Morning Coffee Routine Made Easy (and an Easy Tiramisu recipe)

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This morning coffee shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias, Millstone® Coffee, and Mr. Coffee®. #CoffeeJourneys #CollectiveBias

Mornings don’t have to be rushed and crazy. A bit of careful planning the night before will ensure your morning #CoffeeJourneys are relaxing and peaceful. Whether you are a parent or not, its important to set yourself up for success the night before. I was thinking about how I am doing that while shopping at my local Walmart a few days ago. Does your mind wander like that, please say yes!! What really started me thinking was a walk past the drip coffee maker aisle.

The Optimal Brew™ Thermal Coffee Maker from Mr. Coffee® caught my eye. It looked beautiful; and I knew that the timer would help me get my day started off on the right foot. Smart, right? I quickly made my way to the coffee aisle; you can’t buy a new coffee maker without buying new coffee! I spied the Hazelnut Cream Millstone® Coffee packaging and tossed it my cart without hesitation.

When we got home, my morning routine was wearing on my mind. Things have been crazy here since we returned from our vacation. I can’t seem to get myself back on track. Writing down my morning routine seemed like a great idea. Here’s my nightly plan to ensure there is plenty of time for my morning coffee each day.

Choose Your Clothing. Check the weather report and layout your clothing ahead of time. For adults, be sure to include jewelry, watches and other accessories. Last minute morning scrambles are the worst!

Pack lunches and snacks. Be sure ice packs are in the freezer, too. Make sandwiches and put non-perishables into your lunch boxes. In the morning, toss the ice packs in your bags and you’re ready to go.

Plan your breakfast ahead of time. If you eat cereal, leave the box on the counter. Make an overnight oatmeal and let the flavors combine overnight. Set the timer on your drip coffee maker and remember to add your favorite flavored coffee to the basket!

Following these easy tips will ensure you have plenty of time to relax and appreciate the day ahead.

If you’re like me at all, you like to get up before everyone else and sneak outside to sip on your morning coffee while it is still quiet. Sometimes it works; other days it doesn’t. One the days that I’m not lucky enough to sit and linger over cups and cups of coffee, I like to make a quick and easy tiramisu with my remaining coffee. Don’t you?

Tiramisu is one of my favorite desserts. You’ll be surprised by how easy this recipe is!

What You’ll Need
1 Low Fat Pound Cake, sliced into 12 pieces
8 Ounces Low Fat Cream Cheese, softened
1 Cup Leftover Coffee, chilled
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Chocolate Syrup
2 Tsp Vanilla, not imitation
1 Cup Whipping Cream
Cocoa Powder for garnish

What You’ll Do
In the bowl of your stand mixer, combine sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and chocolate syrup and beat on medium until well combined. Add whipping cream to bowl, and using the whisk attachment, beat until light and fluffy.

Pour coffee into shallow dish and quickly dip one pound cake slice into the coffee, use care not to saturate the cake. Place each piece in single layer of 8X8 pan.

Top pound cake layers with half of the cream cheese mixture. Dip remaining slices of pound cake into coffee and arrange as second layer.

Add remaining cream cheese mixture.

Refrigerate 2 – 4 hours prior to serving; but not longer than 36 hours. Cut into 12 servings when ready to eat.

Garnish serving plate with cocoa powder, place individual serving on to a plate. Enjoy with a cup of your favorite flavored coffee.

What do you like to do with your leftover coffee?

Note: When first published, this post offered the chance to win a Mr. Coffee® 10-cup Optimal Brew™ Thermal Coffee Maker and Millstone® coffee. The giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Pamela L.! Enjoy your coffee!