Happy New Year Canister Kit

There were a few people on my Christmas list that just didn't get visited before Santa arrived.  I did not want to miss them so I whipped together a little HAPPY NEW YEAR gift.  

All about Simple and Fun!

   

Visited the almost empty shelves at Wal-Mart and they had a few of these canisters left.

Their HNY goods were very affordable...didn't pay more than $3 for packets containing 4 to 6 items in each.  Some very fun poppers, blowers, banners, streamers, etc. 

  

Midnight kisses were a must!  Find the tag here

The 36th Avenue was my inspiration for this project.

I also liked this idea from Dukes and Duchesses.  Love the paper bag.

A Happy and Safe New Year to All!

Rocky Road Fudge (Auntie Gayle's Recipe)

If you like nuts, marshmallows and chocolaty goodness, this fudge is THE VERY BEST.  And I have tried many fudge recipes looking for this taste.  Thanks for sharing Auntie Gayle!

The Hershey Bars are a delicious part of this fudge.

Reaching the 7 min. mark.

You need a strong wooden spoon for stirring!

I used a 9x13 pan...almost over-flowing with fudge.  Will probably use a jelly roll pan next time.  Would still allow for pretty thick pieces. 

A very smooth, rich chocolate taste.  And nutty!  If you don't care for nuts leave them out or substitute something you do like. 

Rocky Road Fudge

5 cups sugar

1 large can evap. milk (NOT sweetened cond. milk)

1 cup butter

2-8 oz Hershey milk chocolates with almond bars

12 oz milk (or semi-sweet) choc. chips

2 tsp. vanilla

2 large marshmallow cream jars

1/2 pound walnuts (chopped)

1/2 pound pecans (chopped) optional

1 large bag marshmallows (frozen-a must)

Grease 9x13 dripper pan or 11x14 jelly roll pan.  (This makes ALOT of fudge)

Butter sides of large heavy saucepan.  Stir constantly first 3 ingredients until sugar is dissolved.  Do not scrape sides of pan.  This is where the sugar crystal form and will make your fudge taste grainy.  Stirring occasionally bring to boil for 7 min.  

Pour into bowl of choc. chips, and candy bars.  Mix until creamy and add vanilla.  Combine nuts and frozen bag of marshmallows and add to chocolate mixture.  Pour into prepared pan(s).  Let set, then cut.

Christmas Gingerbread Cottage Gift

 

I work with some fabulous designing ladies!  I thought it might be nice to give them a little "home decor" gift this Christmas season.

I came across this template online and started to design!  

It was fun!

Trader Joe's is my go-to place for amazing treats.  And these pretzels did not disappoint.  They were included inside the gingerbread cottage.

Once I figured out the assembly of the first cottage, they went together fast.

Love Christmas gifting!

Shortbread Toffee Bars

After weeks of research and testing in Santa's Bakery/Workshop,

 Cookie & Cups gave us our new favorite Christmas Cookie!

This shortbread toffee bar is so decadent and holidayish, and so easy to make.  It's layers of goodness.

Visit Cookie & Cups website for all the how-to-hints for this cookie bar.  It's well worth the time and effort.

Shortbread Toffee Cookie Bars

Ingredients

SHORTBREAD CRUST

• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour

FILLING

• 1 cup sweetened condensed milk
• 2 Tbsp butter

TOPPING

• 2 cups milk chocolate chips (Guittard is definitely the best!)
• 1 1/2 cups Toffee Bits

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Line a 9×13 pan with foil and spray lightly with nonstick spray.

SHORTBREAD CRUST

1. Beat butter and sugar together until combined, 1-2 minutes.
2. Mix in flour. Mixture will be slightly dry. Press into prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.

FILLING

1. In a small saucepan heat sweetened condensed milk and butter together until butter is smooth. Pour over shortbread crust. Bake 12-15 minutes until filling is bubbly and browned. It will almost take on a light caramel appearance. Remove from oven

TOPPING

1. Immediately sprinkle milk chips on top of filling when it comes out of the oven. Place back in oven for 2 minutes until chips are shiny and soft.
2. Carefully spread the chips over the filling with an off-set spatula.
3. Sprinkle with toffee bits, pressing into milk chocolate.
4. Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

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Notes

You can place these in the refrigerator to help speed up the cooling process.
I allowed mine to cool at room temperature, though, over night before I sliced and served.

Christmas Mini-Super Saturday

  
Ever been to a Super Saturday?  If you have, you know how much fun they can be.  Our time and resources allowed us to plan and pull off a Mini Super Saturday this year.  And I think it was better than the SUPER, SUPER Saturday!

We delivered personal invites to every woman in our neighborhood.

And they were attached to a yummy chocolate dipped pretzel rod.

We decided that having this M-SS would be nice in someone's home, rather than a large cultural hall.  And it was...roaring fires with the smell of hot cider and cocoa on the stove was perfect.

To make the bag just a bit more festive I added these Pretzel Crisps (just a few) to the bottom of the invite bag.

We planned a few projects and sent around sign up sheets.  This was a favorite project. 

Another favorite was a Christmas Tamale making class.  Wow, were they good!

We also offered a display class with many, many ideas of inexpensive Christmas gift ideas and family traditions.

Fudge recipes, creative advent calendars, teacher gift ideas, holiday hand soaps and bath bombs, Christmas wish jars (complete with wishes!), cocoa cupcake bulbs and so much more. 

Cocoa Cupcake Bulbs.  Cocoa powder is funneled into clear bulb ornament, then miniature layered toppings.  Be careful to set bulb in a cupcake liner and cup so the bulb does not roll over and mess up your layers!  Package in cello, bow and candy cane.  So clever!

An elementary school teacher makes this tasty treat for each of her students as a Christmas gift.  Hamburgers and French Fries!  Lucky students!

Mini Hamburgers:
Vanilla Wafer Cookies (Mini)

Sesame Seeds to sprinkle top of buns (moisten wafer slightly)
Peppermint Patties
red and yellow frosting
Potato Stix (@Walmart)

To encourage attendance we offered this little teaser...

"For all those that come to the activity there will be a special gift.  Something that all will appreciate and some have even coveted in the past!"

The gifts were presented in this plush Santa bag.

The "gift" was a special recipe from a certain person in our ward that gave us permission to share it with those that attended.  The treat is a favorite at many of our neighborhood functions and had never before been shared.  Lucky us!

As projects and classes were winding down we started serving warms soups, appetizers and Christmas desserts.  

Watch for future posts...some of these recipes will be shared!

Like this Almond Joy Bar!  So good!

Lots of time to chat, eat, create and get excited about the upcoming holidays.  

Success!