Coffee and Conversation

You’ve planned a small get-together for an intimate circle of friends and you’re trying to decide on just the right finishing touch ... the perfect dessert to complement an afternoon or evening of shared laughter and lively conversation. How about a Cappuccino made with any one of the delightful extra bold k-cup roasts available from One Cup Connection paired with your favorite biscotti or gelato?

Cappuccino is a coffee drink traditionally made from espresso topped with warm milk followed by a layer of foamed milk. Developed by the Italians, cappuccino was originally consumed as part of their breakfast menu and was generally paired with sweet pastries. Today, people around the world enjoy cappuccino at any time of the day or night. For an added touch, cappuccino can be garnished with shaved chocolate, raw sugar or cinnamon. While professional baristas take pride in creating artistic shapes when pouring the steamed milk on top of the espresso coffee, you might want to try this simple recipe that’s easy to do and sure to please:

QUICK & EASY CAPPUCCINO

(1) 6-oz. cup of your favorite extra-bold roast k-cup coffee
1/2 cup skimmed milk
1 tsp sugar

Mix the sugar and the milk together and thoroughly heat the mixture in your microwave. Then pour the hot milk in a blender and blend until the milk develops a thick layer of froth. (Some people prefer to whisk the hot milk.) Brew the k-cup in your Keurig machine using one of your favorite coffee roasts. Pour the frothy milk and sugar mixture on top of the coffee and add a pinch of cinnamon or, if you’re in a gourmet mood, garnish with shaved chocolate. Voila!  (Makes one individual serving)
Have a favorite recipe?  We urge you to share with all your K-cuper friends here at One Cup Connection.

CELEBRATING OUR INDEPENDENCE ...

This July 4th marks the 235th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s ratification by the members of the Continental Congress. Although approved on July 4th, the Declaration was not actually signed until August 2, 1776 when fifty men affixed their signatures to the document. Six more signatures would be added afterwards and in January 1777, Thomas McKean was the last of our founding fathers to sign the Declaration. The absence of signatures did not stop the people of Philadelphia from celebrating our separation from England.  On July 8, 1776, Philadelphia rang the Liberty Bell summoning its citizens to Independence Hall for the first public reading of the Declaration by Colonel John Nixon.  In point of fact, the 4th of July was not declared an official federal holiday until 1941.

More than 81 Million Americans will celebrate the day with a barbeque or back yard party. We hope your menu will include lots of traditional hot dogs, hamburgers and watermelon, as well as a variety of K-cup coffees from One Cup Connection.  Here’s a simple festive dessert recipe that’s sure to complement whatever flavor of k-cup coffee you like best:

INDEPENDENCE DAY POKE CAKE

Ingredients:  
        1 pkg white cake mix
        1 (3 oz.) pkg cherry flavored gelatin mix
        1 cup boiling water
        1 (21 oz.) can cherry pie filling
        Home made whipped cream topping
        Fresh blueberries
Directions: 
Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions for a 9 x 13 cake pan. After removing cake from oven, poke holes through it using a long pronged fork. Holes should be spaced at approximately 1” intervals.

While the cake cools, combine gelatin with boiling water and pour the mixture over the cake. Top with cherry pie filling and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.  Just prior to serving, top cake with home made whipped cream or use a 16-oz container of frozen whipped topping, thawed. Sprinkle fresh blueberries over the topping or serve on the side.

Wishing all our friends and customers a fun-filled 4th!