This is the first time my little sweetheart will be away for Valentine’s Day so I want to make sure her day is extra special. I’m planning a heart shaped lunch with all her favorites – jelly sandwich, strawberries, cucumbers and chocolate milk.
To create these cute heart shaped strawberries simply cut the tops off and cut a small v-shape in the center.
Heart Shaped Cucumbers created using a mini cookie cutter
Last years Holly Jolly Christmas Collection was a big hit especially the sweet North Pole Survival Kits {aka Hot Coco in a Can}.
I have had several requests for a tutorial and have finally distracted my children enough found some time to take pictures and write down the recipe. The red paint canisters were purchased last year (2011) around Christmas time. I had one heck of a time finding them again until a few days ago I spotted those suckers down the dollar aisle at Target and stocked up! It’s a super simple recipe and they make great teacher gifts.
Here is what you will need:
Hot Chocolate Mix
Milk Chocolate Chips
Peppermint Candies
Marshmallows (Regular or Peppermint)
Canister or Glass Jar
Thoroughly wash and dry your canister/glass jar
I made a few different version and noted the recipes below.
Same Recipe as Above: 6 Packets of Hot Chocolate, 1/4 Cup Crushed Peppermint, 1/3 Cup Milk Chocolate Chips and fill the rest with Marshmallows
Mini Mason Jar
2 Packets of Hot Chocolate, 1/8 of a Cup of Milk Chocolate Chips and fill the rest with Marshmallows
Mason Jars
4 Packets of Hot Chocolate, 1/4 Cup Crushed Peppermint, 1/3 Cup Milk Chocolate Chips and fill the rest with Peppermint Marshmallows
Click here to download the free North Pole Survival Kit Circles
Fall is here with it’s spectacular color, golden light and rich aroma. For our family, the season is not complete without a trip to the cider mill and as my daughter says “Mom’s Famous Zucchini Bread”.
I was given this recipe by Jen I., and it is the most amazing zucchini bread I have ever tasted. Every time I make it I get nothing but compliments.
First I separate my wet and dry ingredients as followed (2 tsp Vanilla not pictured)
Using my stand mixer I cream together the sugar and shortening
Next add the water, eggs, zucchini and vanilla (not pictured again)
Add the dry spices to the above mixture, then slowly add in 3-1/3 cups of flour.
Once everything is mixed up it should look something like this.
Download the recipe card here!
PDF Version
JPG Version
I have received so many questions about the milk bottles I used for my nieces Cookies & Milk party. I want to share this inexpensive and easy tutorial on how to create your own. I am in love with those vintage glass milk bottles, but at roughly $5 a piece the price is a little too steep for my budget (especially when you consider glass bottles and small children are never a good combination). This tutorial will teach you how to turn a simple Starbucks Frappuccino bottle into an over the top dessert table accent.
What you’ll need:
4 – Starbucks Frappuccino Bottles
1/4 – 1/2 Cup of Chocolate Chips
Sprinkles of your choice
Optional:
Drink Bottle Wrapper
Striped Paper Straw
Soak empty Frappuccino bottles in warm soapy water for about 10 minutes to remove wrapper. Clean and dry thoroughly, set a side.
In a small glass dish melt chocolate chips in the microwave, one minute at a time at 50% power, stirring in between. *Helpful hint – Add 1/2 teaspoon of Crisco Shortening to make chocolate shiny and smooth.
Place sprinkles in a small dish or plate
Dip the rim of the Frappuccino bottle in melted chocolate, making sure to cover the entire twist off area.
Let the chocolate stand for about a minute then dip the chocolate covered rim in the sprinkles of your choice. (If the chocolate is too hot the sprinkles will just run down the side of the bottle)
The above steps can be done a couple days in advanced, just make sure you store the bottles in a cool and dry place.
The day of your party add the milk and drink wrapper then top off the bottle with an adorable striped straw.
(The milk bottle wrappers are from our boys Cookie & Milk Party Set)
Last week I worked on a photo shoot with the wonderful Monica from Andary Studio’s to show off the brand new Halloween Collection. I made these delicious Gourmet Candy Apples for the shoot which turned out adorable. Here is the tutorial on how to make your own.
Supplies:
Store bought Candy Apples (or you can make your own, I was lazy this day)
Caramel Dipping Sauce
Candy Bars {your choice you need about 1 large or 3 fun size bars per apple}
Small bowl of sugar
Wax Paper
Chocolate chips or Melting chocolate
1. Place a large piece of wax paper over cookie sheet and set aside.
2. Crunch up candy bars in food processor or crush them in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Place in bowl and set aside.
3. Dip store bought candy apple into caramel dipping sauce {you can skip this step if you are dipping your own apples}
{The back one is how it looks when you don’t use freshly dipped apples, everything kind of falls off}
4. Roll freshly dipped apples in the bowl of crushed candy, making sure you cover it entirely.
5. Once you have completely covered the caramel apple with crushed candy place the bottom of the apple in small dish with sugar {this will keep it from sticking to the sheet} and place on wax paper.
6. Melt chocolate chips in a small glass dish. I use the microwave at 50% power stirring every minute. Once chocolate is completed melted use a spoon to drizzle melted chocolate over candy covered apple. You can also use a squeeze bottle like this, or a sandwich bag with a small hole cut in the corner.
The final product should look something like this….
I hope you enjoy the tutorial, don’t forget to check out the new Halloween Collection, on sale in the shop until October 1st.
I am so thankful to have been asked to participate in the give away from A to Zebra Celebrations. I wanted to give a “little” back to all of our new facebook fan so I created these miniature triangle bunting banner.
Layered Cupcake + Free Pirate Printable
Yesterday while my little ones were napping, I made adorable red and white layered cupcakes using red velvet & french vanilla cake mix.
After mixing up both batters, I spooned about 1 tablespoons of red velvet mix in to the bottom of cupcake baking cup.
Next, do the same using the French Vanilla batter making sure the mix reaches the sides and completely covers the bottom layer.
Repeat the previous step using the Red Velvet mix and place cupcakes in the oven.
Once the cupcakes cool a little frosting and a quick dip in some sand {crunched up graham crackers}.
then add the chocolate treasure chest {Hershey Nugget} and our free mini Pirate Banner.
Ta-dah, super cute Pirate Cupcakes that your little Matey will love! {I used bakers twine and two lollipop sticks to attach the mini-bunting banner}
Download your free mini pirate bunting banner here.
