It’s almost the holidays and that means travel. I bet you could use a new suitcase and some organization for travel. Scroll down to enter the giveaway after reading the post! A long time ago, like years and years ago, I saw an episode of Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives where Guy Fieri was trying a breakfast joint that served Capn’ Crunch French toast. I was totally intrigued. Was it really good? Breakfast cereal on French toast?! It kind of got the wheels spinning in my head and ever since then we’ve loved experimenting with breakfast, like these green smoothie pancakes, berries and cream crepes, and peach cobbler French toast casserole, but this syrup may just be the ultimate syrup experiment. Well, these or the over the top, crazy delicious pancakes that you will see next month. 😉
I was looking at a bag of Milky Way (my favorite candy bar as a kid) candy bars and wondering what in the world I was going to do with all of this candy sitting around, when my daughter came down the stairs and asked if we could have pancakes for dinner. That doesn’t happen too often as Saturday mornings generally involve pancakes or crepes, but I was already getting that fluffy, buttery taste in my mouth so I quickly agreed. And then, being the genius 7 year old that she is she asked if I could make a candy bar syrup to go on top. I almost said no…
The words started to pour out of my mouth and then I saw her bright eyes, all lit up with excitement and thought, why the heck not?! I promise, we really do eat quite healthy, but gosh darnit, something needed to be done with those candy bars and I was not going to let them stare me down from the pantry every day. You see, I was recently traveling for a few weeks and desperately missing my family so I’ve been finding myself looking for more opportunities to just do silly, fun, memorable things for us to be together. And while we’re chatting, scroll down to see what I’ve decided are essentials for travel.
It’s really not very different from any other syrup but you do need to take a moment when you’re eating your first bite to close your eyes and take it all in. Sure enough, that creamy, caramel, nougat delciousness makes the syrup totally and completely plate lickable. I felt like a child myself dragging every bite of pancake through the excess syrup on the plate.
Don’t get me wrong, I totally did a killer barre class the next morning, but for the moment the sugar didn’t matter, it was just me and a pancake, oh and the fam of course. And now for a little fun, the giveaway.
Like I said, I traveled a lot the past few weeks and there’s a few things that I learned.
1. A good carry-on that’s light weight but durable is a must. I tried out the Ebags Expandable Carry-on and I loved it. There were plenty of pockets for me to pack different things in different areas so it wasn’t just rolling around the bag, but even more important was that it was light weight. I’m not the biggest person out there so it definitely is a must for me to have something I can haul through airports and to and from hotels.
2. Organization is key. There’s not much worse about travel than the fact that you are shoving your whole life into a suitcase and then rifling through it every day for what you need. It’s exhausting. I hate it. Which is why I have fallen in love with these packing cubes. Oh my gosh they make life easier. I even used one solely for dirty clothes just so they were packed all nice and tight in a separate bag inside of my suitcase. I was able to keep everything organized which helped me feel more in control and relaxed each day.
3. Comfort whenever possible. Whether it’s getting work done in your hotel room or sitting on an airplane or in a car you need to find a way to still relax and rest. Travel is not all fun and games like it was when we were kids. There’s a lot to prepare and it’s a long day when you’re traveling so just bringing something as small and easy as a Tempurpedic neck pillow can help you to get a little rest so you are ready to get moving once you arrive at your destination. It’s soft, supports your head and neck and helps you get a little relaxation.
4. Travel Size Me. Unlike fast food restaurants you do not want to super size anything while traveling which is why I use a little trick. I travel or sample size everything from my shampoo, conditioner and deodorant to my makeup. Trust me it only takes one time of forgetting liquids and having security take them or something spilling everywhere for you to make the switch. Target sells like everything travel sized or containers to fill on your own. But even more important than that, I use sample sizes from the makeup counters or certain skin care so that I don’t have to take all of my full sized pieces. Eye shadow does get tricky, but everything else you can generally get a sample size or the little containers filled with a sample, which by the way you can later reuse with your own makeup for future travel.
What Makes Pancakes Flat?
Flat pancakes are usually caused by overcooking or not preparing the batter correctly.
Too much baking powder or soda will make pancakes rise quickly and then fall.
Over mixing the batter will cause pancakes to be flat and tough.
The batter should be gently mixed just until the flour is incorporated, there will still be small lumps of flour in the batter.
Too much liquid will also result in flat pancakes.
You should cook the pancake until little bubbles form on the surface, then flip and cook on the other side.
Can Pancake Batter Be Made Ahead?
Pancake batter can be made the night before.
It should be covered and refrigerated.
Because baking powder may lose some of its potency overnight, you may need to add a little before cooking the batter.
Let the batter warm a little from the refrigerator, sprinkle in a little baking powder and give it a little stir.
Then cook as normal.
All our AMAZING SYRUP recipes:
- Buttermilk Syrup
- Coconut Buttermilk
- Meyer Lemon Syrup
- Buttermilk Maple Syrup
- Peanut Butter Maple Syrup
- Creamy Marionberry Syrup
- Creamy Chocolate Syrup
- Strawberry Syrup
- Reese’s Syrup
Milky Way Syrup
Milky Way Syrup
Description
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Butter, 1 cube, unsalted
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup Chocolate Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Cocoa
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 Cup Milky Way Candy Bars, chopped
Instructions
- In a large sauce pan over medium heat combine the butter, sugar, milk, cocoa and vanilla.
- Heat, stirring occasionally until the butter is almost completely melted, and then add the candy bars and stir until melted down completely.
- Bring the syrup to a boil and remove from the heat.
- Serve over pancakes immediately.
Savannah
I’m making this syrup as soon as I can find a hiding place for the milky ways from Dal. That Miss P, she’s a genius. And truthfully, I’d love to explore Thailand next. Or return to Tuscany…either way you’d have to come too! We’re due!
Sweet Basil
Oh my goodness, wouldn’t Thailand be amazing?!
stephen radford
Hawaii would be a dream
Stephen A
My ultimate travel destination is Alaska
Louella Laureola
Paris, France
fredlet
I’ve always been a big fan of these suitcases. The perfect size, good heft but not over-engineered, sturdy, VERY well thought out and nice looking! Perfect for Paris! (do a Paris trip giveaway next LOL!)
barbara n
My ultimate travel destination is to see my newborn granddaughter in Buffalo, NY
emily t
BALI!
Carmen
My dream is to someday go to Norway – perhaps with a side trip to Scotland.
Thomas L Walcher
I would like to go to England.
Lisa Sams
Destination: Australia. I think the Buttermilk syrup is the one I am going to try. Thanks for the giveaway. Lisa
julie
We have always dreamed of a trip to northern Europe.
Tracy Ross
this would be so awesome cuz me and my husband travel a lot to visit family! 🙂
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
Ok, seriously I want to come for breakfast at your house! Holy yum! Your daughter is one smart girl!!!
I would love to travel to Paris one day…new luggage is always needed around here. Thanks for the chance to win.
Sweet Basil
I so need a vacation, and a far away one at that…
Norma
I’d love to go to Italy or Puerto Rico. I want to win!
bonnie
Imm not really a fan of milky way bars… love anything caramel but nouget, not so much. I would love to try it with a bit of butterfinger bars !!
My luggage is falling apart & I need something new to pack to go to my daughters when she has her baby next month!! Thats a wonderful destination even though only an hour away!!
Would really love to go to the Greek islands!!
Patricia Clark
Our 50th. Wedding Anniversary is May 29, 2014 and we would like to take a trip somewhere and we sure could use some new luggage!! Thank You!!!
Patricia Clark
Sorry for the 2nd. entry, I didn’t think the first one registered!!
Patricia Clark
Our 50th. Wedding anniversary is May 29, 2014 and we’re planning on taking a trip somewhere and we sure could use some new luggage!! Thank You!!!
Alison
Germany
Stefanie D.
Where don’t I want to travel?! England and Ireland to see the family origins. Asia (because it’s so exotic.) But I can’t stop thinking of our visit along the coast between Nice and Rome. I long to go back and spend more time in San Marquarita, italy.
Jessica W
we would love to go to England, we have been to London before,but it was such a short trip.
Sylvia
Spain, Italy, Greece!
Joyce
Anywhere in Europe!
MaryB
I’ve always wanted to go to France, Italy and Bulgaria!
Betsy
I want to go to Asia, carry on of course!
Betsy
Love love love packing cubes! Makes my life so much easier!
Susan Lenes
Italy! A villa by a vineyard, with a personal chef!
Sweet Basil
That sounds amazing!
Nancy A.
I would love to go to England and see all the sights.
Nicole S.
Backpacking through Asia… Vietnam, Cambodia, etc.!
Keri
Our children have taken our luggage pieces as they ave moved away…it would be wonderful to have my own luggage again! I would love to travel to Gemany and Austria, te Eatern Seaboard and our country’s historical sights, P.E.I. Canada, or anywhere but here at home! I just need a break!
Melinda
Would love to go to Germany and Italy.
Sherry
Sounds like it could be good on waffles for dessert!Taking granddaughters to Disney,a bag would be great!
Katie
I would love to go to Hawaii.
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
I was, and will forever be that kid that basically drinks the syrup out of the little pourer thing. And I knoooow that if some Milky Way syrup was lying around, it definitely wouldn’t stand a chance around me and my obsessive dunking ways!
Sweet Basil
Then I wish we could share breakfast togteher!! I’m all about guzzling this stuff.
Kara
We’d love to go someplace tropical!
Sarah L
New Zealand!
Thanks for the contest.
klynn
ultimate travel spot = hawaii, maui to be exact. LOVE!
Torri M
I would love to visit Italy, France, and Spain! But probably just a dream.
Pam
Paris!
karen
I would love to go to Turkey some day
Shannon
I would love to go to Italy.
Joellyn A
I want to be in New Hampshire for apple season!! 🙂
Sandra
My husband and I are planning a kid free trip to Costa Rica that I’m rather excited about!
Stephanie
Europe…no itinerary, ample cash and my kiddo <3
Stephanie
Europe…no itinerary, ample cash, and my kiddo <3
Terri C
I would just like to go to the mountains and relax with my husband in a remote cabin. Enjoying the beauty and nature.
Sweet Basil
I think that sounds perfect!
Emily
What the what?!? Milky Way syrup? YUM!
Sweet Basil
that’s what I said about your dip! Pinned it!
Marnely Rodriguez-Murray
Ultimate travel destination would be South Korea! It’s my favorite kind of food!
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness
I love Milky Way candy bars. This recipe sounds like a sweet tooth’s dream come true.
Sweet Basil
Our kids certainly thought so!
Melissa Klotz
Milky Way syrup! What a great idea! It’s my mom’s favorite candy, she would love this 🙂
This is my first visit to your blog, so I don’t know if you’ve talked about CardioBarre previously, but I see the link in your sidebar. I looOOOooOOoovee CardioBarre! Only problem is it’s a bit pricey at $17/class, so I only get to go once in a while!
ashley – baker by nature
This syrup puts all other syrups to SHAME! Amazing, lady!!!
Shelly
I think I just gained ten pounds just looking at the picture. yum! We have an ultimate vacation destination to Europe but more realistic will be the northwest.
Jaclyn
This is genius! Awesome idea for left over candy! I love pancakes but to cover them with a syrup made with melted chocolates, oh my!
Sweet Basil
It was so heavenly!
Ashley | CenterCutCook
I have never experimented with flavored syrup, but now you’ve got me intrigued! You’ve got a smart girl on your hands there!
Awesome giveaway too.. I’ve got a trip planned to Utah that it’d come in handy for! 😉
Sweet Basil
exactly!
Rebecca {foodie with family}
Mmmmmmm… I think you are a serious genius! Milky Ways are one of my faves, too, so this has to be tried!
Sweet Basil
trying to be as cool as you! 😉
Wendy | Around My Family Table
OMG those pancakes look amazing! Totally reminds me of the fancy food network dishes with crazy good ingredients. I agree w/ Deb-What a great excuse for the leftover Halloween candy.
Deb
I have so many Milky Way bars in this house from Halloween, what a creative way to use them up!
Sweet Basil
that is a lucky day in my book, syrup it is!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
I adore Milk Ways!! I never thought to make it into a syrup!
Sweet Basil
they are one of the best candy bars ever!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
THIS IS SO SMART OMG! Your daughter is luckyyyyyyyyy!!! Milky way syrup, man, now I’ve seen everything. It looks SO gooooood!
Liz @ Virtually Homemade
Wow! I never thought of transforming candy bars into a syrup! The possibilities are endless.
Rachel @ The Stay At Home Chef
I’ve been waiting for this recipe ever since you touted about it on facebook. Looks delicious!
Linda
I imagine it could have other good uses–like drizzling on a cake or pie. 🙂 Sounds like a good way to thin out all the Halloween candy (other than baking it in things). Thanks!!
Michelle
A quiet, warm beach with my family! Thanks for the giveaway!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
As someone who has a cabinet full of Milk Ways right now, I welcome this recipe with all my heart! We’ve been big on waffles the past few weeks, the syrup would go great!
Kristen
I am not a typical fan of Milky Way, it’s that candy that gets left for last and then, out of desperation, gets eaten because I need something sweet. But…I think I could totally get into syrup. Yum!
Thanks for the giveaway chance. Could use some new bags for our growing family and our trips back East to let the kids get to know their relatives better.