my diet some time back. After learning that sugar causes inflammation, the last thing I wanted to do was make my body hate me more than it already does. While the fibromyalgia is mostly under control these days, there’s this mid-life hell called perimenopause. As it slowly causes an evolution that requires an equivalent of 1980s mom jeans, I’ve really tried to avoid empty calories. Meaning desserts. Two giant servings of macaroni and cheese. 500 calorie coffees from Starbucks. An entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s.

Unfortunately my backside is insisting on repositioning itself on the other side of my body. Prominently in the middle where it’s impossible to hide. The only plus is that, as my chin has started slink down from my cheeks, some of it seems to have given my chest a bit of extra abundance. I won’t even go into the bloating. Still, I’m not a complete masochist. There are days when self care absolutely requires something to satisfy my sweet tooth. Brownies are my go to. While I prefer them with icing so they look more like a birthday cake than a pan of brownies, swirling in cheesecake is actually crazy delish and doesn’t make my teeth ache thinking about it.

These pumpkin cheesecake brownies are easier to make than you might imagine. Start with a box of your favorite brownie mix (I opt for chewy and extra fudgy) and throw in some canned pumpkin, cream cheese and everyone’s fall favorite – pumpkin spice! Then top it all off with some pecan streusel and you’ve got yourself a dessert worthy of the season!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies Recipe

Ingredients:

1 Box brownie mix, made according to package directions

For the Pumpkin Cheesecake Layer:

½ Cup softened cream cheese
½ Cup canned pumpkin
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 egg
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

For the Pecan Streusel Topping:

½ Cup chopped pecans
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp melted butter
¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Directions for Making Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies:

You’ll need either a 7×9 pan or an 8×8 baking pan to make these pumpkin cheesecake brownies. Start by lining your pan with parchment paper. Alternately, you can also spray the pan with a non stick spray. Begin by preheating the oven as directed on the box of brownie mix.

Now prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions. Then pour the batter into your prepared pan, reserving ½ cup of the brownie batter for later. Set both aside.

Next, mix together the ingredients for the cheesecake layer (cream cheese, pumpkin, sugars, egg and pumpkin pie spice) in a small bowl.

Now pour the cheesecake batter over the brownie batter in the pan. Then smooth out the batter.

Drop the reserved ½ cup of brownie batter by the spoonful over the cheesecake layer, then gently swirl the two layers with a spoon or spatula. Be sure not to over mix. You simply want to create swirls.

Next, make the streusel topping by combining the pecans, brown sugar, flour, melted butter and pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl. Then sprinkle streusel mix on top of the brownies.

Bake the pumpkin cheesecake brownies in a preheated oven for approximately 55 minutes. You’ll know their ready to come out of the oven once the edges of your brownies are set and are just beginning to brown. It’s okay if the pumpkin cheesecake brownies are still a bit soft in the middle. The brownies will firm up as they cool.

Once cooled, cut the brownies into bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Yield: 16 bars

Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies Recipe with Pecan Streusel

Name: Pumpkin Cheesecake Brownies Recipe with Pecan Streusel
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Yield: 16 bars
Cuisine: brownies
Ingredients: 1 Box brownie mix, made according to package directions; ½ Cup softened cream cheese; ½ Cup canned pumpkin; 2 tbsp sugar; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 egg; ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice; ½ Cup chopped pecans; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp flour; 2 tbsp melted butter; ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice

A seasonal fall favorite pumpkin spice dessert recipe. Start with a box of your favorite brownie mix, then add some canned pumpkin, cream cheese and everyone's fall favorite - pumpkin spice to the mix for an amazing fall dessert that’s perfect for families and fall get togethers!

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 55 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 Box brownie mix, made according to package directions
½ Cup softened cream cheese
½ Cup canned pumpkin
2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 egg
½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
½ Cup chopped pecans
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp flour
2 tbsp melted butter
¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

Preheat oven to temperature indicated on the box of brownie mix.
Line a 7x9 pan with parchment paper, or spray with non stick spray.
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and pour into prepared pan, reserving ½ cup for later.
In a small bowl, mix together the ingredients for the cheesecake layer (cream cheese, pumpkin, sugars, egg and pumpkin pie spice.) Pour over brownie and smooth out. Drop the reserved ½ cup of brownie batter by the spoonful over the cheesecake layer, then gently swirl the two layers with a spoon or spatula.
Next, make the streusel topping by combining the pecans, brown sugar, flour, melted butter, and pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl.
Sprinkle streusel mix on top of the brownies.
Bake for approximately 55 min until brownies are set and edges are just beginning to brown. Allow to cool then cut into bars.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 92 Total Fat: 7g Saturated Fat: 3g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 23mg Sodium: 45mg Carbohydrates: 7g Net Carbohydrates: 0g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 4g Sugar Alcohols: 0g Protein: 1g

Pumpkin cheesecake recipes. A seasonal fall favorite pumpkin spice dessert recipe for pumpkin cheesecake brownies recipe with pecan streusel! Start with a box of your favorite brownie mix, then add some canned pumpkin, cream cheese and everyone's fall favorite - pumpkin spice to the mix for an amazing fall dessert that’s perfect for families and fall get togethers! A fall dessert worthy of the season!

Love my pumpkin cheesecake brownies recipe? Be sure to pin it to your dessert recipe Pinterest board!

Can’t get enough pumpkin spice this fall? Then absolutely try my healthy pumpkin spice latte recipe! It’s dairy and gluten free and only 76 calories per serving. Or try my delicious, natural brown sugar drop cookies for another easy dessert idea.

For more fall recipe ideas, you can follow Soap Deli News blog on pinterest, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Food Recipes, Lifestyle, Party Ideas Tagged With: brownies, cheesecake, dessert, fall, food recipe, pumpkin, pumpkin spice

Is Hard Seltzer Better for You Than Wine?

July 30, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 1 Comment

Hot summer days are all about rosé & wine slushies, but is there something better? Hard seltzer, like White Claw hard seltzer, offers fewer calories and just 5% alcohol. Not only does it taste like your favorite seltzer water (with no added sugar) it also helps you stay better hydrated – even in party mode.

The Drink I Didn’t Know I Was Missing

Until a few years ago, there were few non-liquor options for adult beverages besides wine, beer and coolers. All of these options are filled with added sugar. And to be honest, I’ve never liked beer. While my tastes have become more refined with age – hello, peppery dry red wine! – I don’t drink wine coolers anymore because I find them too sweet.

Then came the hard sodas, ciders and lemonades. Like coolers, they are often sweet and filled with added sugars. Being that I’m in my mid-forties, I’ve really been trying to avoid added sugar and cut calories. Not only do these drinks leave me feeling really full, really fast, they also give me massive belly bloat. Not only is the bloating uncomfortable, it’s definitely not the look I’m going for. (After all, those symptoms of perimenopause are more than enough to contend with as it is.)

Spiked seltzer however, like White Claw hard seltzer, fills a void I didn’t even realize was there. Although it’s a fairly new drink that was introduced just three years ago, it’s becoming increasingly popular. I’m regularly running between two different Kroger stores AND Target to find my favorite multi-pack in stock as it sells out so often.

Since my discovery of spiked seltzer, I’ve pretty much given up wine expect on those special occasions. Hard seltzer has me hooked. It’s definitely a better option than wine or beer. Not only does it have zero added sugar, it’s also flavored with real fruit. And, as hard seltzer is mostly water, it helps you stay better hydrated. Meaning, it’s a lot easier to avoid a hangover the next morning.

Is Hard Seltzer Better For You Than Wine?

I used to have a glass of wine (or three) in the evenings. It was the perfect drink to help my body wind down and relax all that tension that builds up from working at a desk all day. But the calories were definitely making a real impact on my waistline in recent years. That, and those wine hangovers can be brutal. I’ve since switched to hard seltzer. And I’ve found, that for me, it’s a much better choice than wine or hard cider.

Not only is hard seltzer lower in calories, it has no added sugar. And with just 4 to 5 percent alcohol, depending on the brand, I don’t accidentally get caught up and over imbibe. With temperatures in the 90s, it’s also a better choice to stay hydrated in the summer. Simply put, I find White Claw hard seltzer much more refreshing than wine. Plus it’s hard to miss the belly bloating, stained lips and sulfites. So, sorry not sorry, summer rosé. It’s time to move over.

There’s good reason that you keep seeing White Claw memes all over the internet. Despite the hate (it’s ok to think it’s basic, some would say the same about pumpkin spice) there are a number of reasons to love this refreshing hard seltzer.

What is Hard Seltzer?

Hard seltzer, sometimes called spiked seltzer, is the latest craze in adult beverages. Like its non-alcoholic cousin the trendy seltzer water, it’s mostly water with a hint of natural flavor.

Hard seltzers are comparable to a beer in alcohol content, but they offer a lighter, more refreshing taste. They just might be the perfect drink for a hot summer day, but they will taste great no matter what the weather is outside. Plus they come in skinny cans that are better suited for smaller hands (without that annoying pink tax on everything else that targets women consumers.)

Spiked Seltzer Brands

I’ve tried a few spiked seltzer brands, including Press, White Claw Hard Seltzer, Bon & Viv, Smirnoff Spiked, Nauti Hard Seltzer, Truly, Henry’s Hard Sparkling Water and Vibe to name a few.

I haven’t tried all of them, but so far White Claw Hard Seltzer is my preferred brand. It’s made with just water, a gluten free alcohol and natural fruit for flavoring. White Claw hard seltzer has just 100 calories per can. So it’s definitely better than drinking a glass of wine.

In addition, White Claw doesn’t have the aftertaste that other spiked seltzers have. To me, it’s just more refreshing and a better tasting drink.

White Claw hard seltzer is available in a number of natural fruit flavors. They include mango, black cherry, natural lime, raspberry, and ruby grapefruit. Mango is my favorite and the one I usually reach for. Although lime and black cherry run a close second. The mango White Claw hard seltzer is almost always sold out, however. So I’ve learned to adapt to my second choices, but rarely another brand. I’ve tried Truly brand hard seltzer and it just doesn’t measure up. While it ties with White Claw in the hard seltzer arena, I find it has an unpleasant aftertaste that I relate to fake sweeteners.

Alcohol Content

Spiked seltzers are comparable to a beer with about 5 percent alcohol. Wine has about 10 to 15 percent alcohol, so a spiked seltzer is definitely less potent than a glass of wine.

If you tend to sip throughout the evening or enjoy more than one drink, you probably won’t get drunk if you drink a spiked seltzer instead of a glass of wine. Therefore, you’re less likely to find yourself suddenly “deep in the feels” after a few glasses (ie. a bottle) of wine. This is good news. Because what this means is that there are no drunk texts to your ex you can’t take back the next day. So really, hard seltzer is also a better break up drink. After all, more alcohol isn’t always the better choice.

Less Sugar and Fewer Calories

Wine, beer and other alcoholic drinks are notoriously high in calories, which is made even worse because they are empty calories. The calories in just two drinks can rival those in a full meal. (With a comparable amount of bloating.)

Spiked seltzers only have about 100 calories in a 12 ounce can, so they won’t add as many calories to your daily intake. That’s less than most beers—although some light beers are comparable with 95 to 100 calories per drink—and you can expect about 125 calories for a 5-ounce glass of wine.

Carb counters will also rejoice in the fact that hard seltzers have less sugar and fewer carbs than wine. Wine will usually have 4 grams of carbs per glass, but hard seltzer has about 2 grams of carbs per 12 ounces.

Additionally, most spiked seltzers have zero added sugars. The flavor and sweetness all come from the fruit. So while I wouldn’t call them a healthy drink, they are definitely a better drink choice when compared to wine.

White Claw hard seltzer calories come in at 100 per can with 2 grams of carbs. If you drink more than a few glasses of wine a week, this could save you a lot of calories.

Gluten-Free

If you are gluten-free, you’ll be happy to know that most spiked seltzers are gluten-free (but always check the label to be sure!).

Instead of using a fermented grain to make the alcohol in a hard seltzer, it’s made from fermented sugar.

Portability

Hard seltzers come in a handy 12-ounce can. They are easy to take with you, easy to open, and easy to drink right from the can. Plus, as I mentioned previously, the skinny can is the perfect size for women’s hands. (I like to keep my White Claw hard seltzer cold in my Coleman Lounger Stainless Steel Can Insulator. It not only works with skinny cans, but also regular sized beer cans or bottles, as well as bottled water.)

Heading to a party? Grab a pack and toss them in a cooler. You can even carry them in a bag without worrying about them breaking or spilling.

Since they are in 12-ounce cans, it’s just the right amount for a drink. You don’t have to worry about storing leftover wine.

Wines only last anywhere from three days to two weeks, so hard seltzer is a better choice for those who don’t drink as often just because there’s less waste.

Mixing Drinks

Although hard seltzer is pretty tasty on its own, it also makes an excellent mixer. With the fruity flavor, it mixed well with vodka and can even take a sangria up a notch for added flavor.

If you’ve tried making mixed drinks with seltzer water, you might have been disappointed because the fruit flavor tends to disappear. Hard seltzer keeps the fruity flavor better, so don’t hesitate to try it mixed with other liquors.

Enjoy your spiked seltzer as a frozen boozy treat by simply freezing it. Pour it in a pan, freeze, and use an ice cream scoop to scoop it into cups for yourself or guests. It makes an incredibly easy and very yummy frozen treat that’s perfect for a hot summer evening. You can even pour it into a wine glass with edible flowers or fruit for dinner parties to elevate it to the next level.

Does Spiked Seltzer Hydrate You?

Most spiked seltzers have just three ingredients: water, alcohol and flavoring. Some brands have more ingredients, so check labels. White Claw Hard Seltzer only has these three ingredients, which is partly why it’s one of my favorite spiked seltzer brands. Due to the high water content and lower alcohol content, you’re more likely to stay hydrated. I know I do.

Not only does this help you feel better now, but it will also help in the morning. Dehydration can make a hangover worse. While I can’t guarantee that you won’t have a hangover after a few hard seltzers, it is likely that the hangover will be less severe than if you’d been drinking wine. I’ve yet to get a hangover from drinking equivalent amounts of hard seltzer to wine. However, it’s still important to reach for a bottle of water after you’ve been drinking to help your body recover from the intake of alcohol.

Do you love hard seltzer? Share your favorite flavors or ways to drink hard seltzer in the comments. Then be sure to follow me across your favorite social media platforms including pinterest, facebook, twitter and instagram. Or sign up to receive my newsletter to stay in the loop.

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Party Ideas Tagged With: alcohol, drink, hard seltzer, lifestyle, party, party ideas, socializing

Craft Night Ideas for Adults To Make With Your Gal Pals

March 10, 2019 By Rebecca D. Dillon 4 Comments

Discover 20 craft night ideas for adults that you and your BFFs will love making!

With spring right around the corner, you’re probably itching to entertain again. This time, however, because you WANT to. Not because you have to. Now that the stressful winter holiday season is behind, why not host an event you actually want to attend? Like a ladies craft night! Keep reading for tips on how to host the perfect ladies craft night. Plus discover my collection of the best craft night ideas for adults you can make with your gal pals.

Tips for Hosting a Ladies Craft Night

1. Unless you and your friends are craft addicts, keep the projects you choose for your adult craft night ideas simple and easy. This way everyone can join in – even beginners to your group – without feeling like their crafting skills aren’t up to snuff. (We all started somewhere, right?)

2. Make sure to have plenty of craft materials on hand. There’s nothing worse than starting a project and then not being able to finish it.

3. Be sure to allow plenty of room for everyone to work. While a round kitchen table works great for up to four guests, I turned to my outdoor patio table for larger gatherings. A larger table also makes it easy to create a casual craft filled tablescape with all of your tools and materials. If you don’t have a table that’s big enough, try pushing two tables together so everyone can work together in the same space.

4. You’ll want to also provide drinks and refreshments for your craft night guests. Most of my friends are wine drinkers, so I like to have several bottles on hand. However, you can also make a delightful seasonal punch recipe. I also love to make a charcuterie board filled with a variety of meats and cheese, nuts and chutney. Hummus with veggies and pita chips are also always a win at a ladies craft night. Or make this amazing crowd pleasing black bean dip recipe.

I love using Wine Insiders to supply wine for my guests. They make it easy to offer a wide selection of wines to fit everyone’s tastes. Not only am I able to purchase top rated wines at a large discount, it’s also shipped straight to my door! This saves so much time (and money!) versus hunting and guessing for wines I think my friends will enjoy. If you’ve never shopped with Wine Insiders, you can save $25 off your first $50 purchase! This is not a wine club so you simply make a purchase whenever you like. Check them out!

5. Choose make and take crafts for your adult craft nights. Everyone will have a blast creating their projects. However, it’s not much fun if they can’t take them home at the end of the night.

Once you tackle these adult craft night tips, you’re guaranteed to have a successful craft night with your friends. Keep reading to discover some of the favorite ladies craft night ideas for adults below!

Ladies Craft Night Ideas for Adults

This DIY trinket dish from Average But Inspired is a super cute idea for a make and take craft night project. You can use shallow Dollar Store dishes for this project to save money. Or have guests make their own trinket dishes from oven bake polymer clay. Then simply use Mod Podge to glue on images and designs cut out of patterned scrapbook papers or fabrics. (If you’re wanting to make these for just yourself, I love this collection of geometric trinket dishes.)

Coasters are another easy craft night project that’s perfect for a group setting. These easy DIY tile coasters from Divine Lifestyle are perfect for a spring gathering. They’re made using peel and stick wall decor. However you can also decorate your coasters using other methods such as alcohol ink and Sharpie markers. Or try this easy DIY coaster idea for decorating pressed letterboard coaster blanks with decoupage using scrapbook paper and Mod Podge!

Melt and pour soaps always come out on top with my friends for their favorite craft night ideas. These DIY exfoliating soaps from Country Hill Cottage are fun for friends to make together in a smaller sized group. Made using a melt and pour goat milk soap base, these pretty springtime soaps also contain Himalayan pink salt. Or try one of these other homemade melt and pour soap making ideas! (This moldable painted melt and pour soap making tutorial is one of my favorites!)

One of my favorite craft night ideas EVER was the time my friends and I made custom colored DIY nail polish. While there are nail polish craft kits you can buy, you can save money on this project by buying clear Dollar Store nail polish and mixing in your old eyeshadows slated for the trash bin. Or go pro with beautiful micas and solvent resistant glitters. This beauty project is super easy to replicate and a great way to catch up with old friends.

I also love this craft project for making decorative DIY mason jars. You can save money on this project when holding it as a group event by asking everything to bring their own mason jars or glass containers. Or, simply save those glass jars with lids from your food pantry to upcycle with your friends. Supply some glue, scrapbook papers and elements and you’re all set!

Making needle felted wine bags is another easy yet incredibly fun project for ladies craft night. While this project takes a bit longer to complete, it can still made within 2-3 hours depending on the detail your guests want to put into their creations. I especially love this needle felting project because, not only do you learn a new craft, you also have an end product that makes a lovely handmade gift.

Suncatchers are another great craft night project idea for adults. Made using upcycled CDs, suncatchers are a fun way to brighten up your kitchen window and explore your creativity. You can use mandala line drawings from coloring books to trace an image. Or try creating your own unique design!

Another of my favorite craft night ideas is this project for making gelli prints. While kits are available for learning this craft on your own, it’s so much more fun with friends. It’s also a great way to repurpose materials like jar caps, lace and bubble wrap. An easy make and take craft, these DIY gelli prints can then be used for unique wall art or handmade cards.

More Adult Craft Night Ideas to Try

What are some of your favorite craft night ideas for adults? Be sure to share your favorite ladies night ideas in the comments!

To discover more craft project ideas, sign up for my semi-weekly newsletter! You can also follow me on Blog Lovin‘, facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram.

Filed Under: DIY Craft Project, Lifestyle, Party Ideas Tagged With: craft night, craft night ideas, crafts, diy, easy, entertaining, hostess, ladies, make and take, spring entertaining

10 Tips for Successful Summer Entertaining

May 8, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon

They say the kitchen is the heart of your home. I find that’s especially true for me. My roommate Bambi loves to cook, so we are always hosting a weekly dinner night with significant others or friends. With summer on the way, we expect to do more summer entertaining than ever.

We recently moved my patio table into the backyard to use for summer entertaining as the weather heats up. Bambi loves to grill. So we have a grill on our list of things to buy this summer. There’s nothing more magical than BBQ and great friends as the sun goes down. We’re even thinking of making our own string light solar lanterns.

As Bambi is also a gamer, not just an incredible cook, we’re also looking forward to hosting more game nights. While I prefer games that are more in the realm of Exploding Kittens and Cards Against Humanity, Bambi prefers games of strategy. Hosting guests for summer game nights gives us both a chance to enjoy the games we love.

And of course, I’m looking forward to hosting a few ladies only craft nights as well. There’s something about the warm weather and shaking off the final remnants of those winter blues to inspire extra socializing.

Before summer entertaining gets into full swing however, it’s nice to take a minute and create an inviting space we feel proud to entertain in. Bambi and I are both a bit obsessive about both cleaning and creating the perfect space for hosting guests. It’s one of the many reasons we work so well as roommates – especially post divorce. It’s also why we are both such big fans of Grove Collaborative.

We both love the non-toxic and pet friendly products that Mrs. Meyer’s has to offer. (Bambi and I are both mommies to fur babies!) Not only are they effective at cleaning our home, they also look great by the kitchen sink.

If you aren’t already a Grove Collaborative member, you can get a free kit of Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap, hand soap, and lotion and replaceable head dish brush with your first order of just $20. We received this fantastic cleaning kit when we signed up and loved it! (You’ll want to hurry though as supplies are limited.)

Grove Co. offers more than just eco-conscious, non-toxic cleaning essentials. They also offer other homemaking and personal healthcare products from brands I trust. I buy Lovebug Here’s the Skinny Daily Probiotic at a discount from Grove for my own gut health. (Many of you know I suffer from fibromyalgia so vitamins and supplements are a must.)

Bambi on the other hand is crazy about Grove Collaborative’s Walnut Scouring Pads. In fact she ditched her regular brand of scouring pads for these after she tried them for the first time. She also loves Grove’s Cleaning Concentrate Essentials which are scented with natural essential oils. They’re another great way to get a pet safe, non-toxic clean we can both feel good about.

We also both found the Grove Collaborative Reusable Bag Essentials Set extremely useful. (I got these as a free gift as a part of Grove’s VIP member program.) These bags are super high quality and are great both in and out of the kitchen. We use the large bag for leftover Naan when Bambi makes curry. And the others for easily stashing personal care essentials when traveling and camping.

Place your first $20 order with Grove now to receive your free Mrs. Myer’s cleaning kit. Or, if you’re already a Grove Co. member, you’ll receive a free set of the Grove walnut scrubber sponges that Bambi is so fond of. Then keep reading for some great tips for entertaining guests in your home this summer.

If you’re as excited about getting into the swing of summer entertaining as we are, check out these great products and tips for opening your kitchen — and the rest of your home — to guests this summer.

Great Products & Tips for Successful Summer Entertaining

1. Hand wash summer accessories that have been in the cabinet all winter. Grove’s replaceable head dish brush has curved bristles and a sturdy bamboo handle that’s perfect for washing pitchers, platters, and prep boards.

2. Wipe down the counters to create a clean and tidy space for food prep and serving impromptu midnight snacks. All you need is some warm soapy water and a microfiber. I love the ones from Grove because they have a hanging corner for easy drying and storage.

3. Your sink gets a workout during the summer, from washing grilling utensils to cutting flowers. Make sure it’s up to the task by giving it a good scrub with a paste of baking soda and Mrs. Meyer’s dish soap.

4. Set up a beautiful sink side experience that makes everyone happy. Mrs. Meyer’s soaps and lotions come in a variety of cheerful scents like honeysuckle, lavender, and lemon verbena that guests of all ages will love.

5. Everyone’s always hungry after a day at the pool. Now is a great time to stock up on supplies like Bees Wrap and Grove reusable snack bags for storing cut-up fruit, cheese, and pretzels!

6. Cool drinks are a must for successful summer entertaining. Make sure your blender is ready for fresh fruit smoothies or frozen cocktails. Simply add a drop or two of dish soap and two cups of water and blend on high for 30 seconds. Then pour out the suds, rinse, and dry with a microfiber cloth.

7. Punch up your home decor with a pop of happy color, from new throw pillows to a fresh kitchen towel. I’m feeling inspired by lush greens like Grove’s garden tea towel.

8. Create an inviting entryway with plenty of space for guests to stash sandals, hats and pool gear. I like to stash my Full Circle dust pan and brush from Grove near the front door for quick cleanup of dirt and grass clippings.

9. The powder room is a small space, which means a little bit of effort goes a long way. Freshen it up for summer by laundering and fluffing up the rug, putting out a fresh hand towel, and switching out the hand soap and lotion for a summery scent.

10. Once you’ve submitted your Grove order, you’ll be signed up for the free 60 day VIP trial. The VIP program is a great way to keep your home streamlined all summer, with perks like free shipping, free gifts, price matching, exclusive sales and personal service. Now, it’s time to light a rose candle and enjoy the quiet while it lasts!

For more great summer entertaining ideas, be sure to check out these must have wine and cheese night party essentials. Or grab a few ladies craft night ideas. You can discover even more entertaining ideas on my Party Ideas Pinterest board.

You’ll also want to follow Soap Deli News across all of your favorite social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Blog Lovin’, and Instagram as well as subscribe to Soap Deli News via email for future updates, DIY projects and recipes.

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Party Ideas Tagged With: cleaning solutions, entertaining, green living, hostess, lifestyle, natural alternative, non-toxic, summer, tips

Limoncello & Violette Spritzer Recipe with Healthy Probiotics

April 2, 2018 By Rebecca D. Dillon

This limoncello & violette spritzer recipe is the perfect cocktail for your spring brunch! Not only does it blend bright spring flavors into a refreshing drink, it also contains the same natural probiotics that you find in raw apple cider vinegar.

Truth be told, this cocktail recipe came out of my desire to find a way to use up the leftover Liqueur de Violette from a long ago party and limoncello. So I took a peek at similar cocktail recipes that were already out there and gave them my own twist with two of my favorite cocktail ingredients – vodka and drinking vinegar.

While I’m a huge fan of Pok Pok Som drinking vinegar, I chose to use Vermont Village Sipping Vinegar for my Limoncello & Violette Spritzer recipe instead. Not only is Vermont Village Sipping Vinegar available in smaller quantities (and at a better price point when purchasing from Thrive Market which is how I save on natural and organic products) but they are also sugar free.

I chose to use their blueberry & honey sipping vinegar which simply contains blueberry, honey and raw apple cider vinegar. This is also the one and only EVER sipping vinegar that my roommate will drink.

While she agrees with me that this sipping vinegar is quite delicious, especially in the craft cocktails I make up in our kitchen, she will still only drink it while holding her breath so as not to smell the vinegar. With that said, I’m quite sure half of you are nodding your heads in agreement and the other half are laughing your tooshies off.

Either way, if you’d like to give my Limoncello & Violette Spritzer a try, here’s how to make it…

Limoncello & Violette Spritzer Recipe

Ingredients:

1 oz. vodka
.5 oz. limoncello
.5 oz. liqueur de violette
2 oz. prosecco
1 oz. Vermont Village Blueberry & Honey Sipping Vinegar
1.5 oz. club soda

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and stir. Then pour over ice into a cocktail glass and enjoy! (I’m currently crushing on these Luminarc® 9oz Lowball Glasses available at Target.)

More Cocktail Recipes to Try

If you like my Limoncello & Violette Spritzer Recipe, then you may also enjoy some of these other cocktail recipes.

You can also check out my Cocktail Recipes Pinterest Board. Or learn how to make your own homemade cocktail bitters. (It’s a lot easier than you might think!)

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Filed Under: Food Recipes, Lifestyle, Party Ideas Tagged With: adult drink recipe, cocktail, drink recipe, drinking vinegar, party ideas, probiotics, recipes, spritzer