Coffee at home

Are you a coffee addict? Do you find yourself with a strong cup of Joe in your hand all day long? Think about this… How much money do you spend on the coffee you drink? I would say the average cup of flavored coffee you purchase in a coffee shop will run anywhere between $4 and $6 per cup.

I have some great ideas to help you save money and have a great cup of tasty coffee at the same time. You can take simple ingredients you have around your home or office and make yourself a special treat.

I have listed some great additives you can add to a regular pot of brewed coffee to create your own unique flavors. If you are not a coffee drinker, I have even included a great little recipe for a “Hot Vanilla” drink!

Caramel Coffee

1 pot of freshly brewed coffee

1/3 cup caramel ice cream topping

Prepare your coffee pot with coffee and water. Before you turn it on, pour the caramel topping into the bottom of the empty coffee pot.

Brew coffee and stir. Add creamer if you like.

Chocolate Coffee

1 pot of freshly brewed coffee

1/3 cup chocolate ice cream topping

Prepare your coffee pot with coffee and water. Before you turn it on, pour the chocolate topping into the bottom of the empty coffee pot.

Brew coffee and stir.

Tip: For more of an intense flavor, you can use caramel/chocolate flavored coffee.

Hot Chocolate Coffee

1 pot of freshly brewed coffee

1-2 packages of powdered hot chocolate (depending on how rich you want your coffee)

Prepare your pot of coffee. When it is complete, add hot chocolate mix to the pot (minimum 8 cups).

Add half and half if you would like. Stir and enjoy.

Cinnamon Coffee

2 Tsp. cinnamon (ground)

Coffee

Water

Prepare your coffee pot with coffee and water. Before you brew the coffee, add cinnamon to the coffee in the filter.

Brew pot, add creamer if you would like, and enjoy.

Tip:

You can also use pumpkin pie spice or ground cloves in the place of the cinnamon.

Hot Vanilla

1 cup milk

2 tsp sugar

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Whipped topping (to taste)

Cinnamon or cocoa powder (to taste)

Heat milk to just below boiling point, approximately 1- 1 1/2 minutes, in the microwave.

Stir in sugar and vanilla.

Garnish with whipped topping and cinnamon or cocoa if desired.

Serve immediately.

Tips:

If you like to drink your coffee with milk, try using Carnation Evaporated milk in place of regular. It adds a unique, smooth flavor.

Stock your fridge with several different types of flavored coffee creamers.

Stock your pantry or cabinet with your favorite powdered coffee creamer flavors.

Purchase flavored instant coffees, such as International Delight powdered instant coffee in different flavors.

Mix and match your favorite coffee creamers for a different cup of flavored coffee each day. For example, mix a powdered creamer with an instant coffee to create a unique flavor.

Mix and match your liquid creamers as well. How about French Vanilla and Hazelnut?

Stock up on different coffees and coffee flavors. For example, have regular coffee, espresso, hazelnut, and vanilla coffees to choose from.

Adding different coffee flavors to your large creamer selection created even more possibilities.

The combinations you can create with flavored coffees and creamers are truly endless. You may never go out and buy a coffee ever again!

Time Saving Tip:

Prepare your coffee the night before. You can set a timer for it to brew for you the following day, or if your coffee pot does not have a timer, you can prepare it the night before and hit the start button right after you roll out of bed.