Banana Mocha Smoothie

This creamy Banana Mocha Smoothie with a caffeine kick makes the perfect grab & go breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up...

You know those mornings when you are running behind, & your youngest can't find her other shoe, & you are frantically searching for your car keys so you can get out the door and get your day started? Those mornings when you are debating over just having coffee for breakfast because you don't seem to have time for much else? 

Those mornings when you are complicating just shoving a cold pop tart into your mouth as you walk out the door because it is better than nothing? If any of this rings familiar with you at all, then today's recipe for this Banana Mocha Smoothie is for you!

Not only can this creamy smoothie curb your hunger pangs, but it also has a bonus caffeine kick. Yes, folks. This smoothie is breakfast & coffee in one! A perfect grab & go solution when you are short on time & need to take breakfast (& caffeine!) on the run...

Salted Caramel Mocha Popsicles

Okay, all... so it is hot in the south! I am not complaining, but I am so happy that Melanie from Melanie Makes is taking over the blog today with these amazing & frosty Salted Caramel Mocha Popsicles!  I could use one (or maybe three!) of these right about now. ;) Be sure to pop over & check out her blog, you all. I am in lurve with her awesome food photography skills and in awe of how many delicious recipes she shares on her blog each week...

I'm definitely not what you would call a coffee person.  I tried drinking it for a semester in college but I was putting so much stuff in it to make it drinkable that it pretty much defeated the purpose.  Then a year ago while leaving a favorite drink establishment, one of the employees offered me a caramel mocha that was a duplicate for an already filled order.  I took it to be polite figuring that once I walked out, I could pawn it off on my coffee loving husband to drink.

But the whipped cream cloud on top drizzled with caramel seduced me into taking a sip.  And I was a goner.  It turns out that I'm totally fine with mochas as mocha = chocolate! With the weather becoming warm, I've been treating myself to several iced mochas but I wanted something that I could enjoy at home. 

These popsicles are the answer! A mocha popsicle flavored with caramel and chocolate syrups, caramel creamer and whipped topping.  Even better?  One recipe makes enough popsicles to create a stash in my freezer, ready at a moments notice.