Rice Krispy Treats are a classic childhood favorite! I wanted to make our homemade version more special than what you can get at the store, so I added peanut butter to the recipe and dipped them in chocolate! Make these Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Rice Krispy treats festive for a holiday or themed party by adding colored sprinkles. We made these treats for spring, so I used pink and blue sprinkles!
Spray an 9″x 13″ (or 8″x 8″ for thicker bars) casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a 4 quart sauce pan, melt butter on low heat. Do this slowly, you don’t want burned or brown butter here.
Once butter has melted, keep heat on low and add mini marshmallows.
Once marshmallows begin to soften and melt, add peanut butter.
At this point, you will need to constantly stir the mixture so the peanut butter does not burn and the marshmallows can evenly melt (won’t take too long, about 5 minutes or so).
Once, mixture is combined and melted, turn off heat and remove pan from stove.
Add Rice Krispy cereal to sauce pan and stir until evenly coated with mixture. This is sticky stuff so do your best to get it all combined.
Pour mixture into casserole dish (it will look very loose.) Spray your hand with some nonstick cooking spray and pat down the mixture until firmly compacted.
Allow 30-45 minutes for treats to set up. Cut into small squares or rectangles.
Melt white or dark melting wafers in a small bowl according to package instructions.
Dip one end of Rice Krispy treat into bowl of chocolate, top chocolate with sprinkles and place on parchment paper to set for 15-20 minutes.
This Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats recipe was adapted from The Country Cook‘s original recipe, found here.
I love adding these Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats to themed dessert boards! Check out my tips to make a great treat board here!
Let me know if you plan to try these and what color sprinkles you’ll use in the comments below! Follow me on Instagram or TikTok for more fun ideas for the family!
XO Maggie
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
Hey Mamas! If you’re like me and have picky eaters in your house, it can be a struggle to get kids to eat green vegetables! My solution: Sneak veggies into their favorite foods!
Great for picky eaters: I have THE BEST banana bread recipe (originally adapted from Delish.com) that I’ve converted into muffins with hidden zucchini! My kids have never once said, “Ewe,” “What’s the green stuff?” or “I can taste vegetables!” when I serve them these muffins! SCORE!
Why this is the best Banana Zucchini Bread Muffin recipe: When I say this is the best banana bread recipe, I truly mean it! During the pandemic, I made one banana bread loaf for every month we were locked down in LA County. I tried six variations of banana bread, so I can attest that this is the very best recipe! Utilizing three bananas is the perfect amount of flavor and sweetness, and the full fat sour cream makes the bread so moist! You will never need to try another banana bread recipe again… This is IT! You’re welcome.
Original recipe swaps: I make a couple swaps for these Banana Zucchini Bread Muffins from the original Banana Bread Recipe from Delish.com to make them kid-friendly and mom-approved. First, I add half of a grated zucchini. Secondly, I add mini semi-sweet chocolate chips! My kids go nuts over chocolate anything, so this is a special treat. In my opinion, regular sized chocolate chips overpower the the banana flavor, so I prefer to use mini sized chips. I haven’t tried the muffin recipe without the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips yet, but I have made the original loaf recipe without them, and it was still soooo gooood!
Make it even healthier!: Recently, I completed a 5-day wellness reset that eliminated sugar, gluten and dairy from my diet, and I saw some phenomenal health benefits (like my average resting heart rate dropping by 9 heartbeats per minute – wow!). Since then, I’ve been testing swapping out sugar and gluten in some of my favorite recipes, like this one! If you want to go gluten- or sugar-free, try Bob Mills Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour and Truvia Sweet Complete Monk Fruit Sweetener. I could not tell the difference when we made these swaps! So good!
Mix-ins and frosting ideas: If you want to add some more oomph to this recipe, add 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans and walnuts are my favorite) or coconut! Or, add a cream cheese frosting for a real decadent treat that’s totally approved by the health food gods because we’re already eating zucchini – LOL! My favorite is a vegan cream cheese frosting recipe from Peanut Butter & Jilly found here.
I prefer using mini chocolate chips in this banana zucchini bread recipe!
Tips for the best Banana Zucchini Bread Muffins:
You can’t have bananas that are too ripe for this recipe. The more ripe, the better!
Shred the zucchini with a VERY fine grater. You don’t want chunky zucchini in your muffins!
Be sure to drain and soak the moisture from the grated zucchini with a paper or cloth towel. Do not skip this step of the recipe or else you’ll have watery batter!
This recipe makes about 18 muffins, so I always give a few to our neighbors and teachers. Everyone will love these muffins!
*Note: Some people like to add Xanthum Gum to their recipes using gluten free flour, but I don’t believe it’s totally necessary if you’re making muffins. The label on Bob Mills Gluten Free Flour has instructions on how much Xanthum Gum to add if you wish to try it.
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375º. Line two muffin pans with 18 baking cups.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
In another large bowl, mix together melted butter, sugar, egg and egg yolk, sour cream, and vanilla. Add mashed bananas and grated zucchini and stir until combined. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until just combined.
Fold in mini chocolate chips and transfer to prepared muffin pan cups.
Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in pan, then turn out onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
I’d love to hear what you think of this recipe! I’ve had so much fun making (and eating!) these Banana Zucchini Bread Muffins that I’m determined to add zucchini to other favorite recipes! What should I try next: a chocolate-zucchini cake, blueberry-zucchini muffins or chocolate chip-zucchini cookies?! Let me know in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram or TikTok!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love. For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
Blake’s Seed Based Rice Crispy Treats are a yummy (and healthy!) treat for the whole family!
First of all, I know many of you may have read the headline for this blog post and rolled your eyes… Look, I’m a kid who grew up in the late ’80s and ’90s (Gushers! Mountain Dew! Pop Tarts! Sugar on top of SUGAR!), and I promise you that I’m NOT ready to give up the tradition of genuine TREATS for Halloween! What is Halloween without candy, anyway?! But, as I review the holiday activities we have planned this month… WHOA… it’s major compared to when I was a kid! We don’t just have a class Halloween party and the classic trick-or-treating… We also have the pumpkin patch visit, the multi-family immersive Nights of the Jack experience, our local YMCA trunk-or-treat… and I’ve already said no to a few other local Halloween festivities that include kids getting treats! I realized that if we don’t take the time to be mindful of moderation, the candy exposure can get really out of hand!
So, here I am… being that annoying healthy mom that I used to roll my eyes at before I had kids. I assumed “her” kids drank kale smoothies for breakfast and their favorite treat was the olive bar at Whole Foods… Well, I’m here to tell you that my kids DO NOT drink kale smoothies for breakfast and my oldest wouldn’t touch an olive with a 9-foot pole. But, I do know that my kids can appreciate “treats” in forms other than candy, like nutrient-packed muffins, festive shaped foods and seasonal flavors!
I put together this list of non-candy Halloween treats for parents desiring to limit the candy craziness this year. Whether you want to create healthier habits for your family, dread the kids’ candy sugar high, or responsible for sending a non-candy treat to school for the class Halloween party, these non-candy Halloween treat ideas are great for parents who need an easy, individually wrapped goody this fall season! From pumpkin rice crispy treats to pumpkin dog treats, there’s something for the whole family to snack on and feel good about!
6 Non-Candy Halloween Treats for the Whole Family:
I have lots of memories around my mom making homemade rice crispy treats and purchasing the prepackaged cereal treats to put in my lunchbox as a kid. These are EVEN BETTER! Blake’s Seed Based Rice Crispy Treats come in many yummy flavors like strawberry, birthday cake, chocolate chips, and now PUMPKIN SPICE! Blake’s is the very first vegan rice crispy treat on the market, so it’s the perfect allergy-friendly trick-or-treat candy. They’re 90 calories, only have 7 grams of sugar, nut-free and gluten-free! If you live in Southern California like me, you can find Blake’s Seed Based Rice Crispy treats available in local Sprouts stores, or you can shop the snacks online at Amazon or on the company’s website.
Blake’s Seed Based Rice Crispy Treats are a perfect treat for Halloween!
We already eat Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Chips in our house as a better-for-you alternative to regular fried potato chips, so I was really excited that the brand came out with Halloween chips in spooktacular shapes! Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Chips Ghosts & Bats have the crispy crunch and flavor you want in a snack, but without all the artificial flavors and artificial preservatives that you don’t. The seasonal chips are packaged in individual-sized bags that are perfect for trick-or-treaters, classroom parties, or lunchbox treats. They are available in major retail stores across the nation, as well as online and Amazon, sold in individual bags or packs of 24.
My kids’ treat bags filled with Sensible Portions Veggie Chips Ghosts and Bats!
I often get frustrated with store-bought muffins and snack bars, because the ingredients show that they may as well be cupcakes and candy bars! Not Bobo’s! The Bobo’s brand offers delicious, simple, handmade 100% whole grain oat bites and snacks and released a brand-new pumpkin spice flavor just in time for the holidays! The slow-burning oats give kids clean energy that won’t leave them with a crash, while satisfying their sweet tooth. Each bite is non-GMO, gluten-free and plant-based, and there’s a variety of flavors in addition to pumpkin spice, like apple pie, chocolate chip, coconut, lemon poppyseed and peanut butter & jelly! You can easily find them at your local Kroger flagship, Whole Foods Market, or Target and online at Amazon.
Nothing says fall like apple harvest season, which is the perfect reason to pass out Bare Baked Crunchy Apple Chips to trick-or-treaters! Bare Baked Snacks are real apples baked into deliciously crunchy chips and never fried. The apple chips are non-GMO verified and have no added oils or preservatives. They’re sold at select retailers, or you can purchase in multi-packs online at Target and Amazon.
Get a little crafty by turning Dole’s Mandarin Orange Fruit Cups into cute Jack-O-Lanterns! All you need is a black sharpie to draw a Jack-O-Lantern face on the cups! Bonus if you decide to add the green pipe cleaner for a stem! These are the perfect festive snack for a class party! Dole Fruit Bowls Mandarin Oranges in 100% Juice are made from the best sun-ripened fresh fruit that nature has to offer, and they’re non-GMO and naturally gluten free. Dole Fruit Bowls are available at all major grocery stores or you can get multipacks on Amazon.
If you want to share holiday treats with your furry family members or pass out treats to dogs trick-or-treating with kids, Greenies Dental Treats for dogs has launched a puppy-approved pumpkin spice flavor! The unique texture of Greenies Dog Chews cleans down to the gumline to fight plaque and tartar and freshen breath. The treats are sold at Target, Amazon and Chewy.
Would you share these festive treats with your family? I’d love to hear what other better-for-you store-bought treats you pass out at Halloween! Please share with me in the comments below or connect with me on Instagram at @maggiehjackson!
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love.For more information about affiliates and your privacy, view our Terms & Conditions page here.
6 healthy Halloween snacks that are easy and fun to make with your kids!
Got a picky eater? I’ve found the best way to get my kids to eat healthy is to get them involved in the kitchen with me! And, what better way to celebrate the spooky season than with fun Halloween inspired healthy treats! From green goblin smoothie bowls to spider crackers to boo-tiful mini cupcakes, these 6 snacks are so easy and fun to make! Plus, they’re too yummy not to eat! Your family will love spending time in the kitchen together this fall recreating these spook-tacular snacks!
I was so excited to feature these healthy Halloween snacks on KTLA Morning News with anchor Jessica Holmes, who’s a mom and food lover like me! Check out our video, below, for all the tricks to make these treats!
Watch me share Healthy Halloween Snack Ideas for Kids with KTLA Morning News Anchor Jessica Holmes!
Green Goblin Smoothie Bowls
Halloween Snack Idea #1: Green Goblin Smoothie Bowl
Adding spinach into smoothies is one of the easiest ways to get kids to eat their greens! And, you can’t taste the spinach – promise! For this Green Goblin Smoothie Bowl, make a green smoothie, pour into a small bowl, and have your kids toppings like granola or coconut for hair, dried fruit like raisins, dates or cranberries for the eyes, and pumpkin seeds or marshmallows for the smile. Kids have lots of fun decorating their green goblin face!
Here is my favorite easy Green Smoothie recipe:
Ingredients:
1 banana
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup strawberries
1 cup water (or almond milk or oat milk)
Instructions:
Place all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy immediately.
Peanut Butter Spider Crackers
Halloween Snack Idea #2: Spider Crackers
Have your kids help assemble these spooky spider crackers made with round crackers (I like Ritz Whole Wheat Crackers), pretzel sticks, peanut butter (or another nut or sunflower seed butter) or cream cheese, and small dried fruit, like raisins or blueberries.
Ingredients:
Round crackers
Pretzel sticks
Peanut butter (or your preferred nut/sunflower seed butter) or spreadable cream cheese
Spread nut butter or cream cheese on two crackers thick enough to hold pretzels
Break 4 pretzels in half
Place the 8 half pretzels sticks around one cracker to resemble spider legs
Top the cracker with the second cracker to secure the legs and make a sandwich
Dip 2 dried fruit pieces in the nut butter or cream cheese and stick them to the top of the spider cracker sandwich to resemble eyes
Enjoy!
Clementine Pumpkins and Banana Ghosts
Halloween Snack Idea #3: Clementine Pumpkins and Banana Ghosts
These fruity treats are so easy to make and fun to eat! Peel clementines and cut celery into small sticks. Have kids add the celery sticks to clementines as stems to make pumpkins! Peel bananas and cut in half. Have your children add mini chocolate chips for the eyes and mouth to create ghosts!
Spooky Grilled Cheese
Halloween Snack Idea #4: Spooky Grilled Cheese
Turn everyone’s favorite lunch into a frightful treat with Halloween shaped cookie cutters and dark rye bread! You can use wheat or white bread, but the dark rye bread is much more spooky! Plus, my toddler surprisingly loves it! Because of its color, he calls it “chocolate bread,” even though it tastes nothing like chocolate! Your kiddo will have lots of fun using cookie cutters to make ghosts, bats and pumpkins in their bread, but I recommend leaving the stovetop cooking to parents!
Ingredients: (makes 1 grilled cheese)
2 slices dark rye bread
1-2 slices of pre-sliced cheddar cheese (depending on how cheesy you like your sandwich!)
Butter
Instructions:
Melt butter over medium high heat in pan on stovetop.
Take one slice of bread and use Halloween cookie cutter to cut shape into middle of bread. Butter one side of the bread cut-out bread.
Take the other slice of bread and butter one side.
Place both slices of bread in pan with the buttered side up.
After cooking for a couple minutes and letting the bread get to your toasty preference, flip both sides of bread to cook the other side. Immediately place cheese on the slice of bread without the cut-out.
Continue cooking until cheese is melty.
Place cut-out side bread on top of cheese and press down so the cheese sticks the slices together.
Serve and enjoy!
Creepy Eyes Cereal Bar
Halloween Snack Idea #5: Creepy Eyes Cereal Bars
Add funny eyes to pre-made cereal bars (or my favorite 3-ingredient cheerio bars seen here!) by rolling cream cheese into tiny little balls and adding a mini chocolate chips for eyes. If you’re low on time, it’s fun to add these eyes to anything pre-made, like muffins or frozen waffles!
Healthy Halloween Cupcakes
Halloween Snack Idea #6: Green Halloween “Cupcakes”
My toddler loves these green “superpower” muffins, made with spinach, bananas, rolled oats and sweetened with honey! I love the ghastly green vibes of these for Halloween! Top with Nutella spread for “icing” and have your kids add Halloween sprinkles to make healthy-ish cupcakes!
Which healthy Halloween snack do you want to try with your kiddos? Let me know in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram @maggiehjackson!
XO, Maggie
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love.
Mother’s Day is fast approaching on Sunday, May 9, and if you’re struggling with what to get Mom this year, this gift guide is for you!
I get it, moms can be hard to shop for!
Since women make up 70-80 percent of all consumer purchasing, your mom likely does a lot of shopping for herself already! Those three Amazon packages at your door? I promise that not all of them are “things for the baby!”
Plus, some moms can be so picky! Like, she loved rose gold jewelry two years ago but now only wears yellow gold… What?!?!
So, how do you choose a gift for mom that says I love you and appreciate you without resulting to the boring old vase of flowers and Hallmark card?
*Please note: Flowers and cards are still ALWAYS a welcomed thoughtful gesture!!
Below, I have put together a Mother’s Day gift guide comprised of five truly unique, one-of-a-kind gift ideas for every type of mom. Happy shopping!
If you have a mama who loves jewelry, the new personalized pieces from Ring Concierge make for a perfect Mother’s Day gift because you can add your children’s names or initials. There’s nothing sweeter than wearing a reminder of your babies everywhere you go! The line offers a variety of styles, metals and fonts to customize and fit your mom’s personality… and your budget!
An especially thoughtful gift that gives back are the jewelry pieces from Ring Concierge’s engravable heart collection. Fifteen percent of gross profits are donated to Pretty Brown Girl, a non-profit promoting confidence and leadership development for girls of color. I love a gift that also makes a difference!
I’ve gotten to a point in my jewelry collecting days where I don’t necessarily want another piece of trendy costume jewelry, and that’s why I love Ring Concierge. The brand offers bespoke “elevated classics.” It’s high-end jewelry that you can personalize and buy online… How cool is that?! Fashionable celebs like Victoria’s Secret model Devon Windsor and former Bachelorette Joelle Fletcher are fans of Ring Concierge, so you know you’re giving mom something that will make her feel like a “cool mom” when she wears it!
Starting prices for the personalized pieces range anywhere from $90 to over $2,000. I’ve shared a few of my favorite styles below, or you can browse the collection yourself at http://www.ringconcierge.com.
For the mom who loves to cook or be on-the-go, I love the new folding Adventure Chef Knife from Messermeister. We’ve been home long enough this past year during the pandemic, so take the kitchen on the road and cook from anywhere with this full-sized knife! It’s the same high-quality of a chef’s knife you’d use in your kitchen, but compact and portable. I know our family will love using this at the beach to prepare lunch and for future camping trips! You can even have the knife engraved with mom’s name to make it extra special and personalized!
Take the Adventure Chef Knife anywhere for chef quality chopping!
What makes this gift even more special, in my opinion, is that Messermeister is a local mom-owned company. The brand has been around for 40 years and is based out of Ojai. The family business is led by Debra Dressler and her two daughters, Kirsten and Chelcea. Shop all of Messermeister’s knives at http://www.messermeister.com.
One-of-a-kind silk scarf and wrap dress from Aurora Sage
If you have a stylish mom, she’ll love these one-of-a-kind silk scarves from Aurora Sage, an LA-based sustainable women’s fashion brand. The scarves come in three sizes and can be worn a variety of ways, like on your head, around your neck or shoulders, or even as a top! Aurora Sage specializes in organic silk pieces, and all are hand-dyed using natural ingredients such as rose pedals, avocados and turmeric… how cool is that?! And, you’ll be supporting a local mama, as everything is manufactured in LA and dyed in-house by founder and fellow mom Stephanie Carollo. Stephanie created the company just after she had her second son and wanted to create a line that made women feel beautiful while also being safe for their bodies and the environment.
I personally love all of Aurora Sage’s clothing, and it’s fun mixing and matching the different colored pieces. Right now, I’m really into all the yellow pieces, as they feel so cheery for spring and so on-trend with Pantone’s color of the year, Illuminating Yellow. And, the silk blazers look so chic over the slip dresses! Shop all of Aurora Sage’s items at http://www.aurorasage.com.
If your mom can’t get enough beauty products, Curateur has launched a Special Edition Beauty Box just in time for Mother’s Day! The Beauty Box is curated by celebrity moms Rachel Zoe and Estee Lauder and features some of the leading and most innovative beauty products on the market. Additionally, sales from the Beauty Box benefit the Breast Cancer Research Fund (BCRF), a cause that’s near and dear to Rachel’s heart and mine, as both my mother, grandmother and mother in-law battled with breast cancer. Curateur will give 20% of the purchase price to the BCRF and their life-saving work. Another gift you can feel good about!
The box is valued at over $230, but is sold for only $49.99!! It’s a real steal including some amazing products like:
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Supercharged Complex: This supercharged treatment helps repair the visible impact of lack of sleep, UV, pollution, even blue light. It’s proven to reveal a bright, hydrated, visibly revived look with comprehensive benefits for the eye area.
Bumble & BumbleSurf Styling Leave-In: This UV-protective gel-creme conditions, detangles, and fights frizz creating beautiful surfer girl waves!
OriginsPlantscription™️ Multi-Powered Youth Serum: Their most comprehensive serum for face, neck, and eyes that helps provide a youthful transformation with every use.
Bobbi BrownVitamin Enriched Face Base: One of Bobbi Brown’s bestsellers—a primer plus moisturizer for smooth makeup application (it’s the best of both worlds)!
You can purchase the box by becoming a Curateur member for $99 at http://www.curateur.com. As a member, you’ll receive a seasonal lifestyle box featuring the most coveted beauty, fashion and home brands on the market. Imagine how excited mom will be receiving her Curateur box with each new season!
All moms deserve to be celebrated on Mother’s Day, including Dog Moms for everything they do for our furry family members! As a dog mom myself, I can’t recommend this Paw.com PupProtector Blanket enough! The blanket is designed to seamlessly blend into any home, and it looks super chic at the end of our bed and on our living room couch. Made from plush faux fur on one side and ultra-soft microsuede on the other, the blanket protects areas from pet hair, dirt, spills, pet accidents, and scratching damage. Our toddler even likes snuggling with it! The blanket comes in so many color options and matches with many of Paw.com’s dog beds. Plus, its so easy to clean – waterproof and machine washable! The blanket comes in a couple different size options and can be purchased on www.paw.com.
I’m hopeful you’ll spoil mom with one of these very thoughtful gifts for Mother’s Day! Tell me which gift idea is your favorite in the comments below, or connect with me on Instagram at @maggiehjackson.
Happy Mother’s Day!!
XO, Maggie
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love.
Cheers to rosé! The Palm by Whispering Angel is a favorite “pink wine!”
With summer upon us (yayyy!), it only makes sense to do a post about my favorite rosé wines…. Wait, who am I kidding – I drink rosé all year round!
What I love most about rosé is its versatility. In addition to being a delightful wine right out of the bottle, I also love it as a spritzer! And, it can be paired with EVERYTHING – from BBQ to sushi!
However, I don’t consider all rosés equal, so this post highlights only my top 10 favorite rosé wines. If you’ve previously passed on “pink wine,” I highly recommend that you give one of these rosés a try and let me know what you think. For those of you who already understand the gloriousness of rosé, let’s be friends! Comment on this post or connect with me on Instagram to tell me your go-to rosé!
Before we get into this list, I do have to add the disclaimer that I am not a sommelier – just an amateur rosé connoisseur. No one has dubbed me as an expert, but since I drink rosé so often, I feel like a professional… Alas, I have no certificate to prove it.
As you’ll see from my list below, I lean towards rosés that are from France, specifically the Côtes De Provence region. However, not all the rosés on my list are from France. There’s some California in there, too! I also prefer dry rosés over sweet, and I’m drawn to rosés that are more pale salmon pink than dark cherry pink.
The majority of these wines can be found at your local grocery store. Or, you can make your life easier and get the wine delivered from Amazon Fresh, which is conveniently included in an Amazon Prime membership. When you have two little babies, like me, grocery and wine shopping is so much simpler when ordered online. Plus, I love that Amazon Fresh has same-day delivery, and I often get the groceries delivered to my door in 2 hours or less!
So, let’s dive in! My list of best rosés below is in no particular order.
Winemaker Notes: “Whispering Angel is today’s worldwide reference for Provence rosé. Made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino), its pale color is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. The rewarding taste profile is full and lush while being bone dry with a smooth finish. Highly approachable and enjoyable with a broad range of cuisine, Whispering Angel is a premium rosé that you can drink from mid-day to midnight.”
Maggie Notes: Whispering Angel is perhaps the Holy Grail of rosés. It’s on the pricier side for a reason – it’s darn delicious. Bring this rosé to a party and you’re guaranteed to make friends.
Winemaker Notes: “Made from Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan, this authentic rosé from Provence operates as a playful, trendy, energetic “little sister” to Whispering Angel. The Palm is expressive both inside and out as it shows great aromatic freshness on the nose followed by more subtle, fruity notes on the palate. The colorful and playful label has been called “almost as perfect as the rosé itself”. Signed and approved by Whispering Angel.”
Maggie Notes: A more affordable rosé by the same folks behind Whispering Angel – what’s not to like?! Also, the bottle feels so fun and perfect to bring to a pool party!
Winemaker Notes: “Pretty petal pink color with shiny undertones. Instantly reminds of Provence with its beautiful aromas of fresh fruit and spring flowers. Airy and balanced, it delicately combines great freshness and complexity, and develops saline and mineral notes. Its long and intense finish is the signature of a rosé with incomparable elegance: Miraval.”
Maggie Notes: I recently learned that Miraval is a joint venture between Perrin family and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. It’s safe to say the Pitt-Jolie family knows their rosé, as this is one of my most favorites. To me, this wine offers the perfect balance of light fruit while still being dry and sophisticated. I especially love pairing this wine with a fancy brunch or lunch.
Winemaker Notes: “M de Minuty is the quintessential Cotes de Provence Rose, a style that Chateau Minuty defined,and is the reason behind their success as the world’s top producer of premium rosé. Fresh, lively and perfectly balanced, fantastic quality, a glass in hand transports you to the seaside and the French riviera lifestyle, watching the sea and the sky, surrounding yourself with friends and family, and enjoying life to the fullest.”
Maggie Notes: This rosé is so refreshing and drinkable. I imagine being at a pool party in St. Barts surrounded by other fabulous people drinking M de Minuty in private cabanas. It’s lovely for a day in the sun or to liven up your brunch.
Winemaker Notes: “This dry rosé reflects the pale pink promise of the perfect warm-weather wine. It’s delightfully crisp, lighthearted, and destined for a good time. The grapes for this Central Coast Grenache and Syrah blend were picked early in the season to achieve a natural acidity that’s ideal for summer drinking. To ensure as little extraction from the skins as possible, we used the direct press method, retaining the delicate fruit aromas and pale color rosé is known for. The result is light, aromatic, and dry – with notes of melon, peach, rose, and citrus. Summer-friendly fare like shellfish, ceviche, and salads will pair swimmingly or just drink it chilled with the ones you love.”
Maggie Notes: While hailing from the Central Coast, this rosé is as drinkable as the rosés from Provence with the bonus of American Spirit. This is the rosé you bring to the beach or have waiting in an ice bucket for your guests at your July 4th BBQ. It goes with everything, so be careful – it really can go down like water!
Winemaker Notes: “A wine to celebrate the Mediterranean Art of Living! Its originality lies in its original rose-shaped bottle, created by a young designer from Ecole Boulle. This cuvée boasts a lovely yellow color with golden tints. It is fresh. A soft, pale, brilliant pink with bluish tints developing over time towards more orangey nuances. The bouquet releases aromas of summer fruits, cassis, and redcurrant. Floral notes of rose along with hints of grapefruit complete the picture. The finish is fresh, offering notes of candy. On the palate, the impression is fresh and full, with great aromatic persistence and balance.”
Maggie Notes: A great balance of floral and fruity, this rosé makes for a lovely hostess gift because it comes in such a beautiful bottle.
Winemaker Notes: “Pale pink in color, this rosé offers fresh, delicate aromas of red fruits (currant, cherry), and citrus (lemon). On the palate, it shows a beautiful balance between ripeness and acidity, with notes of fresh fruit.”
Maggie Notes: This the most affordable rosé on my list, and it just so happens to also be one of my favorites. I recently learned that La Vielle Ferme is made by the Perrin family, who also produces the top-rated Miraval (also included on my list above). No wonder it’s so good! We always have this rosé in our wine fridge. I will sometimes use it to make rosé wine spritzers, too.
Winemaker Notes: “Delicately pink in color, Meiomi Rosé is delightfully dry with vibrant acidity. The wine opens to delicate aromas of watermelon, orange peel, and subtle hints of rose petal. The palate offers a lush mouthfeel with flavors of stone fruit and strawberry with a cool minerality on the finish.”
Maggie Notes: This is the rosé I want to drink when vacationing the Coast of California. It’s delightful for pairing with snacks at a picnic or sipping on your hotel room balcony before dinner. It’s dry and fruity. It feels like vacation, and it feels like California.
Region: Santa Rita Hills, California Central Coast
Winemaker Notes: “The 2019 vintage was Estate Grown, in our Rio Vista Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills appellation and is our first rosé production. Produced in limited quantity, the resulting wine was made using a saignee, or juice draw, taken immediately upon crushing the grape clusters into the fermenter. This saignee was taken from small 1 – 1.5 ton lots of Pinot Noir from 6 different blocks and is 100% from Rio Vista Vineyard. The brief contact with the red grape skins renders its beautiful pale salmon color. The juice was fermented in stainless steel barrels, then aged on its lees for five months, adding depth and complexity to the wine without overshadowing the fresh fruit components. This Rose was bottled on March 4, 2020 and is an expression of the unique terroir of our vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA.”
Maggie Notes: This is the only wine on my list that’s not easily found in your local grocery store, but it is too good to leave off. I’m usually skeptical of California rosés, because I’m convinced no one can make a good dry rosé like the French, but this rosé from Thorne Family’s Rio Vista Vineyards is absolutely delicious. I was introduced to this rosé from a Thorne family member who became a friend in a local mommy-and-me class. I ordered a bottle to sample, and I liked it so much that I ordered more! I love supporting local winemakers (we have a collection of California Cabernets from small, independent winemakers), so I encourage you to try this rosé if you live in California. You can shop and buy at this link.
Winemaker Notes: “Rosé Imperial displays a pink color with amber highlights. Lively and intense, the bouquet exudes red fruits (wild strawberry, raspberry, cherry) with floral nuances of rose and a slight hint of pepper. On the palate, the wine shows a juicy intensity of berries (strawberry, raspberry, red currant) rounded out by the fleshiness and firmness of peach and the freshness of a subtle note of mint.”
Maggie Notes: For the Champagne lover, you can’t go wrong with Moet & Chandon’s rosé. It’s the perfect accent to any elegant summer soiree (or just when you want Champagne!).
Do you know of a lovely rosé that didn’t make this list? Let me know in the comments below or connect with me on Instagram! I’m always ready to try a new rosé!
Brunch is better with rosé wine, especially Chateau Miraval!
And, while I have you thinking about wine, below are my favorite wine accessories – perfect for adding to your home wine bar or wrapping up for a gift!
My favorite tradition at St. Regis hotels is their evening Champagne sabering ritual. Ever since staying at The St. Regis Bal Harbour, I’ve dreamed of hosting a fancy soiree where I kick off the evening sabering a bottle for friends. This engraved saber is super classy!
You can’t beat the Yeti brand. It seems glass will always find a way to get knocked over and break when outside, so my anxiety level is way down when using these tumblers during our outdoor happy hours and BBQs.
We’ve yet to have an electric wine opener last longer than a couple of months, so we stick to the classic corkscrew. Rabbit is one of the most trusted wine accessory brands out there.
Cote des Roses is a perfect hostess gift because of its beautiful bottle!
I hope you have a beautiful summer filled with good times with family and friends – and rosé!
CHEERS!!!
XO, Maggie
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love.
Nespresso coffee is my fuel for mornings with babies!
I’m a morning person… And morning people need their coffee! Especially if you’re a mom to a baby and toddler!
My husband gifted me a Nespresso machine a few years ago, and I have to admit that it was probably a better gift than a piece of fine jewelry. (Shhhh… don’t let him know! I still want fine jewelry! LOL!)
But, seriously, Nespresso is the gift that keeps giving EVERY MORNING.
I love how easy it is to make gourmet coffee and clean. And, I love all the yummy flavors!
My favorite flavor is the Intenso XL (because mama needs XL coffee with two babies!) and regular Intenso. I also really like Melozio and Caramel Cookie when I want an afternoon coffee or a fun flavor.
A few of my favorite things: A cup of Nespresso coffee, Intenso XL coffee pods, Diptyque candle, Chanel and Tom Ford coffee table books
But, what I’m here to share is the best Nespresso accessory that you need if you have a Nespresso machine — POD STORAGE!
We had a Nespresso machine for three years before I found the perfect glass top organizer drawer holder on Amazon. We used to throw our pods in a drawer, and even with drawer organizers, they never felt truly organized and they took up precious drawer space! This glass top organizer is perfect to go under the machine, and beautifully organizes all of our pods. I love that it fits with our modern, minimalist kitchen design.
My favorite part of every morning – Our Nespresso machine and coffee pod organizer!
And, for those of you in the market for a new coffee machine, Nespresso is the way to go for the best tasting coffee that’s so easy to make. We used to buy freshly ground beans and make a big pot of coffee every morning. That was lovely but started to feel like such a chore to make and clean… And, when having two little babies in the house, the last thing you want is another chore! Like, why am I counting spoonfuls of coffee grounds at 6 a.m. to make the perfect pot when a little baby just woke me up three times last night? GIVE… ME… COFFEE… NOW!!!
I honestly only use the milk frother a couple times a year when I’m really craving a latte. I truly love the regular Nespresso coffee with some creamer or half-and-half.
If you really want to step-up your coffee game, here is a barista level Nespresso machine that could potentially be a 5-year anniversary gift from my husband (but I still want fine jewelry!):
With the Creatista, you can level-up your coffee game by making fancy recipes for flat whites, cappuccinos, and latte macchiatos. You’ll never need to go to a Starbucks again!
XO Maggie
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love.
In my “sexy” kitchen where I drink LOTS of Nespresso coffee and will be cooking our Valentine’s Day dinner
Valentine’s Steak Dinner for At-Home Date Night:
A friend told me that she thinks our kitchen is “sexy,” which is why this is exactly where we’ll be spending Valentine’s Day this year (oh, and because we’re in a global pandemic!).
After putting the kids to bed, we’ll create a restaurant-inspired steak dinner experience right in our own kitchen – fancy napkins, candles lit, the whole deal! Our is plan to get steaks from our local Taylor’s Ol’ Fashioned Meat Market (they offer the best quality in the Pasadena area!) and use a cooking method that’s easier and tastier than grilling – the oven!
I grew up in Texas where 90% of the beef I ate came off the grill, especially steaks, so the first time I heard of cooking steaks in the oven, I thought NO WAY would it taste good! But, if you buy quality beef, I promise this will become your favorite way to cook steak! Scroll down for the steak recipe from the Kitchn that we’ll be using.
Last-Minute Valentine’s Gift Idea:
AND… For those of you spending much more time at home these days (who’s not?), I need to recommend the best gift idea that you can get last minute on Amazon Prime – a Nespresso coffee machine!
My husband gifted me a Nespresso machine a couple years ago, and it is the gift that keeps giving every morning. I’m one of those that can’t do anything until I have a cup of coffee flowing through my veins, and Nespresso coffee is so delicious and delightful. There’s so many good flavors, and it makes every morning coffee feel like a special treat! And, I love how easy it is to make the coffee and clean up. It felt like such a major upgrade from our big coffee pot that we were making each morning.
But, Nespresso has a few machine options, depending on how much of a coffee lover you are. If you really want to impress your S.O., here is a top-notch machine for barista quality coffee: Nespresso Expert Original Espresso Machine
A few months ago, I purchased this EVERIE Glass Top Coffee Organizer, which has been so helpful in keeping our kitchen clean and organized. If you get a Nespresso machine from Amazon, I highly recommend adding this to your cart, too!
If you have an Amazon Prime membership, you should be able to get a Nespresso machine before Valentine’s Day.
1 (1 pound, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick) ribeye, T-bone, filet mignon, or strip steak
2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
Let the steak come to room temperature. Open the package and blot the steak dry with paper towels. Let the steak sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes on the counter; this helps it cook more evenly.
Heat the skillet under the broiler 20 minutes before cooking. Turn on your oven’s broiler to high and place an oven rack 6 to 8 inches below the broiler element. Put the skillet on the rack to heat up with the oven.
Rub the steak with oil. Drizzle a little oil over the steak and use your fingers or a brush to spread it evenly over the steak and on the sides. Sprinkle with half the salt and a few grinds of fresh pepper. Flip the steak and repeat on the other side.
Place the skillet over high heat. Turn on a stove burner to high heat. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using an oven mitt. Place it on the stovetop burner.
Sear the steak for 30 seconds. Use kitchen tongs to place the steak in the middle of the hot pan. It should sizzle immediately. Sear for 30 seconds.
Flip and sear the other side for 30 seconds. Flip the steak and sear the other side for 30 seconds.
Broil the steak for 2 minutes. Carefully put the skillet back below the broiler. Close the oven door and cook the steak for 2 minutes.
Flip and broil another 2 minutes. Pull out the skillet and carefully flip the steak using the tongs. Return to the oven and cook for an additional 2 minutes. At this point your steak will be medium-rare; if you prefer your steak closer to medium, add another 2 minutes to the oven time.
Rest the steak. Take the steak out of the oven and transfer it to a clean cutting board. Tent it loosely with aluminum foil and let the steak rest for about 5 minutes.
Slice and serve. Slice the steak and fan slices out on each plate. Serve immediately.
Enjoy! And, Happy Valentine’s Day!
XO Maggie
AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some of this post contains affiliate links for the products I use and LOVE. If you take action on these links (like clicking, buying, etc.), I may receive compensation at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own, and I’ll only recommend what I truly love.
Maggie Jackson 