Make Your Own Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino

I am craaaazy crazy about Starbucks, but need to watch my coffee budget more closely these days.  I've been craving my beloved Caramel Frappuccinos but can't stomach the cost for a daily dose of that sweet, caffeinated bliss.  I experimented at home today and sure enough, for the cost of 2 of these drinks, I can easily make 6-8 at home.

Starbucks: $4.25 for one tall
Home: $4.99 Vanilla Latte, $1.99 Caramel syrup, $1.49 whipped cream, ice = $8.47 for at least 6 talls

And I promise you, the taste is spot on because I used the premade Starbucks iced vanilla latte (sold at most grocery stores).  You could easily make yours completely from scratch with brewed espresso (you can buy tins of espresso instant coffee) and milk, but then your flavor will be different.

Anyway, here's the simple recipe!  Let the savings and cravings commence.  :D

Supplies

• 4 to 8 oz Starbucks vanilla latte drink (vary depending on desired size and consistency)
• 5-6 ice cubes
• Drizzle of caramel syrup (I like the Hershey's bottled kind)
• Whipped cream

Directions

1. Blend latte, ice cubes, and a drizzle of caramel syrup in blender.  I first used the ice chop setting for about 20 seconds, then the liquefy setting for 45 seconds until the drink reached the right consistency.
2. Drizzle caramel syrup in glass (or better yet- reusable Starbucks cold cup!), pour in blended drink, top with whipped cream, and drizzle with additional caramel syrup.

My tips: 

If the drink is too liquid, resembling a slightly more frozen version of the latte drink, add more ice.  

If the drink is separating into ice and liquid layers, you need fewer ice cubes and/or to blend for a shorter period of time.

Domino's Parmesan Bread Bites

Ok guys, this one is a work in progress.  Ever since Domino's came out with their Parmesan bread bites, I've been in love.  A few weeks ago, my husband dared me to recreate them at home.  Sure enough, I was able to find a recipe on Pinterest.  I didn't have have the patience to make my own bread dough, so I cheated and got the Pillsbury pizza dough in the blue can.  No shame here.  Mine came out really tasty and I thought they were really close to the real deal, if a tiny bit garlicy.

Ingredients

• 1 can Pillsbury pizza dough
• 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (use the green can for this one, not the fresh stuff), plus 2 tablespoons for sprinkling
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. Roll out the dough into its rectangle shape.  Using a pizza cutter, cut into thick strips.  Roll the strips to make 1" wide snakes of dough (like you're playing with Play Doh again!).  Cut the snakes into 1", bite size pieces.
3. Arrange dough onto prepared cookie sheet, and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese.  Bake until golden and puffy.  I used the dough baking guidelines and mine were at that point after about 11-15 minutes I think.  
4. While bites are baking, mix remaining ingredients in a large zip top bag.  When bites are done baking, add to bag and shake to thoroughly coat the bites in the seasoning mix.

If you make any modifications, please share!  I plan to modify this recipe as I try variations.