Every seat in Firestone is taken as students hunker down for the two-week war of reading period and finals week. While many are barricaded into basements with Celsius cans in every flavor imaginable, the best way to prepare for battle is to take delicious snack breaks between long periods of study. That said, here are five classic, fun, and healthy sweet treats to boost your breaks this finals season.
Banana mousse at Small World Coffee
Thick, fluffy, and ridiculously creamy, Small World Coffee’s banana mousse is a criminally underrated study snack. The banana mousse is a gustatory delight packed into a plastic cup. Fresh banana slices are mixed in lend the mousse a refreshingly banana flavor. Sweet vanilla wafers and soft, bready chunks are also incorporated, creating an airy texture that complements the thick mousse base.
The to-go packaging makes the snack perfect for a quick pick-me-up. If you’re looking for a filling and convenient interlude between cramming for your math final and a term paper, look no further.
Ice cream floats at Halo Pub
No more choosing between a toasty beverage or a classic scoop of ice cream: The customizable floats at Halo Pub offer hot chocolate floats, affogatos, and seasonal hot cider floats. After choosing one of the various beverages, you are given the choice to include a scoop of ice cream with a flavor of your choice.
The hot chocolate float is indulgently sweet, but not sickeningly so. The rich chocolate is balanced by the cool ice cream, adding some creaminess to the beverage. Whether or not you’re a chocolate fanatic, the hot chocolate float is a delightful treat to sip on as you bustle your way between group study sessions.
The store’s affogato brings coffee into the equation, with the slightly bitter tinge of espresso minimized by the sugary ice cream, as it quickly melts into the warm coffee. Both caffeinated and decadent, Halo Pub’s affogato delivers the best of both worlds for an exemplary study-break snack.
Finally, the hot cider float is nostalgically festive, with autumnal, wintery notes of warm apple and spice. Reinforced by the wistful flavor and firm texture of ice cream, the hot cider float is perfect for holiday fans seeking comfort and warmth in the middle of the final season.
While the drinks come in convenient to-go cups, Halo Pub also has diner-style seating and is open until 11:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 10:30 p.m. for the rest of the week.
Studio 34 specials
Nassau Street is no good when it’s 1 a.m. and you’re looking for a filling, warm snack. Next stop: Studio 34.
Open until 2 a.m. from Wednesday through Sunday, Studio 34 is located in the basement of Butler. Offering a wide selection of candy, chips, bottled drinks, and student necessities, Studio 34 is an easy and convenient stop for a study break. Most notably, Studio 34 has daily specials prepared by staff. Classics such as mac and cheese, quesadillas, chicken tenders, nachos, and hot dogs are served every night, fresh and warm.
Aside from its late hours and fresh snacks, the staff is extremely friendly and energetic, welcoming you with bright smiles and striking up fun conversations. While you are grinding out finals, the delicious food and lighthearted energy are a superb way to keep your spirits up.
Greek yogurt
If you’re looking for a healthier option that delivers the same sweetness as other treats, Greek yogurt is a solid, consistent study-break snack. Greek yogurt is packed with two times more protein than regular yogurt and has little to no sugar. Easily accessible at Frist late meals, dining halls, and Wawa, Greek yogurt comes with many flavor pairings and various fruit toppings and granola mixes. It’s also incredibly filling, perfect for satiating hunger through long study periods.
Hot chocolate at The Bent Spoon
As the winter chill sets in and Palmer Square transforms into a Hallmark movie, decked out in warm string lights and Christmas wreaths, Bent Spoon’s creamy, rich hot chocolate is the closest you can get to holiday cheer in a cup.
Bent Spoon operates from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays; 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays; and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in accordance with their holiday hours.
Their lavish hot chocolate is a perfect treat for chocolate lovers. The whipped cream is not optional — it is a necessary counterpoint to the thickness of the rest of the drink. For a small extra charge, hot, hand-torched honey marshmallows add another light, airy complement. If you’re counting down the days until finals season is over and the countdown to Christmas begins, Bent Spoon’s hot chocolate is a fun and festive snack break for all holiday fanatics.
Although the last two weeks of the semester are stressful and hectic, it is essential to take breaks to unwind. Finding yourself a tasty study break snack between work can be a fun and effective way to relax and recharge.
Amy Jeon is a contributing writer for the Prospect and a member of the Class of 2029. She can be reached at aj9410[at]princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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