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My State Cracked the Top 12% on Lovehoney’s Sexiest State Map (*Sheds Tear*… I’m So Proud) 

11 August 2026 at 21:37

Lovehoney just dropped its 2026 Sexiest State map, an interactive, anonymized breakdown of which states and cities in the U.S. are buying the most sex toys, lube, and costumes. You can plug in your own city name or zip code and see exactly how it measures up. 

I did. 

Colorado landed in the top 12% of all states for total purchases, which, as a resident, feels about right. Here’s what the data says about my home state, along with an extremely necessary breakdown of Boulder versus Fort Collins—our two main college towns.

Colorado’s Numbers, By the Inches (and Gallons)

Colorado (and Denver, specifically) is ranking, and it makes my heart grow a whole 6.8-inches. The state lands in the top 12% nationwide for total purchases. 

Drilling into specifics: the average dildo length bought here comes in at 6.78 inches, average girth at 4.89 inches, and collectively, Coloradans have bought our way through 101.13 gallons of lube. 

For context, the national average dildo length across all states sits around 6.71 inches, so we’re buying slightly above the curve, if you will.

Boulder vs. Fort Collins: The College Town Showdown

Boulder versus Denver returns some pretty unsurprising comparisons. So, I couldn’t resist plugging in our two biggest college towns instead—University of Colorado in Boulder, and Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Boulder wins overall, ranked 9th out of 1,216 U.S. cities, while Fort Collins lands at a respectable 24th. Boulder pulls ahead in nearly every category: 5th nationally for butt plugs, 11th for anal toys, 12th for strap-ons, and 11th for bondage gear. 

Fort Collins claws back a couple of wins, edging out Boulder on vibrators (23rd vs. 55th) and bondage (14th vs. 11th), but falls way behind on strap-ons (73rd) and roleplay, where it ranks 241st to Boulder’s 419th. (Neither town is especially into roleplay, but Fort Collins wins that one by default.) 

Boulder also buys slightly longer dildos on average, 6.9 inches to Fort Collins’ 6.7, though both land on identical average girth at 4.5 inches. As for flavor loyalty: Fort Collins is a strawberry-lube town through and through, while Boulder apparently can’t commit to just one.

Shop the Data

Depending on where you live, you probably already have some idea as to where your state might stand. If you’re wanting your state to up its sexiness, though, you gotta put your money where your mouth is. (Mostly figuratively spoken.)

Here are some of Lovehoney’s most popular products to get your state back up in the rankings:

Lovehoney Rose Clitoral Suction Stimulator

One of Lovehoney’s actual best-sellers, the Rose uses contactless suction instead of a traditional motor for a completely different kind of intensity. 

Fleshlight X Lovehoney Masterstroke Male Masturbator

For the male-toys category, a top seller is the Fleshlight/Lovehoney exclusive collab masturbator that comes compact and travel-friendly.

Lovehoney Enjoy Water-Based Lubricant, 8.5 fl oz

Given the 101.13-gallon lube stat above, it felt wrong not to include this. Fragrance-free, non-sticky, and safe with toys, condoms, and pretty much everything else. Plus, especially if you’re storing your lube in a storage box, water-based lubricant is far easier to clean.

Where does your state rank?

Want to see how your city stacks up? Lovehoney’s full interactive map lets you compare any two locations across a dozen categories. Consider it your new favorite way to procrastinate.

via Lovehoney

The post My State Cracked the Top 12% on Lovehoney’s Sexiest State Map (*Sheds Tear*… I’m So Proud)  appeared first on VICE.

via Lovehoney

Energy Balls

25 January 2026 at 00:20
best energy balls recipe

These energy balls are lifesavers! When you’re hungry in between meals, running out the door without breakfast, or craving a wholesome little treat, these energy balls will come to the rescue. They’re the perfect healthy grab-and-go snack.

This recipe is made with oats, honey, nut butter, and toasted nuts and seeds, though it’s endlessly adaptable to suit your preferences. I designed it to offer sustained energy from the whole grains and nuts. One ball is just sweet enough to taste like a treat, and offers a healthy dose of protein and fiber.

This recipe was inspired by my husband’s mom’s interpretation of my no-bake granola bars. She always has a batch in the fridge for her grandkids, and they’ve become a staple in our house, too. I crumbled one over my yogurt just this morning, and they’ve kept my energy level up through this postpartum phase. They’re a perfect homemade gift for anyone who’s in a busy season of life, that’s for sure.

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Instant Chai Latte Mix (Dairy-Free)

30 September 2025 at 10:00
Instant Chai Latte Mix (Dairy-Free)

Making chai lattes has never been easier! This Instant Chai Latte Mix makes comforting chai lattes possible instantly. Just add water and your favorite sweetener and enjoy!

This convenient mix makes it easy to have your favorite spice-filled beverage on busy mornings, at the office, when traveling, and beyond! It also makes a great gift for the dairy-free chai-lovers in your life! Just 5 minutes and 6 ingredients required, friends.

Instant Chai Latte Mix (Dairy-Free) from Minimalist Baker →

Chocolate Chip Muffins

26 August 2025 at 21:31
chocolate chip muffins close-up

These chocolate chip muffins are divine—they’re fluffy, tender and studded throughout with chocolate chips. They’re our three-year-old daughter’s current favorite muffin in my muffin repertoire, and I understand why! She loves dark chocolate as much as I do, so I can vouch that these muffins delight kids and adults alike.

These muffins follow the same formula as my other popular “healthy” muffin recipes, but you won’t guess it upon your first (or last) bite. They’re made with whole wheat flour if you wish, and they’re sweetened with honey instead of plain sugar, which makes them extra delicious. Greek yogurt offers a subtle sour cream-like tang that makes these taste like bakery-style muffins, while providing some extra protein.

If you’re a fan of my popular banana muffins or blueberry muffins, you must try this recipe!

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Peach Cobbler with Almond Topping

5 August 2025 at 22:38
peach cobbler recipe

Meet the peach cobbler of my dreams! This irresistible dessert features warm, bubbling peaches with a golden cobbler topping that’s craggy at the edges and tender inside. Make this recipe from mid-to-late summer when fresh peaches are at their peak.

This simple peach cobbler recipe is sweet but not too sweet, so the glorious peach flavor shines above all else. The filling is sweetened with honey, and the topping is lightly sweetened with lemony sugar—both of which impart some lovely complementary flavors that make this cobbler taste extra special. The recipe is not complete without some vanilla extract, cinnamon and yogurt for a light, buttermilk-like tang.

The buttery topping is made of almond flour, which offers a tender crumb and light almond flavor that pairs perfectly with ripe peaches. I tried making this cobbler with regular all-purpose flour and much preferred it with almond flour. Thanks to the almond flour, this recipe is gluten-free, whether you need it to be or not!

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Poppy Seed Dressing

8 July 2025 at 19:51
poppy seed dressing recipe

Let’s hear it for poppy seed dressing! This lightly creamy, lemony dressing is irresistible with tender lettuces and fresh fruit. The poppy seeds add a light crunch and nutty flavor that make your salads memorable.

This recipe is easy to mix together with quality ingredients, and beats store-bought dressing by a mile. It features poppy seeds, of course, as well as fresh lemon juice and zest. It’s sweetened with honey, which offers more flavor than plain sugar. Dijon mustard and a clove of garlic keep it interesting, and mayonnaise or Greek yogurt make it lightly creamy (your choice—mayonnaise offers a more luxurious texture, while yogurt lends a lovely tang).

Some poppy seed dressing recipes are excessively sweet or creamy, but this one is not. It’s just right. Below, you’ll find the recipe and complementary flavors to help you build a great salad.

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Easy Winter Fruit Salad (1 Bowl!)

17 December 2024 at 10:00
Easy Winter Fruit Salad (1 Bowl!)

Winter fruits are survivors, making it through the coldest days of the year. We had to show them some appreciation. Enter this simple, vibrant winter fruit salad!

It almost feels too simple to be a recipe (1 bowl, 5 ingredients, 15 minutes!), but we are Minimalist Baker after all. Let’s make it!

How to Make This Easy Winter Fruit Salad

This winter fruit salad is indeed EASY!

Easy Winter Fruit Salad (1 Bowl!) from Minimalist Baker →

Easy Gluten-Free Cornbread (1 Bowl!)

5 November 2024 at 10:00
Easy Gluten-Free Cornbread (1 Bowl!)

It’s no secret we love cornbread and have shared recipes for it before (exhibits A and B). And we wouldn’t be posting another version if it wasn’t worth it. So trust us…it’s worth it! This FLUFFY, moist gluten-free cornbread is naturally sweetened with honey, SO flavorful, and seriously EASY to make. 

Just 1 bowl and 8 ingredients stand between you and the best gluten-free cornbread.

Easy Gluten-Free Cornbread (1 Bowl!) from Minimalist Baker →

The Ultimate Salmon Burger (30 Minutes!)

27 August 2024 at 10:00
The Ultimate Salmon Burger (30 Minutes!)

Friends, today we’re sharing the ULTIMATE salmon burger of all salmon burgers! Inspired by our go-to order at Café No Sé, this burger is SO satisfying and full of flavors you wouldn’t expect to go together but are truly meant to be.

Our inspired version is equally hearty and comes together in just 30 minutes! Or, if 10-minute dinners are more your style, you can prep and freeze the patties in advance.

The Ultimate Salmon Burger (30 Minutes!) from Minimalist Baker →

Caramelized Peanut Coffee Cake

By: David
20 January 2024 at 15:27

Whenever I’m looking through a new cookbook, what never fails to make me bookmark a recipe is when I come across something that has caramelized nuts on it, or in it. Whether it be Honey-Almond Squares or Swedish Almond Cake, you can be sure you’ll find me in my kitchen within the next 24 hours, and baking it. This Caramelized Peanut Cake that takes very little effort to make, but yields big rewards. Big, crunchy, peanutty ones, with a bonus of moist, buttery cake underneath, holding it all together.

The good thing about this cake (aside from it being covered with a generous pile of caramelized salted peanuts, as if it can get any better than that) is that you likely have most of the ingredients already on hand. That was my case, so I was able to make it right away. The only ‘technique’ you need to master is boiling butter, honey, cream and sugar, then stirring in the roasted peanuts. The topping couldn’t be easier.

This recipe is adapted from The Joys of Baking, an unabashedly sweet ode to baking by Samantha Seneviratne that riffs off stories and situations in her life, ones that inspired the recipes. Gingered Cashew Nut Brittle showered with sesame seeds, a Roasted Plum Cloud Cake topped with swirls of snowy meringue, bittersweet Amaro Stracciatella Ice Cream, and Salted Chocolate-Covered Chocolate Caramels are the kinds of things that I’d agree are a joy to bake, and to eat.

So how could I resist cake topped with SALTED CARAMELIZED PEANUTS? Sorry for shouting, but this cake is something to shout about. I mean, just look at it…

The only difficulty you might encounter is getting the cake neatly out of the pan. Mine got a little dark around the edges (why, oh why, wasn’t I born a food stylist, to make mine as neat as the one in the photo in the book?) I found that letting the cake rest for about 5 to 10 minutes after it comes out to the oven, then using a sharp paring or utility knife that’s either sprayed with a bit of non-stick spray, or lightly greased, to separate the sides from the cake pan while it’s still warm, is your best bet for easy (or easier) removal of the ring of the springform pan. Any pieces that fall off can be reaffixed to the cake.

Or let them cool…and eat them yourself.

Which is what I did with the missing chunk in the photo, above. (Why, oh why, wasn’t I born with photo editing skills?) But honesty is the best policy, and I hope you’ll trust me when I say this cake is as good as it looks. And if a few pieces go missing, here and there, well – you only have yourself to blame. But unlike me, you don’t have to tell anyone about it.

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Caramelized Peanut Coffee Cake

Adapted from The Joys of Baking: Recipes and Stories for a Sweet Life by Samantha Seneviratne
One tip: If you have low-fat milk on hand, you don't need to go out and buy whole milk just to make this cake. Since the topping only calls for 1/4 cup (60ml) of cream, you'll likely have some leftover cream if you've gone out and bought a carton or bottle. So you can mix some of that cream in 50:50 proportions with low-fat milk to approximate whole milk. Another tip from a reader, who used a silicone cake mold (which I don't own) and said the cake slipped out of the mold easily and the sides didn't get too dark.
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

For the peanut topping

  • 6 tablespoons (3 ounces, 85g) unsalted butter cubed
  • 1/3 cup (65g) sugar
  • 3 tablespoons (60g) honey
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • 1 1/2 cups (7 ounces, 195g) roasted, salted peanuts

For the cake

  • 6 tablespoons (3 ounces, 85g) unsalted butter cubed, at room temperature
  • 2 cups (280g) flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder preferably aluminum-free
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 1 cup (200g) sugar
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup (180ml) whole milk at room temperature

Instructions

  • Butter the sides and bottom of a 9-inch (23cm) springform pan very well. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC).
  • To make the peanut topping, warm the unsalted butter, sugar, honey, and heavy cream in a small saucepan, stirring occasionally until the butter is melted. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it cook at a low, but steady boil, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the peanuts. Set aside, stirring every once in a while to cool it down, while you make the cake batter.
  • In a small bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl mixing by hand with a spatula or wooden spoon, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy, about 3 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and add the egg and vanilla extract, stirring to combine. (You may want to stop the mixer during the step, and scrape down the sides if using a stand mixer, to make sure all the ingredients are well incorporated.)
  • Stir half of the flour mixture into creamed butter (with the stand mixer set on low speed), then add the milk, then mix in the rest of the dry ingredients.
  • Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Spoon the peanut mixture over the top of the cake. It will have thickened up but do your best to make sure it's relatively even, and avoid pushing it right up to the sides of the pan, as it'll stick to the pan and make it a little difficult to release later.
  • Bake the cake for 50 to 55 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Do not touch the top of the cake to check for doneness as the caramel is hot and sticky, and it can burn. (Trust me...) Let the cake stand 5 to 10 minutes, then lightly grease a paring or utility knife and run it around the outside of the cake to release it from the sides of the pan. Then remove the outside ring of the springform pan. If any bits of caramelized peanuts stick or come off when removing the outside ring, either reunite them with the cake, or let them cool and eat them yourself.

Notes

Serving: Serve the cake just as it is, or with lightly whipped cream or a favorite flavor of ice cream.
Storage: The cake is best the day it's made but can be kept at room temperature for up to three days either well-wrapped or under a cake dome.
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