Chocolate Chip Cookie Coffee Smoothie and Ice Pops

I just got back from a tropical trip to Costa Rica with six of my dearest and oldest girlfriends and their burgeoning young families. These are the kind of friends you see after months of not talking to each other and you zing right back to where you left off. Do you have some of these in your life? These are the friends that have been friends so long, they are your family. Spending time with them makes me nostalgic for our younger, carefree days.

With great joy, I watched our daughters spend time together the way we used to when we were young. Remember those days when the most important thing was just hanging out? Back then, my friends and I listened to music, played games, read books side by side, and baked in the kitchen as if it were our job. I dearly remember how through diligent practice, my closest friend, Amanda, and I got the Nestle Toll House® Cookie dough recipe down to 9 minutes flat. This was, of course, so we could tell my mom that there was always plenty of time to make a batch! There was nothing like that chocolate chip cookie smell filling the kitchen to make us feel close and conspiratorial. Here we are, partners in crime, over 30 years ago in South Minneapolis!

When I heard that Coffee-Mate makes Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookie flavored creamer, I got excited about bringing it with me to Costa Rica to celebrate friendship and old times together. I wanted to make some fun, cool treats that we could enjoy on our tropical vacation. Fab flavored Frozen Coffee Smoothie? Coffee Ice Pops? Yes, please!

These frozen coffee ice pops were perfect for those hot mornings after staying up late chatting, dining and dancing.

I made some with milk, too, for the kiddos to enjoy. They became a much-clamored for pool-side snack.

At first, I was a little bit wary that the flavors might be too sweet or fakey, but mixed with delicious Costa Rican coffee or creamy milk, the taste was delicious, reminiscent of those cherished cookie afternoons. Coffee-Mate also makes Caramel Macchiato and Classic Vanilla flavors, which would be yummy in either the ice pop or the smoothie.

Luckily, all we had to do on this trip was sit around and catch up, just like the good old days! The bonus is that these flavored coffee treats will bring back that close-friend-feeling on any given, warm summer afternoon long after we’ve all gone home.

Take a trip back to those good old days as you wile away those summer hours. Whip up a batch of these frozen treats for a little refreshment and pick-me-up to boot!

DIY Chocolate Chip Cookie Coffee Ice Pops

Materials
10 oz of favorite coffee
10 oz of milk
3 tablespoons of Coffee Mate Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookie flavored creamer
Silicone ice pop molds
Freezer

:: Pour separate 10 oz mugs of both coffee and milk.
:: Add Coffee-Mate Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookie flavored creamer to taste (about 2 tablespoons) to each mug.
:: Add mixture to ice pop molds.
:: Place ice pop molds into mug and into freezer. Wait about 4 hours and enjoy!

DIY Chocolate Chip Cookie Coffee Smoothies

Materials
10 oz of favorite coffee or 10 oz of milk
3 tablespoons of Coffee-Mate Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookie creamer or to taste
Whipped cream (optional)
Blender
3 cups of ice

:: Add Coffee-Mate Toll House® Chocolate Chip Cookie flavored creamer to either milk or coffee to taste.
:: Blend ice and milk/coffee mixture until pourable consistency. Enjoy!

This post was completed on behalf of Nestle Coffee-Mate. I have received compensation for review of this product, but all opinions expressed herein are my own.