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Saturday, December 22, 2012

Deck the halls with boughs of holly {cupcakes}!

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Looking for HOLLY CUPCAKES?! Find them HERE...


Friday, December 21, 2012

Gingerbread Oreo Cupcakes


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Looking for Gingerbread Oreo Cupcakes?! Find them HERE...

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Christmas Tree Meringues

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Thursday, December 13, 2012

Rice Crispy Birthday Cake!

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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Premium greaseproof cupcake liners! {Sweets & Treats Boutique Giveaway!}

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Saturday, December 8, 2012

Let's talk about...{rolled} sugar cookies.

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Friday, December 7, 2012

Christmas Swirly Cookies

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Play Cake Pops!


When my first daughter turned 1 we bought her a wooden play kitchen, table, and lots of wooden food. I'm kinda of a stickler about toys, and I wanted her to steer clear of the chintzy plastic pieces. Since then we have grown quiet the collection of wooden and felt foods, some bought and some handmade. Now we have three girls, and they still play with that same kitchen, table, and food everyday and it's still in great shape! This year we decided they were really outgrowing their one little kitchen and needed an upgrade, so we decided to build them a little market to house all their food. But then I thought how cute would a bakery be, or what about an ice cream shop, or cafe? So...now they are getting their very own town :) I'll share more on that after Christmas! To go along with their new bakery I've been on the hunt for fun new sweet wooden and felt treats. Although they are so adorable, wooden toy food is no cheap. So I plan on making as many items as I can. While I was looking at the wooden section at the craft store I realized I could make them cake pops! Some round wooden balls and some sticks...how simple! Bakerella would be proud :)
  
With the help of the hubs and his drill, I was able to make this set for under 5 dollars, because I already had the craft paint, glue, and dowel rods but even if you don't it's still pretty cheap to make! I used a half off coupon to get the wooden platter on the cheap. 

To make these you will need:
wooden balls (about 1.25in across)
1/4in thick dowel rods
wood glue
8in wooden craft platter
non toxic craft paint




Step 1: Using a 1/4in drill bit drill about 1/2in into the wooden craft balls.

Step 2: Cut dowel into 5in pieces (the hubs used a saw)

Step 3: Put a small drop of wood glue on the end of the cut dowel and push into drilled hole, let dry for a bit. If your dowel are snug even better! Just use a mallet or something to gently push them in.

Step 4: Mark your wooden platter where you would like your cake pop holes to be. I marked the center first then moved each cake pop spot 2in apart.

Step 5: Drill each cake pop stick spot about half way though the thickness of your wooden platter, mine was just under half and inch.

Step 6: Paint them pretty colors!



 Easy peasy, cheap, and super cute! I really wanted to add sprinkles or something to make these even cuter. I thought about glitter, or painting them on, or even tiny beads...but I couldn't help but think they would just eventually be picked off by the littles leaving paint chip spots, so I left them pretty and plain for now! Although how cute would they be with painted stripey straws on the sticks :)




I placed them in a cake box, bought at the craft store, and they are wrapped and under are tree! Hope you have fun making your own play cake pops! 

 (I recommend not giving these to smaller toddlers who might be able to pull off the ball and choke on it, safety first!) 

With sprinkles,
Toni

Monday, December 3, 2012

Peppermint reindeer chow - with FREE printable!



Growing up, one of the first thing my sister and I would do on Christmas morning is run down the stairs and see if Santa had ate the milk cookies we left out. Of course he always did, leaving behind a few crumbs and a note telling us how much he had enjoyed them. It was always fun seeing Santa's handwriting in red ink as dad read Santa's letter out loud, often a report of some recent things we had done...naughty or nice and reminding us the reason for the season.

 Now, I enjoy watching my kiddos set out cookies and milk for the big guy and eating them after the kids are asleep  eh making sure Santa gets his favorite kind. Really girls I think Santa would rather have a diet Pepsi...don't you? Heh. :) But this year we're setting out another treat, because Santa doesn't do all the work ya know. I can only imagine pulling the big guy around the entire world in a sleigh...in one night! So this year we'll be setting out some yummy peppermint  reindeer chow for the little guys. 


 This is a fun twist on a classic and so easy to make. Plus the kids can really help with this one! My daughter even added red sprinkles, which apparently help the glow of Rudolph's red nose, who knew?

To package it all up for the reindeer we poured it into little  paint cans from Target add I made fun little printable using, Maree Truelove's new Christmas clip art. These would make a fun treat for teachers, party favors, school parties, or just to set out on Christmas eve!

Click here to download some tags of your own!


Here's what your going to need:
5 cups Corn Chex
1 bag Andes peppermint crunch baking chips
2 cups powdered sugar
3 TBS crushed peppermint sticks (optional)
Red sprinkles (optional)


Step 1: Pour powdered sugar into a gallon ziplock bag. Then add in your crushed peppermint and sprinkles if you would like. The sprinkles aren't necessary at all...but here we were improving the brightness of Rudolf's nose :). Just a little fun touch if your making with the kids!



2. Now melt your baking chips. I used my chocolate melter of course, here's more info on melting chocolate if you need it.


Step 3: Once melted, pour of chef mix in a large mixing bowl.


Step 4: Then gently stir. Don't use to much pressure or you'll smash your reindeer food to pieces! 


Step 5: Pour about half of your chex mix into the bag, make sure it's sealed really well, then shake, shake, shake! The kids love doing this part! 


Step 6: Use a slotted spoon to scoop on the covered mix and place into a second mixing bowl. Then repeat the process with the other half of the chex mix.


My daughter added just a few more sprinkles for good measure.


And the best part is...you don't have to share this with the kids! It is after all for the reindeer :)!


With Sprinkles, 
Toni





Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Over The Top Peppermint Rice Crispy Treats


For some reason I don't make rice crispy treats a whole lot, but that is going to change. These over the top peppermint rice crispy treats...left me wanting to make more. It's probably a really good thing I wrapped them up and sent them to neighbors very quickly...because I'm not sure how well my will power would have help up to the crispy layers of chocolate and peppermint. 


So if you're looking for a fun wintery treat to serve or gift these will work great. Of course they are so yummy but they are also easy, serve a lot, and can easily be packaged. Which is kind of important around Christmas! I can't wait to start baking friends treats...


Here's what you will need:
1 package Jet-puffed mini peppermint mallows
6 cups rice crispy cereal
3 TBS butter
1 Package candy cane Hershey kisses
a few crushed peppermint sticks
1 cup chocolate melts OR melting chocolate


Step 1: Measure out 6 cups of rice crispy cereal into a large mixing bowl.


Step 2: Unwrap and chop of your candy cane Hershey kisses into small chunks. (smaller then the chunks shown below)


Step 3: Begin melting your butter in a large pot on the stove top.


Step 4: Once it's melted, pour in your marshmallow...keeping the flame on low. You will want to keep stirring until they are fully melted.



Step 5: Then pour the melted marshmallows onto the rice crispy in the mixing bowl.


Step 6: Fold the marsh mallow into the rice crispy.

  
Step 7: Once it's mixed well pour in about half of your chopped candy cane kisses in.


 Step 8: Then press into a large parchment (or wax) paper lined pan. I like to use a half sheet pan for these. A flat sheet pan like this gives you a nice thin treat and cuts easily! If your type A like me...you can take another piece of wax paper and lay it above the rice crispy. Then press even with you hand or spatula to get a nice clean press.


Step 9: Now spread out the rest of your candy cane Hershey kiss chunks over the top. Then layer a small amount of crushed peppermint sticks on top.


Step 9: Melt your chocolate, giving it a nice smooth consistency. If you need melting help check out this post here.



Step 10: Finish it up by drizzling your chocolate all around.


  Let set for about 1-2 hours. Cut, Serve, Enjoy!


Maybe Santa would like some of these instead this year...



With sprinkles,
Toni

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Santa baby....40 different baker gift ideas!

Santa baby...just slip a mixer under the tree, for me.


Over the past few years. My baking supplies have really grown. I'll admit I have quiet the impressive collection of sprinkles, a stash of cupcake liners, more measuring cups then I really should have, cake stands for an army, a stock of ingredients, flavorings, and gel food colorings. But I'm not very good at buying myself much needed tools, or even the fun stuff I don't have to have. It's really easy to pick up a few little inexpensive items like icing bags and sprinkles but buying bigger more expensive items qualifies as spending money on myself and not on the kids. Which I'm awful at. Seriously, it took me burning up a half dozen hand mixers before I had to break down and admit....I needed a kitchen aid. Which is now a daily tool for me, that I could not live without.

Even though there are dozen and dozens of baking items I would love to have, I never purchase them. Each year when Christmas and my December birthday come around I have zero things to help guide the husband because of course I can't think of a thing I want! ;) So this year...I promised him I would create a list of many different items that I would really love to have for Christmas, so he can easily pick from. So today I've rounded up some of my own baker's wish list as well as items I own and really love that you may want on your  bakers wish list! If your anything like me...you'd rather have new cookie sheets then a foot massager anyway ;) Really it's that simple! I've included presents for every budget from under a dollar to several hundred dollars.  

1. Of course every baker needs a kitchen aid stand mixer. Although I have one and LOVE it...I regret getting a white one and not a pretty pink one like this...so it's still on my wish list. 


2. Even though I use my stand mixer for almost everything I would really love a nice hand mixer for those particular times. 


3. I love stainless steel...and these measuring spoons are my favorite ones so far. I only have one set but plan on eventually getting several sets exactly like this.

4. Of course you'll the measuring cups to go along with. ;)


5. Another fun thing I love to use! The baby cakes cake pop maker. Easy to use...and I much prefer baked cake balls of icing mixed ones.


6. I would love to have the donut maker to go along!


7. Every, I mean every baker should have some nice and simple half sheet pans. I have in the past bought mine in a two pack at Sam's club. I use them for everything. I would love to toss out all the other cookie sheets and just have a just stash of these around.


8. I'm always surprised at how many of my friends don't have cooling racks! These come in so handy in the kitchen...and not just for cookies!


9. Corning ware bakeware sets are just plain awesome to have, baker or not!


10. These silicone baking liners by SILPAT have been on my list forever!  They have many different uses especially if your making beautiful cookies, or baking macaroons.


11. I just recently purchase this adjustable rolling pin! It makes rolling out dough so easy. Love it.


12. Pampered Chef has an awesome egg white separator which makes separating egg whites from yolks a no brainer. (if you need somebody to order from let me know!)


13. I can't ever get enough rubber spatula scrapers from kitchen aid! I really like the wooden handled ones but they are getting harder to find.

14. How cool is this elevated spatula? I haven't used one myself but seems genius! 


15. Wilton's chocolate melter is a must have for anybody who makes chocolate dipped treats! 


16. It may sound kinda silly but I really do use my ipad a ton in the kitchen. So easy to look up recipes or tips right there on the counter!

17. Aren't these mixing bowls super cute and handy? With built in measuring cups!

18. The ever popular cake pop cupcake press, so simple...yet I still don't own one! :)


19. If your a cake decorator this turntable by Wilton is amazing! I received it as a gift from Duncan Hines and I love it! Something I always wanted but wouldn't buy...head to a craft store and use a coupon to get this 40% - 50% off almost any day!


20. Wilton's icing color holder. Another gift I received and love!

21. How neat is this silicone macaroon baking sheet? I've honestly never used one but this seems really simple and I would love to try it out!


22. You will love these boo boo sticks! They are tiny little sticks used to correct icing "boo boos". I use them a lot to scrap coloring out of the jar that would other wise be wasted. 


23. A kitchen scale is so handy! 


24. You can never go wrong with cookie cutters
25. I really need a few cute cupcake stands, how bout you?


26. I have seriously been drooling over these cake stands for over 2 years! I just can't seem to buy myself a $60.00 cake stand. I'll take on in every color Santa! (especially pink!) 


27. I love buying AmeriColor gel food colorings! Unfortunately these are not just sold everywhere. I have to often take a trip to a baking supply store or order them online. I really love this brand and they have an awesome color selection!


28. You can never have too many icing tips...really. Glorious treats talks about a few common tips here.


29. If your anything like me...you always need more sprinkles! The baker's confection has a huge variety of different sprinkles. 


30. There's something so darn cute about bakers twine


31. Cupcake wrappers are something I always seem to need more of. But not just regular old cupcake wrappers...Sweets & Treats has some amazing greaseproof cupcake liners with adorable prints!

...and I always keep a set of these rainbow cupcake wrappers around.


32. Who doesn't love stripey straws! Can't get enough...


33. If your a cookie decorator...this could be the cutest baker's necklace ever! 


34. Seriously...how cute is this cupcake necklace?


35. Carrying some sprinkles around in this sprinkle necklace all day would sure make me happy!


35. These birthday cake earrings are just stinking adorable.

36. Ah! I really really love this baking tin necklace! Come on...


37. I'm still not over how cute these faux  cupcakes from Amy Miller designs are! They come in ornaments and photo holders and more...


38. This kitchen print comes in many different colors...and would seriously be cute framed in any baker's kitchen! 


39. Another adorable cupcake print!


40. I can't tell you how many times I've used my cupcake carrier! Every mom should have one of these...or many two!


41. Do you have Bakerella's new book yet? I would love to have her holiday books...even the kids would love flipping through these adorable pages! 


42. Of course you need something to store that extra buttercream in...I have slowly been building my stock of OXO food storage containers. They hold up much better then other tupperware, have a great seal, plus stack nicely. Still it never seems like there are enough! 



That's right Santa this year you can skip the fuzzy socks and awkward slippers. I just want some new cupcake pans! Hehe. Pst. Go ahead...send the hubby this link...maybe even make a few notes on which numbers you're loving. Santa doesn't really know it all ya know ;)

Did I miss something? If there something your swooning over let me know! Maybe I can add it to my list :)

Hopefully you've been a good girl this year...I'm trying really hard!

With sprinkles, 
Toni