Momma Told Me: November 2014

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#Sponsored See How Clearasil Ultra Rapid Action Can Save Your Teen's Day! #MC

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Clearasil. I received product samples to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
See why I'm one happy #ClearasilMom to a grinning teen thanks to Ultra-Rapid Action Daily Gel Wash- We saw results in just a day! #MC #Sponsored
Momma Told Me: Stop touching your face, you're going to break out!


At 9 I got my first training bra, at 11 I got my first period, by 13 I was an awkwardly smelling ball of oil and body odor wondering why on Earth anyone would ever look forward to becoming a teen. While I was an early bloomer, as Momma so delicately put it, this only seemed to mean that I endured the toughest of teenage trials at an early and amplified rate. Because Momma had endured torturous chiding and bullying over her complexion and advanced acne in high school, she was proactive about the first signs of trouble on my face. I recall thinking it was one of the least of my problems when a blackhead appeared- but I was much more on the nerdy side of the playground schematics than the image absorbed.

Regardless, I was promptly put on a strong dosage of Tetracycline, an antibiotic that was, more often then, prescribed by dermatologists and general physicians for moderate to severe acne control. Despite sounding similar to fish food, this antibiotic is quite powerful- in fact, it was so powerful my oral surgeon could deduce I had taken it in moderation some 15 years prior, during a recent tooth extraction. I'll spare you the details but we'll say my jaw was not looking its whitest as a result.
See why I'm one happy #ClearasilMom to a grinning teen thanks to Ultra-Rapid Action Daily Gel Wash- We saw results in just a day! #MC #Sponsored
Sabrina, who recently turned 12, has been a fairly early developer herself. Not only does she already tower over her classmates, but she terrifies her father with her constantly developing bust-line. For a while we were all thankful she was also rapidly becoming classic tween 'smelly and awkward.' With a strong Hispanic background on her paternal side, Sabrina was also blessed with super thick hair that yields a greasy scalp and flares outbreaks of pimples across her complexion. For a while we were fine listening to her whine about the blackheads and zits- we'd simply tell her to touch her face less and keep her hair off her face. Now, having entered Middle School, as vain as she is, we can no longer ignore her cries for relief.
See why I'm one happy #ClearasilMom to a grinning teen thanks to Ultra-Rapid Action Daily Gel Wash- We saw results in just a day! #MC #Sponsored
See why I'm one happy #ClearasilMom to a grinning teen thanks to Ultra-Rapid Action Daily Gel Wash- We saw results in just a day! #MC #Sponsored
Whether her father likes it or not, part of growing up is also learning proper skincare- and fighting acne flair ups is just another responsibility it was time for her to master. Not only is Sabrina much more conscious of her complexion since starting Middle School, but she had also begun turning down photo opps, and even expressed stress over seeing relatives during the upcoming holidays, which is quite rare for a child who loves to be the center of attention. In fact, just over Turkey Day week Sabrina began using Clearasil Hydro-Blast Oil-Free Face Wash and Ultra Rapid Action Daily Gel Wash. Because the new Ultra Rapid Clearasil Gel Wash formula promises visible results in as little as 12 hours, she was eager to try it first. This easy to lather gel works to open up pores so tough acne causing dirt can be drawn out and scrubbed away.
See why I'm one happy #ClearasilMom to a grinning teen thanks to Ultra-Rapid Action Daily Gel Wash- We saw results in just a day! #MC #Sponsored
As soon as we began seeing a positive skin tone change, I knew we wouldn't have to fight to get Sabrina to wash her face regularly and with attention anymore. Our general plan of attack is to use the Ultra-Rapid Gel on important weeks (such as those with family and formal school events) or during especially tough breakouts, and to use the Hydra-Blast Oil-Free Face wash regularly (every day) for complete skincare and maintenance. We found the Oil Free Face Wash is easiest to apply and rinse, and leaves skin feeling a tad more nourished than the Ultra Rapid Gel (though having a pump on the dispenser is a big plus with the gel.)
See why I'm one happy #ClearasilMom to a grinning teen thanks to Ultra-Rapid Action Daily Gel Wash- We saw results in just a day! #MC #SponsoredSee why I'm one happy #ClearasilMom to a grinning teen thanks to Ultra-Rapid Action Daily Gel Wash- We saw results in just a day! #MC #Sponsored
It's hard to deny the visible results in just one week of consistent use with these two Clearasil products. Not only do Sabrina's pores seem much more even, but the discoloration of existing blemishes subsided and nearly disappeared within days. Best of all, we've seen no new pimples develop- so our camera hog is back, smiling, in the spotlight again! Check out the full range of Clearasil acne and skincare treatment products and stay up to date with new releases and skincare tips through the brands Facebook and Twitter pages. Clearasil products are sold nationwide at retailers such as CVS, Walgreens, Target, Walmart, and more!

What Daughter Says: Sometimes, even great skincare routines, need a little extra help.

My Best Black Friday Deal Ever + Black Friday Trends That May Surprise You

This is a Fashionista Event and a promotional item was provided to me by Coupons. com. Hosts for this event are Still Blonde after all these Years and ModlyChic. 
What wasyour best black friday deal ever? Coupons.com wants to know!
Momma Told Me: Always keep the receipt.

Our family has never been great at gift giving. I come from a long line of  'regifters' and December 26th 'return line swappers.' In fact, growing up, there were few gifts ever given without a return receipt firmly taped to the box. I recall the boots, received by Momma from my grandmother, were promptly brought back to the store and exchanged for some sweaters on deep clearance in after Christmas markdowns. Let's face it, finding the 'perfect' gift for one person, say for a birthday is hard enough without the swarms of crowds and confusing barrage of seasonal advertising- so it's understandable the crowd mentality, as a whole is a little crazed when you factor in the proportion of events this time of year.
As frugal as Momma is, I was raised to be a Black Friday shopper. We'd bundle up, after our post turkey coma nap and head out around 3 AM to hit the early store sales. I'm ashamed to admit I grew into one of 'those' people myself. As a young adult I would often plan my entire week around staking out the biggest deal prospects, and even spent 3 days camped in front of a Best Buy in 2005. We'll ignore that at 19 years of age I had absolutely no value for me time, and consider this 'score' my best Black Friday deal ever, as I walked out of the electronics department (one of the first 5 in line) with a brand new XBOX 360 system bundle for just a penny.
However, my days of sleeping in front of retail establishments are long over; I have less and less time to plan tonight's dinner let alone orchestrate a complicated assault on mall seasonal sales.Regardless, I've been finding some of the Black Friday Articles on Good Stuff fascinating, with an informative look at the shopping habits of the modern consumer during this phenomena of an annual event. Naturally, with the growth of my generation, the Millenials, Cyber Monday is appropriately poised to take the place of this beloved nationwide past time, Black Friday, which has become a holiday in itself. Have you ever taken time off of work to hit a Black Friday sale? Personally, I find the appeal of shopping online from work, or the comfort of my own home, on Cyber Monday a big relief.
Black Friday Deals on The Good Stuff http://bit.ly/1z4fFPc #sp
Surprisingly there is only a 10% margin of spending difference for modern consumers shopping Black Friday versus Cyber Monday sales, and with specials such as FREE Shipping and extended return periods I find myself wondering how long the retail chains will be able to hold out with brick and mortar sales. The Good Stuff cites that Southern U.S. states spend ore on average than the rest of the country during Black Friday events, where as the Midwest tends to spend more during Cyber Monday. But are the bargains simply so steep that the average spending (a whopping 60% of Americans shopping on Black Friday) only spend $100 or less- or is this a sign that trends are leaning more in favor of inline Cyber Monday sales? Be sure to check out Black Friday Articles on The Good Stuff for more thought provoking stats.
Coupons.com Black Friday Sweepstakes 2014  http://bit.ly/1E9zNQE #sp
Whether you have all of your holiday shopping done *cough- like me cough* or are planning a brutal assault on post-holiday sales, this coming week- we can all agree a little extra cash goes a long way this time of the year. Coupons.com is one of my main sources for savings in store and online when it comes to stocking up and gifting, and they're hosting the mother of all sweepstakes with their Coupons.com Black Friday Giveaway running now through 11/28/2014. Head on over now and give their wheel a spin for your shot at daily instant prizes and the $10,000 grand prize! All entrants will also gain access to special discounts from brand name sponsors like Osh Kosh B Gosh and Jo-Anns crafts!

What was your best Black Friday, or Cyber Monday deal ever?

What Daughter Says: It's the thought that counts, not how many hours you spent in line trying to save on something!

Simple Gift Solutions Online: #OldFactory Candles Giveaway

***The following product was provided by Old Factory Candles in promotion through Tomoson. All photos an opinions below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2014.
#OldFactory Candle gifts online through Amazon Prime- Man Cave: Mahogany, Leather, and Straight Razor
Momma Told Me: Put that out before your father gets home!

When I was a young girl, Momma would often burn candles upon her arrival home, from picking me up after school. I recall she was most attracted to elaborately carved beeswax ones with intricate designs. I still have 2 of her favorite candles, one of which is entirely made of wax and illuminates from within to project beautiful shapes onto the wall. While Momma burned them primarily for relaxation and mood-setting, it was a running joke in our home that my father could not stand the perfumed scents an flowery smells. Momma and I would play a game in which we'd see how long we could burn a candle, and still have it extinguished before my father arrived home, without him knowing it has been burning at all. I always found it amusing how she would flutter about spraying the room with aerosol to mask the smell of the fragrant candles.
#OldFactory Candle gifts online through Amazon Prime- Man Cave: Mahogany, Leather, and Straight Razor
Fast forward 20 something years later and I am often reaching into my grocery stockpile to hand over various air fresheners for my father's home. He keeps an impressively tidy place, but he cooks a lot (and pungent things at that,) so he is often found attempting to mask the smell of bacon or chorizo. (Personally, I work hard to make my home smell like those things, but the scents do tend to work their way into fabrics and furniture.) For a while he has been using an automated 'Sense and Spray' style unit which spritzes a burst of 'Clean Linen' aroma into the air at specific intervals throughout the day. I have heard countless complaints about the aroma being constant and strong, and even 'flowery,' so I set out to remedy this dilemma with a gift of Man Candles- Man Cave Candles to be exact.
#OldFactory Candle gifts online through Amazon Prime- Man Cave: Mahogany, Leather, and Straight Razor
Old Factory Candles are USA made and hand poured with an all natural soy base and cotton wick. They are currently sold exclusively online through Amazon with free 2-day Prime shipping (hello last minute holiday shopping!) Their fragrance collections have thoughtful blends to help craft a mood when burned together, or suit a singular aroma when burned solo. With 3 (2oz) 20 hour candles per gift set these are well worth the gifting price of $25- and you can even order them gift wrapped! Choose from fragrance sets such as Coffee Shop with Coffee Bean, Chai Tea, and Hazelnut, or the tongue in cheek 50 Shades featuring Leather, Vanilla, and Jasmine Bubbles.
#OldFactory Candle gifts online through Amazon Prime- Man Cave: Mahogany, Leather, and Straight Razor
Attempting to break my father of his misconceptions that all candles were 'feminine,' I presented him with the Man Cave Old Factory Candle collection; Straight Razor, Leather, and Mahogany. The brand's rustic image and clean cut packaging certainly wasn't gender specific but I still caught  sense of skepticism as he eyed the 2oz candle jars. I reasoned that these candles were a much more practical solution to aromatic control, with long lasting fragrance that would only linger after a candle was burned, rather than 24/7 all ay (as the air freshener had.)
#OldFactory Candle gifts online through Amazon Prime- Man Cave: Mahogany, Leather, and Straight Razor
It turns out that Mahogany was the strongest fragrance, and a bit on the perfumed side- but Straight Razor had  delightful barbershop aroma of aloe and shaving cream, where Leather proved to be a distinct favorite and appropriate match to this man's man cave. He was also happy to note that the jars could be easily stashed away, when not in use, thanks to the screw on lids, and small footprint. In all, we were highly impressed by the strength of fragrance and burn time, and I've already added several more sets to my shopping list for the holidays. My biggest wish for the brand? Produce an unscented set for those with scent sensitivities and allergies! Otherwise, you can't beat the convenience of shopping online through Amazon with free shipping and guaranteed satisfaction!

What Daughter Says: Finally, man-candles my father can tolerate!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.



One Momma Told Me reader will win their own Old Factory Candle gift set!

How To Make Any Snack Perfect With New Reese's Spreads + Giveaway

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads, now at Walmart. #ad
Momma Told Me: Spread some flavor on!

I never considered myself a picky eater. I figure I was a fairly normal child- I would eat my fruits and veggies with a little coaxing, but I'd reach for anything sweet long before any alternatives would take precedence. Momma had little time to entertain my needs for snack time coercion and often plopped a jar of whatever spread we had on hand, and a butter knife in front of me. From there on out there was nothing I wouldn't attempt to spread- you could say it was my personal mission to find every flavor and spread combination, really. So, it will come as no surprise that I squealed like a little girl when I discovered the below display on a recent trip to my local Walmart.
Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads, now at Walmart. #ad
Be still my beating heart- A Reese's Spread inspired by the flavors of the beloved Reese's Cup candy. You could say that the flavors of chocolate and peanut butter are forever BFFs on my pairing list; so this was a no brainier, Currently available in peanut butter chocolate for under $4 a jar this one of a kind spread from the Hershey's brand promises to create all knew, spreadable, memories as I pair my new best friend with everything in sight. Because the brand name 'Reese's' is synonymous with all things awesome in my vocabulary (it's right up there with unicorns and world peace in my book, peeps,) I grabbed several of these jars of sunshine. I fully intend to use whatever jars survive the upcoming weeks as stocking stuffers for family and friends.
Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads, now at Walmart. #ad
Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads, now at Walmart. #ad
It was love at first spread- From the moment my knife sunk into that jar I knew I had at last discovered the secret to make #AnySnackPerfect. Much to my delight the spread, itself, was light and fluffy (not sticky at all) yet had a slightly gritty styling that was reminiscent of Reese's Cups filling. The chocolate played perfectly with the flavor of peanut butter, neither overwhelming the other, and it was far from overly sweet. I truly had unlocked the missing component to my spreading endeavors; fruit, crackers, sandwiches, the possibilities were endless and there was nothing edible I wouldn't try! Just think how delighted guests would be if there was a platter of fresh Fall harvest apples carefully decorated with Reese's Spreads at your next holiday gathering!
Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads, now at Walmart. #ad
In my spreading endeavor to make #AnySnackPerfect I sampled the new Reese's Spreads on frozen banana slices, applies, pretzels, graham crackers, sourdough bread cubes (delicious and a great appetizer!) and much more. Perhaps the most fun was discovering how the fun texture of the spread played with the texture of the paired item. A debate broke out in our home more than once, over what was the true 'perfect pairing,' but we always agreed, the spread made any snack perfect. And just as Jay turned back towards the cupboards with a knife in one hand, and a Reese's Spreads jar in the other, a bolt of lightening hit me. Why not use the Reese's Spreads to flavor a 3 ingredient pudding base for instant Reese's Spreads Pudding!
4 Ingredient Reese's Spreads Pudding made with Banana, Avocado, and Milk Substitute. Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads. #ad
Pudding isn't something we indulge in often, as store bought brands can be riddled with many unsavory ingredients; but Fall is one time when I find myself craving this comfort food. As it turns out, you can effectively fool just about the staunchest pudding critic with a mock pudding made from Avocados, Bananas, and the Milk Substitute of your choice. In this case, Cashew milk added the perfect nutty undertones of our creamy Reese's Spreads pudding. I would share a step by step on this recipe, but it's about as easy as it sounds folks- add all ingredients in a blender and blend!
Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads, now at Walmart. #ad
4 Ingredient Reese's Spreads Pudding made with Banana, Avocado, and Milk Substitute. Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads. #ad
A small amount of Reese's Spreads goes a long way in this pudding recipe- less than 2 TBSP of spread is used per serving, so you can feel especially proud of yourself when spooning out this Reese's Spreads Pudding. Not only is it high in potassium and protein, but the texture of this pudding is smooth and indulgent. You can store this recipe in the fridge for over a week, but I seriously doubt it will last! One blender produced 5 servings, and one mysteriously went missing during the 'jarring' process!
4 Ingredient Reese's Spreads Pudding made with Banana, Avocado, and Milk Substitute. Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads. #ad
When I picked up my jars of all new Reese's Spreads I was clearly not the only fan of spreadable flavor; be sure to head on into your local Walmart soon to grab a few before the holidays. Whether you're spreading a platter as the hostess with the mostess, or whipping up some of this delicious Reese's Spreads Pudding for the dessert bar, you won't want to be caught without a jar! Grab the uber simple recipe at the bottom of the post, and be sure to enter the giveaway to win a jar or two of your own! Looking for more Reese's Spreads inspiration? Follow the hashtag #AnySnackPerfect to see what my fellow bloggers are spreading in the kitchen, and stay up to date with the brand on Facebook for more exciting product launches and pairing ideas!

What would you pair with Reese's Spreads first?

What Daughter Says: You won't have any trouble making snack time delicious with a jar of new Reese's Spreads by your side!







Make #AnySnackPerfect with new Reese's Spreads, now at Walmart. #ad
Reese's Spreads (Avocado Banana) Pudding
**Click here for printable Reese's Spreads Pudding recipe

Paint Your Life- Give A Lasting Gift This Holiday Season

This content was sponsored, in part, by Tomoson.com and Paint Yourself.
Paint Your Life offers custom works of art from your own photo references!
Momma Told Me: It's no work of art!

Momma and I would always have 'craft time,' during the afternoons on school vacation breaks. Since she dabbled in arts and crafts for profit, there was always some new technique or quirk idea she was trying to implement. One year she was painting walnut shells for Christmas necklaces and ornaments, the next she was buying gently used children's clothes and stuffing them for 'Time Out Dolls.' Naturally, I fancied myself a creative artist, just like Momma, and often borrowed the scraps of her materials to fashion copycat projects of my own, which I would promptly (and proudly) present to my parents on holidays as gifts. Momma's favorite phrase, quite lovingly, was always, "Well, it's no work of art, but I'll love it anyway!"
Paint Your Life offers custom works of art from your own photo references!
For a few years now I've wanted to have a nice, professional, photo taken of my father and I, for him to hang in his home. Most of the shots of us together are adorable, but poor quality, selfies taken at impromptu times. Last year Truffles (the cat) and I won a photo contest in which part of the grand prize was a professional photo session in our home. The photographer was kind enough to take some canidid shots of me and my father as well.

Now, I've always thought how bad ass legit it would be to have an oil painting of myself on the wall. It seems only villains in movies and soap operas, or mob wives, can afford the luxury of seeing themselves on canvas. So, when I learned of Paint Your Life photo to painting services, I was immediately intrigued. What a wonderful, and lasting, holiday gift this could be for my father this holiday season! Not only do they offer hand-painted works of ark from your own photos, or photo references, but there are multiple styles/mediums an sizes to fit your budget.
With Paint Your Life you can really control the work of art you commission. Real artists will transform your image into a replica on canvas, alter specific aspects at your request (I had my hair requests at my natural brunette color,) and even choose from oil, watercolor, charcoal, and more! Take several reference shots and an artist can piece together a new image for a 'family reunion,' have a black and white image brought to life in color, or even take that favorite landscape photo from your recent vacation and turn it into a living work of art! You choose exactly how you want the painting arranged, and any sample photos go through your approval before the artist begins their work.

I simply cannot wait to see how my gift for my father turns out- I know he will truly treasure it, and it will quickly become a timeless memento in our family. There's still enough time for you to commission a piece of art (big or small, pet, people, or landscape,) with approximately a 2 week lead from order to completion. Head on over to Paint Your Life today- just look at their amazing testimonials! Take 20% of your order with a limited time discount code: TNP13. Reserve your work of art with a deposit, pay only when you are satisfied with the draft; satisfaction guaranteed!

Do you have a photo you'd love to see on canvas? Who o you know who might love this most?

What Daughter Says: I may not be an artist, but Paint Your Life makes it possible to show my love through a real work of art!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

The Candy Club- Bringing Back The Candy Jar Experience

The Candy Club monthly subscription service- November 2014 Butterfield's Peach Buds, Cotton Candy Saltwater Taffy, Sour Power Wild Cherr Belts, and Gimbal's Sour Gourmet Jelly Beans. http://www.candyclub.com/
Momma Told Me: One for you, and one for your friend.

I have a sweet tooth that is never satisfied; it is only hindered by my addictive personality. Last month I felt myself deserving of a reward and took a small chunk of the leftover money to try our a few 'subscription box' services I'd had my eye on. Most of them were geeky in nature, but a few seamlessly appealed to my love for sugar as well as my obsession with subscription boxes. Most were 'duds' as I quickly unsubscribed after the trial box- the Candy Club, however, made me quite literally squeal like a little girl. After all, who wouldn't want to be part of that 'club'?
The Candy Club monthly subscription service- November 2014 Butterfield's Peach Buds, Cotton Candy Saltwater Taffy, Sour Power Wild Cherr Belts, and Gimbal's Sour Gourmet Jelly Beans. http://www.candyclub.com/
Yes, yes, I HAVE been trying to cut back on sugar- it's really my only health nemesis when it comes to diet; I'm otherwise fairly good. Not far back I cut all sugar out of my drinks, now hydrating with 95% water, and the change in complexion, sleep, and energy has been tremendous. But sugar and I, we're BFFs, it's not a friend I can so easily dismiss. And, for me, candy in particular, is a social thing. Whether it was the bowl of candy by the door at work, the small jar of jelly beans on my desk, or a chance to run into some teammates at the alley over a Hershey's Kiss, candy brings those around me together. So, the value in The Candy Club, is not that I receive 3lbs of carefully curated confections each month, but that I can share something sweet with those in my life- and it will LAST all month.
The Candy Club monthly subscription service- November 2014 Butterfield's Peach Buds, Cotton Candy Saltwater Taffy, Sour Power Wild Cherr Belts, and Gimbal's Sour Gourmet Jelly Beans. http://www.candyclub.com/
Other than being a box full of sugary goodness, my November box from The Candy Club tickle my inner child with it's assortment of bright colors and fun shapes. This subscription service likes to pride itself on curating a mix of unique, classic favorites, and trendy up-and-comers, in the candy category. You're sure to find something you love each month, and the bulk options will be packaged in tamper-proof sealed clear tins that are extra perfect for displaying and sharing. These containers also have a pop top that requires a butter knife or coin to leverage them open, so you know your tiny fingered candy poachers won't be stealing your sweets!
The Candy Club monthly subscription service- November 2014 Butterfield's Peach Buds, Cotton Candy Saltwater Taffy, Sour Power Wild Cherr Belts, and Gimbal's Sour Gourmet Jelly Beans. http://www.candyclub.com/
For November I received a 'Splash' of Cotton Candy Saltwater Taffy, 'Bonus' Butterfield's Peach Buds, and a tub each of Gimbal's Sour Gourmet Jelly Beans, Haribo Gummi Techno Bears, and Sour Power Wild Cherry Belts. My mouth s watering just writing the latter, a messy favorite that is fun to eat and pucker too! The Techno Bears were also a big hit, it's impossible not to smile when you see those dancing bears, I was so inspired by the bright colors I even Instagrammed my sweet tooth moment.
The Candy Club monthly subscription service- November 2014 Butterfield's Peach Buds, Cotton Candy Saltwater Taffy, Sour Power Wild Cherr Belts, and Gimbal's Sour Gourmet Jelly Beans. http://www.candyclub.com/
I was just billed for my second month of The Candy Club, yesterday and I am already stalking my emails for tracking info with anticipation. And no, I didn't eat all of last month's finds- I've been good! The Candy Club runs $30 a month (including shipping,) though you can often find a deal for $10 or more off your first month, when you logon to their site. Satisfaction is guaranteed, though I suspect even a bridge troll would get a giggle out of the goodies in this club box! I especially think this is a great gift for an office setting where many people work closely together- what a nice excuse to take a quick break and enjoy something sweet this would be!

What types of candy are your favorite? Hard? Chewy? Chocolates? Go ahead an answer, it won't cost you any calories!

What Daughter Says: Call it an excuse, but I enjoy candy because of how it brings me and those around me together. I don't mind sharing if I get to be a kid again!


Hot Chocolate OREO Cookie Balls Recipe- Melt Them In Milk, Or Eat Them Whole (I Won't Judge)

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
These Hot Chocolate #OREOCookieBalls have just 4 ingredients to YUM- Melt one in a glass of milk (or milk substitute,) or eat them as is! These make great gifts when paired with a mug and spoon! #ad
Momma Told Me: Drink it- don't play with it!

Hot chocolate was my absolute favorite seasonal drink, growing up. It loved it so much, living in Southern California where warm drinks never were quite necessary to begin with, I'd order a mug of hot cocoa for dessert more often than not when my family went out to eat. The best part, to me, was always the fun of playing with the melting whipped cream; blowing bubbles with my straw, putting daubs of it my father's nose, and stirring those chocolatey clumps of powder with anticipation. There was something magical about taking boring milk and transforming it into something deliciously chocolatey with a few simple swishes. And that, my friends, is where the inspiration for Hot Chocolate OREO Cookie Balls came from.
These Hot Chocolate #OREOCookieBalls have just 4 ingredients to YUM- Melt one in a glass of milk (or milk substitute,) or eat them as is! These make great gifts when paired with a mug and spoon! #ad
No, you won't find OREO Cookie Balls on a shelf near you, for they exist in your heart, as magical as Frosty The Snowman, brought to life with love and imagination in your very own kitchen. And, much like Santa's reindeer, the flavors of OREOs you have to choose from, for this simple and delicious recipe, are diverse and uniquely spectacular. I dare you yo walk into your local Walmart and NOT walk out with 2 or 3 different flavors of these beloved sandwich cookies! But what is an OREO Cookie Ball, you ask? It's a creature that exists year-round, but is made all the more magical by this season of holidays (like our friend, the Yeti.) With just 3 simple ingredients, #OREOCookieBalls are delicious bites of creamy OREO goodness perfect for gifting, entertaining, and Netflix binging.
#OREOCookieBalls ingredients #ad
The original, and core, OREO Cookie Ball recipe features one 14oz package of your favorite OREO cookies, 8oz of Softened Cream Cheese, and 16oz of Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate. Not only is this recipe so easy a beginner's Elf apprentice (or small human child) could assist, but it is entirely no-bake. In fact, the hardest part is waiting for these balls of sweet OREO goodness to chill in the refrigerator. And, because of the variety of OREO flavors, and decorating options, your OREO Cookie Balls are guaranteed to be as unique as granny's ugly sweater stitching patterns.
These Hot Chocolate #OREOCookieBalls have just 4 ingredients to YUM- Melt one in a glass of milk (or milk substitute,) or eat them as is! These make great gifts when paired with a mug and spoon! #ad
For today's twist on the classic OREO Cookie Ball, I've added a little extra of one ingredient, a 4th ingredient, and a simple secondary step to the mixing process. By adding a little extra melting chocolate and some Heavy Cream we can effectively turn ordinary OREO Cookie Balls into extraordinary melting balls of OREO Hot Chocolate goodness! Start by intimately acquainting your OREO cookies in the comfort of a blender. Next, over a double broiler, melt 1/4 of your Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate and combine with Cream Cheese and Heavy Cream. There will be some Cream Cheese specks (or lumps,) but the mixture, overall, should be smooth.
How to make #OREOCookieBalls #ad
Remove your Hot Chocolate OREO Cookie Ball base from the heat and allow to cool 15-20 minutes (refrigerate or place bowl in cold water bath to speed up the process.) The mixture, when cooled will be thicker like a mousse. Stir in your acquainted (crushed) OREO cookies until a delicious dough is formed. Resist eating the dough by the spoonful, OREOs can be quite persistent in Siren like calls- hold out for the OREO Cookie Balls, I promise, it will be worth it! Roll approximately 1" balls of OREO Cookie Ball dough and place it on a sheet of parchment paper. Refrigerate balls 15-20 minutes, or place in the freezer 5-10 to get them nice and cool for dipping.
Decorate your #OREOCookieBalls however you want! #ad
While your OREO Cookie Balls quite literally chill, melt the remaining Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate in a double broiler or melting pot (I use Wilton's Deluxe Melting Pot) until uniform in texture. Adding 1 TSP of Shortening for every Cup of Melting/Baking Chocolate will help thin the mixture for even dipping. Once your balls are dipped, place them on a clean parchment sheet and decorate as desired. We made 3 different flavors of OREO Cookie Balls- Chocolate OREOs with Cinnamon Drizzle, Classic OREOs with Mini Marshmallows, and Mint OREOs with Peppermint Candy Flakes. If you are doing multiple flavors of OREO Cookie Balls be sure to decorate each flavor different for identification!
These Hot Chocolate #OREOCookieBalls have just 4 ingredients to YUM- Melt one in a glass of milk (or milk substitute,) or eat them as is! These make great gifts when paired with a mug and spoon! #adThese Hot Chocolate #OREOCookieBalls have just 4 ingredients to YUM- Melt one in a glass of milk (or milk substitute,) or eat them as is! These make great gifts when paired with a mug and spoon! #ad
Once your OREO Cookie Balls are decorated and set (properly cooled,) it's time to admire your handy work; though I daresay elf's work harder tying a bow than you did on this recipe (simple, wasn't it?) That's okay, you can pat yourself on the back, regardless, as you package up those delicious balls of OREO Cookie goodness for family and friends. They'll assume you spent hours slaving over them, anyway! OREO Cookie Balls can be enjoyed as a confectionery treat, or this particular version, the Hot Chocolate OREO Cookie Ball, can be packaged with some straws and a mug with simple instructions to "Drop one into a cup of hot milk (or milk substitute), stir, and enjoy!" The 'Hot Chocolate' effect will work best when OREO Cookie Balls have been set out to reach room temperature- now, wouldn't this be a great idea for an after meal treat or holiday gathering?
These Hot Chocolate #OREOCookieBalls have just 4 ingredients to YUM- Melt one in a glass of milk (or milk substitute,) or eat them as is! These make great gifts when paired with a mug and spoon! #ad
I don't know about you, but my favorite cold beverage, growing up, was an OREO cookie milkshake; paired with my favorite hot beverage, Hot Cocoa, this concept is all WIN in my book.You can easily find adorable mugs (like the chalkboard mugs above) at your local dollar store and pair them with a few Hot Chocolate OREO Cookie Balls for an affordable and fun handmade gift, or guest favor, this holiday season. And if a few of those delicious OREO Cookie Balls never make it to a mug, we won't tell- just be sure to clean up the evidence! Follow OREO on Facebook for more great seasonal recipes and OREO Cookie Balls ideas! Check out this great coupon for $.50 off a package of OREO Cookies!

Do you have a favorite OREO Cookie flavor/variety you'd love to turn into an OREO Cookie Ball?

What Daughter Says: Go ahead, have a little fun with your hot chocolate, when there are OREO cookies inside it!



These Hot Chocolate #OREOCookieBalls have just 4 ingredients to YUM- Melt one in a glass of milk (or milk substitute,) or eat them as is! These make great gifts when paired with a mug and spoon! #ad
OREO Cookie Ball + Hot Chocolate OREO Cookie Ball Recipes
**Click here for Printable OREO Cookie Ball Recipes