Nutella Hot Chocolate , A Book Review, and the Weekly Menu

I just finished reading The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods.  It is a fantastical tale of parallel worlds in which a bookshop is the catalyst between the 1920s and modern day.

Orange Hot Chocolate #SundayFundayBloggers

Every holiday season I look forward to buying those Chocolate Oranges that they sell wrapped in foil.  You crach them on the table and they break into segments.  I think chocolate and orange is one of my favorite flavor profiles.  

So I decided to ask Frank to jazz up my hot chocolate with a splash of Grand Marnier last night.  

Homemade Hot Chocolate Bombs #SundayFunday

Looking for a fun cold winter project with your favorite sous chef?  Look no further than these fun Hot Chocolate Bombs filled with hot cocoa, micro marshmallows, and sprinkles with more sprinkles for decoration.

It's National Hot Chocolate Day........

Mexican Hot Chocolate with Chile #FoodnFlix #LitHappens

Creamy, decadent hot chocolate with a hint of spice from a toasted chili pepper.  This is the perfect ending to a crisp fall day.

We are revisiting the film Chocolat with the gang over at FoodnFlix and some of us are sharing our thoughts on the novel over at Lit Happens.

Peppermint Bark Hot Cocoa #WarmUpDrinks

Smooth, creamy, rich and decadent...this hot cocoa flavored with Peppermint Bark candy is like dessert in a cup.

Join us as we share Winter Warm Up Drinks............................

Soursop Soother #WarmUpDrinks

Warm and soothing this tea made from soursop fruit and flavored with honey, cinnamon whiskey and lemon is a wonderful way to sooth your soul.

Join us as we share #WarmUpDrinks this winter...........

Tom and Jerry Cocktail #WarmUpDrinks

This creamy, delicious cocktail is a Christmas Tradition in the USA.  It is reminiscent of eggnog and warms you head to toe with the addition of brandy and rum.

Join us as we share Warm Up Drinks to help get us through the Winter.......

Hot Chocolate Eggnog #OurFamilyTable

Two of your favorite cold weather drinks combined to make a wonderful cup of pure comfort.

There's a new group in town.  Join us as we kick off the year with Drinks to Warm You Up......

Cinnamon Cranberry Cup of Comfort for the Cape Cod Select Holiday Blogger Challenge.

I was approached by Cape Cod Select and asked if I would be interested in entering their Holiday Blogging Challenge.  Categories for this challenge are beverage, entrees and baking.  Bloggers are allowed to participate in all 3 categories if they wish.  One winner is chosen from each category and will receive a prize of $500 and there will be one overall winning recipe for a grand prize of $1000.

I was sent two bags of fresh frozen cranberries for use in this challenge.  I have not/nor will I receive any monetary compensation unless I am deemed a winner of this challenge in one of the aforementioned categories.  To participate in this challenge I have agreed to refer to the cranberries by name brand in the recipe, include a picture of the cranberries that I received to use in this challenge and include links to the company's social media as well as a download to stores where my readers will be able to find Cape Cod Select Cranberries.

I decided to enter into two of the categories offered.  I entered the baked challenge with this Caramelized Cranberry Cake.  Now I would like to share an entry for the drinks category.  I created this drink on a snowy and cold December evening.  We had been out running errands all day and it was chilly willy with high winds.  I wanted something that would warm my bones and comfort my soul.  I found it!!

I started out by making a juice from the Cape Cod Select Frozen Cranberries.  I cooked them up with some orange and lemon juice, sugar, honey and cloves until the cranberries popped and released all of their tart goodness.

I strained out all the solids and was left with 2 cups of this beautiful hot juice.  I divided the juice between two cups and added some hot cinnamon schnapps to the mix.  Garnished with an orange slice and a cinnamon stick.  Sat down on the couch, curled my feet up under me and sipped myself right into relaxation.

This will be the perfect cocktail to serve after a day of cross country skiing or sledding.  It will soothe the soul on those cold wintery nights when you are feeling bleak and missing your loved ones.  It will warm your cockles when you are feeling under the weather. It will warm your next gathering with dear friends.  I think I have discovered the perfect Winter Cup of Comfort.

You can find Cape Cod Select Cranberries at nearly 5000 stores nationwide.  Check their store locator to find them near you.  Cape Cod Select is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

All opinions are 100% my own and are not affected by the product received or contest entered.

Cinnamon Cranberry Cup of Comfort

created by A Day in the Life on the Farm

2 c. Cape Cod Premium Select Frozen Cranberries

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. honey

Juice from 2 oranges

Juice from 1/4 lemon

6 whole cloves

1 c. water

4 oz. Hot Cinnamon Schnapps, divided

orange slices for garnish

cinnamon sticks for garnish

Place cranberries, sugar, honey orange juice, lemon juice, water and cloves into a medium saucepan set over med high heat.  Bring to a boil and let cook until sugar is dissolved and cranberries have popped open and are very soft.  Strain into a measuring cup through a fine mesh strainer.  Discard solids.  You should have 2 cups of juice.  Divide the juice between 2 mugs and add 2 shots of Schnapps to each drink.  Stir and garnish with an orange slice and cinnamon stick.  Print Recipe