Instant Pot Apple Cider

Posted on October 23, 2020 by Erin

Instant Pot Apple Cider

By Erin

It is FINALLY starting to feel a bit like fall! Instead of this crazy 90-100 degree weather we have been having. It is now in the 70s for at least the next week or so. I love making this apple cider from scratch every year. You only need a handful of ingredients to make this tasty homemade apple cider. Most of the ingredients you probably already have at home.

It couldn’t be any easier to make this Instant Pot Apple Cider. Just dump all the ingredients into the pressure cooker and push the start button. This is a super easy dump & start recipe and there is no fuss at all in the process of making it.

You can add any flavors you wish to this drink to suit the mood of Fall, Thanksgiving or even Christmas! Melissa’s Produce has all the fresh fruit and Cinnamon sticks you will need to create this delicious seasonal drink we like to savor and enjoy every year!

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

6 Apples, cored and quartered
2 Pears, cored and quartered
1 Orange, quartered
1 Cup sugar or brown sugar
2 Cinnamon sticks
2 Star anise
Around 5-6 cups water (Enough water to cover the fruit).

Directions:

1. Do not peel the fruit, the skin adds more flavor. Place all the ingredients into the Instant Pot. Close the lid and valve and set on high pressure for 17 minutes.
2. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Quick Pressure Release afterwards.
3. When the Pin drops, open the Instant Pot Lid. Remove the spices with the tongs and discard.

Instant Pot Apple Cider Recipe Fall Drink

4. Mash the fruit with a hand mixer or a potato masher.
5. With the help of a mesh sieve, strain the solids from the liquid into a tall pitcher. Discard the solids.
6. Pour them in glasses. Garnish with a cinnamon stick, star anise and serve.

Serve hot or cold as desired!

Notes:

If you prefer your apple cider to be sweeter, peel the oranges before cooking them in the Instant Pot and reduce the sugar to ¾ cup.
You can store it in an airtight container/mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
You can also add some lemon juice to make it more citrusy or some clove and cardamom to make it more spicy.

Need some more drink ideas? Try these!

Dalgona Cinnamon Coffee Recipe

Red, White & Blueberry Sangria

Spunky Unicorn Cupcakes

Posted on October 21, 2020 by Erin

Spunky Unicorn Cupcakes

By Erin

It’s almost Halloween! Who else loves spooky season? Halloween time is so much fun! I love all the treats and goodies of the season. So of course I had to kick off my Halloween celebrations with unicorns! These Spunky Spooky Unicorn treats are made with ingredients you may already have in your pantry and are quick and easy to make! Who doesn’t love a cute Halloween cupcake on Halloween? Enjoy these fun cupcakes!

Here’s how to make these sweet yet spunky unicorn cupcakes!

*Makes 24 cupcakes

*Prep time 20 minutes

*Bake time 22 minutes

*Decorating time 10 minutes

French Vanilla Cupcakes Ingredients:

1 box French Vanilla cake mix

Ingredients as listed on the back of the cake mix box

Muffin pan

cupcake liners

Purple and orange gel food coloring

Directions:

Preheat oven as per directions on the box,

Put the liners in the muffin pan. Set aside.

Following the directions add ingredients.

Mix all ingredients as instructed.

Divide the batter into two bowls

Mix in a few drops of purple food coloring into one bowl

Mix in a few drops of orange food coloring into the second bowl

Alternate between the purple batter and the orange one, scoop about 1
TBSP of batter each into the cupcake liners until ⅔ full

Put in the oven and bake for 22 minutes.

Check for doneness. ( Insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake,
it should come out clean.)

If they are not done, check again every three minutes until they are done.

Remove from oven and allow to cool.Transfer to a cooling rack and
allow to cool completely before frosting.

Vanilla Frosting Ingredients:

3 Cups unsalted sweet cream butter, softened

6 Cups powdered sugar

5-7 tbsp. heavy whipping cream

2 tsp. vanilla extract

Neon Green gel food coloring

1 disposable piping bag with medium star tip

1 medium ice cream scoop

1 small bowl

Halloween sprinkles

Decorations

Wilton Unicorn icing decorations (Found at Walmart stores)

Frosting Directions :

Using a standing mixer combine the butter, powdered sugar, heavy
whipping cream, vanilla, and mix on medium speed until combined and
smooth

Mix in a few drops of neon green gel food coloring and mix until combined

Scoop 1 Cup of frosting into the piping bag

Decorating Directions :

Using the medium ice cream scooper, scoop some frosting onto the top
of the cupcake

Using a butterknife, lightly spread the frosting into a thick smooth disk

Pour the halloween sprinkles into a small bowl and entire frosting
into the sprinkles

Using the piping bag, pipe a dollop of frosting into the center of the cupcake

Using the Unicorn Horn icing decoration, place it into the top middle
of the frosting

Place 1 “Ear” on both sides of the horn

Enjoy!

Need more ideas? Try these!

Magical Unicorn Cupcakes

Mickey Mouse Cupcakes

Making Memories with the 2021 Honda Odyssey

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Erin

Making Memories with the Honda Odyssey

By Erin

_{*This is a sponsored post with A Girls Guide to Cars. All thoughts and opinions remain my own and I would love to own the 2021 Honda Odyssey!*}

Talk about California Dreaming. The other week, I had the opportunity to test drive the new 2021 Honda Odyssey thanks to my friends at A Girls Guide to Cars. Who says a minivan can’t be cool? I never thought I’d be a fan of them, but my mind is blown by this one. This one is a total dream to drive! I think I sold at least two of these while I’ve had it (to my sister and one of their family friends👍), that’s how likeable this car is! I’m used to my little Prius, that can only fit four. This beast can seat up to EIGHT! There’s so much to love about this car. The legroom, entertainment system and USB connections, the comfort and safety features. There’s really something for everyone in this car. We went on some mini adventures with the Odyssey everyday, living the California dream with this one is easy, making lots of memories to cherish forever. Apple picking, lots of beach trips, and lots more outdoor adventures!

First off, my niece had to inspect the Odyssey for us before we could go anywhere. She approved instantly and wanted mommy and daddy to buy her one to drive her around in.

I never thought much of minivans…until now. As a kid, we had a minivan and it was so boxy and bulky. It was like driving a boat, it felt like it took up the entire road and made such wide turns. I hated having to drive that thing when I finally got my drivers license! I seriously would have rather walked to school than drive that thing around. It would jerk around when you stopped and trying to park that thing was a nightmare. Well, I must say. Minivans have come a LONG way since 1989!

Our Favorite Features

There are really so many things to love about this car that it’s hard to choose our favorite features. They are all amazing and it’s hard to have to choose!

1. A Joy to Drive

Going back to the reason I stated above on why I hated driving our old minivan around that was a total nightmare to drive. This minivan proved to be nothing like the ones I remember as a kid. It handles the road beautifully with total control, even on those tiny twisty curvy mountain roads. If you have ever driven out to Julian, CA to go apple picking, you know how curvy those roads are and The Odyssey handled them like a champ. I felt like I was driving my smaller car! NOT a larger vehicle! The Odyssey handles turns with ease, and is a super smooth ride with no abrupt feeling stops.

2. The Space

We need space, lots of it and The Odyssey has it! The Odyssey will fit three full size car seats across the second row and if you want to create captains chairs you can remove the middle seat from the second row. The innovative Magic Slide seats in the second row also allow for easy access to the third row while also making it a breeze to move the seat within reach of the front row. They also fold flat to make removal and carrying a cinch.