The Prettiest Stuffing Hack You’ll Ever Try

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My Favorite Hosting Hacks for Stress-Free Entertaining

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Would you rather have more fridge space or oven space this time of year? Now you can have both using things you already have 🥳

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🤩🍽️ HOSTING HACKS: FREE & EASY🥂👩‍🍳

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First hosting hack: the fridge stack! Use a simple baking rack to stack serving dishes and leftovers. It creates an extra shelf instantly and frees up so much space this time of year 🤩🍽️

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Hack #2: Turn a Cooler Into a Warming Drawer! No warming drawer? No problem. Grab a cooler, two bricks, and foil. Wrap the bricks like little Christmas presents 🎁 and heat them in the oven for 20 minutes at 400°F.
Line your cooler with an old towel, add cardboard to protect the towel, then place the hot bricks on top. Now add your dishes and tuck more towels around everything to fill the empty space…it locks in the heat so well. Perfect for keeping sides warm while everything else finishes 🙌🔥

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Hack #3: The Hot Gravy Trick! Pour your gravy into a metal tumbler and thank me later! It stays piping hot for hours 🥣🔥

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Hack #4: The Trash Trick Nobody Talks About. Triple-bag your trash can. Seriously. Stack 3 bags at once so when someone takes the trash out, a fresh bag is already sitting there… which means they’re 100% more likely to finish the job for you. Hosting magic✨🗑️

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Hack #5: My Table-Setting Secret! Set your table way ahead of time. I’ll do it a week in advance if I can! If it’s just a day or two, I cover the plates with plastic wrap. If it’s longer, I throw a bedsheet over the whole table. Keeps everything clean and saves so much day-of stress 🤌✨

– Do you prefer cloth or paper napkins during the holidays? Comment and LMK, I’m a cloth napkin gal 🥰

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No Boil Mac and Cheese Hack

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Did you grow up eating boxed Mac & Cheese? Growing up, I made copious amounts of it for my dear friend Gianna Gariglietti and she swore no one made it like I did 😉 I’ve now taken my box expertise to the next level! Here’s how to turn 5 INGREDIENTS you already have into a Half-Homemade Wonder for less than $7 bucks! And we’re NOT PREBOILING THE PASTA 🥰

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🤩💛 MAC & CHEESE HACK: NO BOIL PASTA 🤯 STORE BOUGHT ➡️ HOMEMADE 👩‍🍳

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What You’ll Need:

2 boxes of Mac & Cheese WITH packets (any brand)
5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
3 1/2 cups of whole milk
2 beaten eggs
1 stick melted butter

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Directions:

Preheat Oven to 350F Toss shredded cheese with both packets of cheese powder Whisk together milk, eggs and butter Stir RAW macaroni pasta to the batter Fold or gently stir in coated cheese Pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish Bake 45 mins at 350F

cheese grater linked here!

– Happy Thanksgiving 🦃 SO Grateful for YOU!

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My Viral No Peel Mashed Potato Hack

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Where does peeling potatoes land on your list of life’s joys? It’s not very high on mine and boy is it time consuming, right? This is THE BEST POTATO HACK EVER and my absolute favorite! I can’t wait for you to try it 🥰

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🥔 🤯 MASHED POTATO HACK • NO PEELING! NO DICING! 🤎

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INGREDIENTS:

Bag of Yukon gold potatoes, approx. 3-4lbs.
1/3 cup butter, melted
Approx. 1 cup half & half, warmed (use less for thinking
1 tsp. Salt or to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Boil potatoes 20-30 minutes (depending on size), until you can easily insert a toothpick.
Remove from water and set aside.
Slice in half, placing cut side down on top of baking rack and smash!

Add butter, half & half, salt and beat until fluffy with a blender. Fluffy, golden, and holiday-table approved. Truly the easiest crowd-pleaser!

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What do you add to your mashed potatoes? Comment and LMK! I’m a butter 🧈 + half & half 🥛 gal 😉

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
SO Grateful for YOU!

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The Best Ever Thanksgiving Turkey Hack

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Are you in charge of the turkey this year? If you are, this hack is going to be a game changer! No more setting a timer to baste the turkey, no more stressing about it drying out 🥳

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🦃🤯 TURKEY HACK: THE BEST EVER + NO BASTING! 1 Step: Set It and Forget It 🤎

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LORAfied’s Magic Turkey ✨

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DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350F, remove middle rack, only leaving the lowest rack you have Remove turkey from bag
Remove bag of giblets, set aside to use in other recipes, if desired
Place on roasting pan or make your own Butter outside, inside and under the skin (luse 1 stick of butter)
Salt & Pepper outside and inside of bird
Fill cavity with citrus, veggies & herbs (I use an orange, onion, celery, rosemary & thyme)
Cork cavity opening with half an apple
Tie legs, dress the wings
Soak 1 pkg of cheesecloth in 2 sticks of butter, drape over turkey, completely covering your bird
Bake 13 minutes per pound. My turkey took exactly 3 hours. Internal temp should read 160-165. Let rest for at least 20 minutes, longer it possible

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NOTE: Do Not open the oven while cooking. You don’t need to check it and more importantly, you’re not basting it! Resist the urge to peak, just let the magic happen 🤩

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Happy Thanksgiving! SO Grateful for YOU!

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Budget Friendly Crock Pot Turkey Dinner Hack

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How challenging is it to get your ENTIRE turkey DINNER done at the same time?! AND have it all be HOT? Here’s the answer! It’s SO EASY and BUDGET FRIENDLY💰 I hope you love this as much as I do 🥰

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🦃🤩 $35 CROCK POT TURKEY DINNER HACK 🍽️

The most important thing happening here is how we layer this guy. After spraying your crockpot, start by adding 3 cups of cornbread stuffing mix, 1 chopped onion, 3/4 cup of chopped celery, and 1-2 tsp. of poultry seasoning. Finish this off by pouring 1/4 cup of chicken broth right over the dressing layer.

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Now, it’s time for the turkey. Grab a 3 pound turkey breast and lay her down with the netting still on right on top of the mixture. I placed her down almost like these dividing the crockpot in half. I then poured 1 large can (you can also use two small ones) of cream of chicken soup over the turkey. This layer is going to provide a coating that will bring the whole party together.

The next step is adding 3 cups of traditional stuffing mix– half is going to go on one side and half on the other. Then, add 2 cans green beans, drained to one side and 2 cans whole potatoes, drained (or fresh, can also use sweet potatoes) on the other. For the final layer, top it off with 1-2 tsp magic seasoning (you can find the recipe HERE), 1 1/4 cups chicken broth (poured over green beans & potatoes), and 1/2 – 1 stick salted butter.

To cook this guy, cover and cook on low for 8 hours. After it’s done, remove the netting from the turkey and serve each of the different ingredients in dishes of your choice. Stir the dressing really well to combine both, and top the green beans with those crunchy canned fried onions.

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NOTE: You can mash the potatoes if you’d like. I used the gravy packet that came with the turkey.

Hope this little crock pot hack makes your holiday dinner feel a lot easier and just as delicious! Anything that’s cozy, easy, and still tastes like you spent all day cooking is a win in my book 🤗

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LORAfied Turkey Dinner 🤎 Layering Cheat Sheet 🤎

3 cups Cornbread Stuffing Mix
1 Onion, chopped
3/4 cup Celery, chopped
1-2 tsp. Poultry Seasoning
1/4 cup of Chicken broth (poured over dressing layer)
1 Turkey Breast (3 lb. size)
1 Large can (or 2 small) Cream of Chicken Soup
3 cups Traditional Stuffing Mix
2 cans Green Beans, drained
2 cans Whole Potatoes, drained (or fresh, can also use sweet potatoes)
1-2 tsp. *Magic Seasoning
1 1/4 cups Chicken Broth (poured over green beans & potatoes)
1/2 – 1 stick Salted Butter

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What’s your favorite Thanksgiving side? Comment and LMK! Green bean casserole is pretty high on my list ♥️

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Starbucks Low Carb Drinks: Holiday Edition

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Have you grabbed your first peppermint or sugar cookie drink of the season? It’s holiday spirit in a cup, right? + While it may be the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, it’s also the most difficult when it comes to staying on track, especially at Starbucks! Their latest drinks have more carbs than ever 😳 Here are 4 NEW DRINKS to enjoy without all the guilt while you’re decking the halls!

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DIET HACK: LOW CARB STARBUCKS HOLIDAY EDITION

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A Healthier Peppermint Mocha You’ll Actually Love 🎄☕️
Skip the sugar crash! The classic Starbucks Peppermint Mocha rings in at around 400 calories and 58g of carbs—basically the same as a slice of cake. This lightened-up LORAfied version gives you all the cozy chocolate–peppermint flavor for just 84 calories and 21 carbs. Ask for an Iced Shaken Espresso with almond milk (to the top), no classic syrup, 1 pump peppermint, 1 pump mocha, 1 stevia, and chocolate curl topping. Tastes indulgent, without the sugar overload.

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The Healthier Sugar Cookie Latte You’ll Crave All Season 🍪✨
The original Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte might taste festive, but it packs around 370 calories and 45g of carbs—basically dessert in a cup. This LORAfied version keeps all that cozy, nostalgic flavor for just 80 calories and 17 carbs! Order it with almond milk, no classic syrup, 1 pump sugar cookie syrup, 1 pump sugar-free vanilla, and a sprinkle of cinnamon powder on top. It’s sweet, creamy, and holiday-ready—without the sugar overload.

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A Guilt-Free Caramel Brûlée Latte You’ll Want Every Day 🍮☕️
The classic Starbucks Caramel Brûlée Latte can top 420 calories and nearly 50 grams of carbs, but this LORAfiedswap brings all that creamy, caramelized flavor for just 105 calories and 14 carbs. Order a Grande Cold Brew with 1 pump Caramel Brûlée sauce, 3 pumps sugar-free vanilla, and a splash of heavy cream for that rich, buttery taste without the sugar crash. It’s sweet, smooth, and totally holiday-ready.

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The Cozy Gingerbread Chai Without the Sugar Spike 🎅🏼☕️
The traditional Starbucks Gingerbread Chai can climb to over 350 calories and 50g of carbs, but this LORAfied version keeps the same warm, spiced flavor for just 163 calories and 21 carbs. Order a Grande Iced Chai with almond milk, no classic syrup, 1 pump chai, 3 pumps sugar-free vanilla, and light gingerbread cold foam. It’s creamy, festive, and feels like sipping a gingerbread cookie minus the guilt.

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NOTES: Here’s the quickest way to cut down on calories and carbs at STBX:

✅ Ask for Almond milk instead of Oatmilk or dairy, both have more carbs at Starbucks.
✅ Want your drink sweeter? Add a 1/2 – 1 packet of stevia…a little goes a long way!
✅ For creamer drinks ask for an additional splash of cream, which is usually half and half at most Starbucks.
✅ These seasonal syrups are LOADED with sugar! So try the drinks this way first, then add an additional 1 pump of syrup, but try to avoid it, unless it’s your treat day 😉
✅ If you order them hot, they may taste a little sweeter because their drinks usually have less milk.

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Easiest Holiday Cookie Hack: Snow Globe Sugar Cookies

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EASY & SUPER AFFORDABLE HACK🤶 Are you making cookies this year? We’ve been making frosted sugar cookies my entire life! But I’ve never been more exciting about ‘em than I am this year! 😍 These snow globe sugar cookies are not only the cutest cookies I’ve ever made, but the easiest, too! Low impact HUGE return, I hope you love them 🥰

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🎄🍪 COOKIE HACK: STORE BOUGHT ➡️ SNOW GLOBE SUGAR COOKIES❄️☃️

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🧁 What You’ll Need

Sugar cookie dough (store-bought or homemade)
Parchment paper
Frosting and sprinkles of your choice
“Snow globe” toppers (linked here!)

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Okay, the package says we can get 16 cookies out of this dough but we’re cutting ours into 10 equal pieces because we’re making 10 big cookies (with just a tad extra left over for “taste testing”).

Now, here’s the trick: we don’t want them to dome up in the middle. To keep that from happening, give each dough ball a gentle smush on the pan before baking. It helps them spread just enough to fit the little “snow globe” topper later.

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🎅🏼 HACK ALERT

Whenever you put parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet, it actually makes the pan nonstick, which means you need to lower your baking temp a bit.
👉 Bake at 325°F for about 11 minutes.
👉 Double up your cookie sheets to prevent the bottoms from burning.
👉 Let them cool ON the pan for 10 minutes — they’ll keep baking slightly as they settle.

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❄️ Time to Build Your Snow Globe! Once they’re cooled and frosted, the fun part starts. Your snow globe “scene” can be anything you want — little trees, reindeer, sprinkles, even a tiny Santa. (If I had a miniature Rock Springfield, he’d be front and center 😂). Grab some clear plastic ornaments from the craft store, take one half, and gently pop it right on top of each cookie. Instant snow globe magic!

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These are the easiest, cutest holiday cookies ever! Totally foolproof and so fun to make with kids. And if you leave these out for Santa? Let’s just say… you might wake up to the biggest gift you could ask for. 😉🎅

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The Ultimate Thanksgiving Hack: No Cook Turkeys

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Think you have to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving? Think again! With turkey prices are up 40% this year, it might be time to find an alternative to the old school method that costs both your time and money💰 Did you know Popeyes is selling fully cooked turkeys?! 🤯 And they are HUGE‼️ Walmart and Trader Joe’s have also tossed a cooked bird in the ring! So which one tastes the best? Which one is easiest to heat up? And which one isn’t worth your time…here’s the winner of the heat and serve turkey wars 🏆

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🤩🦃 NO COOK TURKEYS: EASY THANKSGIVING HACK👩‍🍳✅

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The Turkey Wars 🍗

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Let’s start with the biggie: Popeyes’ turkey! At 17 lbs for $59.99, it’s a total crowd-feeder and full of flavor.

Pro tip: make a quick turkey tent by flipping two sheets of foil shiny-side up and folding them into a little roof — it keeps things juicy while warming.

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Next up, Walmart’s 12-lb turkey for $49 — the easiest to heat up, though it doesn’t come with drippings.

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And finally, Trader Joe’s 3-lb turkey for $27, which requires basting (aka, the most work).

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Here’s how they stacked up:

Popeyes: $3.50/serving – incredible flavor, juicy, and the clear winner 🏆
Walmart: $4.08/serving – less flavor, but very moist
Trader Joe’s: $9.12/serving – dry and sadly underwhelming

When it comes to no-cook turkeys, Popeyes takes the crown for taste, value, and ease! 📝 TIP: don’t toss the Popeye’s drippings, dipping your turkey in that liquid gold is a game changer 😉

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Cinnamon Roll Crust Apple Pie Hack

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Are you a pie maker? If baking isn’t your thing or maybe you like to bake but want to save some serious time, this is for you! This is a STUNNER! And best of all it’s INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS 🥰 Only 4 Ingredients and SO EASY 🤩

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🍎🥧 APPLE PIE HACK: STORE BOUGHT ➡️ CINNAMON ROLL CRUST 🤯🍏

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LORAfied Cinnamon Roll Apple Pie Recipe

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Ingredients:
You’ll need 2 store-bought (or homemade) pie crusts, 2 cans of apple pie filling (or any fruit filling you like), 2–3 tablespoons of melted butter, and a cinnamon-sugar mixture (I use my homemade blend, saved in my Stories!)

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Step 1:
Preheat your oven to 425°F.

Step 2:
Place one pie crust into the bottom of an ungreased pie plate and spread your apple pie filling evenly on top (or filling of choice.) Then, take second crust and spread with melted butter.

Next, sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over the butter until it looks like a thin layer of sand. Roll and cut into approx. 1/2” pieces (for larger pie plates, you made need extra, I used 1 1/2 pie crusts for this part.)

Place on top to cover filling. Brush top with egg wash (1 egg + splash of water) and more cinnamon sugar mixture.

Bake (on top of a cookie sheet) at 425F for 15 mins, then turn oven down to 350F for 30 mins.

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And that’s I! The easiest homemade-looking apple pie ever! 🍎🥧 The cinnamon roll crust adds the perfect gooey, caramelized top that tastes like fall in every bite. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and thank me later. 🤤

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It’s Finally Here: The LORAfied Cookbook!

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🤩👩‍🍳 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: The LORAfied COOKBOOK 🍽️

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It’s been so hard to keep this a secret, I’ve wanted to tell you SO many times! Quietly working on the book was a trick! Some days I would be so exhausted trying to juggle🤹‍♀️ everything from daily LORAfied obligations to kids, dogs and a traveling husband. I just wanted to call and explain “here’s why I’m tired: I’m writing a cookbook and it turns out, it’s not enough to just say season to taste or measure with your heart!” 😂 It’s amazing how much changed during those two years as I added new recipes to LORAfied. Along the way I received invaluable feedback from you and I really wanted to make sure this was something you would love 💕

My goal is to encourage folks to eat at home more 🏡 Whether you’re making something from scratch, half-homemade, or even replating take-out, there’s something special about sitting down at a table and just taking a minute. You don’t have to have any cooking skills to make these recipes. You’ll recognize every ingredient, be able to afford them and find them all at your local grocery store in one trip 🛒 Whether you’ve been cooking your whole life or don’t know where to start, this cookbook is FOR YOU 🫶

This is one of the greatest honors of my life. I feel beyond blessed and I’m so grateful 🙏 Food is love, cooking for someone is a true sign of love, I want everyone to be able to experience that feeling and I’m just blown away to have an opportunity to do it ❤️

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TAP HERE TO PRE-ORDER NOW 🤗

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Costco Dupe Alert: Food Court Sundae That Tastes Just Like Dairy Queen

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Have you been to the Costco Food Court lately? There’s a new treat in town and it’s AMAZING! When I first saw it, I thought “Wow, that looks familiar!” That’s because it’s shockingly close to the caramel brownie sundae over at Dairy Queen 🧐 So how do they compare? Is the Dairy Queen original really worth 3x the price?? I paid $9.22 at Dairy Queen, but only $3.28 at Costco 😉

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🍦🤩 COSTCO DUPE ALERT 🚨 DAIRY QUEEN 👯‍♀️ For A FRACTION 🤯

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🍦 Let’s Compare the Two

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The Dairy Queen original, a Heath Caramel Brownie Cupfection, came to a total of $9.22 (yes, nine dollars for one sundae 😳). Don’t get me wrong, it’s delicious. The ice cream is rich, the caramel drizzle is generous, and the brownie on top is warm and gooey…everything you’d expect from DQ.

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But then I tried the Costco version.

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Over at the food court, the Caramel Brownie Sundae is just $3.28… and honestly? It tastes just as good. The vanilla base is creamy, the caramel hits that perfect sweet spot, and the brownie bites (yes, bites instead of one big chunk!) make every spoonful extra fun. For less than half the price, it’s seriously hard to justify the DQ run when Costco’s serving up the same vibe!

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Do you prefer one big brownie on top of your sundae or the little brownie bites? Comment and LMK! I’m little brownie bites all the way 😍

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